Aurora Borealis

[030366]

I'm designing Almost, Maine this summer, and the Aurora is an integral part of the play. So, as LD, I need to make it happen. Any ideas on how to do this? I have a few ideas...but probably none of them are good. Also, apparently the Aurora has a million faces, so I'm not sure what kind of final product I should be shooting for. The original picture in my head looked kind of like this:



But now that I've looked around a bit, it seems that this is more common:



Any opinions? Ideas? Much like most other theatres, we don't have a lot of technology to play with.

[gafftapegreenia]

If you can afford them, Rosco Colorizers!!!!



Especially when used as side light streaking across a cyc or at other angles, they can look awesome.


If you are cheap, the old piecing together gel trick might work.

[030366]

Don't forget that the Aurora moves and pulsates.

[gafftapegreenia]

Gobo rotators, selective chases, maybe even moving lights?

If you had the budget maybe rent a projector or digital light?

It's really up to you there are alot of options, but what is your budget like?

[030366]

The budget is something we need to "talk about", which means we probably won't get one. Ha. We do, however, own two gobo rotators. We have a few Trackspots, but I don't know how to use intelligent light fixtures....not as if that sort of technicality has ever stopped me before, but I really don't believe there is enough time to learn it for this show. Perhaps a combination of the rotators with a chase? I figured I'd be cutting my own gobos for this anyway, so I'm all set for that. What specifics do you suggest?

[gafftapegreenia]

I don't really have any specifics. That's kind of a CB thing, we don't always want to tell you WHAT to do, we give you ideas and suggestions to help you on the creative path. This seems like its more a trial and error thing than a "this is how to do it" effect.

At least you have some equipment and creativity at your disposal. I'm sure with a creative use of gobos, rotators and programming, you can get a satisfying look.

Also, here is an article from GAM on splicing gel colors: SplitGel : Mixed Color Split Gels from GAM : Lighting Equipment For Architectural, Specialty & Theatrical Effects


Remember I"m only one person others will surely have other/better ideas/suggestions.

[030366]

Thanks! I figured if I asked here, I would get many different opinions and I could mash it all up into something that works for us. What about the shape of the Aurora? Do you guys think it should be that snakish wavy-line look, or the spikey Windows Media Player look? Or something in between? It's hard to get an idea of what audiences would accept as What The Aurora Borealis Looks Like.

[MNBallet]

I just have to correct the record from Gaftapegreenia.

Those are not Colorizers, they are Color Waves.
I've been asked to create the Northern Lights as well next fall, so I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread too. I was thinking of going with Color Waves and a textured glass in a double rotator. If I can muster up the money.

Kenneth Pogin
Production / Tour Manager
Minnesota Ballet

[bobgaggle]

Or go the easy way

projector paints the aurora borealis on your walls on [technabob]

Im sure this thing won't have the throw distance you need, but maybe some modifications to the device could better suit it to your purposes

[gafftapegreenia]

Originally Posted by MNBallet

I just have to correct the record from Gaftapegreenia.

Those are not Colorizers, they are Color Waves.
I've been asked to create the Northern Lights as well next fall, so I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread too. I was thinking of going with Color Waves and a textured glass in a double rotator. If I can muster up the money.

Kenneth Pogin
Production / Tour Manager
Minnesota Ballet

Hm, I like the idea of a texture glass in a rotator and the color wave static.