Christchurch, New Zealand – 4D Extreme Theatre
The newly opened 4D Extreme theatre at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch currently operates with two films, one of which is shown during normal daytime opening hours and the other in the evenings for group bookings. The day time film, entitled Ice Voyage, was custom produced and takes guests on a trip to Antarctica. The high definition footage was filmed by Emmy award winning cinematographer Mike Single.
The cruise to Antarctica provides excitement and adventure for guests, enhanced by the various 4D effects which also feature in the theatre. These include wind, snow, water spray, low smoke and aroma, along with special effects lighting and 3 DOF (degrees of freedom) motion action seats to complete the experience.
The film being shown during the evening opening period is the award winning Curse of Skull Rock, which tells the tale of the treacherous Captain Scabb and his unwitting crew as they search for the legendary lost treasure of Skull Rock. A fun, humorous, 12 minute adventure in full HD 3D projection, this again utilises the various special effects within the theatre maximise the visitor experience.
Commenting on the installation, Simworx Managing Director Terry Monkton said: “We were very pleased to win the contract with the International Antarctic Centre. We took them to see our 4D effects theatres at both Drayton Manor Theme Park and The Beatles Story here in the UK, which helped in making the decision. The project is also unique in the fact that it is the first theatre we have installed which is earthquake proof.”
At the venue itself, director Richard Benton commented, “We chose Simworx from word of mouth and various recommendations. They are highly regarded and very professional. The whole attraction has been received very well by all our domestic and international visitors.”
London, UK: Royal Air Force Museum 4D effects theatre
Installed within a free-standing enclosure built by Simworx, in the museum’s Historic Hangar building, the new theatre allows visitors to experience a variety of aviation content which provides the history of aviation in stereoscopic 3D.
Among the films being shown is the award winning B17 – The Mission, a World War Two story of a daring bombing raid by a group of young airmen, while another is Ravine Race, chosen to add variety and to cater for younger visitors to the museum seeking more of a thrill ride experience. This takes guests on a 600mph race through the desert in jet powered, flying cars.
Another film being shown is Skies to Eternity, which covers the history of aviation from its very beginnings right up to the present time and presents more than 40 different aircraft and flying devices in real action. Guests are treated to clips on Spitfires and hot air balloons, among many others. Each film benefits from a variety of special effects, including 4D effects lighting, smoke, wind, water spray and aroma, which combine with the 3 DOF (degrees of freedom) motion action seats to immerse participants in the experience. The films will be shown at various times during the day.
The theatre at the RAF Museum London is an additional pay attraction, having been supplied by Simworx on a revenue share basis, an option available to some clients’ dependant on the number of annual visitors to a venue. Speaking of this latest installation, Simworx Managing Director Terry Monkton said: “We are delighted to add yet another museum venue to our list of clients and particularly one as well-known and prestigious as the RAF Museum in London.”
For the museum, Merchandising Manager Vinit Mehta commented: “The most common question that our tour guides, particularly those who have served in the RAF, are asked by the public is ‘How does it feel?’ to be in a particular aircraft or part of a crew in a high octane situation. With our 4D theatre we can now offer our visitors a unique opportunity to understand the actual experience that RAF pilots undergo in combat or as part of their training. By entertaining them, the experience becomes more real and so does their appreciation of our unparalleled collection of aircraft and the men and women who flew them.”
Simworx is a leading provider of simulation attractions, effects theatres and experiential content for the education, entertainment and event marketing sectors worldwide. Its products include capsule simulators, motion theatres, 3D/4D effects theatres and an extensive library of live action and computer-animated content in both 2D and 3D. The company has total experience in concept design, theming, installation, training and on-going support.
