Sony's 'Open Season' debuts on IMAX 3-D - The Hollywood Reporter 9/28/06

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'Tis the 'Season' for Imax

By Carly Mayberry
The Hollywood Reporter
September 28, 2006

Attendees at Tuesday's Digital Coast Roundtable took a reprieve from more serious technology topics and instead fixed their eyes on a giant Imax screen to view the first 3-D showing of Sony Pictures Animation's "Open Season." The event, which took place at a private screening room at Imax's Santa Monica office, not only featured the unveiling of the first in-house feature animation project from the studio division but also a recount of the collaboration between Sony Pictures Animation and Imax on the film.

"Imax 3-D is bringing movies back to the cineplex and having people see them the way they were intended," said Imax Filmed Entertainment chairman and president Greg Foster, who oversees all aspects of the company's global filmed entertainment activities. "What Imax does is put you inside a movie. You simply can't replicate this experience at home." Crediting Imax's proprietary DMR remastering technology as a significant factor, Foster cited the growth of Imax in the past five years to about 250 theaters in 36 countries.

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Re: Sony's 'Open Season' debuts on IMAX 3-D - The Hollywood Reporter 9/28/06

Open Season Hits $1.45 Million Opening in
IMAX 3-D
Animation World Network
October 04, 2006

IMAX Corp. and Sony Pictures Ent. announced that OPEN SEASON: AN IMAX 3-D EXPERIENCE earned estimated grosses of $1.45 million in 66 domestic IMAX theaters, delivering a per-screen average of approximately $22,000 over the three-day period ending Oct. 1. The debut feature from Sony Pictures Animation was directed by Roger Allers (THE LION KING) and Jill Culton (TOY STORY 2, MONSTERS, INC.) and co-directed by Anthony Stacchi (ANTZ),

Digitally converted into IMAX 3-D and re-mastered into The IMAX Experience through IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology, OPEN SEASON was released in IMAX theaters simultaneously with the movie’s premiere in conventional theaters on Sept. 29.

"IMAX 3-D gives moviegoers an opportunity to experience the first full-length animated motion picture from Sony Pictures Animation in a very special way," said Rory Bruer, president of Domestic Distribution Releasing. "This is a format that has proven especially successful with family features, and the IMAX theater network helps generate incremental revenue for event titles such as OPEN SEASON."

"The strong opening weekend performance of OPEN SEASON is a testament to a great film that is ideally suited for IMAX's format, and the outstanding job Sony Pictures Animation has done in promoting it," said IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "… Our partnership has helped transform an already exciting film into an event, and draw large numbers of moviegoers to IMAX theaters this past weekend."

"Sony Pictures Animation has delivered a terrific film with OPEN SEASON — it looks fantastic in IMAX 3-D, the story is compelling and the characters have great appeal," added Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Ent. "The increase in box office performance between Friday and Saturday represents the largest jump in IMAX DMR history, suggesting very strong word of mouth."

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers among the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3-D, and IMAX DMR technology. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences. As of June 30, 2006, there were 274 IMAX theaters operating in 38 countries.

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