We are in a moment in which the rooms of cine They are seeing how little by little those spectators who years ago packed the seats with their popcorn, They begin to trade them for the comfort of their homes and streaming platforms.
And it is that, despite the fact that the cinematographic experience has changed considerably in recent years, the sector is at a time when Netflix, Amazon, HBO Max and other content providers They are revolutionizing the business of the film industry.
This, coupled with the technology The increasingly sophisticated number of TVs offering 4K resolution means that movie theaters have to continually strive to incorporate new and diverse technologies in order to deliver a stunning experience, from the screen to the seats.
There is no doubt that the quality of the movie It is essential in itself, but it is only part of an experience that many are willing to give up, so Other innovations that focus on attracting and connecting viewers with the movie in the theater must come into play.
This includes all aspects of the environment experience, from the size and resolution of the screenthe audio system, the lighting and, of course, the style and comfort.
Note, before we get into it, that as Avatar: The Water Sense approaches the $2 billion mark at the global box office, James Cameron says it’s a reminder that moviegoers still value the movie experience. cinema in an era dominated by streaming.
“They’re even going back to theaters in China, where they’re having this huge surge of COVID. We’re saying as a society, ‘We need this! We need to go to the movies. Enough streaming! I’m sick of sitting around,'” explained. Even so, it seems that it is not enough.
Movie theaters want to focus on offering unique experiences on screen
The most innovative technology and the digitization of cinema mean that a wide range of new and diverse innovations are incorporated into the cinematic experience. The premium movie theaters, such as those equipped with IMAX, Dolby Cinema, MX4D, and Screen Xoffer a higher quality image, greater realism and audio systems for an experience never seen before.
And it is that, if we talk about IMAX quality, this can be enjoyed at home only if you have the necessary technology and for most people, that is impossible.
Going now to something more extreme, 4DX refers to a multi-sensory experience that takes advantage of the 5 sensesintroducing a series of movement and environmental effects such as moving seats, scented air, lights, smoke… that allow viewers to “feel” the film and the effects, as well as the movement incorporated into their seat.
While the 4DX cinema experience may not be for everyone, screen resolution, screen size, and lighting seem to have a big effect on the quality perceived by the viewer.
Other new technologies, such as Screen X cinemas, offer revolutionary new cinematic technology that creates a 270° viewing experience that incorporates the use of side walls, which allows to expand the sala traditional cinema.
A normal cinema uses 1 projector that projects on 1 front screen; Screen X, however, uses a total of 5 projectors, 1 for the main screen and the remaining 4 for the side walls.
Comfort, nostalgia and why not, video games in the cinema
Another way that movie theaters enhance the visitor experience is focusing on the finer details like the seats. Many high-end movie theaters around the world offer a VIP seating area that provides a luxurious experience with fully reclining seats that offer more space and greater comfort.
We must also highlight some unique aspects of cinemas such as private rooms or movies on demand. And it is that, if you want to have the best of both worlds (privacy of your home and quality of a cinema), why not book a private room.
On the other hand, movie theaters on special occasions seek to attract the public with mythical projections. You feed on nostalgia, and that’s something even more special if you experience it in theaters.
Finally and as a climax, some movie theaters, for the moment only in the United Kingdom, are beginning to enter the world of video games, how? so very simple: Cineworld began exploring the possibility of letting people play video games on the big screen.
With all this on the table, it is true that prices, a lack of quality in the films that are released in theaters and the more than clear competition from streaming platforms, are gradually diminishing our desire to go to a cinema room. However, it seems that they want to come back, although there is still a long way to go.
