Multimedia and VR

Although it’s been used in theatre since the 1950s, high quality video imagery is increasingly part of contemporary theatrical productions. Occasionally, productions come along that could not exist without multimedia elements, such as the National Theatre’s Network.  

 

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Projection Design by 59 Productions (London)

The team talk about their work on a wide range of projects.

Katie Mitchell on directing multimedia productions

The Builders Association – SuperVision trailer

• Evolution of Projection
• Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms – Multimedia
• Multimedia Connections
• Multimedia Projection for Drama
• Projection Mapping
• Using TVs On Stage
• Virtual Reality and Immersive Technologies

See also

• Pepper’s Ghost
• Using Gauzes

Projection Mapping

MadMapper

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Video Editing

 

History – Video for Live Performance

Film projection was used by a range of multimedia artists, but the mega concerts of the 1980s demanded a more immediate relay of the performers. 

1987: A large video wall was used in the Aretha Franklin/George Michael ‘I Knew You Were Waiting’ music video (in 1987, filmed in Detroit, directed by Andy Morahan)

Simon Le Bon, of Duran Duran, said that they used the first video walls in a live concert. [ref: Smartless podcast April 2023]. Research is ongoing. 

U2 (1996) used a very early LED video screen, as the technology emerged. 

 

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Video

• Pixel Mapping Workshop (Martin LED)
• Sound and Video Supervisor - Careers at the National Theatre
• Tron Dance (Japan)
• Tron Dance: iLuminate

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