Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Stunning audiovisual technology celebrates the arts, sciences and artists of moviemaking.

Download Profile

INTRODUCTION

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is one of the largest museums of its kind, spanning over 300,000 square feet near the heart of the filming capital of the world, Hollywood. Here, the fusion of architecture, storytelling and technology has come together to showcase the movie industry in a spectacular way.

More than 75 separate installations on 4 exhibition floors relate the magic of the movies through a series of permanent and temporary galleries. Together, they push the boundaries of audio, video, interactivity and immersion to shine a light on the legends of cinema. Electrosonic played a significant role in developing the galleries for this immense space, which took almost 10 years to bring to perfection.

Electrosonic worked in partnership with the Academy Museum leadership team and exhibition designers WHY Architecture to develop the technical design for audiovisual and control systems for the gallery, then provided project management, system engineering, integration, programming and support for 4 floors of exhibitions.

 

OVERVIEW

 

The museum’s core exhibition ‘Stories of Cinema’ begins in the Spielberg Family Gallery on the lobby floor with an immersive, multi-channel media installation on the history of film. Displays, speakers and media players are integrated into a scenic enclosure to create a slim, floating appearance.

In the spectacular 2nd floor introductory corridor, a 54-foot-long floor-to-ceiling projected wall presents a blended montage of ever-changing film clips. Another gallery, ‘Inventing Worlds & Characters: Encounters’ features a circular gallery where images projected onto a 320⁰ screen immerse the audience in an extraterrestrial experience. Speakers above the screen allow audio and sound effects to move around the space. A flexible perforated screen surface, with acoustic material behind, ensures that there are no acoustic reflections in this circular space.

The ‘Academy Awards History’ gallery recalls many emotive moments. To bring the audience up close to the heart of the Oscars, 14 projectors with ultra-short-throw lenses blend images on two large wraparound screens. In the ‘Oscars Experience” gallery, a unique activation allows visitors to create their own ‘Oscars Experience’ with a truly immersive simulation that takes them to the stage on Oscar night where they hear their name called and accept their award in front of a projected ‘audience’. Electrosonic provided projection and audio system design and installation with stunning realistic sound in Dolby Atmos for this activation.

Hollywood’s tradition of great film scores, songs and sound effects puts audio quality at a premium. Audio systems are networked for central control, while individual audio installations are carefully designed to minimize sound migration. Digital signage on all seven floors provides essential exhibition information and wayfinding for visitors through LG 86-inch UltraStretch displays.

The visit ends, like any good movie, with a spectacular climax. Guests exit through the 35-feet ‘Future of Cinema’ corridor immersed in moving text images on 10-feet high LED screens.

CHALLENGE

The immense size of the space and number of galleries presented challenges of scale, complexity, control and time as the project came to perfection over a period of 10 years. With more than 75 individual installations and hundreds of audiovisual components to design, engineer, integrate and control, precise planning, coordination, project management and flexibility was essential. Among the technical challenges were image quality on large scale surfaces or areas with ambient light, audio migration from multiple exhibits and control of large numbers of galleries.

SOLUTION

Electrosonic’s 55+ years’ experience in some of the worlds’ largest and most complex museum projects was important. We recognize the importance of early involvement and collaboration with owners and creative teams to realize their vision through technology. Our expert audiovisual specialists and designers consulted with the creative team to bring concepts to life in imaginative ways that push the boundaries of technology.

To achieve the quality of experience, we collaborated with Panasonic as a projection partner and used 7thSense media servers for the most challenging projection applications. To control the vast estate, we worked with Smart Monkeys using their patented ISAAC show control system to schedule, monitor and manage all audiovisual systems. Electrosonic also provided an Affinity on-site managed service solution to support the entire museum space.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is an epic tribute to the achievements of the global movie industry. To tell its long story, Electrosonic uses the whole powerful spectrum of audiovisual technology to create immersive, interactive experiences that recreate the magic of the movies.

Sixty-four media servers, 60 projectors, 21 display systems, 14 touch displays, 95 speakers and sub-woofers and two LED walls support 75 separate installations. The solution fuses architecture, storytelling and technology in a way that reflects the technology of the industry itself and takes guests into amazing new worlds.

Project Details

Client
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Location
Los Angeles, California
Size
300,000 sq.ft campus
Services
Technology Design Consulting
Build & System Integration
LED Walls
Specialty Projection
Content Distribution
Audio, Video & Control Systems
Detailed Engineering
Affinity Managed Service
Electrosonic has worked with the Academy since 2013 to fuse architecture, storytelling and technology together to realize this amazing exhibition. We specialize in the art of engineering that was essential to bringing the creative vision of the Academy to life.
Josh Cottrell
Senior Account Manager, Electrosonic
Projection Video Wall To welcome visitors, a spectacular 54-foot-long floor-to-ceiling projected wall presents a blended montage of ever-changing film clips.
Immersive Experiences The ‘Inventing Worlds & Characters: Encounters’ gallery features images projected onto a 320⁰ screen immersing the audience in extra-terrestrial experiences.
Interactive Storytelling Audiovisual brings the stories of leading filmmakers or different Hollywood genres to life across more than 75 individual installations.

MORE PROJECTS

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Stunning audiovisual technology celebrates the arts, sciences and artists of moviemaking. Learn More
Alif - The Mobility Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai Innovative technology on a massive scale tells the story of mobility in the most ambitious Expo pavilion ever. Learn More
AT&T Dolphin Tales at Georgia Aquarium An inspiring theatrical production starring Atlantic bottlenose dolphins is thrilling and amazing visitors at the newly-expanded Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Learn More
Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre History meets Hollywood as motion capture immerses visitors in 700 year old battle scenes. Learn More
Being Brunel Museum This unique approach to a tremendous historical life has helped establish Being Brunel as the leading attraction in Bristol’s busy harbor area. Learn More
Beyond Rubik's Cube Technology takes an iconic 1980s puzzle on a global tour to engage a new generation. Learn More
Biomuseo Telling the compelling story of extraordinary biodiversity in one of the world’s most iconic museums. Learn More
Brooklyn Botanical Garden Creating a multi-sensory window on the sights, sounds and fragrances of an amazing garden. Learn More
Byrnes Health Education Center Interactive audiovisual solutions teach children healthcare in a fun, engaging way. Learn More
Canada Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai An innovative 360° theater experience showcases Canada’s ability to solve future global challenges. Learn More
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame Inspiring and engaging sports fans with an immersive, interactive experience and innovative technology. Learn More
Canadian Museum for Human Rights Multi-sensory experiential technology inspires visitors to think about human rights in new ways. Learn More
CHAOS #501 at the Gagosian Gallery A unique digital art experience showcases 1000 digitized objects with precise rendition. Learn More
Dinosaur Hall at the Natural History Museum Innovative technology shifts time over 180 million years to bring the age of dinosaurs to life. Learn More
Dover Wartime Tunnels Technology keeps the memory of soldiers’ sacrifice alive in a realistic moving way. Learn More
Exhibitionism - The Rolling Stones Touring Exhibition High-energy audio visual puts some rock and roll into the Rolling Stones exhibition. Learn More
EXPO 2010 Shanghai Visitors flocking to the Information & Communications Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai China get a taste of cutting-edge Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Learn More
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center Electrosonic shows that technology is not limited by location and can be used to tell your story no matter where you are. Learn More
FlyOver Iceland Pre-Show Experience Advanced experience technologies recreate the atmosphere, sights and stories of Iceland’s ancient origins. Learn More
Future Energy Chicago at the Museum of Science & Industry Challenging audiences in a museum exhibit that looks to the future, not the past. Learn More
Heroes and Legends at The Kennedy Space Center The awe-inspiring story of ‘Heroes and Legends’ along with the Astronaut Hall of Fame adds another dimension to the space program presentation at the Kennedy Space Center. Learn More
Horniman Museum World Gallery Audio visual and interactive experiences bring global cultural objects to life in a small museum. Learn More
Idaho State Museum Idaho State Museum sets the visitor experience alight with an award-winning show-stopping recreation of the past. Learn More
Illuminarium Technology creates a state-of-the-art reprogrammable immersive theater in a sensory space of 360º sight, sound and scale. Learn More
Imperial War Museums Second World War & Holocaust Galleries Electrosonic’s technology design helps set new standards for the presentation of complex and emotional subjects. Learn More
Independence Visitor Center Technology with a personal touch transforms visitor experience and creates a compelling gateway to local destinations. Learn More
International Spy Museum Technology uncovers the tradecraft, tools and impact of espionage through interactive experiences in a real spy role. Learn More
LKAB Visitor Center The presentation system at the LKAB visitor center both enhances the visit and leaves a very good impression with the visitors. Learn More
Madame Tussauds, Orlando A state-of-the-art LED video wall breathes excitement into the world’s most iconic wax museum. Learn More
Mars: The Next Giant Leap at the Carnegie Science Center Experiential technology takes visitors to new worlds, creating excitement and inspiration about the future for humanity. Learn More
Mascot Hall of Fame A Mascot Hall of Fame — why you might ask? In Whiting, Indiana? Where! That’s the next question. Mascots are fun, but the supporters who cheer them are usually very tribal. Learn More
Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai Multimedia and interactive technologies help compel visitors to build a commitment to changing living conditions around the world. Learn More
Museum of the American Revolution Three hundred years on, the Museum immerses visitors in the sounds, events and experiences that drove the American colonies to revolution. Learn More
Museum of the Bible Hollywood called it ‘the greatest story ever told’ in their portrayal of the New Testament — the Museum of the Bible goes further to tell the whole story in a museum of biblical proportions. Learn More
Museum of the Moving Image AV Upgrade Showcases the History and the Future of Moving Images. Learn More
National Comedy Center So, why did the chicken cross the road? Living in Jamestown, it was probably heading for the National Comedy Center to find out why chickens are the butt of so many jokes. Learn More
National Maritime Museum Go down again to the ‘lonely sea and the sky’ with dramatic soundscapes and innovative audio visual. Learn More
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame A 360⁰ immersive theatre and interactivity bring visitors into the heart of Thoroughbred racing. Learn More
National September 11 Memorial & Museum Telling a compelling, sensitive story of an event that changed history. Learn More
National World War I Museum and Memorial The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Missouri, tells the story of The Great War and related global events from 1914 through the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. Learn More
New Jersey Hall of Fame Electrosonic helps New Jersey Hall of Fame commemorate legendary and everyday heroes through implementing audiovisual technology to immerse visitors into the experience. Learn More
New-York Historical Society Museum & Library The New-York Historical Society Museum & Library, which explores the political, cultural and social history of New York, underwent a three-year, $70-million renovation. Learn More
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Recreating the inspirational story of a 19th century struggle for today’s generation. Learn More
One World Observatory A room with a view and a high-speed immersive experience to capture the imagination. Learn More
Parliamentarium Electrosonic worked with architects, designers and content producers to create engaging, immersive, interactive audio visual experiences at Parlamentarium. Learn More
Parliamentary Education Centre Immersive, interactive technology turns day-to-day politics into an engaging digital experience for the European Parliament. Learn More
Polynesian Cultural Center's Digital 4D Theater The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) in Laie, Hawaii, enables visitors to explore all of the Polynesian cultures in the South Pacific. Learn More
Revealed: The Hunt for Bin Laden Immersive technologies and sophisticated projection blending and mapping techniques bring a dramatic manhunt to life. Learn More
Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre Exceptional audio visual design brings the world’s largest museum to life in Kuwait. Learn More
Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex The experience of Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex boldly goes where no exhibition had gone before. Learn More
Stonehenge Visitor Centre Immersive technology takes visitors back 5000 years to the heart of an ancient monument. Learn More
Summit One Vanderbilt An immersive, multi-sensory observation deck experience, where technology adds a new dimension to stunning cityscapes. Learn More
The Ahmed Al Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition The Ahmed Al Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition aims to show where oil is produced and its importance to the economy and the products that are derived from both oil and gas. Learn More
The Claudia and Nelson Peltz Social Lab at the Museum of Tolerance An immersive museum experience features advanced technologies to engage audiences and promote tolerance. Learn More
The Engine Shed, Historic Environment Scotland Historic Environment Scotland (HES) – Scotland’s lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. Learn More
The First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank Immersive, interactive technologies and complex project mapping celebrate the birth of radio astronomy. Learn More
The Hunger Games: The Exhibition Following the huge worldwide success of the blockbuster Hunger Games movie franchise, Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Exhibition has opened its global tour at Discovery Times Square, New York City. Learn More
The Lockkeeper’s House Technology and history meet in an interactive, immersive experience that creates a snapshot in time. Learn More
The Marvel Experience The Marvel Experience is an immersive touring attraction produced by Hero Ventures that provides Marvel fans with the opportunity to become agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in training. Learn More
The Museum of Broadway Immersive, interactive experiences set the stage for a celebration of Broadway’s rich heritage. Learn More
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum The National Holocaust Centre and Museum aimed to capture individual testimonies, secure artifacts and gather historical information, to bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust. Learn More
The Sailing Museum Cutting-edge interactive technology puts visitors’ sailing skills to the test in a thrilling, fun-packed, hands-on experience. Learn More
The Science History Institute Technology and storytelling come together to engage and inspire scientists and the community. Learn More
The Skydeck Experience at Willis Tower Immersive interactive technologies raise the bar for visitor experience at the country’s highest observation deck. Learn More
Typhoon Theatre at the Maritime Experiential Museum The Typhoon Theater has proved a popular attraction, creating a sense of exploration and adventure through imagination and creativity. Learn More
View Boston An interactive, multi-floor observation deck experience where accessible technology connects visitors to the city. Learn More

Engage With Us

Let us bring your vision to life.

Let's talk