Gallery & CASE STUDIES - THEATRICAL
The Addams Family
They're creepy and they're kooky! The Addams Family Musical is a favourite amongst adult and youth drama groups.
These projections can be adapted for your company. Consider some green screen filming with your actors when watching this demo. StageProjection.uk can help!
"Special mention has to go to ... the excellent projections that take the place of scenery – particularly the spooky picture gallery." (Barrie Jerram, The Argus)
Ali Baba and the Bongo Bandits
Written for schools, this highly entertaining feast is a magical treasure of a show for youngsters, loaded with great catchy songs and a laugh-a-minute script.
Easily adaptable for any "Aladdin" -style show as well.
Price: £25 (plus VAT)
Format: HD
Bad Girls
In Bad Girls, director Michael Burnie wanted abstract and interesting backdrops to be used in almost all the scenes. He also wanted something that matched the images to run in a loop during scene changes. The result received critical acclaim from reviewers of the show, "a well conceived set with great abstracted projections that worked well..." (Andrew Kay, Latest Brighton)
Michael added metallic clanging sounds with reverb, which transported the audience to a prison institution. The cast discreetly moved on stage furniture and set pieces in tandem with the scene change animations to provide an almost choreographed and slick experience.
The production received multiple positive reviews, one noting that "the backdrop projections creating the inside of the prison are particularly effective." (James Ledward, GScene)
Bugsy Malone
Bugsy Malone is a time-honoured favourite show, especially amongst schools as it was mean't to be cast with children playing adults. Gangsters, more specifically. What could be more fun than that? Doing projection animations is! Here is a slideshow of scenes that I made for this school's production of the show.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is truly the most fantasmorgorical musical ever written.
StageProjections.uk has now designed all the scenes for both Act I and Act II, and they've been upgraded to glorious 4K.
Some animations were meticulously timed to the score/songs.
Fame
Fame presented new challenges in projection timing and placement. A critical sequence during the first number had projection playing in front of cast members singing the song "Pray". They were lit with spotlights during individual solos so that they could be seen through the projector screen (gauze), appearing to be inside the windows.
Original buildings were modelled too, to represent the Performing Arts school depicted in the musical.
Fright Night
A little bit of Halloween fun here, utilising a 'Scooby Doo' feeling for animated backgrounds.
Guys 'n' Dolls
The stage manager of Guys 'n' Dolls provided the artistic vision for this youth production. The animation sequence you see here proved to be an interesting challenge. It played during the overture and into the first scene.
The first part up (up to the 'New York' text and skyline image) had to be projected on a cloth downstage. The second part was to segue being projected on the back wall of the stage (after the downstage cloth was struck).
Two projectors were needed each focused on their own surface, and two separate films were made which were cued separately by the stage manager once there was confirmation that the cloth had been struck.
This second clip was played during the bows at the end of the show. A bit of fun utilising the show's logo and some relevant casino gaming background images with animated objects rendered into 3D. (Stage direction by Alexandre Aragao.)
Note: For the purposes of the demo, these films have been sped up from their original timing.
Hair
Hair was a trippin' experience. It was director Michael Burnie's vision for the projections to enhance the mind-blowing songs with psychedelic visual journeys. In the second act, one of characters experiences a drug-induced hallucination which was depicted through fantastic acting and projections. Some of the other animations were captured from royalty-free YouTube videos as they were perfect for certain scenes.
G-Scene : "The staging is particularly effective with the projection design and screen animations on the backdrop capturing the psychedelic 60s perfectly. The second half in particular when Claude is on a drug induced trip is very effective."
The Argus : "The quality and power of the singing is outstanding ... all rolled out with enormous vitality against a backdrop of continually changing psychedelic projections."
Hans Christian Andersen
Scenery projections for the Frank Loesser musical Hans Christian Andersen. Some animations in this video are sped up for demo purposes.
Review: "The stage was set with very effective props when needed, but the stage is mainly bare: scenes and set dressing coming from brilliant moving projections onto the backdrop. Each scene was accompanied by a matched projection, sometimes the projections moved with the cast on stage while they were walking, and in one scene the backdrop turns 180 degrees so we start as the audience for the show within the show, then the performers turned round at exactly the same time as the backdrop, so we look at their backs as the curtain closes behind them – reminiscent of Phantom of the Opera. It was perfectly executed and very clever." Susanne Crosby, National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA)
High School Musical: On Stage
Disney's High School Musical lives on in a live theatrical performance with the stage adaptation of a story where Grease meets Fame (story-wise). With catchy, memorable tunes the show glitters from start to finish. For this adaptation directed by Michael Burnie, I recreated (in 3D) most of the school's exterior and interior scenes (rooms) to allow him the maximum freedom of background settings and scene change animations.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (lite version)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a legendary show that provides a feel-good experience for everyone who participated in it. These projections will provide appropriate backgrounds for all the scenes in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
This is a lite version. A more enhanced version (including more animated 3D scenery) will be available in Summer 2023.
Legally Blonde
The production's performing license came with lots of set pieces utilising vivid colours and the projections had to compliment these.
Legally Blonde is a fantastically fun musical adapted from the film of the same name.
For this project we wanted colourful background images that would take us from a balmy California beach resort to the busy metropolitan hub bub of a hair salon and a popular college campus in Boston.
Les Misérables
Les Misérables was a challenging, and highly satisfying project for Brighton Theatre Group. The production had projections from start to finish and the images had to complement the lighting and stage sets (including the barricade). Animations were designed for key scenes to bring life to the set, and enhance the overall dramatic ambiance.
All photos in the demo video here are courtesy of Miles Davies (www.milesdaviessite.com).
The Lion King
Here's a useful animation sequence if you're doing "The Lion King" on stage. An animated backdrop that can be played behind the stampede sequence.
Matilda The Musical, Jr.
Oliver!. Ahh, that age old classic loved by theatre-goers everywhere.
This quick turnaround project had original artwork supplied by Jai Sepple (the director) who wanted some animation to bring his still designs to life.
Oliver!
Matilda the Musical, Jr., is an amazingly fun show for youngsters to sink their dramatic and musical teeth into.
This set of projections includes all background scenes from the show and animations perfectly timed to the professional backing tracks.
Peter Pan: The Musical
Unless you've got access to wires and rigging, Peter Pan is a difficult show to put on.
One way around it is to pre-film your flying sequences with your actors and project them.
Even if you decide to do practical flying effects on the stage, these projections can work in your background and save you loads on set construction.
Bognor Regis Observer review: "The various settings are ingeniously done by clever, moving special-effects projections so that we see the interior of the Darling house, complete with magically opening windows, then the children in flight, a flooding lake, the sea, the deck of the pirate ship, the crocodile and much more. This technology allows for rapid switches of location without clunky scene-changes or overtaxing the audience’s imagination as to what might be on the relatively bare stage."
Popcorn
Popcorn is a satirical comedy-thriller adapted by author and comedian Ben Elton from his book of the same title. The play relied heavily on showing the audience how the power of media influences real life. For this project, I did the stage design from simple 2D drawings and rendered them into 3D scale digital mock ups. This proved to be invaluable to the builder who pretty much had everything he needed to turn an idea on paper into a real life theatrical set.
Along with set design, I also undertook some animation work by creating a title sequence and logos. Andrew Etter provided valuable storyboard work.
"... With other good performances from the cast, the production is enhanced by a realistic set and clever animation." Barrie Jerram, Brighton Argus.
Pressure
The projections available here include ALL the suggested annotations made by actors onto the 'maps', stylised in a hand-written red crayon.
"StageProjections.uk did an amazing job for us in masterminding the back projected images of the WW2 D-Day weather charts which we needed across the stage in our recent production. The AV work was highly praised by the Brighton and Hove awards adjudicator as well." Henfield Theatre Company.
Pressure is a stage play by David Haig that thrillingly explores the responsibilities of leadership, the challenges of weather prophecy and the personal toll of taking a stand during the lead up to the D-Day allied force landings. The Allied forces led by General Eisenhower are poised to launch. 350,000 lives are at stake and the decision of whether or not to attack comes down to the most important weather forecast of all time. The play centres on the true story of James Stagg and Operation Overlord, in particular the weather-forecasting for the D-Day landings and the resultant tensions between Dwight D. Eisenhower, James Stagg and Irving P. Krick.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Priscilla is a wonderful bit of theatre. Based on the film of the same title, the musical captures the story and fills in lots of 80's classic songs.
The BHOS producer (Andy Stoner) and director (Tania Newton) collaborated with StageProjections.uk to create a vivid digital landscape that carries the story from scene to scene, utilising animation in creative ways, bringing the audience to standing ovations at every performance.
"[The] production was slick and superbly presented from the outset with incredible 3D graphics projected and used to great effect throughout... The addition of an animated background for Adam’s chase sequence and then the use of slow motion strobe was a touch of genius and brought spontaneous mid-scene applause from the audience." National Operatic and Dramatic Association
Puss in Boots: Bollywood Style
Puss In Boots was a fun production put on by the society that arguably taught me everything I know about live theatre, having been involved in shows since my late teens. The Society puts on a pantomime every year at the island's most central and popular theatre in the heart of the City of Hamilton.
The stage features original artwork on the proscenium arch, layered with arches that go to the back of the set offering a 3D effect. The beautiful artwork was done by Nancy Van Dusen Thompson and is used exclusively in the projections. I've added some animations and special effects in some scenes where are highlighted in the demo video here.
<- The stage with background projection incorporated. Photo courtesy John L. Waddell.
School of Rock
In search of a budget solution to solve the problem of building expensive set pieces, SHCHS decided to use projections.
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your help with the projections for our show. They looked amazing and really brought the piece together, keeping scenes moving effortlessly - which is so important, particularly in comedy. We will be in touch again - and tell others about your wonderful work! " Kerrie Palma (Head of Performing Arts)
Sister Act
Sister Act required several original 'locations' in its story line. To achieve the required backgrounds for this production, an entire 3D mock-up of an original American-style church was constructed so that various rooms could be depicted, including the sanctuary, a vestibule, a dining hall, a choir room, some sleeping chambers and Mother Superior's office.
In addition some other models were created to represent Eddie's apartment, Curtis' club, and the police station.
"We used these for our production and I have had so many wonderful comments about them. They enhanced the performance and helped tell the story and we LOVED working with Steve at Stage Projections!" Rebecca Bennett, Director.
"As with many shows, the need for various sets is a demand on societies. Steve Gallant should be especially commended for his creation of the projections used here. All designed from scratch in 3D and “moving” as the scene moved, the chase scenes and the TV in particular were clever and effective." Mark Hall, National Operatic and Dramatic Association
The Spongebob Musical
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and became the hottest star on Broadway? Why, it's SpongeBob SquarePants! And now he’s ready to ride the wave to your theatre to entertain and delight audiences in this brilliant, bright, hilarious and brand-new musical.
This set of projections will provide your backgrounds from start to finish.
Teddy The Lost Dog
Teddy The Lost Dog is an original musical written by James Burn. It had its premiere performance in Bermuda under the capable production abilities of BMDS.
As this was a totally new production, the writer (James Burn) and director (Jo Shane) contacted StageProjections.uk to establish a digital backdrop which would complement minimal set pieces, and take the audience through a journey that reflected both human and animal perspectives.
The Tempest
This was a sweet primary school adaptation of Shakespeare's dramatic classic play. As well as background images of an "isolated island", I also did this quick title animation to play as the audience came in.
West Side Story
West Side Story is a musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents.
Inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, the story is set in the mid-1950s in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, then a multiracial, blue collar neighbourhood. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The Sharks, who are recent migrants from Puerto Rico, and the Jets, who are white, vie for dominance of the neighbourhood, and the police try to keep order.
These projections will provide an era-appropriate backdrop for your production.
The Wizard of Oz
A classic favourite of theatre groups, The Wizard of Oz.
Animations in this video have been sped up for demo purposes. Scene changes and backgrounds were requested for this adaptation.