I recently tried my hand at this cheap DIY Pepper’s Ghost Hologram project. I wanted to see if it was possible to pull off with a budget of $50 bucks, and it turns out that it is possible. Basically, I just used a projector and a clear plastic sheet hanging from a photography backdrop in my living room. I was pretty impressed with the results and how easy it was to create.
The process was simple:
First, I set up my photography backdrop stand like I usually would.
Second, I hung a transparent sheet of acetate from the backdrop stand.
Third, I connected my cheap $30 projector from Amazon to my laptop.
Last, I played a clip of 3D Animation with a black background and projected it onto the sheet.
I filmed the result on my iPhone, added the Moon Theme from the old Duck Tales NES game, and made this video. Good times
For those of you unfamiliar with the Pepper’s Ghost Illusion, here’s a brief summary of what it is:
Pepper’s Ghost Illusion dates back to the 19th century. It is an optical illusion first used in theater in 1802 by John Henry Pepper and Henry Dircks. The illusion uses a reflective pane of glass or mirror angled at 45 degrees to reflect and reveals an unseen person or object onto a set of two curtains or a theater stage. This was the precursor to the modern 3D hologram.
Since its invention, Pepper’s Ghost Illusion has had a lasting impact on modern technology. Over the years, the technology has been adapted and refined to create more realistic illusions and holograms. It became extremely popular in 2012, when it was used to create the Tupac Hologram at that years Cochella Music Festival.
Today, it is used in movies and video games to create lifelike 3D animation that is convincing and lifelike. In addition to its use in entertainment, Pepper’s Ghost Illusion can be used for scientific purposes as well. In industry, it is used to create realistic simulations and projections in order to aid in product design.
Overall, Pepper’s Ghost Illusion has greatly impacted modern hologram technology. Its invention has opened up a world of possibilities for creating realistic animations and simulations. It has helped bring us new and innovative ways of entertaining and educating the public, as well as revolutionizing industry.
