Wagar grad the producer behind the wheel of first-ever IMAX 3D NASCAR film
by Mike Cohen
March 2004

The first-ever IMAX 3D NASCAR film, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience debuted in theatres across North America on March 12, with a Wagar graduate’s name prominently in the credits. Lorne Orleans, 41, is the producer.

“I spent a year and a half on this project,” said Orleans, from the Class of 1980. “It was a very special experience being absorbed into the Nascar sub-culture. For 38 weeks each year this group stages events that are bigger than the Super Bowl.

Golden Globe Award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland narrates the groundbreaking IMAX 3D film, set against America’s most popular spectator sport. Orleans says the film will briefly take fans into reverse to review the history of this legendary sport, told from the viewpoint of some of its most revered drivers, and then thrust into high gear with a look at the thrilling phenomenon that is NASCAR today. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes glimpses, as well as gripping footage of the unpredictable action on the track, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience will provide a close-up look at what motivates NASCAR drivers in and out of competition.

Orleans is currently IMAX’s vice-president of film production. He has worked exclusively in the world of large format filmmaking for more than 15 years. A resident of Toronto for 18 years now, Orleans majored in Communication Studies at Montreal’s Concordia University before setting out to learn his trade, working on music videos, television commercials, movies of the week, features and documentaries. He has worked exclusively in the world of large format filmmaking for more than 15 years.

The 1986 Stephen Low documentary Beavers, on which he was given the grand title of Head Animal Wrangler, marked his first 15/70 production. “Soon after I was hired to be the production manager for a film being made for the 6 Osaka Japan Expo. It was a freelance gig and I was based in Toronto. It was supposed to be just for a year. But here I am today, still with IMAX and loving it.”

In addition to overseeing Imax's corporate film production activity, Orleans has taken on the roles of Line Producer, Producer and Executive in Charge of Production on such diverse projects as Flowers In The Sky, the first film shot using the unique IMAX Magic Carpet process and first shown and the project in question EXPO '90 in Osaka, Mountain Gorilla, shot on location in Rwanda, Fires of Kuwait, which received an Academy-Award nomination and Asteroid Adventure, Imax's first movie ride shot with the revolutionary IMAX HD technology. Additional producing credits include Whalesong, The Hidden Dimension, Galapagos, China: The Panda Adventure, Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience and Star Wars: Episode 2 Attack of The Clones: The IMAX Experience.

Orleans' most recent project was executive-producing the television documentary Carry Me Home: The Story & Music of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, which won a Gemini Award, the Canadian equivalent of the Emmys.

NASCAR: Golden Globe Award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland will narrate the first-ever IMAX 3D NASCAR film, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience. The groundbreaking IMAX 3D film, set against America’s most popular spectator sport, will open on March 12. Côte St. Luc native Lorne Orleans, a high school classmate of mine, is the producer of this film which will briefly take fans into reverse to review the history of this legendary sport, told from the viewpoint of some of its most revered drivers, and will then thrust into high gear with a look at the thrilling phenomenon that is NASCAR today. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes glimpses, as well as gripping footage of the unpredictable action on the track, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience will provide a close-up look at what motivates NASCAR drivers in and out of competition. Orleans is currently IMAX’s vice-president of film production. He has worked exclusively in the world of large format filmmaking for more than 15 years.

When asked if he is the highest ranking Jewish employee at IMAX, Orleans pointed to the corporation’s two CEOS: Brad Wexler and Richard Gelfond of New York. “I think they outrank me,” he quipped. “And I happen to know they are quite philanthropic and involved with Jewish causes.”

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX’s businesses include the creation and delivery of the world’s best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX and IMAX 3D technology, and the development of the highest quality digital production and presentation. IMAX has developed revolutionary technology called IMAX® DMR™ (Digital Re-mastering) that makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive family entertainment experiences. As of June 2003, there were more than 235 IMAX theatres operating in 34 countries.

Log on to the film's web site at www.imax.com/racing to find the IMAX theatre closest to you.