Nate Miller
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Pepper's Ghost... busted? (A Halloween Project)
🕑 Added 2023-08-30 01:08:30 +0000 UTCHalloween season is coming up fast! Many stores are beginning to feature costume sections, decorations, and animatronics! My family and I are starting to plan out our annual Halloween block party and I'm presently experimenting with a few new effects I want to have set up. One effect that is simple to create and very effective is an 'old timey' illusion called "Pepper's Ghost"
The concept is remarkably easy to pull off - it relies on line-of-sight, clear reflective surfaces, and clever lighting. I wanted to use this technique to create the illusion of Slimer 'trapped' inside of a ghost containment box. The equipment and effects would then be displayed in my garage lab with my other gear that visitors can interact with. The following diagram explains how to create a 'Pepper's Ghost' effect using a simple box with a downward-facing projector.
I built on this diagram and made a simple 'containment' box out of black foam core, plexiglass, and some red spray paint. I made dimensions based on a spare computer monitor I had on had. If you want to replicate this, I suggest you start with your screen dimensions and work from there - you could make something like this to fit everything from a full-sized TV or something as small as a phone!
I will be adding some control panels, buttons, and switches to this box eventually... it should look amazing in my Halloween installation.
Here is the a concept diagram in 3D....
