When I first saw Episode I in 1999, about 20 minutes into the screening the film jammed and melted before my eyes. 20 years of anticipation came to an end only seen in my nightmares. As I went to subsequent screenings in the following weeks, the prints became more scratched and the picture more dirty. When I saw Episode II earlier this week, the top third of the picture was mysteriously out of focus. In some dark scenes the picture was grainy and generally messed up. I've had similar or worse experiences at non-Star Wars films.

After seeing scenes from Episode II in digital projection at the Star Wars Celebration II, I'm sold that it is the future of moviegoing and the way I want to see ALL of my movies. The picture was sharper and the colors much richer. It was an added bonus that the movie wasn't going to jam and melt and that it was going to be a pristine presentation every time it was shown.

Unfortunately, most Star Wars fans will never get to see Episode II on a digital screen. In fact, you probably won't get to see any of your upcoming favorite films in a digital presentation. That includes The Matrix Sequels, The Two Towers, Star Trek Nemesis, James Bond, etc etc etc. However, we might be able to change that.

A major stumbling block to getting more digital screens around the world is NATO, the National Association of Theater Owners. Its president, John Fithian, isn't convinced that digital is worth it. (see http://www.infocusmag.com/presidents.htm) However, if we POLITELY write him and let him know that we, the customers, are willing to take our business to theaters with digital projectors, we might change his mind. Convince them that there's a stong market for this and things might start moving. You can contact him at:

nato@mindspring.com.
4605 Lankershim Blvd. #340
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 506-4382 Fax

The second thing we as fans must do is write the movie studios themselves, which stand to benefit the most financially by not having to make thousands of film copies. They have formed a consortium to "study" the issue; it could, of course be studied to death. The majors belong to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA or the related MPA), headed by Jack Valenti. For background on them go to:

http://www.mpaa.org/about/

And go here for info on their stand on digital cinema:

http://www.mpaa.org/dcinema/

Let them know POLITELY that this is the kind of presentation you want and that you want to see their movies digitally. They can be contacted at:

Main Office Address:
Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
15503 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, California 91436
(818) 995-6600
Email: dcinema@mpaa.org

Members of the MPAA include:
Walt Disney Company;
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.;
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.;
Paramount Pictures Corporation;
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.;
Universal Studios, Inc.; and
Warner Bros.

The first link above has digital links to all of the studios listed; you can do a little research and send letters or emails to the chairmen of the studios.

But as Rick McCallum said in his talk at Celebration II, the very best thing to do is to go to local managers and owners of individual theaters and let them know that their customers want--demand--digital cinema. And that they are willing to put their money where their passion is, and only go the theaters that give us all the best possible theatrical experience.

This really is a crusade, and we're all the advance scouts.

On a side note, Jedi Talk has a petition you can view online here, but e-mailing, mailing, faxing, and calling is the best way to get their attention.