Famous News (Jan 1981)

The Aquarium Theatre Another leisure time project for Famous Recreational facility housing the Aquarium Theatre in Seattle. ®@ In March, 1979, Famous Players Limited became involved in the operation of the Aquarium (Omnirama) Theatre in Seattle, Washington expanding our company’s growing list of leisure-time projects. Set on the waterfront of Seattle’s harbour in a city park, the theatre shares a recreational facility comprised of the Seattle Aquarium, a gift shop and a restaurant. Close-by and within walking distance can be found a fine array of seafood restaurants, public interest spots and an outdoor marketplace. In the following article, Sherri DeLa Cruz, a writer for a Seattle area paper, describes the theatre and explains some of its technical aspects. Step right up, folks, and see the show. It’ll dazzle ya, it’ll thrill you to the core. The name, Omnirama, reminds one of the carnivals we’ve had in school, but that is where any resemblance to amateur production stops. This is the only commercial theatre of its kind in the U.S., although there are three other theatres using the Omnimax process located in Science Centres. Omni means all, everywhere, and that’s exactly how one would describe the 3,600 square feet of domed screen that surrounds the au 24 Premiere Issue, January 1981 dience. There are 235 seats in the egg-shaped theatre, offering a 180° view from a variety of diverse but equally good seats. The screen literally wraps around you creating a most realistic optical image. Beyond the 3-D, the fisheye lens (Leitz 180°) used in the Omnimax process produces an extraordinary depth and richness unlike any cinema to date. The accompanying §six-channel audio system produces equally exciting auditory sensations by emanating sounds from the direction of their source. Two speakers on either side, one above and below, along with two in the rear, create a dimension of sound as lifelike as the film itself. Technically, the extraordinary clarity and magnification are due to several factors. First and most important is the special fisheye lens used in both the photography and projection. Secondly, the film size is three times larger than conventional 70mm film. The third factor is that the film is projected horizontally onto a curved screen, rather than the usual method of projecting vertically onto a much smaller flat screen. Coupled with the electronically interlocking sound track, this is a medium of the future. e managers’ corner Managers! We want to hear from you. Please address items for this column to the ‘‘Managers’ Corner,’’ FAMOUS NEWS. Reminders The following C.S.R. closing dates mark the end of the 2nd quarter and serve as a reminder to all theatre managers to complete your reports by the end of the specified periods: Date of Report: — February 5, (2 weeks) February 19, (2 weeks) March 5, (2 weeks) March 26, (3 weeks) The Famous Players staff film shown at Conference ’80 is available, along with the necessary equipment, from your district manager. This film is an invaluable tool for training staff. Also available is the TCL training film, “‘Behind the Scenes’’. Contact your district manager for further information. Our Managers Score Community Points Don Maidment, Manager of the Plaza 400 in Prince George, B.C., was recently honoured by the provincial government for outstanding service in the tourism industry. Don received a ‘‘Good Show’’ pin along with a personal note from William Bennett, premier of British Columbia. Leigh Sheppard and the staff of the Fiesta Twin Theatre in Nanaimo, B.C. recently hosted Newspaper Carrier Day sponsored by that city’s Daily Free Press. About 125 of the newspaper’s carriers turned out to see Invasion of the Body Snatchers and receive prizes of radios and sports equipment. The event merited a full-page spread in the paper and judging from the smiling, popcorn-coated faces, all had a super time! continued on page 26 SRA NAMEN LS SERN MBC ca My Mobo Aen I