Explaining Imax

explaining IMAX THE BACKGROUND THE TECHNICAL STUFF IMAX started in the 1970's by a group of Canadian filmmakers wanting to capitalize on multi-screen/big screen projection. Today, it's almost guaranteed that large tentpole releases from the studios get either the IMAX treatment, 3D' releases or both. For awhile, IMAX was primarily used to showcase documentary fare at museums, but its adoption by Hollywood - thanks to its increased ticket price - has lead the company to become bigger than ever. IMAX is both an acquisition and release format that emphasizes large scale and resolution. IMAX itself refers to a format called 15/70mm film meaning 15 perforations for every frame on 70mm film. By comparison, most Hollywood films are shot on 4-perforation 35mm film. Once popular in the 60's and 70's, 5-perf 70mm film is rarely used to shoot entire movies today, even though it is a suitable alternative to IMAX. 1. IMAX film is run horizontally through cameras as opposed to vertically resulting in a larger exposed image. IMAX 5/70mm SUPER 35 aspect ratio: 1.43 1.85 aspect ratio: 2.20 3X larger than... 10X larger than... 2. Because more area on the film strip is occupied, runtime on 1000 feet of film is significantly shorter for IMAX cameras IMAX 3D:O IMAX 2D:000 5/70mm:0 35mm:000 DOO0O000 000 = one minute 3. The company itself produces the camera systems used to shoot this way. IMAX cameras are notorious for being bulky and heavy IMAX 3D (in size) 230 Ibs. HOTEL MINI FRIDGE 35mm 40 Ibs. ЛМАХ 2D ARRI 765 70 Ibs. 70 Ibs. 4. Number of films shot in each format (worldwide; at least 15 min duration): FILMS 5/70mm 131 IMAX 300 35mm hundreds of thousands 5. In 2002, IMAX introduced a process called IMAX DMR that would allow films to be released in their format without actually shooting IMAX film, but instead more common systems like 35mm or HD 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Percentage of Native IMAX vs. IMAX DMR Films 6. Though IMAX has been expanding, its screens still only make up a small percentage of US theaterspace REGULAR SCREENS 39,717 IMAX SCREENS 289 INCLUDING 691 DRIVE IN SCREENS 470 THEATERS WORLDWIDE 7. IMAX screen sizes vary depending on their purpose and venue. Lately, the company has come under fire for converted screens in existing theaters that are undersized compared to their museum brethren. CONVERTED58 ft. by 28 ft. IMAX RESEARCH SHOWED ONLY 6 foot man 2% OF CUSTOMERS TYPICAL IMAX 72 ft. by 52 ft. FELT THAT THESE SCREENS WERE NOT COMPARABLE AS AN EXPERIENCE WORLD'S LARGEST IMAX 117 ft. by 98 ft. 8 STORY BUILDING THE BOTTOM LINE fiscal results of Q3 2010 26%PER SCREEN TAVERAGE $ 3 20,500 | TOTAL FILM68%, REVENUET $ 21 million 89%JOINT REVENUE TSHARING $ 6.5 million PRODUCTION & 58% DMR REVENUE $12.4 million $51,100,000 TOTAL REVENUE INFORGRAPHIC CREATED BY EVAN LUZI 2010 WWW.THEBLACKANDBLUE.COM THE FINE PRINT CLARIFICATIONS & DETAILS: 1. Measurements as follow: IMAX (52mm x 70mm), 5/70 (23mm x 52mm), Super 35 (18.6mm x 22mm) 2. Film speeds calculated when shooting 24 fps 3. IMAX 2D weight does not include sound blimp which brings weight up to 275 Ibs. 4. Does not include IMAX DMR films nor special venue 70mm or IMAX films; IMAX quantity accurate as of November 5th, 2010 5. Worldwide releases - at least 15 minute duration 6. Regular screens accurate as of 2009; IMAX US screens accurate as of November 5th, 2010; IMAX worldwide statistic accurate as of September 30th, 2010 7. Screen sizes are averages/estimates and are not a decided-upon standard Bottom Line: Figures are from third quarter of 2010 that closed on September 30th, 2010 SOURCES: 1. http://www.lfexaminer.com/formats.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_35 3. "IMAX: The 15/70 Filmmaker's Manual" by IMAX Corporation, 1999 // http://www.arri.de/camera/65_mm_film/arriflex_765.html // http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/imax.htm 4. http://www.lfexaminer.com/films.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_70_mm_films 5. http://www.lfexaminer.com/films.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_DMR_films **CROSS REFERENCED TOGETHER** 6. “Theatrical Market Statistics 2009" by MPAA, 2009 // http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm // http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118725&p=irol-faq#39307 7. http://www.lfexaminer.com/20080915.htm // http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004103?refCatld=13 // http://www.imax.com.au/visitor_info/ Bottom Line: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118725&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1488367 // http://www.rttnews.com/content/BeforeTheBell.aspx?ld=1460574 DISCLAIMER: The information above has been researched and is believed to be correct. No false information was knowingly applied. It is provided without warranty. Graphical presentation of this data is copyrighted by Evan Luzi, 2010. || explaining IMAX THE BACKGROUND THE TECHNICAL STUFF IMAX started in the 1970's by a group of Canadian filmmakers wanting to capitalize on multi-screen/big screen projection. Today, it's almost guaranteed that large tentpole releases from the studios get either the IMAX treatment, 3D' releases or both. For awhile, IMAX was primarily used to showcase documentary fare at museums, but its adoption by Hollywood - thanks to its increased ticket price - has lead the company to become bigger than ever. IMAX is both an acquisition and release format that emphasizes large scale and resolution. IMAX itself refers to a format called 15/70mm film meaning 15 perforations for every frame on 70mm film. By comparison, most Hollywood films are shot on 4-perforation 35mm film. Once popular in the 60's and 70's, 5-perf 70mm film is rarely used to shoot entire movies today, even though it is a suitable alternative to IMAX. 1. IMAX film is run horizontally through cameras as opposed to vertically resulting in a larger exposed image. IMAX 5/70mm SUPER 35 aspect ratio: 1.43 1.85 aspect ratio: 2.20 3X larger than... 10X larger than... 2. Because more area on the film strip is occupied, runtime on 1000 feet of film is significantly shorter for IMAX cameras IMAX 3D:O IMAX 2D:000 5/70mm:0 35mm:000 DOO0O000 000 = one minute 3. The company itself produces the camera systems used to shoot this way. IMAX cameras are notorious for being bulky and heavy IMAX 3D (in size) 230 Ibs. HOTEL MINI FRIDGE 35mm 40 Ibs. ЛМАХ 2D ARRI 765 70 Ibs. 70 Ibs. 4. Number of films shot in each format (worldwide; at least 15 min duration): FILMS 5/70mm 131 IMAX 300 35mm hundreds of thousands 5. In 2002, IMAX introduced a process called IMAX DMR that would allow films to be released in their format without actually shooting IMAX film, but instead more common systems like 35mm or HD 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Percentage of Native IMAX vs. IMAX DMR Films 6. Though IMAX has been expanding, its screens still only make up a small percentage of US theaterspace REGULAR SCREENS 39,717 IMAX SCREENS 289 INCLUDING 691 DRIVE IN SCREENS 470 THEATERS WORLDWIDE 7. IMAX screen sizes vary depending on their purpose and venue. Lately, the company has come under fire for converted screens in existing theaters that are undersized compared to their museum brethren. CONVERTED58 ft. by 28 ft. IMAX RESEARCH SHOWED ONLY 6 foot man 2% OF CUSTOMERS TYPICAL IMAX 72 ft. by 52 ft. FELT THAT THESE SCREENS WERE NOT COMPARABLE AS AN EXPERIENCE WORLD'S LARGEST IMAX 117 ft. by 98 ft. 8 STORY BUILDING THE BOTTOM LINE fiscal results of Q3 2010 26%PER SCREEN TAVERAGE $ 3 20,500 | TOTAL FILM68%, REVENUET $ 21 million 89%JOINT REVENUE TSHARING $ 6.5 million PRODUCTION & 58% DMR REVENUE $12.4 million $51,100,000 TOTAL REVENUE INFORGRAPHIC CREATED BY EVAN LUZI 2010 WWW.THEBLACKANDBLUE.COM THE FINE PRINT CLARIFICATIONS & DETAILS: 1. Measurements as follow: IMAX (52mm x 70mm), 5/70 (23mm x 52mm), Super 35 (18.6mm x 22mm) 2. Film speeds calculated when shooting 24 fps 3. IMAX 2D weight does not include sound blimp which brings weight up to 275 Ibs. 4. Does not include IMAX DMR films nor special venue 70mm or IMAX films; IMAX quantity accurate as of November 5th, 2010 5. Worldwide releases - at least 15 minute duration 6. Regular screens accurate as of 2009; IMAX US screens accurate as of November 5th, 2010; IMAX worldwide statistic accurate as of September 30th, 2010 7. Screen sizes are averages/estimates and are not a decided-upon standard Bottom Line: Figures are from third quarter of 2010 that closed on September 30th, 2010 SOURCES: 1. http://www.lfexaminer.com/formats.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_35 3. "IMAX: The 15/70 Filmmaker's Manual" by IMAX Corporation, 1999 // http://www.arri.de/camera/65_mm_film/arriflex_765.html // http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/imax.htm 4. http://www.lfexaminer.com/films.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_70_mm_films 5. http://www.lfexaminer.com/films.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_DMR_films **CROSS REFERENCED TOGETHER** 6. “Theatrical Market Statistics 2009" by MPAA, 2009 // http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm // http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118725&p=irol-faq#39307 7. http://www.lfexaminer.com/20080915.htm // http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004103?refCatld=13 // http://www.imax.com.au/visitor_info/ Bottom Line: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118725&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1488367 // http://www.rttnews.com/content/BeforeTheBell.aspx?ld=1460574 DISCLAIMER: The information above has been researched and is believed to be correct. No false information was knowingly applied. It is provided without warranty. Graphical presentation of this data is copyrighted by Evan Luzi, 2010. || explaining IMAX THE BACKGROUND THE TECHNICAL STUFF IMAX started in the 1970's by a group of Canadian filmmakers wanting to capitalize on multi-screen/big screen projection. Today, it's almost guaranteed that large tentpole releases from the studios get either the IMAX treatment, 3D' releases or both. For awhile, IMAX was primarily used to showcase documentary fare at museums, but its adoption by Hollywood - thanks to its increased ticket price - has lead the company to become bigger than ever. IMAX is both an acquisition and release format that emphasizes large scale and resolution. IMAX itself refers to a format called 15/70mm film meaning 15 perforations for every frame on 70mm film. By comparison, most Hollywood films are shot on 4-perforation 35mm film. Once popular in the 60's and 70's, 5-perf 70mm film is rarely used to shoot entire movies today, even though it is a suitable alternative to IMAX. 1. IMAX film is run horizontally through cameras as opposed to vertically resulting in a larger exposed image. IMAX 5/70mm SUPER 35 aspect ratio: 1.43 1.85 aspect ratio: 2.20 3X larger than... 10X larger than... 2. Because more area on the film strip is occupied, runtime on 1000 feet of film is significantly shorter for IMAX cameras IMAX 3D:O IMAX 2D:000 5/70mm:0 35mm:000 DOO0O000 000 = one minute 3. The company itself produces the camera systems used to shoot this way. IMAX cameras are notorious for being bulky and heavy IMAX 3D (in size) 230 Ibs. HOTEL MINI FRIDGE 35mm 40 Ibs. ЛМАХ 2D ARRI 765 70 Ibs. 70 Ibs. 4. Number of films shot in each format (worldwide; at least 15 min duration): FILMS 5/70mm 131 IMAX 300 35mm hundreds of thousands 5. In 2002, IMAX introduced a process called IMAX DMR that would allow films to be released in their format without actually shooting IMAX film, but instead more common systems like 35mm or HD 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Percentage of Native IMAX vs. IMAX DMR Films 6. Though IMAX has been expanding, its screens still only make up a small percentage of US theaterspace REGULAR SCREENS 39,717 IMAX SCREENS 289 INCLUDING 691 DRIVE IN SCREENS 470 THEATERS WORLDWIDE 7. IMAX screen sizes vary depending on their purpose and venue. Lately, the company has come under fire for converted screens in existing theaters that are undersized compared to their museum brethren. CONVERTED58 ft. by 28 ft. IMAX RESEARCH SHOWED ONLY 6 foot man 2% OF CUSTOMERS TYPICAL IMAX 72 ft. by 52 ft. FELT THAT THESE SCREENS WERE NOT COMPARABLE AS AN EXPERIENCE WORLD'S LARGEST IMAX 117 ft. by 98 ft. 8 STORY BUILDING THE BOTTOM LINE fiscal results of Q3 2010 26%PER SCREEN TAVERAGE $ 3 20,500 | TOTAL FILM68%, REVENUET $ 21 million 89%JOINT REVENUE TSHARING $ 6.5 million PRODUCTION & 58% DMR REVENUE $12.4 million $51,100,000 TOTAL REVENUE INFORGRAPHIC CREATED BY EVAN LUZI 2010 WWW.THEBLACKANDBLUE.COM THE FINE PRINT CLARIFICATIONS & DETAILS: 1. Measurements as follow: IMAX (52mm x 70mm), 5/70 (23mm x 52mm), Super 35 (18.6mm x 22mm) 2. Film speeds calculated when shooting 24 fps 3. IMAX 2D weight does not include sound blimp which brings weight up to 275 Ibs. 4. Does not include IMAX DMR films nor special venue 70mm or IMAX films; IMAX quantity accurate as of November 5th, 2010 5. Worldwide releases - at least 15 minute duration 6. Regular screens accurate as of 2009; IMAX US screens accurate as of November 5th, 2010; IMAX worldwide statistic accurate as of September 30th, 2010 7. Screen sizes are averages/estimates and are not a decided-upon standard Bottom Line: Figures are from third quarter of 2010 that closed on September 30th, 2010 SOURCES: 1. http://www.lfexaminer.com/formats.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_35 3. "IMAX: The 15/70 Filmmaker's Manual" by IMAX Corporation, 1999 // http://www.arri.de/camera/65_mm_film/arriflex_765.html // http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/imax.htm 4. http://www.lfexaminer.com/films.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_70_mm_films 5. http://www.lfexaminer.com/films.htm // http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_DMR_films **CROSS REFERENCED TOGETHER** 6. “Theatrical Market Statistics 2009" by MPAA, 2009 // http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm // http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118725&p=irol-faq#39307 7. http://www.lfexaminer.com/20080915.htm // http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004103?refCatld=13 // http://www.imax.com.au/visitor_info/ Bottom Line: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118725&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1488367 // http://www.rttnews.com/content/BeforeTheBell.aspx?ld=1460574 DISCLAIMER: The information above has been researched and is believed to be correct. No false information was knowingly applied. It is provided without warranty. Graphical presentation of this data is copyrighted by Evan Luzi, 2010. ||