Back to the Movies
Act 1
RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH
The Problem
Why?
More and more people are choosing to stay home and stream movies rather than go out to the theater since the pandemic. This is resulting in less interest for the movie going experience and hurting the industry overall...
Projection Study To begin my research into this topic I studied projection and moving images. I wanted to learn if they created interest and if people would interact with them. To do this I want to set up a projection with a series of moving images in an unexpected place and watched to see what type of reactions I will get out of people. My goal with is to further understand how projection and moving images capture peoples attention when not placed on a traditional screen. I want to use this knowledge to further explore the possibility of how projection could be used in interior design and specifically so enhance the cinematic experience. To do this I set up a projector in random places on campus and projected three different types of imagery on a wall. The imagery ranged from most static to most dynamic. I learned that the more dynamic and colorful imagery got the most interaction with people wanting to play with it and stand in front of it.
Intervention Set Up
Types of Imagery Static
Color Gradient
Least Interaction
Dynamic
Jellyfish
Neon Swirls
Most Interaction
A Trip to the Past 1878
1905
The First Film
The First Movie Theater
The first “film” was made in 1878 and was called “The Horse in Motion”. This was revolutionary at the time and nothing like it had ever been seen before.
In 1905 the first movie theater opened called the Nickelodeon. From this point on Hollywood really began to take off.
1
VHS/
In the lat tapes cam scene. Now bring their f home. Desp still continu the theater superior te early acce
1977
/DVD Era
te 1970’s VHS me onto the w people could favorite movies pite this people ued to go to r because of its echnology and ess to films.
2007
2020
Start of Streaming
Pandemic
In 2007 Netflix changed the shape of the movie industry by becoming the first major streaming platform. You no longer had to purchase a physical DVD but can access a vast library of content directly from your home.
Because of the Covid-19 Pandemic all theaters were shut down for nearly a year and people could only access movies from their home.
A Closer Look
https://www.the-numbers.com/market/
This graph shows the box office trends over the last twenty years. It is a nearly constant upward trend with record breaking movies such as Avengers Endgame coming out. This shows that despite access to streaming, people will still going out the theaters in droves all the way until the pandemic in 2020. Despite the pandemic bringing all the box office numbers to an all time low, they had already doubled by 2021. This is more proof that movie theaters are still relevant and that people are still willing to go to them.
Away From Home
Socialization
Going to the movies is a great excuse to get out of the house which is something that everyone needs after the pandemic.
Movies are a special social but anti-social experience because even though you may be with other people you don’t have to interact with them while you are watching.
Why Go Back? Advanced Technology
To Appreciate The Art Form
No matter how good your TV and sound system at home may be it will not be the same as the technology at the theater which is designed to maximize your viewing experience.
Many films take several years and thousands of people to make. A lot of passion and time are put into these to create the directors vision. So they should be viewed the way they were meant to on a giant screen.
Solution Create a unique version of movie theater that embraces aspects of both cinema and live shows to create a unique experience that you can’t get at home.
Van Gogh Experience
Radio City Music H
Hall
Precedents What attracted me to both of these projects is how they become more than just a viewing experience. Instead you were fully surrounded by what you were seeing creating a totally immersive experience. You can only get the full effect if you were there in person.
Act 2
SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE SITE
Regal Casino Theater •Built in 1913 •Architects were Zettle and Rapp •Was originally a show theater and then later converted to exclusively movies. •At one point it had a total of three screens. One over the main stage and two smaller ones on the mezzanine. •Has sat empty for decades now and had many owners.
Why this building? I chose this particular theater firstly because it was already a destination because of its history and beautiful exterior. Also because I didn’t want to design a replacement for your hometown dollar theater. Instead the goal is to create a unique experience that you can’t get anywhere else.
About the Area •Located in West End Cincinnati 1204 Linn Street •Near Over the Rhine and the new FC Cincinnati Soccer stadium. •Immediately surrounded by residential area. •Easy access from the interstate.
Act 3
CONCEPTS CONCEPTS CONCEPTS CONCEPTS CONCEP
RR
Togetherness
Dra
ama
The Narrative
“Experience it Together” Movies are a uniquely together but alone experience. Often you go with at least one other person, but will not talk to them for a few hours. Plus, going to the theater allows you to view a film as apart of a crowd. So even if you are going alone, there are others experiencing the same emotions with you.
DRAMA Movies and the theater are steeped in drama. Its what draws people to them. So for inspiration for this project I pulled images that felt like they were representative of both movies and drama.
The Na
1
The Hook
22
Exposition
33
Rising A
arrative
Action
44
Climax
55
Falling Action
Act 4
PROGRAM PROGRAM PROGRAM PROGRAM PROGRAM
4th Floor •Third level of box seating. •Overlook to lobby. •Bathrooms
3rd Floor •Second level of box seating. •Overlook to lobby. •Bathrooms
2nd Floor •Access to first level of box seating and party rooms. •Overlook to lobby. •Speakeasy lounge in the back. •Bathrooms
1st Floor •Entrance to the building. •Ticket Booth •Concessions •Screen Room and general seats. •Bathrooms •Exit of the Building
1st Floor
2nd Floor
The Hook The Hook is what grabs your attention and makes you excited for what you are about to experience. The “hook” of this space begins with the exterior. The exterior is relatively the same except with added neon elements to bring out some of the art deco features.
The interior of this space is a four story atrium that opens up to the dome that can be seen from the exterior. The colors that dominate this space are black, white, and gold to add to the drama of the entrance. The functions of the space are for you to enter and grab your tickets.
Exposition The Exposition is where you begin to be immersed into a story. This space is mostly about preparing for the show. Here you will get in line and get any concessions.
Rising Action
The Rising Action is a quick but important step. In a story this is where all of the plot begins to come together and the drama begins to build. For this theater the rising action is your journey to the screen room, whether thats through the theater doors or up the stairs to the box seating.
Climax The Climax is the moment you have been waiting for, the main part of the story. For this theater, the climax is of course the screen room. When you first enter the screen room the movie trailers will be playing. The space and seats will be lit up with neon lights for you to move around.
When the movie begins to play the lights go off. The movie you are watching begins to spill off the screen and onto the theater around you through projection mapping. The few remaining lights are choreographed to respond to what you are seeing on the screen so you are fully immersed into the world of the movie.
Seating There are two different types of seats within the screen room. The elevated seats are more dramatic and intimate. The ground level seats are more focused on comfort.
Elevated
Ground Level
Elevated Seating Located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors, the elevated box seats are meant for larger groups or those wanting a more special occasion. They range anywhere from two seats to ten. The larger boxes offer an hatched party room that can be used for parties, a place to put food and drink, and storage for personal items.
Plan
Section
Ground Level
The ground seats are located on the first floor in the screen room. They are designed to provide options for all types of people and groups.
Flying Solo
D
Date Night
Family Fun
Front Row
Falling Action The Falling Action in a story is your last moments with the story. The lounge is located on the second floor behind the screen room. This is a space for you to decompress after the movie. Maybe you aren’t ready to go home yet or need a safe space to wait for a ride.
THANK YOU