If you have ever been to an IMAX theater and run into an IMAX picture show , then you know that IMAX is an experience – a much different experience than you get in a normal theater . IMAX is so dissimilar and so unique that it is about a genre of its own .
The IMAX Experience
As soon as you walk into an IMAX theater , the difference in this formatting is immediately obvious – the screen is mammoth ! There are two different types :
Whether you are in a theater or a dome , the effect is awing . The screen is large enough to fill your subject of vision . By doing this , the screen gives you an incredible impression ofimmersion(there is nothing outside the film to distract your attention ) , and it also enhances the belief ofmotion . In fact , the tactual sensation of motion is so strong that it makes some multitude sick .
In Holy Order to fill this mammoth screen with a clear pictorial matter , IMAX films are shot and printed on hugefilmstock that is whole unique in the industriousness .
Most films that you see in a theater come in a 35 - millimeter format . The frame is 35 millimeters wide of the mark , and nearly straightforward . Butmovie screensare not square – they are very wide for their pinnacle . So the wide effigy is compressed into the 35 - millimeter frame and expanded by the projector to fill the screen .
Some theatre of operations film come in a 70 - mm format . This format provides roughly double the resolution , and the bod is naturally the width of the screen so there is no densification .
IMAX film is called the15/70 film format . Each framing is 70 millimeters high and 15 perforations wide . In other words , the film size is about10 times biggerthan standard 35 - millimetre movie . This film size commit an IMAX moving picture incredibleclarity , even on the huge screen in IMAX field of operations .
The 15/70 moving picture sizing realise an IMAX projector a truly unparalleled gimmick . If you have readHow Movie Projectors Work , you sympathize the basic mechanism of a 35 mm projector :
In an IMAX projector , the film is so heavy and orotund that a projector can not use a claw to move it , and it is hard to book such a big film frame perfectly flat with respect to the lense . Therefore , an IMAX projector is completely different from a normal projector :
All of this advanced engineering mean that an IMAX projector weighs over2 tons(1,800 kilograms ) – the equivalent of a small car ! That ’s what it consider to get such a bright , well-defined simulacrum onto such a tremendous concealment .
IMAX Innovations
Since its entry , IMAX has been pushing the gasbag to make the most realistic , immersive celluloid experience potential . Several of the innovations introduced in select IMAX theaters include :
By conflate all of these forward-looking features , IMAX theaters make the most realistic and acute movie experience around .
Making an IMAX Film
Watching an IMAX picture is an amazing experience , but the appendage of create an IMAX cinema is even more amazing . For a variety of reasons , IMAX photographic film production is much more complex than normal moving picture output . To understand the process , we spoke toMichael Lewisof L - Squared Entertainment , who co - produced " T - REX " and acquire and finance " Siegfried and Roy , " two popular IMAX 3 - 500 films .
Both of these pic are especially interesting from a production standpoint . Not only are the films pip on IMAX’s15/70 plastic film stemma , but they are also shoot down in3 - Dand make all-encompassing use ofcomputer - generated(CG ) upshot .
Because of the screen size and incredible item on an IMAX image , the lineament of computer - generated effects must be perfect to figure out on an IMAX screen . For example , the dinosaur in " T - REX " havefive time the detailof the dinosaurs in the " Jurassic Park " movies . This mean that it take five times more computer power to render each " T - REX " look-alike , and five times the memory board space .
allot to Lewis , one of the key challenges when make any IMAX film has to do with the film size . The size of the film mean three things to a theatre director :
According to Lewis , " The cost and complexity in every section of physical production is an society of order of magnitude with child with IMAX . " In addition , " There are only two IMAX 3 - D cameras in the Earth , so if you have a breakdown , you are support around spending $ 100,000 a day on yield toll . "
On a normal film , 10 setups a day is normal . With IMAX , " Three or four a day is locomote at lightspeed " , allot to Lewis . The camera is also verynoisy– it sounds like achain sawwhen it is running . histrion and crew are all affected by the noise . In " Siegfried and Roy , " the fauna also respond to the noise . All of the sound recording has to be done in post - production because of the camera ’s noise on the solidification .
The silver screen size and lucidness mean that every frame of an IMAX film must be perfect . " In 35 mm , you’re able to use lots of cheats in visual personal effects – things like rainwater and darkness , " says Michael Lewis . " In IMAX you see everything , and everything is photograph - real . There are 100 + IMAX screen in museums , so things must be as precise as potential . With a dinosaur , you have to interest about things like anterior naris angle and tooth decline . When placing a dinosaur on the ground , the center in a flash lie with if something is not consummate . "
The expert challenge intend that an IMAX film , which is normally just 40 or 50 minute long , cost just as much to make as a normal picture for theatrical release . For example , the " T - REX " film took five months for a feasibleness sketch to prepare for take , 40 days for the shoot and then 12 to 13 month to fill out the moving picture in post - production . The CG effect and dinosaur consumed approximately4 terabytesof phonograph record distance .
A typical IMAX film’sproduction costsfall somewhere in the range of $ 3 million to $ 8 million for a 2 - D feature , and $ 8 million to $ 15 million for 3 - D , with 3 - D films involve CG carry at the high remainder of the scale . Films can either be funded by IMAX or self - funded by studio like Michael Lewis ' L - Squared Entertainment .
Despite the challenges , the unique experience of the IMAX theater gain IMAX films a compelling medium for directors . With the number of theaters increase worldwide , and with a speedily growing audience for the IMAX experience , it is probable that a all-encompassing variety of film will be created for this locale in the years to come .
For more information on IMAX and related to topics , check out the links on the next pageboy .
