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Projection Mapping onto Set


Trainiac

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Hi Guys,

 

Apologies if this is in the wrong part of the forum. I wasn't sure if it should go into Video or Staging. We're looking at doing The Battle of Boat for our next production, and we want to create different scenes using a very simple set, and I thought using projection might be a good way to go about it. Does anyone have any suggestions? We thought about possibly using gauze or large sheets of mdf to project onto. I'm concerned about stage lights washing out the image, and we don't have a huge budget either. In terms of software, I've been looking at VPT8 as a pretty good way to go about mapping the images/video onto set pieces.

 

Any advice much appreciated,

Ollie

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We typically spend £1k-£2k for the total hire, including radio mics, 2nd followspot etc, but are looking to be at the lower end of that for this show. We thought about maybe using ultra-short throw from behind as we don’t have much room at all behind the set. Either way we’d only be looking at consumer grade projectors, throwing no more than about 5m diagonally
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Ultra short throw need a rigid screen with the projector mounted to it (typically a wall with the projector on an arm), otherwise the picture is severely distorted by even tiny movements between the projector and surface.5m diagonal is a tough ask for a consumer projector.

 

 

You need to have very good control over your lighting. If you can keep all the set dark while still lighting the action, you have a better chance of making it work. Once the lighting spills onto the projection surface, you need much brighter projectors to get a visible image. Also if you can keep the whole thing fairly dark, that helps...

 

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Are you thinking of trying to blend the three into one image? If so you’ll need either a software solution (Resolume arena, madmapper, Mitti, Pro Presenter) or hardware (Ascender, E2 etc)

 

An old school alternative is a desktop PC with a Matrox multi head graphics card in. You can use matroxs software to combine multiple outputs as one monitor making a direct “PowerPoint to edge blend” system.

 

Your 1-2k budget is a loooong way short of this unless you’re hoping to borrow kit?

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Are you thinking of trying to blend the three into one image? If so you'll need either a software solution (Resolume arena, madmapper, Mitti, Pro Presenter) or hardware (Ascender, E2 etc)

 

An old school alternative is a desktop PC with a Matrox multi head graphics card in. You can use matroxs software to combine multiple outputs as one monitor making a direct "PowerPoint to edge blend" system.

 

Your 1-2k budget is a loooong way short of this unless you're hoping to borrow kit?

 

Yes, I'm thinking of blending the 3 into one image (and the set's not flat so I will need to wrap all 3 individually, which I believe mad mapper can do), and thinking of using Mad mapper along with a reasonably beefy PC with 3 outputs. I looked into Matrox, but I think it would be cheaper to rent mad mapper for a couple of months. We already have one projector and are just looking at hiring two more.

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I would recommend getting the demo of madmapper, or arena, and borrowing /hiring a second projector as soon as possible. Have a go at what you’re thinking of doing with just two projectors and see how you find it. Three projectors won’t be “just as hard” it will be harder!

 

The idea of a warped blend with consumer short throw projectors makes me shudder!

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