Sean Alexander

(Updated 9/2013 to include AtmosFearFX, new projectors)

Americans are projected to shell out over $5.8 billion dollars on Halloween, between a costume, candy and decorations.  In our household, my wife really gets into Halloween costumes but for me it’s all about the opportunity to play junior Disney Imagineer with fun effects.  Based on the feedback from last year’s Virtual Santa, this year I’ve created a new How To that shows how by using a few easily obtained items, you can build a cool Halloween effect sure to delight trick & treaters.  Here’s a short video of the experience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-5m2H26IMQ

Project List

To create the effect yourself, here is what you need:

• A physical window.  Just about any window will do.
• An old PC projector OR a TV large enough to place in front of the window.  HD isn’t needed and you can pick these up cheap on eBay or Amazon.
• Hallowindow animations DVD or downloadable video files, or
• A Windows PC to drive the video or an DVD player, blank DVD and Windows DVD Maker
• Windows Live Essentials Movie Maker (free download)
• A good FM Transmitter or outdoor speaker. I used a C. Crane Digital FM Transmitter
• A white sheet to cover the window.  Avoid patterns.
• Black Scrim used for theaters or a sheet of the black garden weed blocker fabric from local hardware store.  Again, avoid patterns and logos.

Step 1: Set up the Projector

In my case, I’m using an Optoma DS317 SVGA DLP Projector, a 3M MP225a Mobile Projector, and a Viewsonic PJD4513X Short throw projector for multiple effects.  Don’t worry about fancy features- a standard-def projector will work with VGA input.  The trick is to get one with 2000 lumens or better.  Also look for ability to adjust keystone (angle) and reverse the image.

Step 2: Get the Hallowindow Animations

Hallowindow is a series of Halloween-themed audiovisual effects by Mark Gervais in Canada,  It’s a great solution and he’s really upped the quality of the exp

eriences over the past few years.  You can order a reasonably priced DVD or purchase individual videos for download via PayPal for instant gratification and burn your own.  I opted for download and burn which I describe below.  You can also follow Hallowindow on Facebook where you can learn from other users of this visual effect system.

Another recent addition from Seattle’s own creative studio AtmosFX is a new addition for 2013.  Created by popular TV visual FX specialists, AtmosFearFX offers a whole suite of options from the creepy to the family friendly.

Step 3:  Prep the Video

Mark did a great job with Hallowindow and I have a number of his 4 editions.  A number of the videos are decidedly creepy to the point that the little kids in our neighborhood and their parents may take issue.  For this reason, I edited out the scariest parts a bit with Windows Live Movie Maker, a free download in Windows Live Essentials 2011.  Just use the “Snip” tool to edit down the clips to just what you want.  You can even add your own title sequence such as “Happy Halloween from the Alexanders” or similar.  Have fun playing with the effects:

Then save the edited video in the recommended quality.  This will create a video file that you can then burn to DVD:

Step 4: Burn the DVD with Windows 7 DVD Maker

Last year I used a Netbook which was great, but I’m simplifying with a burned DVD $99 DVD player.  Windows 7 (and Windows Vista) come with a video DVD Burning tool called Windows DVD Maker.  Just type DVD into the Start menu search box and you’ll find Windows DVD Maker:

Important Step: Before burning your DVD, be sure to choose “Options” in the lower right corner and set the DVD to play in a continuous loop.  Most DVD players can do this from the remote control but some (like mine) keep the on-screen display on which ruins the effect.  Set it like you see here:

If you are going to use a PC to drive video to the projector, make sure Windows Media Player is set to run in full screen and move the mouse cursor back over to the main Windows display.  This will set the player controls to hide automatically and has the added benefit of making sure any alerts/notifications will not appear on the projector.  The last thing you want to do is ruin the illusion.

Step 4: Prep the FM Tuner or outdoor speakers

There are a number of FM tuning options available, however I strongly recommend against using a solution designed for in-car.  They’re just not powerful enough.  Be sure to read the comments on Amazon for the C. Crane Digital FM Transmitter and you should get tips on how to boost for cars driving up to be able to hear your music.  If you’re eagle eyed, you’ll notice below that I’ve soldered a dipole FM antenna wire to the transmitter to improve the distance.

To figure out which station works best in your area, I recommend Belkin’s “My Best FM Stations” service. Just tap in your City/Zip/State and it will give you a number of options.  Be sure to try these out yourself.

Step 5: Set up the Window Screen

For the projection screen, I used a two-ply of a white sheet and the black scrim material as seen below.  The scrim adds a great deal of realism to the effect because it blocks out the high intensity “halo” effect many projectors create and increases the black levels in the video.  I just pinned up the scrim and the sheet behind it.  Take this picture to your local fabric store and they’ll be able to set you up (thank to my wife for contributing to the effort <g>).

Be sure to avoid any wrinkles in the scrim or sheet.  We used push pins on the edges of the window moulding to hold it in place and avoid unsightly holes:

Step 6: Fire up the projector, Create a Sign for the Yard and and get ready for Trick or Treaters

Be sure to level and center the display.  You’ll also want to adjust the distance from the window so the scale is correct. Put a sign on the yard with the FM Frequency you’re transmitting on and house and you’re ready to go!

Happy Halloween everyone!