MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- Moviegoers attending Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Base Theater will experience their next film in high-definition and 3-D, thanks to a $120,000 upgrade.
The theater’s more than 20-year-old projection system was recently replaced by a state-of-the-art system.
“The purpose of the upgrade is to dramatically improve the customer’s movie-going experience with a new digital projection system,” George Mettrick, retail director, Marine Corps Exchange, Marine Corps Community Services, MCLB Albany, said. “The new hard drive computer system allows us to program movies in advance and simplify the preview requirements from the previous 35-millimeter film equipment.”
Mettrick said a 3-D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception.
“The new 3-D system will forego having to show many movies in 2-D as we had to with the 35-millimeter system,” he said. “The old system required the movie staff to spend hours building a movie for showing as well as many hours previewing each film prior to showing.”
Mettrick described the process of building films as tedious and time consuming.
“The 35-millimeter film was shipped in several reels and then pieced together by the movie staff into larger reels for movie watching,” he said.
Moviegoers will also enjoy a better sound quality and a concession stand upgrade.
“The new projection system, along with the previously installed Dolby sound system, will place the theater on par with other movie theaters off base,” he said. “In addition, the concession area received a $20,000 upgrade, which will make servicing customers more efficient and enjoyable.”
Mettrick said there are more upgrades planned in the near future.
“We are currently in the process of replacing all of the carpeting and draperies in the concession area and the theater itself,” he said. “This is just another step by Marine Corps Community Services to continue to improve the quality of life for our deserving customers.”
Due to the upgrades, the price of movie tickets will increase to $4 for adults, $2.50 for children ages 6 through 11, and free for children younger than 5 years old. Glasses for the 3-D movies can be purchased for .50 cents.
The new ticket prices will take effect Friday.
“This is the first price increase in five years,” Mettrick said. “This is a tremendous savings when compared to the price of movies off base.
“We are always looking at ways to improve our facilities and equipment to better serve our customers,” he added.
For more information, call 229-888-6801.