COLUMBUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKEC), a leading DIGITAL cinema and 3D motion picture exhibitor, is announcing the November 17th unveiling of its newest entertainment complex in the Upland Square Shopping Center in West Pottsgrove (PA) Township. The new twelve screen theatre complex will seat over 2,300 guests in luxurious comfort and features the critically acclaimed “BIGD” auditorium. “We’re providing the ultimate entertainment experience that centerpieces large format Digital with bigger screens, bigger and better sound, and the finest in-theater seating for cutting edge presentation and the definitive enjoyment of our audiences,” notes David Passman, Carmike’s President and CEO.
The new facility is equipped with auditoriums featuring state-of-the-art stadium style seating, with comfortable high back luxury chairs, in addition to retractable armrests and convenient cup holders. The Carmike 12 also contains large, wall-to-wall screens, as well as DLP DIGITAL projection and DIGITAL sound. The new theatre has an upscale lobby, multiple concession areas and an indoor box office, so filmgoers can escape the elements.
The Carmike 12 in Upland Square will open featuring the November 17th midnight showing of the ‘Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1’ in the “BIGD” auditorium. West Pottsgrove is one of the first communities in the nation to offer theatregoers the exciting new “BIGD” format recently launched by Carmike Cinemas, an industry leader in Digital projection and 3D technology since 2006. A special gala grand opening night at the beautifully appointed complex will be presented later this year benefiting community charities and promoted by area radio and television stations.
The “BIGD” auditorium includes a wall-to-wall screen measuring 62 feet wide and nearly three stories tall, the latest in surround sound and Digital projection of both 2D and 3D features. In technical terms, Carmike’s “BIGD” DIGITAL experience is powered by a cutting edge Christie Brilliant 3-D flash projector. The end result is a light output of 30,000 lumens, creating a picture quality with noticeably higher resolution than HD.
To further enhance the experience, the custom QSC DIGITAL audio system is tuned to a 7.1 speaker array with 16 channels and the ability to upgrade to 11.1, a revolution in surround sound technology with DIGITAL audio processing supported by quad-amplified, 4-way speakers and six 21-inch subwoofers. The new, expanded configuration at the Pottsgrove Carmike 12 promises a new gold standard in unparalleled picture clarity and deep resonating DIGITAL sound.
“The success of 3-D releases for features like ‘Avatar,’ ‘Cars 2,’ ‘Transformers Dark of the Moon,’ and the record-breaking re-launch of 'The Lion King in 3D,’ proves that audiences are excited about and enjoy the new DIGITAL experience, and are demanding it,” notes Mr. Passman. “These early successes will no doubt persuade producers to release more movies in this format, and with the “BIGD” experience – in either 3-D or 2-D DIGITAL – Carmike has the full capability to provide our audiences with the technology and total luxury that brings theatergoing to a new level.”
Plans for the “BIGD” Experience will include more locations by the end of 2011 including Chattanooga, TN, Minneapolis, MN, and St. Clairsville, OH. “Whether it is a movie, concert, sporting event, motivational speaker or church service, patrons will find “BIGD” placing them at the heart of the event,” notes Terrell Mayton, Carmike’s Director of Marketing.
About Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC) -www.carmike.com
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. is a U.S. leader in digital cinema and 3-D cinema deployments and one of the nation’s largest motion picture exhibitors. As of September 30, 2011 Carmike had 235 theatres with 2,215 screens in 36 states. Carmike’s digital cinema footprint reached 2,089 screens, including 208 theatres with 726 screens that are also equipped for 3-D. Carmike’s focus for its theatre locations is small to mid-sized communities.