My schools second show requires some very fast scene changes (and some other just cool effects), and I came up with the idea of just projecting backdrops on the cyc so that we could do them with some short animation between, such as like a Google earth sort of fly-over. Talking with my directors they liked the idea, but were concerned as to how easily and cost-effectively it could be done. I came up with 4 different ways of doing it (in order of what I think would be the best and most cost-effective):
1. We project from behind the cyc, and while I know that much less of the light would go through than if we used an RP screen, it would be cheaper. Our school very recently upgraded it's computer system, and has a bunch of projectors left over. What I was planning to do was put a lens (I'm not sure of the exact focus-distance yet, I'd still have to do the math, but the demonstration-type lenses that are used in science classes) in front of the projector (to get a short throw distance on it) and then stack 3 projectors on each side (SL and SR, 6 in all) to mesh together the image and get enough brightness to be able to see it on the other side of the Cyc.
2. We project from in front of the Cyc at a very sharp angle, using the same lenses to get a big enough angle on them, and then use Adobe After Effects or Premier to letterbox the video to correct for the keystoning (since I don't think that the build-in keystone correctors could correct for as steep of an angle as I'm imagining (about 60 degrees from horizontal to the bottom of the image).
3. Use same projection method as 1, however with an RP screen. (most likely cost-prohibitive).
4. Use an LED curtain. (almost guaranteed to be cost-prohibitive)
Any comments/concerns/comments would be highly appreciated before I go and talk with my directors again.
Thanks,
Kenny
P.S. If anyone has any other ideas than what I have listed above, I'd love to hear them.
1. We project from behind the cyc, and while I know that much less of the light would go through than if we used an RP screen, it would be cheaper. Our school very recently upgraded it's computer system, and has a bunch of projectors left over. What I was planning to do was put a lens (I'm not sure of the exact focus-distance yet, I'd still have to do the math, but the demonstration-type lenses that are used in science classes) in front of the projector (to get a short throw distance on it) and then stack 3 projectors on each side (SL and SR, 6 in all) to mesh together the image and get enough brightness to be able to see it on the other side of the Cyc.
2. We project from in front of the Cyc at a very sharp angle, using the same lenses to get a big enough angle on them, and then use Adobe After Effects or Premier to letterbox the video to correct for the keystoning (since I don't think that the build-in keystone correctors could correct for as steep of an angle as I'm imagining (about 60 degrees from horizontal to the bottom of the image).
3. Use same projection method as 1, however with an RP screen. (most likely cost-prohibitive).
4. Use an LED curtain. (almost guaranteed to be cost-prohibitive)
Any comments/concerns/comments would be highly appreciated before I go and talk with my directors again.
Thanks,
Kenny
P.S. If anyone has any other ideas than what I have listed above, I'd love to hear them.