A computerized, '4-D' theatrical movie experience is being offered in newly equipped theaters throughout Germany, South Korea, Mexico, Thailand and India. One company CJ Group currently operates 30 4-D theaters in Asia and will bring 200 4-D theaters to North America, currently testing its system in Los Angeles near Grauman's Chinese in Hollywood:
'4-D' movies refer to sometimes nauseating physical effects coordinated with images on the screen that involve your other senses, including moving seats during a chase scene, the smell of gun powder when there is an explosion on screen and during a foggy scene, being surrounded by fog machines.
Previous movies incorporating special effects for a live audience include producer/director William Castle's 1959 horror thriller "The Tingler", filmed in 'Percepto'.
Castle wanted to use rolling bean bags to brush against the legs of audience members, with speakers mounted at different areas that would give a 'screech' when his 'tingler' creature appeared on-screen. He settled for attaching buzzers to select seats to coincide with the appearance of the tingler 'velvet worm'.
The 1960 feature "Scent of Mystery" introduced 'Smell-O-Vision' by spraying the smell of flowers throughout the theater to help bring viewers into the film.
In 1974, "Earthquake" used specialty base speakers to shake theaters.
The difference between old school and 4-D is the use of cpu software technology to synch effects with seats customized with back, neck and leg 'ticklers', 'air blasts' and 'water sprayers'.
Next up for the industry is 4-D Adult Entertainment films.
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