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Movie Projector FX


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Assuming you don't need to see the projector itself (or can cut around the issue) this is lots easier with a video projector, almost certainly an LCD type. Any video projector should be carefully assessed for flicker performance, although DLP types are much more likely to flicker than an LCD. Colour may also be an issue; ideally have a LUT of some sort of in the input of the video projector for fine adjustment, though also be prepared to physically filter the beam with gels.

Assuming you're only interested in the beam in the air, you might want to have a variety of footage prepared for it, too. It's not necessarily that obvious what sort of footage creates what sort of aerial effect through mist, and you might find yourself wanting more or less activity in the beam. Likewise, the ability to alter contrast through a LUT may help you tune things for the desired effect.

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So my day job is as a projection designer and i wanted to offer a couple solutions. 
 

if you are looking for the flicker effect as an ambient source you would be better off using some sort of LED effect unit and bouncing it for the brightness. Depoending on your budget it can be difficult to get a video projector that can be bright enough.  Even a source4 with a color correction gel and a flicker box could work pretty well. 
 

If it’s about seeing the beam in the dark room then a video projector will be a much better choice since you and cram some footage in there and get the movement within the shape of the beam.

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On 3/17/2020 at 10:15 AM, David Kagen said:

Aside from using a real movie projector, has anyone recreated this effect with a lighting source?  

To clarify, I'm interested in seeing the beam as it eminates from the projection booth.  Seems the best way is it use an actual projector.  What are the primary differences between an LCD and a DLP projector?  Why choose one over the other?  

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For your purposes the only difference will be price.  DLP have much better color and black levels than LCD, so they are preferred when you are worrying about image quality.  But the visual trick you are doing, the differences will not be visible.  
 

the only thing you need to consider is how bright you want the beams to be.  And make sure you have good source of atmospheric haze to make the beam read. 

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