| "It's working! Look, they've joined together to defeat our monster." — Phineas[src] |
The Holo-Projection Device is a holographic projector developed by Phineas and Ferb to unify the fantasy and sci-fi factions at a convention.
History[]
Candace wakes up to an unnatural landscape, which she assumes is a lucid dream. Inspecting it, she breaks what turns out to be a special effects room created by Phineas and Ferb, who are expecting to meet their idol in a convention. Following a brief explanation of their attires, the boys reveal that they are projecting themselves to her, subsequently entering the fan gathering. Inside, they pass by Albert and Irving, whose genre conflict interrupts the plans to meet SFX legend Clive Addison.
Phineas is disappointed to have missed the opportunity, to which his reaction is misinterpreted as a fandom brotherly rift. Suddenly, fantasy fans and sci-fi geeks surround Albert and Irving, taking sides in the now-heated franchise dispute. Separated from his brother, Phineas is brought to the head of the Speckies, Baljeet, in the base of whom another chance to greet Clive Addison is lost. Striving for peace, the creative boy proposes a treaty to the Finkies' boss, Buford, which backfires into a genre war.
The only non-aligned members, Phineas and Ferb attempt to converse with the two fandoms, to no avail. Their hero unexpectedly appears behind them, disheartened to see his works drifting people apart. To salvage the situation, the brothers devise a scheme using Clive Addison's specialty, forming a holographic monster in the field. Both sections unite against it in hopes of proving themselves worthy. Perceiving her siblings' doings, Candace moves to stop the fans' futile efforts, inadvertently "beating" the enemy ("Nerds of a Feather").
Design[]
The Holo-Projection Device is a system consisting of a dark gray monitor stationed above a gray table, and linked to six black cameras with pink lens mounts; two floor ones, and four tripod ones. It is situated around a green screen in the wall, and a green carpet on the floor, where there is a gray marking delimiting the user area.
The holographic monster is a giant hybrid creature with a light pink rabbit-esque morphology, complete with a nose, whiskers, teeth, ears, and tail; mixed with an ogre physique, gargoyle wings and claws, sasquatch legs and feet, and a brown loincloth. Its half-digital side contains a cybernetic mechanical arm, a horn hat, and dinosaur-like back spikes.
Mechanics[]
The Holo-Projection Device is a motion capture system enabling the transmission of movement into the projector via the use of a specialized blue suit. Having white reflective markers around it, the attire permits the recording of the wearer's actions next to a green screen setup, with which they are holographically corresponded in real time.
Background Information[]
- The Holo-Projection Device appears to be an amplified version of the projector technology applied to Candace's room, and for a message to Buford.
- Wishing each other luck in their quest to establish diplomacy, Phineas and Ferb state a parody of the line "may the Force be with you, always" from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope as "may the luck of Sluffon be with you, always".
- Shortly before the holographic monster's appearance, a television producer critiques a doctor's pitch by stating that throwing such a creature at the end of a story is lazy writing. This is a jab at common creative practices, while at the same time demonstrating a way of reinventing classic techniques.
- The holographic monster's appearance is a mashup representation of the two cliques, featuring both fantasy and sci-fi aspects in its design.
- From a quick showing of the special effects' properties, it can be inferred that they are adjusted in a panel facing a window with a view of the confrontation grounds.
- Means of combat against the enemy include model blasters and toy wands, alongside rolling non-traditionally-sided dice to decide advantages. These are references to tabletop games in the vein of Dungeons & Dragons, wherein these aspects are commonplace.
- Clive Addison deems the special effects show put on by Phineas and Ferb the best of its kind, comparing it to the annual Burning Man event.
- In response to Clive Addison's future offer of a SFX career, Ferb says that he would prefer to direct, quoting a common expression among people in Hollywood who are trying to get their big break.
Appearances[]
- "Nerds of a Feather" (First appearance)
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