crystal ghost beam splitter foils
HOLOGRAPHIC effect foil GERMAN ENGINEERED
ACHIEVE SPECTACULAR HOLO RESULTS
how 's it work?
This system works by splitting light beams in two. In fact, all beam splitters of this size in use today are made from a type of foil. Light is directed through a beam splitter, which then appears in 3D space at a depth that we can control.
This foil is a polymeric mirror with a specific formulation, thickness and oriented in a way to maximize holographic effect. These Holographic effect foils are made for rugged indoor/outdoor use and are resistant to rain, fire, sun, fog machines, laser light and foolish people with sharp objects. Once we understand what you are looking to accomplish, we can help guide you in the best size options.
facts about our pepper's ghost MATERIALS
FOIL quality & resolution
Our Extreme Definition Holographic Effect foils are of the highest quality, and clarity. The evident resolution that can be reflected is in excess of 16k and improvements are constantly being made. They are an excellent balance between strength, clarity and reflectivity. In addition, our foils can be tuned to deliver reflectivity selection.
Inferior foils will cause you trouble, and adversely affect your show.
Inferior foils will cause you trouble, and adversely affect your show.
public domain tension - the past & present
Crude tension of long ago
Tension has been the subject of some debate. However, a tension system has been in the public domain for many years starting in the 50's with DuPont®, the in the early 90's with Disney, then later in that decade in Berlin, the Virtual Eye exhibit in 1997, Phantasialand Feng Ju Palace, and EXPO 2000.
Depending on where your final installation will take place, you may be able to use this system freely. Just click on the inquiry tab to check with us.
Depending on where your final installation will take place, you may be able to use this system freely. Just click on the inquiry tab to check with us.
advanced tension - lret system
Our LRET (Linear RETention) advanced tension system is available to meet the needs of clients who want ultimate freedom and control, and is particularly useful with larger foil spans. The public domain tension although useful, has it's drawbacks for larger installations, and of those lasting extended periods of time.
size - SEAMLESS HOLOGRAPHIC FOILS UP TO 12 METER
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World's Largest Effects Foils
We are the only company in the world to offer SuperSpan foils up to 39 feet by infinite width. No other source can provide crystal ghost effects foils in these massive sizes.
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fire safety
Our foils are inherently NFPA 701 & 702 Class 4 flame resistant. This means our foil can pass NFPA 701 standards without any additional treatment, and pass inspection by government agencies on every continent around the world, including the US.
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"Our innovative workarounds are in fact, a trade secret."
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enduring legacy of henry dircks
Although this spectral illusion is known as Pepper’s Ghost, the technique was first developed by the British inventor, Henry Dircks (1806-1873).
After working with magic lanterns in theater productions, a popular illusionary technique called phantasmagoria, he developed a new technique to make it seem as though a ghost was really on the stage, rather than in the background, as was the case with the magic lantern shows.
Yet, he couldn’t quite figure out how to incorporate the trick into a theatre performance without requiring costly alterations to the theatre. It was a chemist from London’s Polytechnic Institute, John Henry Pepper (1821-1900), who came up with a simpler way of incorporating the illusion into a stage performance.
In 1863, Pepper premiered this new technique in a production of Charles Dickens’ The Haunted Man, and from then on it was known as Pepper’s Ghost. Naturally, Dircks was none too happy about this title given to the illusion he had developed.
The apparition one sees in a Pepper’s Ghost illusion is the reflection of an object or figure hidden from view. A sheet of film is installed between the viewer and the room or stage in which the ghost will appear. This film is angled so that whatever it will reflect can be hidden from the audience in a secret room. The hidden room is an entirely black mirror-image of the stage where the actual “ghosts” are placed.
When it is time to make the ghosts appear in front of the audience, the hidden figures are lit and their reflection appears in the glass. The figures in the mirror-image room will be arranged so that their reflection corresponds with where they should appear on stage. For example, if you wanted to make a ghost appear at a table, the room visible to the audience would already have a table and a chair in it. However, in the mirror-image room, a figure would be sitting on a black chair, or similar prop, positioned so that the reflection lines up with the table and chair in the main room. When a light is turned on the figure, it will appear as though a ghost is sitting at the table visible to the audience.
After working with magic lanterns in theater productions, a popular illusionary technique called phantasmagoria, he developed a new technique to make it seem as though a ghost was really on the stage, rather than in the background, as was the case with the magic lantern shows.
Yet, he couldn’t quite figure out how to incorporate the trick into a theatre performance without requiring costly alterations to the theatre. It was a chemist from London’s Polytechnic Institute, John Henry Pepper (1821-1900), who came up with a simpler way of incorporating the illusion into a stage performance.
In 1863, Pepper premiered this new technique in a production of Charles Dickens’ The Haunted Man, and from then on it was known as Pepper’s Ghost. Naturally, Dircks was none too happy about this title given to the illusion he had developed.
The apparition one sees in a Pepper’s Ghost illusion is the reflection of an object or figure hidden from view. A sheet of film is installed between the viewer and the room or stage in which the ghost will appear. This film is angled so that whatever it will reflect can be hidden from the audience in a secret room. The hidden room is an entirely black mirror-image of the stage where the actual “ghosts” are placed.
When it is time to make the ghosts appear in front of the audience, the hidden figures are lit and their reflection appears in the glass. The figures in the mirror-image room will be arranged so that their reflection corresponds with where they should appear on stage. For example, if you wanted to make a ghost appear at a table, the room visible to the audience would already have a table and a chair in it. However, in the mirror-image room, a figure would be sitting on a black chair, or similar prop, positioned so that the reflection lines up with the table and chair in the main room. When a light is turned on the figure, it will appear as though a ghost is sitting at the table visible to the audience.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to ship?
This depends on how fast you want the shipment. Average prices range from $500 to $3500 depending on your location and what airports are nearby.
How do you ship the material and what does it weigh?
We ship our foil materials in a sealed PVC tube. This tube is then placed into a custom sealed pallet for it's journey to you. Average weight is 100-250 kg.
How do you clean the foils?
We've developed our own liquid solution for cleaning our polymeric foils. Cost is $89 per gallon for clients.
Do you provide samples?
We no longer provide samples.
What is the smallest holographic effect you produce?
We produce a 1 meter effects box for demo.
What is the largest holographic effect that can be produced?
The only limit to size is money and time. Of course, what is possible technically may not be practical.
Can the foil and frame be flown out during a theatrical performance?
Yes!
How tough is the foil?
If tensioned correctly, the foil cannot easily be penetrated by brute force.
What elements are needed to produce the effect?
You will need the three basics: foil, tension, and bounce screen. You will also need projection, truss, drapes, computer controller, and a stage to realize the entire effect.
What kind of projector is needed?
The more light, the more intense the effect, so we recommend at least one 20K projector. We have successfully used Barco, Christie, and Panasonic.
What video formats can you use?
We can use Quicktime, AVI, and WMV. Frame rate will vary depending on what effect you want to produce.
Using high frame rates produces some interesting effects.
What video players can be used?
Our preference is a Windows platform, however, for larger shows, there are a number of excellent show controllers available on the market to choose from.
Do I have any licensing fees with the system?
No. After you pay for it, it's all yours. Use it anytime you wish.
Can I buy just the foil?
Yes. It is sold in any width up to 39.5' wide x infinite length.
Can the foil be reused?
Not really. Some have reused it and been successful, but others have been disappointed. While everyone is generally eager to set the foil up properly in the beginning of the show, the same can't be said when strike time comes. If you use the same care taking it down as you do putting it up, you may have success, however, our official response is, we don't recommend it.
Do you keep your materials in stock? How long will it take to get it?
All materials are kept in stock. Delivery time depends on where you are, and the type of service you've selected.
In general, we can have your materials tubed and ready to ship in 5 business days or less.
Can you ship anywhere?
We ship Mylar to every continent on earth via ship, vehicle, or airfreight.
This depends on how fast you want the shipment. Average prices range from $500 to $3500 depending on your location and what airports are nearby.
How do you ship the material and what does it weigh?
We ship our foil materials in a sealed PVC tube. This tube is then placed into a custom sealed pallet for it's journey to you. Average weight is 100-250 kg.
How do you clean the foils?
We've developed our own liquid solution for cleaning our polymeric foils. Cost is $89 per gallon for clients.
Do you provide samples?
We no longer provide samples.
What is the smallest holographic effect you produce?
We produce a 1 meter effects box for demo.
What is the largest holographic effect that can be produced?
The only limit to size is money and time. Of course, what is possible technically may not be practical.
Can the foil and frame be flown out during a theatrical performance?
Yes!
How tough is the foil?
If tensioned correctly, the foil cannot easily be penetrated by brute force.
What elements are needed to produce the effect?
You will need the three basics: foil, tension, and bounce screen. You will also need projection, truss, drapes, computer controller, and a stage to realize the entire effect.
What kind of projector is needed?
The more light, the more intense the effect, so we recommend at least one 20K projector. We have successfully used Barco, Christie, and Panasonic.
What video formats can you use?
We can use Quicktime, AVI, and WMV. Frame rate will vary depending on what effect you want to produce.
Using high frame rates produces some interesting effects.
What video players can be used?
Our preference is a Windows platform, however, for larger shows, there are a number of excellent show controllers available on the market to choose from.
Do I have any licensing fees with the system?
No. After you pay for it, it's all yours. Use it anytime you wish.
Can I buy just the foil?
Yes. It is sold in any width up to 39.5' wide x infinite length.
Can the foil be reused?
Not really. Some have reused it and been successful, but others have been disappointed. While everyone is generally eager to set the foil up properly in the beginning of the show, the same can't be said when strike time comes. If you use the same care taking it down as you do putting it up, you may have success, however, our official response is, we don't recommend it.
Do you keep your materials in stock? How long will it take to get it?
All materials are kept in stock. Delivery time depends on where you are, and the type of service you've selected.
In general, we can have your materials tubed and ready to ship in 5 business days or less.
Can you ship anywhere?
We ship Mylar to every continent on earth via ship, vehicle, or airfreight.