Tag Archives: IMAX

Movies

IMAX opens at Rave

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A new IMAX opened at Rave Motion Pictures Grand Prairie 18 this week. I checked it out yesterday, and the screen is undeniably big for a multiplex theater at 1,800 square feet. But that’s smaller than traditional IMAX theaters which have screen sizes of 3,600 to 4,900 square feet. But the screen does stretch from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, and is moved closer to the audience than a normal multiplex screen, creating the perception of a much larger screen. The images were bright, in focus, and crystal clear, with no jitter. Interestingly, the movie that was shown was not the same aspect ratio as the screen, so it was shown in a letterbox-looking format — i.e., the movie filled the width of the screen, but there was unused screen space at the top and bottom, a total of roughly a sixth of the screen.

Not only was the screen bigger than average, the sound was enhanced as well. It was noticeably louder than a regular theater, but not distorted in any way. Dialog was clear without being piercing, low rumbles were sufficiently forceful to vibrate your internal organs — overall good frequency range and intelligibility throughout. And did I mention it was loud?

The movie itself was 2D, so I didn’t have the opportunity to check out their 3D capabilities. The movie was “Fast Five” (rated PG-13, starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker), which was forgettable and ridiculous. It not only routinely defied the laws of physics, it often defied the laws of cartoon physics. I’d give you the most egregious example, but it would give away the ending. Meanwhile, the female lead character, who is a criminal, is pregnant (evidently first trimester). She doesn’t let that stop her from jumping off buildings, through roofs, and other death-defying feats that would undoubtedly put her baby at risk, but later she responsibly refrains from having a beer. What a good mother.

Upcoming movies include “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (May 20), “Cars 2” (June 24), and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” (July 15). Tickets are $10 for matinees, $12 for evening showings ($10 for children and seniors), plus a $3 surcharge for 3-D films.Икони

Museum Block

It’s official: No IMAX for museum

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Here’s the press release:

After several months of research and exploration, the Peoria Riverfront Museum Board voted Thursday to partner with international immersive theater specialist Global Immersion to provide the technical solution for the museum’s Giant Screen Digital Theater (GSDT).

The Board’s GSDT committee met with key industry players, including system integrators, technology/hardware providers and film producers, and benchmarked with other mission-driven museums across the country regarding emerging technology, programming options and general tips on attendance. After deciding on a system integrator, the board selected award-winning Global Immersion as the company that best meets the museum’s criteria. The company, comprised of a team of veteran industry professionals, is dedicated to the design, development and integration of unique immersive theater experiences and was recently named 2011 International Business of the Year in England.

“Our decision was guided by defined criteria and we’re confident that Global Immersion is the right partner,” says Ryan Beasley, PRM Board Vice-Chair. “It’s all about creating an environment that will deliver an incredible immersive theater experience. We’ll have the most innovative technology available, access to a broad film library and the flexibility to control the content we deliver.”

The team at Global Immersion has been building innovative and technically advanced environments in venues around the world for more than 14 years. Headquartered in the UK with additional offices in the United States, Global Immersion provides display system engineering, media management, show production, lighting, seating, audio and more—combining these individual components to create state-of-the-art, high-performance attractions. Global Immersion’s portfolio of international clients includes Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego, Walt Disney Imagineering, Tainan Science & Education Museum in Taiwan, National Space Center in the United Kingdom, and the Moscow Planetarium in Russia, among many other educational institutions, entertainment venues and visitor experiences around the world.

The technical solution includes a 70’ x 52’ screen, digital 3D theater with 4K digital projection that will provide superior picture quality and a true “immersive” experience—a giant screen and stadium seating that creates the illusion of being inside the action. “The result will be a bigger, bolder, and better theater experience than any other across central Illinois,” says Beasley.

Because the museum is not tied to one content provider, its giant screen theater has access to a wide variety of existing and future films from producers and distributors like National Geographic, K2 Communications, nWave, MacGillivray Freeman and more. The arrangement also allows the museum to use the theater in creative ways that expand offerings— like airing live simulcasts of sports, arts, music and science events; hosting functions that incorporate live data or award videos; and planning video gaming or YouTube festivals.

“Selecting Global Immersion as our partner in this endeavor is the result of a comprehensive evaluation strategy,” says Beasley. “Our goal was to find the right GSDT partner who shared and is aligned with PRM’s mission.”

Construction on the Peoria Riverfront Museum began in March, and work will begin on its theater later this summer. In the meantime, the PRM board will work with Global Immersion to review the theater architecture, system design, performance specifications, budget and schedule. Preliminary film programming planning will begin later this year.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is a collaborative effort of Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences, Peoria Historical Society, Illinois High School Association (IHSA), African American Hall of Fame Museum, Peoria Regional Museum Society, The Nature Conservancy, Heartland Foundation and Caterpillar Inc. Features include a giant screen digital theater; state-of-the-art planetarium; Illinois River exhibit; Peoria history gallery; children’s Discovery Worlds; galleries for fine arts, folk art and international features; and the IHSA Peak Performance Center.

Museum Block

Giant screen theater decision to be announced in spring

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According to the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s February 2011 report, a final decision will be made by spring on whether to contract with IMAX as they promised the voters in no uncertain terms, or renege on their promise and go with another brand:

The PRM Board of Directors continues its due diligence as it works to select the appropriate technology for the museum’s giant screen digital theater. In January 2011, a number of board members and staff attended the Moody Gardens Digital Cinema Symposium in Galveston, Texas, in order to evaluate potential vendors. They viewed side?by?side comparisons of digital and analog films, attended presentations and engaged in conversations with a variety of companies that manufacture equipment, produce content, develop projector and 3?D technology, and integrate systems to ensure that our decision is optimal for the audience and business plan.

We are still evaluating a wide variety of equipment suppliers and system integrators, and we have many outstanding candidates. Our decision will be based on quality, flexibility, upfront and operating expenses and revenue opportunities. We expect to announce our plans for the theater this spring.

The monthly report also states that “Many people have started to pay on their pledges,” but gives no specifics. According to the county’s Finance Committee information from February 24, the museum has only received approximately 30% of its promised pledges to date. The County had originally promised that construction wouldn’t start until all the pledges had been received.

Some board changes were also announced: “Sally Owens has joined the PRM Board of Directors, replacing Jane Converse. Jane and her organization will continue to provide marketing support to the PRM. Cal MacKay will become the board secretary/treasurer, replacing Andy Herrera. Herrera resigned due to time constraints and other business commitments.”

Museum Block

Putnam looking to maximize revenue; will Peoria do the same?

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Back in August, the museum group gave a presentation to the Peoria County Board in which they explained their philosophy regarding how they want to use their giant screen theater:

[Ryan] Beasley went on to say that the museum is “a mission-driven organization,” and that the theater has to fit with their mission, which is “to inspire lifelong learning for ALL, connecting art, history, science and achievement through collections, exhibitions and programs.” In order to do that, the museum has three “negotiating terms”: control over programming, technology, and exclusivity. The biggest obstacle is control over programming. The museum wants to show “classic” (i.e., educational) films during the day and second-run movies on evenings and weekends. That has been IMAX’s traditional model. However, IMAX is apparently interested in seeing their theaters run more first-run movies — what they call “day and date DMR” movies — that would require multiple showings for the first two or three weeks the movie is out. “DMR” is IMAX’s proprietary large-screen film process. The museum’s concern is that agreeing to “day and date DMR” would be more profitable, but violate their mission. They’re also concerned about being required to show some films that are R-rated or otherwise not family-friendly.

The museum’s pro forma used the Putnam Museum and IMAX Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, as a benchmark for attendance estimates, and as an overall example of what we could have here in Peoria. I recently ran across this article in the Quad Cities Times, which included this little nugget of information:

Dean Fick, director of theater operations at the Putnam Museum IMAX Theatre, moves a reel of film for “Shrek Forever After,” which opens Friday. It will mark the first time in the theater’s eight-year history that it opens a Hollywood blockbuster on the day it premieres nationwide. […] “For the future of the organization overall, the museum and the IMAX Theatre, we need to be maximizing the revenue we bring in,” [Putnam president and CEO Kim Findlay] said.

I wonder if local museum officials will follow Putnam’s lead and try to maximize revenue — for the good of the organization overall, and for the taxpayers.

General News, Museum Block

IMAX coming to Rave

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The Journal Star has the not-so-surprising scoop that IMAX is coming someplace other than the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Oh, IMAX “may” still come to the museum says perpetually poker-faced Dave Ransburg. Now we know it’s not going to happen.

“Build it for me,” she pleads about the “big-city” prospect of getting an IMAX. The PRM won’t build it for her, but Rave will. And without a dime of taxpayer assistance. Imagine.

Museum Block

What did they promise the children?

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Here’s another Build the Block ad from the days leading up to the referendum. It really tugs at the heartstrings as children are brought in to sell the referendum:

Did you hear that part where it says, “An IMAX theater will put viewers into the action right downtown,” and the excited child says, “That’s big-city stuff”? I hope the PRM people take a good look at that same child at the end when she says, “build it for me.” She’s talking about an IMAX. That’s what she was promised. Are the PRM people going to take it away now?

Museum Block

What’s that sign say?

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I was downtown today and took a picture of a sign on the exciting and inspiring ExploraFence around the old Sears block. I was shocked — shocked! — to find this sign:

Can’t read it? I’ll get a little closer:

Did you see that last sentence? “IMAX-like cutting-edge technology is coming right here.”

Okay, you caught me. That’s not really what it says. It says, “3-D IGST cutting-edge technology is coming right here.”

No? Still not right? Well, Tim Riggenbach said they never promised us an IMAX, so I’m sure it doesn’t say, “3-D IMAX cutting-edge technology is coming right here.”

City of Peoria, Museum Block, Peoria County

Yes, Mr. Riggenbach, we were promised an IMAX

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Former County Board member and current Third District City Councilman Tim Riggenbach is quoted in the Sunday Journal Star as saying “We were very specifically told it may or may not be an IMAX…. We were not promised an IMAX.”

On Saturday, March 7, 2009, Friends of Build the Block chairman Brad McMillan stated in the Peoria Journal Star: “If The Block is built, we will be able to experience: (1) A state-of-the-art 3-D IMAX theatre that will allow children to dive into a mystical, undersea world during the day and adults to watch current films in the evening….”

On the “Build the Block” website under “Frequently Asked Questions,” it states, “What will the Peoria Riverfront Museum include? The 81,000-square-foot Peoria Riverfront Museum will feature wide-ranging opportunities for learning, culture and fun, including a digital 3-D IMAX Theatre….”

The January 2009 “Build the Block” Newsletter stated this: “The Block’s IMAX Theatre will be a five-stories-tall, 3-D-equipped classroom kids will love!” And this: “‘At The Block, we’ll have even more to share, including expanded exhibits just for kids, a state-of-the art planetarium and a 3-D, digital IMAX Theatre,’ says Lakeview Museum President and CEO Jim Richerson.”

The March 3, 2009, Attendance Analysis put out by the museum group stated: “When analyzing the museum attendance projections listed above, it becomes apparent that the IMAX Theatre is assumed to be the primary generator of attendance at the new museum.” And this: “…museum planners are projecting 146,000 for annual attendance at the Peoria Riverfront Museum IMAX….”

Pay close attention to this one. The March 9, 2009, Sustainability paper published by the museum group stated:

On average, Lakeview Museum receives approximately $600,000 per year through earned income, including general memberships, gallery admissions, planetarium admissions, museum store, book court and book sales, museum schools and programs, and rental of museum space. This represents approximately 40 percent of total annual income. The remaining 60 percent of annual income, or approximately $900,000 per year, is categorized as support income. The support income is generated from the museum endowment, annual fund drives, exhibit sponsors, other miscellaneous fundraising events, and grants received from various foundations and governmental agencies.

In the proposed Peoria Riverfront Museum Pro Forma, the relationship between earned income and support income is shifted, with earned income now representing 65 percent of the total and support income representing only 35 percent of the total. This change is due to the presence of the IMAX Theatre in the new museum, projected to generate almost $1 million per year in operating income. The concessions area adjacent to the IMAX Theatre also would be a new source of income at the Peoria Riverfront Museum and is projected to generate close to $300,000 annually.

Finally, there’s this lengthy report from January 8, 2009, titled, “Report to the County Board – Peoria Riverfront Museum Policy Considerations.” It comes with a cover memo addressed to none other than “Timothy Riggenbach, Chairman, Finance Legislative Study Committee.” In the 241-page document, which I’m sure Riggenbach read, are the results of a phone survey conducted by the County, including the questions asked. Here’s one:

The Peoria Riverfront Museum will enhance educational opportunities for all of Central Illinois. The museum will house collections, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and an IMAX theater [emphasis added]. The adjacent Caterpillar Visitor’s Center will welcome visitors from around the world. The project will create 250 union construction jobs, and upon completion will generate nearly $14 million annually to our local economy. The museum project is 86% funded. To complete the project, would you support an increase in the sales tax of one quarter of one percent in Peoria County? This is 25 cents on every $100 of retail purchases.

The report also includes the “Proposed PRM Operating Budget (Stable Year)” which is replete with references to IMAX. Oh, and it also includes the museum’s pro forma which states in no uncertain terms, “IMAX Revenue.”

So, with all due respect, Mr. Riggenbach, yes, we were promised an IMAX, your historic revisionism notwithstanding. It was promised to us by museum officials in official public documents. Furthermore, IMAX was essential to the attendance and revenue projections that were used to sell the museum to the County and the community.

What’s most surprising is that Riggenbach’s statement went unchallenged in the Journal Star’s article. Promises of an IMAX are so well-documented, I can’t believe anyone seriously believes there’s a question about it. Perhaps Mr. Riggenbach and the Journal Star want us to believe the entire County of Peoria just imagined we were promised an IMAX — that it was some sort of mass psychosis. Maybe we were all hypnotized by aliens.