Design of Movie Theaters
Basically, the theater is just a building where we view the movies. They are also sometimes, referred to as cinemas. Inside the theatres, the film is projected on a big white screen. Sitting arrangements are provided in front of the screen for viewers to enjoy the film. Over the years, this simple form of cinema has gone through many changes in respect of design, with the help of technological innovations to make the experience of film viewing much more enjoying. As a result of this, theaters equipped with digital projections and the latest technology of IMAX system have come up.
The design of any movie theater, viewed in the traditional way, consists of an auditorium, stage and a lobby outside. The stage is the place where the screen is fitted. Rows of chairs are arranged in the auditorium in such a way that everybody would have a complete view of the screen in the front. The lobby area is provided with a counter to buy the tickets, wash room and provisions of snacks and drinks. Some of the movie theaters also have the ‘balcony’ in the rear side of the auditorium, where spectators can have a better view of the screen.
The placement of the chairs in the movie theater is crucial for the real experience of movie-watching. In this respect, the design of the floors is of paramount importance. Placement of chairs in stag rows, allows the viewers a somewhat better view.
Some of the newly built multiplexes and megaplexes provide a sitting arrangement akin to what you would find in the stadiums. While this arrangement limits the number of seats, it allows a much more comfortable viewing. The steps in the aisles that divide the rows are provided with lights for the smooth passage of the spectators. Most of the IMAX theatres have this kind of seating arrangements.
The multiplexes and megaplexes have more than one auditorium inside the complex. The design of them are made in such way that, apart from the auditoriums, all other facilities like the bars, lobby and restaurants are common to all the viewers. This arrangements while being cost-effective, also allows the owners to manage them efficiently with lesser number of staffs.
The megaplexes have more than twenty auditoriums inside and their design has to be such that there it should not lead to any form of confusion regarding the shows, their timings and the auditorium that screens it. Fro this purpose, large electronic boards are placed outside as well as inside the lobby with details of them.
The designs of the movie theaters are of great importance for their success.