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London Theatre & Cinema Notable London Cinemas BFI - IMAX
London Theatre & Cinema Notable London Cinemas BFI - IMAXThe BFI IMAX
The BFI (British Film Institute - based at the nearby South Bank complex) IMAX was completed in May 1999. It contains the largest cinema screen in Britain (20m high and 26m wide) it a seating capacity of just under 500, with a 12,000 Watt digital surround sound system.
Although the site is surrounded by traffic and has an underground line just four metres below, the architects and engineers accounted for this in their design and the entire upper structure sits on anti vibration bearings to prevent noise transference.
As well as showing general releases, the programme also includes opera and ballet adaptations such as Zeffirelli's production of "Turandot" and other high-brow fare such as Richard Eyre's production of Bizet's "Carmen".
However, the IMAX is best known as Britain's foremost 3D cinema. With the advent of CGI in movies, 3D has experienced a resurgence of interest. Use of computer created images allows filmmakers total control over convergence and focus, the two most problematic aspects of live action 3D production. By creating the environment in the computer, the point of convergence can be precisely set by the filmmaker. Furthermore, the entire frame can be kept in focus, something nearly impossible to do when shooting by conventional means. What this means is that when the film is projected onto the screen, you will absorb the visual information much like you would in the real world, thus maximizing the illusion.
As well as serving contemporary cinema, the BFI IMAX also hosts special events such as a 'Lord of the Rings All-Nighter'. If you want to experience 3D, it's the place to go, but also worth checking their schedules for other interesting gems.
BFI IMAX, 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, South Bank, Waterloo, London SE1 8XR
Waterloo Tube.
Call: 0870 787 2525
Although the site is surrounded by traffic and has an underground line just four metres below, the architects and engineers accounted for this in their design and the entire upper structure sits on anti vibration bearings to prevent noise transference.
As well as showing general releases, the programme also includes opera and ballet adaptations such as Zeffirelli's production of "Turandot" and other high-brow fare such as Richard Eyre's production of Bizet's "Carmen".
However, the IMAX is best known as Britain's foremost 3D cinema. With the advent of CGI in movies, 3D has experienced a resurgence of interest. Use of computer created images allows filmmakers total control over convergence and focus, the two most problematic aspects of live action 3D production. By creating the environment in the computer, the point of convergence can be precisely set by the filmmaker. Furthermore, the entire frame can be kept in focus, something nearly impossible to do when shooting by conventional means. What this means is that when the film is projected onto the screen, you will absorb the visual information much like you would in the real world, thus maximizing the illusion.
As well as serving contemporary cinema, the BFI IMAX also hosts special events such as a 'Lord of the Rings All-Nighter'. If you want to experience 3D, it's the place to go, but also worth checking their schedules for other interesting gems.
BFI IMAX, 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, South Bank, Waterloo, London SE1 8XR
Waterloo Tube.
Call: 0870 787 2525
