DIY Madame Leota Effect with INVISIBLE PROJECTOR

Perhaps the most iconic crystal ball in history, Madame Leota is one of those effects that looks really impressive. Thankfully, doing a DIY version isn't as hard as you'd think. Follow along in this video as I build a version that allows you to hide the projector, rather than have it out in front of the crystal ball, and looks more like the version from inside the Haunted Mansion.

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Madame Leota is a ghostly character from the Haunted Mansion franchise. Originally conceived as a character to be featured in Disneyland's version of the attraction, Leota's character has been expanded, to be featured in multiple Disney attractions, as well a few feature films. She was originally portrayed by Leota Toombs (whom she was named after) while Eleanor Audley voiced her.

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DISCLOSURE: Please be advised that AAXA Technologies has compensated the artist by furnishing the product at no charge in connection with this video.

#VanOaksProps

[jasperjanderson]

Always love a VanOaks Prop Lab! Lots of people ask about using the Sybil the Clairvoyant kit for an internal projection setup. Here's the answer!

[raypierce]

Another amazing video! The first time Disney actually used internal rear projection was 25 years ago for the pre show snake in the Magic Lamp Theater at Tokyo DisneySea. They were trying to find the best way to animate the eyes to eat the most responsiveness and the R&D Team had just worked out small projectors that could fit inside the snake head and project they eyes onto translucent eye shapes. This allowed us to have the function as normal, Blink, shift and look in all directions PLUS have come fun things like turn into hypnotic spirals and other great features. They also came up with an amazing projection system to cover most of a large crystal ball shape. Thanks again for a great build!

[HLRth]

Always my favorite part of the ride. The problem solving in the builds are always my favorite part of the videos! Thanks for sharing the whole process.

[HMFan]

Knowing that people intend to use these projectors for effects like this, it would be great if aaxa provided some specialized lens configurations for ultra-short throws (like a fisheye) or a 90° telescoping lens. Have you thought about 1-2 neodymium magnets to “attach” the head to the top of the mirror assembly? That would allow for easy installation/removal and minimize mucking around with glue or velcro. Impressively effective, Derek! Looking forward to the finalized and fully tricked-out version! Happy Holidays!

[kjohnsonleedap]

Thanks so much for this tutorial, I’ve been trying to find instructions on creating an internally-projected Leota forever! Definitely building this!

[rkendsley]

Love the channel, especially the Halloween props (Long time haunter here). It appears you can stream to this projector (Not verified) and, as an example, have Mrs. Van Oaks be Madame Leota in real time. Hide a small hidden camera near the stand broadcasting to a screen she could see, then she could interact and comment in real time with people looking at the prop or nearby. Not an inexpensive prop, but lots of potential. Maybe setup the prop to be able to be switched quickly from live broadcast to recorded video so as to allow breaks for the Madame Leota actor.

[escaperoomdowntown]

Thank you for this. After seeing internal facial projections at WDW, I’ve been wanting to figure out how to do this. Great work!

[rhysnybo]

Wow cool absolutely love the head in the crystal ball that talks, very spooky and haunted like good work on it, love the make and build of it definitely makes a pretty cool witchy haunted effects prop

[metajock]

Sweet!!! A little bit of smoke and that'll be a great addition. Thanks for the idea!!!

[mariemeyer]

Wow, wow, wow!!! Another amazing project.

[BlisterHiker]

Great, inspiring project! Thank you for sharing it with us 👍

[AB-nuwe]

And why I come here. Great prop. I've got a couple AAXA projectors. They get the job done nicely. This would be a fun prop to hax, no doubt.

[beckybert]

Looks interesting! Wondering if I can put my own face in there. I tend to scare a lot of people!

[philpearson]

Great job! Wish this how too had been out last year this time. I just did the Haunted Mansion this halloween. I managed with the projector outside of the globe but this would have been so much better. Ps thanks for your etsy store with the haunted mansion file for the candle holder, I printed a couple and they looked great. This year thinking about pirates of the Caribbean any how too videos or etsy files woul be great. Thanks again!

[matrixmom]

Genius!! I appreciated you showing the hiccups along the way too!

[diazjr]

This is a great idea. Having a hard time on which way to go on my Leotta display for Halloween.

[Erika-Raf]

I want to try this with the Hauntleys animated head. My only concern with that, is the head is black rendering the protection not as bright and clear. IDK if painting the head white would work, i feel the projection wouldn't project through. I also wonder if I could use the internal projector and mechanisms from even a talking pumpkin and do the same thing, and use a milk jug w a heat dryer to mold a transparent head and put the internal projector inside of the milk-jug head...🤔🤔 I don't have a 3-D printer, having to think outside the box.

[GeekSpeakDesign]

Would adding a fog machine make the image too hard to see? It might add a cool depth to the illusion

[VIL]

Amazing. Can't wait to see this. Just watched it. Genius work again my friend. Pepper ghost effect seems to be a very suitable technique. Where did you come by the actual projection file? Thanks for sharing!

[chadm]

This is awesome! I just started working on my Halloween props for this year. I'm doing a Hauted Mansion themed walkthrough in my garage. Unfortunately Chickenprops doesn't seem to have the form anymore. I'm going to try experimenting with the milk jug skull to see if I can get something serviceable.