Epiq : Rakki Cinemas!

Qube EPIC Screen Experience for SICA Members

A Technical Showcase at Rakki Cinemas, OMR – Chennai | February 22, Sunday

The Southern Indian Cinematographers’ Association (SICA) members were invited by Qube Cinemas for an exclusive technical screening and presentation of the EPIC large-screen format at Rakki Cinemas, OMR, Chennai. The session offered cinematographers a valuable opportunity to experience how evolving exhibition technologies are redefining theatrical image presentation.

Conducted at Rakki Cinemas’ first EPIC screen, the event focused on understanding projection standards, brightness calibration, contrast performance, and most importantly, accurate framing preservation across multiple cinematic aspect ratios.

EPIC Screen Design & Viewing Experience

The EPIC auditorium features a 1.85:1 screen architecture, supported by stadium-style seating that ensures consistent viewing angles and image immersion across the hall.

With 57 feet high and 4k RGB Laser projection

Key technical highlights included:

Large-format 1.85:1 presentation screen

18 Foot-Lambert brightness, ensuring strong luminance levels

Improved contrast performance and black-level reproduction

Uniform illumination across the entire projection surface

Stadium seating enabling distortion-free viewing geometry

The viewing experience demonstrated how projection quality today is not merely about screen size but about image integrity and cinematic intent preservation.

Framing Integrity & Aspect Ratio Preservation

One of the most significant technical discussions during the showcase was the preservation of framing across formats.

The EPIC system is designed to respect original cinematographic composition, ensuring that films mastered in different aspect ratios are presented without distortion or visual compromise.

Cinemascope Presentation (2.39:1)

Scope films retain their intended widescreen framing.

Letterboxing occurs naturally within the 1.85 screen without cropping.

Horizontal compositions, blocking, and negative space remain untouched.

Directors’ and cinematographers’ visual balance is preserved exactly as graded and mastered.

Flat / EPIC Native Presentation (1.85:1)

Full screen utilization for flat-format films.

Increased vertical engagement enhances character proximity and environmental scale.

Ideal for contemporary storytelling formats and OTT-origin cinematic masters adapted for theatrical exhibition.

This capability ensures format neutrality, where both Cinemascope and Flat compositions coexist while maintaining original artistic framing — a crucial factor for cinematographers evaluating theatrical translation of their work.

Technical Demonstration & Screening Material

Qube Cinemas presented curated teaser content to demonstrate real-world projection differences between standard DCP and EPIC mastering workflows.

Screened material included:

Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey teaser

Michael

Varanasi title teaser

RRR

Eka

Additional films demo visuals

Sequences from Veera Dheera Sooran shown in both DCP and EPIC formats

The comparison allowed members to observe variations in:

Dynamic range reproduction

Shadow detailing

Color density and tonal separation

Image sharpness and perceived depth

Brightness stability across formats

Exhibition Technology & Cinematographic Intent

The session reinforced an important industry realization — cinematography today extends beyond capture and grading into exhibition awareness.

EPIC projection demonstrated:

Greater tonal consistency in dark scenes

Improved highlight handling

Enhanced perception of scale

Faithful reproduction of graded imagery

For cinematographers, understanding how images translate onto premium projection environments has become increasingly essential.

Knowledge Exchange for the Cinematography Community

The event functioned as both a screening and an educational interaction. Qube Cinemas’ technical presentation helped SICA members understand the relationship between:

Capture → Post Production → Mastering → Projection → Audience Experience

Such initiatives strengthen collaboration between filmmakers and exhibition technology providers, ensuring cinematic works reach audiences as originally envisioned.

Conclusion

The EPIC screening at Rakki Cinemas marks a progressive step in Chennai’s theatrical ecosystem. By combining high brightness standards, optimized contrast performance, and accurate aspect-ratio framing preservation, the EPIC format promises a refined and immersive viewing experience.

Formats like EPIC highlight the future direction of cinema exhibition — where technology serves storytelling while safeguarding the cinematographer’s visual language.

SICA extends its appreciation to Qube Cinemas and Rakki Cinemas for organizing this insightful technical showcase for its members.

Event Summary

Event: Qube EPIC Screen Technical Presentation

Venue: Rakki Cinemas, OMR, Chennai

Date: February 22, Sunday

Invitees: SICA Members

An exclusive demonstration showcasing EPIC large-format projection with emphasis on brightness standards, contrast performance, and framing preservation for both Cinemascope and 1.85:1 formats. The session enabled cinematographers to experience the visual differences between standard DCP and EPIC presentation, reinforcing the importance of exhibition technology in modern cinematic storytelling.

Article by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer

–