Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion
by Sascha Engel
on
Jun 1, 2009 at 8:44:14 am
Hi,
I am currently working on a theatre dance show, which includes film. The projection surface is a curved 7 m by 4m screen, ,the curve is quiet noticeable. When I adjust the FrameSize in the final phase in the theatre - the image will go on the curved screen as well as on the floor in between. What is the best and fastest way in After effects, to adjust the image to the distortions, compensating them, so that the public will see an undistorted image?
Cracking my head over this one. Help is highly appreciated!!!!
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Dave LaRonde on Jun 1, 2009 at 2:38:17 pm
[Sascha Engel]"....the image will go on the curved screen as well as on the floor in between. What is the best and fastest way in After effects, to adjust the image to the distortions..."
From what angle will the screen be viewed? Unless the projector is designed to create a curved image, you don't stand a snowball's chance in Hades of getting it right for every viewer if it's a typical auditorium.
Come to think of it, every viewer will see a distorted image on a curved screen except one: the viewer sitting at the angle for which you design the projection.
I don't know what set designer thought this turkey up, but he or she ought to report for a head examination. I suppose it's too late in the game to go with 3-4 flat rear projection screens.
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Sascha Engel on Jun 2, 2009 at 8:30:05 am
Thanx for the answer. It's kind of what I thought. No, screen is not build yet - they need a slight curve. I just wonder, how to find out, what is the curve angle, that is still tolerable for the eye - when you project on it?
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Dave LaRonde on Jun 2, 2009 at 3:01:37 pm
Would it be possible to use 3-5 flat rear-projection screens? That may be your best bet. If you need a seamless image from one side to the other, it will be a challenge.
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Thomas Leong on Jun 1, 2009 at 6:05:13 pm
Hi,
There are various possible solutions, one of which is the Image AnyPlace video/graphics scaler with geometry correction, specifically their e-warp feature. You could try asking them where you could rent one from.
http://www.flexiblepicturesystems.com/products/imageanyplace.html
Another possibility is AvStumpfl's Wings Platinum 3 software (the Multidisplay version) which has a screen warp feature on output via the PC's graphics card.
Dataton's Watchout software has a similar feature, but with Watchout, you need 2 dongled licences (read; 2 PCs, one Master, one Slave), whereas Wings 3 needs only one (read: Master also as Slave), in order to output to the screen.
Both Watchout and Wings have free downloadable demos, and the Display Warp/Geometric Correction feature should work in the demos. Output to projector is obviously not possible without the dongled licence.
Rental is possible with both systems - look up for the nearest dealer at their websites.
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Sascha Engel on Jun 2, 2009 at 8:30:18 am
Hi Thomas,
Thanx for all the offers of solutions!!!!!!
The AnyPlace seems great, but this is a theatre production in Jerusalem - not much budget involved!
The two softwares are great too, but windows based - I work with Mac. Is there any software for Mac system which does the same?
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Steve Roberts on Jun 2, 2009 at 3:35:30 pm
Are you sure it can't be distorted?
Maybe the producer doesn't care.
Maybe distortion would be cool.
Maybe you're trying to solve a problem that isn't really a problem ...?
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by David Crites on Jun 2, 2009 at 4:01:24 pm
The correction for the curved screen can be accomplished fairly easily using the bezier warp effect in the distort category of your effects. I used this technique for the 10 360 degree screens at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The best way to do it is to connect a laptop with after effects to a projector and project a grid that matches the aspect ratio of your screen. Line things up at the top and then use the bezier warp effect to make the bottom come into line with the curved screen. If the screen curves towards the audience, which I assume it would in this case, you will end up distorting the video by making it bow up in the bottom center. This will not only work for a single screen, but as mentioned above, I was able to produce a seamless 360 degree panorama with each of the 10 screens fitting the curvature perfectly.
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Roland R. Kahlenberg on Jun 2, 2009 at 5:22:34 pm
I'm with Steve on this - you should check with the designer/producer if they mind the distortion to go along with the curvature.
On a related track, many moons ago, I worked on a project for the national museum here, which required four different videos to be played on four separate walls. Each wall was approx. 5.5m x4m so they weren't square and the walls had an incline.
My issues were related to the keystone. As the videowall wasn't 4:3 or 16:9, I had to create the presentation with an alpha (sort of as they were blacked out).
For testing, I brought my notebook along and hooked it up to the projector and had an interactive session with AE and the projector. Importantly, I also created a test pattern that not only helped to check the colors but also the keystone issues. Be prepared to spend at least an hour on a single wall.
Your issues will be compounded if you have to fix the distortion. But within AE, you may get by with either the Optics Compensation or even the bulge plugins to sort out the distortion.
HTH
RoRK
broadcastGEMs - AEPro Volume 02 (Professional Adobe After Effects Project Files - Now Available). Adobe After Effects Training in South East Asia.
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Sascha Engel on Jun 4, 2009 at 1:15:35 pm
Hi Roland,
thanx a lot. In a week I will be in the theatre and yes, I will try all the Bulge, Bezier Warp & Distortion Compensation FXs of AE. As I can read from you guys, it should be possible to get rid of the worst part of the Distortion like that.
The moment I did it, and I have some experience with that matter, I will post my report on this here.
Till then Thanx to everybody's time and advice!!!!!!
Re: Curved screen in Theatre show - how to deal with Distortion by Sascha Engel on Jun 4, 2009 at 1:07:37 pm
hi Steve,
I know what you are saying - yes, there's more abstract images, which are functioning a theatre lighting element or atmospheric ingredient-there it's o.k. But for the Narrative Film part it would be defeinately nicer to have a clean undistorted picture.
I guess, I will try to De-Distort it with the Bulge Filter.
