MacGillivray Freeman Films and BASE Xperiential team up to produce Ocean Giants, the next holographic experience following Dinosaur Discoveries
Laguna Beach, CA, April 21, 2025 – A new wave of holographic edutainment is coming to the Museum of Discovery and Science in Ft. Lauderdale, FL as the museum has signed an agreement for the installation of a custom HoloTheater at their facility to open later this spring. Produced and assembled by BASE Xperiential in partnership with content partner MacGillivray Freeman Films, the HoloTheater promises to bring an exciting and innovative educational experience to audiences and inspire a new generation of lifelong learners.
The new HoloTheater will open with the epic Dinosaur Discoveries: A Holographic Adventure, a panoramic film experience where larger-than-life dinosaurs appear directly in front of audiences without the requirement of 3D glasses. The attraction has been playing non-stop for nearly two years at the Houston Museum of Natural Science where it continues to generate stellar attendance and increased revenue for the museum.
Following Dinosaur Discoveries comes Ocean Giants: A Holographic Odyssey, a new holographic experience to be produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films and BASE Xperiential, set for release in Q1 2026. Using MFF’s extensive experience producing many of the industry’s top-performing giant-screen ocean films, combined with BASE’s new holographic cinema format, Ocean Giants will bring audiences face-to-face with some of the most magnificent and enigmatic creatures to have ever inhabited the underwater realm, both past and present, leaving viewers with a profound appreciation for the beauty of the world’s oceans and a renewed sense of urgency to protect these extraordinary creatures and their underwater habitats.
“Since its premiere at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, HoloTheater has been delivering a uniquely immersive experience for audiences, while driving increased revenue performance of the museum’s giant screen theater. We can now integrate HoloTheater into a wide range of underutilized spaces, as small as 1,000 square feet, unlocking the ability for venues to monetize these spaces with an exciting new holographic form of educational entertainment. We are pleased to have partnered with the Museum of Discovery and Science, a leading U.S. cultural institution, to re-imagine and re-invigorate this space with HoloTheater this spring,” stated Brian Becker, Founder and Chairman of BASE Xperiential.
“We are committed to pushing the boundaries of how science is experienced and understood,” said Joe Cox, President and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science. “The HoloTheater introduces a dynamic and immersive learning format that excites and engages our guests.”
“With Dinosaur Discoveries and now Ocean Giants, there is a pipeline of strong holographic content for exhibitors, creating new opportunities for consistent programming and marketing efficiencies,” said Shaun MacGillivray, President and Producer/Director of MacGillivray Freeman Films. “It is a great way for museums to offer a unique program while positioning themselves at the forefront of innovative edutainment.”
A huge hit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Dinosaur Discoveries has proven that audiences are willing to pay a premium ticket price to see a holographic experience about dinosaurs. The show has generated a nearly 31% increase in daily per-show theater revenue over traditional programming, not including field trips. Other highlights from the show’s extended run in Houston include:
- Net average ticket price of $14, with adult tickets selling for $18 vs. $12 for traditional films. Field trip sales at $10 vs. $5 for traditional films
- 25% of tickets sold in advance vs. 12% for traditional films
- Has been extended twice, now through December 31, 2025
HoloTheater’s flexible design delivers larger-than-life holographic and panoramic film experiences and the next generation in educational entertainment for science centers, natural history museums, zoos, aquariums and more. This flexible design is now paired with a flexible economic option, so institutions can now choose what works best for them, including a no upfront cost scenario for new HoloTheater builds.
Dinosaur Discoveries brings life-size dinosaurs up close and personal to audiences through special holographic technology as it explores more than 140 years of scientific discovery on a journey to understand the truth about dinosaurs.
HoloTheater is also available as a traveling exhibit, which comes with all the necessary holographic projection technology and can easily be retrofitted into a museum’s existing theater, auditorium or other underutilized spaces. For more information about HoloTheater and Dinosaur Discoveries, please visit www.base-xperiential.com and www.dinosaurdiscoveries.com.
About BASE Xperiential
BASE Xperiential’s productions harness the magic of mixed-media, holographic and live entertainment to bring unique and dynamic immersive experiences to audiences and stages around the world. BASE has already developed a library of compelling content including holographic productions of Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Maria Callas, Whitney Houston and Dinosaur Discoveries. The company strives to develop both educational and entertaining content that is visually stimulating and brought to life with application for presentation in a wide range of venues, from casinos and cruise ships to theme parks and museums.
About MacGillivray Freeman Films
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s foremost independent producer and distributor of giant screen 70mm films with more than 45 films for IMAX® and giant screen theaters to its credit. Throughout the company’s 50-year history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award® nominations for The Living Sea and Dolphins and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame, including Everest, the highest grossing giant screen film of all time. MacGillivray Freeman’s films are known for their artistry and celebration of science and the natural world. It is the first documentary film company to reach the one-billion-dollar benchmark for worldwide box office.
