The AtmosFX team has seen so many creative solutions for custom projector enclosures over the many years that we’ve been developing decorations. In this Digital Decorating 101 article, we’re going to share with you some of our favorite D.I.Y. projects that decorators have shared with us.
Projector enclosures tend to serve two key purposes. The first, obviously, is to keep your projector from being damaged from the elements, particularly rain and snow. But there is a secondary purpose. A successful projector enclosure will also hide the projector from the audience. After all, if the audience can see the projector, it can often spoil the effect. As you will see in the following examples, many of these projector enclosures have been designed to blend in with there rest of the Halloween display.
Before we get to the fun part, it is very important to remember that any enclosure you create must allow for proper air circulation. Without air circulation, your projector may overheat and become permanently damaged. Now, let’s get to the creativity!
There can be challenges with setting up a projector outside! Read the useful Digital Decorating 101: Setting Up a Projector Outside for information on overcoming obstacles.
Using signage to hide your projector
As we mentioned, using your projector outdoors isn’t just a matter of protecting the projector from the elements. Hiding your projector creates a seamless decorating experience where every visible element adds to the overall presentation and makes your guests wonder how it is all done. For instance, Halloween enthusiast Joe O. created this simple but effective way of hiding the projector from view by using a welcome sign for his trick-or-treaters, with a comedic twist.
The "free candy" sign hides the projector that displays Jack-O'-Lantern Jamboree on uncarved pumpkins.
Building a D.I.Y. Wooden Tombstone Enclosure
Joe O. also shared a picture of his enclosure, which was designed to look like a grave marker. Once again, he added a touch of humor to really nail the effect.
Sal was no chicken, but in the end, he got a raw deal.
Home haunter Rick H. from Cincinnati also shared his D.I.Y. tombstone enclosure, which includes a built-in fan to help with ventilation.
Step 1 - A basic wooden enclosure surrounded by insulation foam for easy crafting.
Step 2 - A few coats of paint and some engraving, for realism.
Step 3 - The built-in fan helps with ventilation!
Making a D.I.Y. Tombstone from a Foam Cooler
Another dedicated digital decorator, Tom H. from Tampa Bay, shared this enclosure made out of a styrofoam cooler:
Styrofoam coolers - Not just for tailgating!
Tom picked up a tip from another decorator who was making tombstones out of foam coolers, and took it one step further by turning one into a projector enclosure! Styrofoam is a great choice for an easy D.I.Y. solution. Many types of paint will break down the styrofoam, which adds to the worn-down stone look of a real grave marker.
So you’ve got an enclosure - what’s next?
With this enclosure, your display looks good. But how does it sound? Audio is a crucial component of many AtmosFX Decorations, so check out Digital Decorating 101: Setting Up Audio Outdoors from more detail.
