Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Projections – Universal panacea or design tool for the present?

Projections in performance…

Enhance visual design…

Gain a seemingly unlimited sense of depthAdd an aura of surrealism

Replace design elements…

Complement design elements…

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

2 Basic Systems of Projection in Theatre

Lensless

Lens

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lensless Projectors

Same theory as making shadow pictures –

Opaque object + Light source = Lensless projection

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lensless Projectors

Factors to consider:

Size of projection source

Large-scale projections – 500- / 750- / 1000-watt, 120 volt, tungsten-halogen lamp in ellipsoidal reflector spotlight

Small-scale projections – (under 6 ft. wide) – single-filament, 12-volt lamp (Requires being run at 15 volts – see diagram for transformer)

Distance between slide & projection source (closer to screen – sharper image)

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lensless Projectors

Solutions to distance…

This projector can provide a relatively sharp image while placing the image away from the light source

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lensless Projectors

Solutions to distance…This projector is a multiplane projector which is geared to take advantage of aerial perspective…

Problem of slide size – to get large image requires large slide!

Aerial Perspective: An optical phenomenon in

which objects that are farther away appear less sharply in focus and less

fully saturated in color.

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lensless Projectors

Linnebach Projector

Basis for all lensless projection in the theatre

Developed by Adolphe Linnebach

Often shops build ‘home’ versions for productions…

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lensless Projectors

Shop-built Linnebach projector

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lensless Projectors

Curved-image Linnebach projector for use with curved cycs…

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Other Lensless Projectors

For a makeshift version, remove the lens from Fresnel or Plano-convex spotlights and insert a slide in the instrument’s color-frame holder.

Only good for small-scale, soft projection!

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Lens Projectors

These projectors use a lens to control the focus and size of the image on the projection screen.

3 Primary Types

The Scenic Projector

The Slide Projector

The Digital Projector

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Scenic Projector

3 Basic Parts:

Lamp Housing

The Optical Train

The Slide

Optical train

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Scenic Projector

Lamp Housing

Requires high intensity lamps

Incandescent lamps – 1000 to 2000 wattXenon or HMI

Produces substantial amounts of heat – usually have some sort of blower or fan – noise issues

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Scenic Projector

Hot mirror: A glass dichroic filter that reflects the infrared spectrum while allowing visible light to pass

Condensing lens: A device that condenses the direct and refracted light from a source and concentrates it on the slide-plane aperture of a projector

Slide-plane aperture: The point in a projection system where a slide or other effect is placed

Objective lens: A device to focus a projected image on a screen or other surface

Front condenser

Collecting condensing lens

Reflector

Lamp

The Optical Train

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Scenic Projector

Slides

Glass is most common medium

Image can be painted or a photographic transparency

Dichroic mirror increases longevity of slide

Moving effects can be created with effects heads…

Effects head: A motor-driven unit capable of producing crude moving images with a scenic projector

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Scenic Projector

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Slide Projector

Projector adapted for adequate light output for stage use

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Slide Projector

Durable and versatile projectors

Problem with light source brightness – initial design for audiovisual not performance purposes!

Things to look for:

Dependable and versatile slide-feeding capabilities

Adequate light output

Interchangeable lenses

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Digital Projector

a.k.a. Computer Projections

Becoming standard for stage…

Technology continually changing – slowly replacing older methods

Adds video projection

Trap – Limitless capacity – can upstage performers – BAD!!!

Projection must enhance not steal focus…

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Projection Screens

2 Basic types:

FrontRear

Additional surfaces have included actors’ bodies, painted scenery, dust motes, smoke, and fog…

Projection works best on elements specifically designed for projection!

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Front-Screen Projection

Surfaces designed to reflect light

White & highly reflective works best (slide/movie screens)

Smooth, white, painted surface = low cost alternative

Sharpness and brightness of image directly related to the hue, value, and texture of the projection surface

Surfaces with low saturation, high value, and little texture = best!

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Rear-Screen Projection

Positives –

Avoids actor shadowProvides a clean image

Drawbacks –

Hot spotsExpenseNeed for distance behind set

See chapter for low cost alternatives…

Hot Spot:

An intense circle of light created when a projector lens is seen through a rear screen

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Slide Preparation

For Linnebachs…1/8 inch clear Plexiglass

For curved Linnebachs…0.020 thickness acetate

For scenic projectors…Photographic and painted slides

For slide projectors…Use glass or plastic mounts due to heat

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Other Projectors

Overhead Projector

Opaque Projector

Both of these can be used in production but are more often helpful in various shops

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

General Projection Techniques & Hints

To prevent the projected images from being washed out, keep ambient light off the screen. Acting areas should be lit from angles that minimize their effect on the projection surface.

To reduce ambient light and to keep actors from blocking view, place screen so bottom image is no lower than 5 to 7 feet above the stage floor.

To maximize brightness of the image (with slide projector)

Keep projection size small

Use lens with a low f-stop (3.5 or less)

Use a short-focal-length lens and place the projector close to the screen

Whenever possible, use rear-screen projection.

Know your equipment and troubleshoot.

Prep slides early to allow for reshoot if needed.

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 15: Projections

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Keystoning

If a projector is not placed on a perpendicular axis to the screen, distortion occurs a.k.a. keystoning… (A) / (B)

Correction –

Place the screen at a perpendicular angle to the projector (C)

-or-

Introduce distortion to the slide itself during photographing (D)

Many digital projectors have features to compensate for this