Improving The Business Model: We Know It Has To Change, But How?

The giant screen business model has many components to it, but any lasting, workable changes will likely have to begin with the theater-distributor relationship. This session features candid conversations between veteran distributors and exhibitors in the GS industry about the core issues of programming, admission pricing and packaging, marketing, and finding an equitable way to split a slowly contracting pie. Discussing old and new approaches, and in- and out-of-the box ideas, panelists are asked a series of questions to stimulate honest and open dialogue about what matters most to everyone in our industry.

Moderated by Paul Fraser (Blaze Cineworks) and Mark Katz (Giant Screen Films/D3D Cinema), four sets of panelists—pairing a distributor with an exhibitor—take turns facing off to debate new approaches. We hope this session generates a few chuckles but most importantly stimulates some truly actionable ideas about how we can work together to improve our business model.

Moderators:

• Paul Fraser, Blaze CineWorks
• Mark Katz, Giant Screen Films/D3D Cinema

Panelists:

• Patty Collins, MacGillivray Freeman Films
• Heather Farnworth, Ontario Science Centre
• Amber Hawtin, SK Films
• Bobbi Hohmann, Fernbank Museum
• Ryan Holota, Saskatchewan Science Centre
• Julie La Roche, Montreal Science Centre
• Derek Threinen, Giant Screen Films/D3D Cinema
• John Wickstrom, Cosmic Picture

Innovations

Aspect Ratios: The Shape of Cinema

Presenter: Jonathan Bird, Oceanic Research Group

Nothing could be as boring as aspect ratios, right? Well, you haven’t seen Jonathan Bird’s exciting and fascinating look at aspect ratios and how we got to where we are today. This short presentation looks at the history of aspect ratio in cinema, how it affected lens design, film evolution, projector design and culminated in the unique (some would say odd) 1.43:1 aspect ratio of IMAX. And while something as mundane as aspect ratio might not seem very exciting, it is in fact the very thing that separates giant screen cinema from “big screens.” Although this presentation will be most helpful to newer GS filmmakers, even seasoned pros will likely enjoy Jonathan’s lively and lighthearted look at “The Shape of Cinema.”

High-Resolution Camera Shootout

Presenter: Pawel Achtel, Achtel Pty Ltd.

Led by Pawel Achtel ACS of the Innovations Committee and shot by a team of ACS cinematographers, we will evaluate the performance of the following state-of-the-art cameras:

• RED Monstro 8K
• ARRI LF
• Blackmagic Design 12K
• Canon R5
• Achtel 9x7

We will see each camera’s performance in dynamic range tests, rolling shutter tests, zone charts, resolution charts, and real-world shooting locations. In part two of this session, at a future time when we meet in person, we will see the footage compared back-to-back on the giant screen.

Focus on Film Scanning

Presenters: FotoKem, IMAX, Prasad Corp, MacGillivray Freeman Films

As part one of a session to be continued at another time on the giant screen, we will explore the challenges of capturing high-quality and high-resolution digital scans of 65mm film. Four companies, including FotoKem, IMAX, Prasad Corp, and MacGillivray Freeman Films, will share their techniques, innovations, and unique approaches to digitizing film. In part two, when we are able to meet in person, we will see examples of scans using the same film source in a head-to-head comparison in 4K, 8K, 11K, and 16K scans on the giant screen.

Theater Re-opening Tips and Best Practices

Moderator: Jackie Mollet, Saint Louis Science Center
Panelists: Jim Remar, Cosmosphere; Chris Demko, Science Museum of Minnesota; Dani LeBlanc and Mark Henderson, Museum of Science, Boston

In this interactive session, GSCA member theaters will share what has worked and what hasn’t as they open their doors and welcome visitors again. Theaters will share insights and advice on everything from operations, cleaning procedures, and managing social distancing to programming, ticketing, and marketing, with ample time for questions and open discussion. Come to the session ready to share your own tips and ask questions of your colleagues as the industry recovers and gets back to business.

LED Technology for Digital Domes

Click here to watch the LED Dome Technology session

Presented by Evans & Sutherland

Dome theaters have consistently faced the historic challenges of 1) low contrast due to light bounce across the dome surface, 2) the need for multiple projectors to create acceptable resolution, 3) low brightness due to low reflectivity of the dome surface to minimize light bounce and scatter, and 4) the maintenance of a complex projection system and cost of lamps and other consumables.

Enter the LED dome. This breakthrough, game-changing technology addresses all of the historic concerns: 1) LED offers nearly unlimited contrast, 2) the dome is self-illuminating with no need for an external projection system, 3) brightness is up to 150 fL, 4) the dome surface and the LED panels are fully integrated offering design simplicity and an LED lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours. We will learn more about this exciting technology and how it can change the future of immersive dome projection

Partner Level

Supporter Level

Virtual Table Hosts

General Level