Lights and Sound: Gobo used for a backdrop

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Gobo used for a backdrop

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Lights and Sound
Forum Discription: Technical discussion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842
Printed Date: 5/06/25 at 4:21am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Gobo used for a backdrop

Posted By: Kim L.
Subject: Gobo used for a backdrop
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 6:18pm

Hello, I am needing a NY skyline scene for the backdrop of one of my scenes. I will have a flat, limosine and characters dancing in front of the skyline. Will using a gobo work or will the characters or set pieces end up having the gobo shined on them?

Thanks!!

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Kim

Replies:

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 7:25pm

It depends on the angle of the projection. If you project from above and keep the projection above their heads you won't have a problem.

You could rear project with a gobo onto a scrim without issue. You could also silhouette a NYC skyline (cutout of luan in small scale say 2' x 8') onto a scrim.

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_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 7:33pm

G'day Kim

Yes' unless you have the height to project over them?

You could use back projection, say from a 'Linebach' shadow box, projected on the rear of a scrim or cyc. But you would need enough upstage space to do this? Or the abilityto bounce the image off a mirror [1:5].

As you have mentioned prior, you have no flyspace, me thinks you might by up the creak without a paddle!

A set piece may be your only option.

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Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:27pm

If you can use your Gobos on a cyc on a fairly deep stage, and you can get the director to keep all of the action way downstage you can probably pull off a night scene. If at all possible light the action from the sides and back to keep as much light off of the cyc as possible. Anything coming from the front will bounce off of the stage on to the cyc and kill your effect.

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 2/26/09 at 10:06pm

One thing you could look at, is using a 'FERGO' [GOBO] -

CHECK OUT THE 'sELECON pACIFIC RANGE OF 'PROFILE LAMPS;-

http://www.seleconlight.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=159&Itemid=211 - http://www.seleconlight.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=159&Itemid=211

tHIS MAY BE A BETTER OPTION, AS YOU CAN MAKE YPUR OWN IMAGE, PRINTED ON PLASTIC, FROM ANY pc.

-------------
Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 8:21pm

The Fergo Gobo is very interesting. It sure seems like it could open up a lot of options for a lower cost.

Anyway, what do you need to purchase in order to do this and how expensive is it?

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Kim

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 9:01pm

We have a Rosco Image Pro and I like it a lot. It can be used in most of the newer instruments that have the fancy glass reflectors(Source four, Shakespeare, Selcon Pacific, etc.). The IP drops into the gobo slot.

The Image Pro accepts a special slide holder that has 2 layers. There is a fan that blows air between the layers to keep the slide cool. The fan can be powered by the same power as the light.

Rosco will make a slide from your artwork or they will sell you an overpriced single use DIY slide holder for $25. I have had good success with printing using a Canon inkjet printer and re-using the holder. I usually run the overhead transparency film through more than once to get better blacks.

I'm told that it works really well in a Source Four with the new High Def lens tubes.

I suspect the rig Gaafa was talking about is pretty much the same concept.