Behind the technical scenes of Eugène Bersier’s holographic resurrection
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Protestant Eglise de l’Etoile, we had the privilege of creating an immersive experience by bringing the founder of the Church, Eugène Bersier, back to life using holographic rear projection technology.
Here is a detailed overview of the technical challenges we overcame to achieve this memorable event.
Filming on a green screen and in 4K
The first step consisted in filming Jérôme Kircher, the actor playing Eugène Bersier, on a green screen in 4K resolution. This technical choice was essential to capture high-quality images, allowing a clear and realistic holographic projection.
The green screen facilitates the cutting out of the actor, essential for integration into the holographic environment.
Managing black transparency in holography
A major challenge was managing the pastor’s black robe. In holography, black is perceived as transparent, which posed a problem for the visibility of the traditional costume.
To address this, we added a luminous halo around the actor’s silhouette. This halo not only preserved the visual integrity of the robe, but also added a spiritual dimension to the apparition, reinforcing the emotional impact on the audience.
Editing and special effects with After Effects
The editing and special effects were done using Adobe After Effects. This step involved:
- Precisely clipping the actor’s silhouette to eliminate any trace of the green screen.
- Adding lighting effects to accentuate the halo and create an aura around the actor.
- Color correction to ensure visual consistency between the actor and the projection environment.
The goal was to produce a fluid and realistic holographic projection, capable of integrating harmoniously into the architectural framework of the Church.
A successful event and a captivated audience
Despite the technical challenges, the event was a real success. The spectators present—more than 400 faithful live and several thousand online—were transported by this fusion of tradition and innovation. They let themselves be carried away by the story, rediscovering Eugène Bersier’s message as if he were among us.
Conclusion
This experience demonstrated the potential of holographic technology to create memorable and immersive events. It illustrates our ability to meet technical challenges to create unique projects that leave a lasting impression.
For this event, we used the holographic mobile system.
Do you have a holographic project? Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss it.