Iwerks is about large film, impressive sound and great impressions!
Iwerks combines a variety of technological innovations: special cameras, special projectors, giant concave screens, and footage shot on 70mm wide negative stock.
The Experience:
Our iwerks motion picture projection system, invented and developed by Simex-iwerks, is the finest motion picture projection system in the world. Images of unsurpassed size, clarity, and impact, enhanced by a powerful seven-channel point-source surround-sound system, are projected onto a giant rectangular screen which is five stories wide (50 feet) and nearly four stories tall (37 feet). Our iwerks system has the capability to show both 2D and 3D films. Seating capacity is 430, and is fully accessible in accordance with ADA regulations.
How 3D works:
Most human beings have binocular vision. This means that the left and right eyes, being generally two inches apart, each see a slightly different perspective. To test this, alternately open and close each eye. Notice how the scene in front of you changes slightly. In binocular vision the images seen by each eye are transported to the brain. Our amazing brains then combine these two images to allow us to see quite accurately how far away the object in front of us is. For films presented in 3D, two projectors project separate images for the viewer’s left and the right eyes. The two images are linearly polarized in opposite directions while being projected on a single screen. One image is projected in blue light, the other in red. The audience wears polarized glasses, meaning one lens is blue, while the other is red. The blue light from the projector is absorbed by the blue lens and can only pass through the red lens, and the red light from the other projector is absorbed by the red lens and can only pass through the blue lens which allows only the intended image to pass to the viewer’s left and right eyes. This alters the brains perception of how far away the image is, and thus images on the screen look like they are jumping out of the canvas.
Films are chosen for the ilearn program both for their ability to EDUCATE AND ENLIGHTEN as well as entertain. Films focus on a broad range of subjects covering the environment, nature, geography, health, The Arts, technology, and space exploration - just to name a few - and offer educators a powerful teaching tool that is easily integrated into existing curriculum.
In addition to meeting recognized educational standards, films and education materials are often produced in collaboration with prestigious organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution, NASA, National Geographic, WGBH/Nova and Discovery.
Fun Facts:
•The first feature length 3-D film, "The Power of Love," was made in 1922.
•The iwerks projection system uses Xenon lamps. Xenon is a noble, or inert, gas discovered in 1898 by Sir William Ramsay. It’s name originates from the Greek word xenon (stranger.) Xenon is obtained from liquid air. Some xenon compounds are colored. Xenon in a vacuum tube produces a beautiful blue glow when excited by an electrical discharge.
•The 3D projectors are fitted with “anamorphic” lenses with a 1:2.35 aspect ratio. Anamorphic means “to intentionally distort.”
• The giant screen is perforated by tiny holes to allow sound coming from behind the screen to pass through it.
