4-D film experience increases sensory effects
Most of us are used to seeing 3-D movies in local cinemas.
Now, it's time to get ready for 4-D. It combines the usual aspects of 3-D with additional effects inside the theatre, such as gusting winds or fog, odours, and vibrating chairs—all synchronized with the on-screen movie.
In an article in the Los Angeles Times, Richard Verrier points out that the race is on, led by South Korea-based CJ Group.
"The 4-D experience is wowing fans in South Korea, Thailand and Mexico, where CJ Group has 29 specialty theaters that regularly screen big Hollywood titles such as Avatar, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Prometheus, which featured the crashing spaceship," Verrier writes. "Now CJ Group is close to finalizing a deal with a nationwide U.S. chain to create nearly 200 4-D theaters in the next five years, with the first to open this year in Los Angeles, New York and several other major cities."
Longueil, Quebec–based D-Box is another player in the nascent 4-D industry, with dozens of locations.
For decades, cinema companies have been trying to figure out ways that they can provide an in-theatre experience that can't be replicated at home. It seems that 4-D films might just be the latest response.
Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.
Comments
4 Comments
straight up
Jul 7, 2012 at 5:34pm
4D has been around for years. the theater at the aquarium has had 4D movies for the kids for a while..
and it IS pretty cool!
Be a Man
Jul 7, 2012 at 5:58pm
Does the 'D' in 4-D stand for dimension? The last I checked, the four dimensions weren't length, width, height, and vibrating chairs.
3D in 2D
Jul 7, 2012 at 11:24pm
I don't think I want to smell Pirates of the Caribbean.
straight up
Jul 8, 2012 at 8:46am
The 4th D is sensation. Duh.
Its not just vibrating chairs, as Charlie notes in the article, but can also include odor, wind, the feel of sea spray on your face etc.
Its cool...