One of the more interesting concepts was Sensurround, a system developed in the 1970s by Universal Studios and most famously associated with Earthquake. Sensurround's extreme low-frequency enhancement, while a harbinger of today's dedicated subwoofers and multichannel environments, was both rudimentary and somewhat controversial at the time, and quickly fell into obscurity.
Everything old is new again, and modern audiences have shown a keen appreciation for these 70s cult favorites. James Fino, vice chair of the Producers Guild of America: New Media Council, and fellow NMC board member Laurent Bouzereau recently organised a screening event known as Master of Disasters, which included a showing of Earthquake using an original Sensurround decoder provided by Ron Surbuts of Dolby Labs. When Fino heard of the positive feedback from the previous recreations of Sensurround, he brought in Meyer Sound to reproduce the requisite earth-shaking low end required.
Fino reports the recent Egyptian Theatre event was a rousing success. "The turnout was spectacular - sold out. We could not have been more excited, and we're so grateful to Meyer Sound for their involvement." Fino adds that the public interest generated by the shows has inspired plans for future Sensurround festivals.
(Jim Evans)
