Hudson Valley's First Atmos-Certified Screening Room Officially Revealed by Upstate Films and WSDG
In the heart of the Hudson Valley, the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties continues to be a cultural and cinematic hub under the care of Upstate Films. However, recent developments have seen the addition of a new attraction - 'The Mark', a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos-certified screening room.
The WSDG Design Team, a renowned acoustic design firm, was tasked with the challenge of designing the acoustic treatments for The Mark. The team, consisting of John Storyk, Joshua Morris, Adam Paiva, and Alan Machado, approached the project with a vision to create a modern, multi-use space that pays homage to the Orpheum's history and vintage aesthetic.
The Mark's design is a testament to this vision. The vintage tin ceiling from the original Orpheum Theatre has been repurposed as a low frequency absorber in the space, maintaining the room's natural character while providing a controlled environment for cinemas. A separate live sound rig was also designed for the venue's live events programming, donated by Blaze Audio.
The design of The Mark aims to serve equally well for film screenings as it does for live events, with a balanced approach to acoustics that meets the needs of both. New absorptive seating and wooden treatments were added to manage reflections in the space, ensuring an optimal viewing and listening experience for all.
The Mark has been named in honor of Mark Braunstein, a vocal champion of the Hudson Valley arts community. The new screening room has become a destination for the region and has been well received by the community. An upcoming screening at The Mark is of 'Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision', accompanied by a Q&A session with John Storyk and Eddie Kramer.
Upstate Films has hosted a series of events showcasing the powers of the new screening room. The Mark's cinematic sound system is a full QSC Q-SYS system, designed by Dave Berti. The design of The Mark is a significant addition to the Orpheum Theatre, further cementing its status as a premier venue for independent cinema in the Hudson Valley.
Despite the lack of publicly available documentation linking WSDG to a project at the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties, it is clear that the firm played a crucial role in the creation of The Mark. The Orpheum Theatre, which has been in operation since 1908, continues to evolve and adapt, providing a vibrant and dynamic cinematic experience for all.
The WSDG Design Team, who were instrumental in the creation of The Mark, adopted a vision to develop a space that seamlessly blends modern features with a homage to the Orpheum Theatre's history and vintage aesthetic. This multifunctional home-and-garden project, now named The Mark, has been designed to accommodate both film screenings and live events, showcasing its versatility as a lifestyle venue.
