ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Thank you Tal for your response. I appreciate learning about the direction your center took to offer your visitors a theater experience.
Beth Demke
Executive Director
Gateway to Science
1810 Schafer Street, Suite 1
Bismarck, ND 58501-1218
701.258.1975 (office)
701.220.8356 (cell)
[log in to unmask]
http://gatewaytoscience.org
"Knowing a great deal is not the same as being smart; intelligence is not information alone but also judgment, the manner in which information is collected and used"
Carl Sagan (1934-1996), American astronomer, exobiologist and science communicator
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tal Berman
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 5:19 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IMAX Theaters in Smaller Size
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Hi Bath
The principle in IMAX theaters is, the smaller theater is, the less money it loses.
We are a medium-sized museum (the largest in science museum in Israel, but in terms of the United States) - half a million visitors a year; an area of
7 acres; 45,000 sq. feet of indoor exhibition space; a 40,000 sq. foot outdoor Science Park; and 50,000 sq. feet of laboratory/education facilities. Pic from the science park - http://madatech.smugmug.com/NobleEnergySciencePark/TalBerman/23131959_BGjG7h
Almost a decade ago we established a 4D Cinema, i.e. 3D films + surrounding effects - moving seats, smells, rain, etc. There are 50 seats in the cinema. All of the shows are related to science. Average annual occupancy of the cinema is 70-80 percent. School groups come on weekdays and families come on weekends and holidays.
The costs of installing and maintaining the cinema are negligible compared to an IMAX theater.
The main problem is the standards. While 3D movies have more or less uniform standard, there are none for the effects. You are totally dependent on the company that provides you the service. It is expensive to produce it and expensive to maintain it. Most of the yearly budget goes to maintaining the effects (maintaining the platforms of chairs, computers, etc.).
Equipment also requires upgrading every few years. On the other hand, there are zillions of good quality 3D movies today. Two high quality projectors can do the job. You can renew your movie stock every few months. And the audience will be satisfied if you have a regularly changing set of good movies.
We are currently seriously considering giving up on the 4D effects to focus on a good 3D experience.
Best Tal
____________________________________
Tal Berman; Ph.D.
Head of the Exhibits, R&D Wing
The Israel National Museum of Science, Technology & Space;
Daniel and Matilde Recanati Center
25 Shmaryahu Levin St.; Haifa, 31448; ISRAEL.
Tel: +972-4-861-4452 Fax: +972-4-861-4352; Cell': +972-54-6115577
Email: [log in to unmask]; Site: http://www.madatech.org.il
LATITUDE 320 48.587' N LONGITUDE 0340 59.790' E
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 11:22 PM, Beth Demke <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and
> related institutions.
>
> **********************************************************************
> *******
>
> Does anyone have experience with IMAX theaters (or other brands) in
> smaller sizes? Our science center is considering adding a theater to
> plans for our new facility, but I'm concerned that our population base
> won't support the cost to build and maintain a huge theater, plus the
> cost of films. What I'd really like is a multi-purpose room that could
> also be set up as a planetarium and other uses. I would appreciate
> guidance from other science centers that have explored similar options.
>
> Beth Demke
> Executive Director
> Gateway to Science
> 1810 Schafer Street, Suite 1
> Bismarck, ND 58501-1218
> 701.258.1975 (office)
> 701.220.8356 (cell)
> [log in to unmask]
> http://gatewaytoscience.org
>
> **********************************************************************
> * For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
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