Resource Categories Production

Focus on Film Scanning

As part one of a session to be continued at another time on the giant screen, we 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, 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 [...]

Focus on Film Scanning2025-04-07T17:31:42+00:00

High-Resolution Camera Shootout

Led by Pawel Achtel ACS of the Innovations Committee and shot by a team of ACS cinematographers, we evaluate the performance of the following state-of-the-art cameras: RED Monstro 8K, ARRI LF, Blackmagic Design 12K, Canon R5, Achtel 9x7. We 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. The [...]

High-Resolution Camera Shootout2025-04-07T17:32:05+00:00

Production and Postproduction Workflow Guidelines (P3W)

The GSCA’s Production and Postproduction Workflow (P3W) documents were designed to provide filmmakers with technical guidelines on how to produce content for the Giant Screen. There are two workflows, one for picture and one for audio. Both include a workflow diagram and a textual document providing more detailed information on the specifics of the production and postproduction processes. The GSCA Innovations Committee created these documents to help ensure films brought to our giant screens meet our historically high standards of picture and audio quality. The [...]

Production and Postproduction Workflow Guidelines (P3W)2026-02-19T22:16:27+00:00

Theater and Filmmaking Insights: Sharing for Success: Susan Todd, Archipelago Films

Previously titled “Giant Screen 101,” this session is more than just a first-timer’s introduction to the giant screen industry. Seasoned veterans and newcomers alike will take away new ideas and contacts from this highly engaging and informative session. The session includes post-COVID success stories, how to program feature films and documentaries, and how to make giant screen theaters stand out from the competition. Filmmakers share insights on the challenges of making films for the giant screen as well as the wonderful creative opportunities provided by [...]

Theater and Filmmaking Insights: Sharing for Success: Susan Todd, Archipelago Films2023-12-06T18:06:56+00:00

Theater and Filmmaking Insights: Sharing for Success: Jonathan Williams, BBC Earth

Previously titled “Giant Screen 101,” this session is more than just a first-timer’s introduction to the giant screen industry. Seasoned veterans and newcomers alike will take away new ideas and contacts from this highly engaging and informative session. The session includes post-COVID success stories, how to program feature films and documentaries, and how to make giant screen theaters stand out from the competition. Filmmakers share insights on the challenges of making films for the giant screen as well as the wonderful creative opportunities provided by [...]

Theater and Filmmaking Insights: Sharing for Success: Jonathan Williams, BBC Earth2023-12-06T18:08:11+00:00

The Making of Apollo 11: First Steps Edition

The Apollo 11 mission was one of the crowning achievements of a generation. In this webinar, we talk to the creative team that brought this incredible mission to a new generation on the giant screen. Moderated by IMAX Sound Designer Brian Eimer, ImagesInSound Featuring: Todd Douglas Miller, Director Tom Petersen, Producer Will Cox, Film Restoration and Post Services Eric Milano, Sound Designer Ben Feist, Audio Restoration David Keighley, IMAX Chief Quality Guru Matt Morton, Composer

The Making of Apollo 11: First Steps Edition2023-12-06T19:21:14+00:00

Aspect Ratios: The Shape of Cinema

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 [...]

Aspect Ratios: The Shape of Cinema2023-12-06T19:27:05+00:00

Navigating the Complexities of the Giant Screen Postproduction Pipeline

Producing a giant screen film is a complicated and intricate process that is made even more challenging, not simpler, by the variety of digital technologies in the production pipeline. In this webinar, our panel of filmmakers, postproduction experts, sound designers/mixers, and distributors will pull back the curtain on the process of preparing a giant screen film for distribution. There are many steps and a multitude of formats that filmmakers must create to accommodate wildly different projection systems that require their own specialized picture and audio [...]

Navigating the Complexities of the Giant Screen Postproduction Pipeline2025-04-07T17:32:29+00:00

New Directions in Giant Screen Films

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. Presented at the GSCA 2021 Virtual Conference Session organizer: Ed Lantz, Vortex Immersion Media Presenters: Jonathan Bird, President [...]

New Directions in Giant Screen Films2025-04-07T17:42:06+00:00

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

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. Presented at the GSCA 2021 Virtual Conference Presenters: Ruth Coalson, Ruth [...]

Using VR to Test and Review Content for the Giant Screen and Domes2023-12-06T19:32:59+00:00