A long line of die-hard Star Wars fans lined up for the first midnight viewing of the new prequel "Attack of the Clones."

It's a big event for movie-goers. But, it's ALSO a big event for movie-makers.

This new film marks a big change in movie technology. And more dramatic changes are on the way. Some of them are happening here in Utah.

Our Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports.

George Lucas has certainly made movie history with his STAR WARS saga. But now, he makes technological history by releasing the first big-time motion picture shot entirely in digital VIDEO format, NOT film!

Boxes of film coded for security arrive at Jordan Commons.

Wearing white gloves, Paul Schultz prepares "Attack of the Clones" for the big opening.

But for about 30 theaters around the country which invested 150-thousand dollars for a NEW projector system just for a single screen - this latest rendition of "Star Wars" was delivered NOT on film but on digital discs.

That's because Geoge Lucas shot his saga entirely with high definition VIDEO cameras.

His advice to colleagues: "Get out of film." Younger filmakers are apparently listening.

In Salt Lake this week, New World Productions is using a high definition digital camera to shoot a new film called "Day of Defense." It's almost identical to the Lucas camera.

CLARK COOPER, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: "AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE LENS IS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE. HE HAD LENSES SPECIALLY MADE."

While Utah theater owners have yet to invest in new projectors to show digital movies, companies like Evans-Sutherland say the scriptwriting is on the wall.

JAMES OYLER, PRESIDENT, CEO, EVANS & SUTHERLAND: "WE HAVE AN INDUSTRY - THE CINEMA - MOVIE INDUSTRY THAT IS A HUNDRED YEARS OLD AND THERE ARE VERY ESTABLISHED WAYS OF DOING THINGS. -edit- IT'S NOT JUST THE MATTER OF THE PROJECTOR. IT'S A MATTER OF GETTING THE PRODUCERS AND ARTISTS AND EVERYBODY FAMILIAR AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW SYSTEM."

While the new projectors cast a whole new image on screen, they're only the beginning!

At Salt Lake's Evans-Sutherland company, engineers are taking Lucas' dream of digital moviemaking to even higher levels.

Light sabers are fictional in Star Wars. But in this room, LASER projection is a reality.

JIM: "WITH A RELATIVELY SMALL LASER SYSTEM, YOU GET A VERY SHARP, A VERY PURE PICTURE WITH JUST SPECTACULAR COLORS."

The laser projector uses mirrors to spread 40-million pixels on a screen. Colors are so precise, images so crystal clear, audiences feel they can reach out and touch what they see.

Also, a FILM projector has lots of moving parts and a very hot 5-thousand watt bulb.

But all this laser stuff eventually will fit into a small cabinet, using no more power than a single household bulb.

Because of this emerging technology, many theater owners are holding back on the first generation digital projectors, waiting before they invest big bucks.

DALE HARVEY, MEGAPLEX 17 THEATERS: "UNTIL THERE IS A SET FORMAT AND A WHOLE BUSINESS PLAN IS ROLLED OUT, PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO JUMP INTO IT AND SPEND 150-THOUSAND DOLLARS JUST FOR THE PROJECTOR."

Evans & Sutherland is currently negotiating with other companies and expects a cinema LASER projection system could be available two to three years from now.