Lights and Sound: Image Gels

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Image Gels

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=4378
Printed Date: 5/06/25 at 12:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Image Gels

Posted By: Stagefool
Subject: Image Gels
Date Posted: 12/17/09 at 5:47pm

We have a discussion on the use of gobo for window scenes. What would be the best lighting and gobo combination for projecting a scene on a black/blue scrim in a very short narrow area?
We have plenty of options for lighting instruments and the scene is a night city scape. The problem is the focus length from the instrument to the scrim!

I am looking forward to the responses!

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Stagefool

Replies:

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 12/17/09 at 8:04pm

I like the Rosco Image-Pro. You put this device into a S-4 or equal, and then you put in custom slides to project. Rosco will be happy to make slides for you, but I make my own.

For a window, you might place a "life size" cardboard stand-in for the window at the exact location you want the projected window to land. Then use the light you will be projecting with to light the stand-in window. You might draw the mullions on the stand-in as a guide later. To deal with the distortion, I take a picture from the point-of-view of the light. Try to line up the camera to the light as best you can.

Then take that image into Photoshop and fit the it into a life size template for the slide. You can now create a picture of your window matching the perspective of the projection.

I usually run the transparency through the printer ~3 times to improve the blacks.

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David M

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 12/18/09 at 7:49pm

you could also use a 'Fergo'

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

Though you will need to hire in a 'Selicon Pacific' light to acomplish this.

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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: Stagefool
Date Posted: 12/19/09 at 8:35pm

I appreciate the information on the creation of the gel image. I think I must have not communicated that real problem is not the gel....not the lighting instrument...........but the very limited distance between the source and the scrim. Total of 3 ft!
I thought a S-4 was perfect also but the beam width may not suffice in relation to the very limited distance.
The set designer would be able to create a skyline scene....but I thought is would be less complicated and less expensive using a GOBO if the distance was not a huge problem. It may be !

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Stagefool

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 12/20/09 at 5:32pm

'av a go' at bouncing the image via a mirror [ which can increase the image by upto a 1:15 ratio} on to a cyc or cloth, upstage of the scrim.

Then the lantern can be focused from the 'X' or 'Z' position on or off stage, rather than using the S4 [profile]in the downstage 'Y' location & projecting onto the scrim, which restricts warm prop movements & wash usaged.

-------------
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: 12/21/09 at 2:08pm

There are new S-4 lens tubes that go out to 90 degrees, which is quite wide. However, with only 3' to work with I'd opt for the painted or cut-out skyline.

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David M

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 12/23/09 at 12:25am

Gill this might be something to have a squint at;- http://www.lightbreak.com/ - http://www.lightbreak.com/
While it supposedly a new innovation? I remember mucking 'bout with simmilar breakup gobo's for fresnels, back in the 50's.

-------------
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}