Dream theater

Dedicated moviegoers will know that there is more to a satisfying cinematic experience than an all-star cast, gripping plot and thrilling special effects can deliver in isolation.

Part of the visceral excitement of going to the movies is provided by the fanciful surroundings of the movie theater itself. For a privileged few, however, the magic of a trip to the movies is accessible without going far at all.

Jeffrey W. Smith, CAS, is the president and CEO of First Impressions Theme Theatres, a Florida-based company with 31 years' experience designing, building and installing bespoke home theaters. Excellence in its field has seen the company establish its name around the world.

One of the reasons for First Impressions' success is undoubtedly Smith's passion for his business.

"We are purveyors of fantasy architecture. Our canvas is a dedicated, jewel box personal cinema, which supports the latest digital, audiovisual and control technologies," he says.

For First Impressions, form very much follows function when it comes to design.

"All our theaters are fully acoustically and ergonomically addressed. The gingerbread of the decor may look pretty, but has been precisely designed and engineered to meet exacting sound performance standards," Smith says.

To ensure a consistent level of excellence, the company maintains a seasoned production staff, who are well-versed in delivering project plans from initial concept and design development, through to the construction and acoustical document phases.

Even beyond precise visual and sonic delivery, First Impressions can make the experience of a blockbuster palpable. The stepped platforms on which the CineLoungers® sit provide a good line of sight for every member of the audience. However, they can also be expanded and contracted by air pressure as the auditorium's subwoofers fire, meaning that an on-screen explosion can be felt as well as seen and heard.

While the interiors of First Impressions auditoria are only visible when the house lights are up, Smith says their design is all about painstaking detail.

"To deliver on dreams which is the business we are in the interior of the auditorium has to amount to a fantasy place. This can mean painting the ceiling by hand to look like the Sistine Chapel, or dressing it out to look like a Western saloon," he says.

The design process begins with a thorough consultation. First Impressions determines whether it can meet a client's expectations based on their budget and adjusts one or the other when necessary. The next stage is to create a variety of 3D designs, which the client can virtually walk-through on screen. This electronic rendering means the client sees exactly what the theater will look like before the first piece of wood is cut, and fewer alterations have to be made once the auditorium has been built.

First Impressions custom manufactures every element of home theater decor, from CineLoungers® to the light fixtures. Accessories include professional popcorn machines, posters, illuminated display cases and movie artefacts and collectibles.

The company has fitted screens from 6 to 18 feet across (measured horizontally) and uses high light output, pro-grade video projectors and multi-channel, surround sound systems to ensure an all-enveloping cinematic experience

Story by: Trendsideas