Replacing an old, deteriorating projection screen that has seen better days isn’t that big a deal. People do it all the time, especially since viewing surface technology and portable screen frame systems have improved drastically. But needing the new screen to create a huge “Wow” factor in Purdue University’s 6,000-seat Elliot Hall? That’s a different story.
“The primary factor for a new screen was size,” said Baron Brendel, Assistant Director, Video Services, Hall of Music Productions, Purdue University. “I needed a surface big enough for everybody in the venue to be able to see and see clearly the information that was put on the screen.”
But that was only part of the equation.
“My next biggest factor was I needed something modular that I can make into different sizes,” Brendel said. “I didn’t want to just have one screen that could be used in one venue because we are all over the place.”
Purdue contacted Draper about their need. The task of working with Draper to determine the right solution fell to Advanced Systems Group of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“The need was to have the ability to have a large screen that was flexible enough that it could be made into small screens, and at the same time be taken down quickly,” said Wayne Newberry of ASG. “Draper had the StageScreen that seemed to fit exactly what the customer wanted. And we could go from the large screen down to much smaller screens that could be used more flexibly.”
The StageScreen from Draper features a modular frame that can be reconfigured into smaller, screen surfaces. It can be flown or installed on legs and, given its size, is fairly simple to take apart and reassemble. And using an exclusive Draper configuration tool, assembly maps can be produced showing how to use the modular frame pieces to build other screen sizes and formats.
Draper also provided both front and rear projection surfaces for even more flexibility.
“When the product was delivered, I was blown away by honestly how well it was put together and how easy it was for my staff to put together and just how great the screen looked in the space,” said Brendel. “With both the 40ft configuration and hung, and also when we put the 20ft screens together, either on legs, or hanging as well, it is a great product. The modularity is wonderful.”
To watch a short video about this project, click here.
To learn more about the StageScreen from Draper, click here to visit the product web page.
