This weekend, DreamWorks will launch the live-action model of “Learn how to Practice Your Dragon.” A number of weeks later, “F1: the Film” opens, adopted by “Superman.”

All three movies have one factor in frequent: they have been filmed for Imax. However what precisely does that imply? And is it actually value it for moviegoers to spend a number of extra {dollars} to look at a film in Imax?

The important thing variations between the 2 phrases used to advertise the large-screen format? “Filmed for Imax” is a program for filmmakers capturing on digital that enables them to maximise every side of Imax’s expertise choices all through the manufacturing course of to ship a film that’s meant to be seen in Imax.

“Shot with Imax,” alternatively, refers to motion pictures which might be shot on celluloid movie with a particular Imax digital camera earlier than being transformed to digital for projection.

Bruce Markoe, vice chairman, head of publish manufacturing at Imax, delves into the “Filmed for Imax” course of and explains the important thing variations between a non-Imax movie, “Filmed for Imax” and “Shot with Imax.”

What precisely does ‘Filmed for Imax’ imply?

Each film that Imax releases is definitely nonetheless a singular model, which means that the filmmaker has the chance to optimize the film visually and sonically with a sound for our format.

“Filmed for Imax” takes it to an entire different degree. These are motion pictures the place the filmmakers are way more concerned from the very starting of pre-production, manufacturing and post-production with us. They’re doing issues that allow them to shoot the film with a singular model explicitly for Imax theaters and solely for Imax. The “Filmed for Imax” program has a number of each necessities and suggestions that filmmakers observe to create this distinctive model of the film for our theaters and audiences. That’s the differentiator between regular motion pictures which might be nonetheless optimized for Imax.

There’s additionally ‘Shot with Imax,’ one other line we’ve been seeing. What does that imply?

These motion pictures that have been shot with our movie cameras obtain that form of nomenclature. These are completely different than the Filmed for Imax motion pictures, that are all shot with digital cameras. Nevertheless, a number of the identical form of course of takes place within the making of the film once they’re capturing with our movie cameras. These motion pictures nonetheless do a number of testing and opinions, and filmmakers work very intently with us all through the whole manufacturing, because it’s our digital camera on set, whereas the “Filmed for Imax” program is utilizing licensed digital cameras that aren’t essentially distinctive to us.

Are there some other variations audiences want to concentrate on?

Films within the “Filmed for Imax” program have an unique expanded side ratio – 1:90:1 – that’s solely out there to see in our theaters. Films shot with our movie cameras even have that unique expanded side ratio, as a result of that’s inherent to our movie digital camera. However with the digital digital camera, they really must make artistic choices to shoot for the taller side ratio in Imax, since our screens have a taller side ratio. The concept is we wish filmmakers to really create a film that’s going to be extra immersive by filling our whole display, which is how Imax was designed a few years in the past, to have these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screens.

We wish the filmmakers to shoot and seize these twin side ratios, so we get the taller side ratio solely for our cinemas. The hot button is that they must shoot the film creatively for our taller side ratio, and it’s a technical factor they must do on set.

One of many issues we do with filmmakers is, if it’s a film that’s being thought of to be a movie for Imax, we do demonstrations for the director, the DP, the producers and among the key individuals on the manufacturing group, they usually are available they usually take a look at what different filmmakers have accomplished with expanded side ratio and the way motion pictures form of play in our Imax atmosphere, as a result of they might not be conversant in it. By seeing these demonstrations, they’re now asking technical questions. “How do I obtain the twin side ratio? How do I shoot the film to be particularly for Imax whereas nonetheless defending for the non-Imax model? So we begin answering all these questions with them. They then go off and shoot digital camera checks and lens checks, and that’s most likely one of the vital elements of this system, the testing and opinions. What this does is it permits them to make actually vital artistic choices about what lenses they’re utilizing, how they’re planning to shoot and lightweight, and the way it’s enjoying again in a extra immersive Imax display.

There’s a rising demand from audiences to see movies in Imax. Presently, what number of screens are there? And what’s the plan for Imax to broaden as audiences come out for that have?

We’re over 1800 screens worldwide, and we’ve a again order that we’re constructing as quick as we will.

At each Imax theater, we construct the projectors and design the sound programs. Sound is vital in Imax, and our audio system are highly effective. We play our motion pictures all at reference sound degree, which additionally makes it a extra immersive expertise. Some individuals would possibly suppose our motion pictures are too loud. We don’t flip them up. We’re really enjoying them as they have been meant to be heard. We’re promoting and constructing extra theaters due to this latest emphasis for customers and audiences to need to go see issues on the most important display attainable.