The Orlando Science Center’s Cinedome has new seating, updated soundproofing and new curved screens in preparation for its late May reopening.
Stephen Holt, vice president of facilities and exhibitions, said the square footage of the domed theater remains the same, but the number of seats has been increased and it is now larger than the original.
“We used to have a 22-inch (wide) seat, and now we have a 24-inch seat. It’s more comfortable,” Holt said. “We’re allowing people to bring food and drinks into the store, so we have cup holders that we didn’t have before.”
The theater’s capacity will increase from 309 to 315 people, which may seem counterintuitive since the space itself probably hasn’t changed. We removed the outdated oversized film projector booth and replaced it with eight new, discreet digital projectors, creating more seating space.
This is just part of the $7 million overhaul, which also includes speakers and Nano Seam panel screens already installed.
Work began in August after the final frames were looped into a projector installed when the Orlando Science Center opened in 1997.
“This is a complete renovation,” said Jeff Stanford, vice president of marketing for the museum in Lock Haven Park.
It will take workers three days to unpack, assemble and install the seats. The seat backs are tilted to allow for optimal viewing when moviegoers face upwards at the curved screen, depending on their position in the theater.
“Depending on where you are in the row, you get the best viewing angle to see your content,” says Holt.
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“The view from this house isn’t bad at all,” he says. “Sure, depending on where you’re sitting, you might see something a little different because the focus is somewhere else. But the show is designed to be projected onto the screen, so your eyes are drawn to the actual action.”
Next steps include completing new soundproofing on the walls, finishing the floors, and balancing the sound system, which cannot be done until the seating is installed.
When the science center is completed, it will feature big-screen movies, as well as a planetarium show that has been absent from the lineup for decades, and a laser light show that featured Orlando nightlife staples from the 1970s and 1980s, most notably Pink Floyd.
“The library is so extensive that we can now create modern music and effects that are much better than before,” Stanford says.
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Other additions within the project include a new lobby with a video wall, automated concessions, and classroom spaces carved out of the lower level rest areas of old projectors.
Exact opening or preview dates have not been announced.
People were sentimental about the old theater, but Stanford said it was time for a renovation. Changes in movie-going habits and the way the public views entertainment also played a role, he said.
“For us, staying relevant and competitive is extremely important,” Stanford says.
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
