Creating horizontal line on Cyclorama

[MichaelK]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for tips and tricks on how to create a narrow horizontal line of light on a cyclorama. Robert Wilson used this a lot in his production and I am looking for a way to replicate this look. Is this done with regular asymmetrical cyc lights that is placed close to the cyclorama?
Attaching a few pictures as examples of what I am trying to achieve.
What are your thoughts?

Regards,
Michael

 

[almorton]

Given the fall off, I'd say it's not an asymmetric cyc light (which would have less fall off) but a regular ground row - we get a similar effect using LED battens which fall off rapidly when they're placed fairly close to the cyc. These are not special asymmetric cyc battens, just 1m long RGB battens like these (plenty of other examples are available).

Here's the sort of effect I got in "The Railway Children" last year using similar battens



The blue wash is 1K fresnels in deep blue (actually probably Mikkel blue, L716), the magenta bottom row is just the battens.

 

[ScottT]

Here's what I would do, ignoring budget for a second, assuming limited space, going DS to US:
-Black scrim & RP on the same pipe
-Cyc lights pointed US (double ground row, and double flown)
-XBars on a flown pipe
-Bounce
-Blackout

With that setup you'd probably run the cyc lights at ~5%. But, it lets you do everything you want, and a bit more.

Assuming you have budget concerns I'd suggest:
-Black scrim & RP on the same pipe
-Cyc lights pointed US (single ground row)
-LED Tape (or any linear lighting fixture, really) on a flown pipe
-Bounce

You'd then have to play with the distance of the LED tape to the RP to get the spread you want. In Einstein on the Beach the line moves up and down, but I don't remember it spreading.

 

[Amiers]

Cheap way is diffusion in your booms with a semi hard focus. Then gel it to blend with whatever colors you are trying to match.

 

[derekleffew]

Given the fall off, I'd say it's not an asymmetric cyc light (which would have less fall off) but a regular ground row -

I've actually achieved a similar effect accidentally. When I wasn't looking, the crew had placed the cyc footlights upside-down.

 

[almorton]

Oh, yeah, that would do it.

 

[TimMc]

I've actually achieved a similar effect accidentally. When I wasn't looking, the crew had placed the cyc footlights upside-down.

But of course! Any crew knows a ground row is to light the ground!

Oh, it's not?

Back to the audio booth...

 

[tjrobb]

I've actually achieved a similar effect accidentally. When I wasn't looking, the crew had placed the cyc footlights upside-down.

You idiot! It said No Flip!

 

[RonHebbard]

You idiot! It said No Flip!

Neither 'Flip' over nor post 'Flip' comments.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

 

[MichaelK]

Thanks guys for the input - much appreciated!

 

[RonHebbard]

Thanks guys for the input - much appreciated!

I note your location is: " . ". Has Corona chaos invaded your . yet?
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

 

[MichaelK]

Ron,
The "." is Stockholm, Sweden - and yes it has. We are going to start rehearsals in May, hoping to premiere in August.
Hoping things are turning for the better until then *fingers crossed*

 

[ACTSTech]

Saw something similar where the LD used some 50-degree ellipsoidals gelled with a silk and shuttered to get the beam. Wasn't as intense as your pictures, but for their stage it worked.