Short film, big impact

Click to enlarge
Waka

Click to enlarge
Ski plane over mountains

Press release from The Hermitage Aoraki Mt Cook
18 February 2008

Short film, big impact

Local and international visitors to the new Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki Mount Cook can now take the journey of a lifetime, from the Big Bang to the majestic Southern Alps, all from the seats of a brand new 3D theatre.

The spectacular 15 minute 3D film takes the audience on an inspiring cinematic experience unlike any other. A blend of computer animation and stereoscopic footage immerses the audience in the mystical Ngai Tahu Maori legend of Aoraki and then amongst the high peaks and glaciers of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park’s dramatic landscape.

The 3D project, the first of its type in New Zealand, was a long-time dream of Ian Taylor, CEO of Taylormade Media Ltd.

“I have been thinking about this for a really long time and have finally achieved it with the vision and support of the Valentine and Davies families of The Hermitage.

“We always knew that if we could find someone who shared our vision, we had the people who would be able to create the technology to make the vision a reality. We had nothing we could show them at the time but the families backed the idea from the start, telling us to go for it. That wouldn't happen anywhere else.”

The project was eight months in the making and encompassed the gamut of production including filmmaking, creating the 3D animations depicting creation and the Aoraki legend, to building two HD-capable servers to deliver the film and the custom-built software to play it. The company also specified Panasonic projection, polarisation, glasses and a huge 3D silver 7m screen.

Taylormade brought the different components of the film together by collaborating with the French Film Company, Cow Productions and Dunedin-based computer graphics company Animation Research Ltd.

The film was directed by Emmy Award-winning cameraman Mike Single and the music composed by highly regarded musician Neville Copland. A $100,000 SKY SCAN surround sound stereo 5.1 system pumps out the exhilarating soundtrack.

Modern, with beautiful architecture and fittings, the 126-seat custom-designed theatre is unlike any other. It is the only theatre in the world with 2D, 3D and world-class definiti® planetarium dome contained within the same space. Fantastic technology allows the 2D screen to raise up for storage while the 3D is in use and the planetarium dome to lower into place when required.

SKY SKAN is the company behind the technology of the theatre and is involved in the whole process including theatre design, content development, training staff, and upgrading and maintaining equipment.

The Hermitage General Manager Denis Callesen said the centre’s 3D theatre offers the most technologically advanced facilities of this type ever developed in New Zealand.

“This facility is state of the art and offers a spectacular visitor experience. I don’t think my eyes and brain have ever had to take in so much simultaneous stimulation before! It’s like you’re right there. I’m so pleased to have a work of this calibre to offer our visitors.”

Ian Taylor adds, “This is not a film to show off technology, it’s about showing the huge number of visitors to Aoraki Mount Cook why this place is so special. This movie offers them the opportunity to immerse themselves more fully to appreciate the stories and majesty of the mountain. Through the use of this 3D technology we have created a filmic experience that will actually propel visitors to seek out their own Aoraki adventure.”

ENDS

About The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Opening from late December, the $7.5 million Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre brings together a state-of-the-art 3D theatre, New Zealand’s first full dome digital definiti® planetarium and a comprehensive museum that weaves the story of Kiwi endeavour and achievement in the Aoraki Mt Cook region.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is designed to be the place to go and feel at one with New Zealand’s most famous New Zealander. It also encompasses and records the stories of early pioneers reaching the area, summiting one of the world’s most difficult peaks and establishing what is today a flourishing climbing and tourism culture.

At the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, New Zealanders will feel a sense of cultural belonging and international people will experience the culture and man that Sir Edmund represents.

The Hermitage at Aoraki Mount Cook is an integral part of New Zealand’s tourism history. It lies within a World Heritage Wilderness Area and looks out to the majestic Aoraki Mount Cook surrounded by the silent splendour of the Southern Alps.

Aoraki Mount Cook is an iconic, must visit destination for New Zealanders and international visitors. In 2006 it was voted number 6 on the 101 Must-Do’s for Kiwis in the nationwide AA Travel domestic travel survey.

Make the journey and be amazed!

© Scoop Media