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The “professional” world of video projection generally involves using a computer with special software dedicated to composing and rendering a moving image onto an object instead of a screen.  

You’ve probably seen things like this – they're generally very big and often done outdoors.

 

On a building – Ralph Lauren

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPr0CgvmBM4

Prague Astronomical Clock - 600th Anniversary Show - Tomato

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in9BgR-P5b4

Dawn of Man, Projection napping

http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/projection-napping-puts-sleeping-giants-on-nyc-buildings

 

With the right equipment and production budget you can create extremely precise preprogramed performances.

 

Bot and Dolly – the Box

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX6JcybgDFo

Omote, real-time face tracking and projection mapping

https://vimeo.com/103425574

 

But a true artist will find innovative methods without the super expensive toys.

Dandy Punk, Alchemy of light

https://vimeo.com/50197298

 

For this project we’re going to approach video projection in a manner similar to the artist Tony Oursler

 

Tate interview and studio tour (watch)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuWozY8NIS0

Documentary… kind-of

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-q15Qf-Q64

Installation at AROS Exhibition Center, Aarhus, Denmark 2012.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HjR1X0a4e4

Bound Interrupter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTG1oxBo-3o

 

Project Procedure:

 

1, Make or find your “Object”. It could be a doll-like character, an animal, or maybe a wall mounted sculpture of some sort. Your creature will be given a face and this portion of the object should be made white (see Tony Oursler's work  - above examples). Securely mount your object on a doll-stand.

2, Open final Cut. Create a new project. Final cut will now ask you to define the "settings" for your project. We are going to make the screen size the SAME as the size of our NEC 770 projectors - 1024 x 786. So click custom - then in the format box select the down arrow and click custom again. Under resolution enter 1024 x 786.

 

Now your project is the correct size for projection. Next we're going to create a template so we can compose a"collage" that lines-up with with the object. 

 

3, Open the following link. Link to grid Note - this image is EXACTLY 1024 x 786.

 

Copy and save the JPEG to your desktop. Now, take this JPEG file into Final cut and place it in the timeline. "Stretch" it out so its a good minute or two in length.

 

Share (or save) this video to your desktop - Share/apple devices 1080p. Name it "grid" and place this MV4 movie file onto one of the Thumb drives.

 

4, Place the projector on the table or atop one of the black crates. (It’s generally best when the projector is mounted higher than the object.) Plug the AV cable into the media player and connect to a projector.  Make sure you have power. Plug the Thumb drive into media player and project the grid onto your object. Make sure you can see the 4 dots in each corner of the Grid!!!

 

5, With the grid as a guide try and bring the projector as close to your object as you can, making sure the Grid-lines on your object are in focus.

 

6, Photograph the object with the DSLR camera lens as close to projector lens as possible, mimicking the position of the projector lens. Include 100% of the projected grid. Its critical that you be able to see the outline of your object!! Also, take notes about the distance and hight the projector lens is from the object.  Note - you may need to place a backdrop screen behind your object. 

 

7, Bring this photo AND the 1024 x 786 grid jpeg (Link to grid) into Photoshop. Put the photograph on a layer ABOVE the GRID. Make the photo slightly transparent and align the grids by transforming the scale, perspective and distortion of the photograph layer.

 

Now, Cut your object from the background and create a mask. Make the background black and the space where you object goes White. The outline or shape of your object should be clear and smooth. This mask will act as your template for compositing.

 

8, Save your work as a PSD and a JPEG - Bring the new B&W JPEG template into Final cut. Place in timeline and stretch to 3:00 minutes.

 

9, Begin capturing elements using the face rig/DSLR and bring them into Final cut. Keep in mind that you are making a performing object  - so have a plan before you just start recording. Its OK to use some (but not all) readymade images from youtube and archive. 

 

10, Resize and shape your recorded elements into a face using your mask as a guide. Keep in mind that you can swap “eyes” and “mouths” with your classmates - and who says you need to have 2 eyes???? We will go over how to use the circle mask, vignette mask and “new compound clip” functions.

 

11, Now that you have a sense of how to composite these elements consider incorporating sound – your object must say something! Or will it sing?

 

12, When your ready, “share” you movie in the same manner as you did when we created the projection grid. Share (or save) this video to your desktop - Share/apple devices 1080p. Name it and place this MV4 movie file onto one of the Thumb drives. 

 

13, Realign the projector with your creature and TEST!!!

 

14, Tweak and repeat until satisfied.

 

 

More:

Check-out these very cool projection sculptures

https://vimeo.com/20813608

 

Gabriel Barcia-Colombo’s Animalia Chordata

http://www.gabebc.com/Animalia-Chordata

His brief Ted Talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/gabriel_barcia_colombo_capturing_memories_in_video_art?language=en

 

Pop-up book mini projection mapping tests "Schodinger's Rabbit" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igg8Ts0UUHg

 

Cat monster - LOVE - https://vimeo.com/61040571

Interesting – digital graffiti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBdOolaisIc

 

Mixing projection into the real-world environment

https://vimeo.com/74044071

Projection mapping and fashion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E85rRXNNcCA

Introduction to project 4

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