Thread: Floating Ghosts

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Holy Crap!!! I've found my first new prop build for 2011.

This video is from the Micheal Jackson movie "This is it", and is the making of the new video segment for "Thriller". At 1:30, they have what they call "Dead brides, and dead grooms", which are tall metal frames controlled by an actor, with ghost props attached. Totally COOL! I'm going to build two, or three, and have them flying around the cemetery. SWEET!!!

They are likely doing a green screen with these props. How do you intend to have them move?

Pretty Cool. It looks like the design makes the poles slightly "springy" which in turn makes the ghosts look more wispy. Just the slightest movement from the puppeteer really sells the illusion. I too will try and replicate this. I wonder how this would look staked into the ground with just the wind blowing it!?

Green srceen? Did you watch the vid? They are on a metal frame controlled by an actor, and were supposed to be roaming the aisles in the audience. I will have my actors wearing all black, and wandering the yard with these.

Eyegore: I think they would look pretty cool just blowing in the wind, but would look awesome flying around the yard!!!

I watched the video. The comment is that they will be in the aisles. So this was intended for a live performance I presume? I thought " This Is It " was going to be a movie. Surely they did not expect to have these at the theaters? I can see it being done at the release screening but not at my local Cinemax.

As far as actors and black clothes. Sounds OK. But having actors walking around a graveyard in black clothes will not make them invisible. The illusion will be compromised by any ambient light. Maybe you can set up some screening to help hide the actors. Even if the actors stand behind stationary props, the effect will be impressive with the amount of movement allowed by the long poles.

what kind of mechanics would you utilize to get these to move without puppeteers?

Those will be great to see in a Halloween home haunt!! Can't wait!

Sorry spinman, I didn't mean to pounce. Yes, the props were intended to be used for the live show. I was particularly struck by the short shot of seven, or eight of them swirling around amongst each other. What a cool effect! The film "This is it" is the early rehearsals for the tour, and was not ever supposed to be seen by the general public. They only decided to release it after his death. RIP Mike!

No pounce seen.

I understood why you asked as you did. I have a thick skin to boot, so no harm no foul. I do like the idea. In fact I am working on an idea for a FCG that will be very big and elevated over the peak of my house. But in your situation I figure if you can provide some cover, your actors could do a decent job of stealthing the ghosts around. Especially if the tombstones were large enough to crouch behind, they could move from one to the other and hide during movement. Maybe you could set up some timed lighting that would allow them to shift during dark periods. Ambient light will help to reduce dark vision. Then when the lights go out for a brief time, the actors make their shifts. Just some food for thought.

Keep us posted.

i would have them move on a track.. if they are that light you can make a track usingfishing line and atach the back of the ghouls to a roller which kina look like a dougnut with a grove on the outside and it will roll around whisping at your wish unless you want to dress up in black and walk around like that guy did hahaha!