-By Carolyn Giardina

Dreamworks Animation gave Barco’s new Auro 11.1 3D sound format a big endorsement on Thursday, revealing plans to mix all upcoming animated features in the format, starting with the Nov. 21 release of Rise of the Guardians.

“We believe that Barco’s 3D sound technology will serve to immerse audiences around the world even more deeply into the adventure-filled world created by our filmmakers,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DWA, in a released statement. “After considering numerous sound formats currently available, we are convinced that Barco Auro 11.1 offers the best cinematic experience available to envelop audiences with astonishingly lifelike sound. We believe that Barco is uniquely capable of providing a premium cinema experience.”

Auro 11.1 uses 11 channels of sound plus a subwoofer to create an immersive sound experience. The Auro mix for Rise of the Guardians was completed in an 11.1 supported suite at The Dub Stage in Burbank led by Oscar winner Andy Nelson and Jim Bolt, re-recording mixers; and three-time Oscar winner Richard King, sound designer and supervising sound editor.

“In the digital world we are living in today, we have access to many new technologies – such as higher frame rates, 3D or other visual technologies – that help us tell our story better. And sound technology is vitally important to us as well,” said Jim Bershears, DWA’s vp of postproduction, in a released statement. “As we follow the current sound technology developments closely, we believe that Barco’s sound technology stands apart as the only system that we can implement easily with our current workflows and still achieve a premium acoustic experience. What really differentiates the Barco Auro 11.1 format from other sound technologies is that it enables us to place aural objects around the auditorium to envelope the audience with the rich acoustic spaces that we create virtually.”

Barco reported that there are plans to bring Auro capabilities to the Campanile theater and a dub stage on DWA's Glendale campus, as well as to a screening room at PDI/Dreamworks in Redwood City.

Auro 11.1 is installed in roughly 45 theaters worldwide including two in the Los Angeles area (Pacific’s The Grove Stadium 14 and Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6 in Calabasas). Theaters that will be showing Rise of the Guardians have not been confirmed.

Rise of the Guardians will be additionally be offered in Atmos, Dolby's new sound format.
-The Hollywood Reporter