Christie, the global visual and audio technology company, has contributed to a new project in Toronto that tells the story of Canada in miniature. Taking visitors on a whistle-stop tour of the North American country, guests can experience landmarks, sights and sounds, all under one roof.
Carbon Arc Projects, a specialist in both virtual and in-person experiences, chose Christie GS Series 1DLP and Captiva projectors to illuminate various landmarks throughout the attraction.
No small feat
Little Canada is an indoor Toronto attraction covering 45,000 square feet across two floors, recreating well-known locations and landmarks at the model railway scale of 1:87. Five areas of the country including Little Niagara, Little Ottawa, Little Toronto and Petit Quebec are featured in the model village-inspired space.
The ultra-detailed miniature world took over 180,000 hours to build and has been brought to life by the latest in 21st-century technology to create a faithful homage to Canada.
Carbon Arc Projects partner Sean Hooper says, “We received a call in 2018 from Blink Multimedia, the content creator, about a new project that was taking shape, and we knew this was going to be a project unlike any other we had ever done. We were excited to work on Toronto’s biggest little attraction. “The first, big destination we worked on was Little Niagara and the Maid of the Mist, then Little Ottawa.”
Christie Captiva and DWU630-GS 1DLP laser projectors were chosen by Carbon Arc Projects to enhance Little Canada.
“We made the recommendation for Christie projectors because we were looking for a professional short throw projector in the low to medium brightness range. Christie was one of the only vendors with a product that met these requirements, with a laser light source, that could be sourced locally.”
Turning on the waterworks
Integrated with a centrally-controlled playback system, the power scheduled projectors transform the attraction through a 15-minute loop. Through the wonders of technology, a waterless Little Niagara Falls looks as realistic and lifelike as the genuine article.
A spokesman from Little Canada says, “We have these beautiful projections on the Falls, and those are static. But we had to figure out how to incorporate the Maid of the Mist boat so that it was not just a flood of water projected onto it.
“The boat has been so intricately made with fine details and little people, and we didn’t want those details washed away. We brought the problem to our projection partners to find a creative solution.”
Little Canada’s Maid of the Mist has been timed in miniature to replicate the speed of the real boat, gaining speed as it goes downstream and slowing down as it approaches the dock.
Hooper adds, “We timed out the boat position so it follows a predictable route, and from there created a mask in the content to help the boat stand out.” The miniature Maid of the Mist is designed to replicate the speed of the real boat, slowing down as it gets closer to the dock and gaining speed as it goes downstream.
Miniature celebrations
One of the attraction’s highlights is the Little Ottawa section, providing an additional display that operates on the 15-minute day-to-night cycle.
Once the sun sets, the capital is illuminated by thousands of miniature lights. A simulated fireworks display covers the walls and a commemorative video is then projected on the Parliament Buildings, reenacting Ottawa’s annual Canada Day celebrations. Carbon Arc Projects worked with Blink Multimedia to develop the projection mapping show.
Carbon Arc Projects partner Kyle Killing adds “It is amazing to see the level of accuracy and creativity at work here. There’s been an incredible amount of time and attention that went into the space, and you find something new in there each time you go through the exhibit. The amount of planning that went into creating this experience is tremendous.”
Little Canada’s representative says “[We provide] a highly detailed and immersive miniature attraction that offers spectacular scenery, enveloping soundscapes, animated features, and moving cars, trains, and boats.
“Guests have been wowed by the lifelike experience and the incredible, bespoke lighting and projections play a special part in bringing the magic of Little Canada to life and giving our visitors the opportunity to experience parts of Canada they might not otherwise be able to.”
Christie, the official projection and display partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, has also provided its technology for a number of sites at the international extravaganza including the Russia Pavilion, and the Al Wasr Plaza dome.
