Open Space Session – Film Expo 2025
The 2025 GSCA Open Space highlighted a strong consensus: Giant Screen cinema must transform from "showing movies" to "creating must-experience events." Across 17 sessions, common themes emerged
Embracing the Immersive Future
Embracing the Immersive Future Presented at the 2024 Filmmaker Symposium Moderator: Michael Daut, Michael Daut Productions Panelists: Dani LeBlanc Dan Neafus Kate McCallum Dan Tell Ryan Wyatt Description: Currently giant screen technical specs live around 4K resolution and 24 fps. There are some exciting exceptions, especially in the immersive dome world. The advent of LED domes and the impact of the MSG Sphere on the cultural Zeitgeist has changed audience expectations and the ways they consume entertainment outside the home. In this session, we will [...]
Demystifying Data
Demystifying Data Presented as a Webinar on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Moderator: Ryan Holota, Saskatchewan Science Centre Presenter: John Morey, The Morey Group Description: In a world increasingly driven by data, understanding how to collect and interpret data is crucial for making informed business decisions. This session aims to demystify data science for non-technical professionals, providing practical insights and easy-to-implement strategies. Introduction To Data Collection Why data is important Common Terminology Types Of Data Finding Data and Data Sources Getting Started Importance of defining goals [...]
Distribution
Distribution Presented at the 2024 Filmmaker Symposium Moderator: Christian Fry, CVF Productions Panelists: Patty Collins, MacGillivray Freeman Films Don Kempf, Giant Screen Films Amber Hawtin, SK Films Description: Once you have completed your film you will need to find a way to get it into theaters. Distribution in the giant screen world is very different from television and feature film distribution. In this session we will look at how this process works and the questions you should ask before choosing a distributor to represent your [...]
We Need To Talk: A Town Hall Meeting on the Giant Screen Industry’s Business Models
We Need to Talk...A Town Hall Meeting on the Giant Screen Industry's Business Models Presented on September 11, 2019 GSCA 2019 International Conference in Victoria, BC Moderator: Paul Fraser, Blaze Cineworks Panelists: Daniel Ferguson, Cosmic Picture Caroline Borgudd, Cosmonova, Swedish Museum of Natural History Amber Hawtin, SK Films Jeana McNeil, Isurus Market Research & Consulting The giant screen film and theater industry has not experienced growth in a long while. In fact, some metrics are on a downward trend. It’s hard to imagine growth returning [...]
Shooting and Production
Shooting and Production Presented at the 2024 Filmmaker Symposium Moderators: Phil Streather, Principal Large Format Panelists: Jonathan Bird, Oceanic Research Group Michael Dalton Smith, Wild Imagination Films Sean Phillips, MacLeod Productions Description: Giant screen films are lauded for their premier images and sound, but how do filmmakers achieve that immersive, you-are-there quality? This session will give you a peek inside the giant screen technical toolbox. We’ll examine creative approaches to capture, lens options, shooting native 3D vs. converting in post, formatting for the dome, and [...]
Funding Giant Screen Films
Making Making a Giant Screen Film Presented at the 2024 Filmmaker Symposium Moderators: Christian Fry, CVF Productions Michael Daut, Michael Daut Productions Panelists: Kevin Clark, Ph.D., National Science Foundation Michael Dalton-Smith, Wild Imagination Films David Gross, Definition Films Shaun MacGillivray, President, MacGillivray Freeman Films Description: Peter Jackson once said, “No matter the project, you will never have enough time or enough money.” In this session we will look at ways filmmakers find funding for their projects from sources that do not have to be paid [...]
Making a Giant Screen Film: Topic and Subject
Making a Giant Screen Film: Topic and Subject Presented at the 2024 Filmmaker Symposium Panelists: Myles Connolly, 360-Media Michael Daut, Michael Daut Productions Christian Fry, CVF Productions Description: The best giant screen films are more than just big, beautiful images. It’s the stories we tell with those images that inspire and resonate with audiences. But what makes storytelling on the giant screen unique? How do filmmakers approach scriptwriting? How is shooting, editing, and scoring different from other media? Which topics and genres have worked, which [...]
Maximizing Audience Engagement through Social Media Analytics
Maximizing Audience Engagement through Social Media Analytics Presented at the 2024 International Conference Presenter: Meg Bell, Senior Manager, Commercial Marketing and Public Relations, Museums Victoria and IMAX Melbourne Session Overview: In today's digital age, social media is an essential tool for engaging with audiences and driving traffic to giant screen theatres. Meg Bell from IMAX Melbourne will present an insightful session on leveraging social media analytics to enhance audience engagement and improve marketing strategies. Session Description: Meg and her team are experts in using social [...]
Deal or No Deal: Realities of the Producer/Distributor/Theatre Triangle
Deal or No Deal: Realities of the Producer/Distributor/Theatre Triangle Presented at the 2024 International Conference Session Organizer: Phil Streather, Principal Large Format Presenters: Patty Collins, Director of Global Sales, MacGillivray Freeman Films Michael Dalton-Smith, Director/Producer, Wild Imagination Films Patricia Keighley, Chief Quality Guru, IMAX Corporation Ryan Holota, Chief Operating Officer, Saskatchewan Science Centre Tyler Mifflin, Managing Director/Producer, SK Films Description: Is it time to revisit the distributor/theater splits? 75% average to theatres was forged in the heady days of theaters spending $100,000 or more to [...]