Continued from October 2007 CTI Newsletter
How I Invented the Image Multiplexer
By Lori Friedlander
The Image Multiplexer came about
when a client asked me if it was possible to create a kaleidoscope effect
with light. I told him I'd see what I could come up with and began
experimenting with front surface mirrors, which didn't work at all, and then
eventually thought of prisms. I made a few prototypes, and for the actual
event used Image Multiplexers and gobo rotators with matched gobos rotating
in opposition, which gave a pretty good kaleidoscope imitation. After the
event I began experimenting with other uses for the Image Multiplexer.
The venue where I work brought in pianist Phillip Aaberg for a concert, and
there was a particular song of his that seemed especially suited to an
effect. The song was originally written for the film "The Story of
Naomi Uemura", which is about a man who climbs and is lost on Mount
McKinley, and I began experimenting with a snow effect for the cyc. Mr.
Aaberg was absolutely thrilled with the outcome. He told me that the effect
was so lovely to watch that he couldn't look at it while he was playing
because he'd forget what he was doing! You can see the effect on the
Image Multiplexer web site. And I love the fact that it was created
using 1 Source Four, 1 gobo rotator (with gobo), some gel scraps and an
Image Multiplexer. Simple can be better!
I have also used the Image Multiplexer to create a completely patterned cyc
using two fixtures. I like the fact that I can make composite gels from gel
scraps to create a multicolored, multi patterned effect with only two
fixtures, where before I was using six fixtures and the color was not as
good. While you do lose some intensity because the image is spread out, with
the typical black scrim and cyc setup this is generally not an issue. And if
your stage has more depth than mine has you could do it with one fixture!
After having all this fun with my lighting accessory, I thought that perhaps
other people might enjoy it. I sent a description of it to City Theatrical
and Gary Fails asked me to bring one in for a demo. Gary and the people at
City Theatrical were the first Lighting Industry people to see it, and we
spent a wonderful afternoon playing with the Image Multiplexer and
discussing its possibilities. The people at City Theatrical came up with the
idea of having a round edge for the frame, so that if requested a motor
could be added that would allow the Image Multiplexer to spin; useful if
your gobo isn't designed to be rotated 360 degrees. City Theatrical decided
to manufacture and distribute it, which they were completely equipped to do,
and it was introduced as a new product at LDI 2000 in Las Vegas, where it
won the ESTA Product of the Year Award!
Today, City Theatrical handles all the business of manufacturing and
distributing the Image Multiplexer both nationally and internationally. I am
able to go out every once in a while and give demonstrations and workshops.
It is very gratifying to see other people, from high schoolers to industry
professionals, play with the Image Multiplexer and create their own effects.
One of the assignments I give in my lighting classes is to create an effect
using an Image Multiplexer, and it is amazing to see what people come up
with. The Image Multiplexer is a very interactive, hands-on lighting
accessory and I enjoy the fact that it gets people to play with light.
Lori Friedlander lbfriedl@hacc.edu is the Technical Director and Lighting Designer at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center of Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
The Image Multiplexer uses an array of prisms to expand a projected image six times.
See this image of snow in motion on the Image Multiplexer website
A full stage cyc of flowers created by the Image Multiplexer
Lori and Gary accept the ESTA Widget of the Year Award at LDI 2000.
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