Severtson Screens, a global leader in innovative and quality projection screens for the cinema, commercial, pro AV, and home theatre markets, has announced that the recently renovated Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans now boasts one of the largest immersive digital 3D cinema experiences in the country, thanks in large part to a 46-foot high x 76-foot wide 2.2 gain Severtson Se-Vision 3D GX silver screen.
“The digital transition allows us to continue to offer quality institutional movies, and maybe participate in alternative content such as live concert or theatrical events, speaking presentations, gaming events, and movie festivals,” said Audubon Director of Theater Operations Rodney Daniels of the potential of the renovated Entergy Giant Screen Theater.
The Audubon Nature Institute’s $1.2 million Entergy Giant Screen Theater soft opened on October 15th with Disney’s full-length feature The Little Mermaid in 3D. A grand opening is slated for November 18th which will include the premiere of Journey to Space, a documentary on the on-going mission to Mars, narrated by Patrick Stewart and presented by the theatre’s sponsor, Giant Screen Films.
Entertainment Supply & Technologies (Tampa, Fla.) cinema engineers renovated the existing theatre at Audubon, coordinating and installing an entirely new, fully digital experience. In addition to the Severtson screen, the new Christie Duo 4K digital projection allows Audubon to have its pick of first-run Hollywood features, and the state-of-the-art 46-channel Dolby Atmos sound provides an unparalleled experience for the guest. The new immersive sound is supported by QSC audio components mounted on StarGrid, a proprietary speaker grid system by Adaptive Technologies Group.
“We knew the quality of the Severtson giant screen was what we were looking for, and that they could produce it on schedule was vital because timing was everything for this project,” explained Bruce Schneiter, Entertainment Supply & Technologies senior vice president of technical services. “Severtson was not only able to create and deliver the desired screen on time, but their new folded shipping capability made it so we didn’t have to take any walls down in order to get the enormous screen into the auditorium.”
According to Dan Maxwell, Severtson Screens vice president & chief operating officer, typically a screen of this size would need to be packed into a 50-foot wide crate. “Due to our folded screen technology, the crate size was merely 14-feet, making it very easy to manoeuvre into and through the building,” he said. “These folded screens are highly efficient for significant international savings with shipping, but also offer great benefits domestically with complex installation such as this one where it was nearly impossible to get a long crate into the building without cutting a hole in the wall.”
Shipping costs associated with such large packages as these were out-of-reach for so many customers up until recently. Now, Severtson Screens’ S?Vision 3D GX screens can be folded and packed into a much smaller crate without any loss in structural integrity or performance abilities. “Severtson’s new folded screen process not only reduces international shipping fees, the smaller packaging simplifies delivery to theatres and is more convenient for installers as folded screens are much easier to get into buildings and uncrate than standard long-tube roll packaging…especially when a theatre is in a unique structure, such as a high-rise or multi-story theatre complex,” added Maxwell.
The new folded line of S?Vision 3D GX and Ultra Wide cinema screens have numerous advantages, including: available in standard or micro perforation (white and silver); coated surface that is harder to bruise and scuff; small micron flake coating produces a sharper image, eliminating graininess in bright scenes; viewing angles range from 30 to 40 degree half-gain depending on the specific screen gain requested; water-based coating promotes longevity by maintaining optical properties over time, eliminating flaking and cracking of the screen surface; and perfect for all large cinema applications, such as movie houses, museums, universities, etc.