Mysterious Transformation Chamber:

This is an illusion used for many years in carnivals and State Fair midway shows.The concept is to transform one figure into another figure right before your eyes. The illusion can be used with a variety of subjects; vampire to a bat, man to a corpse or skeleton, attractive woman to a witch or animal. The technique is simple, but these ground rules must be followed to establish a realistic illusion:

• The two rooms (see drawing) must be decorated identically, so the fewer the props and simpler the wall no patterns, the easier it is to reproduce.
• The rooms must be square and of the same dimensions. They should have walls no less than 4' and no longer than 12' for best effect.
• The figures should be positioned identically in each room.
• Lighting is controlled by rheostat or dimmer switches and adjusted to diminish in the room with the first figure at the same pace, and level as the light in the second room is increased, creating a morphing illusion. Perform this fairly quickly, so as not to give things away.
• When using regular glass plate, use lower watt lighting (40-60), when using 2-way mirrored glass or screened glass use a brighter light (100-150 watt) in the room the first subject is in. Also, have the mirrored side of the glass facing the audience.
• Practice until the desired effect is achieved.
• The room lighting is above the front of the room, facing into the room, and shining onto the figures. This gives the best effect.

A similar illusion can also be performed in a simpler arrangement by using a two way mirror with the audience looking at their reflection or an image screened onto the glass, and then have the lighting come up on the other side to show a ghoul, monster, skeleton, etc. Use a wall mirror, framed picture, or full-length mirror. Make sure the light level on the backside is not too bright. You want the audience to still see their own reflection. This illusion makes it look like someone or something is behind them. The room on the opposite side of the glass should be fairly narrow, and draped in black (plastic sheeting or fabric or painted). The morphing effect can be used for small wall mirrors with costumed helpers on the opposite side that can mimic the on-looking guest as the lights from behind come up.