What is a Pepper's Ghost?



You’ve seen it in holographic displays in places like Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, but home haunters are now using them for party and horror effects for the kiddies. These are so cool. It’s an interesting illusion that makes a ghostly image appear. I very much wanted to use one for my Halloween party for outside the house so it looked like a ghost inside was banging on the windows to get out and pleading and screaming, but I had no way to build up the necessary addition to house the effects.

This article gives you a great explanation of the process.

Now, if you haven’t been to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion—enjoy the ride. Someone videotaped it and put it on YouTube.

Comments

  1. Ah yes, Pepper's Ghost. Oldest trick in the book, having originally been used in Victorian seances and Magic Lantern shows. I personally think Haunters have Walt Disney to thank for the prototype of the modern haunted attraction. Without him, Haunting probably wouldn't exist. By the way, did you know that there's a whole website dedicated to the Haunted Mansion? Here's the address:
    www.Doombuggies.com!

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  2. HN;
    Cool! I have to admit that I've been trying to get my son to incorporate one into his movies. He does short videos with dark western themes and I think something with someone riding a horse across the desert or some kind of old prospector rooting around in the soil would be cool if it's used up against a modern setting. This is just so fascinating. I never stop marveling whenever I go to Disneyland. It's been the same forever and it still manages to give chills. I think you need to consider going into movie special effects, bud.

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  3. Indeed, I am considering it, but the thing that daunts me most is the sheer amount of stress involved with movie production. As much as I would love to create zombies, vampires, and serial killers on a daily basis, I'm not sure I could handle the pressure. Well, I've got a few years.

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  4. HN;
    They are working under pressure and long hours, but from what I've heard, they really love it so much it's hard for them to leave it and go home at the end of the day. After seeing your Halloween setup, I think it'd be awesome if you started a YouTube channel and did some short videos. Just little scenes of something creepy and atmospheric, a walk in the woods at twilight and the sounds of someone hitting two sticks together, making the videographer stop and look around for the sound. Things like that. It could be a series. You might even enter one in a short film contest. Just a thought, but I have a hunch about you, bud. Oh, yeah, did you get your day of the dead stuff in the mail? I hope so!

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  5. Yep, got the DotD awesomeness! This is definetly going on display for a little creative inspiriation. Thanks again to you and Dale!

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  6. Glad to give you more spooky inspiration. Oh, and Dale says "hi."

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  7. There are no holograms inside The Haunted Mansion attraction — not one! Pepper's Ghost is a reflection on glass and nothing more. To call it a holographic effect is erroneous. It is, however, an optical illusion.

    The mortal you should really thank for haunting effects is Henry Dircks. John Pepper capitalized on Dircks' original "Phantasmagoria." Although Pepper's name became associated with the trick, Dircks is its real inventor.

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  8. Pepper's ghost is when you have to shit after eating ghost pepper (Bhut jolokia is the name of this pepper).

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  9. Hatbox Ghost;
    BTW, marvelous name and profile pic. Yes, it's amazing to see these. They still just amaze me. I would love to go to a haunted attraction at Halloween that only had these effects in a haunted mansion situation but that you could walk through and peer into closets and mirrors and windows. Great info about the originator of the effect.

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  10. I remember being freaked out by that ride. BTW...made you blog of the day.

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  11. CB;
    Really? You're a doll! My cable was out in the entire complex all night and morning. Much to catch up on!

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