May 2018 – Frank Gatto and Associates

Projection Mapping – How It Works And Why It Is So Cool

Posted on May 13, 2018 by J3551CA

Projection Mapping – How It Works And Why It Is So Cool

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, videographers, advertiser and production companies can now produce amazing graphic images that can be displayed on virtually anything. From the side of a building to the inside of a convention center, projection mapping can transform a plain surface into a wall of wonder.

What Is Projection Mapping?

Projection Mapping uses technology to project objects onto a surface. Using this kind of special technology, everyday objects are transformed into a display surface for video projection. These objects could be as complex as an entire landscape, or as simple as just a few shapes that help to enhance the ambiance of a room.

Unlike flat screen mapping, the objects are not just projected onto a flat surface, they are designed to wrap around buildings and mold into their shape, turning common objects into interactive 3D displays.

How Does Projection Mapping Work?

By using a pre-production process during which images are fitted onto a 3D graphic model of the building, the same images appear to wrap themselves around the physical features of any structure. They give the appearance of being painted on and part of the same structure even though they are not.

This process can also be used on a smaller scale to project virtual images on anything from a mannequin to a car to completely change their color, structure and appearance.

Why Is Projection Mapping So Cool?

Creatives love projection mapping, and the advertising industry, in particular, has picked up on the uber cool environments that can be created using this unique tool. From expensive and complex advertising campaigns to simple but effective projections used at conventions and product launches, projection mapping is huge in advertising and promotions right now.

If you have the budget for it, you can transform any space into something otherworldly and awe-inspiring simply by having a creative team of projection mapping professionals create a projection just for your organization.

From dancing butterflies on a wall, real-life dinosaurs on the escalator and even huge works of art projected onto city landmarks, projection mapping completely changes the way we view our surroundings.

Projection Mapping has fully evolved since its first outings in the early 2000s when it was used to project visual-art and enhance live-music shows. It can now be used by production companies to incorporate the telling of entire stories, by using animated visuals and music to produce cinema style action and narratives.

Projection mapping can turn buildings, walls, floors and even common objects into something truly magical.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we provide awesome lighting for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor events. From major league sporting tournaments through to intimate awards ceremonies and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

We provide a full-service package, and absolutely everything you need to light up your event from start to finish. Speak to our team today on 561-368-0101 to find out more.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

What Is IMAG And Why Is It So Great?

Posted on May 13, 2018 by J3551CA

What Is IMAG And Why Is It So Great?

It is usual these days to see a stage surrounded by big screens at a wide variety of events and productions. As you would expect, these are set up to help everyone in the audience get a great view of the action on stage. IMAG – short for image magnification – makes it possible for even those viewers in the cheapest of seats to still be able to see everything that’s happening on stage.

What Is IMAG?

IMAG is an umbrella name for a technique that uses one or more cameras, projectors and screens to enlarge the image on stage at a live show, in order to give the audience a much better view.

What IMAG isn’t however, is a zoomed in, super-sized picture of the person on stage, but instead a clever use of cameras to live stream the action as it happens.

How Does IMAG Work?

By using a specific type of camera, images on stage can be projected onto screens simultaneously. This means they capture and display everything that those with a good vantage point can see close up. The camera used is often a broadcast camera set in the middle of the auditorium, with a big long lens that is not designed to shoot close up.

Often, the same camera shots used for IMAG are also used for live streaming so it needs to be able to capture not just the speaker on stage, but also record close-ups, audience reactions and any pre-recorded graphics or presentations that are used.

By combining big projection screens and specially designed cameras, an experienced production company and a competent camera operator can show everyone what is happening on stage in great detail.

Where Is IMAG Used?

IMAG screens are often found in large assembly areas where views may be limited towards the back, or off the side of the stage. Usually always seen at huge rock concerts or sporting events, they are now becoming just as prevalent at corporate events, awards ceremonies and audiences with a single speaker. Sure, at a rock concert you can still dance to the music even if you can’t see your hero on stage, but for smaller, more intimate affairs seeing the person on stage is equally as important as hearing what they are saying.

Why Is IMAG So Awesome

Well, simply put, IMAG is awesome because it enables everyone in the auditorium to see what is happening on stage. No more bad seats or cheap tickets for poor visibility, as the screens used in arenas and auditoriums are so technologically advanced that you can literally see everything.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates we regularly work to provide first class lighting rigs and solutions for events and productions of all sizes. We work hard to ensure that everything is perfect, and that all of the action on stage is captured in the very best light.

IMAG enables everyone to see how carefully crafted out lighting techniques are, and more important, for everyone in the auditorium to thoroughly enjoy the entertainment before them.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

What Is A Green Screen And How Does It Work?

Posted on May 13, 2018 by J3551CA

What Is A Green Screen And How Does It Work?

These days, great cinematic performances are full of special effects that show actors flying through the air or walking on distant planets, as well as many other amazing feats that just would not happen in the real world. These action-packed scenes make for an excellent movie, and even though we might be aware that a little bit of post-production magic is involved, they still manage to amaze and enthrall us every time.

If you are a real film buff, you may have heard all about green screen technology, or seen them featured heavily in programs that document the making of a movie. The green screen is an integral feature of modern day cinematography and is a simple, but incredibly effective way of transforming what we see on screen.

What Is A Green Screen?

A green screen is a background in front of which moving subjects are filmed, that allows for a separately filmed background to be added to the final image during the editing process. Using a high-tech process called “chroma key,” the wizards in the editing suite can work their magic to transform an actor into anywhere in the world, and far beyond!

How Does A Green Screen Work?

The green screen process works by taking recorded videos or digitally transferred films and isolating a single color that exists only in a narrowly defined area of the spectrum – in this case, green. Green screens, or even sometimes blue screens are preferred because these types of color are so far removed from the human skin tone that they set a very obvious outline to the action in front of them.

For the green screen process to work well, the entire area must be evenly lit with no shadows, so that the separation can be identified on film and digitally removed. Once the green screen area has been removed, computer editing software can be used to insert virtually any background behind the actor.

The Chroma key process can even work for images that are streamed live by using specially designed software that can recognize and manipulate multiple video channels based on layers defined by color. When it comes to enhancing footage using a green screen there are endless possibilities and ways to completely transform the picture we see before us.

Green Screen For Animation

Many of the most successful and elaborate animated characters we see in the movies and on television today are also filmed using green screen technology. 50 meter high dragons or giant killer robots are inserted into pre-corded footage using bright-green stand-in characters that the actors interact with during the shoot. In post-production, the fully rendered animals replace the green characters to come alive in front of our very eyes.

Green screen technology has grown leaps and bounds in recent years and now enables us to turn any scene into a real work of genius.

Frank Gatto & Associates For All Your Lighting Needs

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we provide first-class lighting solutions for a wide range of indoor and outdoor events and film productions. Speak to us today on 561-368-0101 to find out more about our first class film and TV lighting services.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

Everything Lighting For Every Event

Posted on May 13, 2018 by J3551CA

Frank Gatto & Associates – Everything Lighting For Every Event

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we have over 30 years experience of being the very best in the business. We provide a one-stop-shop service for indoor and outdoor events and have worked with some of the biggest production companies, movie companies and broadcasters in the world.

We don’t like to name drop, but when you have worked with the likes of HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision, we sort of can’t help but tell the world all about it.

Lighting For Every Occasion

As a result of our first class reputation within the entertainment industry, you can find our lighting crews on the set of College Gameday, NFL Countdown, World Series, Ultimate Fighting Championships and many more sporting events.

But it’s not just the big boys that we work for. We can also provide lighting solutions for more intimate affairs including corporate events, award ceremonies, parties and even weddings.

First Class Lighting Design

We understand that the way light is used to create mood and atmosphere can add a whole new dimension to any event. That is why we cleverly craft entire lighting design strategies, that align perfectly with the production values of any live show, television set or outdoor event.

Our experienced team are wizards at the lighting desk and can illuminate shadows at the click of a finger. We have worked at such prestigious venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Home Depot Center, Staples Center and large Sports Arenas, but are just as happy to light up smaller venues, conventions centers, theaters and even large private houses.

Professional Rigging

Our lighting rigs are designed using only the highest quality components. We work to pre-planned set designs and have extensive experience of using a wide array of lighting techniques and equipment. We work with state of the art lighting equipment to make every production a success, and our acquisition and operation of new LED lighting technology make us a leader in the televised sports lighting arena.

Speedy Assembly

Our crews can set up and assemble lighting rigs in almost any environment. Fully trained to work in collaboration with all other members of the production crew, they will work tirelessly away in the background to construct lighting rigs that really work.

Easy Transportation

Because of our unique Miami location, we are easily able to access almost every area of the United States and into the Caribbean and beyond. Our transportation vehicles can carry everything needed for a single event, and our crews are always on time!

Super Fast Load Out

We take the strain out of the cleanup operation by safely taking all of our rigging and equipment away from the venue, and restoring it to its former state quickly and without a fuss.

Eco-Friendly Disposal

We know that the safe disposal of lighting elements is important to both the environment and public safety. That is why we always take our used and blown bulbs and lighting equipment with us for safe disposal.

Frank Gatto & Associates For All Your Lighting Needs

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.