THE WIZARD OF OZ

ANIMATED PROJECTION DESIGN

West End theatre producer Michael Rose Ltd commissioned Second Home to conjure up a series of projected visual effects for their recent production of The Wizard of Oz at the beautiful Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. The bulk of the projection was used to create a John Ford style Kansas vista as an obvious nod to the original film, although the showpiece was the pivotal twister sequence.

The design was simple but effective, using a combination of back projection moving right-to left and front projection (onto gauze) moving left to right. With the revolving house truck situated in the middle, the result was the impression of a cyclonic effect engulfing Dorothy and her house. Among the spinning debris, we incorporated Matthew Kelly being struck by lightning and turning into the witch, thus completing Dorothy's acid trip to Oz.

Method: Stop-motion animation, Digital 2D, some CGI, live-action green screen.

Who Did What:

Director/Designer:	Chris Randall
Producer:	Jim Turner
Models and animation:	Ian Whittle, Jon Reynolds, Natalie Hinchley, Karen Richards
Studio Assistants:	Adam Watts, Jenny Dixon
Production runner:	Avone Keene
Compositor:	Dave Birkill
CG Animator:	Matt Higginbottom
2D Animation:	Ron Warmington
Photography:	Luke Unsworth

We worked closely with Malcolm Mellows of XL video who managed the demanding technical requirements and the venue installation along with Duncan McLean and Paul Braziel. Finn Ross was the catalyst programmer of Mesmer, working his magic in making sure everything blended seamlessly with the on-stage action.

The Wizard of Oz was directed by Nigel West. Stage design by Tim Mcquillen Wright. Lighting Design by Alistair Grant.