[Daphne]

That was a terrific explanation. I forgot that you could see through the mirror film. I really like how you set it up, that is how I'd do it in my cemetery as well.

Of course the problem I have now is I had an agreement with my husband not to start any new projects for my display this year (still have several to finish from last year) and Home Depot is between my house and my daughter's school so where in the world do I hide the mirror film and 3 packs of red rope lights I "accidentally" bought this morning....

Thanks again!

 

[Just Whisper]

LOL Daphne, You kill me. That is hilarious. Hmmmm, hide them in the bag with the new set of screw drivers you just knew he would love. hehehe.

Waldiddy, No, the box does not get more narrow. It is equal on all sides. The effect is created by mirrors. The mirrors just keep reflecting themselves so they seem to go on forever. If possible, get a mirror and hold it in front of another mirror. Size doesn't matter (not here anyway). As you look into the mirror you will see the other mirror repeatedly reflected back so it looks like dozens of mirrors. Same principle here.

 

[debbie5]

You are assuming that I can SEE MYSELF in a mirror.....(sharpening fangs).

 

[Daphne]

Hey Just Whisper, I found a solution to make my husband forget about the stuff and the new prop. I had to upgrade ALL my lighting for the display, when he saw the confirmation email with the amount, he forgot all about the stuff for the bottomless pit even with it scattered all over the great room with the naked witch. I still can't figure out how he made his face actually make that expression. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have asked how he did it....

I just hope he doesn't come up with a way to stuff me in the pit he, he....

And for anyone else who is using a plastic garbage can for the pit, do NOT use duct tape to hold the rope lights in even as a temporary thing. Not saying I did it but... Even if you use tons of it, it is like gooey snakes everywhere especially after you turn the lights on for a bit! Drill holes in the sides and use cable ties, it works like a dream.

 

[Just Whisper]

Good advice Daphne, I am glad you didn't actually try that tape thing first. LOL I wish you had gotten pics of the hubby's new expression. Maybe we could have fashioned a prop after it. hehehe

 

[Daphne]

Yeah, good thing on the tape!

Oh yeah, asking him to hold on just a sec while I grab a camera and capture this moment of our lives would have gone over significantly better he, he!

Speaking of memorable moments... What moron makes a roll of 2 way reflective film and doesn't put anything on the OUTSIDE of the box that you need some Application Solution and you only find out AFTER you have made 3 more trips to HD/Lowes for other things, get home, open the box and have to unroll half the roll to find the directions? I looked all over the box when I bought it and nothing indicates you need anything. I did realize I needed a squeegee so I went to Lowes today to get that, not realizing that now I have to go back AGAIN to get the solution that I should NOT thin with water. This stuff better not be water. It also says not to use it on plexi or that type of thing. Sure glad I bought acrylic ha, ha!!!

We won't discuss the last minute styrofoam fixes that required me to repaint some stuff in the bottom and I sure am glad I didn't spill black paint on the mask and hand in the bottom THREE times.

Oh, and I just found out that it sure is a good thing that I didn't forget to take my wedding ring off and end up with a big glob of DRIED hot glue on it and the band...

Ok, I'm better now. International coffee anyone?

 

[Just Whisper]

Wow, Daphne. You are just a fountain of informative what not to do's. Good thing you thought everything through so we could all operate more safely.

The first time I bought mirrored film (around 2005 or 06) it came with the solution, a small utility knife and the squeegee. So I went and bought some for this project and assumed it came with. Glad I stopped to read the box. I noticed it didn't say it on the box. Darn, you pay$25 for something it should come with all that. That solution is costly. I used mine on plexiglass and it works great. Except a few years ago I got a dried stain on the glass and now the plastic doesn't want to stick there and makes a crease. It is not real noticeable during display so no worry here.

 

[Lunatic]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... that is a great effect!

 

[Daphne]

Just Whisper, did you have any issues with other lights reflecting off the top piece of plexi? Other than a stand and sound effect to trigger the strobe for the guy in the bottom, mine is almost done so I took it outside last night to check it out. Due to 2 street lights and a neighbor's light they always leave on, I couldn't place it anywhere that light didn't reflect off the top or allow you to see your own reflection. Either of them wrecked the effect.

I'm curious if building a tunnel or shroud of some sort to limit light from the sides would help. I was thinking of making a cylinder (both ends open) out of chicken wire and covering it in black mylar or a black garbage bag (spray painted in flat black to kill the shine). It would slide over the top of the can. That way you would look through it as opposed to just looking in the garbage can.

My plexi is within a few inches of the top of the can. This problem never ever occurred to me. I was worried it would be too bright out there but the reflection issue never crossed my mind.. UGG.

Just when you see the light at the end of the tunnel and think you are going to make it.... You hear the whistle on the train blow.

 

[ghoulieghoul]

Now that's pretty cool! Looks like a bottomless pit to hell!!

 

[mroct31]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... that is a great effect!

Every year it's one of the most requested props I have when I'm doing set up! You know as people walk by and ask, "you going to be putting out that pit this year, my "kids" just love it?" Don't get me wrong I like it but I'm always amazed how many people just love it and it's always one of the most popular props viewed.

 

[Mcnab]

Simply fantastic!

 

[HalloweenZombie]

Awesome! That's a great effect. A passage straight to hell! It looks fantastic!

 

[mommakp831]

Oh beautiful beautiful its like going down to HELL I love your creativeness! Good job!

 

[Just Whisper]

And again this year it was a very popular prop. The kids and adults both love trying to figure it out. They guess mirrors but not sure how they work. Some kids think it is really a long tunnel. Thanks for the great comments.

 

[Just Whisper]

I just found out this has been added to HauntProject.com...I can't think of a much greater compliment. Thank you. I hope everyone finds this very helpful and fun.

 

[Moxlonibus]

This is crazy. So simple, so cool.

 

[Just Whisper]

Hey Daphne, I never answered your question...sorry. And the answer is NO. It is very dark in my neighborhood, so I have no problems with lights ruining my effect. Sometimes you can see your own reflection in the top but that has never ruined the effect for anyone or diminished it's coolness with the kids. Since I let my ToTs get right up to it they touch it anyway, so they know there is glass on the top. They are still amazed at the effect. But if the outside light is overpowering the inside light your effect will be ruined. Let us know if your ideas worked in case anyone else has that problem.

 

[debbie5]

has anyone ever done this with a sonotube, to look like a throat?

 

[Daphne]

Just Whisper. Not a problem at all.

I did build a form from chicken wire and black plastic to help shield the sides along with a hula hoop at the end of that with plastic draped to hide everything. It didn't help. People still thought it was cool and when the soundtrack of Vincent Price laughing came on and the strobe illuminated the mask, they loved it. Unfortunately, I still have no idea, other than putting the pit inside a tent or something how to eliminate the light pollution. The neighbor was kind enough to kill their light for a couple nights leading up to Halloween but the street lights wrecked it anyway. Still looking for a solution unfortunately.