IMAX NEWS

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.

You will have an opportunity to preview each of these exciting new films over the coming months, so please look out for the invitations by email.

1. EGYPT 3D: SECRETS OF THE MUMMIES
Starts August 2009

The first film planned for release in Term 3 is a 3D version of the previously released 2D film Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs. With an updated title and a digital 3D makeover, the new film - EGYPT 3D: SECRETS OF THE MUMMIES - is the first 3D IMAX film about ancient Egypt. The film focuses on the rituals of Egyptian life, in particular the process of mummification, and features a dramatic re-enactment of the discovery of a cache of mummies that contained the tomb of Ramses the Great.

To visit the film’s official website and download resources, CLICK HERE

2. DINOSAURS ALIVE! 3D
Starts September 2009

This new CGI film (that’s computer generated images, for short) called DINOSAURS ALIVE! 3D is to be released in September this year to general audiences. Dinosaurs Alive! 3D is a global adventure of science and discovery featuring the entire age of dinosaurs—from the earliest creatures of the Triassic period to the monsters of the Jurassic and Cretaceous—as they are “re-awakened” on the giant screen in the eye-popping 3D format.

To visit the film’s official website, CLICK HERE

3. JOURNEY TO MECCA
Starts October 2009

We are pleased to announce the release of JOURNEY TO MECCA in October (Term 4), the result of overwhelmingly positive feedback received at our evaluation screenings in May. If you missed out on attending the preview for Journey to Mecca (and I know many people did, it was so popular) then you have another chance to experience this moving and fascinating film.

To visit the film’s official website, CLICK HERE

*** BREAKING NEWS ... LEGENDS OF FLIGHT 3D DELAYED ***

LEGENDS OF FLIGHT 3D (formerly Legends of the Sky) has been delayed while the filmmakers wait for the final test flight of the Boeing Dreamliner. This will now feature in our 2010 film schedule, so look out for news of teacher preview events next year. I’ve seen giant screen footage from the film, including an animated sequence illustrating the function of a jet engine, which is really spectacular. If you’d like to take a look at the official website and watch some of the sequences from the film, CLICK HERE and then select the “Multimedia” tab (check out the video titled "3D Engine Animation").


Here are some pictures from EGYPT 3D: SECRETS OF THE MUMMIES -


Priests make last rites as Rameses the Great lies in state awaiting burial.


Egyptologist Dr. Bob Brier reading hieroglyphics for clues about the mummification process.


Director of Photography, Reed Smoot, with the IMAX camera shooting the evacuation.


Here are some behind the scenes stills from DINOSAURS ALIVE! 3D -


At the Ghost Ranch dig site, graduate students carry a newly discovered fossil wrapped in plaster.


IMAX film crew prepares a shot. In the film, a 5 metre tall CGI dinosaur will be perched on this fallen tree.


Within these rock formations are fossils from the Cretaceous, Jurassic & Triassic Periods of dinosaurs.


Here are some scenes from JOURNEY TO MECCA -


Ibn Battuta is renowned as the greatest traveller of the Old World.


IMAX cameras captured spectacular footage of the Hajj, never before see on the giant screen.