Michael Bay’s transformers was shot almost entirely in IMAX.
Seeing an IMAX film is an experience like none other, with a screen so large it feels like you’re moving along with the movie. But how do they do it?
35mm film is the type of film found in movie theaters around the world, while IMAX film is twice the size at 70mm, offering about 8 times the resolution of regular film.
IMAX films are shown on screens that are usually 52 feet by 72 feet, while regular theatre screens are about 19 feet x 42 feet. The large film size is needed to ensure that the image projected onto screens this large is crisp and clear: The aspect ratio of IMAX film is 2.20:1, while the aspect ratio of 35mm film is 2.35.1.
35mm film has an embedded soundtrack that can be seen on the film, between the perforations and the image. Because IMAX film needs more space for the picture, it does not have an embedded soundtrack. Instead, IMAX film has a separate magnetic film that plays the soundtrack to the film. The 70mm film begins as 65mm for filming, but once filming is completed and the soundtrack strips are added the film is 70mm wide.
The first permanent IMAX theatre in the world was Toronto’s very own Cinesphere at Ontario Place, built in 1971.
If you’ve never seen an IMAX film before, there are plenty of IMAX theaters across Canada and in Toronto showing great movies! Check out their locations and showtimes.