Hello -

It's been a little while since I contributed to this forum. I've been noodling around with an effect that I think is pretty good.

If you saw the movie, 'Poltergeist', you'll know the scene I'm talking about. For the ones that didn't, I'll describe it:

Jobeth Williams is talking on the phone and moving between two rooms, one of which has a table and some chairs. The camera is showing her continously without any cuts, moving back and forth between the rooms. She moves out of the room where the table and chairs are (everything is normal) and suddenly turns back (no more than 5 - 10 seconds) and sees the chairs stacked in a balanced yet unbelievable way on the table. No noise made, no extended time.

That scene has stayed with me ever since I saw it the first time. So, I've developed a modified version:

I show my clients the room that we will be sitting in, without actually going in it. It has the table and a couple of chairs lined against the wall. I then show them something of interest in the room that we are in that moves them away from the door of the sitting room for a quick moment. I then lead them into the sitting room and stop short at the doorway. There, on the table, are the chairs stacked and balanced. I make a comment that, perhaps this room is not exactly the best room to sit it and let the clients look and then lead them to another area where I continue the show.

Obviously I cannot divulge on an open forum about the workings of this, but I will say this:
Think of an assistant and how is the floating table constructed?

Hope this may be of use to someone.

Dave

Sounds cool Dave, I just may try this.

Johnny

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Got my wheels turning now. Sounds interesting. I might have to play around with this idea myself.

The visual and sinking feeling reading that gave me was exceptional, thank you - a very splendid feeling indeed!
-George Tait

Hiya, Seance:

"Poltergeist" was one freaky movie back in the day -- especially considering how much restraint Tobe Hooper displayed in depicting its gore. Remember a scene similar to what you described in 'The Sixth Sense?'

The effect sounds chilling, and I wonder if I could actually pull it off...

Leland

Thank you for the kind words about this effect.

Leland - regarding the restraint of Tobe Hooper, who did the original 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' for point of reference, I have watched countless other movies with the 'Friday the 13th' like-minded theme of "More blood!". You know what?

The movies that stand out in my mind are the ones that knock the sensibilities of the viewer off-kilter. By that I mean, the viewer's perception of the world for that movie is not comfortable. I think of scenes found in 'Poltergeist', 'The Ring', 'The Others', etc. where the action is not shown explicitly, but the aftereffect IS shown explicitly. That takes the wind out of the viewer's sails.

Mysterious trumps explicit every time. That's what I try to accomplish in my efforts.

Dave

Great idea, Dave. Thanks for sharing it!

Best,
Neil

Hiya, Dave:

Great point about mysterious trumping explicit.

The use of explicit special effects is often (perhaps even necessarily) a substitute for talent, IMO. The typical 'horror' movie is a perfect example of this dynamic -- the "Nightmare On Elm Street" series, "Thirteen Ghosts," and so on. Unmitigated drivel, now being emulated by prime time TV -- NCIS and CSI both seem to pad their storylines with special effects.

On the other hand, masters of the genre don't have to rely on this sort of ploy. Hitchcock and Serling both worked during the Golden Era of television, when the Hayes office still held sway in Hollywood. Nevertheless, their best efforts are still regarded as classics, and will likely remain so long after the current hacks have become trivia questions on some future game show.

Leland

Dave that seems quite a bit of work to impress just one or a few people. Doing this for a larger audience will be even more difficult.

The notion of rooms that change has been with us a while and even alluded to in films like "Yellow Submarine".

The HOW_TO of the original is well known and you can even seen some of the wire frame that held the chairs in the film if you look closely. Nice to have assistants just off camera wearing sneakers.

Jonathan,

I agree that it is a lot of work to affect a small number of people, but in my opinion if it works, then I'm successful. Consider this - at this time of year, parents expend a lot of effort to convince their children the man in red exists. Their reward is the acceptance of existence of magic in their world. I would consider that a very great accomplishment.

All in all, it is what you are striving for that counts. If you are guided mainly by others, then you do not go your own way.

Best of the season,
Dave

Hi Dave,

Sorry, I missed the word "sitting room" in your original post.

Yes the idea reads well. IF the spirits are willing, might even get the stuff on the table to appear stacked on the chairs too. All depends on the availability of sneakers I guess.

Sounds great. How do the clients react?

The clients are almost always stunned. This is something that they have never expected. I've had one who refused to go any further. I escorted her out after an important action. I lock the door to the sitting room and sprinkle salt before the doorway. This way no one can examine anything and I use the rationale of "making the rest of the area safe".

I usually have about three or four people at a time, so it's easier to control my audience. The favorable word of mouth is my best reference.

Thanks,
Dave

Seance,
I'm a little stumped and am unfamiliar with the method you are referencing for 'Poltergeist Chairs' in your earlier postings. I am however very familiar with the aformentioned scene from 'Poltergeist' and am interested in your deeper thoughts/knowledge. Could you or anyone who cares to share this method PM me please? Thanks!!

Dave,

Great idea - many thanks for sharing. Have you done this for publicity, too? Journalist comes round for an interview, or clients are invited to the venue to discuss a proposed show.

Also, have you ever included an ingenuous-looking child in this tableau? - the door opens on little Sally as she plays with her dolly. ('Sweetheart, Daddy will be using that room, in a moment.') Seconds later, you return to the room, and it is as creepy you described, only, now, there is a witness (cause?). And she stares mutely at your clients with button-black eyes, and an expression that could be just blank, or very, very deep.

Regards,

Caleb Strange.

Ok.....Mr. Caleb Strange really has me gunning for a solution after reading his ideas for presentation as I feel showing this off with my 9 month old son in the room would freak some folks very badly! I am receptive and wait someone's PM response for the workings of this effect. Anyone? Thanks!

Seance:

This is a very clever idea. I can think of a couple of ways to do it, depending on the room layout and structure. With the right chairs and table, this would really be stunning!

I am gratified by all of the great remarks and suggestions. Thanks to all of you.

Caleb and Brian - That is a great suggestion to have a small child in the room playing. I'd even have the child looking at the chairs, turn around with an expressionless face and say, "They're heeeere...." ( Just like "Poltergeist").

Dave

Talk about freaking people out lol...while you're at it why not make the child speak another language and say: "We're here..." in latin? lolol...

That sounds so freaky....just reading that gave me a nice chill down my spine...very pleasing .

To BrainMagos about the other language...whenever I'm bending metal for somebody I usually TRY (I'm not good with other languages...I'm trying to learn German on my own though ) saying something in a different language...scares the heck out of 'em! I whisper it....look a little lazy....start breathing slightly heavier....and then when I'm done I kind of fake a trip like it tired me out. I only do it with classmates though, because they're easy to get .

That was exactly what I was thinking when mentionning the other language bit. Booo.