The Star Queen is a WIP fiber-optic-based special effects show in which the titular Star Queen shoots light from her hands that shimmers to the ground as stars twinkle in the sky above.
Concept Art
Control System
The Star Queen will be animated by a novel control system I designed. The fiber optics will be held in place by a 3D-printed cage that rests on a phone screen and is segmented into various zones. On the phone screen, a video will play with different lights for each zone, allowing for easy animation and keeping the project simple with no microcontrollers or additional wires needed.
For the lights that shoot from her hands and those that fall to the ground, a bar of light travels upward across the fiber optic nodes. For the stars in the background, which twinkle more separately and randomly than the others, it is similar to magnetic or punch tape control systems, with effectively a black strip traveling through a keyhole, where the fiber optics are, with the strip featuring lines of light to glow different fibers at various times in the sequence.
For the lights that shoot from her hands and those that fall to the ground, a bar of light travels upward across the fiber optic nodes. For the stars in the background, which twinkle more separately and randomly than the others, it is similar to magnetic or punch tape control systems, with effectively a black strip traveling through a keyhole, where the fiber optics are, with the strip featuring lines of light to glow different fibers at various times in the sequence.
Example of a piano roll or punch tape control system used in player pianos or early computers that served as inspiration for this design
Example of how the animation video will work, with the highlighted areas in bright blue and yellow showing where the light will shine through.
CAD Model
The model, when fabricated, shall be painted similarly to the concept art and the fiber optics plugged into the holes. The control system will be concealed behind the piece for a clean presentation.
