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In 2012 the big story around the net was that Tupac had made his big return at the Coachella event via holographic technology. A lot of people were comparing the performance to the 3D holographic projections we are most familiar with from the Star Wars movies. Sorry, but this version of Tupac was not a 3D hologram. This image of Tupac was basically a very expensive illusion. Tupac’s “holographic” image was merely a CGI animation being projected onto a reflective surface. 19th Century magicians referred to this as the Pepper’s Ghost technique.
Now if you really want to see what today’s holograms look like, check out Zebra Imaging’s Holographic 3D visualization displays. These are just like the Marvel Universe holographic trading cards… but pumped up on steroids! Of course cool things like this often come along with a hefty price tag.
According to the Zebra Imaging website, a 12×12 panel will run you $600 in color, a 24×34 panel will run approximately $2800!
Holographic 3D Display
A lot of what we see today is fake holograms usually manifested in one of two basic forms:
Pepper's Ghost - a video projector reflected off of a large partially surfaced mirror or Mylar to make it seem as though the projection is emanating from on stage.
Whirly-Gigs - that part of the projection that is closest to the viewer is in the foreground, while objects in the back appear further away. Project intermittent images, synchronized with the device doing the rotation and you have a 3D projection of sorts.
You can also create a volume of particulate matter or mist and project into it a dimensional scene of sorts. So much of the type of imagery that is in play now is about telepresence, real-time projection of individuals, usually from far away. It is all 2D.
Many of the recent claims of holographic projection systems defy the laws of physics. Simply put, there is no way to project photons out into the center of a room and have them suddenly change direction, multiply and turn toward multiple viewers in the room. There has to be a host: either a real hologram that diffracts or reflects light, or some medium, smoke, steam, mist etc. Or, a partially silvered surface (as was the case with Tupac and Michael Jackson).
A clear air 3D projection system would break the laws of physics as we know them. People have an perception of what is possible with 3D projection systems, based on what they have seen on TV, or possibly at live events, or even at theme parks.
Remember, what someone claims to be a "clear air" hologram projection is essentially onto nothing more than the air in the room, and which is to be visible in full color in daylight.
The only current clear air projection system uses focussed powerful lasers to excite the air to a plasma state (effectively superheating the air so that it explodes in a rapid series of tiny localized sparks). This creates a very simple monochrome image of a few dots. It's also accompanied with a loud buzzing sound, as it's like a very rapid series of tiny explosions. It's actually quite dangerous.
360-Degree Hologram using Mirrors
The researchers at USC have developed a machine that uses a high speed projector which also has a high speed spinning mirror to render 3D holographic images in real-time. The predicted purpose for this technology is in high quality video games and advertisements.
In the future 3D holographic projection will most likely find their way into televisions, mobile phones, maps, textbooks and advertisements. Video games will resemble Star Trek’s Holo-deck or the X-men’s Danger room.
A 3D holographic display will re-energize events as an engaging component that people will want to interact with and learn from.
So who are some of the people that benefit from this tech?
Association meeting planners can use the holographic technology for a live telepresence. Say you have a keynote speaker who can’t make it to the event. He can still present and speak—in hologram form! Who says you can’t be in more than one place at once?
The base of the holographic projection work has been with corporations. Frankly, corporate meeting planners love holograms and what they bring to the table. Product launches, presentations, teleconferences, keynotes, the list goes on. Holographic projection gives corporations the chance to present information in a more dynamic, engaging way.
Walk outs, twiddling thumbs, and vacant stares are a thing of the past. Holograms will make the attendees of any corporate gathering sit up, pay attention, and truly enjoy the experience.
A technical director that gets to show off holographic display to their clients feels like a king. With an undeniable cool factor, exciting new tech to play around with, and a unique, dynamic means of engaging with the audience, this is a technical director’s dream.
For producers, holographic display is the ultimate wow-inducer that these professionals can show off and pitch to clients.
And the audience might be the luckiest of all. With live 3D holograms the childlike wonder that nobody ever really lost is reignited, and the world becomes ripe with positive opportunities.