The Aquarium of the Pacific is bringing a new kind of immersive experience to Long Beach with the opening of the first HoloTheater on the U.S. West Coast. The attraction allows guests to experience three-dimensional storytelling without the need for 3-D glasses, virtual reality headsets or other wearable technology.
Developed by BASE Xperiential, the HoloTheater uses six projection surfaces in a custom-designed theater to bring creatures, environments, and stories to life. Since its public debut, multiple HoloTheater showtimes have run daily at the aquarium.
"The HoloTheater is a unique and fun way for the Aquarium to bring additional educational and entertaining offerings to our guests and members," said Nicole Meek, senior director of visitor
operations at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
The theater's first featured experience, "Dinosaur Discoveries: A Holographic Adventure," brings prehistoric creatures off the screen and into the room. Guests are surrounded by panoramic visuals while dinosaurs appear to emerge into the theater space.
"The HoloTheater introduces an entirely new dimension to cinema. It breaks free of the screen and comes to life in the room, right before your eyes," said Brian Becker, chairman of BASE Xperiential.
The experience delivers a shared 3-D audience experience without traditional glasses or headsets. Using proprietary filmmaking and projection techniques, the HoloTheater creates the illusion that creatures have stepped beyond the screen and into the theater with viewers.
Beyond entertainment, aquarium officials say the HoloTheater supports the institution's educational mission and helps connect guests to wildlife through innovative technology.
"It’s a way to connect our guests and members to learning about animals of our planet from past to present through the use of innovative technology," Meek said. "Our mission is to instill a sense of wonder, respect and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants and ecosystems, and it is our hope that the new HoloTheater experience (Ocean Giants Revealed) coming to our Aquarium this fall will do just that."
Later this fall, the Aquarium plans to debut Ocean Giants Revealed, which will take guests into the deep sea to see animals such as whales and sea jellies, as well as megalodon and other prehistoric sea creatures.
Audience reactions to the inaugural dinosaur experience have already left an impression on its creators.
"There are quite a few, but when the first dinosaur emerges into the room in larger-than-life 3-D form, the audience gasps, every single time," Becker said.
With the addition of the HoloTheater and future experiences on the horizon, the Aquarium of the Pacific is offering visitors a new way to explore science, wildlife, and storytelling through immersive technology.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: First West Coast HoloTheater opens with dinosaur experience
