A general overview of projection mapping techniques and their application to film production students and programs

1. Thomas Javier Castillo, Department of Theatre and Film, Bowling Green State University

2. Projection Mapping is...
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Projection of 2D visual content onto 3D
structures, surfaces, or objects.
Also, the utilization of 2D textures or patterns to
guide the visual content.
Ideally, an interplay between content and
surface/space...but that is a challenge!

3. Here, a simple structure...
Image by Anirudh Koul, Tower by Eiffel

4. First Mapped...

5. And then transformed...by projection
(or by cheap illustration)

6. Further (and better) examples...
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BGSU Media Synthesis Documentations:
https://vimeo.com/groups/mediasynthesis
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The Icebook: https://vimeo.com/19348564
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Scintillation: https://vimeo.com/3114617
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Willow Music Video: https://vimeo.com/3114617
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White Stripes Music Video: https://vimeo.com/471982
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Projection Mapping Tumblr:
http://videomapping.tumblr.com/

7. The method...illustrated!

8. The method...
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Start from content or from surface? A little bit of
both...
Project a blank, transparent signal, and then
outline the surface, texture, or object.
The resolution of the map (and the content) is
dependent on the resolution capabilities of the
projector.

9. The method...
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Mapping requires a surface, a projector,
playback, an imaging program (ie Photoshop or
GIMP) and some level of control over ambient
light.
Measurements and markings are key:
placement of the projector during the exhibition
has to exactly match the placement during the
mapping.

10. The method...
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Resolution and lumens are great, but most
important is ambient light: a cheap old projector
is fine in a dark room.
It is site-specific and fleeting. Documentation is
a must!
Not just projecting movies onto walls...as much
as possible, build to content in conjunction with
the surface or transform existing content to
work with the surface.

11. Media Synthesis course at Bowling
Green State University, Fall 2012
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Co-taught: Heather Elliott-Famularo and
Thomas Javier Castillo
Interdisciplinary: Film Production and Digital
Arts
Undergrad and Grad
Visiting Artist Diana Riechenbach:
dianareichenbach.com

12. Media Synthesis course at Bowling
Green State University, Fall 2012
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Intensive workshop and exhibition
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Big semester-end Arts Extravaganza event
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Proposal, Exhibition, Critique, Documentation
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Shared resources
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Incorporate existing skill sets
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Every piece of gear helps: mirrors, scraps of
wood, old projectors and monitors

13. Key questions/challenges in the film
production environment
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So...what does this have to do with FILM?
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How does this help me get a JOB?
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Long history and rich set of active examples in
the art world, but not much documentation in
the film world.
How, as a teacher, can I engage film people?

14. Projection in Film: A Long Tradition
in Visual Effects
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Jean Cocteau: Orpheus

18. Projection in Film
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Stanley Kubrick: 2001 (and the Moon
Landings!)
Images by sacredmysteries.com (!)

19. Projection in Film

20. Projection in Film
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Michel Gondry
-White Stripes Dead Leaves Music Video
http://youtu.be/7OyytKqYjkE

21. Projection in Film
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Joseph Kosinski/Claudio Miranda: Oblivion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DCkIuv82Q4#at=62
h/t to Bayonet Media

24. Projection is Production
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Requires all of the typical film production skills:
Shooting, lighting, editing, scheduling, and so
forth.
Students must bring their full set of skills to
bear: Technical skill and conceptual clarity.
Production organization is key: no use coming
up with wacky concepts only to get sidetracked
for lack of a widget. Find the resources or
adapt.

25. Critical Challenges for Filmmakers
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Can filmmaking skills apply to other environments?
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How does narrative work, or not?
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How can narrative utilize space? How can space
utilize narrative?
Site-specific storytelling: is this a thing?

26. Critical Challenges for Filmmakers
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How does the live element change the way a
filmmaker approaches the project?
How can performance or interactivity be incorporated?
How can you emotionally impact your audience with a
different set of tools?