Michigan Theatre-Jackson Exterior Photosynthed

The historic Michigan Theatre--Jackson, Michigan's last existing historic theater--may have been photographed before, but it has recently been photosynthed. This process created by Microsoft creates a composite of multiple photographs which together

Jackson, M, ME (prHWY.com) June 25, 2012 - Jackson, MI, USA, June 25, 2012 -- The historic Michigan Theatre on Mechanic Street in downtown Jackson, Michigan may have been photographed before, but for the first time it has been photosynthed. This process created by Microsoft Live Labs takes multiple images of a single subject and creates a panorama or 3 dimensional 360 degree image of an environment. What this process does is looks for a common hyperlink in multiple images. It then merges these images together to create a whole. That whole is the photosynth.

Says David W. King, director of the Jaxon Film Fest, "Always keen to new ideas, this application really has a Wow! factor. We thought immediately of the Michigan Theatre."

"Wanting to do more than put another flat 2D image on our recently created website for the Jaxon Film Fest, this enables us to do that. With the ability to transverse the street from one end of the block to the other, and at the same time zoom in for close-ups, It really creates the feeling of walking down Mechanic Street in front of the theater."

The Michigan Theatre will be the site of the Jaxon Film Fest. This will take place September 29th, 2012. Built in the 1930s as part of the Butterfield theater chain here in Michigan, the Michigan Theatre is Jackson's last historic theater.

"For those who may never have visited the Michigan Theatre, this is a real virtual treat. Shortly the theater interior will become the subject of photosynths. This will give those visiting this gem of the downtown Jackson area a real feel for what it is like to be inside the Michigan Theatre's lobbies and auditorium seating on the first floor and its balcony area as well before entering."

"While photographs are fine, and videos as well, photosynths give you the ability to direct your focus and zoom in on items of interest. " Concludes King, "With the response time of the photosynths the ability to swing around from an image and an image behind it is so quick it is almost dizzying."

To see this photosynth click on the link below.
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=883a2e18-e7ca-4496-893c-593b983b8a80

When the image opens click on it. You will see a series of white boxes appear, as well as what appears to be a divided green smiley. Play with the different images a while by clicking on the different white boxes that appear. Comprised of several different photos, you will get an idea of the theater, its marque, its cupola, and the adjoining buildings on Mechanic Street here in Jackson.

About the Michigan Theatre-Jackson:
Located in the center of Jackson's downtown commercial district, the Michigan Theatre is a fine example of the lavishly decorated theaters built throughout the United States in the 1920s. Designed by Maurice H. Finkel, a Detroit architect whose only other known theaters-- all four located in the Detroit area and constructed between 1921 and 1927-- have been demolished, was constructed in 1928 to 1930 as part of Col. W. S. Butterfield's statewide chain of vaudeville and movie houses, the theater was operated by the Butterfield chain until 1978.

Constructed as both a vaudeville and motion picture house, the Michigan is a red-brick structure. Its Mechanic Street facade is faced with yellow terra cotta tiles and displays twin, paired, Italian Romanesque-inspired window units and a low, Spanish Baroque tower with a red tile roof. The marquee is presumably a c.1940 addition.

The three-story entrance building--said to have existed before the theater was constructed and is said to have at one time housed a fish market -- contains, on the first floor, the outer lobby and a section of the inner (or main) lobby, including the concession counter. Rich, ornamental plasterwork pervades the theaters public spaces.

The inner lobby and the auditorium -- especially the proscenium and the side walls and ceiling in front of the balcony-- possess a wealth of pilasters; twisted columns; elaborately decorated, arched recesses; and other details inspired by the Baroque churches of Spain. The oldest and finest theater in Jackson the Michigan Theatre is one of the most opulent (and best preserved) 1920s theaters in all of Michigan outside of the Detroit area.

The Michigan Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is now the subject of a preservation campaign by the Michigan Theater Preservation Association.

Contact:
David W. King
Jaxon Film Fest
P. O. Box 6283
Jackson, MI 49204
517-569-2351
jaxonfilmfest@gmail.com
http://jaxonfilmfest.com

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Tag Words: theatre, buildings, photosynths, photographs, auditorium

Categories: Entertainment

Press Release Contact
Jaxon Film Fest
P. O. Box 6283
Jackson, MI 49204
517-569-2351

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