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Published: September 03 2014

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL  – The AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater is undergoing a complete renovation and will reopen on October 13, 2014, with a new 60’ x 80’ giant screen, new luxury seats, new powerful sound system and the addition of a digital projector to complement our 15/70 film projector.
 
Kim Cavendish, President/CEO said, “This renovation will refresh our theater and allow us to deliver the Ultimate IMAX Experience. Our screen is the biggest in South Florida and the experience in the theater simply cannot be beat.”
 
The renovation started on August 18, when school began, and on the first day the seats were completely removed as well as the giant screen. Scaffolding was constructed inside the theater to allow workers to clean the high ceiling, refurbish the acoustical baffles and install an audio rigging system for the laser digital projection system coming next year. Once that work is completed, the scaffolding will come down, new luxury seats will be installed and IMAX technicians will install two IMAX digital projectors plus a new digital sound system boasting 32,000 watts of digital surround sound broadcast through 56 speakers. The final  step will be installing a new giant screen. The 60' x 80' screen will arrive October 4, 2014, in a sixty-foot long crate that will be hoisted up by a crane to a second floor window and loaded into the theater. It will take a day to unpack and prepare the screen to be installed on the IMAX screen frame.
 
The obvious difference in the AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater is its  large screen, which  literally spans from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, the screen isn’t simply bigger, it’s also shaped differently – not only wider but higher and curved  -- which creates an immersive experience no matter where you’re seated. The very material of the screen is also different, more reflective and brighter, creating images of greater intensity and clarity.
 
Then there’s what we call the theater  geometry, which refers to the shape of the auditorium and how the seats are placed. Most movie auditoriums are long and narrow, to get the most people in, with the screen way off at the far end. The distinctive shape of the AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater is designed to bring the audience not only closer to the screen, but better-positioned in relation to it. The result is an image that’s wider and higher than your field of view, a picture that’s immersive because you’re not aware of where it ends. And that, in turn, is what gives you the feeling you’re part of the action, out among the stars, not just peeking into a scene.
 
We're also one of only three Certified Giant Screen® theaters in Florida. To qualify, a theater's screen must be a minimum of 3,100 square feet (the AutoNation IMAX Theater screen is 4,800 square feet) and all seating must be placed within one width of the screen plane. More information about the certification can be found at Giant Screen Cinema Association.
 
The installation of the new IMAX digital projection system enables us to bring moviegoers more Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX than ever before. Having a dual IMAX projection system will allow for a more consistent flow of new Hollywood films in addition to our classic documentaries such as BUGS 3D! A Rainforest Adventure opening on October 13, 2014. The digital system will debut with Dracula Untold opening October 17, 2014 and on November 5, 2014, audiences will enjoy an exclusive presentation of Interstellar in 15/70 large format opening two days early at the AutoNation IMAX Theater. Director Chris Nolan filmed over one hour of Interstellar using IMAX cameras and only at the AutoNation IMAX Theater will you be able to see the full size of these special scenes on our giant 60' by 80' IMAX screen. For the Holidays, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 3D will open on December 17, 2014.

 
ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE
 The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults through exhibits, programs and films. Founded in 1976 as The Discovery Center, the nonprofit facility serves approximately 400,000 visitors annually. Major operational support for the Museum is provided through generous support by Leadership Guild members including: JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Broward Health, Sun Sentinel, and Wells Fargo.
 
The Museum is open seven days a week, 365 days a year; Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. General Admission prices are $19 adults; $18 seniors; $15 children 2 to 12. Children under 2 are free. A General Admission Ticket includes
admission to the Museum exhibits and one 45-minute IMAXÒ film at the 300-seat AutoNation® IMAXÒ 3D Theater, home of the BIGGEST screen in South Florida. The Museum of Discovery and Science is at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information call 954.467.MODS (6637) or visit our web site at www.mods.org