BASE Xperiential, a creator of holographic and immersive cinema experiences for museums, zoos, aquariums, attractions, and live venues, is celebrating the launch of the first HoloTheater on the US West Coast, which opened at the Aquarium of the Pacific in California on 4 September.
The aquarium's Ocean Theater has become a brand-new immersive experience that uses six projection surfaces to bring creatures, their environments, and stories to life.
The custom-designed space combines panoramic projection, holographic imagery, and spatial audio, allowing up to 132 guests to experience the films in 3D without glasses, VR headsets, or other wearable technology.
'Spectacular ticket sales'
The new HoloTheater launched with Dinosaur Discoveries: A Holographic Adventure, in which dinosaurs appear to come alive on a stage in front of the screen.
BASE Xperiential's HoloTheater combines panoramic projection, holographic imagery, and spatial audioImage credit Aquarium of the Pacific
BASE Xperiential produced this 25-minute show in collaboration with Paquin Entertainment Group and distributed it in partnership with MacGillivray Freeman Films, a leading independent producer and distributor of giant screen films.
Audiences are taken on a journey across prehistoric landscapes and encounter some of the most extraordinary creatures to ever walk the planet. This educational adventure tells the evolving story of paleontological discoveries and the scientific revelations that have shaped today's understanding of these creatures.
Alyssa Pacaut, the Aquarium’s senior director of marketing and membership, says: "Our HoloTheater opening has exceeded expectations with a well-received debut and spectacular ticket sales.
"We’re thrilled by the enthusiastic response to the HoloTheater experience and look forward to building on that momentum with a successful run of Dinosaur Discoveries, followed by Ocean Giants Revealed later this year."
"HoloTheater was created to transform how audiences experience stories," says Brian Becker, founder and CEO of BASE Xperiential.
"Partnering with Aquarium of the Pacific allows us to bring our methodology to one of the nation’s premier aquariums, bringing established technologies together to create an experience that is both spectacular and meaningful.
"Our goal is simple: inspire curiosity by making guests feel like they’ve stepped inside the story."
The Aquairum of the Pacfic's HoloTheater is showing Dinosaur Discoveries: A Holographic AdventureImage credit Aquarium of the Pacific
The opening has attracted significant coverage from local media, including LBTV Long Beach, KTLA-TV, CBS TV, NBC News, and Long Beach Press Telegram, praising the experience's innovative format.
Later this year, Ocean Giants Revealed will launch in the Aquarium’s HoloTheater, immersing guests in the deep sea where they will encounter the beauty and diversity of marine species past and present, such as whales, sea jellies, megalodon, and other prehistoric sea creatures.
Ocean Giants Revealed is produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in collaboration with BASE Xperiential.
Shaun MacGillivray, president and producer/director of MacGillivray Freeman Films, says: "With Dinosaur Discoveries, Ocean Giants Revealed and additional holographic experiences on the way, we’re creating a growing library of content that gives exhibitors fresh and consistent programming options while creating marketing efficiencies.
"For museums, it’s an opportunity to bring audiences something they can’t experience anywhere else while embracing an exciting new form of immersive edutainment."
Earlier this year, BASE Xperiential shared details of its HoloTheater installation at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in Florida, demonstrating the product's ability to create immersive environments that are visually striking, simple to operate, adaptable to unique spaces, and sustainable in the long run.
