News

Base theater upgrades

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kathryn Stilwell
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Movie theaters, with their large, dark rooms illuminated only by floor lighting and vibrant red exit signs, can serve as a respite from everyday occurrences.

Popcorn and soda, snacks synonymous with theaters, are often munched on throughout the production until the film that is played over and over again begins to deteriorate; subsequently becoming scratchy and old.

Films suffering from anticipated wear and tear will no longer be a concern at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., theater. It has been selected as one of the 60 Army and Air Force Exchange Service theaters worldwide expected to undergo the transformation to a digital format March 18-20.

"From what I learned, it was our loyal attendance, which was the determining factor in keeping the theater open versus closing it because a lot of bases closed their theaters this year," said Kevin Arnold, theater supervisor. "I've had customers who have been telling me they've been coming here for 20+ years because they love this theater. If I didn't have a customer base that keeps coming back all the time, it would have shut our theater down."

Arnold has been working at the theater since 2008 and enjoys what he does.

"I love this job. I love interacting with my customers," Arnold said. "I have customers who come every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They come to every movie. They're just good people. My customer base here is mostly retirees and families, although I would like to see the Airmen start coming here from the dorms."


The motion picture film industry decided to switch from 35mm film prints to an all-digital projection format. AAFES theaters have been undergoing extensive reviews to determine the cost-effectiveness of converting to digital (a process that costs approximately $120,000 at each location).

AAFES conducted a study of attendance for each of its theaters to determine where digital conversion made sense. At places where customer attendance decreased due to a preference for off-base theaters, a decision was made to close them.

"I'm really witnessing the end of an era at the theater because the 35mm projectors have probably been up there since the 1950s," said Arnold. "But it is really exciting going to digital and we're going to be able to give the same thing for people that the outside theaters are able to give to people now in 2D and 3D. I know all my customers are excited about it. They're just as thrilled as I am because it's only going to be $7 for a 3D movie and for children, it will $4.50."

For more information on ticket prices and movie show times, visit http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ReelTimeTheatres/Movies-DoverAFB.htm.