SMPTE Tutorial Paper: Guidelines for the Design of Effective Cine Theaters (Part I of a Proposed SMPTE Engineering Guideline)

Present-day cinema technology provides the motion-picture theater exhibitor with projection and sound equipment capable of displaying high-quality images with clean, full-frequency sound. Yet, many patrons are denied this full realization of the film producer's art because the theater designer has failed to provide the proper environment for experiencing the wonderful world of illusion that is the art of cinematography. Good design has often been compromised by “practical” solutions and the belief that effective cinemas are not economically feasible. Contrary to this belief, many effective cine theaters have been designed for museums, universities, visitor centers, and Worlds Fairs by creative teams of architects, acousticians, and motion-picture engineers at reasonable cost. Similar results could be achieved for the film exhibitor by architects and their consultants based on the parameters and criteria contained in this paper.