Panasonic Illuminates the Path to a New Universe
Imagineers and Panasonic engineers have been working together for many years collaborating on bringing technology and storytelling together. Their cutting-edge efforts have helped deliver immersive and magical experiences to guests visiting Disney’s theme parks in the U.S., setting sail on Disney Cruise Line ships, or attending Disney Parks fan events.
This strong relationship between these forward-thinking companies led to a formal strategic alliance in 2017, with Panasonic being named the Official Projection Technology of the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Panasonic has supplied Walt Disney Imagineering with projection technology for various attractions, entertainment shows, and guest experiences, including Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure next to Disneyland and Na’vi River Journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Disney World in Florida. Panasonic also supported the attractions at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and in late 2019, Panasonic’s latest accomplishment with Disney was realized as Panasonic 4K laser projection helped Disney bring to life Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
“When we first began speaking with Disney about the size and scope of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, it became clear this was going to be a groundbreaking attraction,” said John Baisley, senior vice president of professional imaging and visual systems, Panasonic Systems Solutions Company of North America, in a press release highlighting the new attraction. “Working with Disney, we developed and designed a Panasonic 4K visual technology solution that helps Disney seamlessly integrate physical and visual elements throughout the entire experience.”
The fusion of ride systems, lighting, physical sets, show elements, sound systems, imaging systems and more, all have to work in concert, says Ron Martin, senior vice president and director, Hollywood Laboratory (a division of Panasonic Research and Development Company of North America). Panasonic projection systems then need to perform flawlessly while reacting with precision to the story beats. Media has to play each and every time at the exact point in time required to display the finest image elements. Precise imaging involves all aspects of color, contrast, resolution and frame rate so that the guest really believes they are in the story, not just witnessing it. “When we speak of immersive experiences as emotional investment, this is the goal,” says Martin.
Panasonic’s goal is to support Disney with tools that help them to tell their stories and create the magic. In the case of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the guest is put right in the middle of a First Order Star Destroyer, so physical show pieces and technological elements need to work together seamlessly, with projection elements that ensure that every pixel projected is the right size and color, in the correct position and is consistently illuminated. The guest should walk out of these attractions and feel the adrenaline and excitement of really being in the story. Panasonic projection technology is part of the imaging toolbox that Walt Disney Imagineering uses to bring the story to life.
As with every project, the testing and integration process of an imaging solution is a collaborative effort between Disney and Panasonic, as both are committed to creating an amazing guest experience. In the area of visual acuity, which is the criteria where imaging looks authentic and holds the illusion of taking the observer into another world, there can be no compromise. Panasonic R&D teams and product support teams have a long history of understanding Disney’s requirements. “Our respect for each other’s methodologies results in a tailored project that guests can enjoy,” says Martin. “Disney Imagineers and Panasonic projection engineers speak the same language when it comes to developing products and techniques for park attractions.
“To bring guests through an attraction like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the projection equipment should be reliable, as small as possible, allow easy maintenance access and still provide the highest level of image quality without being visible to the guest,” Martin adds. “Brightness, contrast, image resolution and color fidelity then all match the physical environment perfectly. Panasonic and Disney pay great attention to this detail. To achieve this level of illusion in attractions, our factory and product development engineers are constantly evolving the performance specifications of our products to meet the goals of a partner like Disney.”
Martin says that, over the course of a project, there are many opportunities for Panasonic and Disney to share development milestones and engage in many phases of visual tests and performance evaluations. “Panasonic’s goal is to always place the customers’ requirements first — we listen and respond with technologies that create success for the customer,” he says. “Helping to transport guests into experiences like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort means we must fully understand the creative and practical requirements. It’s something we take a tremendous amount of pride in and drives our development effort forward.”
For more info from Panasonic, visit https://na.panasonic.com/us.
