News : Digital era begins at Vinton Palace Theatre

Palace volunteer Doug Martens served cake during the 3D celebration for Palace donors, volunteers.

Volunteers and donors who made 3D movies possible at Palace line up for cake Thursday.

Gerald Horst begins the first showing of Shrek on the digital projector Thursday evening.

The audience sees this message at the beginning of Shrek 4, announcing its 3D nature.

Lu Karr and Marcy Horst discuss the history of the digital project on Palace stage.

The era of digital and 3-D movies began a the Vinton Palace Theatre Thursday night, with a special showing of "Shrek 4" for Palace volunteers and the donors who helped make the digital campaign a success.

The theater was full of patrons wearing the now-familiar 3-D glasses as the audience saw the images seem to fill the entire theater, accompanied by surround-sound speakers controlled by a new processsor.

"It was enthusiastically received," said Marcy Horst. "People really, really enjoyed themselves last night. I didnt hear a single negative comment."

Marcy said she remembers how Palace volunteer Dave Morrow watched the movie, saying, "This is incredible... this is amazing."

This is the first time that many in the audience have seen a 3D movie, said Marcy.

Gerald Horst, who took a few days off from his day job to help set up the new system, is also very pleased, although he does claim to have a "digital hangover."

"My favorite part of the evening was when we showed a logo for Christy in 3D and a little boy in the audience went, 'WHOA!' and the audience all laughed," Gerald said.

The Horsts and the Palace volunteers are just learning the basics of operating the new system.

"I am really excited to get back down there and start understanding it better," said Gerald.

Marcy said the 3D effects are so natural that at times she questioned whether what she saw was a 3D effect or not.

Along with the 3-D viewing experience, Palace patrons will notice a difference in the sound. While the Palace has always had surround sound speakers, the new projecting system has a processor that sends unique sounds to individual speakers, helping the audience to feel like the action is taking place around them, and not just in front of them.

The Horsts and former Palace manager Lu Karr thanked the many people who helped make the digital era possible.

Marcy said that the Palace can now boast that it offers the only $3 3D movies in the world.

Already more than 100 tickets have been sold for the first two 3D movies at the Palace, "Shrek 4" and "Toy Story 3."

Marcy also reminded Palace volunteers that with the extra showings scheduled, more volunteers will be needed.