Stargate Theater is an Epic Creation of Intergalactic Proportion
Author: Lisa Isaacson, Numinus
With a deep appreciation for The Stargate Atlantis television series and boxoffice hit, this homeowner came to Phil Chaney, president of the Louisville Division of Visual Concepts, with the concept of recreating the set of Stargate Atlantis for his theater.
Phil and partner Jacob Abbott began studying the series, and designing computer models that would combine the aesthetics of the set with theater design elements needed to produce this masterpiece.
Home Theater designer Phil Chaney teamed up with his sci-fi savvy client to create a home theater ready for intergalactic travel; the result is one of the most advanced and realistic themed theaters in our galaxy. Incorporating the iconic round ‘Stargate’ as the frame for the 10 foot diameter screen with dual projectors (one that projects a round water filled scene), a six foot diameter fiber-optic StarDome™ on the ceiling, THX Series in-wall Atlantic Technology Audio speakers, two Sony CX777ES 400 disc players, a Blu-Ray player, a complete Control 4 automated control system, and air-piston driven pocket doors that open by a hand-swipe motion sensor, just to mention a couple of this theater’s highlights.
With a deep appreciation for The Stargate Atlantis television series and boxoffice hit, this homeowner came to Phil Chaney, president of the Louisville Division of Visual Concepts, with the concept of recreating the set of Stargate Atlantis for his theater.
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Phil and partner Jacob Abbott began studying the series, and designing computer models that would combine the aesthetics of the set with theater design elements needed to produce this masterpiece.
Phil and Jacob brought in Shane McConnell of The Sound Answer to create acoustic sound panels replicating the wall panels used on the set of the Atlantis TV series.
To fabricate the Stargate, Phil teamed up with Andrew Caldwell to design and fabricate the Stargate –a ten-foot diameter portal to finish off the theme design. “The Stargate took about three weeks to design, and Andrew had it assembled in only three days” says Phil, impressed by the seeing one of the key design elements come to life with ease.
The ceiling has beams that lead to the six-foot diameter StarDome, a ready-toinstall ceiling dome with sky mural and twinkling stars, to bring the proximity of deep space into this design. The StarDome cove light dims to create a sunset effect. “The Control 4 automation system controls everything including the lighting effects for the theater which are highlighted by the StarDome cove lights, and the star scape effect created with the fiberoptics,” notes Phil, “we like to set the cove at about 25% for a pink-orange sunset glow. The shooting star catches everyone’s attention.”
The finished theater is exactly what the client had hpoed for. It is a true success for everyone involved.