Amazing 3D-Mapping, Projectors, Budgets, and Planning Tips
Projection Mapping Planning Challenge
There is no doubt that projection mapping creates a lasting effect on evening events. And the lasting effect, social media posts, and word-of-mouth stories they create underscore why they are both important and justified in your event toolbox. But the biggest questions we get from event planners relate to what it takes to get started and ultimately, how much will everything cost.
Outlining every aspect of projection mapping truly is dependent on several factors including how big is your canvas, how long is your story, and for what duration will it run. These elements highlight the considerations that affect timing and price. Too often teams don’t consider adequate preparation time. Or, in other cases, over anticipate how much time is required for simple effects and event amplification.
Here are a few tips that might help you in your planning for your next big event.
Telling the Story
What do you expect to say about your experience? Will it be a few words and high visuals? Will there be sound? Does the content already exist, or will it need to be created? As a general rule of thumb, high-end coordinated experiences with audio and video will run between $8,000 to $20,000+ per minute. Additionally, there are many less expensive options, but you get what you pay for. Another important consideration is how much manipulation does your content provider need to do? How much content will they need to create from scratch?
Our recommendation is to pick competent and experienced content creators. They will know how to quote your story’s creation effectively. Your price will be driven by the complexity of the story. If you need to create assets (and you likely will) there is creative time and animation expertise that will be required. Just as you don’t want to ask the chef to speed up your meal, recognize that projection mapping is a creative process. Give content the opportunity to run the creative course and will be amazed at the final outcome.
Consider the Space
The canvas you choose dictates two important characteristics. First, the extent of content needed. How much content will be required to cover this surface? How intricate and detailed will it need to be? Second, how much tech will be required to properly cover the space? Sometimes we think movie theater approach. How many projectors are required for that awesome film and your local cinema? The answer will surprise you…it’s a really, really expensive, and ultra-bright projector in a totally controlled space. Projection mapping is much rawer, but the tech has come a long way to kick great images on surfaces. Remember, you will be likely dealing with ambient lighting that you can’t control.
Our recommendation that many overlook here is to consider whether there are local restrictions in your space that might prevent you from projecting. A qualified event planning or production company will be able to guide you straight on this. Again, you get what you pay for.
Planning the Tech
Naturally, your mind goes here when you see a “tech-fueled” experience. The biggest considerations here begin with full consideration of all the aspects of an experience. Will your experience also include audio? Will the experience wrap a space or run synchronized across multiple canvases? How intricate and complex is your content?
Our recommendation for planning begins with being able to answer these questions. The best projection mapping projects utilize several projects which blend together to provide better canvas coverage while maintaining the luminosity of the content. Whether you need 2, 4, or 10 projectors will impact the project greatly. If you need audio, placement at the front, mid, and rear of the space will create exceptional experiences but also increase the cost. We also recommend working with great projection manufacturers like Christie Digital, Panasonic, and Barco. For more insight into our live event portfolio, you can visit https://mercurysl.wpengine.com/services/live-events/.
The key here is to plan accordingly. Your dollars can stretch when you do more integrative planning. When you parse piecemeal, you create a difficult situation for both your content creator and your technology company. Try to bring these two entities together from the onset and this simplifies your life and amazes your guests.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, we love projection mapping projects. We’ve navigated some of the best. Start early, plan well, and consider all the sides of the content, the venue, and the tech and you won’t go wrong. And if you’re not sure, find a qualified pro to help you out! You won’t overpay and be disappointed by scoping your project too low. A big impact takes time and effort, and the results will speak for themselves.
