www.hollywoodreporter.com: The Sphere version of the film has grossed north of $450 million since it launched a year ago, and the venue says that tickets are now on sale into early 2027. The film combines the Sphere’s vast screen with effects in the venue, including fire, falling apples and a tornado that forms inside the room.
5 comments:
I found this article to be really interesting! I think the concept of interactivity for films and live events is definitely intriguing; adding effects like mini-tornadoes, scents, props, and animatronics will definitely change how audience members view the film, especially for something as classic and well-known as The Wizard of Oz. I could see a potential source of controversy coming from the fact that, since The Wizard of Oz is so beloved, viewers might dislike the modernization and shift that stem from the 4D effects, but I also think that the Sphere is trying to update the film for a newer generation of viewers. I also just think the concept of the Sphere is really cool - a massive, spherical amphitheater, with a single huge screen and the capability for such high-tech effects will definitely alter the way people view and experience media, and it’s quickly become famous for its cutting-edge approach to concerts and films.
The Sphere seems like such an interesting and versatile performance space, and I think that it’s an incredible space for innovation. However, sometimes innovative ideas, especially with 4D technology, can go a bit too far. Just yesterday in production science we were discussing why to use materials in theatre, and the topic of scent came up. Scent, while a very effective way to convey surroundings and feelings, is very subjective. A scent that one person finds appealing will make another person nauseous, and that kind of variability isn’t great to have within a screening or production of any kind. This ties back into the 4D Wizard of Oz production because this production plans to use scented apples and a scent for the monkeys. While this addition could make the performance more immersive and interesting for the audience, it could also make the experience miserable for some attendees. While I am all for finding new ways to experience movies and theatre, this screening also begs the question of what level of audience immersion is enough, and when does it become too much?
I actually find this innovation intriguing and am very interested in experiencing it in person! My own experiences with watching 4D films have mainly only involved rocking seats, which is pretty disturbing for me as it hurts my back when sitting in them for hours, and prevents me from snacking on food. However, this article presents expanded 4D effects involving animatronics, pyrotechnics, scents, and tornadoes, which sound much more carefully crafted than simply having a chair rock back and forth. Let alone the additional 4D effects, the Sphere alone is already really appealing to me as I’ve never experienced watching something on a screen with such huge coverage. While this enclosed, fully covered space can feel whimsical, I can see how it can also be a suffocating experience, as the movie is playing all over and around you, from head to toe. The scent stimulation and other moving technologies in such a confined area can also feel scary for those experiencing it for the first time.
The Wizard of Oz is honestly one of my favorite movies. These new multi-sensory 4D elements being added to the film screenings at the sphere are so awesome; you can get me on that next plane out. The venue has these animatronic Winged Monkeys that are flying overhead, a bunch of pyrotechnics, and various fog machines; it seems super awesome! I've always wondered how they do scents within theaters, one being fresh apples, which will also make an appearance at certain times in the movie by falling from the ceiling! By taking this classic film and showing it on an absolutely massive wraparound screen, we are unlocking a whole different world of cinema, and the overall experience has and continues to reach new heights. I especially thought the tornado scene with vibrating seats or various gusts of wind was a great touch! It’s definitely something I hope to experience one day in person instead of just through a phone screen!
The concept of the sphere is one of my favorite interactive audience concepts ever, the sphere in itself is a really grand spectacle so I like the path they’re taking with it whenever I see the videos of the wizard of oz showing I always find myself Impressed so I think it’s even more impressive that they’re adding more new things to the showing. I will say though that I’ve always found scents in 4d experiences to be kinda dumb, not just for movies but in other shows as well. Most of the time I feel like people don’t get what the scent is supposed to be or it just misses the mark entirely with its intended purpose. Scents in Rex in general can be kinda gimmicky but I’m sure some shows have made it work and perhaps the sphere can as well. I do like where they’re going with the animatronics it seems quite intricate, I wonder what their budget for this showing is, it’s made a lot of money so it makes sense that they can afford some additions
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