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If you've gone to a screening at the DGA Theatre Complex in Los Angeles recently, you've probably noticed a new look. At first glance, it's easy to see that the plastic backed seats are gone, replaced by upholstered custom rocker-type seats with lighted arms on the aisles. But more was involved with the renovation than the installation of new seats and carpet.
"The new look further cements the Guild's reputation as having the finest screening facilities in Southern California," according to DGA National Executive Director Jay D. Roth. "These aesthetic renovations demonstrate our commitment to giving members the best theatre environment for them to view their work and that of their peers, as well as provide a comfortable venue for Guild events, for the community and our clients."
Marcel Giacusa, DGA National Executive in Charge of Theatre Operations, said the current renovations were the first significant aesthetic upgrade to the theatres since they were built in 1986. "We've maintained the original components," Giacusa said, "but it was time to renovate, so that the aesthetics of the theatre matched the Guild's state-of-the-art film and video projection and digital sound systems."
Jeff Cooper Architects, the firm that originally designed the theatre, consulted on the renovations. Giacusa and Cooper have also been responsible for ongoing technical upgrades to both the Los Angeles and New York theatres.
"The original architecture of the theatre is quite classic, with symmetry in mind, an almost art deco style, but with a contemporary twist," Cooper said. "It was the DGA's and our desire to maintain this look, but make the theatre more appealing and the theatrical experience more satisfying for its patrons."
After numerous discussions on options, Cooper and the DGA decided on a one-of-a-kind high-end Irwin theatre seat built especially for the DGA. The seats feature a custom rocking mechanism as well as custom Italian fabric upholstered fronts, backs, bottoms, seat cushions and panels to hide the rocking mechanisms. Row lights were inserted into the aisle seats to replace the original aisle lights.
Because of the new rocking mechanism, the seats are wider; however, despite the additional seat width, the number of seats in the theatre increased from 585 to 600. The new seating configuration improves on already optimum sight lines. There are also additional seats in Theatre #2 increasing its capacity to 155.
Cooper explained this was achieved by reducing the width of the aisles and moving the new front row of the theatre four feet back from its original location. Many of the additional 15 seats are also in the prime center section of the theatre.
A new custom carpet in a more neutral and darker color to decrease light reflected from the screen was also laid. According to Cooper and Giacusa, the carpet is also more durable and will endure years of heavy traffic that not only includes frequent member screenings, but also premieres, studio screenings, special events and numerous film festivals.
Other improvements include acoustic wall fabric replacement, expansion of Theatre #2's stage, various masking/rigging upgrades to each theatre, a new video projection system for Theatre #3 and additional upgrades to the theatre projection and film/video digital playback sound systems. The next phase of renovations, scheduled for this year, will entail the upgrade of restroom facilities and other amenities.
To better serve the Eastern Region membership, the New York Theatre has also undergone several aesthetic and technical upgrades in the last 24-month period. The next phase of the New York Theatre renovation plan will occur this summer and will include increasing the current screen size by 100%, installing a main title curtain, as well as moveable masking and acoustical drapery along the perimeter of the theatre. A new THX speaker wall with a three-way digital speaker system will be added. Stage lighting systems will be integrated along with several electrical system upgrades. All of these renovations will make the New York Theatre the premier showcase for films in Manhattan. |
