"In this one particular scene, the VL3000 Spot fixtures' major task is to provide the water effect," Posner explained. "But they are used in multiple other looks in every scene throughout the production." One of the most intriguing scenes on the journey down the River Styx is when the two main characters are attacked by two frogs. During the sequence Posner creates lily pads across the on stage river using custom photo-realistic gobos. Half of the automated lighting rig is creating the effect of moving water, and the other half are projecting photo-realistic lily pads, which constantly recompose so that the frogs travel down the river hopping from pad to pad. To create the constantly shifting feeling of water flowing and rippling, Posner used the fixtures' CYM colour-mixing system to create varying colours and the rotating gobo wheels to offer a sense of constant motion and movement.
Constant movement is a theme the lighting design carries throughout the entire production. In another scene, the characters are in a forest where they are attacked again, this time by a flying bird. To create the illusion of a forest, Posner projects custom patterns derived from the artwork of the scenery onto the floor. By vibrating the custom forest patterns, Posner creates the sensation of shaking leaves and movement in the air.
(Lee Baldock)
