Water screens rental

What a water screen is and what you use it for

A water screen is a projection surface not made of cloth or a hard surface, but of water. A pump pushes a fine, flat fan of water mist into the air through a special nozzle, and an image is cast onto that mist with a powerful projector. Because the mist is translucent and hangs in the air, the images seem to float freely, without a visible surface beneath them. Figures or light can even move through the screen, which gives an almost magical effect that you cannot match with any solid projection surface.

You use a water screen when you want to surprise an audience with an image that appears out of nowhere in the air. A logo floating above the water at the opening of an event, a video message appearing on the mist, or a spectacular show where image and water work together: these are moments guests keep remembering precisely because they have never seen anything like it before. A water screen belongs to the most impressive special effects and is preeminently an outdoor effect, often above a pond, canal or basin, where the combination of water, projection and the dark environment makes the image light up to the maximum.

When a water screen suits your event

A water screen comes into its own most strongly at outdoor events in the evening with water nearby. At an open-air concert or a large outdoor event, a floating image above the water gives a spectacular opening or finale that makes the whole location special in one go. The scale of a water screen fits a spacious outdoor setting well, where the audience watches from a distance.

At a product launch or a festive opening outdoors too, a water screen can give the moment of the reveal a surprising, magical charge, for example by making a brand name or an image appear above the water. It is important that the location lends itself to it: room is needed, preferably water such as a pond or canal, a dark environment for the best image and a sheltered spot in connection with wind. The weather forecast plays a part too. We assess these factors in advance, are honest about what a location and the conditions allow and advise where needed a plan in case the wind becomes too strong, so your moment is not put at risk.

The technology: setup, projection, test and operation

A water screen is an interplay of water technology and projection, and both must be exactly right to get the floating image clear and stable.

The fan and the projection

The heart of the effect is the nozzle that throws up a flat, even fan of fine mist, driven by a pump with sufficient capacity. Onto that fan we project with a powerful projector, because the image must be bright enough to light up on the translucent mist. We match the projector, the distance and the angle to the size of the fan and the environment, so the image lights up sharp and clear. The effect works best in the dark and against a dark background.

Setup and test

On the day itself we place the pump and the nozzle in the chosen position, usually in or above the water, and set up the projector dry and secured at the right distance. We route the cabling following the right precautions and test the whole thing: we check whether the fan is flat and even, whether the image falls sharply on the mist and how the wind behaves at that moment. Based on that we adjust the position and the projection. We do this test well before the start, so there is time to adjust.

Operation on location

During the event our technician operates and monitors the water screen. They match the moment of the projection to the music and the programme, keep an eye on the wind and adjust if the conditions change. The pump, the projection and the safety stay under supervision, so the image appears at the moment that counts and stays reliable throughout the show.

Points of attention for a water screen

The most important point of attention is the wind. A flat mist of water is sensitive to disturbance, and in too much wind the fan is blown apart so the image loses its sharpness. We therefore choose a sheltered position where possible, take the wind direction into account and match the use to the weather forecast. For an important moment we always advise a plan in case the wind becomes too strong, so you are not left without an alternative.

A second point is the combination of water and technology. Water and electricity call for care, so we place the pumps, the cabling and the projector following the right precautions, with secured connections and the projection equipment dry and at a safe distance. Furthermore, a water screen works best in the dark, so it is an evening effect; in daylight the image does not light up enough. Finally, the setup calls for room and often a water supply, which means that not every location is suitable. We assess these factors in advance and coordinate them with the venue.

Combining with light, sound and other effects

A water screen works together with light, sound and water into a complete show. The sound gives the images on the mist their charge: a video message or a logo appearing above the water lands much more strongly when it coincides with music or a spoken moment. We take care of that coordination between image and sound as part of the show direction.

The light plays a part too, because directed light on the water or in the mist reinforces the magical effect and can dress up the environment around the water screen. A water screen also combines beautifully with fountains, water jets or other water effects, and with sparks or flames at a safe distance for a spectacular show above the water. Because HuurAV delivers sound, light, projection and effects from a single source, those elements fit together without you having to coordinate different parties. HuurAV takes care of the advice, the setup, the test and the operation, while standalone rental of simple equipment without support can be arranged through SpeakerVerhuur.nl. Because of the complex setup, we always deliver a water screen with a technician.

Requesting a quote

Do you want to surprise your audience with an image that seems to float out of nowhere above the water, as the opening or finale of your outdoor event? HuurAV, part of Speaker Verhuur Amsterdam, puts together a water screen setup on a quote basis that suits your location, your programme and the weather conditions, including the pumps, the projection, the matching to your site and the operation on location. Let us know which image you want to make float and where your event takes place, and we will think along and send you a clear proposal. Request a no-obligation quote.