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How Movie Screens Work

By: Jeff Tyson
Spectators at Open-Air cinema summer night
A movie screen is usually made of heavy white vinyl and is categorized by the amount of light it reflects. Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images

Even if you're a film buff and a frequent movie-goer, you may not have ever given movie screens much thought. Most of us are so wrapped in what's projected on them, we never consider the screens themselves. But if you think about it, movie screens are a crucial element of the cinematic experience and one of the most important devices you'll find in a movie theater.

At first glance, movie screens look incredibly simple -- just a big rectangle of white plastic. But it turns out there is actually a fair amount of technology and design involved in their creation. In this article, you will learn about the different types of screens movies are projected onto, find out why stadium seating is so popular and get some helpful tips for finding the best seat in the house!

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