Water & video
Water screen shows
A water screen turns a spray of water into a giant, see-through projection surface. Images seem to float above a lake or the sea, and lasers cut through the mist in three dimensions. Laser Saga designs water screen shows with video, lasers, fountains and effects, most recently for the Al Qadsiah Festival in Khobar.
Also called: water screen projection, water curtain, aqua screen, water projection screen, hydro screen, water mist screen
What is a water screen?
A line of high-pressure nozzles throws a thin, fan-shaped sheet of water droplets into the air. A projector, usually placed behind or in front of the screen, projects video onto that sheet, and lasers can draw graphics on it. Because the screen is translucent, the image looks like it hangs in the air, and you can see the night behind it. A related effect, the water curtain, uses falling water and can display text and patterns.
When to use it
Signature night-time moments by water: festival openings, national day shows, city celebrations, resort and destination launches, brand stories that need to feel monumental. Water screens suit narrative content, such as a short film with a soundtrack, more than quick flashes.
Where it works
On lakes, lagoons, marinas, pools, the sea or a temporary basin on land. The screen needs a water source or a closed-loop tank, power for pumps, a calm-ish wind (gusts break up the image), and an audience on one main side. Projector positions are fixed early because distance and angle decide the screen size.
What goes with it
Most of our water screen shows combine projection with lasers, musical fountain jets, flames and fireworks, cued together on one timeline. Content is made for the screen's shape and the viewing distance, and we can produce it in-house or work with your studio.
Safety and permits
Waterfront shows involve electrical safety around water, marine or port approvals, crowd management and, if lasers point upwards, aviation rules. We plan earthing and power, secure the platform or barge and keep a weather plan.
Designing content for a water screen
Water softens fine detail, so content works best with bold shapes, strong contrast, slow camera moves and silhouettes, rather than small text or busy footage. Dark backgrounds help, because black on a water screen simply becomes the night sky behind it. We test sample frames on the actual screen during rehearsals and adjust brightness and colour for the mist density on the night.
How it is run
Site survey, screen and projector design, content production and 3D preview, install of pumps, nozzles and projection, night rehearsals, then show nights with a crew on the console and a technician at the pumps.
How big can a water screen be?
From compact event screens to very wide screens on open water. Size depends on the pumps, nozzle line and projector power.
Does a water screen work in wind?
Light wind is fine; strong gusts scatter the water and soften the image. We plan show times and backups around the forecast.
Can it run every night?
Yes. Water screens can be temporary for an event or season, or part of a permanent fountain system. See permanent installations.
Do you supply the content?
We can design and produce content, or adapt your brand film to the screen.
