D3D Cinema and Giant Screen Films, leading providers of immersive experience solutions and world-class 3D documentary films for the museum cinema and attraction industry, will be exhibiting at the upcoming Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 7 & 8 October 2023.
Ahead of the event, they have shared details about some recent projects, including an update on the progress of their Spring 2024 museum-cinema dinosaur film, T. REX, the design and installation of a new premium 4K 3D cinema system at the Centro de Ciencias Explora (Explora Science Centre) in León, Mexico, and the launch of D3D’s dynamic, capture-amplifying digital display platform at Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston, Texas.
D3D is also celebrating the addition of three new films to its Cinéfolio portfolio and the installation of their Birdly VR experience at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York.
A T. REX adventure
The production crew of Giant Screen Films has completed principal photography for its upcoming museum-cinema dinosaur adventure, T. REX, with CGI animation well underway. Over the course of an entertaining and engaging look at how our understanding of the ever-popular T. rex continues to evolve, audiences will travel from the unique forests and marshes of New Zealand and Florida to the buttes and badlands of modern-day Montana and North Dakota. An unexpected dinosaur discovery made during the summer dig expedition thoroughly astonished the scientists and crew.
“The GSF team cannot wait to announce what unfolded in front of our cameras this past summer,” says Andy Wood, producer, Giant Screen Film.
“We never could have planned what we fortuitously captured – a remarkable and inspiring story poised to make global headlines. We set out to chronicle life in the field of a typical Hell Creek dino dig and ended up rolling on a historical paleontological discovery and a feel-good narrative impossible to script…taking this immersive movie to new heights!”
New D3D laser 4K 3D cinema system for Explora Science Center
Meanwhile, D3D Cinema was selected by Explora Science Center to develop and install a premium laser-illuminated 4K 3D cinema system. Dual fourth-generation Barco SP4K 3D laser projectors and a next-generation Dolby ATMOS® sound system will replace the IMAX 15-perf/70mm film-based projector. The 22.5-metre (74-foot) widescreen delivers ultra-high-resolution images, with superior colour reproduction, extraordinary contrast ratio, and amazing sound depth and fidelity.
“As we seek to fulfil Explora’s mission of linking our society with science, we’ve found that immersive cinema is an outstanding means of providing our visitors with educational, memorable and entertaining content,” says Gerardo Ibarra Aranda, CEO, Centro de Ciencias Explora.
“D3D Cinema has provided us with a technical solution that offers the best combination of quality, price and flexibility to offer the greatest variety of content, increasing the positive impact of our institution within the community.”
Digital display platform for Moody Gardens
D3D also launched its dynamic, capture-amplifying digital display platform at Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Centre. Comprised of dozens of display screens across the sprawling Moody Gardens property, the system will centralise box office, wayfinding, promotions, and media on an automated LED signage control mainframe.
“D3D is marrying real-time information across our attractions, theaters, and campus to maximize upsells and capture, while saving Moody staff an enormous amount of time,” says John Zendt, CEO, Moody Gardens. “If you present the D3D team with a technology challenge…consider it solved.”
Cinéfolio film catalogue expands again
In addition, D3D has added three new immersive film titles from SK Films in its expansive Cinéfolio content library.
This includes ARCTIC: OUR FROZEN PLANET,produced by BBC Earth and narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch; BLUE WHALES, produced by Oceanic Films and SK Films in association with the National Science Foundation, Tangled Bank Studios, and the California Science Center, narrated by Andy Serkis; and WINGS OVER WATER, produced by Dorsey Pictures, Archipelago Films, and SK Films in association with National Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited, and narrated by Michael Keaton.
Birdly VR arrives at The Wild Center
The firm has also welcomed the newest museum to the Birdly VR family, The Wild Center in upper New York State. Following the debut of the new Butterfly experience, the museum’s social media presence has skyrocketed thanks to the Instagram-worthy Birdly.
“The Wild Center is thrilled to offer the Birdly experience to our visitors, in particular the Butterfly experience,” says Stephanie Ratcliffe, executive director, The Wild Center.
“What’s unfolding on social media is incredible! It’s great fun to watch friends and family on the simulator – nearly as fun as to fly on it – making Birdly an amazing crowd-pleaser. This kind of online attention is driving new traffic to the museum. A home run for mission, a home run for potential sponsors, and a grand slam for visitor engagement.”
Visit the GSF/D3D team at booth # 824 (listed as GSF/D3D) during the ASTC trade show in the exhibit hall of the Charlotte Convention Center on Saturday 7 October from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday 8 October from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
