An Idea I had which may actually work!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

Now, I don't want to say it's a 'Eureka Moment' as I am probably way behind some of you and no doubt someone is already doing it or has been doing it for ages...maybe, somewhere deep inside my brain I have actually registered someone else mentioning it before but I don't actually remember.....so...

I had a chat with a customer this afternoon with reference to their wedding in March in a big marquee. The lady had never mentioned it before (a booking that came from a wedding fayre last year), but she mentioned in passing that she really liked the starcloth thing. I don't use a starcloth and I explained that the DJ console looked neat but she elaborated a bit more and said that she liked the idea of the stars on the ceiling of the marquee and that it would look really good. I mentioned that I had the Laser UK Moon Beams laser and that should do the trick and she sounded really pleased. I did'nt say anymore and carried on with our meeting and all went well.

When I got home I had the 'Brain Wave' (as I said...apologies if I am behind the times here). Now, when I do my own electro music at gigs, because there is only me on stage and it could get boring for people listening and watching, I have a big screen up showing visuals. One of the visuals is actually a space theme with stars moving around and there are some shooting stars there too. Earlier this evening (because I am not working), I decided to hook up the projector and try the Stars visuals on the ceiling in the dark.......it worked brilliantly!

I can't believe I have'nt used it before and I can imagine it looking excellent when spread over the ceilings in venues and marquees. The lady will get a surprise when she sees it and I know she will be well pleased. I have a couple of other weddings before hers so I will try it out at those two and probably add it to my set up for the future.

I'm well happy......So....go on, tell me....who's been doing it for ages then!??:(

[Corabar Steve]

Sounds good, I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[NKR]

I don't use a starcloth and I explained that the DJ console looked neat but she elaborated a bit more and said that she liked the idea of the stars on the ceiling

Sounds like you may have a plan, but I think I know what she means. I worked a marquee where the night area was partitioned off and it had a black star cloth fitted to all the ceiling. It looked amazing and if that is what she is after she should talk to her marquee provider as although I dont doubt your idea is a good one, it will not be the same as a star cloth fitted.

[rob1963]

Sounds like you may have a plan, but I think I know what she means. I worked a marquee where the night area was partitioned off and it had a black star cloth fitted to all the ceiling. It looked amazing and if that is what she is after she should talk to her marquee provider as although I dont doubt your idea is a good one, it will not be the same as a star cloth fitted.

I think you could be right, as I've worked in a few marquees where the end part where the disco was had a massive starcloth covering the entire ceiling, and it looked fantastic (not something you'll often hear me say about startcloths!).

[Pe7e]

:agree:
I think you are running the risk of a very dissapointed customer, if she's expecting the look of a star cloth cealing.

[Excalibur]

I think you could be right, as I've worked in a few marquees where the end part where the disco was had a massive starcloth covering the entire ceiling, and it looked fantastic (not something you'll often hear me say about startcloths!).

I've worked in the old starry starry night ends of Marquees, and I have to say I've never liked them. Like setting up in the Black Hole of Calcutta. :( :(

I'd much prefer the white backdrop, painted with Shaker's projector. Good luck mate.

[wensleydale]

It could work- what video are you planning to use?

[Vectis]

I've used projected visuals in lieu of an oil lamp before now to good effect.

Can't see why it won't work, but as has been said the starry night marquee ceilings are something completely different :)

[WWDJ]

Hi all,

Now, I don't want to say it's a 'Eureka Moment' as I am probably way behind some of you and no doubt someone is already doing it or has been doing it for ages...maybe, somewhere deep inside my brain I have actually registered someone else mentioning it before but I don't actually remember.....so...

I had a chat with a customer this afternoon with reference to their wedding in March in a big marquee. The lady had never mentioned it before (a booking that came from a wedding fayre last year), but she mentioned in passing that she really liked the starcloth thing. I don't use a starcloth and I explained that the DJ console looked neat but she elaborated a bit more and said that she liked the idea of the stars on the ceiling of the marquee and that it would look really good. I mentioned that I had the Laser UK Moon Beams laser and that should do the trick and she sounded really pleased. I did'nt say anymore and carried on with our meeting and all went well.

When I got home I had the 'Brain Wave' (as I said...apologies if I am behind the times here). Now, when I do my own electro music at gigs, because there is only me on stage and it could get boring for people listening and watching, I have a big screen up showing visuals. One of the visuals is actually a space theme with stars moving around and there are some shooting stars there too. Earlier this evening (because I am not working), I decided to hook up the projector and try the Stars visuals on the ceiling in the dark.......it worked brilliantly!

I can't believe I have'nt used it before and I can imagine it looking excellent when spread over the ceilings in venues and marquees. The lady will get a surprise when she sees it and I know she will be well pleased. I have a couple of other weddings before hers so I will try it out at those two and probably add it to my set up for the future.

I'm well happy......So....go on, tell me....who's been doing it for ages then!??:(

I have thought about incorporating a projector into my rig. Where do you get the visuals and things from? Can they be purchased online, i.e preview and download ?

Also i would want to get a projector the produced as big an image as possible with the shortest throw.

Cheers

[Vectis]

I use Phil Bearman's animations as well as R4 for abstract graphics.

You're not going to get a light output anything like a bunch of moonflowers but for painting walls & ceilings a PJ is a great option.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm going to try and answer a few questions all in one reply.

Firstly, the "Disappointed Customer" comment - As I said, she mentioned it in passing and said she liked the idea. This particular venue is like a few of you mentioned. It is a huge marquee and there is a massive net curtain that acts as a partition when the guests are having their wedding breakfast. When the evening gets going, the curtain is moved across. I did say to her that the starcloth thing was not something I could do although I did say that she could have a word with the venue and ask them if they could do it. She shouldn't be disappointed with me. I've tried it out and I personally think it looks great so I can't see why she wouldn't think the same to be fair. These are moving stars too and not just flashing leds.

Secondly, the video is a 5 minute video. I can either make a Movie Maker file and extend it and if I want, maybe add other bits to it (change the colour of the stars maybe?) or I can just set Windows Media to constant loop and let it play on it's own throughout the evening.

For my visuals I usually go to www.vjvault.com Most of the visuals are free to download but you can also make donations if you want. Some of them on there are really good (the Robots for example).

I also use the AcidGFX site too and the loops and backdrops on there are awesome and cheap. Anything from 25p - £1.50 and when you purchase them you have a number of file options to download so whatever suits you best. Here is an example -

http://clubvisuals.acidgfx.com/?arc=VJ+BACKDROPS&search=&cmd=show_item&p=1.ACIDGFX_SHOP%2F_

I think it will look awesome projected on to a big ceiling. The example above is one of the downloads I have but I have others too.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Sounds great...video please :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

think dan and ben might be worth talking to as I believe they provide this service themselves.

[DJ Davy]

The only thing with projecting visuals onto a marquee roof is that the image seen from the stage is one thing.... and the image seen from the customers point of view will be totally different due to the folds in the cloth on the roof. This may mean having to position the projector at another angle opposite the stage, which may mean having a long video lead.... or a laptop positioned away from you. I know this from experince as having worked in this situation a few times I usually position a secondary tbar to compensate!