lighting patterns onto the walls? at DVinfo.net

Sam Vann · December 7th, 2004, 12:28 PM

I'm trying to project patterns, probably using cookies, onto the walls of a room at night. The patterns will be moving. What I'm trying to accomplish is the look of, let say a shot of a toy carsousel spinning with light behind it. Then it switches to another shot of the room with the shadows of the carsousel moving on the walls. My question is, what type of light would I need so you'll see shadows of figures (i.e horses, knights, witches, etc) on the walls, but without over lighting the whole room? This will be shot at night. What type of cookie pattern would I need? Hope all this makes sense. There's a scene in Sleepy Hollow where this kid is looking at latern of some sort in a room. The light inside the latern projected these patterns of witches and such onto the walls. That's what I'm trying to accomplish. Thanks

Boyd Ostroff · December 7th, 2004, 01:00 PM

There are a number of ways you might do this. I haven't tried it with video, but we do this sort of thing all the time in the theatre. Here are a few ideas that work with Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS) such as the ETC Source Four. That is the type of lighting unit you will probably want. Be sure to get the correct lens system based on the distance and projection size desired, you probably want a 50 degree lens for use in tight quarters.

ETC Source Four http://www.etcconnect.com/products/products.asp?1
Rosco Animation Effects System http://www.rosco.com/us/motioneffects/anim_fx_sys.asp
GAM FilmFX http://www.gamonline.com/catalog/fil...7df3b5d8ef0f36

GAM Scene Machine - this would be more expensive, but more versatile using transparency loops:
http://www.gamonline.com/index.php

As a different approach which might give you the most flexibility, how about renting a video projector and then you'd have virtually unlimited possibilities to project moving images?

Sam Vann · December 7th, 2004, 01:34 PM

Those are excellent suggestions. I like that projector idea. Think I'll head down to local stage and lighting store. Thank you for the response.

David Mesloh · December 7th, 2004, 05:30 PM

Go the easy and inexpensive route. Put the carousel that you just finished shooting, in front of a small light or projector and by varying the distance between the light and the object, you change the size and sharpness of the pattern on the wall. Gobo's and cookies won't give you the look that I think you are looking for.

Matthew de Jongh · December 28th, 2004, 09:43 PM

ok how about a pice of foamboard cut into a circle with the shapes, spin it around with a hole in the center and then point a small light pointed at one of the pictures on the wheel and spin the wheel?

might have to do something to control light spill.

this is a great walter graff question

matthew

December 7th, 2004, 12:28 PM	#1
Sam Vann New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5	lighting patterns onto the walls? I'm trying to project patterns, probably using cookies, onto the walls of a room at night. The patterns will be moving. What I'm trying to accomplish is the look of, let say a shot of a toy carsousel spinning with light behind it. Then it switches to another shot of the room with the shadows of the carsousel moving on the walls. My question is, what type of light would I need so you'll see shadows of figures (i.e horses, knights, witches, etc) on the walls, but without over lighting the whole room? This will be shot at night. What type of cookie pattern would I need? Hope all this makes sense. There's a scene in Sleepy Hollow where this kid is looking at latern of some sort in a room. The light inside the latern projected these patterns of witches and such onto the walls. That's what I'm trying to accomplish. Thanks

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December 7th, 2004, 01:00 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	There are a number of ways you might do this. I haven't tried it with video, but we do this sort of thing all the time in the theatre. Here are a few ideas that work with Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS) such as the ETC Source Four. That is the type of lighting unit you will probably want. Be sure to get the correct lens system based on the distance and projection size desired, you probably want a 50 degree lens for use in tight quarters. ETC Source Four http://www.etcconnect.com/products/products.asp?1 Rosco Animation Effects System http://www.rosco.com/us/motioneffects/anim_fx_sys.asp GAM FilmFX http://www.gamonline.com/catalog/fil...7df3b5d8ef0f36 GAM Scene Machine - this would be more expensive, but more versatile using transparency loops: http://www.gamonline.com/index.php As a different approach which might give you the most flexibility, how about renting a video projector and then you'd have virtually unlimited possibilities to project moving images?

December 7th, 2004, 01:34 PM	#3
Sam Vann New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5	Those are excellent suggestions. I like that projector idea. Think I'll head down to local stage and lighting store. Thank you for the response.

December 7th, 2004, 05:30 PM	#4
David Mesloh Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 94	Go the easy and inexpensive route. Put the carousel that you just finished shooting, in front of a small light or projector and by varying the distance between the light and the object, you change the size and sharpness of the pattern on the wall. Gobo's and cookies won't give you the look that I think you are looking for.

December 28th, 2004, 09:43 PM	#5
Matthew de Jongh Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: sounthern maine Posts: 344	ok how about a pice of foamboard cut into a circle with the shapes, spin it around with a hole in the center and then point a small light pointed at one of the pictures on the wheel and spin the wheel? might have to do something to control light spill. this is a great walter graff question matthew