Canberra’s Museum of Australian Democracy (formerly Old Parliament House) was home to Australia’s Federal Parliament from 1927 to 1988.  The Old Parliament House is now a nationally listed heritage building.

As part of a major redevelopment, the Museum of Australian Democracy was created to interpret the history of Australian democracy as enacted from this building. Magian Media Studio was selected to create and install two audio-visual exhibits; one in the heritage Cabinet Room and another in a new space for Year 9 and10 Students in the South West Wing.

‘Cabinet in Confidence’ Decision Theatre
Visitors get a taste of what it was like to be in the shoes of Cabinet Ministers during tough decision-making times over the decades. Magian created an experience that respected the history and heritage of the Cabinet Room, while offering visitors a dramatic and immersive experience. Using a cruciform of projection screens operated by an iPod Touch and strategically mounted projectors, the Cabinet Experience has helped the Museum of Australian Democracy retain history with an engaging 21st Century concept.

Magian worked with specialist historians for each of the three topics. The topics include:
 -  Bring Home the Troops - WWII
 -  Banning the Communist Party, 1950’s Referendum
 -  !970s Immigration Crisis

Scope of multimedia services Magian provided:

• project planning
• design development-Cabinet Room theatre
• content design, research and development
• graphic design and production
• Image and footage research and procurement
• editing video for 3 x dual screen programs
• design for facilitator iPod Touch control module
• technical infrastructure & integrated system design
• technical and hardware specification
• software design and development
• system commissioning
• remote post-installation system support

Media program types produced by Magian:

• updateable facilitated theatre programs
• audio and soundscape production
• video programs for dual screen programs
• presentation and automated theatre system
• a wireless handheld system controlled by staff

Magian MMaPS database Content Management System [DAMS] allows updateability of the program content and supports the content management of the presentation programs.

The Magian DiAC System is used to manage and control multi-channel soundscapes and the complex presentation system which supports facilitator control and site management.