Hi,
I'm working on a production which involves having a tree struck by lightning and crashing to the ground. Currently, we've designed the mechanism for making the tree split (including pyro placed behind it for the spark), however we're still spinning ideas for how to achieve the lightning bolt effect.
An initial suggestion was to project a lightning bolt gobo (using a strobe) onto the cyclorama behind the tree. However, the director wants the audience to actually see the bolt appear in thin air.
My proposal is to have a scrim placed directly behind the tree and then project onto it using either a gobo or a standard HD projector. This, in theory, would create a sense of depth between the tree, lightning bolt and cyclorama (which will be lit with a dark blue from the bottom).
The only problem is that we dont want the lightning pattern to duplicate on the cyclorama. Does anybody know of way to avoid this problem? Perhaps the effect could be projected from an angle...?
Also, what colour should we use for the scrim? Will the strobed gobo look realistic on the scrim?
There will be other trees placed in front, creating a forest setting.
Many Thanks,
Ed
I'm working on a production which involves having a tree struck by lightning and crashing to the ground. Currently, we've designed the mechanism for making the tree split (including pyro placed behind it for the spark), however we're still spinning ideas for how to achieve the lightning bolt effect.
An initial suggestion was to project a lightning bolt gobo (using a strobe) onto the cyclorama behind the tree. However, the director wants the audience to actually see the bolt appear in thin air.
My proposal is to have a scrim placed directly behind the tree and then project onto it using either a gobo or a standard HD projector. This, in theory, would create a sense of depth between the tree, lightning bolt and cyclorama (which will be lit with a dark blue from the bottom).
The only problem is that we dont want the lightning pattern to duplicate on the cyclorama. Does anybody know of way to avoid this problem? Perhaps the effect could be projected from an angle...?
Also, what colour should we use for the scrim? Will the strobed gobo look realistic on the scrim?
There will be other trees placed in front, creating a forest setting.
Many Thanks,
Ed