How many lumens do I really need for this stage?

[madsmeskalin]

I landed a pretty big job next weekend, for a local youth initiative. I got hired by a local lighting company to create a small city on stage (3m tall buildings), where eq, speakers, faders etc are going to be projected, as well as a backdrop about 6 x 5 meters. The problem is Im not sure if we got bright equipment. As it stands now we have access to 5 x 3000 lumens projectors, and can hire in a couple of 4500 lumens. But the rental dealers in Oslo cant find any brighter for that weekend.

Option 1: Use 4 x 3000 lumen projectors on the sides, and one 4500 lumen on the backdrop.

Option 2: Use 3 x 4500 lumen projectors, one on each side and one on the backdrop.

Lightingwise, its gonna be mostly static lights on the artists, no lights around the actual projections, and a couple of moving heads on the audience.

What do you guys suggest?

Here is the venue info: The stage is 12 meters wide, 9m deep
http://www.rockefeller.no/specs/venu...ntrumscene.pdf

[deepvisual]

double stack the backdrop

[madsmeskalin]

Thanks for the answer Gary! Can I do this in the software? (Madmapper) or do I need specific hardware for this?

[devonmiles]

stacking consumer grade projektors is a royal pain. if they dont have at least vertical lens shift I just wont attempt it. the gain in brightness isnt really worth the effort as you dont get 4000+4000 = 8000 lumens. the result might look more like a crappy 6000 lumens projector with a low contrast ratio.

[madsmeskalin]

I never really understood this fetish for big and expensive projectors. Yes, of course they make your life easier. But wouldnt 2 x 3000 ansi lumen side-by-side give about same brightness as 1 x 6000 lumen alone? Not stacking.

Anyways: I think this will be the options, depending on what is available to the price we want on saturday, listed from best-case scenario to worst-case. The light company is working on some deals.

1. 4 x 6000 ansi lumens, two on the sides, two on the backdrop.
2. 3 x 6000 ansi lumens: two on the sides, one on the backdrop
3. 2 x 4500 ansi lumens, 4 x 3000 ansi lumens: four on the sides, two on the backdrop
4. 6 x 3000 ansi lumens: four on the sides, two on the backdrop.

What do you guys think?

And yes, tried stacking consumer projectors before, didnt really make sense. Blurry image, and not so much brighter.

[Anders]

i feel your troubles mads But the only one who comes the closest to knowing is yourself ;D