Optoma projection takes Beatrix Potter's fantasy world to a new dimension

The World of Beatrix Potter museum has six new Optoma ZU660 laser projectors, with ultra short throw lenses for 3D leaf collage displays, and six ZU500T, to project on single sheet screens. In addition, Two ZU650 and one ZU1050 have also been installed.

Located in the heart of the Lake District (The Lake District), a Bowness (Windermere) where natural beauty and wildlife inspired Beatrix Potter to write her stories, the attraction The World of Beatrix Potter brings to life the classic stories of this English writer.

This interactive museum begins with a five-minute film featuring the author, to his stories and illustrations. The cinema doors open onto the main exhibition where the sights and sounds of Beatrix Potter's best-loved characters come to life..

Most of the exhibits at this popular attraction are at head height, hanging from a black painted ceiling. The museum's creative team wanted to use the exhibition space and developed the idea of ​​creating six collages made up of thousands of artificial leaves that would float like clouds above the main exhibits and provide a contrast to the stark black ceiling.. The leaves would provide a 3D surface on which moving content would be projected.

The attraction is organized into zones, each one of them gives life to a different story by the English writer. To create an atmosphere for each zone, large leaf-shaped screens have been designed. These are hung from the ceiling and show projected images with illustrations and content from the books to link them with each area. These contents are accompanied by music by Steve Edis.

To carry out this project, different types of projection systems were required and Optoma technology was the chosen option..

The company Soundsmith, which supports the visitor center throughout the year, has been the company in charge of carrying out the project. He has chosen six projectors Optoma ZU660 with ultra-short throw lenses for 3D sheet collage displays and six ZU500Ts for projecting onto single sheet displays.

“We opted for laser projectors, since the attraction needed total reliability and functionality 24/7. This center is switching from lamp-based projectors to laser equipment to reduce its carbon footprint, Minimize maintenance and costs associated with lamp replacement. We chose these particular models for their brightness and projection distance.. The ZU500T is a small device that we could hide so that it would be imperceptible to the visitor.. The black chassis blends perfectly with the background.”, comments Tom Elleray of Soundsmith.

The team had limited space between where the projectors needed to be installed and the 3D collage screens, so ultra-short throw lenses like the ZU660 projectors were needed.. These have a reach ratio of 0,36: 1 and can project a diagonal image of 100 inches from 79 cm away. Tim Reid created the content for the 3D leaf collages, deforming and mapping this within the software.

Two additional ZU650 projectors were installed in the lobby to enhance the visitor welcome experience.

All AV equipment is connected and managed through the attraction's QLab control system. This allows images, The sound and lighting are activated as the visitor walks through the attraction. The system turns on and off at the beginning and end of the day and also responds to fluctuations based on the number of visitors.

Old Laundry Theatre

A ZU1050 was also installed in the Old Laundry Theater to project the musical adventure on a screen Where is Peter Rabbit?

This WUXGA projector with MultiColor laser 10.000 lumens has seven interchangeable lens options, an edge distortion processor and offers portrait orientation support and 360 degrees to provide maximum installation flexibility. Also has HDBaseT to simplify cabling requirements.

“We were asked to provide an image of 4 meters wide, with very short shooting distance, that could project back and compete with the bright stage lighting. “The Optoma ZU1050 was the brightest possible solution we could combine with the ultra-short throw lens to achieve this.”, Tom clarifies..

Where is Peter Rabbit? combines live performance with beautifully handcrafted puppets, projection and original songs in a magical musical, based on the stories of Beatrix Potter. This groundbreaking production made its debut at the Theater Royal Haymarket earlier this year. Soundsmith mounted two Optoma ZH420UST ultra-short laser projectors for the London production.

The World of Beatrix Potter attraction reopened in early February with its new screens floating above the exhibits. The content of the 3D leaf collages has a glowing effect that gives the illusion that the leaves are moving and adds atmosphere to the attraction.

“The new screens really elevate the experience to another dimension and revitalize what was already a brilliant attraction. Although this project was incredibly difficult in terms of time scales and logistics when it came to installing, we are delighted with the final results. It worked perfectly since it was opened and the effect of the projections is impressive”.

The ZU1050 projector installed at the Old Laundry Theater for the show Where is Peter Rabbit? It's made a big difference to the show.. “Actors use projection as an ever-changing backdrop to the performance. Allows the scene to be set in seconds, instead of the minutes it would take using the traditional theater stage.”, clarifies Tom Elleray.