A special effects system for creating a unique walking character effect or illusion. The character appears to the observer to be a physical character or to have dimensionality rather than being two dimensional. The illusion or effect is achieved by mounting a projector and a thin, vertical, flat screen onto an automated cart or sled. The cart is adapted to roll on a track positioned to run from a backdrop or backwall toward a viewing space in which one or more observers or viewers may be located during system operations. The media (or video file) of the character walking is projected on the projection surface of the screen element with the projector. The sled or cart is triggered to roll forward toward the viewing space as the media is playing so that the projected image appears to be moving and getting closer to the viewer.