In the first of a new series, we ask the suppliers to describe their business model
Terry MonktonManaging Director Simworx
Terry Monkton
What is your business model? We manufacture and sell 4D cinema and simulation attractions to clients worldwide. While the majority are sold outright, in some instances, we carry out a profit share scheme. In this arrangement, we typically supply the equipment and the venue supplies the location, utilities and operating staff. We then share the revenues on a 50/50 basis.
How do you choose the product? Many factors are taken into account when selecting the right product, including the type of venue, the visitor demographic and the subject matter. Then we tailor our offer to reflect the customers’ requirements. Operators can choose our 4D cinemas for a family experience or our Stargazer and Cobra motion theatres for a thrill seeking attraction for teenagers and adults. We can supply attractions for as few as 16 riders or up to several hundred.
As well as having a wide product range and film library, we’re also able to custom design and build attractions, such as The Little Prince, which we created for Futuroscope in France.
How do you work with the client? We’re a turnkey supplier so, as part of the sale process, we supply the client with technical drawings and information to enable them to prepare the room or building that the equipment’s going into. This includes floor loading details, power requirements and locations. Once the room is prepared to our specifications, we do the rest.
Once the installation has been carried out, we give full operator training before the attraction opens. Following this, we provide ongoing after sales service support, with a team of dedicated service technicians. Many venues change their 3D films annually, so we install the film and program their attraction with new movements and effects.
We’re happy to make further changes to our projects following the initial installation, which could mean a new film, additional effects or even changes to the programming.
What’s your latest product? We’ve just finalised a new product called an Immersive Tunnel. Seating 30, 60 or 90 people, it’s a simulation attraction with 3D film content on three sides of each rider. The first will be installed at a new major theme park in Europe later this year, with orders being taken for other attractions worldwide.
Simworx sells 4D cinema and simulation attractions worldwide
MediaMation’s 4D theatre roll-out in Mexico US-based MediaMation has crossed over into the cinema marketplace, supplying Mexico’s Cinemex, the world’s sixth largest chain, with a roll-out of X4D Motion EFX theatres and programming of new feature film releases.
The roll out started in January at Cinemex Santa Fe 260-seat X4D Theater, with the film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, there will be at least one new release per month with select films from all the major studios.
X4D Motion EFX theatres feature 3DOF motion, seat transducers, pokers, leg and neck ticklers, air and water blasts, wind, strobes, fog and scent.
The X4D Motion EFX Experience uses air pneumatics to control the motion – side to side, front to back, up and down – and effects in the seat and auditorium.
The immersive experience includes an array of experiences, from powerful seat transducers – subwoofers under each seat that react to the soundtrack of the film – to seat poppers and pokers, air and water blasts, leg and neck ticklers, wind, strobe, fog and scent.
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters was the first film in MediaMation’s roll-out
The Cinemex Santa Fe X4D Theater
nWave distributes Penguins 3D worldwide nWave Pictures Distribution – an nWave Studios company – has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Penguins 3D from British company Atlantic Productions, creators of the BAFTA-winning Flying Monsters 3D. Written and narrated by renowned naturalist and veteran filmmaker David Attenborough, this tale of the epic journey of one special penguin will be released in the US on May 24th in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Penguins 3D, which comes in 40- and 20-minute versions, 3D and 2D, 15-perf/70mm, and digital in 4K and 2K, will be available from nWave exclusively, for exhibition at Imax theatres, RealD and digital 3D giant screen cinemas.
The film depicts the fortunes of a young male King Penguin, who returns to the place where he was born and raised. Known as Penguin City, this sub-Antarctic island is home to albatrosses, leopard seals, elephant seals and six million penguins. Somehow, our hero must earn his place among the inhabitants and fulfil his destiny by finding a mate and raising a family.
Penguins 3D was produced by Atlantic Productions in association with BSkyB and US-based Galileo Digital Entertainment. The action takes place on the remote island of South Georgia, a British overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It was filmed in 4K 3D on location over a five-month period. Production lasted 14 months.
The industry premiere of Penguins 3D was hosted in March 2013 during the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) 2013 Film Expo at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, USA.
Penguins 3D premiered at GSCA 2013
Pauline QuayleDirector
Pauline Quayle
What is your business model? The Juice was formed to distribute high quality films for 4D attractions and rides in theme parks, cruise liners, museums and FECs around the world.
Our main aim, as well as ensuring attention to detail, is understanding our clients’ needs and requirements and satisfying these needs with films that are suitable for the venue, the client and their audience. Choosing films can be very time consuming. By working together and understanding our clients’ needs, we try to make that process run smoothly.
How do you adapt products? We can customise the beginning or ending of the films from our existing library, if the client wants it be personalised to their venue. Clients license the film for a specific period and can change the film at agreed times during the term. We can intersperse with seasonal films to ensure they’re maximising their return on investment.
As we’ve developed as a company, we’ve set up our own production facilities, which helps when clients want something specific. For example, we’re currently making a film for Metropolis, which is supplying a major 3D attraction in partnership with the National Rail Museum in the UK. The attraction commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Mallard becoming the fastest steam locomotive in the world and will be launched in the summer.
What’s your latest product? New for this year is the launch of an encryption system. This will remove the need for operators to have to invest in expensive hardware. Instead, the end user downloads the virtual disc and enters the license key to activate it.
For our studio partners, this means that their films will be absolutely secure. It also opens up a wider marketplace for distribution and enables more choice to companies that have invested in 4D theatres, but are denied film choices because of the fear of security.
We’re also working with a couple of hardware companies, as their media partners, as well as working on some new branded titles.
The Juice’s branded films include Elvis Rocks
Simex-Iwerks’ new SpongeBob SquarePants product Simex-Iwerks’ latest product, SpongeBob SquarePants 4D – The Great Jelly Rescue, launched in April at Nickelodeon Suites Resort, Orlando, Florida.
The seven-minute experience, incorporating theatre and in-seat 4D effects, differs to Simex-Iwerks’ previous SpongeBob films, as one particular scene offers a variety of outcomes, each utilising a different array of 4D effects. These can be randomly played, allowing guests the opportunity to enjoy a slightly different experience each time they visit.
The story follows SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy on an adventure to rescue the Jellyfish from Plankton’s evil clutches. Using 4D effects, guests surf through an electrifying swarm of Jellies, get dragged into the bowels of the Flying Dutchman’s ghost ship and feel the rumble of cannon. Produced in partnership between Nickelodeon, SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment and Super 78 Studios, the 4D attraction and ride attraction is available worldwide and distributed exclusively by SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment.
SpongeBob SquarePants
COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd
The company was initially established
in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew
Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Red Raion
Founded in 2014, Red Raion is the CGI studio for media-based attractions. [more...]
Polin Waterparks
Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin
has since grown into a leading company in
the waterpa [more...]
Sally Corporation
Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
In the first of a new series, we ask the suppliers to describe their business model
Terry MonktonManaging Director Simworx
Terry Monkton
What is your business model? We manufacture and sell 4D cinema and simulation attractions to clients worldwide. While the majority are sold outright, in some instances, we carry out a profit share scheme. In this arrangement, we typically supply the equipment and the venue supplies the location, utilities and operating staff. We then share the revenues on a 50/50 basis.
How do you choose the product? Many factors are taken into account when selecting the right product, including the type of venue, the visitor demographic and the subject matter. Then we tailor our offer to reflect the customers’ requirements. Operators can choose our 4D cinemas for a family experience or our Stargazer and Cobra motion theatres for a thrill seeking attraction for teenagers and adults. We can supply attractions for as few as 16 riders or up to several hundred.
As well as having a wide product range and film library, we’re also able to custom design and build attractions, such as The Little Prince, which we created for Futuroscope in France.
How do you work with the client? We’re a turnkey supplier so, as part of the sale process, we supply the client with technical drawings and information to enable them to prepare the room or building that the equipment’s going into. This includes floor loading details, power requirements and locations. Once the room is prepared to our specifications, we do the rest.
Once the installation has been carried out, we give full operator training before the attraction opens. Following this, we provide ongoing after sales service support, with a team of dedicated service technicians. Many venues change their 3D films annually, so we install the film and program their attraction with new movements and effects.
We’re happy to make further changes to our projects following the initial installation, which could mean a new film, additional effects or even changes to the programming.
What’s your latest product? We’ve just finalised a new product called an Immersive Tunnel. Seating 30, 60 or 90 people, it’s a simulation attraction with 3D film content on three sides of each rider. The first will be installed at a new major theme park in Europe later this year, with orders being taken for other attractions worldwide.
Simworx sells 4D cinema and simulation attractions worldwide
MediaMation’s 4D theatre roll-out in Mexico US-based MediaMation has crossed over into the cinema marketplace, supplying Mexico’s Cinemex, the world’s sixth largest chain, with a roll-out of X4D Motion EFX theatres and programming of new feature film releases.
The roll out started in January at Cinemex Santa Fe 260-seat X4D Theater, with the film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, there will be at least one new release per month with select films from all the major studios.
X4D Motion EFX theatres feature 3DOF motion, seat transducers, pokers, leg and neck ticklers, air and water blasts, wind, strobes, fog and scent.
The X4D Motion EFX Experience uses air pneumatics to control the motion – side to side, front to back, up and down – and effects in the seat and auditorium.
The immersive experience includes an array of experiences, from powerful seat transducers – subwoofers under each seat that react to the soundtrack of the film – to seat poppers and pokers, air and water blasts, leg and neck ticklers, wind, strobe, fog and scent.
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters was the first film in MediaMation’s roll-out
The Cinemex Santa Fe X4D Theater
nWave distributes Penguins 3D worldwide nWave Pictures Distribution – an nWave Studios company – has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Penguins 3D from British company Atlantic Productions, creators of the BAFTA-winning Flying Monsters 3D. Written and narrated by renowned naturalist and veteran filmmaker David Attenborough, this tale of the epic journey of one special penguin will be released in the US on May 24th in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Penguins 3D, which comes in 40- and 20-minute versions, 3D and 2D, 15-perf/70mm, and digital in 4K and 2K, will be available from nWave exclusively, for exhibition at Imax theatres, RealD and digital 3D giant screen cinemas.
The film depicts the fortunes of a young male King Penguin, who returns to the place where he was born and raised. Known as Penguin City, this sub-Antarctic island is home to albatrosses, leopard seals, elephant seals and six million penguins. Somehow, our hero must earn his place among the inhabitants and fulfil his destiny by finding a mate and raising a family.
Penguins 3D was produced by Atlantic Productions in association with BSkyB and US-based Galileo Digital Entertainment. The action takes place on the remote island of South Georgia, a British overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It was filmed in 4K 3D on location over a five-month period. Production lasted 14 months.
The industry premiere of Penguins 3D was hosted in March 2013 during the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) 2013 Film Expo at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, USA.
Penguins 3D premiered at GSCA 2013
Pauline QuayleDirector
Pauline Quayle
What is your business model? The Juice was formed to distribute high quality films for 4D attractions and rides in theme parks, cruise liners, museums and FECs around the world.
Our main aim, as well as ensuring attention to detail, is understanding our clients’ needs and requirements and satisfying these needs with films that are suitable for the venue, the client and their audience. Choosing films can be very time consuming. By working together and understanding our clients’ needs, we try to make that process run smoothly.
How do you adapt products? We can customise the beginning or ending of the films from our existing library, if the client wants it be personalised to their venue. Clients license the film for a specific period and can change the film at agreed times during the term. We can intersperse with seasonal films to ensure they’re maximising their return on investment.
As we’ve developed as a company, we’ve set up our own production facilities, which helps when clients want something specific. For example, we’re currently making a film for Metropolis, which is supplying a major 3D attraction in partnership with the National Rail Museum in the UK. The attraction commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Mallard becoming the fastest steam locomotive in the world and will be launched in the summer.
What’s your latest product? New for this year is the launch of an encryption system. This will remove the need for operators to have to invest in expensive hardware. Instead, the end user downloads the virtual disc and enters the license key to activate it.
For our studio partners, this means that their films will be absolutely secure. It also opens up a wider marketplace for distribution and enables more choice to companies that have invested in 4D theatres, but are denied film choices because of the fear of security.
We’re also working with a couple of hardware companies, as their media partners, as well as working on some new branded titles.
The Juice’s branded films include Elvis Rocks
Simex-Iwerks’ new SpongeBob SquarePants product Simex-Iwerks’ latest product, SpongeBob SquarePants 4D – The Great Jelly Rescue, launched in April at Nickelodeon Suites Resort, Orlando, Florida.
The seven-minute experience, incorporating theatre and in-seat 4D effects, differs to Simex-Iwerks’ previous SpongeBob films, as one particular scene offers a variety of outcomes, each utilising a different array of 4D effects. These can be randomly played, allowing guests the opportunity to enjoy a slightly different experience each time they visit.
The story follows SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy on an adventure to rescue the Jellyfish from Plankton’s evil clutches. Using 4D effects, guests surf through an electrifying swarm of Jellies, get dragged into the bowels of the Flying Dutchman’s ghost ship and feel the rumble of cannon. Produced in partnership between Nickelodeon, SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment and Super 78 Studios, the 4D attraction and ride attraction is available worldwide and distributed exclusively by SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a
central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.
Immersive entertainment specialists, Layered Reality, is creating a tribute to Elvis Presley
featuring a concert experience with a life-sized digital Elvis.
