Tips on masking projectors?

JJHP3

Hi - I have never used masks on my projectors before this upcoming installation. The projectors I'm using have enough spill that I need to try and trim it down. I had a roll of Cinefoil lying about and have been trying that. I tape the foil directly over the projector lens.It works, but makes a very soft edge. Any experiences you might have to share about getting rid of the inherent (at least in LCD) projector spill?

Thanks! - John

CitizenJoe

@jjhp3

The further away the mask is, the harder the line will be.

If I have to do that, I invent some sort of a rig to move the mask away from the lens. A foot or 1.5' will work better.

Cheers,

Hugh

Woland

@citizenjoe said:

I invent some sort of a rig to move the mask away from the lens. A foot or 1.5' will work better.

If the projector is hanging from a grid or a batten that's part of a fly system, you could attach the mask to a sidearm to get it out in front of the beamer.

JJHP3

Wonderful advice gentlemen. Not sure in this case how to implement the distance, but I'll give it a try! Much appreciated.

Woland

@jjhp3 said:

Not sure in this case how to implement the distance

You could also MacGyver something with black spray-painted cardboard, blackwrap, duvetyn, tieline, zipties, coathangers, gaff tape, etc. For the distance, you could use coathangers, small diameter PVC pipe, short pieces of 1"x3", etc.

JJHP3

@woland

Ah gosh - you're making me feel lazy! I'll look into it and thanks for the encouragement. - John

jhoepffner

@jjhp3

The problem, If you distance the side-arm from the lens is that you have a big reflexion of video grey on the black flag, visble by audience. When I need to mask a beamer, as for sub-titles, I use a side-arm and a cage made of cinefoil to block the diffusion from the black surface.