It’s called movie magic for a reason, and some wand-waving was required to build this Hollywood studio exec’s home theater.

The screen for this family’s viewing doesn’t get much more dramatic—144 by 61 inches—and the blockbuster transformation required special effects from electronics installation firm Interactive Environments of Van Nuys, Calif.

The 20-by-25-foot theater stands as a room within a room—the old one featuring French doors, a bay window and a fireplace. Those details have been covered and the room acoustically treated—plus the ceiling redesigned—so no sound leaks out.

“It wasn’t a new construction room, but it almost was,” says Interactive Environments’ Keith Shindoll. “The big bay window was closed off, the French doors going into the dining room are where the screen is now, and the fireplace to the right of it was covered up. We actually built a wall on top of the wall.”

To meet fire code regulations, Interactive Environments also designed a hidden door in the rear corner for emergency access. On the electronics side, the main challenge was making all of the pieces fit together, as the homeowner had purchased much of the gear before the theater was designed.

Shindoll would have chosen a smaller screen, for example, but says that the owner, being more of a “front-of-the-room” viewer, eased any concerns about eye fatigue. The screen can also be used for PC activity, but a 40-inch LCD on the side wall generally serves as the computer monitor as well as karaoke screen.

Front-channel speakers and a pair of subwoofers from Tannoy blare audio from below the screen, while two more Tannoy in-wall models and two Atlantic Technology in-walls round out a rockin’ 7.2 surround system.

When it’s time for the real “lights, camera, action,” the homeowner can direct any of two keypads and handheld remote from RTI and enjoy the show.

Click here to view more photos of “Studio Exec’s Theater a Box-Office Hit.”

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!