In this all-new guide, you’ll learn about

So if you want to plan a successful staged event with a hologram projection, you’ll love today’s guide.

Let’s get started.

1. Pepper's Ghost Projection

If you’ve seen Tupac’s resurrection at Coachella or Micheal Jackson and Whitney Houston come back to life to perform on stage you’ve seen Pepper's Ghost technology.

Pepper’s Ghost was popularized by British scientist John Henry Pepper, who debuted his version in an 1862 stage production of Charles Dickens’s The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain. The basic mechanics involve a reflected image giving the illusion of someone or something in its physical form. For Tupac at Coachella, a live actor was made to look like Tupac using CGI. That performance was then projected downward on a reflective surface, which bounced the moving image onto a tightly pulled transparent foil screen.

The foil screen is specially treated to be both semi-transparent and semi-reflective in nature. It works because of the nature of light and reflection – if an object is very brightly lit (like you in the bright kitchen, or the actors in the orchestra pit), and its dark on the other side of the glass (or plastic), then you see an image much like you see in a mirror. Because the image is a reflection, it appears to be coming from BEHIND the glass. Also because it is a reflection, it appears 3 dimensional; meaning that if you move your head or eyes, you see another angle and it looks very “real”, if dim.

SPACE

Pepper's Ghost Projection needs space for equipment with projectors placed in front of the screen. The larger the screen, the larger the space required. Unlike front and rear projection screens that hang vertically, Pepper's Ghost Projection is achieved by placing a specially treated film at a 45° angle. Custom projection mounts need to be considered to allow projectors to be placed at an optimum angle or you can order kits specifically made for these events.

AMBIENT LIGHT

Pepper's Ghost Projection works best in darkened interiors with little to no ambient light. Key lighting of live performers is generally placed behind the frame and screen of the Pepper's Ghost Projection.

BRIGHTNESS

Since the foil transmits light from a reflected surface, lumens are slightly lost in Pepper's Ghost Projection. High-performance laser projectors [20,000+ Lumens] and the ability to stack projectors can offset this loss in high ambient light situations.

VIEWING ANGLE

Unlike front/rear projection set-ups, the Pepper's Ghost image is reflected from a set distance from the ground surface to the screen, providing a more diffused image that allows an evenly lit image and the widest viewing angle of 170°.

CONTRAST

The setup of the Pepper's Ghost effect is less affected by other sources of light and contrast is generally better than a front or rear projection. Ambient light does not affect contrast as much as front or rear projection.

2. Front Projection

Front Projection is best used to combine a live foreground performance with pre-filmed foreground footage. Front projection projects the pre-filmed material over the performers onto an extremely reflective and translucent projection mesh. This material is sometimes called the following:

If placing the holographic over the performers will diminish the desired outcome, special consideration should be taken to combine projection mapping software to place the projector indiscriminately to avoid line-of-sight viewing of the projector and the projected image that comes through the screen. Another workaround for an obtrusive installation can be solved with the selection of a long zoom lens that allows you to put the projector further away. However, these lenses are quite expensive, which only adds to the cost.

Front projection is best used to showcase visual effects over a performer, i.e particle cloud over a DJ. Front and rear projection can be used together on one screen, or several, depending on the desired outcome.

SPACE

Front projection doesn’t require space behind the screen, therefore, leaving more floor space. You must also take into consideration if people or objects will be obstructing the projector at any time. Using projection mapping software will allow you to place the projector indiscriminately to avoid line-of-sight viewing of the projector and the projected image.

3 easy hologram projector set ups using front projection

AMBIENT LIGHT

Front projection requires darkened interiors with little to no ambient light as any light source hampers the efficiency of the projector.

BRIGHTNESS

Typically, front projection screens are brighter when used in darkened rooms. Brightness, however, is highly dependent on projector output and screen gain.

VIEWING ANGLE

The viewing angle is largely dependent on gain. Typically, the higher the gain, the narrower the optimal angle of view. Recently, however, significant improvements have been made to widen the viewing cone with high gain holographic screens, image blending software, high-performance projectors, and projector stacking.

CONTRAST

The setup of the Pepper's Ghost effect is less affected by other sources of light and contrast is generally better than a front or rear projection. Ambient light does not affect contrast as much as front or rear projection.

3. Rear Projection

Rear Projection is best used to combine a live foreground performance with pre-filmed background footage. Rear projection is the most cost-effective option for motion graphics and CGI stage performances. Japanese pop star Hatsune Miku is a popular example of rear projection hologram stage performance. By placing the projector behind the screen ambient light hitting the back of the screen can be contained and controlled allowing you to achieve an optimal image. holographic rear projection and front projection screens use the same highly reflective and translucent projection mesh.

Front projection is best used to showcase visual effects over a performer, i.e particle cloud over a DJ. Front and rear projection can be used together on one screen, or several, depending on the desired outcome.

SPACE

Rear projection needs space for equipment and projectors behind the screen. The larger the screen, the larger the space required. If the audience is forward-facing, you don’t want the thrown image from the screen to blind the audience- special consideration needs to be made for the placement, brightness and of the angle of the projector.

2 easy hologram projector set ups using rear projection- and one to avoid

AMBIENT LIGHT

Contrast and color saturation are better on rear projection screens in areas with high ambient light.

BRIGHTNESS

Since the screen transmits light in both directions, lumens are lost in rear projection. This loss of light may be offset in high ambient light situations where the front viewscreen would not perform as well.

VIEWING ANGLE

The viewing angle on rearview screens is dependent on the material’s ability to diffuse light across the viewing surface. Some materials, especially darker surfaces diffuse light more evenly.

CONTRAST

Rear projection is less affected by other sources of light and contrast is, therefore, better if there is an external light source. Ambient light usually comes from a different direction than the projector and since the light goes through the screen rather than being reflected off of it, the ambient light does not affect contrast as much as in front projection.

HoloStage Quote Checklist

Planning for a custom hologram experience may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. To get an accurate quote for hardware, content, and set up you’ll be required to provide details about your project including your stage area, performers placement, content, projectors and more. Before you call a trained hologram expert for a quote, fill out this checklist. It’ll save you – and the rep – time on the phone since you won’t have to pause the process to think about the answers.

Today your going to see 10 actionable tips and techniques to drive insane traffic to your booth using holograms.

In fact,

These are the same tips we have used with our clients who may have started off as skeptics but have turned into Hologram brand ambassadors.

So whether you’ve used holograms at a trade show before or your looking to level up your holographic experience for your next corporate event , you’ll get some powerful marketing tips in this guide that takes you step by step through the process to generate the maximum amount of leads that will lead to converting big numbers for your company.

Let’s dive right in:

1. Educate yourself on latest holographic technology

With holographic technology available today, you can have a life-size host greet visitors to your booth, create an interactive hologram product display, have visitors walk through holographic projections at your booth entrance or simply have your logo floating in mid air to draw people’s attention. The options are endless and each comes with a price that needs to be considered and weighed with your overall trade show marketing budget. Like any other business decision, trade show marketing, when done right, can prove to be a very effective leads and revenue-generating channel.

There are 4 commercial holographic technologies available today. You may see slight variations on the form factor but they all use a variation of the following technology:

HOLOGRAPHIC LED FAN

Fans come in single blade up to 6 blades and vary in size from 13” to 100”-inches diameters. They can display static images as well as animation. Depending on the manufacturer they can be synchronized to play a much larger image.

HOLOGRAPHIC 3D PYRAMID OR CUBE

A LED screen is place above or below a translucent material that displays a floating in air holographic image. The form factor is normally a cube in cased in paneled glass. The LED screen is generally hidden from view as its placed above or below the eyeline.

HOLOGRAM PROJECTOR

A LED projector beams your content on a translucent reflective surface. This is commonly referred to as the pepper’s ghost effect. Content can be prerecorded, streamed or dynamically generated from computer software. The two most common forms you will see this technology used are for:

Concert holograms

Corporate event holograms

2. Know your budget before you inquire

It's best to reverse engineer the process and start with a budget of how much you want to spend. Once you and your team have decided how much you want to spend you can then inquire with holographic vendors and get accurate and reasonable solutions that meet your budget.

The amount you spend will determine the holographic technology you’ll use, the size and resolution of your display, the level of interactivity, sound design, protective casing, custom fabrication, content creation, and usage

3. Create a brand style guide

Before you start sourcing companies for your hologram experience make sure you have a brand style guide. This rulebook explains how your organization presents itself to the world through its logo, font and color selections, photography and much more. It’s so powerful that some people even call it a brand bible, but don’t let that intimidate you—those are just different names for the same document. It can be a page in length or 20 pages long. Using a brand book ensures that your brand looks and feels the same across your trade show graphics, your holographic experience, marketing materials,people working on customer service, marketing, design and sales

The amount you spend will determine the holographic technology you’ll use, the size and resolution of your display, the level of interactivity, sound design, protective casing, custom fabrication, content creation, and usage

4. Research your booth options

Once you have chosen your preferred booth size, ask the event organizer the design and decor limitations so you can properly plan how you want to go about it intergrating a hologram experience without wasting time, energy, and resources. There are four basic booth sizes, and only one of those allow hanging signages. If your thinking about a holographic projection experience having knowledge of the scope you are allowed to work with will enable you to come up with a more specific and creative way to build your trade show marketing booth.

5. Sourcing a holographic vendor

This is the most important item before you even purchase a holographic device. Find a hologram company that has a producer or client services manager who can help you create a comprehensive plan to create, fabricate ship and showcase your holographic display at your venue. Do you need onsite assistance? Some holographic solutions are plug and play, other large scale venues may require onsite assistance. If your at a tradeshow and see a holographic attraction you like, ask the booth attendees to recommend a hologram vendor to whom you can send your ideas for pricing.

6. Creating  a detailed plan

Your booth is your business’ first impression during the expo so finalising a detailed plan during the pre-trade show marketing process is paramount. Your hologram experience is centered around telling a story with light, consider how the surrounding lighting will interact with the hologram experience. Is the hologram the main attraction, an accent, does it support human interaction all these things need to be considered when laying out your booth. You may want to consider adding additional graphics, walls or branded paneling to maximize the holograms impact. Ultimately you want to try and make it Instagram-worthy. In this day and age where the purchasing market is all about aesthetics, you have to make sure your hologram and booth is something they would snap a photo of and share on their social media.

7. Why you need custom content

If you need to showcase a logo, a logo with text, your product, images, video or CGI effects into a hologram- holographic content looks best when it’s created specifically for that purpose. For example, content should appear on its own layer so it gives the appearance of a “floating in air effect.” Simply repurposing a video that was shot for another medium won’t accomplish this effect and does not maximize the use of our holographic technology. If your company has highly specialized technology or processes that are relatable to a knowledgeable target audience, the accuracy of your holographic graphics and animation is paramount. If your graphics are off it may jeopardize your authority as a brand expert. What’s the main takeaway? Hire the best motion graphic artists you can find that has experience creating holographic content

8. Consider adding interactivity and audio

Holographic Fans and Projector technologies can be programmed with sensors that give it the ability to be triggered by a viewer using speech commands or hand gestures. Speakers can be embedded in cases or remotely synced to give holograms sound. Audio can play an important role at your booth and when incorporated with a custom hologram can make a memorable branded message. Interactive displays are a great way to get your booth visitors immersed with your content. It also provides another way to showcase a lot of information in small bites

9. Secure your booth early

Get a head start by booking your relevant trade shows as early as possible. This gives you the advantage of getting better booths, as the last ones are usually the ones with poor space, lighting, low foot traffic etc. You also need to be willing to invest in larger and central spaces of the event as usually these are the places where you can be the center of attention. This will help you in properly mounting your holographic experience in central and strategic locations.

You need to make your booth visually appealing as well, because among all the aisles of booths, you only have seconds to capture your audience’s attention. The booth should have printed materials like banners, flyers, and brand logos. The Hologram and traditional marketing materials all should be in sync to make your booth stand out.

10. Lead Generation done right

Once you have done everything right, from planning the hologram to showcasing it, you need to prepare for hordes of customers heading your way. Keeping track of leads and contact information can be hard to do at a trade show event. There’s lots of noise, dozens of faces and countless conversations going on. It’s possible that some great leads will get away. Sure, you can collect business cards, but it’s difficult to reach out to someone you don’t remember meeting. Rather than taking the fishbowl approach, using these apps in conjunction with your holographic branding will help you capture leads, organize contact information and lay the groundwork for future interactions.

Here are 3 great apps for capturing leads at trade shows:

iOS, Android, $0-$99/month

Quick Tap Survey lets you create surveys that are fun and easy to fill out. While the surveys can be used to collect any type of data, they are most useful for gathering feedback, qualifying leads and collecting contact information. The app can be used offline too, which comes in handy if you don’t have a good wifi connection.

iOS, Android, Prime/Express plans

Leadature is extremely helpful when you’re working a trade show event. The app captures and qualifies leads and moves them through the sales pipeline. With the ability to scan business cards, send emails to customers and get real-time metrics, this is one app that you don’t want to miss out on. Use the free demo to better determine the marketing value from your trade shows.

iOS, Android, $10-$25/month

iCapture can be used by small businesses and large corporations. The app lets you set up custom surveys to gain valuable feedback, though you can use it solely to capture contact information and build a list. If you do create custom surveys, you can customize them so that they align with your brand’s visual identity. iCapture works offline and lets you forward contact information to popular email services like MailChimp or Constant Contact.

If you apply these actionable steps by the time your next trade show event rolls around, you’ll be prepared to dazzle your audience with branded holograms as well as capture and qualify leads quickly!