Effects: Tree Projection The Effect: A large illuminated skull hovers above the yard, welcoming guests. How It Works: A projector is set up to project an image of a skull on a large tree, creating a beacon that can be seen from a distance away. Materials: Slide projector Skull slide Cardboard Clear acetate Black paint Approximate Cost: $10.00 - $20.00 Construction: The only thing you need to make is the actual slide. If you can get a blank slide, you can use that to paint your image on. Otherwise, you will need to construct a blank slide of your own. Cut a 2x4 inch rectangle of thin cardboard. Use a knife to score the center and fold it so that you have a 2x2 inch square. Cut a square out of the center, and you will have the frame for your slide. Cut a square of clear acetate (or other thin, clear material) that is also about 2x2 inches. Glue this between the cardboard to create the slide. Draw your design onto a piece of paper. Keep the image simple and iconic, as it will be distorted when projected onto the tree. Place the blank slide over this drawing, and using black paint, cover all of the negative area around the image. Poster paint will work; acrylic is better; ink will not work (light will still penetrate ink). Preparation: For this effect, you must have a large tree near your haunt or some other surface to project the image onto. Position the slide projector up high, so guests will not get in the way of the projection. I put the projector on top of our van and ran an extension cord well above the walkway. Experiment with the projector to find the best placement of the image on the tree. Keep in mind that there will appear to be more distortion of the image the further away you are from the slide projector. If you can, I recommend adding a color filter to the slide. The Completed Effect: Back		Effects Completed Effects: - Magic Box - Projector Ghosts - Pepper's Ghost - Rickety Floor - Cobwebs - Tree Projection - Curtain Spirit Incomplete Effects: - Living Head

All original content copyright 2004 Raymond Fero

Home | Haunts | Effects | Decorations | Costumes | Other | Links | Contact