New Content and New Ways to Program

Session Organizer: Patricia Keighley, IMAX Corporation
Presenters:

• Zarth Bertsch, Smithsonian Enterprises
• Patty Collins, MacGillivray Freeman  Films
  
• Todd Douglas Miller, Statement Pictures
• Steve Garrett, IMAX Entertainment
  
• Jackie Mollet, Saint Louis Science Center
• Jim Remar, Cosmosphere
• David Ripper, Texas State History Museum
  

In this session we’ll explore innovative new programming, including both new content and new ways to program more traditional content. Our panel of giant screen theater and distribution veterans will share examples, their experiences with it, and their recommendations for success. This session will address these and other questions: How can you stay true to your brand, focus on the consumer, and expand your business? How does a theater determine what new audiences may be underserved by their current slate, and what programming changes would attract them to visit? How is success measured? How does new programming affect revenue and expenses, marketing, and technology required?

Marketing-Focused Social Media

Session Organizer: Ryan Holota, Saskatchewan Science Centre
Presenters:

• Jared Jones, Sacramento History Museum
• James Fulcher, Project Impact
  

Social media marketing has moved beyond just Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with TikTok exploding onto the scene—creating new social media superstars and opportunities for engagement and impact. In this session, we’ll take a bird’s eye view of the platform and then dive in deep with a small museum that gained more than a million followers in just a few months. Next, we’ll learn why the audience on TikTok might just be the best one to engage for real social change—if you can connect with them and inspire them. We’ll close off with a list of tips from the experts and a look at some samples from GSCA members. Click to access Ryan's Tik Tok Cheat Sheet

New Directions in Giant Screen Films

Session organizer: Ed Lantz, Vortex Immersion Media
Presenters:

• Jonathan Bird, President and Cinematographer, Oceanic Research Group
  
• Michael Daut, Writer, Producer, Director
• Daniel Ferguson, Producer, Director, Cosmic Picture
• Kate McCallum, Producer, Vortex Immersion Media

How do we keep giant screen programming relevant in this digital age? What market trends can inform us about what today’s audiences are seeking? How do we best position our theaters in this new, post-pandemic era? These questions and more will be explored, guided by recent case studies from films such as Mesmerica and Superpower Dogs that reveal the unique power of giant screen cinema to deeply engage and inform audiences.

Theater Reopening Tips and Best Practices

Session organizer: Therese Andrade
Presenters:

• John Armistead, Manager of IMAX, Sci-Port Louisiana’s Science Center, Shreveport, LA
• Caroline Borgudd, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
• Cassandra L. Henry, President, Science Spectrum, Lubbock, TX
• Manos Kitsonas, Director Planetarium, Athens, Greece
• Gina Lee, Director of Marketing, California Science Center Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
• Doug Link, Director, Theatre Services, IMAX Corporation, Sacramento,CA
• Alexandra van der Zee, Omniversum, The Hague, Netherlands

What are the top three things that made a difference in reopening a theater? GSCA member theaters will take us inside their theaters in a lightning round of the top three things that made a difference in their reopening. They’ll share their insights and advice on everything from operations to programming, ticketing, and marketing.

Innovations Session

All presentations organized by the GSCA Innovations Committee

The Art of the Digital Intermediate

• Presenters: Jonathan Bird and Zachary Peterson, Oceanic Research Group
  

In this informative session, Zach and Jonathan will walk the audience through the process of DI for giant screen, which includes image processing (sky extensions, noise reduction, etc.) and color grading, with considerations for projection on both flat and dome screens. The presentation will use several scenes from the MacGillivray Freeman film Ireland as examples. 

Using VR to Test and Review Content for the Giant Screen and Domes

Presenters:

• Ruth Coalson, Ruth Coalson Consulting
• Phillipa Day and Michael Gandham, Festoon

What do you do if you can't get access to a dome to create content? Or you need a space online to teach a class and you need more than Zoom or other 2D applications can offer? In these days of continuing pandemic-related shutdowns, both VR producers and dome educators have gotten very creative as they reach out to audiences. finding solutions in the virtual world for content creators and educators in amazing ways.

Helicopters, Planes, and Drones: Only the Best Tool Will Fly!

Presenters:

• Phil Streather, Principal Large Format
• Aidan Kelly, XM2

In this breakthrough session, we will look at the capabilities and use cases for flying camera rigs of all shapes and sizes, from the most compact and lightweight drones to large drones that can lift full-size digital cameras, to complete helicopter rigs. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each category of aerial cinematography gear and identify ideal use cases for each type of rig. With this information you will have a better understanding of which tool to fly that will give you the best results for the type of shot you are planning to capture.