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Azure, Howie Mandel to Showcase New Movie Tech at Cinema Week

On June 21 during Cinema Week in Los Angeles, actor, comedian and producer Howie Mandel will show off new technology that reimagines the moviegoing experience, while also reintroducing Bobby, Mandel’s iconic character from the Emmy Award-nominated animated series “Bobby’s World.”

First seen at the recent Hollywood Innovation and Transformation Summit (HITS) Spring event, the interactive cinema technology, Magic Screen, allows audiences to talk directly to characters on screen.

The joint venture between Mandel’s production company Alevy Productions and Los Angeles-based Super 78 Studios also involves technology partners Microsoft and NVIDIA, which supply the hardware and software to power Geppetto, a proprietary real-time animation system built by Super 78 that renders the 3D version of Bobby.

”Whether it’s the beloved character Bobby I created over 30 years ago or the incredible library of characters we will introduce in the months ahead, Magic Screen provides a unique and engaging experience for audiences on a huge screen with state-of-the-art sound and picture, something that you simply can’t get at home,” Mandel said in a press release. “Nothing beats the energy that comes from my in-person interactions with audiences when I perform live. Magic Screen will bring that experience to local movie theater audiences everywhere and Bobby will introduce a new era of in-theater programming to the world. I’m so excited to bring Bobby back in such a magical and innovative way.”

The June 21 in-person event begins at 11 a.m. PT at the Cinemark Playa Vista Theater.

To RSVP, email [email protected].