Theatrecrafts - Evolution of Projection

Evolution of Projection
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Some thoughts about the evolution of projection as part of live events.

Shadow Puppetry

Magic Lantern

1650s The light sources were initially candles and oil lamps. In the 19th century, kerosene and gas lights were added. Later, limelight was added (hydrogen + oxygen, directed at a piece of lime), along with arc lamps.

Phantasmagoria

1790s- Phantasmagoria shows took place in Paris, with magic lantern ghosts projected onto smoke
More information: www.magiclantern.org.uk

Linnebach Projection

Lighting technique pioneered by theatre designer Adolf Linnebach (1876-1963) around 1917.
Linnebach was the technical director at the State Schauspielhaus, Dresden, Germany.
The technique involves using a lensless and reflector-less lantern and a cut-out shape.
The inside of the lantern is painted black to minimise reflection.
The point source of the lamp casts a detailed shadow of the shape on a backcloth, and can (still!) be a surprisingly effective method to define a location.

Lighting by Linnebach
in TABS (1965)

The London production of Young Frankenstein used a similar technique, using a 8 foot (2.4m) wide roller, with tree cutouts, and a single lantern, behind the backdrop, to create an effectively lo-fi moving landscape.

Effects Projection for Theatre

Effects Projection for Music

Optikinetics Solar 250

Film Projection

Slide Projection

See The Hunting of the Snark

Overhead Projector

3M 1705 Overhead Projector

Video Projector

Data Projector

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)