4D film


4D film or 4-D film is a usually hypothetical marketing term for an entertainment presentation system combining a 3D film with physical effects that occur in the theatre in synchronization with the film. Effects simulated in a 4D film may include rain, mist, bubbles, fog or smoke, wind, temperature changes, strobe lights, scent, vibration and motion. Seats in 4D venues may vibrate or move a few centimeters during the presentations. Other common chair effects include air jets, water sprays, and leg and back ticklers. Auditorium effects may include smoke, rain, lightning, bubbles, and smell.
Because physical effects can be expensive to install, 4D films are most often presented in custom-built theatres at special venues such as theme parks, amusement parks and zoos. However, some movie theatres have the ability to present 4D versions of wide-release 3D films. The films Journey to the Center of the Earth and Avatar are among the films that have received a 4D treatment in certain theatres. There are also mobile 4D theaters, which are mounted inside vehicles such as enclosed trailers, buses and trucks.
4D films are distinct from four-dimensional space. Notable historical formats for providing different aspects of a "fourth dimension" to films include Sensurround, and Smell-O-Vision. As of June 2015, about 530 screens worldwide have installed some 4-D technology.

History

The precursors of the modern 4-D film presentation include Smell-O-Vision, which was used only once, in 1960, and Sensurround, which debuted in 1974 with the film Earthquake. Only a few films were presented in Sensurround, and it was supplanted by Dolby Stereo in 1977, which featured extended low frequencies, and made subwoofers a common addition to cinema. Other notable efforts at pushing the boundaries of the film viewing experience include Fantasound, the first use of stereo sound, Cinemiracle and Cinerama, both widescreen formats utilizing multiple projectors.
The 3-D film is always included in the 4-D experience. 3-D has been used in some form in film since 1915, but did not become widely seen until the 1950s. However, it was a niche format, and was not particularly successful. Beginning is the late 1980s, 3-D experienced a resurgence, partially on the strength of IMAX presentations. It has continued to expand, albeit very slowly, to the present.
The Sensorium is regarded the world's first commercial 4-D film and was first screened in a Six Flags theme park in Baltimore in 1984. It was produced in partnership with Landmark Entertainment.
As of 2017, by far the most common 4-D titles are attraction films located in theme parks. However, there seems to be a trend toward the installation of 4-D equipment in more traditional cinemas, with developers such as 4DX, D-Box Technologies, and Mediamation competing for venues.

List of 4D presentation systems for film theatres

The following is a list of 4D presentation systems developed for traditional film theatres.
FormatDateDeveloper3-D FormatMotion SeatEffectsRemarksNotesSource
4DXCJ 4D PlexStereoscopic
3-D		yesfog machine, strobes, scents, bubbles,
snow, water sprays, wind/air
D-BoxD-Box TechnologiesStereoscopic
3-D		yesnone
MX4DMediaMationStereoscopic
3-D		yesfog machine, strobes, scents, bubbles,
snow, water sprays, wind/air
4D E-MotionLummaStereoscopic
3-D		yesvibration, water sprays, air shots, scents,
wind, strobes, colour lights, fog, bubbles, snow
Red RoverStereoscopic
3-D		yesfog machine, strobes, scents, bubbles,
water sprays, wind/air		Branded as Super 4D in Lotte Cinema installations.

Selected filmography

TitleYearRelease venue/CountryNotes
The Scent of Mystery1960Specially outfitted general-release theatersSmell-O-Vision
The Sensorium1984Six Flags Power Plant, Baltimore, MDThe first 4D film
Captain EO1986Epcot, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneylandClosed in the mid-late 1990s and reopened in 2010 as a tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
Muppet*Vision 3D1991Disney's Hollywood StudiosDirected by Jim Henson
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience1994Epcot, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneylandSponsored by Kodak, closed in all locations in May 2010 and was replaced with Captain EO.
'1996Universal Studios JapanDirected by James Cameron
Pirates 4D1997SeaWorld Ohio, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Thorpe Park in the UK, Busch Gardens Tampa BayProduced by Busch Entertainment, Directed by Keith Melton.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man1999Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Japan,Water, smoke, strobe, and vibration.
PandaDroom2002The Efteling, NetherlandsSame film released in other parks without 4D effects
SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D2002, 2006Six Flags over Texas, Moody Gardens, Shedd Aquarium, Adventure Dome, Six Flags Great Adventure, Movie Park Germany, Adventure Aquarium, Kings Dominion,, Indianapolis Zoo, Carowinds, Camden Aquarium, Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo and other locations
Mickey's PhilharMagic2003Magic Kingdom, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure.In collaboration with Walt Disney Feature Animation
Haunted Lighthouse 2003Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo
Shrek 4-D2003Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios SingaporeReleased in an anaglyph version as Shrek 3-D on DVD
Borg Invasion2004, at Las Vegas Hilton, USAClosed in 2008, to be reopened in Neonopolis, Las Vegas
Fly Me to the Moon2008Six Flags over Texas
Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure2008Vibrant 5D, RaipurStone Mountain Park, Dollywood, Warner Bros. Movie World
'2017First Indian 4-D Film; directed by Rahul Rathish Kumar
Avatar in 4-D2009South Korea, Hong Kong
London Eye 4D Experience2009London Eye
Beyond All Boundaries2009WWII Museum, New OrleansProduced by Tom Hanks
ENERGIA The Spirit of the Earth2009Cité de l'énergie, Shawinigan Spectators are seated on a revolving platform. Features wind, snow, smoke, rain, vibration and lighting effects.
Marvel Super Heroes 4D2010Madame Tussauds London, Trans Studio Bandung
Rabid Rider2010Cincinnati Zoo
Star Tours—The Adventures Continue2011Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, & Disneyland ParisReplaced/Replacing Star Tours in all locations.Was updated in late 2015 to add an adventure themed to '
Shalem2011?Jerusalem Time Elevator, JerusalemA 3000-year-old guide to Jerusalem's history at the Jerusalem Time Elevator, Jerusalem. It includes moving and tilting seats on a moving stage, air conditioning and smell enhancements, along with a 'light and sound' show highlighting real artifacts. A similar system, 'The Time Mine', has been installed at the Timna Valley park near Eilat, and another at the main hall of the Herzl Museum in Jerusalem.
'2011United States, India, Canada and UKSmell was achieved by using scratch and sniff cards
'2011Universal Studios Singapore, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida
'2012Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Hollywood14-minute simulator ride, starring Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the Minions; setting is 1 year after the events of the original film in 2010.
Tallgrass Prairie: Tides of Time2012Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, KansasFeatures wind, snow, smoke, and lightning effects
Prometheus 2012Cinepolis Galerias Guadalajara, Mexico
The Adventures of Tintin 2011Nickelodeon Resorts, Paramount Parks, North Carolina Zoo, and Alton Towers14-minute condensed version of the film.
Iron Man 32013Korona World Theatre Nagoya, Japan, Seoul, South KoreaLabeled as 4DX featuring strobe lights, tilting seats, blowing wind and fog, and odor effects.
Rio 2014San Diego Zoo, Kentucky Kingdom12-minute condensed version of the film.
Temple Run 7D2014India9-minute ride to various Indian temples including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Rameshwaram, and Dwarka produced by Modern Techno Projects Private Ltd.
'2016Seoul, Korea and New York City, New YorkLabeled as 4DX including fog, wind, motion, rain, lightning, vibrations and scents.
Pixels2016Taguig City, PhilippinesLabeled as 4DX including models, arcade, explosives, and shoots.
'2016California's Great America-minute film, 60-foot screen with 4K resolution, live performers, wind, water, leg pokers, neck ticklers, 80-channel surround sound
LEGO Nexo Knights 4D: The Book of Creativity2016Legoland parks and Legoland Discovery Centre parks worldwide-minute 4D film of LEGO Nexo Knights shown at Legoland, along with The LEGO Movie 4D Produced by Alexander Lentjes for M2Film and Merlin Entertainments