Can you imagine being an audience remember at one of Gaspard Robertson’s “Fantasmagorie” shows in 1797? What do you think your reaction would have been? Can you think of any form of entertainment that would elicit the same emotions today? (Re-)read/watch these resources for inspiration:
The name of the show “Fantasmagorie” by Gaspard Robertson comes from the word “Phantasmagoria” which means a sequence of real or imaginary images like those seen in a dream. It is basically a multimedia projection show with animated visuals and haunting effects that gives the audience an illusive experience. It was popular around 18th to 19th century. If I was from that specific era I would have been frightened during the show. Considering how much people used to believe in superstitious entities at that time, this show would definitely give me chills. Although phantasmagoria no longer exists in our era but we have different forms of media which is similar to it. There are haunted houses which are decorated with ghosts, skeletons, zombies etc. and they use smokes or fumes, lights, mirrors, fake bloods and projections to create a horrific atmosphere, which elicit the same frightening experience.
