On this page you will learn how to pull off the "Pepper's Ghost" illusion. In it, you create a ghost out of light, black cloth, and plate glass. The trick was widely used in spook shows before movies and television hit it big. Like many seemingly complicated tricks, there is a simple mechanical ruse, hidden in the performance.
Tips
Dress the ghost in lighter colors, so they will look like proper ghosts in the reflection.
A light coating of baby powder on the ghost will make them appear to glow.
A dimmer switch on the ghost light will allow them to appear and dissapear.
An alternative to a live ghost is a digital projector, aimed at the film.
Ghost in the Window
This video shows a well done Pepper's Ghost performed at Halloween in a living room window. In this performance, a young girl is pantomiming playing the piano, while the reflection appears to be playing the piano. As you can see, the lights do not all have to be dim; the trick works just as well in medium light.
Introduction
In this trick, the ruse is a second area that mirrors the first. It is not necessary to have two identical rooms. If you want your ghost to interact with an object like, say, play the piano, you will need to have an area for the player to sit, and something about the same height as the piano keyboard. For simplicity, we will work with a simple spirit that does not interact with object, only with visitors or trick or treaters.
Step 1: Decide on Your Performance area and Place the Glass
The best place for this trick at Halloween is inside a dimly lit living room, with a window that can be seen from the street. Open the curtains wide, and keep the outdoor or porch light dim. Place the glass at a 45 degree angle inside the window. It does not have to be glass; Plexiglas will work just fine, as will the plastic film that is used to seal windows. The latter works well as you can stretch it across a large area, without leaving tell-tale marks on the floor. Just lay the film out, put it up, and apply with a hair dryer.
Step 2: Place Your Lights and Your Players
You will want the outdoor area near the window to be darker than the room inside. This allows an unobstructed clear view through the window. Inside, you want no lights directly behind where the ghost will be, but off to the side is fine, provided all light sources are behind the glass/film. You want no light sources in front of the film, as this will ruin the effect. The only exception is the illumination for the ghost, which will be directed away from the film. At this point, you are nearly done, but there are a few more touches. Drape the stage area with black cloth, and have your ghost placed check the illumination of the ghost, and adjust if needed. If the ghost is too transparent, turn the light up a bit, and if the spirit is too corporeal, dim the light a little.
Step 3: Be Creative with the Ghost
A live ghost works the best. Practice a bit with interaction until your ghost can look the right directions, wave properly, and such. Be spooky and sad; facial expressions make it through the illusion just fine. Be scary, and lurch towards the window. Be happy, smile and laugh. And if you can, set up a webcam or a mirror so the ghost can see what kind of people are outside so they can react appropriately.
