Of course i can't speak for everyone , but mine is roughly 10 feet or so away from guests. I have a pretty good looking ghost but keeping it back a bit gives it a creepier look in the crypt i think. Besides it's better if everyone can't see exactly how everything works.
Ditto... the further away the better. I have had success as close as 5 feet, but you need pitch black and I have the fixture painted black as well, with a black sheet hung on 3 sides .
Will put it in the upstairs window this year... first year to set up completely in a 2 story house... (assuming we are still here in October)