4D film

Diagram of a 4D theater

4D film or 4-D film is a marketing term for an entertainment presentation system combining a 3D film with physical effects that occur in the theatre in synchronization with the film. Effects simulated in a 4D film may include rain, wind, temperature changes, strobe lights, and vibration. Seats in 4D venues may vibrate or move a few centimeters during the presentations. Other common chair effects include air jets, water sprays, and leg and back ticklers. Auditorium effects may include smoke, rain, lightning, bubbles, and smell.

Because physical effects can be expensive to install, 4D films are most often presented in custom-built theatres at special venues such as theme parks and amusement parks and zoos. However, some movie theatres have the ability to present 4D versions of wide-release 3D films. The films Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) and Avatar (2009) are among the films that have received a 4D treatment in certain theatres.[1] There are also mobile 4D theaters, which are mounted inside vehicles such as enclosed trailers, buses and trucks.

4D films are distinct from four-dimensional space. Notable historical formats for providing different aspects of a "fourth dimension" to films include Sensurround, and Smell-O-Vision. As of June 2015, about 530 screens worldwide have installed some 4-D technology.[2]

History

The precursors of the modern 4-D film presentation include Smell-O-Vision, which was used only once, in 1960, and Sensurround, which debuted in 1974 with the film Earthquake. Only a few films were presented in Sensurround, and it was supplanted by Dolby Stereo in 1977, which featured extended low frequencies, and made subwoofers a common addition to cinema.[3] Other notable efforts at pushing the boundaries of the film viewing experience include Fantasound, the first use of stereo sound, Cinemiracle and Cinerama, both widescreen formats utilizing multiple projectors.

The 3-D film is always included in the 4-D experience. 3-D has been used in some form in film since 1915, but did not become widely seen until the 1950s. However, it was a niche format, and was not particularly successful. Beginning is the late 1980s, 3-D experienced a resurgence, partially on the strength of IMAX presentations. It has continued to expand, albeit very slowly, to the present.

The Sensorium is regarded the world's first commercial 4-D film and was first screened in a Six Flags theme park in Baltimore in 1984. It was produced in partnership with Landmark Entertainment.[4]

As of 2017, by far the most common 4-D titles are attraction films, and are located in theme parks. However, there seems to be a trend toward the installation of 4-D equipment in more traditional cinemas, with developers such as 4DX, D-Box Technologies, and Mediamation competing for venues.[5]

List of 4D presentation systems for film theatres

The following is a list of 4D presentation systems developed for traditional film theatres.

Format Date Developer 3-D Format Motion Seat Effects Remarks Notes Source
4DX CJ 4D Plex Stereoscopic
3-D		 yes fog machine, strobes, scents, bubbles,
snow, water sprays, wind/air
D-Box D-Box Technologies Stereoscopic
3-D		 yes no
MX4D MediaMation Stereoscopic
3-D		 yes fog machine, strobes, scents, bubbles,
snow, water sprays, wind/air		 [6]
(Not named by developer) Red Rover Stereoscopic
3-D		 yes fog machine, strobes, scents, bubbles,
water sprays, wind/air		 Branded as Super 4D in Lotte Cinema installations.

Selected filmography

TitleYearRelease venue/ CountryNotes
The Scent of Mystery1960Specially outfitted general-release theatersSmell-O-Vision
The Sensorium1984Six Flags Power Plant, Baltimore, MDThe first 4D film
Captain EO1986Epcot, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneylandClosed in the mid-late 1990s. Reopened in 2010 as a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, who stars in the film and Died in 2009.
Muppet*Vision 3D1991Disney's Hollywood StudiosDirected by Jim Henson
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience1994Epcot, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneylandSponsored by Kodak. Closed in all locations in May 2010 and Replaced with Captain EO Tribute.
ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter1995Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake, FLClosed in October 2003[7] and replaced with Stitch's Great Escape!
Terminator 2 3D: Battle Across Time1996Universal Studios JapanDirected by James Cameron
Pirates 4D1997SeaWorld Ohio, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Thorpe Park in the UK, Busch Gardens Tampa BayProduced by Busch Entertainment, Directed by Keith Melton.
Back At The Barnyard 4-D2018Six Flags Over Texas[Busch Gardens] [Adventure Dome] [Six Flags Great Adventure] [Paramount Parks] [Movie Park Germany]; animated portion produced by Omation Animation Studios
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man1999Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Japan,Water, smoke, strobe, and vibration.
PandaDroom2002The Efteling, NetherlandsSame film released in other parks without 4D effects
Mickey's PhilharMagic2003Magic Kingdom, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo DisneylandIn collaboration with Walt Disney Feature Animation
SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D2002, 2006Six Flags over Texas, Moody Gardens, Shedd Aquarium, Adventure Dome, Six Flags Great Adventure, Movie Park Germany, Adventure Aquarium, Kings Dominion, (formerly at Paramount Parks), Indianapolis Zoo, Carowinds, Camden Aquarium (Camden, NJ), Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo and other locations
Haunted Lighthouse, (aka R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse 4-D)2003Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo
Shrek 4-D2003Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios SingaporeReleased in an anaglyph version as Shrek 3-D on DVD
Borg Invasion2004Star Trek: The Experience, at Las Vegas Hilton, USAClosed in 2008, to be reopened in Neonopolis, Las Vegas
Fly Me to the Moon2008Six Flags over Texas
Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure2008Vibrant 5D, Raipur (Installed by Modern 5D, India) Stone Mountain Park, Dollywood, Warner Bros. Movie World
Super Mario 4-D: It's A Me. Mario!2008Comcast IMAX 3D Theater in Avon, Massachusetts, as well as in JapanProduced by Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. Distributed by Sarai Inc[8]
Avatar in 4-D2009South Korea, Hong Kong
London Eye 4D Experience2009London Eye
Beyond All Boundaries2009WWII Museum New OrleansProduced by Tom Hanks
ENERGIA The Spirit of the Earth 2009 Cité de l'énergie, Shawinigan (Quebec) Spectators are seated on a revolving platform. Features wind, snow, smoke, rain, vibration and lighting effects.
Marvel Super Heroes 4D2010Madame Tussauds London
Rabid Rider2010Cincinnati Zoo
Star Tours—The Adventures Continue2011Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, & Disneyland ParisReplaced/Replacing Star Tours in all locations. Will be updated in late 2015 to add an adventure themed to Star Wars: The Force Awakens[9]
Shalem2011?Jerusalem Time Elevator, JerusalemA 3000-year-old guide to Jerusalem's history at the Jerusalem Time Elevator, Jerusalem.[10] It includes moving and tilting seats on a moving stage, air conditioning and smell enhancements, along with a 'light and sound' show highlighting real artifacts. A similar system, 'The Time Mine', has been installed at the Timna Valley park near Eilat, and another at the main hall of the Herzl Museum in Jerusalem.
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World2011United States, India, Canada and UKSmell was achieved by using scratch and sniff cards
Transformers: The Ride2011Universal Studios Singapore, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem2012Universal Studios Florida , Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Hollywood14-minute simulator ride, starring Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the Minions; setting is 1 year after the events of the original film in 2010.
Tallgrass Prairie: Tides of Time2012Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, KansasFeatures wind, snow, smoke, and lightning effects [11]
Prometheus 2012Cinepolis Galerias Guadalajara, Mexico
The Adventures of Tintin 2011Nickelodeon Resorts, Paramount Parks, North Carolina Zoo, and Alton Towers14 minute condensed version of the film.
Iron Man 32013Korona World Theatre Nagoya, Japan,[12] Seoul, South Korea Labeled as 4DX featuring strobe lights, tilting seats, blowing wind and fog, and odor effects.
Rio 2014San Diego Zoo, Kentucky Kingdom12 minute condensed version of the film.
Temple Run 7D2014India9 minute ride to various Indian temples like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Rameshwaram & Dwarka produced by Modern Techno Projects Private Ltd..
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice2016Seoul, Korea and New York City, New YorkLabeled as 4DX including fog, wind, motion, rain, lightning, vibrations and scents.
Pixels (Film)2016Taguig City, PhilippinesLabeled as 4DX including models, aracde, exploses, and Shoots.
Mass Effect: New Earth 4D2016California's Great America4 1/2 minute film, 60 foot screen with 4K resolution, live performers, wind, water, leg pokers, neck ticklers, 80-channel surround sound
LEGO Nexo Knights 4D: The Book of Creativity[13]2016Legoland parks and Legoland Discovery Centre parks worldwide12 1/2 minute 4D film of LEGO Nexo Knights shown at Legoland, alongside with The LEGO Movie 4D Produced by Alexander Lentjes[14] for M2Film and Merlin Entertainments

References

  1. ↑ Han Sunhee (February 5, 2010). "'Avatar' goes 4D in Korea". Variety. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  2. ↑ Alex Ritman (June 21, 2015). "Will 4D Ever Catch on?". The Hollywood Reporter. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ Hauersley, Thomas (May 25, 2011). "…in Sensurround". In 70mm. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  4. ↑ Zone, Ray (2012). 3-D Revolution: The History of Modern Stereoscopic Cinema. The University Press of Kentucky. pp. 143–155. ISBN 978-0-8131-3611-0.
  5. ↑ Maddox, Gary (October 7, 2011). "Cinema with a new dimension". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Showcase Cinemas". National Amusements, Inc. 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  7. ↑ "3 Disney Attractions That Had To Be Closed Because They Were Too Scary". Buzzfeed.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "Big Movie Zone -- Pikachu's Ocean Adventure". Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  9. ↑ Glover, Erin. "Star Wars Enhancements, New Experiences Coming Soon to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Jerusalem Time Elevator Tickets GoJerusalem.com
  11. ↑ "{title}". Archived from the original on 2015-10-20. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  12. ↑ Marah Eakin (18 April 2013), Iron Man 3 getting sniff-worthy 4D screenings in Japan, Onion Inc., retrieved 28 February 2014
  13. ↑ "LEGO Nexo Knights 4D: The Book of Creativity". 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2018 – via www.imdb.com.
  14. ↑ "Alexander Lentjes". IMDb. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
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