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“Tomb of Christ” at National Geographic Museum features immersive 3D experience

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International audiovisual and technology services company, Electrosonic, provided AV support to Falcon’s Creative Group, a leading creator of immersive experiences, to create a new 3D exhibition at the National Geographic Museum.

“Tomb of Christ: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre Experience” is coming to National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. Visitors will be able to virtually explore Jerusalem in an immersive 3D experience.

Jason Ambler, Executive Producer/Director of Production at Falcon’s Creative Group, said: “Electrosonic brought their tremendous expertise in designing seamless AV and show control systems for the theme park and attractions industry to ‘Tomb of Christ’. Electrosonic helped to create an immersive exhibition that shatters expectations of what a museum experience should be.”

Falcon’s Creative Group had previously worked with Electrosonic on the award-winning “Heroes and Legends” and the “U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame” at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They also worked together on “The Battle for Eire” at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.

Falcon’s Creative Group provided the overall design and project management for the “Tomb of Christ” exhibition. They also provided the immersive media content.

tomb of christ

In the “Tomb of Christ” exhibition, visitors can learn about the restoration of the Holy Edicule located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. They will also learn how National Geographic Explorers are using new technologies to study this important site.

“Immersive” Holodeck theatre

Ambler said: “It’s not a typical free-roaming exhibit but a uniquely phased journey through the story of the church with progressively complex show elements at each stage. Electrosonic integrated and programmed various forms of projection mapping and show action to seamlessly transition through each chapter of the experience, reaching a climax inside an immersive 3D holodeck theater.”

Visitors begin in the queue line, where monitors display an introductory video on the restoration of the church. Then doors then open to show a projection table and giant pull-down screen detailing the geography of the church site.

Visitors then walk through a bazaar. This leads to a 360º view of the church courtyard formed by two perpendicular walls of still super graphic images and two perpendicular walls of projected content.

A “holodeck” 3D experience awaits visitors inside the church. Projections on the walls and floor allow them to have an unprecedented look at the site.

“It’s an extraordinary 3D active shutter experience with wrap-around renders of more than 10K resolution,” says Ambler.  Falcon’s Creative Group were able to digitally recreate the church using high-resolution scan data captured by the National Geographic team.

Electrosonic “streamlined system”

Electrosonic provided HD displays for the queue line video. The company furnished pairs of Christie laser phosphor projectors. They used these for the projection table and pull-down screen. They were also used for the courtyard’s 12-foot high perpendicular walls.

Electrosonic also increased the projector count for the 3D experience. They supplied seven Panasonic Active 3D HD laser projectors for the walls. Eight Christie HD laser projectors covered the floor.  All 15 projectors are edge blended to create a single seamless and immersive vantage point for the audience.

Electrosonic provided 5.1 surround audio for the projection table room and the courtyard. They also provided 7.1 surround audio for the 3D experience, including a QSC Core 110f audio digital signal processor.

tomb of christ

“Electrosonic was really great about training the National Geographic staff and setting up a system that’s really streamlined for their museum operations team. That’s key to maintaining the continuity of the guest experience long after opening day,” said Ambler.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Electrosonic on any project,” he added.  “Their focus on quality and their ownership of the final product aligns with our creative goals and vision which results in happy clients and great projects.”

Fred Davidowitz, Electrosonic’s Project Manager, said: “It was great to work with Falcon’s Creative Group, a key partner of ours on many projects. The National Geographic Museum team and their Creative Director, Alan Parente, also did fine work in a challenging time frame enabling us to meet deadlines for the press tours and grand opening.”

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Michael Mander

Michael Mander

I am a journalist from Essex, England. I enjoy travelling, and love exploring attractions around the world. I graduated from Lancaster University in 2018. Twitter @michael_mander.

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