Planet Ocean

I was involved in the outfitting of the main cinema and other display and audio systems at the site. The preparation took two years with equipment built, redesigned, rebuilt in California and Tampa,Florida. I was involved in the film and had Graphic Films change to 2.35/1 anamorphic from the 1.33/1 they had plan to provide. While at my visits to Graphic I met John Dykstra who later went on to do the Star Wars films. The film won an Academy Award Nomination.

The main theatre was 35mm film with multi-channel sound. The film was in an endless loop cabinet and the custom automation could run up to three shows and hour and variations during the day. There was a panic button to allow the user to slow down the start due to crowds. Ballentyne projector (which Disney used for Disneyworld). Special experimental film sprockets supplied by Lavezzi evolved to the VKF series. Other movie displays where done with Horston 16mm cinema projectors. One room was designed with sub-woofers to shake the room.

I saw this film many times. Planet Ocean (the attraction) was a big part of my childhood. Growing up in Florida, my school took us on a field trip to Planet Ocean and from then on, I was hooked. On several other occasions, my parents took me on the hour-or-so drive down to spend a day there. I remember crawling around in the submarine, touching the iceberg, walking through the simulated hurricane tunnel, interacting with all of the exhibits, and watching the movie with as much intensity each and every time. Amazing place, amazing film to go along with it. If you can find the film anywhere, it would be well-worth the trouble to see. It may be older (wow, is it 34 years already?!) but it is truly educational and entertaining - both for children and adults.

I caught Planet Ocean just after it received an oscar nomination for Best short subject in 1975 at the only venue it ever screened- the NOAA operated PLANET OCEAN attraction across the street from the Miami Seaquarium on Key Biscayne in Florida. The attraction itself was a woefully under-advertised look at ecology and the wonders of the natural world with an emphasis on weather. A recreated hurricane -ALVIN- a deep sea diving machine and an actual piece of glacier were most memorable. This short but breathtaking film on the fragile nature of our planet was a perfect intro to the exhibit. RIP Planet Ocean... you are MISSED!!!!!!