Front projection composite photography system combining staged action with two projected images

摘要

A front projection composite photography system using a pair of perpendicular reflex screens combines two projected background scenes with a staged scene in a single camera shot for a versatile range of special effects. Complementary mattes are used outside the projectors and camera for either soft or hard edged merging into overall projected background scenes. A camera-projector housing cabinet includes all elements compactly except for stage reflex screens which are externally located in a small studio room. A lens permits use of a small secondary reflex screen used with a larger primary screen behind a movable stage setup. The camera, two projectors and respective associated three half mirrored transparent beam splitters provide registration adjustments for registration of all composite picture portions for immediate observation through the camera viewfinder so the film will be properly aligned and so that a complex composite picture may be produced with a single camera take.PPA separate matte camera is also provided in the cabinet for producing mattes concurrently with the composite film production for further compositing.PPThis system therefore optically positions a staged scene into a projected scene by using the depth characteristics of the camera and perspective introduced by movable stage and relative camera axis positions of the background projections on the two reflex screens as modified by appropriate mattes.