IMERSA's Dan Neafus to Speak at Fulldome UK 2011 and Cyprus Domefestival

Two upcoming events in Europe will showcase digital dome ("fulldome") cinema production and technology: Fulldome UK 2011 (March 12-13 at Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham) and Cyprus Domefestival (March 18-21 at the American Academy of Larnaca, Cyprus).

Presenting at both gatherings is Dan Neafus, operations manager of the Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and co-founder of IMERSA.org. The nonprofit IMERSA (Immersive Entertainment, Research, Science, & Arts) is a leading proponent of fulldome and immersive media, founded in 2008. On behalf of IMERSA, Neafus will lead a demonstration / discussion on The Language of Immersive Cinema, and the IMERSA 2011 Update -- an overview of the future of large-scale immersive cinema.

"Fulldome cinema is a unique and evolving medium," says Neafus. "Production capabilities for this challenging format have improved dramatically in the past decade, attracting new creative talent into the dome. Lacking, however, is a cinematic language that adequately describes producing for the 'viewer-centric' experience in the dome." His presentations will feature examples and suggestions of ways to continue to develop the creative potential of this unique medium.

Digital dome cinema aka "fulldome" is an internationally emerging, dome-specific video display medium with an expanding network of theatres -- currently numbering more than 700 around the world and expected to near 800 in the next year. Currently, approximately half of all fulldome theatres are in the US, but many new installations are in Asia and Europe.

Fulldome has its foundation in planetariums and science centers, but as the community grows, both venues and content are diversifying. Entertainment operators, houses of worship, corporate marketers, special event producers, video game developers and casinos are all showing interest in fulldome. Likewise, fulldome has drawn the interest of filmmakers and digital artists, digital cinema producers and distributors, exhibit designers, theatre consultants and audiovisual system designers/integrators. Major distributors of special venue cinema that are investing in fulldome productions -- both 2D and 3D - include National Geographic, nWave Pictures and SK Films.