Are LCD sets going to be the new 'thing'?

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:21am

For a while minimal seemed to be rage (eg. Chicago and the black stage with black costumes) but now it appears that LCD stage sets are becoming the 'thing' to do (eg Spider-man, Pricilla and Ghost).

It is an interesting novelty (the LCD backdrops) but I hope it doesn't become the 'norm' because that would feel like the actors are performing in front of a giant television.

Curious what everyone thinks...

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:35am

No. But they are used when something cheap is needed.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:36am

^^^^^ you're incorrect. they are wildly expensive to use and maintain.

The set for Catch Me in Seattle was a giant LCD wall, with the band appearing above it.... glad they changed THAT.

Multi million $$ musicals will have money for new technology. Its often effective, and always impressive.

But it will not be the new "thing". The weekly running cost is FAR to high to maintain this technology... so only the giant big budget shows (like the ones you listed) can even consider affording it. Thats why it was cut from CMIYF

Ideally, designers use Screens and Video because they conceptually and visually work to tell the story. They are used "effectively" in Baby its You, Spiderman, Priscilla. They are needed to propel the story, and move us forward in time and place.

Some stories dont need LCD screens to be told. (How to Succeed, Master Class, Book of Mormon, Hair, Anything Goes, The addams Family, sister act, etc....)


Updated On: 7/7/11 at 11:36 AM

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:42am

The Shrek tour had one... was it the same on Broadway?? or the pre-broadway tryout?? or LONDON??? I NEED TO KNOW!!!

[greensgreens]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:43am

It looks like with Ghost they're using it to depict the ghosts, so it serves a distinct purpose. I don't mind the theatre adopting new technologies when it makes sense for a production. Priscilla was a 100% plastic show and the fakeness of everything (incl. the LCD) worked together to create a consistent design concept.

Woman In White and Catch Me are both period pieces, so I can't really understand how LCD within the set design was appropriate without seeing them in context.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:50am

Wasn't Woman in White some kind of projection? I am not a lighting guru. Normally I do not get a weird stomach even on the wildest of amusement park rides but Woman in White did make me feel motion sickness a bit.

Will say I loved the lighting on the recent revival of Sunday in the Park with George.

I don't mind using new technology but I still love the idea of a traditional set being built. Cannot imagine not seeing another fabulous mansion for Norma to live in on stage!

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 12:04pm

Woman in White was all projection.

they both have a place and both have weaknesses.
With projections, usually the actors can't be lit too bright or the light will cancel out the projection (happened alot in Woman in White as soon as some one got close to the wall)
LCDs emit their own light so they stand up better when the stage is lit brightly. However, they usually always look 'fake' or TV-ish because they are so bright, where projections tent to be softer.

Both techniques are WAY more expensive than just flying in a set. From what I understand, LCDs are made up in panels so if only 1 led is not working properly it is very noticable and a chunk has to be replaced. they are also very heavy units. With projections, the surface being projected on has to be in esactly the right position at the time and move in synch (look at Wonderland for those who have seen it, they had alot of projections that moved with the scenery, so it can be a technical headache.
Not to mention more electricity means higher running costs.

Personally I like projections that are used as lighting or accent effects like in Wicked, and always prefer realistic 'hard' sets like with Phantom.

[Brick]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 12:05pm

Yes, they and digital projection are already well on their way to being the new 'thing'. Sadly.

Posted: 7/7/11 at 12:07pm

I thought they were quite effective in the recent Dreamgirls tour.

[fosca3]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 1:38pm

The projections at WOMAN IN WHITE made me queasy and by intermission my head was pounding and I had to leave

They pretty much ruined the show for me

(I was in the front row, too, so that probably didn't really help)

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 2:19pm

Using LCD in scenery is the same as choosing to put a flat up. . The boohoo about using the effect can be the same as why use Vari Lites or Macs instead of conventional fixtures. Intelligent lighting became the norm.

If priscilla had a different scenic designer, maybe there would be no LCDs. maybe the set would be projections or a show without both. It all comes down to what is envisioned by the director.

Any high budget show could use LCD technology. Most do, but not in the way that it would be to create images in a video fashion, but for washes and the like. It just depends on the show, and if they want to pay the $$$$$$$$$ for the technology.

I have never thought about it as actors acting in front of giant televisions. . . but if they were in front of a flat, isn't that like acting in front of a painting? Both are images. . I don't know.

Sometimes you don't even the notice the projections, like in Shrek. Its subtle. LCD aren't really subtle, but they are just another design choice.

I just think the ration for LCD vs. Non-LCD still weighs heavier on non-lcd.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 2:29pm

Maestro Keith Lockhart conducted a recent production of PORGY AND BESS in Atlanta that featured LCD sets. They were quite impressive in that they featured actually photography from the area and the hurricane sequence used actual footage of a real storm provided by the Weather Channel. Keith told me it was cost effective and made loading and unloading the sets easier.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 3:40pm

@dolly- that sounds to me like a great use of new technology.

Porgy and Bess ran for only 4 performances in Atlanta. If that's the case, its definately cost effective to use screens instead of flats... unload the box of screens, put them together, and you're done. And with such a short rental period, its affordable.

For broadway, where often the rental period is unknown, and its a week by week rental costs, the LCDs get expensiveeeeee.

[emg_sound]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 7:50pm

First off... It's not LCD, it's LED displays... (Here's a hint, if on a close up, you see a bunch of dots behind the artists instead of a coherent image, it's probably a Light Emiting Diode array)...

Secondly: I think, one of the advantages of LED arrays which hasn't been exploited as much is the malleability of LED's, where you can array them in a more sculptural way to create a far greater three dimensional construct for the performers to interact with... For example, if you look at the link associated with this post, you'll see how Jay-Z's team made a rather large series of LED arrays and then by placing the NYC skyline on it, it gives a far greater sense of "being there" but can then transform as the songs dictate. (While not theater, I feel it is a compelling production design). Also, with the many options that exist for LED arrays (VersaTubes, Helix displays, etc.) It is very possible to "break the rectangle" since (I feel), that is the most guilty party in making something feel like "TV".

Lastly: I want to remind you all that Directors such as Erwin Piscator were experimenting with projection in theatre as far back as the 1920's... While the use of video has changed due to the cultural significance of television in our daily lives, it, with the proper touch, can be a remarkably powerful dramaturgical tool.
A smart use of LED technology in Concerts...

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 8:02pm

For Wonderland the images on the sliding panels pretty sharp, but the images on the back wall were blurry. I'm guessing this has to do with the placement of the projectors?

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 10:35pm

true, emg_sound, but here LCD LED same thing.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 10:40pm

Do projections and the like come come under the category of set or lighting design?

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 10:42pm

Typically it is scenic

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:09pm

true, emg_sound, but here LCD LED same thing.

But it's not.

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:11pm

BABY, IT'S YOU uses LCD screens for the curtain, as well as for those incredibly half-assed sets that represent the Greenberg home, Florence's office, and many other places.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:30pm

^ what was the curtain or Baby it's You?

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:42pm

A giant LCD screen (in the vein of what CMIYC has) with the show's logo. Once the house lights go down and the "overture" starts, the screen goes through the traditional theatre protocol announcements in CGI form.

[DrMike]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 12:06am

I was involved with the Atlanta production of Porgy & Bess (though not in a technical capacity) The screens were not LED, but were rear projection, with conventional video projectors. What made this production unique was the number of projectors and the software that was developed to split the image in order to project it. It was a beautifully realized concept that was a different take on technology. Check out this clip for more information on how they did it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2S44yzxh5g

[CONAries]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:08am

"Do projections and the like come come under the category of set or lighting design?"

Well, they would be designed by the set team, however the actual operation of them comes under an "AV" department (Audio Visual) who have to work closely with the lighting operators to make the show still look right.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 1:04pm

TheatreFan4, I know. But notice how I said "here" meaning at BWW. LCD is still being used where LED should after the post correcting the term. I even did it.