IMAX NEWS
Early HUBBLE 3D footage brings a tear to astronaut's eye
Tuesday, February 2 by Julie Brown
IMAX held two early footage press preview screenings for Hubble 3D last week in New York and Los Angeles. Both events were attended by key press - and the response was spectacular!
Astronaut Mike Massimino, one of the seven who flew aboard the shuttle Atlantis on a daring bid to rescue and repair the Hubble Space Telescope last year, presented the footage at the New York screening and saw the footage for the first time, prompting this emotional response:
"It's OK for astronauts to cry, right?"
Astronaut Mike Massimino, one of the seven who flew aboard the shuttle Atlantis on a daring bid to rescue and repair the Hubble Space Telescope last year, presented the footage at the New York screening and saw the footage for the first time, prompting this emotional response:
"It's OK for astronauts to cry, right?"
NEW HUBBLE 3D WEBSITE LAUNCH
Wednesday, January 27 by Julie Brown
Due out in May this year, Hubble 3D promises to not only take us back into space - as only IMAX can - but also to the edge of time. That's a big call, but when you've got the combined efforts of NASA and IMAX involved, we expect only big results. Like all IMAX space films that have gone before it, Hubble 3D is actually filmed in space by the astronauts themselves.
CLICK HERE to check out the new HUBBLE 3D website, just launched!
CLICK HERE to check out the new HUBBLE 3D website, just launched!
2010 Education Program - New Film Announcements
Wednesday, January 27 by Julie Brown
In addition to the extensive FILM LIBRARY of titles available to schools, 2010 is awash with new experiences to educate and enlighten - as well as reward and entertain - students of all ages and subject areas.
Some of the highlights include:
ULTIMATE WAVE TAHITI 3D
Starts 25 February
We start the year with ULTIMATE WAVE TAHITI 3D, which promises extreme surfing action as the backdrop for a story about the science of waves and the relationship between surfing and island culture. Teacher Previews are being held at the end of February (21 & 23) and feature guest presentations before the screenings by ABC TV personality "The Surfing Scientist", otherwise known as Ruben Meerman. Rating TBC. Duration 45 minutes.
Some of the highlights include:
ULTIMATE WAVE TAHITI 3D
Starts 25 February
We start the year with ULTIMATE WAVE TAHITI 3D, which promises extreme surfing action as the backdrop for a story about the science of waves and the relationship between surfing and island culture. Teacher Previews are being held at the end of February (21 & 23) and feature guest presentations before the screenings by ABC TV personality "The Surfing Scientist", otherwise known as Ruben Meerman. Rating TBC. Duration 45 minutes.
Avatar Factoid #3
Thursday, December 10 by Julie Brown
Did you know…
While “motion capture” – capturing the performers’ physical movements and translating those to CG characters – has been used for several years, James Cameron and Jon Landau had decided the process was missing a critical element: the letter “e” in front of the word “motion.”
Instead of using the motion capture technique of placing reflective markers on the actors’ faces to capture rough facial expressions, the actors wore special headgear, not unlike a football helmet, to which a tiny camera was attached. The rig faced towards the actors’ faces and the camera recorded facial expression and muscle movements to a degree never before possible. AVATAR’s CG Na’vi and avatar characters came to life with all the rich nuances of the actors’ work on the virtual stage.
While “motion capture” – capturing the performers’ physical movements and translating those to CG characters – has been used for several years, James Cameron and Jon Landau had decided the process was missing a critical element: the letter “e” in front of the word “motion.”
Instead of using the motion capture technique of placing reflective markers on the actors’ faces to capture rough facial expressions, the actors wore special headgear, not unlike a football helmet, to which a tiny camera was attached. The rig faced towards the actors’ faces and the camera recorded facial expression and muscle movements to a degree never before possible. AVATAR’s CG Na’vi and avatar characters came to life with all the rich nuances of the actors’ work on the virtual stage.
Avatar Factoid #2
Thursday, December 10 by Julie Brown
Did you know…?
Providing added dimensions to specific aspects of the actors’ performances are noted linguist Paul Frommer, Ph.D., who worked with Cameron to devise an entire language for the Na’vi; as well as Terry Notary, a former Cirque du Soleil performer, and celebrated choreographer Lula Washington, who respectively helped the create Na’vi movements and the choreography for the Na’vi dancers.
As with so many aspects of AVATAR, the Na’vi language brings together the completely original with the familiar and relatable. Early in the process, Cameron provided Frommer, a professor at USC, with the kinds of sounds the filmmaker had in mind for the Na’vi. Frommer then designed a linguistic palette. This complex work resulted in the creation of hundreds of words, as well as a specific structure and grammar, all of which the actors learned with skill and speed.
Providing added dimensions to specific aspects of the actors’ performances are noted linguist Paul Frommer, Ph.D., who worked with Cameron to devise an entire language for the Na’vi; as well as Terry Notary, a former Cirque du Soleil performer, and celebrated choreographer Lula Washington, who respectively helped the create Na’vi movements and the choreography for the Na’vi dancers.
As with so many aspects of AVATAR, the Na’vi language brings together the completely original with the familiar and relatable. Early in the process, Cameron provided Frommer, a professor at USC, with the kinds of sounds the filmmaker had in mind for the Na’vi. Frommer then designed a linguistic palette. This complex work resulted in the creation of hundreds of words, as well as a specific structure and grammar, all of which the actors learned with skill and speed.
Avatar Factoid #1
Friday, December 4 by Julie Brown
Did you know…?
To tell his story, James Cameron had to create technology and new production paradigms that revolutionized the filmmaking process. Foremost among these was new performance capture technology that would fully capture not only the actors’ movements for their CG incarnations, but also the full range of facial emotions and expressions. Another innovation, a virtual camera, allowed Cameron to shoot scenes within computer-generated worlds, just as if he were filming on a Hollywood soundstage. Yet another technical advance, a 3-D Fusion camera created by Cameron and Vince Pace, added to AVATAR’s already immersive experience. And Academy Award-winning visual effects house WETA Digital worked with Cameron to create a new world of unprecedented scale.
To tell his story, James Cameron had to create technology and new production paradigms that revolutionized the filmmaking process. Foremost among these was new performance capture technology that would fully capture not only the actors’ movements for their CG incarnations, but also the full range of facial emotions and expressions. Another innovation, a virtual camera, allowed Cameron to shoot scenes within computer-generated worlds, just as if he were filming on a Hollywood soundstage. Yet another technical advance, a 3-D Fusion camera created by Cameron and Vince Pace, added to AVATAR’s already immersive experience. And Academy Award-winning visual effects house WETA Digital worked with Cameron to create a new world of unprecedented scale.
AVATAR TICKETS ON SALE TO 31 DECEMBER.
Tuesday, November 17 by Julie Brown
Book your ticket now and you won't need to queue for a specific seat when seeing James Cameron's epic new feature film, AVATAR 3D (opens 16 Dec with advance screenings from 5pm).
At IMAX in Darling Harbour, we have introduced 'best available' allocated seating, which means you know exactly where you'll be sitting and your seat number is guaranteed.
That means goodbye to queuing and more time to relax with a drink or meal in surrounding Darling Harbour.
At IMAX in Darling Harbour, we have introduced 'best available' allocated seating, which means you know exactly where you'll be sitting and your seat number is guaranteed.
That means goodbye to queuing and more time to relax with a drink or meal in surrounding Darling Harbour.
Big screen? What’s the big deal?
Monday, November 9 by Mark Bretherton
With cinemas all trying to outdo each other with claims for the better cinema experience we thought it was time to revisit just what it is that makes the IMAX experience in Darling Harbour so special.
First up we have a pretty good claim – we have the world’s biggest cinema screen and that means we absolutely dwarf every other screen in Sydney (IMAX or otherwise). That’s great, but it wouldn’t be much of a claim if we couldn’t fill it with a high quality picture and we do that by being the only cinema in Sydney screening films using giant IMAX film that is of superb quality and resolution. It’s ten times bigger than your average cinema film size and of superb quality and resolution (and digital still has a very long way to come to get close to this sort of resolution!).
First up we have a pretty good claim – we have the world’s biggest cinema screen and that means we absolutely dwarf every other screen in Sydney (IMAX or otherwise). That’s great, but it wouldn’t be much of a claim if we couldn’t fill it with a high quality picture and we do that by being the only cinema in Sydney screening films using giant IMAX film that is of superb quality and resolution. It’s ten times bigger than your average cinema film size and of superb quality and resolution (and digital still has a very long way to come to get close to this sort of resolution!).
See the first images from the newly refurbished HUBBLE Space Telescope - a small screen prelude to HUBBLE 3D
Thursday, September 10 by Julie Brown
NASA today has unveiled the first images taken from the newly re-furbished Hubble Space Telescope.
At IMAX Darling Harbour, we are excited to bring you a taste of these truly breathtaking images - for now, on the small screen - but in early 2010 you'll have the chance to experience these wonders of our universe in spectacular IMAX 3D when we release the film HUBBLE 3D in its full-blown giant screen glory.
These images and captions below are provided courtesy of NASA and give you a taste of more to come...
At IMAX Darling Harbour, we are excited to bring you a taste of these truly breathtaking images - for now, on the small screen - but in early 2010 you'll have the chance to experience these wonders of our universe in spectacular IMAX 3D when we release the film HUBBLE 3D in its full-blown giant screen glory.
These images and captions below are provided courtesy of NASA and give you a taste of more to come...
Premiere Pics from Dinosaurs Alive! 3D
Monday, September 7 by Julie Brown
Dinosaurs Alive! 3D has lurched onto the giant screen and taken audiences by 3D storm here at IMAX in Darling Harbour. In this latest documentary from Giant Screen Films, producers of Egypt 3D and Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey, we embark on a truly global adventure of science and discovery as we travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs.
The film’s Australian premiere had a distinctly pre-historic theme, as guests walked the lush “green carpet” to the entrance and munched on dinosaur cookies and cup cakes before donning their 3D glasses for the show.
The film’s Australian premiere had a distinctly pre-historic theme, as guests walked the lush “green carpet” to the entrance and munched on dinosaur cookies and cup cakes before donning their 3D glasses for the show.
Want to keep up-to-date with what's showing on the Big Screen? Look no further! The IMAX blog will keep you up to date with IMAX movies and events - stay tuned for trailers, behind the scenes videos and interviews on all things IMAX.
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- Early Hubble 3d Footage Brings A Tear To Astronaut's Eye
- New Hubble 3d Website Launch
- 2010 Education Program - New Film Announcements
- Avatar Factoid #3
- Avatar Factoid #2
- Avatar Factoid #1
- Avatar Tickets On Sale To 31 December.
- Big Screen? What’s The Big Deal?
- See The First Images From The Newly Refurbished Hubble Space Telescope - A Small Screen Prelude To Hubble 3d
- Premiere Pics From Dinosaurs Alive! 3d
