Digital Media Level 3 Semester B

The 2017 Sapporo Snow Festival features different samples of projection mapping onto different snow sculptors.

The first one shown is a Final Fantasy VII snow sculptor, and scenes from the game are projected on to it. The characters of Cloud and Sephiroth are brought to life by displaying their likeness onto the white, snow models of themselves. Scenes are then projected around the character models, showing footage from the original product, and its updated re-release of which this sculptor is a promotion of, the focus of the projection being on Cloud’s iconic Buster Sword. By displaying the characters on the snow, it shows more of them than the snow or a video alone could, really bringing the characters to the fore. This, and the combination of the surrounding video, advertises the product in a clear and original way, by using footage of the game on the characters themselves. It brings more depth to the advertisement, as it is showing the game in the context of t’s own world and characters.

The second video shows Kohfukuji Temple in Nara being projected onto. The projections used here turn the plain white temple into a colourful rendition of a real temple. It shows lights and colours moving through and around the temple, making it appear as more than just snow. By mapping onto the shape of the snow, the temple looks more real. The dimensions of the snow have to be considered in order to create this effect, as a video played onto the snow would look flat, and not show the same depth. This shows the key difference in projection mapping, instead of merely projecting a video.

The ideas behind these projections can help inform my own piece. They focus on depth, and using the environment to enhance the experience of the light show. By focusing on the environment that I have to work with, I can enhance my videos, by having them interact more with there surroundings. Projections can be used to turn a blank space into a number of different places, and create a new setting, as well as enhance the appearance of plain characters. It can also be used to make things that cannot move or change appear to do so, allowing me to show poltergeist activity on inanimate objects.

 

The Haunted Mansion is an attraction that features at Disney World Resorts. It is, as the name suggest, a mansion that is haunted by many ghostly spectres and characters. It uses standard horror tropes, but presents them in a humorous situation, combining both the horror and comedy genres.

It uses different forms of projection mapping to create its different ghosts. The most notable are the ghost dancing in the dining/ball room. These ghost appear to made by using the Pepper’s Ghost effect, making the people (or animatronics) appear transparent in the scene, giving them the ghostly appearance. At the end of the ride, a mirror reflects the carriages the riders or in. On top of these carriages, a ghost appears. I believe this is also done using the same effect, allowing human forms to appear as ghosts to the on-looker.

Another example of projection mapping is that of the gargoyle heads. These are projected videos that allow the head to change expression, and smile at the riders as they travel past. These look like normal gargoyles, but the use of a projection allows them to change there appearance. The ‘Bride’ that tells riders to hurry back at the end of the ride is also a projection. This allows the character to look like a person, due to a mannequin shape for the base, whilst keeping a spectral appearance, due to the video projected onto said base.

Not only does the attraction use projections, but other techniques, such as slow elevators to create more haunting effects. By combining these with projections, the ride is able to create a truly haunting experience. The projections are also set up in scenes built around the era the house is set to be in. This sets the scene for the ghosts, and puts them in a believable scenario, adding to the overall experience.

 

Pepper’s Ghost is a technique used to make a spectral figure appear in a space through the use of an optical illusion. It is done by having the subject look into a room from a certain position. Looking on, there is a pain of glass, usually at a 45 degree angle, and a space behind this glass. Off to the side, there is a person standing, who cannot be seen by the on-looker. The reflection of the person is seen in the glass, and so they appear transparent in the area the on-looker can see. By lighting the areas differently, you can make the reflection appear and disappear in the eyes of the on-looker. This is an old version of projecting an image, and is used in attractions like theme parks and museums.

This technique could be used in my own work to show the development of projecting ghosts. It’s 2 room set up could also be used to hide the projector, making the ghost appear out of thin air. The places where the technique is used could be digitised with the use of projection  mapping, updating the technique to fit with modern times.

On Saturday February 18th, I undertook the Lincoln Ghost Tour. This tour travels around some of Lincoln’s most haunted locations in it’s Cathedral quarter, including the Cathedral itself, the White Hart Hotel, and other locations. At each of these locations, the tour guide gathers the group around and tells the story that relates to the location that we are in, as well as giving a brief history of the location.

The tour draws the audience in by starting off with the origin of each story, setting the scene before moving on to explain the paranormal activity. The stories are all prefaced with who saw the ghost, before going into the story itself. Then possible history about its origin is told, rounding off the story. Some stories are also prefaced with how they have affected the tour directly, bringing them more into the real world. This draws the audience in, and creates an atmosphere for the stories, making them more spooky.

The way the story is told is an important part of creating the event. The tone and build up to the ‘punch line’ of every story is an important hook to keep the audience engaged in every story. This formula is repeated throughout the course of the tour, showing its effectiveness, as the formula works every time. A few of the stories do not relate to the location that the tour is at, however, the story is still engaging due to the tales’ delivery. The ones that are at a location incorporate it into the story. Through gestures and visual references to the locations, these stories further engage the audience then the location-less ones.

 

The stories in this tour can be used as inspiration for my own ghost tour, and reveals more of the stories around this haunted area. The techniques used throughout the tour can be re-created in order to give my ghost stories the same effectiveness. Some of the stories heard during this tour could also be incorporated into my event, albeit edited in there telling in order to not be a direct copy.

After the tour, I spoke with the tour guide about hosting my projection event in collaboration with the tour itself; building on their existing narrative and clientele to bring my project to as many people as possible. Health and Safety permitting, this is an idea that may be possible for my final presentation.

Look into a more historical, factual concept, as opposed to a horror concept. Use it to re-tell a story of history, and not create a new narrative. What era am I looking at? Set the scene with mies-en-scene elements and topical music.

Victorian Penny Dreadful ghost style

Examine the Pepper’s Ghost illusion, to look into different ways to display the ghost.

Death photography; Victorian. Joel Peter Witkin (modern)

RBS ‘side door’ for a location. Aroma Cafe. Keep looking for a space, but not a priority at this time.

Digital Seance/Resurrection (possible titles)

‘The Darkness’ FB Live seance

Digital etherreal