BEHIND THE SCENES AT IMAX AT PATRIOT PARK, HOME OF THE NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM

Before going to the sneak preview of the IMAX theater at Patriot Park, the only thing I knew about IMAX theaters is that the screens dwarf all other movie screens,  and the viewing experience is exhilarating,  and the IMAX 3D film experience is astounding.   I learned those things at IMAX theaters in Chattanooga, Atlanta,  Pensacola,  and at one other place that I can’t remember.  When I went to the sneak preview ,  I learned how it works.

IMAX at Patriot Park, National Infantry Museum, Columbus, GA 

My former WRBL-TV co-worker and present friend Chris Joiner,  who was projection and audio visual manager of IMAX at Patriot Park – he has recently resumed his retirement status – invited me to join him in the projection booth.   There I got to see the two IMAX projectors that throw the incredibly huge and clear picture on the five story high and 70 foot wide screen. 

Chris told me that each of these projectors costs  $600,000.   Only one of them is used for non-3D films.  It takes both of them for 3D.   These projectors and the 15/70 film, which is ten times larger than 35mm film used in ordinary movie theaters, produce a picture 9 times clearer than any other movie theater in the region.  It is so huge that you become immersed in it.

Becky Donovan, who is now Chief Projectionist, loads 15/70 IMAX film into $600,000 projector, IMAX at Patriot Park, National Infantry Museum, Columbus, Georgia 

Many regular movie theaters use digital projection now instead of film,  and when IMAX at Patriot Park shows movies made in the conventional format,  it will use the theater’s $90, 000 digital projector.  Those conventional movies in the letterbox format will not fill the entire IMAX screen,  but will still be larger than in any other regional theater.  

You can now participate in the IMAX experience at Patriot Park.

If you go will you enjoy it?  Based on my experiences in IMAX theaters, including the sneak preview at this one,  I would definitely say yes.