Specialty projection screens: Strong/MDI and Eclipse Screens

Nov 06, 2017 Joe Kleiman #70 - IAAPA 2017, 2017, Attractions, Business, Events, Features, Museums, Technology & Media, Theme Parks 0

Eclipse Screens and Strong/MDI Systems partner to provide turnkey screen solutions for themed entertainment applications

interview by Martin Palicki

Custom screen configurations and projection surfaces are often essential to creating successful media-based attractions and immersive projection environments. Examples include dark rides, 4D experiences, motion simulators, flying theaters, museum exhibitions, brand experiences and haunts. Two leading experts in the field, Eclipse Screens and Strong/MDI Screen Systems, have joined forces to offer custom, turnkey solutions that integrate their complementary products and services, with multiple showcases and demonstrations during the 2017 IAAPA Attractions Expo.

“Turnkey solutions are in high demand, and sometimes a strategic partnership is the best way to accomplish that,” said Dustin Small, CEO of Eclipse Screens. “Eclipse’s patented compound curvilinear screen system is enhanced with Strong/MDI’s wide range of screen products and optical coatings designed for themed entertainment applications. Together, we offer everything from project design and product development, to onsite construction, installation and coating applications. We invite the industry community to see us in Orlando.”

Interview with Francois Barrette, General Manager, Strong/MDI Screen Systems:

Tell us more about what you’re showcasing during IAAPA.

We will showcase made-to-order projection screen solutions for immersive experiences. Our product lineup includes high-quality front and rear view screen surfaces, compound curvilinear screens, custom support structures and optical coatings. We have the technical expertise to guide our clients through all phases of project development and the facility to custom-fabricate nearly any screen product imaginable. We feel this event is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate what we have to offer to the industry.

In addition to our booth on the IAAPA exhibit floor, there will be a special product demo in collaboration with Dynamic Attractions at their Orlando facility to showcase our products during IAAPA. The demo will feature full ride content and several screens – it will be an impressive showpiece not to be missed. Interested parties can contact us at 1-877-7553795 or write to us at info@strongmdi.com.

Tell us a little more about optical coatings and curvilinear screens.

Optical coatings are developed to improve the viewing characteristics of the screen surface. Low gain gray coatings for example, are used to offset the light output of powerful projector lamps and to counter the effect of reflections from other light sources that may cause an image to look washed out, whereas silver coatings are indispensable for 3D viewing. The choice largely depends on the application, projector and the viewing environment. We develop the coating best suited to the project, our technicians then apply the specially formulated coatings onsite to ensure optimal results.

Eclipse Screen systems offer superior advantages when compared to existing perforated metal screens. The screen systems are entirely “seamless” – allowing the guest to be in close proximity to the surface with no visible evidence of the typical perf panel checkerboard pattern caused by dust collection, butt joints and panel color variances. Since the surface is solid there is no light loss, and in turn the projected media remains at high resolution at lower lumen output. The newly developed patented sound technology allows audio to penetrate through a solid screen surface to maintain the approximation of sound to the relative media. With no visible evidence of distortion to the projected media or sound, this is a game changer for the entire themed entertainment industry. Other key advantages include attraction design expertise, timely screen manufacturing, and no limit to size or shape. The screens are also cost effective, durable and maintenance friendly.

Tell us more about the partnership and the advantages of the turnkey solution.

This partnership brings together Dustin Small’s 20 years of theme park design experience with Strong/MDI’s 40+ years of cinema expertise. The one-stop screen solutions it enables us to provide to themed entertainment professionals are both practical and cost-effective. We make the process easy for our clients by taking a well-rounded approach to custom projection projects and by being involved in every step of the process.

If you have a project in mind, visit both companies at the Strong/MDI booth (#2150) during the 2017 IAAPA Attractions Expo. •

Photo courtesy of Eclipse Screens.