Projection Surfaces: Scrim and Rear Projection Screens

There are many options for projection material.  Scrim is a woven fabric that can be front or rear projected.  When the scene behind it is lit, the fabric appears translucent or even transparent, but the projection will still be visible. It comes in a variety of widths and is an excellent professional looking material. 

A less expensive option is tulle, which can be found at your local fabric store.  It also can be front or rear projected, but has a more open weave than scrim.  It also is not available in large widths.  It comes in a large variety of colors.  We recommend using a color that blends well with the surrounding area.  White, black or grey usually work very well.

For rear projection, there is specific screen material designed for this purpose.  We have also found that a frosted shower curtain liner is an excellent surface.  It is a smooth, consistent, translucent distribution, reasonable size, and inexpensive.  Sheet plastic can work, but it often has variations in the translucency.

Spectral Illusions at ScareLA

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of exhibiting at ScareLA in downtown Los Angeles.  It was a great experience, and so nice to meet so many of you.  For those who couldn't make it, we have a short video of our booth.  Enjoy!

Two New Ghosts Materialize!

Two new ghosts have materialized to join the lineup of new Spectral Illusions effects for 2013!

Ghost of Prudence Primm
Keep quiet and don't anger this bookish school marm, her temper can be quite shocking. This effect is designed for use with a projector and is great for projecting onto a scrim or screen or for use in a Pepper's Ghost setup.

Revenant
Awakened from her ancient slumber, this lost spirit arises from her tomb to reveal the true face of death. This effect is designed for use with a projector and is great for projecting onto a scrim or screen or for use in a Pepper's Ghost setup.

We are also going to be exhibiting at Scare LA this weekend. Stop by and say hello if you're in the area!

Thank you for a wonderful first year!

Just one year ago today, we released our first collection of effects.  In just that short amount of time, we have had quite the wild ride and are very excited about the future of Spectral Illusions.  We want to thank all of our customers and fans for your support over the last year and for making it such a success.  In honor of that, we are offering 15% off your entire cart today only!  Use code  2524B425 at checkout.  Happy Haunting!

New Effects from Spectral Illusions!

Spectral Illusions is proud to announce the release of four new effects!

The Phantom Wraith: A mysterious hooded figure approaches, revealing the emptiness of death.  This effect is designed for use with a projector and is great for projecting onto a scrim or screen or for use in a Pepper’s Ghost setup.

Accursed Helmsman: The cursed ghost of a long dead pirate still battles the storm from beyond his watery grave.  This effect is designed for use with a projector and is great for projecting onto a scrim or screen or for use in a Pepper’s Ghost setup.

Waking the Dead: A crotchety old skeleton awakens from his grave and is not amused.  This effect is designed for use with a projector or monitor and is great for projecting onto a scrim or screen or for use in a Pepper’s Ghost setup.

Forces Beyond:  Blood appears on a wall which is then inhaled into an evil vortex.  Or was it your imagination?  This effect is designed for use with a projector and is great for projecting directly onto a wall.

 All of our effects now come bundled with both HD (1920x1080) and DVD (720x480) versions and are Quicktime movies with stereo sound for use with projectors, monitors and TVs to create a variety of ghostly effects.

We will also be exhibiting at Scare LA (www.scarela.com) August 10-11, 2013 in Downtown Los Angeles.  Come see us in our booth.

Visit our website www.spectralillusions.com for more information and to purchase your Spectral Illusions.

Spectral Illusions Completes Work on Hobs Pit

It's been quite a while since our last blog post.  We've been working very hard on a series of projects and our new collection of effects, to be released next month!

The largest project we've been working on has been for Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park in Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK.  We were contacted late last year to do some concept and design work for their newest attraction, Hobs Pit, and ultimately, most of the video and projection effects for the ride.

We started with a previsualization ride-through for reference, using their existing ride track and structure as a guide along with the concept and script provided by the park.

Once the previs was done, we were on to the work of creating the effects.  We shot live action footage for 2 of the effects.

In addition to the the live action shots, there were also 7 fully digital shots including 4 of Hob, the ride's star and resident Evil Miner.  We also assisted in the build of the projected face of Hob for the ride's finale.

It was a great project to be involved with, and the reviews that have been coming in have been glowing, to say the least.  We wish Pleasurewood and Hobs Pit the best of luck, and, if you're in the area, you should check it out, too!

Here is some of the press and reviews of the ride:

A piece on BBC's Look East about the opening of Hobs Pit

Los Angeles Times
Scare Tour UK
TPark
Theme Park Tourist
Unofficial Pleasurewood
Coaster Force
Theme UK

Showcase: Our Effects in Your Haunts

We want to thank the folks who sent us pictures and video of our effects in their haunts.  It has been great to see how they all work in everyone's haunts.  If anyone has videos and pictures you'd like to show us, please do!  We'd love to see everyone's haunts.
 
First up is Ryan661D.  He posted some test footage of Daisy a while back.

He was also kind enough to share video of his full Haunt, and, we would like to say, Daisy looks right at home.

Another Daisy popped up in Southern Georgia.  Mark G was kind enough to send us footage of Daisy holding court on the verandah.

Lost At Sea can be a wonderful addition to a Pirate themed haunt as demonstrated by Defenestrator.  He used it in the Tavern section of his haunt, and can be seen in the video beginning around the 2 minute mark.

Finally, at least for now, Kristin from Northern California had a great location to showcase Restless Spirit.  You can see her video here.

We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and successful haunts! 

Happy Haunting!