hello everybody and thank you Branksome for giving me the opportunity to speak
for giving me the opportunity to speak
for giving me the opportunity to speak today I’m very flattered to be asked and
today I’m very flattered to be asked and
today I’m very flattered to be asked and included in such August company first of
included in such August company first of
included in such August company first of all happy Earth Day and let’s have big
all happy Earth Day and let’s have big
all happy Earth Day and let’s have big shout out to all those people around the
shout out to all those people around the
shout out to all those people around the world who are marching for science today
world who are marching for science today
world who are marching for science today my story yes my sort story is sort of a
my story yes my sort story is sort of a
my story yes my sort story is sort of a scientific a little bit but anyway it
scientific a little bit but anyway it
scientific a little bit but anyway it started here within it’s the story of
started here within it’s the story of
started here within it’s the story of how an advancing technology and evolving
how an advancing technology and evolving
how an advancing technology and evolving technology impacted my life and pitched
technology impacted my life and pitched
technology impacted my life and pitched me into fields of study that I never
me into fields of study that I never
me into fields of study that I never thought I would encounter and it all
thought I would encounter and it all
thought I would encounter and it all started back in the Stone Age here at
started back in the Stone Age here at
started back in the Stone Age here at Branksome Hall where I received an
Branksome Hall where I received an
Branksome Hall where I received an extremely good education but I had no
extremely good education but I had no
extremely good education but I had no idea when I finished what I wanted to do
idea when I finished what I wanted to do
idea when I finished what I wanted to do in life and I went on to the Ontario
in life and I went on to the Ontario
in life and I went on to the Ontario College of Art because I was interested
College of Art because I was interested
College of Art because I was interested in design and painting but it became
in design and painting but it became
in design and painting but it became rapidly clear that I was not destined to
rapidly clear that I was not destined to
rapidly clear that I was not destined to be a full-time painter but a friend told
be a full-time painter but a friend told
be a full-time painter but a friend told me about an extremely intriguing job
me about an extremely intriguing job
me about an extremely intriguing job offer which was to go work for a film
offer which was to go work for a film
offer which was to go work for a film editor I had no idea what that even
editor I had no idea what that even
editor I had no idea what that even meant but it sounded like fun so I went
meant but it sounded like fun so I went
meant but it sounded like fun so I went along to investigate and dog Ginsberg my
along to investigate and dog Ginsberg my
along to investigate and dog Ginsberg my future boss had a studio in an attic
future boss had a studio in an attic
future boss had a studio in an attic very small attic there and it was there
very small attic there and it was there
very small attic there and it was there from his assistants that I learned all
from his assistants that I learned all
from his assistants that I learned all the tricks of the film editing trait on
the tricks of the film editing trait on
the tricks of the film editing trait on the this machine called a movie Ola it
the this machine called a movie Ola it
the this machine called a movie Ola it was the age of 16 millimeter and 35
was the age of 16 millimeter and 35
was the age of 16 millimeter and 35 millimeter film men and I learned how to
millimeter film men and I learned how to
millimeter film men and I learned how to make a splice and it was the age of
make a splice and it was the age of
make a splice and it was the age of scissors and glue as you can see from
scissors and glue as you can see from
scissors and glue as you can see from the beehive hairstyle there so act by
the beehive hairstyle there so act by
the beehive hairstyle there so act by accident really I learned all the skills
accident really I learned all the skills
accident really I learned all the skills I needed to edit a film and fortunately
I needed to edit a film and fortunately
I needed to edit a film and fortunately went on to work at the CBC and on
went on to work at the CBC and on
went on to work at the CBC and on several
several
several a film series one problem I was in love
a film series one problem I was in love
a film series one problem I was in love and my boyfriend was a musician and he
and my boyfriend was a musician and he
and my boyfriend was a musician and he was not in Toronto he was in New York so
was not in Toronto he was in New York so
was not in Toronto he was in New York so I was spending a lot of time in New York
I was spending a lot of time in New York
I was spending a lot of time in New York and I happened to meet there a person
and I happened to meet there a person
and I happened to meet there a person who would change my life entirely he he
who would change my life entirely he he
who would change my life entirely he he was a filmmaker and went on to be the
was a filmmaker and went on to be the
was a filmmaker and went on to be the co-inventor of IMAX
co-inventor of IMAX
co-inventor of IMAX his name was Graham Ferguson and he was
his name was Graham Ferguson and he was
his name was Graham Ferguson and he was also a cinematographer and a producer
also a cinematographer and a producer
also a cinematographer and a producer and he was just beginning a project for
and he was just beginning a project for
and he was just beginning a project for Expo 67 in Montreal and it was about
Expo 67 in Montreal and it was about
Expo 67 in Montreal and it was about life in the Arctic in the Antarctic and
life in the Arctic in the Antarctic and
life in the Arctic in the Antarctic and he said how about would you like to work
he said how about would you like to work
he said how about would you like to work on it
on it
on it I couldn’t believe my luck and said well
I couldn’t believe my luck and said well
I couldn’t believe my luck and said well of course absolutely not realizing that
of course absolutely not realizing that
of course absolutely not realizing that this would be I would say the second
this would be I would say the second
this would be I would say the second phase of the technology into my life the
phase of the technology into my life the
phase of the technology into my life the film the film editing being the first
film the film editing being the first
film the film editing being the first that in at Expo at Expo all the rage was
that in at Expo at Expo all the rage was
that in at Expo at Expo all the rage was multi image technology and our film was
multi image technology and our film was
multi image technology and our film was the mother of all multi image films 11
the mother of all multi image films 11
the mother of all multi image films 11 35 millimeter screens arrayed in a
35 millimeter screens arrayed in a
35 millimeter screens arrayed in a circle to tell the story all of which
circle to tell the story all of which
circle to tell the story all of which had to run perfectly in sync with one
had to run perfectly in sync with one
had to run perfectly in sync with one another the audience to keep them moving
another the audience to keep them moving
another the audience to keep them moving through sat inside looking out of the
through sat inside looking out of the
through sat inside looking out of the screens you can see the projectors
screens you can see the projectors
screens you can see the projectors behind them there
behind them there
behind them there the problem was they were on a moving
the problem was they were on a moving
the problem was they were on a moving floor to keep everything rolling and as
floor to keep everything rolling and as
floor to keep everything rolling and as the Edit slave it was my job to keep all
the Edit slave it was my job to keep all
the Edit slave it was my job to keep all of those film projectors in sync so if
of those film projectors in sync so if
of those film projectors in sync so if you were editing the film and you
you were editing the film and you
you were editing the film and you shortened one screen that rippled all
shortened one screen that rippled all
shortened one screen that rippled all the way through all 11 so that got
the way through all 11 so that got
the way through all 11 so that got Graham and his his partners to thinking
Graham and his his partners to thinking
Graham and his his partners to thinking we need to get rid of all these
we need to get rid of all these
we need to get rid of all these projectors let’s invent a film format
projectors let’s invent a film format
projectors let’s invent a film format large enough to take all these multiple
large enough to take all these multiple
large enough to take all these multiple images then we won’t have all we won’t
images then we won’t have all we won’t
images then we won’t have all we won’t kill Tony anymore and they started doing
kill Tony anymore and they started doing
kill Tony anymore and they started doing that I was just about dead so I’ve took
that I was just about dead so I’ve took
that I was just about dead so I’ve took a long vacation and went
a long vacation and went
a long vacation and went Londyn well it was the swinging late 60s
Londyn well it was the swinging late 60s
Londyn well it was the swinging late 60s I was a hopeless tourist just hopeless
I was a hopeless tourist just hopeless
I was a hopeless tourist just hopeless so I wound up working for Canadian
so I wound up working for Canadian
so I wound up working for Canadian filmmaker named Alan King you may have
filmmaker named Alan King you may have
filmmaker named Alan King you may have heard of him doing documentaries and
heard of him doing documentaries and
heard of him doing documentaries and also pioneering the first rock videos
also pioneering the first rock videos
also pioneering the first rock videos and you may recognise to the people I
and you may recognise to the people I
and you may recognise to the people I did quite a bit of work for at that time
did quite a bit of work for at that time
did quite a bit of work for at that time and you can see that the movie Ola then
and you can see that the movie Ola then
and you can see that the movie Ola then in 1968 was still in use and so was the
in 1968 was still in use and so was the
in 1968 was still in use and so was the beehive hairdo
beehive hairdo
beehive hairdo meanwhile back in Toronto I went to
meanwhile back in Toronto I went to
meanwhile back in Toronto I went to visit my parents and saw what Graham and
visit my parents and saw what Graham and
visit my parents and saw what Graham and his partners had been up to and it was
his partners had been up to and it was
his partners had been up to and it was as big as a truck and more noisy than a
as big as a truck and more noisy than a
as big as a truck and more noisy than a locomotive and this was imax projector
locomotive and this was imax projector
locomotive and this was imax projector number one which ran 70 millimeter film
number one which ran 70 millimeter film
number one which ran 70 millimeter film projected on a bedsheet so I I thought
projected on a bedsheet so I I thought
projected on a bedsheet so I I thought they were totally crazy I didn’t get it
they were totally crazy I didn’t get it
they were totally crazy I didn’t get it at all but the rest is history
at all but the rest is history
at all but the rest is history and imax was born the first film that I
and imax was born the first film that I
and imax was born the first film that I that that well here’s a little bit about
that that well here’s a little bit about
that that well here’s a little bit about the the actual format you can see that
the the actual format you can see that
the the actual format you can see that the two pieces of film on the right
the two pieces of film on the right
the two pieces of film on the right there the IMAX format but you can see
there the IMAX format but you can see
there the IMAX format but you can see how the 35 and even 16 imagery could fit
how the 35 and even 16 imagery could fit
how the 35 and even 16 imagery could fit many times inside that but needless to
many times inside that but needless to
many times inside that but needless to say when people saw the beautiful big
say when people saw the beautiful big
say when people saw the beautiful big lovely frame multi-image was never
lovely frame multi-image was never
lovely frame multi-image was never mentioned again Graham was asked to make
mentioned again Graham was asked to make
mentioned again Graham was asked to make the first film for the first permanent
the first film for the first permanent
the first film for the first permanent on Mac Theatre which was at Ontario
on Mac Theatre which was at Ontario
on Mac Theatre which was at Ontario Place down on the waterfront here and
Place down on the waterfront here and
Place down on the waterfront here and here he is shooting with the first
here he is shooting with the first
here he is shooting with the first camera the famous forest fire scene from
camera the famous forest fire scene from
camera the famous forest fire scene from that film we realized that with the big
that film we realized that with the big
that film we realized that with the big frame it’s a 60 by 80 foot screen and
frame it’s a 60 by 80 foot screen and
frame it’s a 60 by 80 foot screen and immersed its audience very very deeply
immersed its audience very very deeply
immersed its audience very very deeply inside the picture and we realized that
inside the picture and we realized that
inside the picture and we realized that it could take you places you couldn’t
it could take you places you couldn’t
it could take you places you couldn’t normally go that was its attraction for
normally go that was its attraction for
normally go that was its attraction for audiences and space was one of them so
audiences and space was one of them so
audiences and space was one of them so we tried to persuade NASA that they
we tried to persuade NASA that they
we tried to persuade NASA that they should take off one of our cameras to
should take off one of our cameras to
should take off one of our cameras to space and we made a proof-of-concept
space and we made a proof-of-concept
space and we made a proof-of-concept film and they said okay
film and they said okay
film and they said okay so we started to build a space camera
so we started to build a space camera
so we started to build a space camera and this is the first space camera not
and this is the first space camera not
and this is the first space camera not that much different from the ground
that much different from the ground
that much different from the ground cameras it weighs about 80 pounds
cameras it weighs about 80 pounds
cameras it weighs about 80 pounds nothing in zero gravity of course and we
nothing in zero gravity of course and we
nothing in zero gravity of course and we said about all that you have to do to
said about all that you have to do to
said about all that you have to do to fly a camera in space first thing you
fly a camera in space first thing you
fly a camera in space first thing you have to do is test your equipment and
have to do is test your equipment and
have to do is test your equipment and you do this on a diabolical aircraft
you do this on a diabolical aircraft
you do this on a diabolical aircraft called the vomit comet and the vomit
called the vomit comet and the vomit
called the vomit comet and the vomit comet flies has its own airspace and it
comet flies has its own airspace and it
comet flies has its own airspace and it flies a series of parabolic arcs for
flies a series of parabolic arcs for
flies a series of parabolic arcs for hours and at the top of each arc you get
hours and at the top of each arc you get
hours and at the top of each arc you get thirty Seconds to a minute of
thirty Seconds to a minute of
thirty Seconds to a minute of weightlessness and that’s when you do
weightlessness and that’s when you do
weightlessness and that’s when you do your testing of your equipment if you’re
your testing of your equipment if you’re
your testing of your equipment if you’re not being really really sick but
not being really really sick but
not being really really sick but fortunately Graham and the team here
fortunately Graham and the team here
fortunately Graham and the team here they they have brass guts as they say in
they they have brass guts as they say in
they they have brass guts as they say in the airforce and they didn’t get sick
the airforce and they didn’t get sick
the airforce and they didn’t get sick then you have to train your crews
then you have to train your crews
then you have to train your crews because we we would really like to have
because we we would really like to have
because we we would really like to have gone ourselves to space but couldn’t so
gone ourselves to space but couldn’t so
gone ourselves to space but couldn’t so you have to train your astronaut crews
you have to train your astronaut crews
you have to train your astronaut crews how to be directors cinematographers
how to be directors cinematographers
how to be directors cinematographers sound recordists actors and that’s
sound recordists actors and that’s
sound recordists actors and that’s astronaut Marsha Ivins looking through
astronaut Marsha Ivins looking through
astronaut Marsha Ivins looking through the camera she flew five times and
the camera she flew five times and
the camera she flew five times and eventually came to work for me on my
eventually came to work for me on my
eventually came to work for me on my last film which was released last year
last film which was released last year
last film which was released last year she was a great great after she would
she was a great great after she would
she was a great great after she would retired she was a great asset to the
retired she was a great asset to the
retired she was a great asset to the team finally we get to space and you see
team finally we get to space and you see
team finally we get to space and you see now that a 25 pound magazine doesn’t
now that a 25 pound magazine doesn’t
now that a 25 pound magazine doesn’t weigh anything in space and we were
weigh anything in space and we were
weigh anything in space and we were assigned three flights in the mid-80s to
assigned three flights in the mid-80s to
assigned three flights in the mid-80s to make a film called the dream is alive
make a film called the dream is alive
make a film called the dream is alive which was really took audiences to zero
which was really took audiences to zero
which was really took audiences to zero gravity for the first time ever and that
gravity for the first time ever and that
gravity for the first time ever and that was the point at which new fields of
was the point at which new fields of
was the point at which new fields of study kind of entered my life because to
study kind of entered my life because to
study kind of entered my life because to support all those flights at NASA you’ve
support all those flights at NASA you’ve
support all those flights at NASA you’ve got to learn all about orbital mechanics
got to learn all about orbital mechanics
got to learn all about orbital mechanics how to capture a satellite with the
how to capture a satellite with the
how to capture a satellite with the Canada arm how a spacewalk is done etc
Canada arm how a spacewalk is done etc
Canada arm how a spacewalk is done etc you can’t you can’t support the flight
you can’t you can’t support the flight
you can’t you can’t support the flight and be part of that infrastructure
and be part of that infrastructure
and be part of that infrastructure without
without
without so I found myself learning all sorts of
so I found myself learning all sorts of
so I found myself learning all sorts of new stuff and that is the the camera
new stuff and that is the the camera
new stuff and that is the the camera about to go into the window to take a
about to go into the window to take a
about to go into the window to take a picture of Earth and when we saw what
picture of Earth and when we saw what
picture of Earth and when we saw what the earth looked like from orbit I mean
the earth looked like from orbit I mean
the earth looked like from orbit I mean I said stupid things like it’s really
I said stupid things like it’s really
I said stupid things like it’s really round I can’t tell you how how amazing
round I can’t tell you how how amazing
round I can’t tell you how how amazing it was we decided right then that our
it was we decided right then that our
it was we decided right then that our second film would be about the earth as
second film would be about the earth as
second film would be about the earth as you see it from that platform we made
you see it from that platform we made
you see it from that platform we made another camera that went outside in the
another camera that went outside in the
another camera that went outside in the shuttles cargo bay and it it shot
shuttles cargo bay and it it shot
shuttles cargo bay and it it shot spacewalks and beautiful refuses you can
spacewalks and beautiful refuses you can
spacewalks and beautiful refuses you can see there and blue planet was our second
see there and blue planet was our second
see there and blue planet was our second film it was a all about earth and enter
film it was a all about earth and enter
film it was a all about earth and enter again other fields of study because I
again other fields of study because I
again other fields of study because I was a scriptwriter on all these films
was a scriptwriter on all these films
was a scriptwriter on all these films for this one I had to learn all about
for this one I had to learn all about
for this one I had to learn all about Earth System science geology
Earth System science geology
Earth System science geology oceanography all of the natural factors
oceanography all of the natural factors
oceanography all of the natural factors that affect our changing earth as well
that affect our changing earth as well
that affect our changing earth as well as what humans were doing to it and back
as what humans were doing to it and back
as what humans were doing to it and back in 1990 we we were discussing climate
in 1990 we we were discussing climate
in 1990 we we were discussing climate change back then and the next film we
change back then and the next film we
change back then and the next film we made looked exactly the other way and
made looked exactly the other way and
made looked exactly the other way and that was about what it takes to explore
that was about what it takes to explore
that was about what it takes to explore our surroundings in the solar system and
our surroundings in the solar system and
our surroundings in the solar system and maybe even go to the Stars one day and
maybe even go to the Stars one day and
maybe even go to the Stars one day and that was a big learning curve because
that was a big learning curve because
that was a big learning curve because what I learned there was really the vast
what I learned there was really the vast
what I learned there was really the vast distances that I think today even most
distances that I think today even most
distances that I think today even most people don’t totally grasp that Mars is
people don’t totally grasp that Mars is
people don’t totally grasp that Mars is you know you just don’t go to Mars
you know you just don’t go to Mars
you know you just don’t go to Mars because you want to explore it’s 49
because you want to explore it’s 49
because you want to explore it’s 49 million miles away and that’s the
million miles away and that’s the
million miles away and that’s the closest one so we learn that really if
closest one so we learn that really if
closest one so we learn that really if we’re ever going to go to the Stars that
we’re ever going to go to the Stars that
we’re ever going to go to the Stars that it’s going to be a multi-generational
it’s going to be a multi-generational
it’s going to be a multi-generational endeavor and it is going to take many
endeavor and it is going to take many
endeavor and it is going to take many different nations to do it it’s just too
different nations to do it it’s just too
different nations to do it it’s just too big for one to do alone and at that time
big for one to do alone and at that time
big for one to do alone and at that time NASA was talking to the Russian space
NASA was talking to the Russian space
NASA was talking to the Russian space agency about building a permanent
agency about building a permanent
agency about building a permanent International Space Station
International Space Station
International Space Station the Russians already had me
the Russians already had me
the Russians already had me and they were going to talk about how do
and they were going to talk about how do
and they were going to talk about how do we build can we build a space station
we build can we build a space station
we build can we build a space station together to learn about how to explore
together to learn about how to explore
together to learn about how to explore the solar system among other things and
the solar system among other things and
the solar system among other things and they flew us a series of flights to the
they flew us a series of flights to the
they flew us a series of flights to the space station Mir with American and
space station Mir with American and
space station Mir with American and docked with Mir and so American cruise
docked with Mir and so American cruise
docked with Mir and so American cruise and Russian cruise could work together
and Russian cruise could work together
and Russian cruise could work together and that proved okay they could they
and that proved okay they could they
and that proved okay they could they could work with within different
could work with within different
could work with within different languages and their technologies could
languages and their technologies could
languages and their technologies could meld and they decided to go ahead and
meld and they decided to go ahead and
meld and they decided to go ahead and build a space station meanwhile back at
build a space station meanwhile back at
build a space station meanwhile back at IMAX they’d been busy and invented
IMAX they’d been busy and invented
IMAX they’d been busy and invented technology number four which was IMAX 3d
technology number four which was IMAX 3d
technology number four which was IMAX 3d that was a whole other level of
that was a whole other level of
that was a whole other level of experiencing cinema now the images
experiencing cinema now the images
experiencing cinema now the images floated off the screen and we decided we
floated off the screen and we decided we
floated off the screen and we decided we would go ahead and make try and make
would go ahead and make try and make
would go ahead and make try and make Space Station in IMAX 3d and Space
Space Station in IMAX 3d and Space
Space Station in IMAX 3d and Space Station was the single most I think
Station was the single most I think
Station was the single most I think demanding and untried engineering feat
demanding and untried engineering feat
demanding and untried engineering feat that humans have ever done other than
that humans have ever done other than
that humans have ever done other than maybe building a cathedral in the in
maybe building a cathedral in the in
maybe building a cathedral in the in ages past because it was done by over
ages past because it was done by over
ages past because it was done by over over many many years there were now 16
over many many years there were now 16
over many many years there were now 16 different countries contributing to it
different countries contributing to it
different countries contributing to it and many languages and many many many
and many languages and many many many
and many languages and many many many astronauts and would these would these
astronauts and would these would these
astronauts and would these would these pieces all go together because it was
pieces all go together because it was
pieces all go together because it was all built in orbit and this is a shot
all built in orbit and this is a shot
all built in orbit and this is a shot from the early stages of the space
from the early stages of the space
from the early stages of the space station going together about three
station going together about three
station going together about three pieces of it are there in that shot and
we worked over this seven flights
we worked over this seven flights oh here’s the narrator of the film we
oh here’s the narrator of the film we
oh here’s the narrator of the film we live to tell the tale
live to tell the tale
live to tell the tale Tom Cruise was very close to becoming an
Tom Cruise was very close to becoming an
Tom Cruise was very close to becoming an astronaut himself he really wanted to
astronaut himself he really wanted to
astronaut himself he really wanted to fly and he’s a very accomplished pilot
fly and he’s a very accomplished pilot
fly and he’s a very accomplished pilot and sadly the Columbia tried
and sadly the Columbia tried
and sadly the Columbia tried intervened and commercial spaceflight
intervened and commercial spaceflight
intervened and commercial spaceflight possibilities were terminated then but
possibilities were terminated then but
possibilities were terminated then but it was great working with him he was
it was great working with him he was
it was great working with him he was absolutely absolutely terrific
so next you’ll see us at the opening
so next you’ll see us at the opening there and that’s with most of the Space
there and that’s with most of the Space
there and that’s with most of the Space Station crew at the Air and Space Museum
Station crew at the Air and Space Museum
Station crew at the Air and Space Museum at the film’s opening but of particular
at the film’s opening but of particular
at the film’s opening but of particular interest in the back row second from
interest in the back row second from
interest in the back row second from left is a commander Scott Altman and he
left is a commander Scott Altman and he
left is a commander Scott Altman and he turned out to have been Tom Cruise’s
turned out to have been Tom Cruise’s
turned out to have been Tom Cruise’s flight instructor for Top Gun I don’t
flight instructor for Top Gun I don’t
flight instructor for Top Gun I don’t know if any of you saw Top Gun sort of
know if any of you saw Top Gun sort of
know if any of you saw Top Gun sort of what goes around comes around but anyway
what goes around comes around but anyway
what goes around comes around but anyway Scott turned out to be he was going to
Scott turned out to be he was going to
Scott turned out to be he was going to be the commander of the final flight to
be the commander of the final flight to
be the commander of the final flight to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and if
repair the Hubble Space Telescope and if
repair the Hubble Space Telescope and if ever there was a candidate for a
ever there was a candidate for a
ever there was a candidate for a technology that had huge impact on
technology that had huge impact on
technology that had huge impact on humanity it’s the Hubble Space Telescope
humanity it’s the Hubble Space Telescope
humanity it’s the Hubble Space Telescope and we’d been covering its original
and we’d been covering its original
and we’d been covering its original deploy for and repairs before this and
deploy for and repairs before this and
deploy for and repairs before this and we decided to make a film of this final
we decided to make a film of this final
we decided to make a film of this final repair and that involved not only not
repair and that involved not only not
repair and that involved not only not only shooting what the astronauts were
only shooting what the astronauts were
only shooting what the astronauts were doing in these incredible spacewalks
doing in these incredible spacewalks
doing in these incredible spacewalks where they climbed right inside the
where they climbed right inside the
where they climbed right inside the telescope and changed out circuit boards
telescope and changed out circuit boards
telescope and changed out circuit boards that were not designed to to be messed
that were not designed to to be messed
that were not designed to to be messed with like that they just did incredible
with like that they just did incredible
with like that they just did incredible work but I also wanted to try and take
work but I also wanted to try and take
work but I also wanted to try and take everybody in the audience through the
everybody in the audience through the
everybody in the audience through the Hubble imagery so that it so that we
Hubble imagery so that it so that we
Hubble imagery so that it so that we could approximate something like star
could approximate something like star
could approximate something like star travel and I found a team at the
travel and I found a team at the
travel and I found a team at the national supercomputing Center at the
national supercomputing Center at the
national supercomputing Center at the University of Illinois
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Donna Cox and her team and they made
Donna Cox and her team and they made
Donna Cox and her team and they made that possible this is not CGI it’s not
that possible this is not CGI it’s not
that possible this is not CGI it’s not special effects that’s a real Hubble
special effects that’s a real Hubble
special effects that’s a real Hubble imagery of the Orion Nebula and we flew
imagery of the Orion Nebula and we flew
imagery of the Orion Nebula and we flew all the way from Earth to the Orion
all the way from Earth to the Orion
all the way from Earth to the Orion Nebula then we went forward from this
Nebula then we went forward from this
Nebula then we went forward from this view right down to where you see the
view right down to where you see the
view right down to where you see the bright stars in the middle and that’s
bright stars in the middle and that’s
bright stars in the middle and that’s where solar systems are being born it’s
where solar systems are being born it’s
where solar systems are being born it’s absolutely incredible
absolutely incredible
absolutely incredible in another sequence we flew into the
in another sequence we flew into the
in another sequence we flew into the hubble deep field to the very edge of
hubble deep field to the very edge of
hubble deep field to the very edge of the visible universe and back it was a
the visible universe and back it was a
the visible universe and back it was a really astonishing what we could achieve
really astonishing what we could achieve
really astonishing what we could achieve with with the Hubble data at the same
with with the Hubble data at the same
with with the Hubble data at the same time we were exploring a completely
time we were exploring a completely
time we were exploring a completely different world which is the bottom of
different world which is the bottom of
different world which is the bottom of the ocean there you can see the IMAX
the ocean there you can see the IMAX
the ocean there you can see the IMAX camera and it’s housing I seem only to
camera and it’s housing I seem only to
camera and it’s housing I seem only to work in airless environments but you can
work in airless environments but you can
work in airless environments but you can see the camera in its housing and that
see the camera in its housing and that
see the camera in its housing and that is a picture of Howard Hall and his wife
is a picture of Howard Hall and his wife
is a picture of Howard Hall and his wife Michelle there are very very talented
Michelle there are very very talented
Michelle there are very very talented underwater filmmakers themselves it was
underwater filmmakers themselves it was
underwater filmmakers themselves it was a real privilege to work with them that
a real privilege to work with them that
a real privilege to work with them that that whole rig you need lights there’s a
that whole rig you need lights there’s a
that whole rig you need lights there’s a team of eight divers that whole
team of eight divers that whole
team of eight divers that whole assemblage weighs one ton and you can
assemblage weighs one ton and you can
assemblage weighs one ton and you can imagine every well every three minutes
imagine every well every three minutes
imagine every well every three minutes you run out of film so it has to be
you run out of film so it has to be
you run out of film so it has to be winched up onto the dive boat and
winched up onto the dive boat and
winched up onto the dive boat and changed out again and then redeployed
changed out again and then redeployed
changed out again and then redeployed you can imagine working with wild
you can imagine working with wild
you can imagine working with wild animals there’s no kind of setup no
animals there’s no kind of setup no
animals there’s no kind of setup no tanks anything to try and actually shoot
tanks anything to try and actually shoot
tanks anything to try and actually shoot enough good stuff of wild animal
enough good stuff of wild animal
enough good stuff of wild animal behavior to make a film is really quite
behavior to make a film is really quite
behavior to make a film is really quite a feat and they did it beautifully so we
a feat and they did it beautifully so we
a feat and they did it beautifully so we made three different films like that for
made three different films like that for
made three different films like that for those of you who are interested Johnny
those of you who are interested Johnny
those of you who are interested Johnny Depp and be still my heart
Depp and be still my heart
Depp and be still my heart and we had Jim Carrey did this one but
and we had Jim Carrey did this one but
and we had Jim Carrey did this one but you know what they taught me was what an
you know what they taught me was what an
you know what they taught me was what an exquisite fragile diverse world that we
exquisite fragile diverse world that we
exquisite fragile diverse world that we inherited you know whether you’re
inherited you know whether you’re
inherited you know whether you’re looking at it from the platform of space
looking at it from the platform of space
looking at it from the platform of space or whether you’re seeing the bottom of
or whether you’re seeing the bottom of
or whether you’re seeing the bottom of the ocean and it was something that I
the ocean and it was something that I
the ocean and it was something that I just thought it hasn’t we haven’t got
just thought it hasn’t we haven’t got
just thought it hasn’t we haven’t got the news out to enough young people yet
the news out to enough young people yet
the news out to enough young people yet that why it’s worth taking care of it
that why it’s worth taking care of it
that why it’s worth taking care of it and why we need to so desperately so I
and why we need to so desperately so I
and why we need to so desperately so I wanted I decided to go back to the space
wanted I decided to go back to the space
wanted I decided to go back to the space station after all these years it was now
station after all these years it was now
station after all these years it was now complete as a 20-some years after
complete as a 20-some years after
complete as a 20-some years after the planet was made and sort of take
the planet was made and sort of take
the planet was made and sort of take stock and see the state of our planet
stock and see the state of our planet
stock and see the state of our planet and also see the inside of the the newly
and also see the inside of the the newly
and also see the inside of the the newly finished station and that was all fine
finished station and that was all fine
finished station and that was all fine except NASA said you can’t fly film
except NASA said you can’t fly film
except NASA said you can’t fly film anymore
anymore
anymore we have no shuttle the shuttle retired
we have no shuttle the shuttle retired
we have no shuttle the shuttle retired so there was no no room to or vehicle to
so there was no no room to or vehicle to
so there was no no room to or vehicle to really take big seventy millimeter film
really take big seventy millimeter film
really take big seventy millimeter film back and forth in a timely fashion so
back and forth in a timely fashion so
back and forth in a timely fashion so enter technology number five of the film
enter technology number five of the film
enter technology number five of the film variety and that was digital we had to
variety and that was digital we had to
variety and that was digital we had to find that solution and as you can see
find that solution and as you can see
find that solution and as you can see there the cameras a quarter the size of
there the cameras a quarter the size of
there the cameras a quarter the size of the original which is great and also we
the original which is great and also we
the original which is great and also we had you can have pretty much unlimited
had you can have pretty much unlimited
had you can have pretty much unlimited storage capture storage because you just
storage capture storage because you just
storage capture storage because you just flew these little cards as many as you
flew these little cards as many as you
flew these little cards as many as you wanted and and you could erase them and
wanted and and you could erase them and
wanted and and you could erase them and do things over and there we are training
do things over and there we are training
do things over and there we are training our first commander on the Digi camera
our first commander on the Digi camera
our first commander on the Digi camera and we flew two of them on station for a
and we flew two of them on station for a
and we flew two of them on station for a year this was just a couple of years ago
year this was just a couple of years ago
year this was just a couple of years ago and the film came out last year and we
and the film came out last year and we
and the film came out last year and we were able to not only look at the earth
were able to not only look at the earth
were able to not only look at the earth and the state of the earth now but we
and the state of the earth now but we
and the state of the earth now but we were able and one thing I wanted to get
were able and one thing I wanted to get
were able and one thing I wanted to get across to young kids was the fact that
across to young kids was the fact that
across to young kids was the fact that the station is a great metaphor for our
the station is a great metaphor for our
the station is a great metaphor for our planet it’s a closed loop you know close
planet it’s a closed loop you know close
planet it’s a closed loop you know close life-support system and you need to
life-support system and you need to
life-support system and you need to recycle and conserve exactly the way we
recycle and conserve exactly the way we
recycle and conserve exactly the way we need to do on earth very very carefully
need to do on earth very very carefully
need to do on earth very very carefully to keep everything going and you can’t
to keep everything going and you can’t
to keep everything going and you can’t step outside or because there’s no air
step outside or because there’s no air
step outside or because there’s no air the only difference between those the
the only difference between those the
the only difference between those the station and our planet really is the
station and our planet really is the
station and our planet really is the fact that Earth doesn’t get resupply
fact that Earth doesn’t get resupply
fact that Earth doesn’t get resupply missions with food and stuff so that
missions with food and stuff so that
missions with food and stuff so that that really hit home that message I
that really hit home that message I
that really hit home that message I think here’s Commander Terry Virts
think here’s Commander Terry Virts
think here’s Commander Terry Virts shooting in the cupola which is a great
shooting in the cupola which is a great
shooting in the cupola which is a great place where they get to observe the
place where they get to observe the
place where they get to observe the Earth from and in all we we shot
Earth from and in all we we shot
Earth from and in all we we shot something like hundreds of thousands and
something like hundreds of thousands and
something like hundreds of thousands and thousands of frames I can’t even
thousands of frames I can’t even
thousands of frames I can’t even remember
remember
remember the number it was so big and I was very
the number it was so big and I was very
the number it was so big and I was very pleased with the result I know it
pleased with the result I know it
pleased with the result I know it changed the way we do business up there
changed the way we do business up there
changed the way we do business up there in the early days you had to go through
in the early days you had to go through
in the early days you had to go through the flight director you couldn’t talk to
the flight director you couldn’t talk to
the flight director you couldn’t talk to anything on orbit and now Terry would
anything on orbit and now Terry would
anything on orbit and now Terry would just call me from the space station on
just call me from the space station on
just call me from the space station on his cell phone I’d be lying there in my
his cell phone I’d be lying there in my
his cell phone I’d be lying there in my nightie at 6 a.m. hi Terry I’m thinking
nightie at 6 a.m. hi Terry I’m thinking
nightie at 6 a.m. hi Terry I’m thinking about doing a shot we haven’t discussed
about doing a shot we haven’t discussed
about doing a shot we haven’t discussed what do you think and I could say well
what do you think and I could say well
what do you think and I could say well try it and he could I’d get it within a
try it and he could I’d get it within a
try it and he could I’d get it within a day he’d send it down on the kayuu band
day he’d send it down on the kayuu band
day he’d send it down on the kayuu band and then I’d put it in a PowerPoint and
and then I’d put it in a PowerPoint and
and then I’d put it in a PowerPoint and mark it up if I you know needed to
mark it up if I you know needed to
mark it up if I you know needed to change things I give him advice and then
change things I give him advice and then
change things I give him advice and then he’d do it over it was a fantastic way
he’d do it over it was a fantastic way
he’d do it over it was a fantastic way of doing business and he shot they all
of doing business and he shot they all
of doing business and he shot they all shot fabulous pictures like this one
shot fabulous pictures like this one
shot fabulous pictures like this one which we could never capture on slow
which we could never capture on slow
which we could never capture on slow IMAX film that’s the boot of Italy
IMAX film that’s the boot of Italy
IMAX film that’s the boot of Italy looking from the top of it and really to
looking from the top of it and really to
looking from the top of it and really to sum up that’s the story of how
technology took me really from a little
technology took me really from a little attic in downtown Toronto to the edge of
attic in downtown Toronto to the edge of
attic in downtown Toronto to the edge of the universe and back I’d like to thank
the universe and back I’d like to thank
the universe and back I’d like to thank Graham Ferguson and IMAX corporation and
Graham Ferguson and IMAX corporation and
Graham Ferguson and IMAX corporation and so many wonderful team members that I’ve
so many wonderful team members that I’ve
so many wonderful team members that I’ve had along the way because it is a
had along the way because it is a
had along the way because it is a collaborative process making film and I
collaborative process making film and I
collaborative process making film and I just like to leave you right now with a
just like to leave you right now with a
just like to leave you right now with a slide that sort of summarizes our
slide that sort of summarizes our
slide that sort of summarizes our activities in space and the outreach
activities in space and the outreach
activities in space and the outreach thank you so much for the opportunity to
thank you so much for the opportunity to
thank you so much for the opportunity to speak to you
speak to you
speak to you I’ve really enjoyed
I’ve really enjoyed
I’ve really enjoyed [Applause]
”
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