IMAX NEWS
IMAX 3D filmmaking in space
Friday, June 5 by Julie Brown
A recent article in Popular Science online takes us behind the scenes on the latest film project from IMAX Corporation - HUBBLE 3D. Veteran filmmaker Toni Myers gives us an insight into the way astronauts use the giant IMAX camera to capture images of the delicate repair of the Hubble telescope.
Here's the article, by Jeremy Hsu (posted online 28.05.2009):
Filming an IMAX 3D feature about NASA's last manned mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope created challenges that even Christopher Nolan's crew never faced on the set of "The Dark Knight." Using only eight minutes of film, astronauts had to capture the essence of five long spacewalks using a custom-made IMAX camera as big as a submarine. Thankfully, IMAX director and producer Toni Myers was there to help.
Here's the article, by Jeremy Hsu (posted online 28.05.2009):
Filming an IMAX 3D feature about NASA's last manned mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope created challenges that even Christopher Nolan's crew never faced on the set of "The Dark Knight." Using only eight minutes of film, astronauts had to capture the essence of five long spacewalks using a custom-made IMAX camera as big as a submarine. Thankfully, IMAX director and producer Toni Myers was there to help.
Celebrate the End of the 2009 School Year with A Christmas Carol 3D
Tuesday, June 30 by Julie Brown
Starting on November 5 this year is the feature film adaptation of A Christmas Carol in IMAX 3D. The film is based on the classic Charles Dickens tale about an old miser who must face Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come, as they help to bring kindness to his otherwise cold heart. The Ghosts remind him of the man he used to be, the hard truth of what the world is today, and what will happen if he does not strive to be a better man. Set around Christmas, the most joyous day of the year, Scrooge realizes the sharp contrast of his own personality.
Three BIG New Titles for Schools in Term 3 & 4
Monday, June 29 by Julie Brown
As the end of Term approaches we are finalising the line-up of new titles available for schools in the next six months, including a 3D version of Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs; a brand new dinosaur film called Dinosaurs Alive! 3D; and Journey to Mecca, which proved extremely popular at our evaluation screenings held in May. In addition to these documentary titles, we will also be releasing A Christmas Carol 3D, based on the classic Dickens story and featuring the latest "motion capture" film technology (remember The Polar Express 3D?) with actor Jim Carrey playing four different characters. End of year bookings are available now for this highly-anticipated 3D feature film.
Were you one of the first to see Transformers 2 at IMAX?
Friday, June 26 by Julie Brown
More than 7000 advance tickets have been sold for Transformers here at IMAX in Darling Harbour, with the first fans joining a special preview screening held at the Theatre before opening night. Here are some pictures of the crowd enjoying the build up...
Were you one of the first to see Transformers 2 here at the preview? Have you seen the film here at IMAX in the last few days? Tell us what you thought about the film:
Were you one of the first to see Transformers 2 here at the preview? Have you seen the film here at IMAX in the last few days? Tell us what you thought about the film:
Getting it together for the Big Screen
Tuesday, June 23 by Julie Brown
It might surprise you to know that many films don't arrive at the Theatre pre-assembled. As with the case of Transformers 2, it arrived in eight rather ordinary looking cardboard boxes — containing 45 separate reels. Each reel lasts only three to four minutes on screen. The reels are then spliced together by our projection team here on site — a job taking about eight hours.
Our films screen at 24 frames per second. Each frame is more than 70mm wide... meaning that 1.7 metres of film pass through the projector every second!
The pictures below give you a rare behind-the-scenes look at the process of assembling these giant prints before opening night...
Our films screen at 24 frames per second. Each frame is more than 70mm wide... meaning that 1.7 metres of film pass through the projector every second!
The pictures below give you a rare behind-the-scenes look at the process of assembling these giant prints before opening night...
STAR TREK LAST 2 SESSIONS - BE QUICK
Monday, June 22 by Julie Brown
If you haven't yet seen STAR TREK on the world's biggest cinema screen, then you have just 2 days to get down to the Theatre before it flies off screen.
The last two sessions are Mon 22 June (that's TODAY) at 8pm and Tues 23 June at 9pm.
If you've already seen Star Trek here at IMAX in Darling Harbour, tell us what you thought!
The last two sessions are Mon 22 June (that's TODAY) at 8pm and Tues 23 June at 9pm.
If you've already seen Star Trek here at IMAX in Darling Harbour, tell us what you thought!
What's 15 km long & fits into just 8 boxes?
Friday, June 19 by Julie Brown
Answer:
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as it arrives at IMAX in Darling Harbour ahead of its season due to start on 24 June.
The print has arrived and all 15 km of giant film is contained in just 8 cardboard boxes, ready for assembly by our projection team.
Did you know that IMAX film is known as "15/70" in the industry? This refers to the fact that each frame has 15 sprocket holes along the top and bottom, and is 70mm wide.
Did you know there are 24 frames of film in every second of screened footage? That makes one second of IMAX film about 1.72 metres in length.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as it arrives at IMAX in Darling Harbour ahead of its season due to start on 24 June.
The print has arrived and all 15 km of giant film is contained in just 8 cardboard boxes, ready for assembly by our projection team.
Did you know that IMAX film is known as "15/70" in the industry? This refers to the fact that each frame has 15 sprocket holes along the top and bottom, and is 70mm wide.
Did you know there are 24 frames of film in every second of screened footage? That makes one second of IMAX film about 1.72 metres in length.
Harry Potter Tickets on Sale Now - Starts 15 July
Thursday, June 18 by Julie Brown
It's just under a month before we return to Hogwarts for the latest instalment of Harry's adventures in the world of wizardry. Big news is that the IMAX version of this latest film - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - will feature select scenes in IMAX 3D.
The film starts on 15 July, perfectly timed to kick-off the school holidays here in NSW, and our first screening will be at midnight 12.01am on that day.
Tickets are on sale, so CLICK HERE to buy now.
The film starts on 15 July, perfectly timed to kick-off the school holidays here in NSW, and our first screening will be at midnight 12.01am on that day.
Tickets are on sale, so CLICK HERE to buy now.
Transformers 2 is bigger at IMAX!
Tuesday, June 9 by Julie Brown
Transformers 2 director Michael Bay has confirmed that the IMAX version of the film will be a slightly LONGER CUT and feature MORE ROBOT FIGHTING than any other version of the film.
Not only that, you'll also get to experience the full scale size of Optimus Prime, captured in a few scenes of the IMAX version of the film. Being shot in part with IMAX cameras, the film will expand vertically to fill the entire IMAX Darling Harbour screen, about 30 metres high.
"The way to see this movie is on IMAX. Never before has there been 4k rendered character animation shot on full IMAX 70 mm film. This is a first and the results are stunning. You will see Optimus Prime in a few shots where he is actually perfectly to scale on the IMAX 50 foot tall screens. For IMAX, I created a slightly longer cut with more robot fighting. Four scenes were shot on IMAX cameras so the screen will fill the full IMAX screen for these scenes." Michael Bay
Not only that, you'll also get to experience the full scale size of Optimus Prime, captured in a few scenes of the IMAX version of the film. Being shot in part with IMAX cameras, the film will expand vertically to fill the entire IMAX Darling Harbour screen, about 30 metres high.
"The way to see this movie is on IMAX. Never before has there been 4k rendered character animation shot on full IMAX 70 mm film. This is a first and the results are stunning. You will see Optimus Prime in a few shots where he is actually perfectly to scale on the IMAX 50 foot tall screens. For IMAX, I created a slightly longer cut with more robot fighting. Four scenes were shot on IMAX cameras so the screen will fill the full IMAX screen for these scenes." Michael Bay
Think Events - Think Big - Think IMAX
Friday, June 5 by Julie Brown
When it comes to events big or small, IMAX in Darling Harbour is guaranteed to make an impact. The Theatre recently held the Australian premiere for The Alps, featuring a cocktail party on the mezzanine foyer before a guest presentation in the auditorium by mountain climber John Harlin.
New caterers to IMAX, European Catering, tailored a Swiss menu for the occasion - the film being set in Switzerland of course! - and added a tiered centrepiece to display their very festive Swiss salads in martini glasses and delicious Lindt choc mousse desserts.
New caterers to IMAX, European Catering, tailored a Swiss menu for the occasion - the film being set in Switzerland of course! - and added a tiered centrepiece to display their very festive Swiss salads in martini glasses and delicious Lindt choc mousse desserts.
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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