Sphere Entertainment has announced new details around the sound, score and infrasound haptic seats for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, a fully immersive experience.
Sphere Studios is using Sphere’s audio technologies, along with newly discovered archival material, to create an experience that remains true to the filmmakers’ intent while layering in technologies that bring it new life.
Sphere Entertainment, owner of the Las Vegas Sphere, took over 3D audio technology company Holoplot in May 2024.
To take advantage of Sphere Immersive Sound’s 167,000 programmable speakers, and ability to direct sound anywhere in the venue, the original film’s mono score was re-recorded to take on new clarity via Sphere Immersive Sound, while preserving the casts’ vocal performances. The mono audio had to first be separated into individual stems of vocals, dialogue, and sound effects. This process, a collaboration between Sphere Studios and Warner Bros Post Production Creative Services, used audio technologies to create the individual components without distortion or artifact. Inside Sphere, the stems are being layered together to create a sound mix that reveals a depth and clarity unheard in the 1939 film.
To maintain the integrity of the original score, the re-recorded score features more than 80 musicians playing in the 1930s style of film music, including techniques such as pizzicato and vibrato that were standard for the era, but are less common in modern scores. Additionally, an ocarina, a small wind instrument used during the original recording session of “If I Only Had a Brain,” was also used for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere recording, having been passed down through generations of musicians.
While re-recording the score, each section of the orchestra was also recorded individually with mics.
To enhance the immersion in The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, Sphere’s infrasound and haptic seat technology is being used for the first time to not only create vibrations, but also emit tones that emphasize moments in the film experience. For example, when the characters enter the haunted forest, an eerie tone will emanate from the seats, bringing the audience into the foursome’s perspective and imposing the same ominous feeling.
“This is the first time sound technology has been used in this way in any venue,” said Paul Freeman, VP and principal audio artist, Sphere Studios. “We developed a physical way of delivering sound that allows us to not only vibrate the seats, but also place tone in them that puts you in the film – audiences will literally feel what they are hearing.”