Kinnow was a startup I was working between March and August 2019 (before COVID-19). The goal was to change the way we experience movies. In particular, to develop a new approach to design and build movie theaters. There was no projection system at all. Only a bright, high-contrast, and colorful LED-display - set at an optimal angle, slightly above the audience. This solution solves three major drawbacks of all existing theaters: (a) distraction, (b) discomfort, and (c) inequality.
Additionally, it was possible to develop a proprietary software to manage all of the screenings and ticket sales from one computer. The business model was to license a theater design, a software, and an overall brand/experience to movie distributors around the world (which is similar to IMAX and Dolby Cinema).
But this startup failed and now it's an open source project. Any contributions to this project are highly appreciated!
⠀
The first movie theaters were converted from classic stage theaters more than 100 years ago. Since then, the theater design hasn't changed much. And just because of this "traditional" design, almost all cinemas in the world have three serious drawbacks:
-
Distraction. Since the screen is placed in front of the audience, you can see all the people sitting in front of you. And they all might somehow distract you from watching.
-
Discomfort. Again, since the screen is in front of you, you need to keep your head upright. That's why during the movie, you might feel neck pain, as well as lower back pain. And after the long movie, you might feel very tired.
-
Inequality between the rows. The front rows are too close to the screen, while the back rows are too far, and only a few are the best.
⠀
Modern movie theaters have larger screens, increased audience slope, and higher seat backs,. They are slightly better than the old ones. But all of these "tradiitonal" solutions have their own limitations:
-
With a larger screen, there might be even more inequality between the first and the last rows. And since the screen is still in front of the audience, some viewers might distract others, even with the higher seat backs. So there is still inequality and distraction.
-
With an increased audience slope, some people's legs might be right behind the other people's heads. And since the screen is still in front of the audience, the viewers should keep their heads upright. This posture induces neck pain, no matter how comfortable the seats are. So there is still discomfort.
⠀
In Kinnow's ergonomic theater design, a large LED display is slightly raised and tilted above the audience. This simple and obvious solution minimizes all of the drawbacks described above and provides the best viewing experience for everyone.
The ergonomic theater design has three positive outcomes:⠀
-
No distraction. Since the screen is raised and tilted at the optimal degree, you just don't see any people in front of you. And nobody distracts you from watching the movie.
-
No discomfort. Again, since the screen is slightly raised and tilted, you are leaning back in the most comfortable sitting position, proven by research.*
The research carried out using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the Centre for Spinal Research in Aberdeen, revealed that the optimal sitting position was reclining back at 135 degrees. This position was shown to cause less strain on the lumbar spine, spinal disks, and associated muscles and tendons, compared with an upright sitting posture.You are sitting straight all day at work. Your kids are sitting straight all day at school. But you don't need to sit straight in a movie theater. It's the place for you and your family to take a rest. -
More equality. And again, since the screen is slightly raised and tilted, it is more distant from the first rows but closer to the last rows. This simple solution minimizes the difference between the rows.
⠀
The main design problem at Kinnow was calculating an optimal angle of the screen tilt for a specific theater and specific number of viewers. Since many proposed Kinnow theaters will not be built from scratch but transformed from the existing theaters, you need to calculate the optimal angle and design the entire new theater every time. This calculation and design was my main know-how, since I studied Architecture and Civil Engineering. Spoiler: to make the work easier, I used Pythagorean Triples.
A proposed patent behind Kinnow and its ergonomic theater design is available in the Patent folder. A simple 3D-model of the theater is available in the Models folder. It was made in SketchUp. Pythagorean Triples used in this model are available in this file.
To learn more about Pythagorean Triples, just check out this Wikipedia article.
⠀
The ergonomic theater design should be accompanied by the most advanced technology to date – a leading-edge LED display. (No more projection systems.) This kind of display is already made by Samsung. It's called Onyx. Integrated with an exclusive JBL Sculpted Surround sound by Harman, Samsung Onyx technology brings an unparalleled movie theater experience:
⠀
- Captivating 4K image quality.
- Incredible brightness, unaffected by ambient light.
- Brilliant HDR picture refinement and detailed 3D.
- Accurate color representation, pure whites and deep blacks.
To learn more about Samsung Onyx, just check out this Website or a YouTube Video.
⠀
In traditional movie theaters, each projection system is managed by an individual technician, using special software on a separate machine. Additionally, all screenings and sales (tickets and food) are managed by the theater manager, using another special software on another separate machine.
In Kinnow, the goal was to develop a proprietary software to manage all screens and all sales from one computer, by one person. This theater management system (or TMS) should have a very clean and intuitive user interface similar to Google Calendar (with drag-n-drop movie scheduling, flexible ticket pricing, and advanced analytics). It should be seamlessly integrated with consumer apps for iOS and Android and a website. (The apps/website should also have an intuitive calendar-like UI.)
The theater guests can buy tickets using these apps or touch panels inside the theater. There should be no cashiers, no ushers, no queues, and no paper tickets at all. Only digital tickets (e.g. QR-codes) and turnstiles similar to those in subways. To enter the screening, a guest just need to scan their digital ticket on the turnstile.
This fully digital experience contributes to the overall futuristic feel of the theater.
⠀
A proprietary seating system for this theater was insired by the works of Dieter Rams (Vitsoe 620) and the classic sci-fi movies (2001: A Space Odyssey or The Empire Strikes Back). The seat backs are high enough and cover the entire row - so that you don't see the people sitting in front of you. The seating's armrest looks like an industrial robotic arm. The overall seating's design looks futuristic, while the whole theater should look like a spaceship. Before the movie starts, there should be a short video, showing that the spaceship is ready to take off. During this video, all seats should recline back as the spaceship prepares to leave this planet.
A simple 3D-model of the seating system is available in the Models folder. It was made in SketchUp.
⠀
In the current era of streaming services, there is more and more understanding that movie theaters are not about movies but the overall experience. In Kinnow theaters, there should be no crispy snacks and fizzy drinks with noisy packaging. Only healthy food and drinks with eco-friendly packaging inspired by the aerospace industry. The foyer interior should be white and clean just like a spaceship, with an overall retro sci-fi feel. (My personal preference is an interior in Oblivion.)
The theater employees should look like a spaceship crew members. The crew's outfit should be made from flame-resistant nomex, similar to that of Formula One and SpaceX pilots. And yes, they should have helmets. Since there are two shifts, there should be two different teams - good and bad, white and black, protagonists and antagonists. Between those two shifts, there should be a showtime performance - showing a short battle between the teams. At the end of this performance, the new team takes control over the spaceship. And that's why helmets are important - the theater guests will not see the actual faces of the employees.
Some movies are bad. And some movies are very good. Not only because of the excellent acting, directing, and camerawork. But thanks to the joint work of talented designers who add all those small details - literally immersing the audience into the atmosphere of what is happening on the screen. It's pure magic. Kinnow was a startup with the same goal. And it's failed. We have some amazing, spectacular, breathtaking movies but we still have awful movie theaters all around the world. And you know what? We can change that.
⠀
A short video mockup of the theater is available here.
This project was created by Nurzhan Berkimbayev. For any inquiries, feel free to message in LinkedIn / Telegram or send an email.
Any contributions to this project are highly appreciated! (All contributors will appear in this section.) You can add new folders, pictures, 3D models, designs (e.g. UI, interiors, the crew's outfit).
License. This project is distributed under a Creative Commons license.
