CULVER CITY, CA — Sony Pictures Post Production Services (www.sonypictures.com) has added a new mix stage that’s dedicated exclusively to IMAX work. The new stage, which is equipped with a 24-fader Avid S6 mixing console, is one of the first dub stages on the West Coast to use IMAX loudspeakers as well as meet the specifications for mixing in the immersive IMAX 12.0 sound format. The room will be used to prepare 2D and 3D theatrical features and trailers for release to IMAX theaters worldwide.
The new stage is located in the Jimmy Stewart Building on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City. Sony Pictures engineers worked with their counterparts from IMAX Corporation to install and align the IMAX 12.0 system.
“We are excited to offer this new resource to the motion picture community,” says Sony Pictures Post Production Services executive vice president Tom McCarthy. “We are committed to supporting all theatrical sound formats and are particularly impressed with the dynamic quality of IMAX 12.0.”
“We’re delighted to have Sony’s new mix stage, which was specifically designed and equipped for the new IMAX 12.0 and 5.0 sound formats, become available to mix and optimize films being presented in the IMAX format,” adds Bruce Markoe, senior VP/head of post production, IMAX Corp. “We look forward to working with their great teams to help bring our enhanced sound formats to IMAX audiences worldwide.”
Sony Pictures Post Production Services’ lead engineer Nathan Oishi says having access to a local source will make it easier for studios to manage the review and approval process, and help improve quality. Along with the Avid S6 console, the stage features four Avid HDX-3 digital audio workstations, a Sony SRX-R320 4K cinema projector, RealD 3D system, a MDI Precision White Screen and JBL & IMAX loudspeakers.