VIDEO-BASED IMMERSIVE THEATER

Ultra-wide field-of-view images are projected onto a spherical or near-spherical screen that wraps around viewers to provide a visually immersive effect. Images are acquired using a novel lens system in conjunction with standard high-resolution video or film cameras. Acquired images are then relayed onto a curved screen using a correspondingly configured, projection lens system coupled with a standard high-resolution video or film projector. A unique screen design complements the image format to provide a complete end-to-end imaging and projection system. The resulting system allows the images to be projected onto a spherical or curved screen, using a single projector and a “fisheye” or “omni” projection format, from a projection point which is approximately one radii behind the radial center of the spherical or near-spherical screen, providing a total projection distance of one screen diameter from the screen surface.