Shooting Projected Content

[standeliverleave]

I have a shoot coming up and wondered if anyone has worked with projection and the RED. Will I see that scan line? I assume the shutter speed can match the refresh rate but am I compromising something where maybe a certain type of projector eliminates this effect? Any advise would be helpful.

[A. Clint Litton]

I've worked a limited amount shooting projected footage, though it was hitting an uneven, textured background and wasn't the focal point of the shot, but rather was providing a background for a music video performance. I didn't have time to go in beforehand to do tests with scan rates, though that was my primary concern. Another thing to consider is how you're feeding the images to the projector (we had it hooked up to a laptop as an external monitor, and presented quicktimes through the projector, in the interest of keeping everything progressive). A dvd player may show some of the interlacing.

The biggest issue we had to deal with was luminance and the color temperature of the images (it was definitely a cooler light source than tungsten, but also projecting onto a light brownish background, which made the projected material--which was B&W--take on a greenish hue). If you have a choice of projectors, I would favor one that's brighter, as you may need to gel it a bit which will cost you some light, and you can always knock it down further with ND if needed. If it's too dark to begin with, you may have trouble getting enough exposure or contrast, depending on the shooting environment.

Like anything else, if you can get your hands on it ahead of time to test these different factors, it should save you some time on the day. Hope this helps.

[David Rasberry]

The color temp issue is the most challenging to deal with. Most projectors provide full control over RGB color balance and in many cased reference color temperature. for computer sources, but may not for non-component video sources.
Use the setup menus for the projector to balance color, brightness, and contrast for an appropriate look for your scene as viewed on a camera monitor. Trust the camera, the picture may look very off to your eyes.

[Von Thomas]

You can calibrate (profile) the projector using a i1 Extreme, http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=1240 so your color will be spot on.

I've used these when I've done workshops and have images from Mac computer projected to 12' screens.

Pretty easy to use, and I believe you can rent these from professional still camera rental houses

There is also Hubble, a bit more expensive, http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=986

[standeliverleave]

This info is great! I knew I couldn't have been first. Hopefully I'll be able to whip out the camera after prelighting.

To add to my technical hurdles- The purpose for this projected content is to serves as a reflection on a glass plexi space/enclosure with a person inside! If you followed that one..

SO.. The subject inside will be super dark. Maybe a harsh frosty edge light. Then between the the subject and my lens is that plexi with the reflections flashing. Super cool concept. Very sleek/clean/polished. Interesting and complex preproduction!

I'll update on the progress.