There are many ways of watching a movie in today's hi-tech world and Bangkok residents are certainly not short of options. From the smallest iPods to the largest LDC TV screens, from suburban movie houses to the state-of-the-art Imax theatre that recently had Superman soaring through the sky in glorious 3D project, the City of Angels has it all.

Well, almost. Now it also has a screen that pulls audiences straight into the centre of action.

The 360-degree theatre, which has just opened at the AIS Future World on Siam Paragon's fourth floor, is now ready for a test drive.

Admission is free and three movies, lasting a total of 25 minutes, are being screened daily at noon, 2pm and 6pm.

The experiment is being run by AIS and Fat Radio's Yuthana Boon-orm and the films on screen are an animation clip by the Bored Graphic Designer Group, a music video by Yuthana and an action flick created by Prachya Pinkaew.

Eight projectors are used to merge the sequences on the 360-degree screen that, not surprisingly, still uses classic 2D technology. The end product may have come a long way, but filmmaking still needs to catch up.

For the animation "Motion Graphic 360", the Bored Group combine action with music, a train and Thailand's iconic tuk-tuk running around the audience to the strains of "Groovy Enfant", a typically urban track mixing music and street sounds.

Click Radio executive Yuthana debuts his first music video with Smallroom's song "Tang-Narn" ("Will You Marry Me?") and uses the eight channels to full advantage in creating

a new meaning in sound dimensions.

"In fact, I didn't do anything special, but the dimensions will make you try and find the origin of the sound. Your neck will probably feel a little tired by the end," he says.

"Each movie has been filmed in a different manner so the sensations are very different when they are shown on the 360-degree screen. None are perfect, but I hope they'll inspire other directors to come up with better ways of making a 360-degree movie."

In his short film, Prachya introduces Tri-x - three martial arts actors from France who aiming to become the new action heroes of Thai cinema.

Tri-x, major fans of local hero Phanom "Tony Jaa" Yeerum, approached Prachya at the Cannes Film Festival two years ago to ask if they could work with him. They are currently filming a full-length feature under the watchful eye of veteran director Bundit Thongdee.

In the short film, the Tri-x team appears in an empty warehouse and rescues a girl from a band of high-kicking villains. The experience is so realistic that it appears as if audiences are instinctively warding off blows.

The filmmakers worked with just one handheld home video camera, trying to find something they could add that would allow them to capture a full 360-degree view.

They settled on seriously old technology - they attached a ladle, with its handle cut off, to the lens.

"It helped create a smoother image when it's on screen. But the picture's unclear," explains Pracyha.

"It can't create a clear image, but it's a pivotal idea in terms of how we can develop the shooting process for 360 degrees," adds Yuthana.

Besides the three flicks, AIS is also organising a workshop for those interested in making 360-degree movies. The lessons are conducted by well-known local filmmakers, including "Fan Chan" director Vithaya Thongyooyong and film editor Lee Chatametheekul, who's worked on "Tropical Malady and "Khan Kluay".

Admission to these classes is free.

AIS is also inviting people to submit screenplays, plots and story boards for its movie contest. The three winners will take home Bt20,000 each and their ideas will be developed into a film by professionals and screened at the new venue. The contest closes on August 31. Projects will be filmed from September 1 to 11 and will premiere on September 29.

For more information, tune in to Fat Radio FM104.5 MHz or call Click radio at (02) 641 5394 or AIS Future World at (09) 200 9900.

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation