Front Screen Projection 101: Unlocking the Secrets and Stories Behind the Tech!

Before there was Green Screen, there was Front Screen Projection.
In this episode we attempt to walk in the footsteps of Stanley Kubrick and try to
create visual effects using the magical Front Screen Projection technique.
Unveiling the How-To Wonders:
Curious about how to set up Front Screen Projection for your own projects? We've got you covered! From the essential equipment to step-by-step installation tips, we break down the process to make it accessible for filmmakers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone eager to bring this magic into their space.
Dive into the Rich History:
But it's not just about the tech - join us as we trace the fascinating history of Front Screen Projection. From its early roots to the pivotal moments that transformed it into the powerhouse it is today, discover the stories that shaped this cinematic marvel. You'll gain a whole new appreciation for the art form and the innovators behind it.
Screen Material Info:
Key component is SCOTCHLITE™ screen by 3M™ Contact 800-929-3975 , Safety Effects, LLC ( [e-mail] ) for quality 'family' distributor. Tell 'em SHANKS FX sent you.
The sheet we purchased was an 80 inch screen and cost $117.
Subscribe, Like, and Let the Adventure Begin!
Subscribe to our channel, hit the like button, and join the community of enthusiasts who share your passion for film and technology. Buckle up as we embark on a journey into the mesmerizing universe of Front Screen Projection! #FrontScreenProjection #CinemaTech #HowToGuide
Music by: Big Fok
SHANKS FX is a channel where I share ideas for visual science experiments that can be done at home with basic items.
/ joeyshanksfx

[@KronicShade]

Honestly, I feel that somebody completely oblivious to the process may have a hard time trying to understand what is being explained in this video. Too much cutting and unrelated effects when most people clicking this video would have a much easier time just watching somebody explain what is happening as they set up and perform a shot using front projection.

[@finiteMonkeys]

I agree...I've heard about this, read about it and seen diagrams...then hoped this video would fill in the last 5% I don't understand. Nope. Back to Google, I guess.

[@KronicShade]

James Sullivan I love youtube for tutorial and how-to videos, especially regarding artistic stuff such as animation, filming techniques, practical movie effects, etc. but I noticed a trend in the last 3 years or so where a large majority of the people who makes these types of videos on youtube put so much effort into having movie/tv level production value and making their videos look cool and trendy that it unfortunately begins to take away from the primary point of making the video in the first place, which should be giving the viewer a clear understanding of what they're trying to explain lol.

[@PunkMonster]

Hang the Scotchlite screen in the background. The projector at 90º to the background, pointing at a one-way mirror at 45º. Shoot the scene through the one-way mirror. The Scotchlite will reflect the projection back to the mirror (where your camera's waiting) while your foreground subject will remain perfectly shootable. That's what I got from the vid, anyway. I don't think it's too tough to understand if you watch through a couple of times.

[@kaiogden7069]

Kronic Shade don’t be such a snob, this video is simply an informative on the technique, and process to setting it up.

[@ungzheenedd2273]

@@kaiogden7069 Agreed, the title never said anything about explanation

[@MichaelSavidgeStoryteller]

This is what I've been waiting ever so patiently for: a "how-to" on front screen projection for the 21st century. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Joey Shanks!!

[@ShanksFX1]

***** Yeah, it's always been kind of a mystery. Luckily I was able to get a good sized piece of Scotch-Lite, I feared they may have stopped making them.

[@anthonyknight5114]

​@@ShanksFX1 Where did you get a piece of that size?

[@ShanksFX1]

@@anthonyknight5114 I believe contact info for the company is in the video description.

[@astralislux305]

Music videos still use this technique very often. It's that retro thing kids like so much.

[@slorrin]

Why doesn't the projected image appear project on the actor? I mean, if you're projecting a bright sunrise, why does that not appaer on the actor's clothes as well? Is the actor between the camera and the 1 way mirror? Is the actor between th1 way mirror and the screen?

[@kezadrone]

To do this effectively you need to shoot and project your plates at least twice the resolution of the foreground objects, otherwise it just doesn't work.

[@chanolongo]

Sorry: I still do not get why the characters do not get illuminated/affected by the front projection. I need to understand that; thanks. Anyone can explain that? thanks

[@ungzheenedd2273]

I think its because the projection is reflected on the screen so its not so sharp, in addition they put light on the foreground objects so that's why its not seen on the characters?

[@chanolongo]

Yes, maybe the projection is weak and all the trick is on the reflective screen; then the lighs for the characters might neutralize the projections on them...my English is bad, sorry

[@maxawesom3850]

The effect goes from looking really good at 1:57 to looking shite at 2:08. why even include those shots?

[@TheStockwell]

Great video! I'm a Kubrick fanatic but never considered front projection as something within my reach. Oh, and some people might argue with you about the "Before green screen" statement. Chroma key/blue screen/green screen was developed in the thirties and in use by 1940 ("The Thief of Bagdad"). Front projection was experimental in the late 40s and didn't turn up in a film until the 60s. I'd write more, but your video has me itching to check out your website!

[@Tabblok]

Thanks for this video. Now I understand how this technique works. It is very cool that there are such enthusiasts that appreciate and even develop effects of predigital epoch of cinema which was really full of magic.

[@AnkitThakur-eo8kn]

I read about this process in a book but now this video made me understand it better. Thankyou 👍

[@juandavidquiros3521]

Lack of clear and detailed explanation...

[@TgDnt]

Great demonstrations. I have a question, though: howcome the projection image doesn't just show over the foreground elements?

[@jinchoung]

you have to light the foreground so that the key light of the foreground "drowns out" the projection on that foreground element. if you turned off the lighting on the foreground element, you WOULD see the projection.

[@paniquesurlecran]

Thank you for sharing those old-school tricks Joey, it's really inspiring and beautiful !

[@ShanksFX1]

Its fun to make, just a bonus that u guys enjoy it too!!!

[@jimthorstad]

Thank you so much for sharing this video, I know what front projectors are but I didn’t know how this equipment was used in the filming of Star Wars. Your combination of interesting examples diagrams and documentary style is really fantastic. I’d like to see more of what you’ve created.

[@BakerImageGroup]

Shanks I really enjoy your videos. Being a 3D/Mograph artist for 26 years it's refreshing to see something not created entirely on a computer! Question: why not use rear projection? Thanks! Gary

[@bobdouglass8010]

You lose color and intensity because the projection has to pass through the screen. Watch any driving scene from a movie prior to the 80s. Odds are the background is rear projection, and it looks pretty bad

[@sypher0101]

Why doesn't the projection footage reflect off the objects in front of the screen ?

[@SweetiePeachies]

Great explanation of the technology but If you watch the oblivion BTS you won't see a mirror in front of the camera etc. they are indeed using front projection but I'm sure it isn't with the scotchlight material as they wouldn't want light going back into the projector because of no mirror

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

But why does the mirror reflect the light of the projector but not the light of the screen?

[@Apolloman01]

Hello from France... I read a few years ago that with the front projection effect you can't do certain camera manipulations (sorry, I'm not too familiar with the technical terms) like that : the camera should remain fixed and that you couldn't tracking shot, zoom in or out, otherwise the background would move with it. But you could pan and tilt to a certain degree, on the sole condition that you placed the camera and projector on the same platform. Can you please confirm or refute his assertions? Thank in advance (sorry for my poor english)

[@mgb115]

Had to watch this vid again and again (: , you have opened my eyes, sooner than later I'm going to animate using this technique, I really like the effect. I can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. Best wishes. Martin.

[@screamingskull]

Nice demo, Mr. Shanks! Particularly clever how you used window tint to make a 50/50 mirror. The actual glass is very expensive, so that's a great low-budget solution. One correction - the "Oblivion" projection was not the classic front projection with Scotchlite and beam splitter. I can't think of a recent production that has used it, but a few years back it was used extensively on "Army of Darkness".

[@ShanksFX1]

Thanks Webster, yeah you are right on Oblivion. I got excited and jumped the gun a little too quick on that one.

[@danirabinowitz5049]

@@ShanksFX1 Interstellar used it!

[@NDK101]

Download the SHANKSFX soundtrack from Big Fok here: bigfok.bandcamp.com/album/creating-the-cosmos

[@munarongfilmvfx176]

I actually liked Front projection more than blue/green screen since Superman movie (Chris Reeve) it look much more real because it is no superimposed. I believe in this digital cinematic era we don't have to align camera and projector with mirror (zoptic method) anymore because cinema camera nowadays are more than good in low light. Good video by the way, I kind of miss the analog filming technic.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

This was awesome. It’s better than greenscreen

[@LakesideProductions]

Great stuff.Got to love practical effects

[@streamtest4340]

very nice content u explained it better than my teacher!!

[@AHHHHHHHHHHHHl]

Did Ray Harryhausen use this kind of technique to film his stop-motion effects?

[@breakfastmachinearchive8]

Harryhausen used a similar method called *rear* screen projection. The basic concept is the same except the screen is translucent and the image is projected onto it from behind.

[@mikededmon]

So cool. Learned something new & really interesting today.

[@patrickbass9957]

Used on the moon landings too (maybe), any other films ?

[@KenWard2015]

Brilliant, Informative and so relaxing at the same time. Thanks as usual.

[@Catcrumbs]

I would have appreciated a more detailed explanation of the technique. The question foremost on my mind is 'what makes this superior to rear projection?'.

[@ShanksFX1]

I wouldn't call it superior, but I think the draw of front projection is the look of deep focus which helps sell the sense of scale.

[@Dilly972]

Shanks fx thanks for the video, can you explain for me please at 1:59 we see no stick on the model and at 2:19 we do. Am I right in thinking at 1:59 the stick has scotch tape on it and at 2:19 it does not or is the 1:59 image been through post production?

[@chadross]

I like this video but am still struggling to understand the concept.

[@Imhotep397]

So hold on a second, were the images projected from behind the screen and a the practical objects were lit from the front and the mirror was used from behind to invert the projected image so it was correct on on the screen?

[@jazzorgan0]

No

[@cognitiovitae6407]

Using this method would require camera to be perfectly still. Dolly or pan would be impossible. Would it not???

[@izvinitemojnosprosit]

Dude, you are great.

[@DanielQuasar]

I'm confused about what is going on here. So basically, it allows front projection on a background with a subject in front of the wall and the subject is not being projected on?

[@ShanksFX1]

Daniel Quasar It bounces so much light back into the camera that things in the foreground don't get exposed from the projector light (main source). It is kind of confusing , just get a small piece of it and play around with it, you will see how reflective this material is. If you know any firefighters, they often have some squares there use for their uniforms.

[@DanielQuasar]

Shanks FX Thanks. I'll definitely give it a try. I pretty much need to see it for myself to understand sometimes, so I'll start playing around. 😃

[@tozkan7979]

Shanks FX Well i ve the exact same logical physics question that how that camera doesnt take the projection from the foreground real object and i wanna try but where can i find that %95 light reflectin fabric, i dont think firefighters have those here in ma place :) u ve another idea for me? and noe one really answered any of my comments anytime, i hope u ll

[@flinx]

Instead of telling us to play around with it ourselves, why not make a better video that actually explains how everything works instead of having flashy cuts set to music?

[@TotallyGoodatGames]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@CentaurCinema]

Can you use reflectors or you need scothlite for this

[@kennethjordanjr113]

how would you make a zoptic front screen projection?

[@HDSME]

???? SO WHEN DO YOU EXPLAIN HOW?

[@kaoskode]

I like it man good video it helped me seeing the process. I have a 30 x %0 shop in use as my studio I want to set up for front projection. on my budget Was thinking my current HD cams and buy 4K GoPros for the back ground video. Does anyone make a prosumer level true hd lcd or led projectors.

[@connorlawson1165]

Shanks! What kind of material would you use for a rear projection screen (shower curtain, Lee Rear Projection Screen, 3M material?) Thanks - Connor

[@ShanksFX1]

***** There is a spandex like material that works pretty well for rear projection. Google Spandex Projection Screen , good luck !!!

[@michaelemouse1]

Is there a reason they couldn't just have put the projector on top of the camera and done without the one way mirror? How do they prevent the background image from being seen on the foreground?

[@RunaroundAtNight]

Because of the reflective nature of the background being so great, most foreground objects will be dim in comparison even though they are also lit with the same projected image. When lighting the scene, you light the foreground object separately (being careful not to spill light on the background screen) until the foreground is balanced in brightness to the background at a level you want. As he demonstrates in the video when both the projected image and camera line up, the shadow cast by the foreground object disappears as it it hidden by the foreground object (see 1:32 ) They don't put the projector on top of the camera because the projected image and the camera lens have to be on the same axis to accomplish this. You can put them on the same axis using a one way mirror.

[@Dilly972]

Can you tell me why in some shots the stick that is holding the model is visible and why in some shots it is not. I am guessing the big advantage of front screen is you do not *have* to go to post production. So if you were to cover the stick holding the model with the scotch tape I guess that is the quality you get when we see the model flying with out the stick visible? Or is that done in post production?

[@roquefortfiles]

The mirror is so the camera and projector share exactly the same axis. If you stuffed the projector on top of the camera you would be off axis 10 degrees. The image is projected on to the foreground actors etc. But they are not made of the same material the screen is so they do not reflect the image. Lighting takes care of the rest. The Quality of the composite is entirely dependent on the resolution of the projected image. If your image is junk the composite is junk. The stuff in this video is very poorly explained and the quality is horrible. If you want to see how effective this process can be just watch Close Encounters or 2001. They photographed high quality table top landscapes and then Front Projected them on the exterior roadway where the UFO's fly by.

[@rxz4140]

what are your export settings for KZbin upload? your video is sharp.

[@Detail35]

one word >> Perfect

[@Lenjoable]

Impressive - thanks a lot!

[@HeroesGetKilled]

Awesome video. :)

[@Malachism]

this is so sick dude....

[@pressia07]

What kind of projector did u use

[@HarlanPlatek]

Shanks- what camera do You use to get all of these low light shots?

[@thenaptowncollective]

where would one find this 3m reflective vinyl?

[@ShanksFX1]

Email me directly from our website and I will give you direct number :-))

[@orestispsomopoulos2764]

Hey Shanks FX, very cool technique indeed Can you somehow help me finding this scotchlite material? Even now, 4 years later?

[@forcedadventure]

EXCELLENT !!!

[@randyjohnson805]

I'm trying to pick out movies that used front screen projection.....I see it in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid(1969)....Apollo missions(1969/72)...Jeremiah Johnson(1972)...Unforgiven(1992)..superman(1980)....it's very difficult

[@artrevolver27]

Can you produce a good rear projection tutorial video?

[@JonWolf]

thanks you

[@dewiz9596]

Invented by William F Jenkins, aka Murray Leinster

[@CLOAKINGUS]

weird advert for 3m

[@johnpshitek2473]

shouldnt it be called background projection?

[@jjSuper1]

+john pshitek You would think that, but the term comes from where the projector is placed in relation to the screen. The projector is sending light to the FRONT of the screen. If the projector was located behind the screen, it would be "Rear screen projection" but then you would have to have a different material for a screen.

[@ledjfou125]

before hidden blatent adds where normal adds too ;)

[@TruDis01]

Nice music. Nice footage. Piss poor teaching.

[@lukeuseforce]

Who F'in gave this a thumbs down???

[@flinx]

+Luke N People who wanted a clearer, concise explanation of how the one-way mirror keeps the background from getting projected onto the foreground elements, and how the screen reflects the fore-and-background into the camera. What I got from one viewing of this video, the one-way mirror has to reflect light on one side from the projector, and on the other side it has to reflect the foreground image into the camera. How is the one-way mirror reflecting on both sides but allowing transmission also?

[@zapprodd9382]

WOW ALL THAT AND IT STILL LOOKS CHEAP AND CRAPY

[@atlanta2076]

Poorly made. I still don't get how it works.

[@MarquisDeSang]

This video is useless, too artsy and confusing.