How To : Light-O-Rama Light Shows & Projection Mapping For Halloween & Christmas - Behind The Scenes

Since 2017 I have been creating Halloween and Christmas light and video shows at our house here in Guelph, Ontario. Although I regularly post those shows, as viewed from the road, here on YouTube, I have never done a full behind-the-scenes look at our lighting, show control and video projection equipment.

For 2021 I designed an entirely new show platform, that relies both on Light-o-rama sequenced light shows as well as projection mapping to create an immersive, concert like experience with video, audio and lighting right in my front yard and I am going behind the scenes to share how it all works with you.

In this video I cover both a top-level overview of the hardware and software used to create these light shows as well as some tips, tricks, and considerations that both beginners and seasoned "christmas light enthusiasts" will find helpful.

If you are just getting started with your own Christmas lights or Halloween setup then the content in this video may be overwhelming, but don't let it deter you! You can get started with a basic setup and a bunch of lights for a small house for under $1,000, and get more advanced as time progresses (and your collection of hardware and light fixtures compiles!). Projection mapping is something that I dabbled in during our 2020 shows and now have made it front and center to our holiday displays, but it certainly comes with its own significant costs particularly for larger homes and projection surfaces.

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[denverkenney]

Please never take this video down!!! So very helpful!! I’m hoping to create a show like this for the after dark hours of my family’s pumpkin farm, and this is the most helpful info I have found yet!!!

[byronanderson]

Wow! This literally has to be one of the best and thorough videos I’ve seen. Great job! I’m definitely going to start putting some content regarding my builds on my channel. I’m an electrical engineer and started projection mapping last year. It went so well and was so well received that I’m of course making it even better this year. My house is only 3, 400 sq ft in comparison… but it is the perfect size for a single ST projector to show some really nice effects! I also built an aluminum enclosure with heating and cooling and a WIFI thermostat that is anchored in the ground for security. This year I want to add physical lights to my Christmas show. I’m trying to determine what the best method would be to sync the lights to my projected video (created in Adobe AE) and stay in sync on the loop. Currently the media player is in the enclosure on a wireless outlet switch which turns the projector on via “HDMI source power on”. The media player is set to play the file that’s at the root of the SD card which is my show. It works perfectly and starts the countdown for the show right away as soon as soon as I press the button to turn everything on. I use an Optoma GT1090HDR but will be upgrading to an Optoma ZH606TST. So I guess with all that being said, my question is how’d you sync your lights to both projectors perfectly? I understand every part of your setup… but I’m new to LOR so I might be missing something here… but I’m very intuitive and I’m sure I’ll learn it very quickly. Using the triggerable media player you have, can I just use LOR to trigger at a specific time (right away at the beginning) and then that will start playing precisely enough to sync to the lights during the show? The lights and projected video are coming from 2 different sources correct? I’m thinking repeatability as well since I’ll run this show nightly during the season and I want to just be able to hit a button to turn it on and the same to turn it off… Ideally.

Sorry for the lengthy message… this stuff just excites me! haha

[TotallyTursiops]

I am just going to say "AMAZING"!

[TBblake]

Unbelievable..You do an amazing job with not only your display but with the video. I am just getting started in the RGB world and your information was most helpful. Thank-you for taking the time to do this right! (I am in the live production business and we are Christie Dealers btw)

[lauramcdougal]

what is the plane of polarization for your FM transmitter? What is the receiving range?

[drummerbreeze]

Hi thanks for the info. Could you tell me what relays your using to trigger your sprite media player? I’d like to do the same but need to know what relay will trigger the sprite? Thank you for the info.

[drrxjtw]

Excellent video. I’m impressed by your relay use. Did you make a video just on your relay box? Since I’m in healthcare I struggled getting my double switch relays wired correctly.

[LivingFree]

I gotta say that is an awesome setup. I was worried about that mysterious hand popping at 32:44? 😃Middle of the screen at the bottom. Cheers Shu!

[OneManyHobbies]

My PC laptop is extremely old, I'm nervous that it's going to crash one day - would the Easy Light Linker replace my computer or should I get the G4-MP3 Director instead? The Linker still needs a computer, I don't own a windows PC anymore, only the one that's about to crash. I'm only running 3 controllers, not a big show. I can't find any videos on the Linkers or the G4 controllers. Hoping you're experience will help point me in the right direction for next year.

[peterroeland]

Why wouldn't you use Light o Rama DC controllers? ie model CMB24D
Love the lighting Truss - something I need to look into. Projection also looks great

[ParkerHauntedHouse]

Hi Shown great job. I’m looking to add projection mapping to our large haunted house facade. What model Christie projector did you use on your house?

[reverseprollc]

Hey! Awesome job explaining a pretty technical topic. Do you have a separate trigger to initially turn on the projector at the start of the night or is the trigger to the media player powering on your projector? I guess the short form of my question is, how are you powering up the projector at the beginning of the show and then powering down the projector at the end of the night? Thanks!

[icelantic]

I hope you will see this but i really would like to know what model the speakers are im trying to find them and i cant

[djlightsaberflimdirectoria]

You can use wireless linker with light o Rama residential Controllers

[jaybroreviews]

My apologies if you already covered this… I am gearing up to do my very first projection this year so I am super excited! I would love to get a copy of the show (Mac version) with the Haunted Mansion. It’s especially perfect for me since I live in Orlando, FL. Also I am getting ready to build my projector housing. What material did you use again? I barely caught any of that part. Is it sold by the sheet, etc.? I have seen people on YouTube make their boxes with computer server containers and it works well for them. Finally, it looks like your property is massive, but are you still using a short throw lens for your projector? Thanks!

[drummerbreeze]

Does anyone know the type of relay used to trigger the sprite digital media player from LOR? I don’t know what kind to buy to trigger the sprite to play the video? Is it AC or DC is it 5v or 12v? Someone please let me know if you know. Thank you I hope someone can help me.

[jrobin]

Fantastic video. Thanks for taking the time to do this. How do you control what video from the SD card plays when triggering the projector to come on? I am an experienced LOR user, but a little intimidated to integrate my projector into the show. Are you able to provide a link of the hardware you are using to control the projector from the LOR controller? Thanks so much!

[stevebeals]

Hey Shawn, since each LOR box draws 30amps, how do you plug two boxes into one 15 amp plug? Would think that would trip breakers all day? Thanks!

[charlesgardner]

Does your LOR trigger the Sprite for each sequence? If so, what are the Sprite setting? TIA

[LightORama-LOR]

Hello Shawn! Nice job with your video! Would you be willing to let us post a link on our website?