Technicolor Closes Film Lab

With more theaters turning to digital equipment rather than film prints, Technicolor has been forced to close its North Hollywood film lab. The closure follows a well-established pattern by the entertainment technology company to make adjustments – and hard choices – to reflect technological changes. Technicolor anticipates a lower volume of the studio and independent film prints, dailies and trailers the lab processed. Nearly 400 people are employed at the building on Lankershim Boulevard adjacent to the Universal Studios lot. The company is in discussion with union representatives about what will happen with the employees and there is the possibility that some could be rehired. The closure of the lab will likely be phased out over the next few months as Technicolor’s lease runs until June, said company spokesperson Season Skuro. Technicolor also has facilities in Burbank and Hollywood. “We are gong to continue to have a front-end presence to provide our full service offering to our customers,” Skuro said. In 2007, Technicolor made staffing cuts in its home entertainment division as the demand for standard definition DVDs began to drop. The company also sold a facility in Camarillo for DVD replication, packaging and distribution.