11.30.2005
DREAMWORKS IS NEWEST STUDIO TO SUPPORT CHRISTIE/AIX’S
DIGITAL CINEMA FUNDING PLAN
- Studio Makes Its Films Available
to DCI-Compliant Digital Systems -
Morristown, NJ, November
30, 2005 – Access
Integrated Technologies, Inc. ("AccessIT")
(AMEX:AIX) and DreamWorks SKG (“DreamWorks”)
said today DreamWorks will give full support to exhibitors
participating in Christie/AIX’s digital cinema rollout
by releasing future films in digital format. DreamWorks
is the fifth and latest studio agreeing to provide its
content for digital distribution and projection and
to fund exhibitor adoption of DCI-compliant hardware.
The studio’s productions will be made available to all
exhibitors currently deploying systems under the Christie/AIX’s
4,000-screen national rollout plan, starting with the
first 150 digital cinema projection systems expected
to be installed by December 31, 2005.
Jim Tharp, Head of Distribution
at DreamWorks, commented: “DreamWorks was founded to
deliver audiences with ground-breaking forms of entertainment.
The use of new techniques and technologies has been
central to our efforts and digital cinema, with its
astonishing visuals, adds to DreamWorks’ ability to
provide audiences with exciting new entertainment experiences.
Having worked with the talented teams at AccessIT and
with Christie Digital Systems, we are confident they
understand our business needs, the needs of exhibitors,
and, most importantly, the needs of movie-goers.”
“We are pleased to expand our longtime
relationship with Jim and the team at DreamWorks through
the signing of this agreement,” added Bud Mayo, chairman
and chief executive officer of AccessIT. “DreamWorks
was an early supporter of digital content distribution,
entrusting AccessIT with the digital release of such
major movies as ‘Madagascar,’ ‘Collateral’ and ‘Shark
Tale’ and we look forward to continuing our work together
in the expanding digital era.”
Based on the recent distribution
agreements signed with Disney, Twentieth Century Fox,
Universal and Sony, the company has already begun an
initial deployment of DLP Cinema® systems in theatres
in Detroit, Michigan, owned by Emagine Entertainment,
Inc. and at multiple locations in San Diego and Riverside
County (CA) multiplexes owned by Ultrastar Theaters,
Inc.
The level of support from Hollywood’s
major studios has enabled AccessIT to expand its total
planned installations from 2,500 to 4,000 screens. Disney,
Fox, Universal, Sony and DreamWorks will help finance
exhibitors’ transition to digital technology by paying
virtual print fees to Christie/AIX for each film projected
on Christie/AIX-funded hardware. The company is also
continuing late-stage negotiations with a number of
other studios and independent distributors for their
participation in the plan.
Jack Kline, President and COO of
Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc., commented: "With
this commitment to release future movies in digital
format, DreamWorks’ continues its tradition of providing
groundbreaking entertainment experiences. Coupled with
our proven DLP Cinema® technology, audiences will be
able to enjoy the best viewing experience available
in the world today.”
Under the Christie/AIX funding
plan, participating exhibitors will receive complete
digital cinema systems at no cost other than a project
management fee and a standard 10-year maintenance contract
with Christie similar to existing film maintenance agreements.
The Christie/AIX-funded deployment of Christie DLP Cinema®
projectors also includes media players and a central
“library” server plus two-way satellite communications
and data storage equipment. The central servers feature
AccessIT’s unique vendor-neutral Theater Command Centre
(“TCC”) software, which allows all digitally-equipped
screens in a multiplex to be networked, simplifying
theater operations through centralized content management,
scheduling, and reporting.
Access Integrated Technologies,
Inc. (AccessIT) is
an industry leader in offering a fully managed storage
and electronic delivery service for owners and distributors
of digital content to movie theaters and other venues.
Supported by its robust platform of fail-safe Internet
data centers, AccessIT is
able to leverage the market-leading role of its Theatrical
Distribution System (TDS) with its innovative digital
delivery capabilities and in-theatre software systems
to provide the highest level of technology available
to enable the emerging Digital Cinema industry to transition
from film without changing workflows. For more information
on AccessIT, visit www.accessitx.com.
About Christie
Christie is a leader in visual solutions for world-class
organizations, offering diverse applications for business,
entertainment, and industry. A leading innovator in
film projection since 1929 and a pioneer in digital
projection systems since 1979, Christie has established
a global reputation as a total service provider and
the world's single source manufacturer of a variety
of display technologies and solutions. Christie offers
comprehensive solutions for cinema, large audience venues,
control rooms, business presentations, training facilities,
3D and Virtual Reality, simulation and education as
well as industrial and government environments. For
more information, visit www.christiedigital.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Investors and readers are cautioned that certain statements
contained in this document, as well as some statements
in periodic press releases and some oral statements
of AccessIT officials during presentations
about AccessIT, along with AccessIT
's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including AccessIT 's registration statements,
quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and annual report on
Form 10-KSB, are "forward-looking'' statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act''). Forward-looking
statements include statements that are predictive in
nature, which depend upon or refer to future events
or conditions, which include words such as "expects'',
"anticipates'', "intends'', "plans'',
“could”, “might”, "believes'', “seeks”, "estimates''
or similar expressions. In addition, any statements
concerning future financial performance (including future
revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business
strategies or prospects, and possible future actions,
which may be provided by AccessIT’s management,
are also forward-looking statements as defined by the
Act. Forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and projections about future events and
are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions
about AccessIT, its technology, economic and
market factors and the industries in which AccessIT
does business, among other things. These statements
are not guarantees of future performance and AccessIT
undertakes no specific obligation or intention to update
these statements after the date of this release.
DLP Cinema® is a registered
trademark of Texas Instruments Inc.
# # #
Suzanne Tregenza Moore
Access Integrated Technologies, Inc.
973.290.0080
smoore@accessitx.com
www.accessitx.com
Dorina Belu
Christie
519.749.3323
dorina.belu@christiedigital.com
www.christiedigital.com
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