Aviano base theater goes digital

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Briana Jones
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Moviegoers now have the opportunity to watch two and three dimensional movies at the base theater April 18 as part of a recently completed renovation project.

As part of the upgrade, a new digital system and screen were added to accommodate watching 2-D and 3-D movies. The walls surrounding the concession stand were also painted to give the theater an updated look to go with the renovations.

Aviano is one of several military installations throughout Europe that received the new system "Christie." Christie is a projector that has 3-D capabilities and gives the movies more natural sound, color and makes the picture easier to see on the screen.

"The system is up-to-date and better than the old system," said Stefan Eifert Army and Air Force Exchange Service field manager who helped install the system. "It's something that everyone is talking about. Having 3-D movies will attract new customers and I think they will enjoy it more."

Base personnel may be unaware that they helped pay for the new Aviano theater upgrade from a traditional movie format to the latest digital projection technology. Every time an Airman, civilian or dependent buys something at The Exchange food court, store or commissary a portion of that money is used to help provide support to morale, welfare and recreation programs.

"That's what we are about, morale for us is number one," said David Schoenfeld AAFES food court and base theater manager. "It's more convenient for Team Aviano members to just go to the base theater rather than go downtown. The base theater is also familiar and comfortable to them -- we want to keep that feeling."

The base theater will reopen April 18 with a 7 p.m. showing of "Olympus has Fallen" in 2-D. Moviegoers have the choice to either keep the 3-D glasses or return them when the movie is finished.

"Whether you think it's an old gimmick or the future of films, a lot of movies are being made in 3-D nowadays," said Airman 1st Class Alan Geiss, 31st Force Support Squadron career development counselor. "It's nice to see our cinema adapting to the changes in the movie industry."

For more information, movie times and showings, visit
http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ReelTimeTheatres/Movies-Aviano.htm.