Showing posts with label TF2 IMAX. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TF2 IMAX. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

10 Foot Tall Optimus Prime at Smithsonian

From IMAXNews twitter, below are two images related to IMAX showing of Transformers 2. The first is a 10 foot tall Optimus Prime figure for the Smithsonian's IMAX screen. The film shot at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for its Jetfire scenes. In addition the 18 foot tall Bumblebee prop was set up at the AMC Universal CityWalk IMAX theatre.

The IMAX showings of Transformers Revenge of Fallen has broken a record with largest box office take yet with $14.4 million on 169 screens in the states. An additional $3.2 million came from 60 IMAX screens overseas for a total take of $18.3 million. Hopefully this will translate to a bigger IMAX budget for the third film.

Monday, June 22, 2009

ROTF Deleted Scenes On DVD?

The movie isn't even out and already plans are in the works for the DVD and Blu-ray release of the movie. According to Collider.com, when asked about how many minutes of deleted scenes, he said "we're figuring that out right now. It could be seven, eight." He was also asked a few questions about shooting for IMAX.
I then asked him if there was any thought of doing even more in IMAX? He said, “Yeah. I regret not shooting Petra in IMAX. The IMAX is very expensive. To make digital effects in IMAX is expensive. It’s a budget concern really.”

I then asked if he would use IMAX on all his future movies. He replied, “I don’t know. If the movie serves it, but I think it’s a neat idea.”

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

IMAX Cut Length?

According to Superherohype.com in a post about the M&Ms advertisement and Tokyo premiere, the "slightly longer cut" of the IMAX version of Transformers 2 is less then a minute longer. The IMAX cut is supposed to have 4 extended scenes filmed in the IMAX 70mm format so another important question is how many minutes are in the 70mm filmed scenes (as I would assume more then 30 seconds). Thanks to Hitman450 for the link.

IMAX vs. MinIMAX (Updated)

I was lurking the MichaelBay.com forums and a post from Nelson reminded me of a topic I meant to cover but kept forgetting to do.

With Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen coming to IMAX in just two weeks with full IMAX 70mm CGI effects and 1:1 ratio for some Transformers in select scenes, it seems important to cover that there is now actually two different IMAX screens out there and you might want to check which your theatre has before deciding if paying that extra price for tickets is worth it to you.

IMAX is a 76x97 feet screen while minIMAX (not official name) is 28x58 feet, a 4.5x difference in sizes (left pic). Which size is used depends on the theatre but if your theatre was recently retrofitted to an IMAX screen then chances are it is the smaller one. However, many new theatres are using minIMAX due to reduction in costs that the smaller size and space requirements. After all a real IMAX screen requires a 7-8 story room. Both sizes still use the detailed 70mm image format, the sound is usually the same and for most the visual experience will be about the same.

How can they be the same visual experience? By simply moving the screen closer to you (right image). The result is the optical illusion of a huge screen that takes over your entire visual range.

Theatres do not advertise if they are IMAX or minIMAX so click here to determine which your theatre is. As for whether minIMAX is worth the extra cost, it comes down to personal preference. Only way to find out is to check it out yourself and come to your own conclusions.

Even if you decide minIMAX isn't worth the extra charge, just remember a question you should ask yourself - is the four extra IMAX scenes in Revenge of the Fallen worth that extra price of admission?

The sad fact is minIMAX is probably the future of the format, so your options are probably limited but at least you go into the decision informed rather then feeling tricked. To get more detailed explanation, check out Consumerist and Gizmodo.

Update: It turns out that things are not as simple as two IMAX formats. There are actually three with various screen sizes, aspect ratios and so forth. Below is an explanation from "Boo" about that.
I would like to clarify some of the information in your post as I am a Projection Service technician (not a projectionist, I repair and install all the projection equipment) for one of the nation's largest chains. The difference between IMAX and miniIMAX is not just screen size (the dimensions of which can vary greatly from what you posted; my local screen is 60h x 80w). The projection technology is actually totally different. True IMAX theaters use a proprietary 70mm film that orients the image horizontally on the frame allowing for a film frame that is 4 times larger than 35mm frames. In addition to the projectors use 15,000 watt lamps. The so called miniIMAX theaters are actually Digital IMAX theaters running 2 Christie 2K (meaning the resolution is 2048 x 1080) DLP projectors each using only 6,000 watt lamps. The reason the screens are so much smaller comes down to 2 very important factors, the first is that the digital projectors cannot light screens with the size and distance from the projector of traditional IMAX, the second is that IMAX doesn't want to spend the money to build the huge houses so they are retrofitting existing houses, any retrofit will not be true IMAX.

Now for the most important detail, IMAX film is of a different aspect ratio than traditional 35mm (and by proxy digital) movies. True IMAX is a 1.44:1 aspect ratio where "Flat" 1.85:1 and "Scope" films are 2.39:1. If Bay is pulling a "Dark Knight" then the film will run at 2.39:1 and expand to 1.44:1 for the special IMAX scenes. The digital projectors CANNOT do this and will only expand to 1.85:1. I don't yet know if the Digital IMAX version of the film will have the same content as the 70mm IMAX or if it will be the same as the 35mm print, but it will certainly have been altered to deal with the constraints of digital if it is the same content as the true IMAX print.

Regards,
Boo
For a list of the number of different file formats and explanations click here (thanks Tiezane). As you can see, it can get complicated for the average laymen. My advice remains the same - check it out for yourself to decide if it’s good enough for your extra dollars.

Another update: Click here for another list of IMAX theaters for the US, the ones in green is the real IMAX.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Transformers 2 Delays Harry Potter 6 IMAX Debut

At this point it is pretty clear that the war for summer box office king is going to be between Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. To stoke the flames for Potter fans, it turns out they are going to have to wait two weeks to July 29th before they can watch the movie on the IMAX. On the bright side they can still watch it on standard screens on July 15th.

Now the change isn't really Transformers fault, its Warner Bros. who forgot to check the IMAX schedule when they moved Harry Potter from a Christmas release to the summer and didn't realize that Transformers 2 was contractually locked in for four weeks due to incorporating IMAX style footage into the film.

The main takeaway, besides mild amusement, is the knowledge that you have only one month to watch Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The IMAX Experience which includes extended scenes, several with CGI elements at the IMAX scale, a first for the format. Thanks to Ian for the link.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Australia: ROTF IMAX Tickets On Sale Now

It turns out that the IMAX Theatre in Sydney has put up the pre-order for IMAX tickets for the first week starting with the 12:01am showing on June 24th. Click here to make your purchase. For the states the expected pre-sell date is still June 10th but be sure to check your local theatre to confirm. Thanks to Phil for the info.

Friday, May 22, 2009

RoTF Pre-Orders Available June 10th

Not sure how I missed it since the news is a couple of months old but I just learned today, thanks to Ellis' efforts, that pre-order tickets for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen starts June 10th. I expect that IMAX showings for TF2 will be popular so pre-order will probably be necessary for seeing the movie in the first couple of days. This date is subject to change and may not be nationwide but Star Trek ticket pre-orders started about two weeks before release so don't see why this would be any different.
Filmed on location at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and including several scenes shot with IMAX cameras, "Transformers Revenge of the Fallen" promises to be the most action-packed IMAX experience of the summer.

"Transformers Revenge of the Fallen" is scheduled to open Wednesday, June 24 at the Airbus IMAX Theater in Chantilly, VA. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, June 10.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Bay Talks Transformers 2 With TV Guide

TV Guide has posted a brief interview with Michael Bay where he discusses Transformers 2. Most of it is stuff we have heard before but I do believe this is the first time it has been stated that specifically three scenes are IMAX formatted. Thanks to Crisp for the link.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

More Transformers Tidbits from Bay

MTV has posted more of their conversation with Michael Bay at ShoWest. In their first post, he revealed that Arcee annoyed him enough that she just had to die. In this second part he discusses the IMAX Experience, Megan Fox, and no car chases.

The video portion is below but so far I have not had much luck getting it working, may just be server overload.

Highlights:
- "There's no car chase in this movie. There's a lot of different types of action. In some movies, it's the same action throughout the entire movie. There's a lot of different types of action in this one, and that makes it interesting."
- "You will see Devastator in IMAX. You heard it here first. [Several scenes] are going to be on IMAX, which is awesome. Some of our main scenes were shot with IMAX cameras, so the screen will pop wide [if you see the film in an IMAX theater]. It's the first movie to do serious digital effects in IMAX quality."
- On Megan Fox: "Wait until you see] the very first shot in the movie," he replied when we asked whether Megan gets a moment as memorable as her hood-opening flirtation with Bay's lingering camera in the first film. "You'll see."
Removed video since still not working on the MTV website so embed isn't going to work either

The main takeaway for me is unlike most IMAX Experience movies, Transformers 2 will actually be worth the travel time and ticket cost since its doing more then just showing an oversized scene. As Bay points out, this will be the first movie to make real use of CGI elements for IMAX scenes something previous movies have not spent the money on to create.

Monday, April 06, 2009

IMAX Experience Montage

As part of ShoWest, a montage of IMAX Experience movies for this summer were shown including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The clip is a brief comment from Michael Bay about IMAX and a shot of Sideways crashing through an apartment as seen in the trailer. It also shows clips of other movies such as Harry Potter 6 and Star Trek. The Transformers 2 part starts at the 1:10 and 2:34 points.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Bay: "I Kill Her Later"

When Michael Bay is in a good mood, because of his ShoWest Vanguard Award, bluntness and information seems to flow a little more freely as indicated by recent interviews with MTV and Collider (both with video).

First from MTV where he reveals the death of Arcee:
You know what? I didn't like Arcee," the filmmaker revealed exclusively to us Thursday night, "so I kill her later, all right?"

"You know what? It's like actors," he explained, comparing his Transformers to flesh-and-blood stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. "There are certain actors that blossom on screen, and there are certain others where you're like, 'Yuck, I'm cutting them out of the movie.'"

"This isn't sad," he grinned, discussing Arcee's sudden death. "This is just 'get it out and get it over with.' "

Bay also shot down the long-simmering rumor that Fox will be seen riding Arcee and doing some female bonding with the character. "No," he insisted. "She has nothing to do with Megan."
I don't know if this is serious or not. He is grinning the whole time and seems to be enjoying himself. I almost think he is dropping a fake bomb just to see the online reaction. Maybe this is an example of his misinformation campaign. Not saying it can't be true, just that something seems off. As usual, June 24th will be the day of truth.


On the highlights and video from Collider.com from pre-show press conference:
- Transformers 3 is "the way I shoot is too aggressive for 3D cameras" due to the precision they required. Besides he considers 3-D to be a "gimmick...I am old school."
- In regards to Paramount's 2011 vs. Bay's 2012 date, things have been worked out so I guess that means the plan is a July 1st, 2012 release date for Transformers 3, "Lot of pestering from the studio" to reserve the date.
- When asked if he will direct Transformers 3, "I don't know, let's see how two does."
- The scale of the second movie is larger, goes around the world, the CGI technology is much improved providing better acting from the Transformers.
- The budget of Transformers 2 was $200 million and came in about $4 million under budget.
- Regarding the IMAX scenes, "Pretty awesome. It was much easier to shoot then stereoscopic. It's a bitch to perfect in terms of the digital work because of the amount of rendering you have to do and the detail."
- In regards to CGI work, "It is all challenging. In terms of the digital model that Lucas Films made ...it is the most complicated by 10 ...of the [of the robot] model they ever made."

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

60 Robots in Transformers 2?

For a while now the number of Transformers in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen numbered around 40 but a new article from Variety is pegging that number around 60. The article, part of the nod to Michael Bay for his Vanguard Award, discusses the demands Bay has for the visual effects work being done by ILM and Digital Domain for movie.
"Michael took the production value up many, many notches," [ILM's lead VFX supervisor for TF2 Scott Farrar] says. "Just the backgrounds alone are huge. It's a combination of 'Apocalypse Now' and 'Ben-Hur,' in regards to fantastic backgrounds and the unbelievable sets we worked at around the world."

Everyone involved in "Revenge of the Fallen" is keeping the details under wraps, but Farrar says there are some 60 robot characters, and they play in settings around the world. Some, like refineries at night, were chosen to boost the visual drama and show off the scale of the giant 'bots.

What's more, this time the Transformers will interact much more with the world around them. Farrar highlights "the splashes and the hits and the fighting on dirt or moving, banging into trees," explaining, "Things splinter and break, they spit, they outgas, they sweat, they snort."

One new challenge is that several sequences will be shown in Imax format, approximately 16 times larger than 35mm, which means the CG work must be finished at much higher resolution. At that scale, it can take several days to render a final frame.

All this is on top of creating a new family of giant robots. "(Bay) had to learn a whole litany of new things by getting into this robot culture on the first film," Farrar says. "I don't think he'd ever worked on a film where he'd done so much directing of animated characters. So he's really taken it to heart, and I think not everybody does, but he actually enjoys the process."
A few things of note. One is "60 robot characters". Now there is a difference between an appearance and an actual character. For the purposes of VFX, whether a Transformer is in the background, foreground, on screen for two seconds or 20 minutes, a rather detailed design effort has to go into creating that 3-D object so it can be inserted into the film properly. As a result, if there is a scene on Cybertron, one moment could have "60 robot characters" in it. I think that there may be up to 40 named characters and the rest are probably background for whatever a particular scene needs.

The second thing of note is something that Transformers 2 will probably not get credit for being the first film to have VFX used extensively for IMAX scenes. The Dark Knight was one of the first major summer movies to have scenes specifically created for the IMAX and proved that studios could make money off of IMAX, but they "cheated" it a touch by filming rather standard scenes in the format. Michael Bay's use in Transformers 2 much more ambitious, complicated and expensive with CGI Transformers effects that have to scaled accordingly. Personally I was unimpressed by The Dark Knight IMAX Experience compared with the regular theatrical movie and hope that Transformers 2 IMAX Experience creates a much more dramatic distinction between the two formats.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

IMAX Scenes Shot for TF2

Slashfilm reports that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will have scenese shot especially for the IMAX release of the movie.
We knew that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was going to be released in IMAX theaters, but Variety reports that Michael Bay is filming at least three action sequences from the upcoming sequel using IMAX cameras.

This is a growing trend. Recently it was reported that Jon Favreau would like to film sequences of Iron Man 2 in IMAX (possibly even in 3D), while DJ Caruso expressed interest in using IMAX cameras during Y: The Last Man. I’m really glad that filmmakers and studios took notice of Nolan’s use of 70mm footage during The Dark Knight. I was originally concerned that the film’s $60 million IMAX Box Office record would result in more films being digitally up-converted, rather than finding a real value added experience for the IMAX presentation.
Thanks to Melvin for the link.

Update: A press release via AICN. Probably the part that is most important is the confirmation that IMAX release date, "As previously announced, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will be released to IMAX® theatres simultaneously with the movie’s wide release on June 26, 2009."
 
               
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