Thread: Newbie:Need some insight to a project

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Howdy folks, wow what a greAT SITE. I'm gonna try and take the plunge this year, and do a cool Halloween setup. My hope is to have some floating ghosts, utilize the BSTV Scarols, and some LOR sequences.

Now my main project idea: My "Christine' FCG was a hit last year. I have an ideal I want to try ala pepper's ghost, and the BSTV floating head principles. I think they are one in the same.

Ok, what I want to do is set up my FCG, with the blacklight etc..on a black background. I then am gong to try and video tape her moving around from diferent directions as well as differnet zooms etc.

If all goes well, I want to try and edit the video for clarity, and possibly adjust transparancies, for a more ghostly effect. The burn that to a DVD for projecting.

Using a large piece of palstic in the dining room, I hope to give the illusion of the ghost floating around my own dining room. I'll put some webs arounfd the windows to diffuse the view area somewhat.

I want to use the same principle, for playing the BSTV Scarols CD. This will happen during the breaks from the LOR stuff.

OK, first of all....I know a big undertaking...but is it doable you think?

If so, some questions.

1. What is the best teqnique to record the FCG, so she'll jsut show up on a solid black background.

2. I kn0ow on some looping vids, the image has to be upside down, fresnel lense comes to mind. Do I need to do that with the FCG vid. I plan on using a projector to get a good image and size.

3. Where do you folks usually buy your plastic sheets for the reflection part.

Has anyone used a rather latrge sheet sucessfully. I'm trying to use a sheet approx 4ft wide and approx 10ft long.

I apologize in advance, I know there are probably answers to all my questions somewhere on the forum. I did search for some things, jsut not quite sure how to word my search queries for all my questions.

So, any help and or links appreciated. This is such a huge site! Overwhelming info. for a newbie.

One more thing, I live in Colleyville,TX(Dallas,Ft.Worth area) would love to hook up with anyone and discuss some ideas.

Thanks, again for your time and assistance.

Best,
David

I would recommend a flat black background for your FCG

Almost all projectors have image flip settings in the menus for doing rear projection and/or hanging it upside down from the ceiling - so I don't think you need to record your video upside down. Unless you are trying to use a zoombox or a cheapie like that.

Glass Works the best as a beam splitter, but I understand that window insulating film works when stretched around a frame and heated with a hair dryer.

Thanks for the info. Brad.

looks like I have some work to do. Have to do some research on how to record the FCG in low light conditions.

Best,
David