“PointCloud Media was doing something that nobody had done before,” recalls Wagner, the founder and owner of Wagner Media. “They were projection mapping a swimming pool in 4D. That is, the effect had to be visible vertically as well as horizontally.”
“Pools have some distinct advantages as platforms for 3D mapping projections,” according to Jack Hattingh from PointCloud Media. “The water reflections from pools and the ambiance around pools add a new element of reality to mapping projections. 3D projections on water are also typically cheaper, since they require fewer projectors than 3D building projections. Pools are also more conducive to projection mapping because of their low ambient lighting, color, and ubiquity.”
4D Project
Hattingh approached Wagner to work on projectors and support structure needs. To get the desired effect, five Barco HDQ 2k40 and two Barco HDX-W20 projectors were to be used. But, where to deploy them, and how? The pool is part of a large outside area, with no overhanging structures on which to mount and hide projectors. He had to figure out where to put the projectors, and likely have custom mounting structures designed and built—all within 45 days.
To get a better idea of the challenge before them, PointCloud Media built a three-dimensional “point cloud” of the entire area—including the surrounding buildings. “It was determined the only way we could do it was to aim the projectors down from the side of the hotel tower—300 feet in the air,” according to Wagner. “The only question was how to get the projectors into place, and keep them there, safe and secure.”
It was decided to place the projectors inside metal housings to be located on the roof of the hotel, knock holes in the parapet wall surrounding the roof, and project down using projector support structures and mirrors.
Wagner immediately sent the 3D drawing to Draper.
“I wanted to work with Draper because there are clear lines of communication,” according to Wagner. “I could tell them exactly what I wanted to accomplish, and I knew that Draper would understand and provide me with a viable solution.”
The solution Draper came up with not only needed to handle the weight of the projectors, it also needed to be something that could hold up in 30 mile-per-hour prevailing winds, could be transported up through the building and onto the roof, and keep as low a profile as possible so the holes in the parapet walls could be kept as small as possible.
“We used the Draper RPX stand as a basis to start with,” according to Jim Hoodlebrink, IDS Manager for Draper, Inc. “But we had to do a lot of fancy footwork in customizing that design for this project. The mirrors had to be much smaller than normal because the openings in the parapet wall could only be so big.”
Draper designed a structure with long steel support arms holding a small glass mirror, and with adjustment platforms that allowed the projectors to be tilted to 22 degrees. The custom structures were shipped in pieces to be assembled on the roof. To address the windy conditions, Draper reinforced the mirror support arms with 14 gauge steel.
“The timeline to address everything was very difficult,” Hoodlebrink recalls, “so many things were changed or addressed at time of installation. There was considerable thought put into how to move the product in and setting the proper angle for the projected light beforehand.”
To meet a tight deadline imposed by the needs of the Sheraton Waikiki, Wagner and three crew members had seven days to get the structures assembled and installed, while Hattingh and PointCloud got the projection mapping squared away. And then to make matters even worse, something very unusual happened.
“We were in the middle of installation when we had word that there was a Hurricane coming,” according Wagner, which is a rare occurrence for that area.
But wait, as the saying goes: there’s more.
“Actually there were two hurricanes on the way,” Wagner adds. “So we had to tear down the partially-built structures and get everything off the roof to a safe place until the storms blew over.”
As soon as the weather cleared Hattingh and his crew were up on the roof working. "It was an amazingly difficult project made to look very simple"
“One thing that helped the process was being able to pre-mount the projectors onto the adjustment shelves,” Wagner says. “We also added wheels to the structures so they could be wheeled nearly into place, then rotated over and mounted.”
On a scale of one to 10, Wagner says the job had numerous tasks in the “10” category.
“It was an amazingly difficult project made to look very simple,” he says. “But in the end it worked out great. We were able to meet the Sheraton’s deadline, keep the installation relatively low profile, and PointCloud’s projection map right down to the bottom of the pool was awesome.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
