In May of 2021, we were blown away by Deborah Stier Carson’s clever optical illusion that she was creating for guests at her Meggett, South Carolina, home. At the time, she was constructing an early-season prototype of a Pepper’s Ghost effect that would make it appear that the Ghost Pirate from Ghostly Apparitions 3 Decoration Collection was patrolling the nearby shore. Though just a prototype, the results were amazing. And now, a year-and-a-half later, it is even better.
To be sure, the view from Deborah’s deck is stunning form the outset – and clearly a place that visitors would want to gather to see the view. But for Halloween, Deborah took it to the next level. That includes adding The Grim Reaper from the Legends of Halloween Decoration Collection into her playlist.
“The screen was aligned to blend the video into the view from the seating area on the deck,” Deborah tells us. “Party guests were very impressed last year.”
You can click here to see how Deborah worked out the prototype last year. It is a smaller Pepper’s Ghost effect than her final installation.
What is the Pepper’s Ghost effect? This is the technique of placing a piece of glass where an audience is looking, but angling it in such a way so that it catches the reflection of something that is otherwise hidden from the audience. In this case, that is a playlist of AtmosFX Decorations. Because the audience can’t see the glass, whatever is reflected onto that glass appears as though it is materializing out of nothing. This can be done simply by raising and lowering the light on whatever object is hidden from the audience’s view.
Deborah created a long playlist featuring multiple AtmosFX Decorations, most of them ghosts, all of which fit nicely amongst the tree limbs and seascape that already make Deborah’s backyard a visual treat. We love the the use of Halloween Moon Decoration Collection, too – the animated moon and tree limbs merge flawlessly with natural features in the backyard.
Great job, Deborah! We love how you’ve built on a clever idea to make it even better the following year! We know your guests will love it!
What creative projects are you prototyping for Halloween? Or, what have you created in previous years? We want to see them all! Send your photos and videos to us using this simple online submission form and you might be the next AtmosFAN of the Week, earning Kudos for use in the AtmosFX Store, and even a complete decoration collection!
