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The birth story of IMAX: How did these four founders change film history?
IMAX, this now world-renowned theater format, is intertwined with the audience's expectation to enjoy a new visual experience on the big screen. Behind it is the persistence of the four founders, Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr and William C. Shaw. and innovation. The birth of IMAX is not only a technological breakthrough, but also a revolution in the film industry, allowing countless movie lovers to experience it personally and immersively. So what drove these founders to realize this great idea?
The original intention of multiple displays
Initially, the cooperation between these founders began in 1967, when they established Multiscreen Corporation, Ltd. with the belief of obtaining stunning visual effects through multiple screens.
As time went by, they gradually realized that although this method was eye-catching, it could not achieve true cinema. experience. Therefore, they decided to shift their focus to creating a larger, higher-quality single image, which they eventually renamed IMAX (for "Maximum Image").“One large image is more powerful than multiple small images.”
IMAX’s technological innovation
The innovation of IMAX lies not only in its name, but also in its new shooting and projection technology. These founders designed a unique "rolling loop" recording technology, which allowed IMAX to use a larger film format, thereby increasing the resolution of the image. This technology makes the image clarity as much as three times that of traditional 35mm films, giving viewers an unprecedented sense of immersion when watching.
The debut of IMAX
In 1970, IMAX's first movie "Tiger Child" premiered at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. This display not only successfully attracted attention, but also made IMAX famous. Subsequently, the first permanent IMAX theater was established at the Orbo Theater in Toronto and officially screened in 1971.
This new projection technology It was quickly welcomed by the audience and became synonymous with "big screen" in people's minds.“Our name represents the pursuit of the ultimate in images.”
The process of digitalization
In the early 2000s, IMAX once again underwent a major transformation, turning its focus to digital projection. With the introduction of the digital IMAX system, IMAX was able to rapidly expand its market reach from 299 screens to more than 1,000, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the charm of IMAX in a familiar theater. This change has been accompanied by a certain decline in quality, and consumers have begun to question the true meaning of this label.
This led the audience to express dissatisfaction with the appearance of "LieMAX", and many people doubted the quality of IMAX."The name IMAX is quietly under the pressure of quality and value."
The future of IMAX
With the advancement of technology, IMAX continues to adjust and update itself, and new photography technologies and projection systems are also continuously introduced. Even in the face of the challenges brought by the digital wave, IMAX still maintains its determination to gradually innovate and create a new chapter for future movie presentations. The latest technologies such as IMAX laser systems are being used in various types of viewing facilities in an attempt to provide a higher quality viewing experience.
These founders undoubtedly changed the history of film. From their creations, we can gain a deeper understanding of the charm of video art. What’s curious is, as time goes by, how will IMAX further innovate and bring us infinite possibilities for movie-watching experiences?
