A giant 14m x 23m Severtson SēVision silver cinema screen has been fitted to the recently renovated Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans in one of the country’s largest immersive 3D cinema experiences.
“The digital transition allows us to continue to offer quality institutional movies, and maybe participate in alternative content such as live concert or theatrical events, speaking presentations, gaming events, and movie festivals,” said Audubon director of theatre operations Rodney Daniels.
Entertainment Supply & Technologies renovated the existing theatre at Audubon, coordinating and installing a new, fully digital experience. In addition to the Severtson screen, the theatre also utilises Christie Duo 4K digital projection and a 46-channel Dolby Atmos sound system. The new immersive sound is supported by QSC audio components mounted on StarGrid, a proprietary speaker grid system by Adaptive Technologies Group.
“We knew the quality of the Severtson giant screen was what we were looking for, and that they could produce it on schedule was vital because timing was everything for this project,” explained Bruce Schneiter, Entertainment Supply & Technologies senior VP of technical services. “Severtson was not only able to create and deliver the desired screen on time, but their new folded shipping capability made it so we didn’t have to take any walls down in order to get the enormous screen into the auditorium.”
According to Dan Maxwell, Severtson Screens VP and chief operating officer, typically a screen of this size would need to be packed into a 15m wide crate. “Due to our folded screen technology, the crate size was merely 14-feet, making it very easy to manoeuvre into and through the building,” he said. “These folded screens are highly efficient for significant international savings with shipping, but also offer great benefits domestically with complex installation such as this one where it was nearly impossible to get a long crate into the building without cutting a hole in the wall.”
“Severtson’s new folded screen process not only reduces international shipping fees, the smaller packaging simplifies delivery to theatres and is more convenient for installers as folded screens are much easier to get into buildings and un-crate than standard long-tube roll packaging…especially when a theatre is in a unique structure, such as a high-rise or multi-story theatre complex,” added Maxwell.
