rear projection

Hi all, I am investigating the possibility of using images projected on to a screen as the backdrop for one of our upcoming productions. We have not used this method before, so I am trying to get more information abotu it. Does anyone have any experience using rear projection? Opinions, etc welcome! I have heard it is "expensive" but I would like more details! What does it cost to hire a projector (with a decent lens, as backstage space is limited).

Rear projection in the majority of theatres is very difficult, as there is normally not enough "throw" from the projector to the screen. What is the longest distance the projector could be placed from the screen. However if u do happen to have enough throw, rear projection works well. Most projectors have the option of rear projection. There are a couple of ways you could get any problems Still using the rear-projection idea u could try and get a long-throw lense. This may help your situation if u have little room. Or, by bouncing the image onto a mirror and then onto your screen can double the optical length. This is fiddly to set up, but can work wonders if u are confined to a small space. I have had to use the above method many times when comic acts want projection, but from the rear, and as we have no room for the rear projection, projecting onto a mirror, then to the cyc worked a treat. Please email if i can be of any help. Angus Macpherson awmacpherson@bigpond.com Warrnambool, Victoria

Don't you mean a wide angle lens rather than long throw? Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

I have found that Abacus Rentals in Port Melb (though they have other branches in other cities) offer very good prices - and even are willing to do discounts if you ask nicely. They have many different types of projection equipment. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs Emerging puppetry company www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

I have found that instead of using rear projection, getting a powerful projector (around $450 rental) and hanging it off the rig pointing to the back cloth works much better than rear projection.