Year 1998
Ideas from Halloween-l Members
Subject:
Re: Igoria - Check This Out
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 22:32:28 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Carl commenting on replacing thge gun with a rubber kniofe) I didnt get the gun,
I gave away the coin and gun pedestal and back booth to a guy at work who wants to
make a phone booth out of it. Go figure. Both hands are on it though, latex with
foam filled. I'm thinking more of a stunt I saw in one of John Burton's houses out here years
ago. A guy has some Chuck E. Cheese robotics he would use for the house. One time
for a carnival room. That one year he did something which STILL creeps me out today.
Basically, he used the raw robot, no outer shape shells attached, put a fake scalpel
in hand, and had it parked behind a blood stained table, lovely young thing on the
table screaming her lungs out at being eviscerated by this alien robot surgeon. He
used speech from an Amiga computer to give it a wierd robot effect. A fantastic room idea
which I have not seen duplicated elsewhere...
When the time comes, I hope to have it hooked into my computer to control it, the
older controller never worked right on this one, gotta get an air compressor (read
lack of $$$)... worse comes to worse, I'll see about bringing it to thge next party
locally.... how far is Santa Maria from la?
Harry
Subject:
Re: Final "BOO!"-ungory scares
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 14:33:26 -0500
From: Willy Mammoth <willymammoth@geocities.com>
References:
1
We used to use codes green, yellow, and red. Yellow was the default. Green was for
little kids coming in, and red was for smartassed kids and people who had the misfortune
of working with me (for example, the year we had the hand in the candy bowl thing: yellow=hand pops up without warning, red=hand pops up without warning and grabs victim's
hand, and green=resident ghouls introduce children to "Thing" and shake hands with
it.)
Subject:
Re: Final "BOO!"-ungory scares
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 12:59:02 -0600
From: The Brandts <ofm@tecinfo.com>
Dread Roberts wrote:
> >
> > The only adjustments we made were to NOT have the 'boo' actor jump out/startle
people when a young one wanted to come thru. (We were small enough to have the
'guide' just yell into the house before bringing them in. We just take that one
kid/parent in) > >
>
> Snip-- > Well, anyway.. The Nice monster deal worked out great for the rest
of the > season. This season, I am concidereing haveing G matena ( bad bad spelling
error ) for the young ones.. as well as implementing the nice monster > command from the start.
Hiya Ghouls,
John (Mr. Scary) and I were talking this past Halloween and I shared my idea on kids
in haunts with him, he thought I should share with all (I had forgotten till I seen
this thread).
Wally World has small and soft light up swords (battery operated) for a buck
or two a piece. If you 'loan' a kid a magical sword it will give them a feeling of
empowerment (it gives off light and swords slay monsters), it should be easy to get
back if you explain how the next little kid will need it to keep the monsters at bay,
and it is very easy for the monsters to spot. We tried a similar trick with little
police badges, it worked well but was hard for the actors to spot.
jimmy --
Subject:
The New Kid Haunt 97' (long)
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 17:40:25 -0800
From: mmarcrum <mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com>
Hi Ryan!! Well, I have been holding off telling about our haunt. Wanted to wait
till the need for somthing to talk about. Here is our haunt, room by room...
The line formed out our driveway and around our graveyard. We had several headstones,
etc. The big one this year was a 8ft high by 12 foot long mural that a friend painted
for me! It was so great....it was a mural of a cememtary with a full moon and those mean blue black clouds. It really added to the depth of the set. Mike set a yellow
pin spot on the moon to really give that yellow look to it. The kids and parents
alike had fun reading the tombstones. My daughter was dressed as Barbie...the poodle
skirt, hair, rhinestone glasses, etc. Since it was the movies she was waiting outside
for her date...Ken! She would talk with the kids and show them certain points of
interest in the graveyard. The second stage was the treat area. We had a friend
dressed up in the 50's look giving out movie treats. We rented a popcorn machine and had a snack
bar set up. The kids had their choice of fresh popcorn or a movie type candy! This
was a big hit and we think we will just go with popcorn from now on!! Cheaper than
candy...and the smell is great! The third stage was entering the theater. We have
a long walkway that we tented to make it feel like you were walking down the aisles
of the theater. We had dummys sticking up and the ushers ( friends dressed in white
shirts and black pants with bow ties) would give a quick flash of light on them and yell
at them to get their heads off the seats. At the end of the hallway we had a rearview
projection screen framed up with curtains to look like a movie screen. On it we showed the original Phantom of the Opera. It was in Black and White and no sound, so people
could read the script. The fourth set was the mummies tomb. We set up the far
side of the room with a mummy, snakes, and all sorts of props to look like a mummys
tomb. One of the things I did was make sure that the guides had information about the
different movies...So when it came to this room the light was on the far end...the
farthest from the entry. As people walked into the room we told them the history
of the movie. People had to go up and look at things...we reminded them that the curse of
the tomb was that if you took anything the mummy would come and find you to gain
his property back. At this point our "mummy" would walk up behind the person farthest
to the back and just put his arms out...not touch. When this person turned around to go
to the next set...wham ...right into the mummy!!! this room had more screams than
we thought...we even had a very cocky teenage girl let us know that " I wet my pants"!!!!
The fifth set was Draculas room. We had a coffin with Drac leaning by it. Of course
everyone thought something was going to come out of the coffin...but nothing. We
did have a mirror set up to look like their was no reflection. We built a frame and
set a matching table on each side. Then we put matching objects on the tables. People
looked and were puzzled...then we told them that vampires leave no reflection...makes
them wonder. The sixth set was Frankenstien...this set had Frankie on a slab with
wires from a Jabobs ladder coming down and attaching to his neck. We had a lab set up
with Black Light liquid in the vessels. We had a strobe light set up so between that
and the Jacobs ladder you really got that old fashion movie feeling. The point the
kids liked in here was the jello brain in the tank. Of course they all wanted to touch
the brain...and they were thinking it was going to be hard plastic. It was great
to watch them jump back when they touched this warm jello and it wiggled...like it
was alive. Don't forget the hand with the knife at the wrist...looking like it was just cut
off. The fingers moving made it look great in the strobe light. What was fun was
if you move them through fast enough poeple notice one thing, while others notice
something else.
The last set was The Creature from the Black Lagoon. This set had a shrim ceiling
with pieces of black and white muslin hanging down. What was great was the complete
room was lite only with black light...so the white strips shined...the black ones
you could not see. This way when people went through this stuff was hitting them in the
face and they could not work it out. We had BL bugs and snakes all over the place.
We had the floor flowing with dry ice cooled fog. So you really had a swamp feeling.
When you almost got out..from behind a set of cardboard bushes popped up the Creature...with
a blast of CO2 at their ankles and a shriek....It was great. The kids and adults
went out the door yelling! Which caused the gang in line to wonder what happened.
The front of the haunt was a plywood painted theater. We had purchased several of
the old movie posters and had them hanging up. Then we made a ticket booth with a
ghoul inside. Above that was a sign we made saying the theme of our haunt for the
year. It really worked well and we were happy with it. We have fun with the theme idea because
it gives you something to work with...we are not sure what we are going to do this
year...but we are working on it!! Hope this was not to long... the new kid on the
crypt -- Kathy mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com
http://members.tripod.com/~kmarcrum/index_.htm
Subject:
Re: ideas
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 18:57:42 -0800
From: "Luis Flores" <klingon1@gte.net>
Ideas for rooms is something that I personally feel differs greatly from haunt to
haunt. I enjoy themed haunts. Scare factors rearely matter to me, I feel that if
a haunt tells a story it is worth it. My personal haunt "Greene Manor" contains a
few rooms, one of which is a room/hall which is used for waiting in line. The walls are
dark and have dark wooden borders on the bottom. A few parchments are hanging on
the walls which have comical and or serious different sayings on them. After they
enter here the door closes behind them allowing the "visitors" to become accostumed to the
light levels. At this point a musky bit of music begins playing and a voice over
occurs:
"When dark nights with waning moons, have leaves falling from naked trees, whenever
fear is bathed in a maddening curiousity ... that is when you reach your incoporeal
destination ... Greene Manor" At this point you enter the welcoming room where you
are assigned a host which takes you down a long hallway with a storm SLOWLY staring.
This I personally thought was one of the best themed ideas because most people come
from outside and now it is not raining or thundering .. but here the first set of
windows shows a stary sky and the beginings of a cloudy sky .. the next the clouds move
completely in and then the final windows show the full lightning and thunder sequences.
Throughout this a introduction on greene manor is voiced over. The chandelier above ocasionally moves about in sinc. with the wind and then the walls ocasionally begin
rattling and shaking with a low rumble. This gives the mood of the supernatural happenings
that occur.
The first room entered is Henry Greene's bed room. The bedroom is filled with memorabilia
of his life and a few articles from his private artwork collections. Through the
window a full storm is taking place. With black-light lightning flashing the art
works (such as vases and paintings) each have eeire changes, such as UV sensitive eyes
on the vases or skulls etc. In his mirror above the dresser Henry Greene appears
faintly at first then stronger ... and then falls limp on his noose and disapears.
Afterwards the group is shown out but AROUND the mirror to show that no one is behind
it :)
The other rooms are not as impressive .. but I hope this is what you might have wanted
to know about Luis Flores
Subject:
RE: Living Walls
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 13:43:21 -0800
From: "Vogel, Shari L (PB-slvogel)" <SLVOGEL@msg.pacbell.com>
We used a white 'spandex' like fabric material that was thick & had a texture like
a 'canvas'. We chose this because our theme was a haunted art gallery and this was
a 'living canvas' hung on the wall that the 'artist' was currently trapped in while
trying to finish his masterpiece. (We had a person on the other side pushing out with
their hands & head on cue - one word of caution, she sustained some 'minor' injuries
when kids decided to 'punch' at her - nothing 10 hrs of plastic surgery couldn't
fix though!) We used a very, advanced technique of using a hundred staples to staple the
fabric to the inside of the 'hole'/window on the side of the walls we built. So
it had a 'picture-frame' on the outside hiding the 'raw' edge, and 2x4s on the inside
supporting the 'plyboard' (just like in a house). It held up fine. Others have used a rubber
'latex' sheet sold from various companies - sorry my memory is fading fast so I don't
remember *where*, but someone else I'm sure will tell you. I think one was from
a make-up/special effects company. It was posted on the list sometime back, check
the archives. Shari (slvogel@msg.pacbell.com)
Subject:
RE: Living Walls
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 08:34:57 -0800
From: "Vogel, Shari L (PB-slvogel)" <SLVOGEL@msg.pacbell.com>
Well, we have the same theme planned for next year. We are just full of ideas to
develop/expand it if we can find a bigger place. (even if we can't, we'll cram it
into our current garage) We have so many ideas for adding different themed 'areas/rooms'
to our gallery; i.e.. modern art, abstract, etc. But we are slow to start developing
any of them. However, we did purchase some fibre optics yesterday that we 'stumbled'
upon at Tap Plastics. We had looked everywhere last year for some with no luck except in either VERY small quantities, or very LARGE. We played with it last night trying
to think up new uses. Ideas we already had we're using it for stars in an 'outdoor'
area, and for in a 'picture' - remember the art gallery theme - where we would have a 'normal' picture on the wall, that would begin to 'twinkle', and then a word/or
statement would emerge & then dissipate. (We think quickly would be best, so people
don't quite catch it, but do a double take, wondering what/if they saw anything.)
We might end up putting that similar effect elsewhere in the hallways at random. So now
we just need to set down & draw up the logistics for the placement of all those tiny
'threads' and a timed light source. Anyway, as for my friends, yes they are great.
We had a good time in LA & I'm glad we got the chance to get down there. It was great
meeting everyone. It's just too bad we couldn't attend the dinner @ Magic Castle,
but we got over it, (until that is that all the posts hit about how great it was....sniff, sniff). Disneyland was great though, we love going there. We already have our
vacation planned for Florida & the Magic Kingdom etc. in August. Randy is a Disney
'freak' and knows at least as much as Don (I think it was Don anyway). His sister
works @ DisneyWorld in Florida in the summers & between her & his own thirst for info
about them, he is crammed full of it. We are already planning to go back down to
Disneyland in June. Cause while we were in LA, we visited Morpheus International
(an art gallery in Beverly Hills who specialize in.. how shall I say...Bizarre, disturbed,
unusual, interesting artists, i.e.. H.R. Giger, whom we are all obsessed with...
well not all of ya'll necessarily... us.. but maybe there are a FEW others out there
who've HEARD of him..) Anyway, while we were at the gallery, pumping them for info (& wishing
I had money, lots of it), they mentioned that they were trying to get H.R. Giger,
the man himself, in the flesh, to come & sign autographs & take pictures in June.
We were thrilled & we will be contacting them every week till they have a date, & we
WILLLLLL BE THERE!!!!! (oops, sorry to rant on like I'm obsessed or something!)
Wow, sorry for the LONG post, & I haven't even answered about clueing the person in
for the living wall. So, here goes that: You see, upon entering the 'gallery',
there was a 'mirror' on the wall at which the guests were encouraged to look @ themselves, up close even by our 'host/guide'. The person on the other side of the wall was
operating the light on the back side which would light up to reveal a 'decomposing
head' as they were looking in the mirror(she could hear the host/guide at that point).
Then as the group was lead around the corner, she moved over & began pushing out of
the 'painting/canvas'. (Most of us had to pull double duty!) So, wasn't that complex,
no fancy, snazzy computer operated effects in our haunt. Anyway, @ Bob's house he
had a cute little automated device, alternately pushing heads/faces out of his 'living
wall'. We thought we might try to automate that next year, but I don't know, I kind
of like having a 'live' person doing it. OK, that's enough, see ya on the 22nd. Shari (slvogel@msg.pacbell.com)
> ---------
Subject:
Re: Lazer Pen
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:25:48 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
Well you asked for some room designs..
A friend told me about this scene once... Using a laser pen, a bunch of mirrors, and
fog, a laser beam was "criss crossed" all over a room. Body parts were strewn all
over the floor and as the patrons entered they were told to avoid the laser beams
or their own "parts" would join the gathering collection. The beams were stategically positioned
so the people had to duck under or step over them. Never tried it myself but it sounds
like fun. JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
presentation
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:08:21 -0500
From: "absinthe" <kjlang@aracnet.net>
First off, my apologies for this being off topic... I figured that maybe I could sneak
this in with the previous thread about the wonderful magician's performance everyone
was raving about. I just returned from the Jim Rose Circus... now there's a group
of people who know how to present themselves on stage! Everything was so wonderfully
done, with Jim's witty banter with the audience members in between acts keeping things
running like clockwork.
Ok, here's my attempt to relating it to H: At one point in the show, he announced
that they were going to cover the audience with maggots, spiders, and other various
creepy crawlies and send some of the freaks out to run through the crowd with snakes
and chainsaws. None of this appealed to the masses who were packed in like sardines,
without even enough space to turn around, much less escape. The point was that after
everything we had seen thus far, most people didn't put it above the performers'
heads to _actually_ do this. He dimmed the lights, turned up the fog and proceeded to drench
the crowd with super soakers while some of the circus ran through the crowd with
'chainsaws' and rubber snakes. Jim was able to reduce the audience (the majority
of whom were 20-something male industrialites/freaks) to screaming cowards, hiding desperately
under their trench coats. I have never witnessed the power of a well presented suggestion
combined with good lighting work this well before! (nor have I ever laughed so hard in my life). It was rather an inspiring moment for me! :) They were
performers unlike any I had ever seen before, and I recommend that if anyone gets
the chance to go and see them. (Something tells me that the people on this list are
disturbed enough to appreciate their act.) absinthe (who enjoys watching someone drink
their own bile AND listening to the Spice Girls)
Subject:
Another "Crypt" (long)
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 20:30:22 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
I'll try to break this up into many "smaller" posts so it's easier to "digest".
If your really bored, I wrote up a walkthrough of my '96 haunt last year, and alot
of the stuff I recycled, so if you need more explanation of how I built some of this
stuff it's probably there. -Just a few quick notes- I only really have email access on
Thu-Sat evenings so this maybe broken up over a couple of days/weeks because we had
17 scenes this year. Also I may jump around a bit, based on how much time I have,
but it shouldn't matter too much because I don't have a real "theme". Parts of our haunt
are themed and I'll try to keep those together, but overall it's just a hodge-podge.
Lastly a few stuff may have come from a book or a source off-list. If that is the
case, and to be fair, I won't given an exact "how to" without the person's prior permission.
Ok now to the haunt....
Waiting Line-
To entertain people in the waiting lines I basically recycled our cemetary scene from
last year. Nothing real fancy just a decorated set with alot of props for patrons
to look at. We also had a T.V/VCR running with "trailers" of some old B-Horror movies.
Sewage Tunnel-
This was another scene recycled from last year. This really takes the place of what
was essentially nothing more than a long dark hallway. Just to recap a little, the
tunnels are made out of faux brick paneling. It is lit by blacklight and there is
graffiti written on the walls. At one point there is another tunnel offshoot that is caged
off that contains a static display of rats, a skeleton, skulls and the "rat caught
in a trap" gag. The sounds are of dripping water and rats screaching.
Alley Scene-
This is directly off the tunnel and uses more of the red brick paneling. There is
a bunch of garbage strewn about, more rats, and garbage cans. I know what your thinking...TCT
right??... unfortunately no :(.. It would have been perfect but (sigh) I never got around to building one (you'll read alot of that). However I did have a great
pop-up in this scene built by John J. (aka Mr. Scary). His "Lil' Black Box" is essentially
an industrial type "Jack-in-the Box" (how timely is this plug?!). It is *extremely* rugged and reliable. We ran this approximately every 60 secs for up to 4 hrs. a
night and never had a single problem. The price was *very* reasonable at $350.00.
It also has a built in timer so you can adjust the frequency and duration of the
"pop-ups" which we took advantage of during our children's tour. John also has some options
that can be added which I believe are on his web-page (along with a picture). This
is well worth the money! Ok paid spokesman mode off.. ;).. On one wall of the alley
scene we have a mural of a hideous clown like face that has a hand which appears like it
is "pulling open" the scenery that opens a doorway to just complete darkness....
Nothing really happens here just a long completely dark hallway. At one point a blast
of air occurs at thigh level. An old trick ... but the air lines were there anyway (for
the pop-up) so what the heck...
This scene was really just a U-shaped hallway. In attempt to recreate the feel of
HM I painted the panels to look like they had a dark wainscoated bottoms (using "graining"
techniques) and used some sponging and stamps to create the "wallpaper". I didn't
do an exact duplicate of the wallpaper motif but rather just had rows of skulls. The
hallway is dimly lit by homemade flicker bulb sconces that we made a for last years
haunt but are much the same as the descriptions posted by Cliff and Brian O. There
are also pictures hung throughout the hallway. And of course the finishing touches were
completed with Denny's infamous web shooter.
The first scare was not really Disneyesque and given to me off-list so I'll have
to pass on that one for now... As they round the corner the patrons see a hallway
that continues to the right but blocked by an FCG in a Pepper Ghost set up. The FCG
was one of the only projects I actually got to finish but it absolutely *made* this set truly
magical (IMHO). I can only add my thanks to the long list of people who have benefitted
from Doug's wonderful, selfless contribution. The FCG ghost forces the patrons to take a hard right (around the U-turn) where they walk past a couple of negative
bust/anti-mask illusion "pictures" that finish this scene off (thanks to both Don
and Oliver for taking the time to explain this simple illusion to a simple mind ;-).
A friend told me about this scene once... Using a laser pen, a bunch of mirrors, and
fog, a laser beam was "criss crossed" all over a room. Body parts were strewn all
over the floor and as the patrons entered they were told to avoid the laser beams
or their own "parts" would join the gathering collection. The beams were stategically positioned
so the people had to duck under or step over them. Never tried it myself but it sounds
like fun.
The Scene-
You (the victim) enter the doorway of this room at an angle. You immediately recognize
that this is some kind of "demented" morgue. In front of you are shelves full of
sceintific vials containing eye- balls, bodyparts, etc. bathed in "glowing" chemicals
(which in some cases are bubbling). In the center is a Jacob's ladder which draws your
attention....as you enter the room further you notice a lifeless body laying on a
lab table in the early stages of an autopsy procedure (i.e. the chest cavity is "open"). Above this dead soul is a "surgical lamp" which is off. The morgue is empty.. or
so you think.. Suddenly, from seemingly out of nowhere, a screaming,blood splattered,
psycotic, mortician rushes you from behind wielding a live "surigical saw"..your
reflexive reaction causes you to back away towards the lifeless victim on the slab... which
now comes to life, violently convulsing up and down.. the surgical lamp also flickers
to life in blinding flashes..This unexpected turn of events sends you forward and
to your right (the mad mortician has retreated).. and for the first time you notice
a series of body bags hanging from the ceiling. Your rush towards the bags in an
attempt to escape, but not too close, these are dead bodies afterall.... and just
when you think you have finally escaped this nightmare.. one of the "bodies" comes to life
and crashes out of their bag to chase you out of the room......
This scene is immediately followed by our checkered board hallway which causes their
already spinning minds into further disorientation.. he he.
How it was done
Rm. Design-
To visualise the layout of this room, think of a bedroom with a wide (approx. 6ft.)
closet that "juts" into the room. You enter the room to the right and the closet
is to your left. In other words to the left of the door is a partition wall (one
of the "closet" walls) that blocks your view of it's contents (in this case the mad mortician
and body bags). The wall to the immediate right contains the shelves of "experiments"
and in front of the wall directly across from you is the "body on a slab". Each wall panel is made up of a lower half of plywood painted silver (to simulate stainless
steel) and the upper half is fake white tile paneling with the occasional smears
and splatters of fake blood.
"Experiments" wall-
Last year I posted that we have used "wash water" and a blacklight to cheaply make
glowing chemicals. We wanted to do this again, but since this was the only source
of ambient light for the room, it was simply too dark. So what we did was mount cheap
flourescent light fixtures under each shelve, cut holes that were slightly smaller than
each container, and placed pieces of various colored lighting gels (cut to size)
underneath each jar,beaker,vial etc. The props were standard off the shelf latex
body parts. An aquarium pump provided the "bubbling" effect to some of the "glowing chemicals".
In the center of this was a Jacob's Ladder (Thanks to both John J. for his personal
help, and Larry Lund's web site for making this possible!)
The "Convulsing Body"-
The real credit for this belongs to John Jeffries, who was kind enough to provide
the real inspiration and generous enough to allow me to post the idea. To cut down
on what is already a post that is way too long.. the design is basically the same
principle as the "electric chair" ideas posted earlier in the week. In other words a cam and
a motor provide the "convulsing" motion. On the same switch as the motor is a "mini
strobe" mounted to a stainless steel "popcorn bowl" (about $8 at Walmart) hung from
a thick wire that makes up the "surgical lamp". This kept the light pretty much focused
on the body only and really enhanced the overall effect.
Mad Mortician-
The actor is costumed in a blood spattered lab coat. Make-up and a little hair gel
help to give them the "crazed" look. The "surgical saw" is directly based on a couple
of posts by Jerry C. and Wil. The "blade" was simply a piece of silver, metallic
looking fabric (Jerry's idea) mounted to a small cordless hand-held circular saw (Wil's
idea). Very cool!
Body Bags-
This part of the room was directly ripped off a scene from "Terror on Church St."
and posted here before, so I don't feel I'm giving away any secrets (I haven't been
there myself *sigh*, but my partners have). What we did is hang mannequins covered
in blood splattered plastic. The actor, dressed in flesh colored clothing, stands on a
black crate until the appropriate time, and moves through the plastic via a "slit".
Sorry about the *lengthy* descripition but I hope this gives someone a couple
of ideas to play with... :) JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
"Haunted Mansion Hallway"
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 20:55:48 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
I guess I'm probably alone when I say that I've always loved Disney's HM...;). Until
I got on this list however, other than Pepper's Ghost illusion, I didn't really have
much idea how to create some of the effects.....
This scene was really just a U-shaped hallway. In attempt to recreate the feel of
HM I painted the panels to look like they had a dark wainscoated bottoms (using "graining"
techniques) and used some sponging and stamps to create the "wallpaper". I didn't
do an exact duplicate of the wallpaper motif but rather just had rows of skulls. The
hallway is dimly lit by homemade flicker bulb sconces that we made a for last years
haunt but are much the same as the descriptions posted by Cliff and Brian O. There
are also pictures hung throughout the hallway. And of course the finishing touches were
completed with Denny's infamous web shooter.
The first scare was not really Disneyesque and given to me off-list so I'll have
to pass on that one for now... As they round the corner the patrons see a hallway
that continues to the right but blocked by an FCG in a Pepper Ghost set up. The FCG
was one of the only projects I actually got to finish but it absolutely *made* this set truly
magical (IMHO). I can only add my thanks to the long list of people who have benefitted
from Doug's wonderful, selfless contribution. The FCG ghost forces the patrons to take a hard right (around the U-turn) where they walk past a couple of negative
bust/anti-mask illusion "pictures" that finish this scene off (thanks to both Don
and Oliver for taking the time to explain this simple illusion to a simple mind ;-).
I'll post more on Thu... JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Re: Haunting Ideas
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 1998 11:05:04 -0500
From: Henault_Gary@tmac.com
I would have some actors dressed up in mining clothes wearing old style hard hats
and gas masks to hide their faces (similar to the character in the film "My Bloody
Valentine") playing ghost miners/psycho survivors of the cave in etc. A tape recording
of a roller coaster sound to give the impression of a runaway mine shaft cart and
the sound of drilling and tapping. Colored fog such as green could simulate mine
gasses. One portion could have a huge spider web with cocooned corpses in it and
if possible a giant spider which would have some movement to it and be lighted just enough
to let the patrons see it's a spider but not enough to make out detail (the old
less is more). During one portion a compressed air blast on the patrons could take
place. A simulated lava pit is another idea perhaps a small shaky bridge with a bat colony
over head and under the bridge the floor covered with insects. Hope this helps you
out. Gary H
Subject:
Re: Haunting Ideas
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 1998 11:34:13 -0500 (EST)
From: Bill Steele <ws21@cornell.edu>
> Hello Everyone, I am doing a Haunted Mine and I need some ideas for displays
inside the mine. Peolpe will walk through a 55degree dark hole in the ground. Being
in the ground I would assume there would be alot of rats skeletons corpses ect.
The story behind is something like the mine shaft has been abandoned since 1920. Unkept
since its closing, cave ins ect. But mainly I need some ideas for inside. Any ideas
would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone. Dead Wishes Ray <
Corpses partially buried in the wall.
A Pepper's Ghost with audio like "Turn back! Don't go any farther or the mine'll get
you like it got me."
Creaking noises like the ceiling is about to cave in. Maybe dribble a little dirt.
The lights suddenly flicker and zap, then go out completely for a few seconds.
Metal tracks in the floor. A cart that starts to roll downhill toward them, but (hopefully)
stops just before it gets there. Bill Steele ws21@cornell.edu
Subject:
Re: THEMES
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 22:41:04 -0800
From: " hepcam" <hepcam@ix.netcom.com>
Themes are easy! One year we made stone walls and a paper machie dragon and everyone
dressed mid-evil. Year before we made a 10 ft space ship and almond eyed aliens(again
out of paper machie) and did sort of a Star Wars alien Bar scene on the front porch. The biggest one was when I redesigned a car to look like the Batmobile and covered
the front of the house with panels painted to look like a skyline with the Bat logo........instant
Gotham city...... What matters is how many people can you get to help and participate and how much money you want to spend. These were all rather time consuming
(2 to 3 mos.) but we had one hell of good time putting them together Our plans usually
started out really elaborate and then we would whittle them down depending on the cost or difficultyo or amount of help. I am convinced that you can do ANYTHING
if you put your mind to it, My neighbors think so too. I never really see any of
them all year but as the end of October rolls around they "just happen to wander
over" to see how I am doing. I had so many kids bothering me one year that I went out and bought
30 pumpkins and we had a communal carving....all of which got to be displayed in
my yard....It was great...some of them had never done them before because their parents
didn't like the holiday....can you believe it? Also I had no problems with anybody
bothering my displays or smashing pumpkins. One lady that saw me in the supermarket
buying the 30 pumpkins brought her kids 35 miles out of her way to see my display
because she could'nt believe that I was as nuts about it as I am. Had over 500 cars of
TOT's that year. You dont need our ideas...you know that special display that you
have all ways wanted to do...well sit down and start planning it...it will be great!.....jhep
Subject:
"Morgue" (very long!)
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 21:01:37 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
The Scene-
You (the victim) enter the doorway of this room at an angle. You immediately recognize
that this is some kind of "demented" morgue. In front of you are shelves full of
sceintific vials containing eye- balls, bodyparts, etc. bathed in "glowing" chemicals
(which in some cases are bubbling). In the center is a Jacob's ladder which draws your
attention....as you enter the room further you notice a lifeless body laying on a
lab table in the early stages of an autopsy procedure (i.e. the chest cavity is "open"). Above this dead soul is a "surgical lamp" which is off. The morgue is empty.. or
so you think..
Suddenly, from seemingly out of nowhere, a screaming,blood splattered, psycotic, mortician
rushes you from behind wielding a live "surigical saw"..your reflexive reaction causes
you to back away towards the lifeless victim on the slab... which now comes to life, violently convulsing up and down.. the surgical lamp also flickers to life
in blinding flashes..This unexpected turn of events sends you forward and to your
right (the mad mortician has retreated).. and for the first time you notice a series
of body bags hanging from the ceiling. Your rush towards the bags in an attempt to escape,
but not too close, these are dead bodies afterall.... and just when you think you
have finally escaped this nightmare.. one of the "bodies" comes to life and crashes
out of their bag to chase you out of the room......
This scene is immediately followed by our checkered board hallway which causes their
already spinning minds into further disorientation.. he he. How it was done
Rm. Design-
To visualise the layout of this room, think of a bedroom with a wide (approx. 6ft.)
closet that "juts" into the room. You enter the room to the right and the closet
is to your left. In other words to the left of the door is a partition wall (one
of the "closet" walls) that blocks your view of it's contents (in this case the mad mortician
and body bags). The wall to the immediate right contains the shelves of "experiments"
and in front of the wall directly across from you is the "body on a slab". Each wall panel is made up of a lower half of plywood painted silver (to simulate stainless
steel) and the upper half is fake white tile paneling with the occasional smears
and splatters of fake blood.
"Experiments" wall-
Last year I posted that we have used "wash water" and a blacklight to cheaply make
glowing chemicals. We wanted to do this again, but since this was the only source
of ambient light for the room, it was simply too dark. So what we did was mount cheap
flourescent light fixtures under each shelve, cut holes that were slightly smaller than
each container, and placed pieces of various colored lighting gels (cut to size)
underneath each jar,beaker,vial etc. The props were standard off the shelf latex
body parts. An aquarium pump provided the "bubbling" effect to some of the "glowing chemicals".
In the center of this was a Jacob's Ladder (Thanks to both John J. for his personal
help, and Larry Lund's web site for making this possible!)
The "Convulsing Body"-
The real credit for this belongs to John Jeffries, who was kind enough to provide
the real inspiration and generous enough to allow me to post the idea. To cut down
on what is already a post that is way too long.. the design is basically the same
principle as the "electric chair" ideas posted earlier in the week. In other words a cam and
a motor provide the "convulsing" motion. On the same switch as the motor is a "mini
strobe" mounted to a stainless steel "popcorn bowl" (about $8 at Walmart) hung from
a thick wire that makes up the "surgical lamp". This kept the light pretty much focused
on the body only and really enhanced the overall effect.
Mad Mortician-
The actor is costumed in a blood spattered lab coat. Make-up and a little hair gel
help to give them the "crazed" look. The "surgical saw" is directly based on a couple
of posts by Jerry C. and Wil. The "blade" was simply a piece of silver, metallic
looking fabric (Jerry's idea) mounted to a small cordless hand-held circular saw (Wil's
idea). Very cool!
Body Bags-
This part of the room was directly ripped off a scene from "Terror on Church St."
and posted here before, so I don't feel I'm giving away any secrets (I haven't been
there myself *sigh*, but my partners have). What we did is hang mannequins covered
in blood splattered plastic. The actor, dressed in flesh colored clothing, stands on a
black crate until the appropriate time, and moves through the plastic via a "slit".
Sorry about the *lengthy* descripition but I hope this gives someone a couple of ideas
to play with... :) JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Re: Morphing Portraits
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 21:41:20 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
Hi Christopher,
This just an idea off the top of my head that I'll throw out there... You could paint
a portrait, and then using a blacklight, paint over it with the "invisible" U.V.
paints from Wildfire (I think this is what Allen was refering to). Then build yourself
a "projection box" (plywood box painted black) divided into 2 compartments. One side
will hold a incadescent light source, the other will hold a blacklight. Mount a slow
motor in between the two and make yourself a disc with a half moon shaped "cut out"
that is fastened to the shaft and covers the openings. This is basically an attempt
to make a "color wheel" with two different light sources. When the opening of the
disk passes over each light source it should give you a morphing effect between a
"normal" picture and a "glowing", spirit-like one (at least in my head it does ;-).
I haven't used the invisible paints myself but from what I've seen of them they are
pretty subdued colors (not vibrant,neon- type). I don't have the info for Wildfire
offhand, and their prices are a little steep, but I think Jim K.(?) once posted that
he was able to order samples from them (which I imagine would be enough for one portrait).
Finally, if you attempt to try this, I think you might be better off using a blue
or purple colored light as your incadescent source so the "tranisition" of light
is as close as possible. Anyway hope this helps.... JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Re: a scary situation
Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 11:16:41 -0700
From: Gomez <gomez@netherworld.com>
Bill Steele wrote:
> >Often we hear about thunder & lightning effects for a haunt. Since it's so scary,
to those in tornado locations, I wonder how difficult it would be to create the
noise with large volume speakers, and other associated wind effects?
<<
It's not difficult at all, if you have the money. Just rememer that you need to
keep the average A-weighted sound pressure levels below about 90dB unless you want
to cause hearing damage in your staff. (note that most hearing damage results from
frequencies above 1000Hz, low bass and subsonics are very unlikely to cause hearing damage,
even at staggering sounds levels, although in really extreme cases, you can cause
nausea)
> Reminds me: subsonics (done with really big woofers, I guess) arsupposed to make
people uneasy. Has anyone tried this?
<
Yes, and I've done some research into psychoacoustics as well. Actually, you are
more likely to induce a sense of awe or impressionability with true subsonices (ie,
below 20Hz), provided that the sound is not so powerful as to be immediately felt
physically. Ultrasonics are quite good at causing both unease and irritability- this
can be a problem for staff, tho. Be very careful with ultrasonics, tho- a little
goes a long way, and you don't want to cause hearing damage. For subsonics, you
will need some fairly efficient and powerful (read: expensive) professional subwoofers,
and a fairly large amplifier or two with high current (not just high power) and
very high damping factor. Bass frequencies require a lot of current. This is not
an inexpensive proposition. If you are willing to try a single frequency, it is possible
to custom build a subsonic resonator that is much more efficient at producing a
single frequency, but is useless as a "speaker". Designs include whistles (think,
low-bass organ pipe) and Helmholtz resonators, which are essentially long tubes or large
boxes with some sort of driver coupled to them. The driver can be a speaker fed
by an amp fed by an oscillator set to the resonant frequency of the cavity, or it
could be a motor-driven diaphragm (for very low frequencies) set up the same way. Be careful
going overboard, tho: back in the 70's, the French experimented with acoustics for
riot control and found that powerful subsonices were quite good at inducing intense nausea, although amateurs are unlikely to achieve the required volume. -"Gomez"
Consulting Mad Scientist, The Diabolic Co, LLC
Subject:
Re: a scary situation
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 1998 19:00:41 -0700
From: Gomez <gomez@netherworld.com>
Daniel R. Oelke wrote:
> This sounds interesting. Any good pointers to references (online or otherwise)
of additional info on creating subsonic sounds?
<
I found a book on the construction of organ pipes in my library.
> I know (very basic understanding) of a Helmholtz resonator but don't see how that
would apply to a tube with a driver at one end.
<
A Helmholtz oscillator is a closed, theoretically perfectly stiff, cavity, with an
opening. The size of the opening determines the "q" of the resonator (ie, the sharpness
of tuning) and the size of the cavity determines the center frequency. Put a woofer in the opening, leave out the damping material that one normally puts in a speaker
enclosure, and you have a resonator. But you need a very thick, stiff enclosure,
which is difficult to make out of a box of plywood. So... A big PVC pipe, sealed
at one end, and with a woofer carefully sealed onto the other end, is a much stiffer
cavity, with a very sharp Q.
> Additional info??<
Another option is to build a low-frequency "whistle", ie, pedal-stop organ pipe.
But that takes a _serious_ flow of air, and that is hard to generate without making
a lot of noise- which is why the blower for the pipe organ is always in a stone
walled room in the basement of the church!
> Wild thought - could something like this be used to produce a penetrating heartbeat.
In the past people have talked about burying a 55gal drum with large speakers and
lots of amp power to produce an that eerie feeling.
<
The reason for burrying the 55gal drum is that drums ring like a bell, unfortunately,
which prevents the oscillations you want from building up- ie, it's a low-Q enclosure.
Also, I doubt very much that a 55 gal. drum has sufficient enclosed volume to reproduce very low frequencies with any efficiency. I would favor simply buying some
used high powered subwoofers from a PA shop or the 'musical instruments' section
of the paper.
> Would it be possible to do something mechanically to
produce the same sound effect??????
<
Sure! Get a scrap water heater. Cut the top off. Cut out a diaphragm of thick
reinforced rubber (something like thin conveyor belt material). large enough to
go over the end and be clamped securely. Sandwich two disks of metal in the center
of the diaphragm, secure with bolts. (use lockwashers, locktite and double nuts!!) Find
a hefty motor that you can vary the speed of. Build a rotating crank affair that
attaches to the disks. Attach diaphragm securely to tank- two rings of hose clamps
might be enough... might not. Turn on the motor. You now have a vicious resonator that
should be shaking your guts like jello. "Tune" the speed of the motor until it
matches the resonance of the tank- you'll know when you've got it right because
you'll suddenly be sharing that special feeling with your neighbors... three blocks away.
For a video tape of these monstrosities in action, go to your local purveyor of
weird/underground videotapes and ask for Matthew Heckert's "Mechanical Sound Orchestra"
- it's probably shelved next to the Survival Research Laboratories stuff. And if you
haven't seen _their_ stuff you should! It's some of the only "performance art"
I know of that is capable of scaring Haunted House People! (but that's only because
what they do is ridiclously dangerous- people who attend SRL performances frequently
wear flak vests and face shields.) I wrote longish article on resonators for a
semi-obscure magazine called "CyberPsychos & Other Diversions", I forget which issue
it was, under the nom de plume "Arkoff Kapacitor". Back issues may be available from the
publisher Jasmine Sailing. Contact her at: jsailing@netone.netonecom.net -Gomez
Subject:
Re: psychoacoustics (off topic)
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 1998 18:15:14 -0700
From: Gomez <gomez@netherworld.com>
Jim Kadel wrote:
> Not to mention our own government's experimentation with subsonics on human behavior.
Although volume, ie signal strength, is required to some extent, it's harmonic resonance
that achieves the effect.
<
I'm sorry Jim, but I don't believe that's correct. Over the years, I've heard lots
of people talk about pseudoscientific theories of "resonances" in the human body,
both electrical and mechanical, but the truth is, they just aren't there, unless
you think of the nearly random brain waves as "resonances". (and to disprove _that_ would
take a lecture on my part about the physics of resonance which I'm not going to
get into here. Just remember that brain waves such as alpha, theta, etc, are classified by average frequency band limits, not by any single frequency or set of frequencies)
> For the relatively short (safe?) period of exposure, past a room or haunt scene,
I expect the subversive use of subsonic sound would be an excellent method of achieving
"a feeling" of terror.
<
It's pretty hard to exceed safe limits for subsonics- the power input required is
tremendous, just to get an SPL of say, 90dB at 15 Hz or so. And by the way, you
can't keep subsonics in one room- no wall any of us is likely to build will significantly attenuate a frequency who's wavelength is 75 feet long! Subsonics happily traverse
cinderblock walls with little attenuation- ask anyone who's been outside a rave.
When we (Boulder Haunted Warehouse) experimented with subsonics and audible bass
rumbles, we found that they dominated the entire facility. OTOH, if you're using genuine
subsonics which cannot be heard but only felt, this may not be such a bad thing...
people will be predisposed to be at least impressed and possibly scared too- you
can always put ultrasonics in one or two rooms where you don't have staff but do want
to make your guests climb the walls with nervousness) -G
Subject:
Re: magic bed
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 20:16:48 -0400
From: csilvia9@idt.net (Silvia)
I was watching an old Saturday Night Live today and they had a cool scene where Mary
Lincoln appeard in a bed. It looked like an easy thing to do. Have a bed with a hole
the size of a person cut out in the middle. a person lays on a panel in the bed that
can be raised and lowered. The bed is covered with a thick comforter so the bed looks
neatly made up. The person underneath is slowly raised up and you can see a body
magically appear in the bed, then they jump up and scream. Thought this could be
cool in a bedroom scene.
Subject:
Re: Final "BOO!"
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 17:49:06 -0800
From: Chuck Rice <Chuck@WildRice.com>
At 3:47 PM -0800 2/13/98, Pulpscrypt@aol.com wrote:
> I'm in the process of helping plan a small, but hopefully creative, dark attraction
for a charity event held by a local business. The company's guidelines are to keep
the haunt "family oriented" without "excessive gore or violence". Artistically we're trying to stay away from hockey masks, black walls and (gasp) CHAINSAWS!
This is going to make startling people much more difficult.
The theme is a Haunted House (so much for creativity!). There will be various "ghostly"
happenings throughout (and I'd love more ideas if anyone's willing to part with some
relatively easy effects/scenes) with the final room being a Pepper's Ghost riff.
Cool effect, but we'd really like to send our patrons FLYING out of the exit in terror...
Any ideas on how we could "punch up" a genuinely creepy ending? Any ideas on what
to use to startle people other then a ________(insert your favorite bladeless power
tool)?
<
If you can setup a false floor, then you could recreate the scene from the wizard
of oz where the monkey-bats are tearing the stuffing out of the Scarecrow. The arms
and legs would be empty and the head would be on the ground talking and the monkey-bats
would dancing around grabbing at the TOTs. With the black forest all around, that scene
has scared many a kid. The wizards machine would make a pretty good room too if you
could breath fire and smoke and make a big noise. -Chuck-
Subject:
Re: Final "BOO!"
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 17:46:10 -0500 (EST)
From: Bill Steele <ws21@cornell.edu>
One of the best scares I've seen was a strobe room in which the strobe flashed about
once a second. patrons are guided along one side. You enter in the dark, light flashes
and you see the room. Next time it flashes you see a monster (the one I saw was a
guy in a gorilla suit, but take your pick) at the far end of the room. Next time it
flashes it's about halfway, next time it's almost got you. Might not send people
screaming, but they've got to come out a little wobbly. Bill Steele
Subject:
Re: Final "BOO!"
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 17:46:04 -0800
From: Chuck Rice <Chuck@WildRice.com>
Have a board walkway like the one on the movie Tremmors. Make it out of fence boards,
with a hinge on one end of each board. Then run a wedge on a track with a pully-rope
arrangement along the hinge side (under the boards) with a motor to pull the rope/wedge. As the wedge passes under each board, it will pop the free end of the board
up about a foot in the air. This will cause the boards to flip up and back down in
a wave action. Put a miroswitch under each board (non-hinge side) and wire them in
series such that if anyone is standing on any of the boards (except the last 5 or so), the
wedge will not move. Then wire the micro switch on the last five such that any that
are on will trigger the event.
As the tots walk along the walkway oogling the scene, and then get to the end, the
trigger microswitchs on the last 5 boards will trigger a ghost scream from the far
end where they just came from and cause the ghost dive under the boards and trigger
the rope/wedge. The wave will approach them fast, panicing them out the door. It will look
like the ghost is flying under the walkway straight at them and the clatter of the
boards will just enhance the excitement. The ghost can just be some cheesecloth on
a line from eyelevel or above to under the first board. Light it with a blacklight.
You might even have it fly across the scene first and thru the far wall before comming
out and going under the walkway. You might also get it to emerge from the end of
the walkway into the bottom of a TCT for the final Boo! If you can add a flashlight to
the moving wedge for a moving glow under the boards, so much the better.
Timing will be important. You want the scream or whatever to make them all look back
before the boards start to jump. The longer the walkway the better. -Chuck-
Subject:
G rated boo
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 21:07:59 EST
From: Spookyfx@aol.com
Jerry writes:
I tied to come up with an EFFECTIVE but easy grand finally for you. The hard part
was making it SEEM "G rated" to your sponsers. Yet in reality a REAL SCARE to the
customers. This is what I have for you at this point: The quiet hallway is dimly
light, just enough to see that it is 20 foot long to the exit. Along the hall way are 10 locked
doors, 5 on each side. When the group walks to the exit, The doors swing open from
the back of the hallway quickly to the exit in a "CHASE" like manner toward the
customers. AS each door swings quickly open the room is FLOODED with loud Screams and
Bright light coming in from the doorways of each door into the hall.
A "monster" (ghost, zombie, whatever) in each doorway moves in at the customers!
The screams sound effects will sound like customer screams, not "ghost" screams.
This is a trick to both fool the outside customers and to psychology prompt the inside
customers to scream as well.
Think of it as a laugh track! The LIGHTS and the SOUND must be triggered by the door
opening to keep the timing right. You could do this with a simple magnetic door alarm
trigger. Tape the screams on a continuous loop and run the sound through the switch to the speakers. This is not the best way but it is the easiest way. I am trying
to keep this simple for you. The lights are set up the same way. on a second door
switch. Tape a different set of screams for EACH door. You will need a peep hole
for each operator to see into the hall. and the operators need to practice opening the door
just BEHIND the customers as they run by it. To prevent anyone from running into
one of the doors. attach a fast unlocking device such as a slide lock to each door.
This could be done with only two operators. One on each side opens a door...runs to the
next...opens....so on.... Yours ghouly Jerry -
Subject:
Final "Boo' 2
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 1998 08:16:41 EST
From: Pulpscrypt@aol.com
Sorry, but I forgot to "set the scene" we are trying to make more exciting... The
guests walk into a huge crypt where they see a wavering form in the dim light. A
solid looking specter appears to say it hopes everyone has enjoyed their stay at
our little haunt...then begins to fade into a bag of rotting bones amidst eerie laughter.
A light comes up on a hall off to one side and the patrons see an exit sign. They
grope toward the sign and.... One last FRIGHT, hopefully enough to scare the "boo-boo-jeebies"
outta them and send our vic...guests (ahem) screaming into the night! I'd like to try a FCG or TCT but (after downloading the text), can't seem to grasp the ASCII
plans. Yeep! I'm fairly computer illiterate.
Any OTHER ideas or graphics (maybe something drawn in paintbrush?) would make me eternally
grateful. Best Witches-- Dave T
Subject:
Re: G-rated room design
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 12:07:31 EST
From: Dreamparkc@aol.com
One of our most popular room designs has been a variation on the "dot room". We simply
paint an entire room, including floors and cielings, black. Then we paint phosphorecent
paint in dots around the room, about a foot apart, in a random pattern. We then mount a set of flourecent tube backlights up above, plugged into a $25.00 on/off remote
from Radio Shack.
The costume for this room is a head to toe black spandex leotard, also painted
with the glow in the dark dots.
The person in the costume charges the lights between groups via the remote.
When they hear someone turning the corner, the lights go out, and they blend into
the walls! When the group gets to the center of the black room, the "dot person"
moves toward them. The group usually leaps about a couple feet at this sudden movement from
nowhere!
Note: be sure to outline the exit door with a continuous line of the glow
paint, so the group can find their way out.
Subject:
Re: G-rated room design
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 20:58:24 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Mon, 16 Feb 1998 Dreamparkc@aol.com wrote:
> One of our most popular room designs has been a variation on the "dot room". (snip)
Hi!
We did the dot room 2 years ago and it was a great scene! A couple of tips that I
can add are.. to speed up the painting process we cut a couple of sponges into circles
and "sponged" the dots on the wall. We only used three colors because we also used
flourescent posterboard to cut out dots that hung from the ceiling with black thread
of various lengths (the posterboard is only colored on one side so you have to staple
it back to back). This really messes with your depth perception. We also stuck a
black box with a hinged top on the opposite side of the room to draw the guest's attention.
If we had an extra actor for the night they worked in the box as sort of a human
jack-in-the-box, but most nights it was empty. Everyone that came in the room only
seemed to focus on the box which set up the "scare" from behind. JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Woodchipper (A.K.A. Spice-O-matic)
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 1998 18:51:26 -0500
From: "John P. Jeffries" <mrscary@kiva.net>
After reflecting on the probability of the shock-factor an event like that would
have, I tossed the pen-to-paper and scribed yet another "tinker-toy". Very simple
in workings, it's almost freighting...
Three major components:
1) The "shell"...Nothing more than your imagined "wood-chipper".
2) Sound. High-RPM motor, low torque.
3) Confetti air cannon...(Ahh, I see the light bulbs flipping on already!)
Get the drift? The motor is spinning a piece of cloth (canvas) inside the "chipper".
(Ever heard a shirt caught in a lathe? ;) The "shell" will naturally amplify the
noise to a point...
For the simple sake of length, here's the setup:
Unit running, sounds like a chipper...reach in, and press on a board with plastic
reeds striking the spinning cloth (noise maker) slowing it down as if being "chipped".
at this time, open the "dump" tank for the confetti-cannon spewing red-white-yellow
shreds of paper....If the output is against a white wall, add 1/2cup(wild guess there)
of red liquid into the confetti mixture.
Given a large enough "shell" one could climb-in and hide. Several small burst-cannons
would be more "parts"..It could be possibly combined into a magic act?? Oh well
enough babble...I thought it could be a good gag. John
Subject:
Re: Woodchipper (A.K.A. Spice-O-matic)
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 19:06:01 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
John P. Jeffries wrote:
> After reflecting on the probability of the shock-factor an event like that would
have, I tossed the pen-to-paper and scribed yet another "tinker-toy".
>
(snip)
Hey John you must have stopped going to those "therapy" sessions again. ;)
Great idea! For a humorous approach you could play off the movie "Fargo".. have a
winter scene whith a demented woodsman feeding the chipper whith "parts". For those
that saw the movie you may get a chuckle out of. For those that didn't... well it
at least it would give you an excuse to not have to clean up the "snow" in between groups.
:) JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Re: The Giant Hand (and, The Coffin)
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 15:23:58 -0400
From: Cliff Martin <cliff.martin@saralee.net>
Hi Kathy, Thanks for the kind words!
mmarcrum wrote:
> ...I love the hand idea... have you ever tried making it smaller?
nope, but the process should still work. Ive made hand frames to go under gloves out
of 14-12 gauge electrical wire for the hockey mask guy. That should work for a smaller
framework to apply the foam. Pulling and 'smoothing' the foam really collapses it
down, so the fingers shouldn't get too big. If you try it, let me know how it works....
Oh, I forgot to share the scare I used the giant hand for! It originally was built
for a driveway haunt to tear through a wall at guests, but I've used it since in
our haunted house in a scare I call "The Coffin" -very original ;).
The Coffin:
Guests enter a 'funeral parlor' where they see an open coffin with a body inside,
on an open stand next to a wall. They can see under the coffin - and think nothing's
underneath. Lonely organ music is playing in the background. The room is decorated
with old cob webbery wreaths, lights, pictures, etc. A couple of spotlights are used, one
directly on the face of the body, and another at a wreath at the foot of the coffin
(this gives strong shadows under the coffin). Everyone expects the body to open its
eyes, or jump up, so they are concentrating on the coffin and its contents. There isn't
anything much else to look at, anyway. Just as the victims, er, uh, guests get directly
in front of the coffin, we blast their feet with a quick shot of CO2 fog from a fire extinguisher, then sweep the giant hand out at their feet. The noise and fog
from the CO2 and the sight of a giant skeleton monster hand coming at their legs
never failed to get them running for the exit! The scare is delivered through a hole
cut in the wall under the coffin with the bottom high enough to be hard to see, and the
top is against the bottom of the coffin. The actor is sitting on the other side,
and can easily see the legs of the guests as they pass. The actors really like sit-down
jobs ;)
Subject:
Re: The Giant Hand (and, The Coffin)
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 17:41:27 -0800
From: mmarcrum <mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com>
Hey Cliff,
I love the hand under the coffin idea!! Great! that goes in the remember this column.
In my mind I see a fogged filled room, lots of things hanging and flapping from the
ceiling. Things crossing their faces...feeling clingy...then a vibration sound and
out of the ceiling sweeps this hand...reaching for them...then darkness BANG...small
light shows up at end of room and out they go...wondering where the hand went...they
see nothing....I have to work on this! But thanks! And thanks for the info on the
scanning. I think the problem is that I am trying to scan them in with to much detail...I
am working on it! Thanks for your help! the new kid on the crypt --
Subject:
"The X-Files" room
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 20:19:38 -0600 (CST)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
This one I promise will be fairly short.... :)
This room was first supposed to be a "Twister" scene, then an invisible "Alien" scene
and how it ended up to be where it did I can't even remember, but it worked. After
we heard on more than one occasion from the people walking through "This reminds
me of something out of the X-Files!" the nickname stuck.
It's super easy to build and you don't need much space (perfect for a garage haunt).
All you need is a decent size "Police beacon" (we liked the look of blue better than
red) and a small fogger.
What you do is build a hallway with enough access behind one wall (we had about 3ft.).
On the "partion" wall cut various sized, and shaped holes in a "dispersed" pattern
with a jigsaw. It helps when you make this wall to imagine that a grenade went off
and blew shrapnel holes through it. This will give you the best pattern. Then all you
do is paint *everything* black (even the backstage wall), place the beacon behind
the wall on a folding chair (we played with different heights and believe it or not
this was the best) and pipe the fog to both sides of the wall. You need to keep this area
as dark as possible. That's it. What you end up with is a wall that seems to "pulsate"
streaks of light out into the room. It looks like a much more expensive effect than it really is. Ironically our light tech, who is pretty critical, said this was his
favorite scene even though it was by far the easiest to set up. JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
HALL: Invisible Dog
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 1998 08:31:28 -0000
From: "Ray Woodall" <rwoodall@nb.net>
Hello,
I went to a Haunt called Fright Fest and they had a thing in there that I called
an invisible dog. I don't know what they call it.
There was a dark deep corner in the Haunt and me and a friend noticed that there
was a really dim light in this corner and there was this black hump
sitting in there. Well we hesitated and looked, then all of a sudden this thung jumps
up, it was only about 3 feet high or so, and it starts to bark and run
after us. It sounded just like a real dog. it seemed as though it was nipping at our
feet. We ran down the hall for about 8 feet and we looked back and it was
back were it was at the beginning. Really cool effect. What made it so cool was you
didn't know what it was and it barked like a real dog. Maybe someone
can try this in their Haunt.
Dead Wishes
Subject:
Re: HALL: Invisible Dog
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 03:58:13 EST
From: Spookyfx <Spookyfx@aol.com>
I did this with a "stuffed" dog. Just a foam dog shape covered with hair and flex
glue. It did not move much, just barked! But something in the human brain reacts
to it! Working late at night on my HH, every damed time I turned the corner I was
scared by this "animal" at knee level. I had a police officer go through in a show and tell
fashion, he was amused by the effects. But he almost pulled his gun when the "dog"
"attracted". I finally had to throw the "dog" away. The prop was just to damaged
to take up storage space. I took it out to the trash. A few days latter (the trash men had
not come yet) I went out late at night to dump more trash, the dam thing scared me
one last time! jerry ^v^
Subject:
Re: HALL: Bridges
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 1998 12:40:39 -0500
From: "Brian S. Jazudek" <bsj@fore.com>
We built something like this a few years ago in our haunt. We used 4x4's and chain,
we drilled holes through the ends of 4x4's and fed the chains through. it was a little
tricky but the effect worked out very well. It creaked, swayed, sagged, bounced.
Note the finished product was very heavy and was a little difficult to mount the final
end.
We ran over 4,000 people through in three weeks and never had a problems, even when
a large group of teenagers would huddle in the middle of the bridge because the were
to afraid to go forward or backwards. I don't know why the choice was chains, that
was my first haunt experience four years ago, they had already bought the chains
At 10:23 PM 2/25/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Hello out there in Halloween land.
I am thinking of making some sort of suspension bridge of sorts. what I would like
to do is have my TOTs have to cross it... But I want it to feel rickety.. I'm not
coming up with musch on how to do this though.. I visited the cahnnel on IRC and
we talked a little about it but I'm still a little shaky (bad pun intended) on how to do
it. I figured use 2x4 somehow bolted to some sort of flexible medium, perhaps aircraft
cable, or steel re-inforcement rods... however... Im not sure on how I could really
prevent the individual boards from moving to much and causing a hazzard.. (Read as
Lawsuit) Any Info will be apprieated. Either reply here or stop in on
the Dalnet channel.. Thanks again John Wohlers
<
Subject:
Re: HALL: Moving Floors
Date: Sun, 01 Mar 1998 09:37:22 -0600
From: JB Corn <jbcorn@altinet.net>
Not sure about the motor idea, tremendous amount of torque needed. I have doubled
foam padded a floor with carpet on top and I have built a 16' long path with 2x4s
raised about 2" with a spring on each end, then glued carpet to the top, provided
hand rails and watched as different weights of people created unique problems for themselves
and others. jbcorn
Subject:
HALL: Moving Floors
Date: Sun, 01 Mar 1998 10:17:52 -0800
From: Mike Saxon <saxonm@cyberst.com>
Anyone doing anything with vibrating/moving floors?
An idea to create a false floor on roller bearings connected to a smallish electric
motor through an eccentric. When the motor rotated the eccentric (or crankshaft
and connecting rod) would vibrate the floor. Would be desirable to contain the
movement to a fraction of an inch in any direction. Thoughts? Safety issues? Experiences?
I like the idea of the barking dog.... Put the people on a treadmill and have the
barking come from behind. Like dreams of running through molassas with a dog chasing
you. Yikes! Mike Saxon
Subject:
Re: HALL: Moving Floors
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 10:32:54 -0800
From: brotherfear@juno.com (David C Schwend)
Back in 1976, Campus Life (San Diego) set up a half a dozen king size waterbeds across
a cement floor. Then they brought in truckload after truckload of beach sand and
buried the waterbeds. Unfortunately, after the first few nights, the room was nothing
but wet beach sand. The floor throughout the rest of the house was also wet beach
sand. The same year, they had incorporated several old carnival attractions.
One, called the "'Rolling Waves", was a series of 10 foot sections of walkway that
went up and down were they joined together. Another was a set of stairs that were
split down the center, with the right and left halves moving forward and back opposite
each other. Both were shut off after patrons pinched their feet.
This same house featured a 50 year old (at the time) version of the "Black Hole" .
The design on the drum was lit with black light fixtures hidden above and below
a plexiglass enclosed bridge. David Schwend
Subject:
Re: HALL: Moving Floors
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 17:58:50 EST
From: LilSkiBum <LilSkiBum@aol.com>
I haven't been a member for long, but the month or so I have been, its just great!
But to cut to the chase, the list has been around for a while, so I'm sure you've
heard of Knotts Scary Farm. They have had a maze for the past 3+ years entitled 'Dead
and Breakfast.' It takes place in a hotel gone haywire. In the last hallway, the floor
is black, and the walls look normal enough. But the floor, about a 20-30? foot distance
is cut in about two, three foot sections, each of the sectionsmoves in alternate
directions. I couldn't figure out how they were moved, but in my mind i thought of this:
Have thick plywood cut in like 3'x6' sections. Like 7 or eight of them. Put them
on rollers. Then when people step on them, their weight will slide them. To keep
them from moving too fast, on each side on the outside of the hallway, put one or two pieces
of bungee cordthat attaches to the wall above and below the board. This will also
serve to snap them back into place when someone is not standing on them. I'm not
so sure how effective this will be, so if you have any ideas about this, and why or why
not this might work, and if it will produce any poisonous gasses? please e-mail back.
And on another note: I have an idea for a giant animatronic spider, i'm gonna call
it 'Harry', that walks around, and the legs move as it walks. Are there any similar ideas?
Has anything like this been done? ~Mike Sunnyville Creations
Subject:
Re: HALL: Legal Thoughts
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1998 16:42:36 -0600
From: "Dennis W Gorg" <dwgjr@stlnet.com>
Greetings- While I agree with Lenoard, posting rider responsibiliy signage will not,
in the end, stop someone from making a claim, I have seen several incidents where
the person has "walked away" from an injury beacuse the sign was posted. "Warning.
Enter at your own risk!" "Not responsible for injury due to running or pushing" Also such
signage as "The Actors will not touch you. Do not touch the actors. All acts of violence
will not be tolorated" Such signage sometimes will advert an action or legal issue. Also printing a disclaimer on the back of tickets (such as Disney does) will also
curb claims. Again, the laws don't really protect you, but you might be able to minimize
the non-serious injuries. Your insurance company may also like the idea of such signage as well. See you all in Chicago and thanks Lenoard for the welcome. Dennis
Dennis W Gorg Events Group Inc (314) 645-7900
Subject:
Re: HALL: Legal Question
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1998 23:36:28 -0500 (EST)
From: FXWizard@netcom.ca (Brian D. Oberquell)
Speaking from a theatre POV, policy anywhere I've worked is to put up signs for:
Smoke/fog
Gunshots
Loud Noises (fireworks sound FX, etc.)
Pyro
Strobes
The signs don't mention people with specific conditions, just that they're there so
customers know what they're getting into. Don't know if notices will really CYA if
you get a litigation-happy SOB, but it couldn't hurt... :-) Brian
Subject:
HALL: Jackhammer from Special Effects Supply
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 08:34:26 -0800
From: brotherfear@juno.com (David C Schwend)
Yep! Worked Great. I used it on a raised stage floor, in front of our electric chair.
Framed it into a 3 foot wide walkway made of plywood and 2x4s on edge. Ramped up
and down at the ends. Covered the whole walk with shag carpet. The frame also protected the air hoses. The air valve was operated by the electric chair victims foot.
I also used an overhead strobe and a Fog Hog ducted under the chair seat. Fog Hog
and strobe were controlled by switches underneath the chair arm rests. To make use
of pre-existing scenery, the whole thing happened in front of the old rheostat dimmer
board (circa 1950) that controls the stage lights. The air compressor I used was
one of those small 3 gallon jobs from Costco (around $150). The compressor was
hidden under the stage lip to muffle the sound. Plenty of screaming patrons when it went off.
David Schwend Oneonta Haunted House
Subject:
Re: HALL: Legal Question
Date: Mon, 02 Mar 1998 13:20:25 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
>Just to add to your discussion...signs will prevent NO ONE FROM FILLING A LAWSUIT.
They do not HELP YOU ONE BIT! You can tell people well you read the sign...but
legally it means NOTHING! There is a bill which has passed through in only a couple
states called the 'Rider Responsibility Act' which IAAPA is trying to get passed. But
trial lawyors are fighting to the hill which is why it may never see the light of
day. Hope this helps. Larry Kirchner
<
Very true. And as Leonard mentioned, they must prove negligence. I.E. If there is
something dangerous, or potentially dangerous, and you do nothing to protect/warn
them, you can get bit.
1)Keep Strict records. (Daily logs, safety logs, incident reports)
2)Fiercely enforce all rules.
3)Always maintain 110% safety margin.
4)Always be ready for the worst.
5)You have to assume people cannot read, so READ THEM THE RULES/WARNINGS prior to
entry. **It's also a good idea to have a braille set of all publications. (If
done properly, it is very interesting, and entertaining!) You can say; "Yes your
Honor, the warnings are posted, and we read them to every person.)
-If you have a slick spot, promptly MARK IT, and clean/shelter the area WITH A LIVE
PERSON.
-If you have a "trip hazard" mark it! MAKE IT KNOWN! (i.e. steps etc)
-You have to prove you are innocent.
-If you see a potential hazard, FIX IT!
-Video records are also good.
**ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS FIND OUT:
- WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW, & WHY!
Subject:
Re: HALL: Legal Thoughts
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 18:18:20 EST
From: JLISA1 <JLISA1@aol.com>
Hi, I heard on one of the local news stations about umbrella policies. For about
$100 a year you get 1 million$ coverage over your home and car if someone sues you.
Most insurance will cover around $500,000, but you still get stuck with the rest.
With an umbrella policy, it will cover 1 million (or more, available in million dollar
increments) against someone suing you... I think this might be a good idea for anyone
who has a haunt that goes through their house, and the $100 a year covers you all
the time, and your cars too.... Hope this helps, Julie Jlisa1@aol.com
Subject:
HALL: The incredible, one of a kind, twisted world of the Ravens Grin. Wow, what
a
show!
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 15:13:11 -0800
From: brotherfear@juno.com (David C Schwend)
The incredible, one of a kind, twisted world of the Raven's Grin. Wow, what a show!
To be honest, I wasn't very excited about climbing into a van load of strangers for
a 2 and * hour ride to see who knows what. Leonard Pickel posted an invitation to
visit The Raven's Grin, on "the list", before we all converged on Chicago for TransWorld.
It sounded interesting, but I second thoughts about adding a 7 hour adventure to
an already full day. Fortunately, I ran into Leonard, on way out of the convention
center, and he offered me a personal invitation. I made the trip to see The Raven's
Grin (and the folks in the van weren't so strange after all). (Note: After inviting
me to take the tour, Leonard had second thoughts himself and chose to stay behind
at the hotel. He charged me with relating this experience to "The List" if I survived.)
Straight from owner Jim Warfield's flyer, The Raven's Grin "Haunted House" is located
at 411 (it should have been "911" as far as I'm concerned) North Carroll Street
in Mount Carroll, "Illinoid, 61053 Zippy Zippy Zee!" It's right behind the Tru Valu
hardware store in downtown Mount Carroll. His phone number is (815)BIG-GRIN and
he recommends you call ahead to get reservations, especially in the fall. My first
impression was "Oh, My!". Standing there, looking at that house and its surrounding display
of cast off and "Top Secret" clutter, I quickly got the impression that a very "different"
person lives there. Then, when you look through the window of the car door that serves as a ticket booth, the hooded face that peers back doesn't make the decision
to enter that house any easier. I later met Jim at TransWorld, and he told me of
guests who admitted leaving a note under their car seat, hoping that searchers would
at least find their bodies. Similar thoughts crossed my mind. After the very unique
front door opens, guests are invited to take a seat in the sitting room. The furnishings,
Salvation Army rejects at the very best, include several sofas and chairs grouped around an old TV set. The decorations are bargain basement "Addams Family", and
the TV is still showing the "program" the house owner was presumably watching when
you arrived at his door. While you wait, the door is closed, chained, bolted, and
padlocked behind you. You will not get out unless the owner decides to let you out.
After the ghosts of the house acknowledge you have arrived, the master of the house
joins you in the sitting room. Robed in black and wearing a tight fitting black
hood, the master warms his hands over a lit candle and takes 10 to 15 minutes to
tell you the true history of the Raven's Grin. By the end of the monolog, it is obvious you
will need to be vary wary of this individual if you are to survive the tour. In the
kitchen, you meet the other living resident of the Raven's Grin,
Mr. Tuxedo, a black and white cat. Mr. Tuxedo, through his interpreter, is happy
to tell you about some other unique features of the house. This part of the tour
includes some interaction between the master and his guests. I was convinced we
would soon have to end our brief stay at The Raven's Grin to go in search of medical attention.
Be sure to take every opportunity to read the scrawlings on the walls, and pay attention
to every detail. by the way, I suggest you don't accept gifts from the master.
The entire tour, according to the flyer, takes 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours to complete.
I could have sworn we were trapped in there for 3. You'll get your moneys worth.
After braving crawl spaces, tunnels, secret passages, winding staircases, ladders,
and slides (including a three story drop into darkness) you will wonder if you can ever find
your way out. Nothing is as it seems, and everything tells part of the story. Whether
"just theatre" or perhaps the physical manifestation of a tormented mind, I'll leave it to you to decide. Put this side trip on your vacation plans. It is one of
a kind, and an experience not to be missed. David Schwend Oneonta Haunted House
Subject:
HALL: Empty coffin scare - Was: Re: Real Coffins Long
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 18:31:33 EST
From: Orniske <Orniske@aol.com>
Jim wrote:
> anyway back on subject What if you opened the coffin lid and your prey was just
to find a note or words written in blood on the sheets, Like "Out for a bite, back
before light" this would kinda give them the "cool coffin, lame prop" attitude. At
this time the ghoul of your choosing could pop up from under the linen or mattress or
what ever the proper name is for the "Serta eternal comfort sleeper" part of the
coffin> you might get a few dripping drawers there.
<
This reminded me of an idea I had while lurking around the dark zone at the Transworld
show. With all the in-your-face jump-outs, and crypt-sitter effects, I thought a
twist might be nice... The room scene is a standard coffin setting - perhaps funeral
parlor, perhaps crypt. The coffin might move a bit, then begin to open, with the obvious
suggestion of an occupant. Suddenly the lid flips up quickly, and it's completely
empty. Nada, nothing. Silence, relief, for about five seconds... Then, from the
space just in front of, and above the viewers, the missing corpse flops into view,
upside down, arms dangling, very dead, pale and glassy-eyed. Lighting changes as
the corpse falls. The coffin area goes dark. I would light the corpse with constant,
pale-blue light, not a strobe. After the scream, reset the effect, bringing up the lights
in the coffin area to their original state. This suggests a 'return from the dark
side' and the guests will be ready to exit.
A few details:
The corpse would be an upper-torso - that's all you'd need. There's a rail blocking
entrance into the scene area, and the area above and inside the scene is arranged
with 'fly' space, like a proscenium stage. The corpse is on a hinged mechanism, and
flops down much in the manner of a closing 'doggie door'. There is a block to limit the
travel forward of the body, but the neat thing is to allow the arms to swing forward
under inertia toward the audience of guests. Obviously, the rail should keep guests
far enough back that they cannot grab the prop corpse. Although most will leap back,
there's always the occasional vandal to contend with. I'd reset the corpse by lines
from the arms, attached at the wrists, so that the arms end up over the figure's
head, holding the entire rig up, and keeping the arms from premature view. To drop,
release the lines with lots of slack to allow the arms to fly naturally (if you can
call this natural!)
If you opt for the funeral setting, be sure to use music; and a tag SFX for the drop-scare
is recommended for both versions. The effect of this misdirection scare should be
a killer. No blood, no gore, but lots of unplanned restroom stops. ;-) -Doug
Subject:
HALL: Legend vs. Helter Skelter
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 00:25:12 -0500
From: ron byrd <lastframe@mindspring.com>
The latest thread about the Titanic/Holocaust and the ensuing discussion regarding
ethcis, real tragedy portrail, etc.; is the resson that I personally do the following:
1- Created a story line/ legend that my HH is built abround.
2- Set it in a time period that is 150 years in the past when everyone knew there
were real witch's; but realize that this is the modern era and they just don't exist
any more. They don't????
3- Limited the amout of blood to just the barest smidgen to give the hint of red
only, never a lot of blood, body parts or gore.
4- Never a chain saw, EVER!!!
5- Actors that stay in character at all times.
6- Actors who are not permitted to touch a patron; to do so leads to bloody noses
for the actors, which is a violation of rule number 3.
7- No matter the number of rooms/stations, the story line flows from the beginning
to the end.
8- Actors are trained to let the patrons imagination do the scaring for them; we
merely take them to the brink, they choose to jump themselves.
This is, of course, MHO only. Hauntingly yours, Ron
Subject:
HALL: Re: Crystal Ball..... (?)
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 11:40:25 -0800
From: brotherfear@juno.com (David C Schwend)
The good folks at the Holliston Haunted House, Pasadena, California, had a nice
crystal ball. It sat on a small round table, 3 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter.
The table was draped with a heavy table cloth. The ball was about 24 inches in
diameter and sat in the middle of the table. Inside the ball was a face shaped "screen" (thin
translucent plastic, probably vacu-formed to shape) and lots of spun glass (angel
hair) hair. An image was projected from below and behind the screen through a hole
in the table using mirrors and a small LCD video projector with a video tape player.
A small amplified speaker behind the table cloth provided a voice for the life size
face in the ball. People were allowed to stand at the table and could even touch
the ball. It was the creation of Matt Fuller, from Universal Studios Hollywood Special Effects.
David Schwend Oneonta Haunted House
Subject:
RE: HALL: Routing compressed air
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 17:28:58 -0500
From: "Fields, Karl" <KFields@radiantsystems.com>
Dan,
The cannons (6" stove pipe) have surplus Polaroid flash units in them with a gel covering.
15" speakers in the ship for the shoot sound. Both sides of the pool have a 12" speaker
with the sound of the projectile traveling (depends which cannon has fired). 10 feet over the bridge, that the TOTs are on, there is smaller speaker with the
sound of the incoming cannon ball which pans into a 15" speaker mounted under the
bridge which continues the pan and adds the impact explosion. Really rocks the bridge
when it lands. During the impact another relay trips the air solenoid which sends a burst
of air from a hose mounted in a 1" PVC pipe 4" under the water line. At the same
time another relay flashes the main pool light (also gel covered) on and off. Then
fires another cannon, and so on until all three are done. Turns out real effective. This
is computer controlled and starts the cycle when an IR beam is broken on the entrance
ramp of the bridge. When not creating the cannon firings, this computer also does
the strobe light/speaker thunder and lightning effect in other parts of the Haunt. Karl
Subject:
HALL: Toxic Waste.(Faux HAZMAT)
Date: Tue, 07 Apr 1998 22:27:11 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
Boo!
Want to add some fun to a "toxic" spill area??
...Add some food color to a water/detergent mixture and force the water...Stand back
and watch the "toxic" bubbles ooze from a 55 gal drum or 5 gal plastic drum etc...Remember
kiddies, "ERA" and some other detergents/additives GLOW under UV light... :) Or (to poke some fun) "Up from the ground came a bubblin' ooze..."
Making a THICK batch of "ooze" into a ground-level puddle using a pond-form or black-plastic,
make a puddle of this stuff and add a air-line that trickles air into the mixture...the
result is the "glub, glub, glub" you see at Hot-springs and such...Food-color mud is easy to mix...and cheap.
Or
A violently boiling pool can be done using this method simply by using higher air-flow
and pressure. Just some quick ideas. Enjoy John
Subject:
HALL: Killer Drum
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1998 00:28:31 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
Here's another spin on the now ever-so-popular 55 Gal drum... I pulled this one from
Mr.Scary's Recipe pile... :) You see a 55 Gal drum with a closed lid, only a window
on top..."It seems securely bolted" you think to yourself...You see an eerie light
emanating from inside...It seems to beckon you closer.... :)
Upon closer inspection, you hear a loud HISS coming from the drum as it tilts -toward-
you! ...Gads! Some kind of gas is leaking out! Then (if you're still standing there)
you see a shape in the small window....You get brave (being the morbid soul you are) and peer once again into the now silent drum then *BAM* this -thing- bashes against
the window repeatedly as you hear muffled screams! Then, it apparently settles back
down for another victim...er....curious mind....
With now wet pants, you ponder what the -rest- of this place has to offer! Sound interesting?
John
Subject:
Re: HALL: Killer Drum
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1998 12:58:53 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
(This one used a combination of clicker-box and home-built circuitry...A PLC brick
can now preform this function...)
How To:
The hiss is the result of -you- stepping on a switch-mat starting the clicker-box
program. (or other form of control program). The hiss you hear is the result of
opening a solenoid valve with a "t". One is open, the other leading to a 1" bore
4" throw piston. (It's optional to open a circuit to a small fog machine.)
(Drum tilts)
The "body" is nothing more than a rugged "punch" in the shape of a torso...Foam-filled,
it's only purpose is to bash the window...As the clicker-box closes one switch, it
throws yet another (repeat cycle) circuit. Controlling a 6" throw piston connected
to the body in a "reverse fulcrum". (The piston pulls DOWN and the head goes up. A
simple shock absorber in the torso shaft takes the brunt of the force. (Like a po-go
stick) The screaming is a recordable chip. (www.btprod.com) As the program ends,
the original valve is closed, allowing the Drum to settle back down...all is quiet...
The program can be done by building a timer, a clicker-box, *OR* PLC, *OR* Using a
series of "off the shelf" units (Single Throw, Repeat cycle, On-Delay). We ended
up using another control system and store the program on CD.. Audio, motion and all.
There ya go....animation in less than a page. Enjoy. John
Subject:
Re: HALL: Killer Drum
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 00:28:05 -0400
From: Leonard Pickel <leonard.pickel@mci2000.com>
John, and all,
Is there a cheap way to deform the can so that the top is all ready tilted towards
the patron? Kind of like a dented Coke can. I think you would lose most of the people
as soon as the can moved the first time. But if it was already leaning that way,
with a light inside I think more people would look in! Which is the best time to nail them.
Leonard
Subject:
Re: HALL: Killer Drum
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 01:00:50 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
At 12:28 AM 4/11/98 -0400, you wrote:
>John, and all,
Is there a cheap way to deform the can so that the top is all ready tilted towards
the patron? Kind of like a dented Coke can.
<
Sure, several ways I can think of. (Crush, pulled, cut...)
>I think you would lose most of the people as soon as the can moved the first time.
<
Quite possible...but this is designed for outside before they ever go in...if this
were inside, it would only "catch" every other group. I put stuff like this (Granny,
Mr.Scarecrow, "Lil" Black box, and Casket Thrash) outside to keep people on edge
as they are waiting...Sure, some animations are duplicated inside, but under another guise
(like you mentioned) as not to seem repetitive and a higher "shock" value. Heck,
one of the best drums we ever did was nothing more than a drum and a mechinical "knocker" inside...(Rope ran throuh conduit to nearby actor) Worked like a gem...But it's tough
to get a worker to "tug on a rope all night". :( Where do I get "Drum" and "Toxic"
ideas? This is Bloomington (IN) Home of PCB central... John (The doctor said the
rash may never come back...) ;)
Subject:
Re: HALL: Killer Drum
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 07:54:33 EDT
From: Pulpscrypt <Pulpscrypt@aol.com>
Just an idea...
Why not put the window on the side of the can? Most people are going to be leary and
frightened because it's a prop and they expect something to happen anyway. With
the side window "enticement" you can draw the braver people closer as something vague
and dimly lit inside sort of squiggles around (like the AlIEN eggs), then.... WHAM! The
whole can jumps with an appropriate noise and (hopefully) scares the unsuspecting
brave and "interested" person. Score a big ONE for your Haunt if it works. If it
dosen't, you'll still terrify the fraidy cats that wouldn't go near it in the first place!
Dave
Subject:
HALL: Bored crew
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 10:03:56 -0400
From: "Fields, Karl" <KFields@radiantsystems.com>
Just remembered a gag that our creative cast did last year. In our main maze, we had
a door that normally served as a part of a wall, but when 'opened' it became a wall
covering the normal exit path. If we had a group of TOTs that was too spread out
- one of the crew simply opened this door which led the trailing TOTs back though a part
of the maze rather than continuing with their group, really made people disoriented.
Worked pretty good with problem groups also, actor would jump in the middle of them
for confusion and another would open the door to split them up. Karl
Ideas From HauntedAmerica Chat
Re: Need ideas - amature house
Date: 19 Feb 1997 Time: 20:06:20
I dismember a cheap, effective idea at someone's H.A. that I liked. A room with matte
black walls (not shiney plastic) with cheesy paper glow skeletons only one was a
person dressed in a (spandex?) skeleton suit. If that person plays it cool and waits
for the group to enter they can "drift" out and scare the sh*t out of them. also your
person can turn around and "disapear". Forgot they had fans going to push the paper
skeletons around. If my brain starts working again I'll post somemore.
Jim (cur86)
Re: Frankenstein's Laboratory ideas
Date: 31 Jan 1997 Time: 11:48:31
Greetings from ScaryHouse Studio!!!
The laboratory is always a good scene because it leaves a lot to the imagination of
the sculptors building the set.
Since you are outside, try to do the things it would be hard to create inside. you
have no ceiling, so build up. Try to get hold of some scaffolding. Imaging Victor
Frankenstein building his apparatus to bring his creation closer to the life giving
heavens. This would also be good to arrange lights on so people can see what is going on.
Because you are outside you may be able to do pyrotechnic and smoke effects that would
be impossible indoors. Fireworks, if legal in your area, may be interesting if used
creativly.
You could use a good loud sound system. Your actors may need to be amplified if they
are performing outdoors before a large audience. Do you know of any electronic musicians
who could do a musical piece and then special sound effects?
I built some laboratory shelves that had plexiglass shelves with long flourescent
light fixtures in them, facing up. I put black lights in them and then hot glued
all kind of plastic jars, bottles, aquarium tubing, pieces of plexiglass and aluminum,
etc. I added a small strobe. I put some store bought rubber entrails in plastic jars and
glued them down also. At the distance in your scene, you could even use hunks of
shag carpeting and bits of foam in colored water. It's pretty effective, and alot
of it is junk.
For your generator, you could build a lot of it out of formed packing foam spraypainted
grey, bits of old wiring, etc. have someone wire up some lights etc. so when switches
are pulled you get some effect, sound or light, from each switch. For example you have three old boom boxes with old answering machine tape loops in each. Your electroninc
musician friend has recorded hideous whining machine type sounds on each. The boom
boxes are set to play but the power is controlled by three switches on your 'apparatus' This way each swith produces a new sound thru the loudspeakers and a new lighting
effect, strobes or whatever.
Hope this helps. Happy Haunting!!! "Scary" Dan Gildea ScaryHouse Studio Box 15377
Rockford IL 61132 scaryhouse@aol.com
Re: Haunted Houses all the time!!!
Date: 05 Jan 1997 Time: 16:09:19
you can email me at lrogers@swbell.net our hauntings in the past have consisted of
a hayride with what we call acts along the way. These acts were usually just some
kind of visual scene such as a guillotine, or a hanging or witches, etc. the hayride
takes our victims to an old barn with a butcher and other things then they proceed thru
the haunted hollow (walking) thru the graveyard, & into our haunted house. inside
the house were other acts such as a werewolf hunter, clown room, caged monsters and
an illusion transformation act, this year that worked very well. we also have a manacled
man that really makes our victims wet their pants as he jumps out at them in a dark
room while turning on a dim light to show himself. chainsaws also have an extreme
effect on some people. we use all real people for our actors. staff size is about 80-100
and we were open about 10 nights this year. we also joke about doing christmas in
the hollow using christmas themes for the hayride etc. but i don't think that will
ever happen. It's a lot of work but is great for watching the people's reactions
For that person needing ideas.....
Date: 14 Mar 1997 Time: 22:16:01
Definitely stay with quality and not quantity when planning a superior haunted house.
Our "house" consisted of well thought-out rooms with great attention given to details.
Many of our props were the real thing. A terrifying graveyard, surgery suite, morgue, witches' kitchen and even a prison yard with electric chair are some of our great
successes. It grows bigger each year due to its' origionality and suprise. Never
let them know everything right away!
Re: Is it Illusions or a bore!!??
Date: 26 Feb 1997 Time: 02:04:32
Greetings from ScaryHouse Studio!!!
The question was basically, if it is a good idea to do gore in a haunted house. Every
house is different, of course, so it'd be hard to develop hard, fast 'rules' to follow.
Check out what other area haunts are doing and decide if you want to follow the tried and true path, or break new ground in your town.
I used to do a nice 'wet' haunted house becouse splashing a lot of blood around is
cheap, easy (and kind of fun...) Problem is, it's a mess! If you want to create mini
'acts' in your event with an intro, and action, and an ending, unless you can figure
out a way to mop up the floor and wipe down the walls every 60 seconds, everyone has
a pretty good idea what is about to happen.
Another thought I have is peaple are pretty jaded by film. They see such hideaus bloodletting
done Hollywood style that I think it would be very hard for a haunted event to compete
with these glamorous effects. In any case, I think it is more unnerving to stumble upon the aftermath of a hideaus event and just imagine what took place. So,
let them see carnage in your displays, if you must, but don't try to recreate film
splatter. (My opinion.)
Now, of course, I must back pedal and let you know how I performed some simple splatter...
Keep in mind your show must be reperformed every 60 seconds.
In a mad doctors room we covered the walls with old sheets and flung some slightly
watered crimson colored paint around the room. Very bloody. To hide it we bathed
the room in red light for the intro of the performance. This effectively camoflauged
the blood while our evil doctor spent a few moments screaming at and taunting our audinence.
He then grabs a skill saw and plunges it into the abdomen of a patient/victem shackled
to a table. The doctor laughs maniacally and the victem screams. The saw trigger not only spins a noisy whining motor (bladeless) but it triggers a strobelight, who's
harsh white light seers the image of those white sheets and all that blood into the
retinas of the audience. It all ends with the doctor yanking intestines out of the
patient and shakes them at the audience while the victem, still screaming tries to
grab them and shove them back in. Turn the strobe off, and your ready for the next
group. It may sound silly in print, but it's pretty effective.
It followes the rules; a three part act: 1. the intro, a taunting doctor 2. the action,
the eviseration 3. the end, the chase with the guts It has lots of blood and guts.
It's real easy to set up for the next performance. Hope you liked it.
Happy Haunting!!! "Scary" Dan Gildea, ScaryHouse Studio, Box 15377, Rockford IL 61132,
scaryhouse@aol.com
(SHS) Repost-Re: Need ideas
Date: 02 Mar 1997 Time: 02:48:39
Greetings from ScaryHouse Studio!!!
Need ideas asks:
I need some help w/ room ideas for a low-scale haunted house held by high school-aged
kids at my church.
ScaryHouse Studio answers:
Yes, he was looking for directions on how to *build* a fog machine. DON'T DO IT!!!
Unless you want to be sued. There are plenty of commercial foggers out there that
work great. Buy the biggest and best you can afford, follow the manufacturers directions
to the letter concerning what fog juice to use and maintenance.
'Need ideas' asks:
A few rooms are already pretty well established: the maze, a "goulish" (oooooo, scary!)
wedding scene, of course the cliche doctor's room, and the even more cliche chainsaw
weilding maniacs at the end of it all.
ScaryHouse Studio answers:
Why must they be cliche? Try to work out ways to use the 'cliche' to put the audience
off guard, then whack them with your new concept or idea.
'Need ideas' asks:
What I need are ideas for the room before the maze, the room between the wedding and
the doctor, and the two rooms AFTER the doctor.
The room prior to the maze (actually part of a large room sectioned off w/ black plastic)
is traditionally run by the junior highs. For several years we put a grave yard there,
but the li'l children (the jr. highs) need something to actually do. It is basicly an enclove that our visitors merely pass by. We also may or may not have at our
disposal the boiler room at the mouth of the maze (a friend and I did satanic rituals
in there one year, but this was kinda frowned on by some church members - for obvious reasons).
ScaryHouse Studio answers:
Probably a good idea to leave religious rituals out of your haunt. Whether you belive
a certain way or not, you job is to haunt folks, not make fun of thier beliefs and
tee them off.
Need ideas asks:
The room before the doctor's room is another that the visitors pass by (it MIGHT be
possible to construct it so they do walk through it). In the past we have tried a
doctor's waiting room and, yes ANOTHER, satanic ritual (complete w/ the firey sacrifice
pit) but nothing has ever worked that well.
ScaryHouse Studio answers:
Since this room seems to have little spark in it, instead of trying to get a good
scare out of it, why not use it as a preface to the rest of the haunt? decorate it
up and use a tape recorder music and a narrative to direct peoples attention to areas
of the room where awful people did awful things or some such story at the end, invite
them to continue if they dare.
'Need ideas' asks:
Visitors walk THROUGH the next two rooms. In the second of the two we have done a
beast breaking out of a cage (which we might actually revive), a sort of alley or
street scene, and other ideas which all have pretty much amounted to strobe lights
and people jumping out. Other than that there's not much else to say except that the second
one is larger and well ventilated and we have had a lot of success using the smoke
machines in there w/out setting off the alarms (we've had bad experiences w/ the
fire marshal some years).
ScaryHouse Studio answers:
If the two rooms are joined, the second should look like an obvious escape from the
first hideous room, but then it should change and become just as dangerous as the
first.
'Need ideas' asks:
I also need ideas for the theme of the chainsaw room. The hobo thing's been done
and I'm sure the killer clown thing has been driven into the ground. People walk
through this room and exit the haunted house right on to our playground into the
brisk October air.
ScaryHouse Studio says:
How about a nice camping scene with a blood splattered tent, torn bloody clothing,
etc. and a low growling animal noise coming out of a cave about waist high. People
have an innate fear of wild animals. Get them jittery thinking something is going
to charge at them out of the cave or other dark area. Then they back into your chainsaw guy.
Happy Haunting!!! "Scary" Dan Gildea, ScaryHouse Studio, Box 15377, Rockford IL 61132,
scaryhouse@aol.com
Re: Requested info
Date: 04 Apr 1997 Time: 07:27:03
Hi Thanks for responding, specifically I was interested in ideas for "MAZES" "A SPIDER
BARN" and "OVERHEAD VIEWS" All are for a hay ride. The Maze would be outside and
probably in a ski lift corrall where the patrons would get off the wagon and go through a maze to get on the lift which would take them to the top of the hill where they
would then reboard a wagon which takes them down the trails. "OVERHEAD VIEWS" would
be ideas for scenes etc on the ground that the patrons would look down on during
their ride, up also if you have any other ideas on how to use this lift that would be helpful.
"SPIDERBARN" would be ideas on how to decorate a fairly good size barn the wagon
passes through and encounters spiders etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated and thanks again for responding.
Re: Alien scene
Date: 08 Apr 1997 Time: 17:47:22
The old tried and true diversion. Ust the aliens and set dressing to establish an
escaped creature of considerable size. The small aliens are handling a large cage
that something has obviously escaped from. As the customers become involved in the
scene the escaped creature scares the customers from behind and or above. jbc
Re: The Sky is Falling (Look Out!!!!)
Date: 16 Apr 1997 Time: 21:19:32
We have successfully desinged and implemented a variety of "falling effects". As stated
Saefty First is always an issue.
Here are two effects that we introduced 2 years ago at a small theme park here in
Central Ohio that proved to get em every Time
The first is a 14' Tall Artificial Falling Tree- we began with an 18" diameter sono
tube covered with textured burlap and 2
large limbs made from wire frames. Inside the tube we fabricated 1" steel tubular
frame, then fabricated a hinge plate out of1/8" steel and 2" and 2 1/4" pipe, the
hinge plate is bolted onto 12" threaded roods that are set into a 36" x 36" cement
pad sunk into the ground. We incorporated 3 different safety catches and cables, and incorporated
an Actor operator and lighting strike to complete the effect.
The second effect is a Falling Stone Wall fascade whose action allows it to fall forward
and then crumble to the ground,stones are 1'x2' blocks fashioned out of 2" Durafoam,
the blocks are attached to a fire resistant mesh sheathing and masonite struts, each block row is attached to a ball bearing carriages at either side, and the carriages
travel in parallel 14' carriage tracks, the tracks are mounted to hinge plates at
the bottom which bolt to the floor, and attachments at the top feed through to pulleys which control the cable that resets the effect. As stated the entire 8' wide 14'
tall wall moves forward towards the audience only 36" then falls to the ground in
12" increments only 12" from its baseline. The entire wall can be reset by a single
operator in 5-8 seconds.
I hope these examples make since. They have proven to be both safe and effective.
If you would like a sketch feel free to give me a call and I'll fax you what I have.
Best regards, David Fachman The Scarefactory
Re: Hotel scenes
Date: 05 May 1997 Time: 16:15:46
A really cool thing we are doing that would look great in your lobby is use the pepper's
ghost illusion to make green colored electricity zap above every one's heads after
something big happens (a witch cast a spell, a monster is killed, ect...) It looks
very cool! Or, another pepper's ghost illusion you could do in the lobby is ghost
rising out af the floor and flying through the ceiling, this is also very effective
and we are using it in our HH this year after our pysic is possesed.
Re: An Elevator & Lativator
Date: 20 Jun 1997 Time: 23:19:57
Our Hotel has had at it's entrance a 6'x6' box built on aa large pallet. We use a
Concrete Vibrator and attach to (Securly) to the Bottom of the Platform. The Doors
where two sliding doors that meet in the middle (More like Star Trek than Elevator)
We used barn door tracks, Angle them down to the middle a little and they will close automatically.
Attach some rope to each with some pulleys to open them both. Also we put some of
that 1/2" Plastic Square Tile and Scrim material. We hung a dummy on a noose and turned the light on just as we turned off the Vibrator. We aquired about 100' of
Wide industrial Rollers. They are 48' wide and in 8' Sections. They where used to
move pallets around a warehouse. We are thinking of placing this setup on these and
slide them from side to side to their rooms. The Vibration should throw them off enough
then the fact that they will be seeing another room. We have a Cherry Picker we where
gonna Raise in the air and drape plastic as if we had actually built something for
them to raise up into. ??? Up top is where we want to put a angle Grinder Spring Loaded
against some high carbon Steel. Make them think they will be riding something similar
to the TOT at WDW MGM. Ya' think anyone would be diappointed? Guess it's no different than the Elevator at LS at WDW EPCOT.
Re: An Elevator
Date: 25 Jun 1997 Time: 03:43:01
We built some really neat elevators in our haunted house for the 97 season. It's hard
for me to explain how to build the ones that we built but I will offer you a few
suggestions; Build a frame out of 4x4, screw the 4x4 together and then find some
solid "L" brackets and attach so that all corners of the frame are bracketed together so
this frame won't shake apart. Then Line the inside with plywood and paint it to look
like an elevator by the way we put metal hand rails in our elevator so people could
hang on once the elevators got going. We also made a really neat pyramid shaped dome on
the top with see through cut out of skulls and then jelled them with colored jells.
The elevator itself would be suspened off the ground only about 2 or 3 inches by
chain. You would build a frame out of 4x4 that would be attached to the floor with 4x4 posts
that would have a heavy duty lag bolt with a ring on top. Attach cheater links to
connect the chain from the posts to the bottom of the elevator in all 4 corners and
now you have a moving elevator. We went a few steps further by adding air pistons that
move it as well as speakers inside the elevator with awsome sounds of an elevator
crashing. And don't forget sliding elevator doors with a creepy look to them. If
anyone wants to see what the exterior of our elevator room looks like check it out on our
web-site. We just recently added more pictures of our haunted house and this picture
just happens to be one we added. After you have checked it out post a message on
our message board and let me know what you think! www.halloweenproductions.com Larry
Kirchner
Re: An Elevator
Date: 20 Jun 1997 Time: 22:24:49
We used air rams with up and down motion, which is rather expensive but highly effective.
I suppose suspending it with chains where it only moves a couple of inches would
also work. However, remember this. The finishing touch, I found, is to have a slot,
outside of which stands someone with a flashlight. When the "elevator" moves, have
this person move the light up and down, it really completes the illusion of motion.
Re: An Elevator
Date: 24 Jun 1997 Time: 00:34:57
i hope this helps make a ply wood box say 4ft sq by 8ft make a door on 2 sides you
enter one side exit the other get some short industrial springs mabye 6in by 10 in
tall attach several to the bottom of box and secure the box and springs so its secure
and safe when people enter the front door it shuts behind the and starts to sway and
rock the exit door opens on opposite sid eof box and their magicaly on the next floor
NIGHTMARE STUDIOS DALLAS
Re: House haunt
Date: 14 Feb 1998Time: 12:36:57
Scott, having acted in The Louisville Jaycees Haunted House on and off for several
years, probably two of the best (and simplest) scare scenes are the "surprise door"
and "the blackout"....With the "surprise door", you'd need to have a shallow closet,
large enough to comfortably hold an actor, and a sturdy door frame and support wall...A
sheet of painted metal would be hanging on the wall beside the door, so that when
the actor slammed the door open, there'd be a loud "WHAM"....For "the blackout",
you'd need a room that was self-contained, where no external light could leak in...Have the
room dimly lit and made up like a crypt, mad scientist lab or what have you, and
when your audience is in place, have your actor rise up and start towards them...You'd
need a floor switch positioned so that JUST as the actor is within a few feet of the
crowd, he/she steps on the switch, killing the lights and plunging the room into
darkness...Having helped to "haunt" an old house with a notoriously bad circuit breaker,
I can personally vouch that NOTHING scares the hell out of people more than having everything
suddenly "go black"....
7/13/98 Halloween-l
Subject:
Re: HALL: Steamin'!! was Re: Water-sprayer
Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 21:25:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dave Bell <dbell@TheBells.net>
On Fri, 1 May 1998, John Dolan wrote:
> He he. Hey Dave this has too be more than a coincidence.... Just the other day my
partner and I were kicking around the idea of adding a "burst steam pipe" effect
to our tunnel scene this year. Basically it is the same set-up you described. The
guests trigger the beam, with one outlet activating a solenoid valve which releases some
compressed air (mainly for the sound..pssst!) and the second will activate the
pump of a small fogger for the visual. All of this will be mounted behind a wall
and fed to a painted 3" pvc pipe with a hole cut out the back. Shouldn't be too hard to do
but ought to get a reaction....The only problem I can think of is we may have to
delay the air a second to compensate for the slight delay of the fogger pump in
order to get the timing right. JD
<
Cool idea John! I'd suggest using a very fine water spray, "boosted" by the compressed
air, and forget the fogger! Looks more like steam, gets them slightly damp, and no
smoke hanging in the air... Use two separate solenoid valves, fire the water through a small (1/32 - 1/16) opening into a 'Tee'. Blast the air into the side of the 'Tee'
and direct the spray out the hole in the "broken" pipe. Dave
Subject:
HALL: Re:HALL ultimate room design
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 10:13:50 EDT
From: JMeils42 <JMeils42@aol.com>
Guys,
I had an idea for the ultimate haunted house room:
Patron's enter the last room of the house, to find a couple of costumed actors
standing there, crouched down, while a third, dressed in a security t- shirt and
headset radio, is looking out the door toward the parking lot. Through the cracked
door, the patrons see the distinctive blue/red flashing of police car lights.
The security guy seems to notice the customers and waves them over...
"Folks, we've got a bit of a situation out in the parking lot...there's some
nut running around with a gun."
The customers, begin to ask questions, but the security guy seems to hear
something over his headset.
"Everybody! Get down!"
The door bursts open and a guy dressed in cammoflage bursts in holding a prop
Uzi and a bible.
"DIE! UNHOLY FOLLOWERS OF SATAN!"
He shoots one of the costumed actors, who has been leaning against the wall.
They slide slowly down, revealing blood and gore on the wall behind them. The gun
toteing maniac runs into the rest of the house, as the customers begin to panic...
Finally, the dead actor comes to life, smiles, and opens the real door to
the parking lot, wishing them a happy Halloween...
Sure, it's not very PC, but you gotta admit, wet cleanups would be common...
Joe "DiaboliCo
Subject:
Re: HALL: Godzilla/Haunts
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 11:11:07 -0800
At 11:02 AM 5/27/98 -0400, you wrote:
>I go to a movie or a Haunted House for that matter...<
Speaking of haunted houses-
A couple of years ago on the list there was some discursion about doing a haunt entirely
in black & white/gray tones as a way of controlling the visual atmosphere of classic
scenes. The concept was brought back into my head the other day watching Siskel and Ebert when they devoted a show to black and white movies. It would be a heck of
an investment in time and money re-painting props and set pieces but on the surface
the effect "seems" awesome. Has anyone tried it? Denny
Subject:
Re: HALL: Black and White/Haunts
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 14:02:45 -0700
From: brotherfear@juno.com (David C Schwend)
On Wed, 27 May 1998 11:11:07 -0800 milwiron@btprod.com writes:
>Speaking of haunted houses- A couple of years ago on the list there was some discursion
about doing a haunt entirely in black & white/gray tones as a way of
controlling the visual atmosphere of classic scenes. <snip, snip, snip Denny
<
Back in the late 70's, while I was a student at San Diego State University, I found
a thesis paper in the library along these lines. A psychology student had obtained
the use of an old house that had a date with a wrecking ball. He furnished the house
with salvation army reject furniture, old pictures statues, whatever. Then he got
himself an airless sprayer and gave everything a coat of white paint. Walls, ceilings,
floors, furnishings, fixtures, everything. He then lit each room with a single (25
watt I think) light bulb and invited people in for a party. All white food and beverages,
and you had to wear white clothes. Lots of erie effects were reported from shadows
and depth perception. The weirdest effect that was described as "the rooms appearing as if they had a strange fog throughout". Always thought this would make a
good haunted house room, but as yet I have not tried it. Easier to do than all the
black and white and gray scale shading. David Schwend Oneonta Haunted House
BrotherFear@Juno.com
Subject:
Re: HALL: Black and White (BANTER)
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 08:38:26 -0700
From: brotherfear@juno.com (David C Schwend)
On Thu, 28 May 1998 10:06:23 EDT Pk361@aol.com writes:
>Has anybody ever made a room that was painted black and white but in such a way that
it gave the illusion that things look bigger on one end and smaller on the other
even though they weren't?
<
The first "Black and White" room I ever experienced had some interesting effects,
all purely by accident. The stripes on the walls and floor as you entered the room
appeared to be a desending staircase. A real crowd stopper as people tried to negotiate the first steps with the stobe light flashing. Also, as you moved through the hallway
the stipes began to incline, giving the impression the room was laying over (it wasn't).
In later years, we tended to build the room with all normal angles, and then tip it up on one edge or corner. Some times 2 or three rooms in sequence with slightly
different orientations. All strobes were synced for continuity. David Schwend Oneonta
Haunted House BrotherFear@Juno.com
Subject:
Re: HALL: Godzilla/Haunts
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 03:22:59 -0400
From: "leonard.pickel" <leonard.pickel@mci2000.com>
Denny wrote:
>A couple of years ago on the list there was some discursion about doing a haunt entirely
in black & white/gray tones as a way of controlling the visual atmosphere of classic
scenes.
<
I have never repainted the props in gray tones, but I have been using gray, white
and black for wall delineation for as long as I remember. Way back with the MODs,
I flew out to Salt Lake City to tour a huge show that the MOD chapter there was building
every year. It was in an airplane hanger and I lost count around thirty rooms.
I toured the show during the day, and then waited around to see it in operations.
In the mean time there was an older gentleman walking around with one brush and cups
of black and white paint. He would just walk up to a wall and start in, with no sketching on the wall, and before long there was a wonderful skeleton holding a lantern where
only black wall was before. I watched for a long time and when I went back to Dallas
I told the artists that were working on our show all about it. They never could get
to where they did not use some grays in there, but what they did looked great. Every
show I have built since then, has been done in those tones. I do throw some red in
every once in a while, but 90 percent of the walls are all black, with gray and white
art work on them. Those of you who went to Night Scares or Terror on the Beach may
recall it! Leonard
Subject:
HALL: Doom buggies....Ride vs Walk
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 19:56:15 -0400
From: Jim Kadel <jimk@rica.net>
I think it would be an interesting twist to have a Doom buggy type of haunt where
it *appears* people are going to transported in a cart. Once the cart is started,
and the passengers disappear into the haunt, the tracks stop. A scare monster or
guide type indicates you must get out and walk the rest of the way !! In the last room, a
bunch of mummies or some such load the passengers back into the carts, in order.
Again they travel a short distance by cart returning to the que area. Outside spectators
view it as a *ride* :> ) Of course the word will get out quickly, so you'd want to
have an easily adjustable track system to allow for changeable amounts of *ride*
versus walk. Jim
Subject:
Re: HALL: Chainsaw Vote!- Long
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 09:10:07 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
When we built Louisiana Nightmares, I always said absolutely, positively NO CHAINSAWS,
as well as Freddy, Micheal Myers, etc,... I wanted the show to be fresh, different.
So all of the rooms were themed with a gothic/outdoor/swamp-type Louisiana feel (i.e. waterfalls, marshes, laboratory, tombs, tunnels,etc,...). The first year, two things
happened that educated me on what people really want. First, everyone in line who
had never seen the show, wanted to know if I had a chainsaw. This is all I heard
every night. And, second, I ran into an old friend who is an actor and asked to come and
volunteer. He told me he had his own costume and could work every night. I said sure
and thought no more of it until he showed up the next opening night with....A customized freddy costume.
We'll I couldn't tell him no even though I felt like it was going to ruin everything
I had done (it just didn't fit in with the theme of everything). I found him a nice
little dead-spot, with nothing more that a strobe light and hoped for the best. Would
you believe after dumping tons of money and energy into 22 big scenes, HE stole the
show. Everyone who went through his area, CRAWLED through his area. I never heard
so much screaming and cursing, and yelling in my life. To tell you the truth, he
was impressive. He had the costume, the moves, the voice exactly. He WAS freddy (almost to
the point of being obsessive).
What did I learn?? People want familarity and a good actor. Year 2, everyone in line
wanted to know where was Freddy, and if I had a chainsaw. Made me sick! I added a
wandering ghost of Elvis, intended as a comedy relief, he ended up scaring the hell
out of everyone too (go figure). Year 2 I also added a small track of a chainsaw to be
played outside mixed in with the other sound effects and music. Now people were coming
up saying, "I heard you had a chainsaw?!!" and "I missed the chainsaw!".
OK, OK, yes. Year 3 I added the blasted chainsaw. But, I did make an effort to make
it different. I made a cattle shoot maze everyone had to go through in a large room
with a single turning spotlight. Lots of moving shadows. You can see body parts hanging through the slits, hear screams off in a corner, etc. And just when you think your
out, he's got you. It turned out to be probably the scariest rooms we have. It's
really a pity. That same year I spent a fortune on an very detailed Aztec-type tomb,
that looks sooo good. But, people still come out the end talking about Freddy, Elvis, or
the chainsaw.... So, as much as I hate too, I have to vote for the chainsaw... But,
wait there's more....
The Dungeon that's in construction now, will absolutely, positively have NO CHAINSAWS!
It's strictly themed, therefore no matter how many requests I get,it would ruin the
show. So I get 2 votes, since I got 2 attractions. Louisiana Nightmares-Yes The
Dungeon----------NO!
Subject:
Re: HALL: Chainsaw Vote :)
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 19:02:43 -0500
From: JB Corn <jbcorn@altinet.net>
MORE chainsaw,
The public does demand the chainsaw. I have used the sound track, operated a gasoline
motor for fumes and a chainsaw. What I never liked was the fact that some macho
male always chimed in "Its Fake, no blade". I have added the chainsaw to my hayride
cemetery scene. The atypical masked creature starts the device as the customers move
out of the scene. The moment one mentions the no blade he steps over to a tombstone
with a grinding wheel in it, the grinding wheel engages only when he is in position
on the platform. The blades are made at a sheet metal shop and are longer than normal
as well as a special alloy. When the blade hits the grinding wheel the chainsaw becomes
very real, the sparks completely illuminate the area, and when he chases the customers, reving the motor, well lets say careful attention has been paid to the exit
area, padded, deep soft sand, no twigs, sharp objects, the reaction is very severe.
jbcorn
Subject:
Re: HALL: Chainsaws - Long...
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 17:54:56 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Fri, 29 May 1998, Cliff Martin wrote:
> I think delivering the unexpected works best. Delivering the unexpected with quality
and style is the very best.
<
Yo Cliffy buddy, just for the sake of conversation don't you think that a military
person, Jason, or a werewolf, weilding a chainsaw, -or a chainsaw in a 1940's themed
haunt would be just a tad bit "unexpected". That's why it *could* work IMHO. Ya know
I've seen a growing trend over the years to "theme" a haunt. Which is great. I love
the themed haunts. But it seems to me that *some* of the "themer's" are advocating
this unwritten rule that you positively cannot go outside your theme and are somewhat
critical of those that do. Why? Let me try an example to explain what I mean....
I've seen varations of this room done in one form or another about a half a dozen
times... Let's call it the "Mama Bates" scene. Basically you have a old rustic attic
set-up with a bunch of boxes, crates, knick-knacks etc. and then you have Mama Bates
rocking very slowly in a rocking chair. For added effect you add a single low-wattage
bulb swaying from the ceiling so that it casts eery shadows about. Now if the actor
plays the part and times it just right, they leap out of the chair and scare the
customers. This is simple and it works.... But now let's say when Mama leaps up she also
pulls out a hidden chainsaw. That's even more "unexpected" and I'll bet you anything
you'll get an even bigger response.
And I really don't think the people that have been through that scene are going to
be saying,"ya know that seen was really scary and all, but that chainsaw didn't really
fit the theme". For my kind of show logic goes out the window. Nightmares aren't
logical but they're scary. I don't get too "intellectual" about my scenes cause I don't
think the audience really cares that much for the type of show we put on. Just my
opinion though.
Subject:
Re: HALL: Admission They'll Remember
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 10:23:40 PDT
From: "Joe Pfeiffer" <halloween97@hotmail.com>
While we still have time before the season gets too close, how about sharing some
creative alternatives to admission tickets.
Here is an inexpensive opportunity to both advertise your haunted attraction to others,
while offering something that could become a collectable, like McDonald's and the
Beanie Baby craze. Basically there are two catagories; Paper, and Logoed Merchandise
Paper could include a ticket with interesting artwork or spooky cartoon, jokes, a
game, a coupon to something, or a joke coupon like the old wacky stickers (50% off
your next funneral), a collectable card (monster, spooky scenes, joke party ideas),
a shadow design cut into a card that produces a spooky pattern on a darkened wall with
a flashlight, their photo in front of your haunt (computer generated),their will
with joke items listed, a booklet with drawing of various scenes from you haunt,
a haunted coloring book, haunted cartoon booklet, a trick-or-treater's guide to having
a fun night (humor booklet), haunted recipes, cards with different yard scene/ haunted
trivia questions/scare ideas to set for parties or trick-or-treaters.
Mercandise could be anything that you could inscribe your Haunt's name, location,
and phone number. This may include caps, t-shirts, a small body part(fingers, toes,
noses, ears,etc.), toy rings/spiders/rats/bats/monsters/ghosts/skeletons, small
make-up kit, a prostetic like a nose, scar, bullet hole, shard of glass, mugs, travel
cups, water bottle, small cofin with skeleton inside, flashlights, small homemade
ghost puppets on a string, glow-in-the-dark items, Beanie witches, or anything cute
spooky and cheap from a catalog like Oriental Trading Co. The objective is to keep it
inexpensive, creatively collectable, and let it identify your haunt's name and location.
Just think of the increased traffic if you can come up with something that the
kids all want to collect. Any other ideas out there????? Joe
Subject:
HALL: MARLOW CUTTERS HORROR CHAMBER
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 19:50:43 EDT
From: blissg3@juno.com (Gene JV Gemperline)
Is it me, or does the sound of a fully powered table saw scare you more than a chain
saw? I have a lot of different types of household cutting appliances in my haunt,
and I pride myself on integrating them perfectly. Last years haunt, "Marlow Cutters
Horror Chamber" displayed all sorts of violent cutting objects. Of course, we DID have
a chain saw. But, as always, we saved it for the end, when Marlow himself would
cut through the wall of a room, waving a LOUD, gas-powered chain saw in the air,
and attack an actor in your group. Of course, the logical explination would be to run through
the hole he made in the wall, while he was killing off the group member.
Things that I use in my haunt:
1) Chainsaw ( the people demand it)
2) Table saw (I cut up a fake head)
3) A blender (Fake hand, need I say more?)
Also, I have a room where two GIANT circular saw blades cut through the walls (just
paper mache on an axel attached to an old lawn mower engine)., revealing the path
to the next room. The whole point of the haunted house is that you are being pursued
by MARLOW THE CUTTER, and you must hide from him. You encounter him four times, on the
last encounter (the chainsaw display), an ananymouse hero shoots him in the back,
and you are saved. You then leave the house, to get you're picture. Suprisingly,
the seemingly empty room that your group was in (the circular saw room, mentioned eatrlier),
was now all red, like the walls were dripping with blood, and Marlow the Cutter,
is standing next to the actor that was killed, making an "I'll slit you'r throat
gesture. This is actually my favorite part of the haunt! Let me explain it . . .
The background of the picture in the room is actually lined with red colored celophane,
the patrons do not see this, since their back is to it. This red celophane shows
up in bright light (strobe light). When the camera flashes, the red celophane in
the background is visable. To disguise the camera flash, I put in a strobe light in
that same room, so the hauntees (as I like to call them) can't distuinguish any difference
from the strobe light, and the camera flash. Second, the suprise apperance of MARLOW THE CUTTER is just a simple rendition of the "PEPPERS GHOST EFFECT". I'm way
to lazy to describe it, so just look it up somewhere. I love to here the hauntees
say "Wait a minute, that room wasn't red, and look, theres that chain saw dude,
and he's lookin' at the dead guy funny, I never saw him. How'd they do that?" Thank you.
Okay, I would like to know if there is anyone out there that has done similar camera
tricks, describe them to me, so I can improve MARLOW CUTTERS HORROR CHAMBER. And,
as always, general replies to my letter are greatly appreciated!!! Thank you. -Ganymede
X Haunter for three years
Subject:
Re: HALL: Theme Ideas
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 20:50:33 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Okay, here's a few, which you might want to consider: MOURGE OF MADNESS: The small
town of Hicksville has only one funeral parlor, The Scrimm Bros. They have combined
it with the local mourge...but something strange is happinging in Hicksville....too
many people are dying mysteriously....you, and the other kids ( the HH guides) have decided
to play "Hardy Boys" and try to find out what's happening behind the windowless walls
of The Scrimm Bros. parlor.... This one lets you do a funeral scene, lots of great banter and interaction. Many scenes are obvious, the autopsy room, room full of
storage lockers of the dead, tables with dead bodies draped in sheets, the crematorium,
embalmbing room, cemetary....and whatever rooms you think up that answer the secret
of the house....(cannibalisim, necrophilia, sales to cat food companies, invading
aliens, etc., etc...)
BASE 13: The base is near the north pole.... the scientists there have discovered
something... but contact was lost a week ago. You are a part of a group that has
been contracted to rescue them...Going in, you and your group find that the base
is a scene of carnage and death...people have killed each other violently, and strange clues
are found here and there...( claw marks on the walls....people cocooned onto rafters....)
A set of video monitors replay one scene over and over of one of the scientists gasping into the camera..."We've found something.....we've found something in the ice....It
couldn't possibly have been alive, but it was!.... Finally, after several rooms
of this "monster striptease" the menace shows it's face...a nasty reptillian creature, which feeds on human blood.....another room reveals that it's using the base greenhouse
to lay it's eggs.... One survivor they find leads the group into helping to kill
off the creatures... (Simply reference "The Thing" (both the original and remake), the episode "Ice" from the X-files and Dr. Who's "Seeds of Doom" and you
will have plenty of ideas to fill this house...
Subject:
Re: HALL:Theme Ideas II
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 21:17:57 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Here's the second set of ideas you might want to draw on: THE NIGHT OF THE SMEGGS!!!
Patterned after a 50's "B" science fiction/horror movie, the groups enter via a wooded
path to where they find a vintage car with it's windows and doors open, and bloof
and torn clothing everywhere...the car radio plays over and over...(Dance music) "We
interrupt this program to bring you this news flash: strange flying discs have been
reported in the area of Hadleyburg, with witnesses describing huge, fanged creatures
piloting them....several have been reported to have landed....." They continue up the
path to find a saucer hidden behind some trees....entering, they find the aliens
absent, but several humans who have been vivesected....One abductee is still alive,
but trapped in a container....the aliens return, and are really honked off! They chase the
group through several other rooms before they manage to exit the craft, rescued by
the U.S. military....
Obviously played for the cheese value, this house can be as simple or as elaborate
as you like...it can either be a fun poke at schlocky movies, or a really creepy
experience from start to finish. This would work best if you had about a 50/50 split
between outdoor scenes and interrior house. For added atmosphere, use theramin music
as a soundtrack.
A FUNGUS WALKS AMONG US! No one's been in the house of Dr. Phlem since he and his
family disappeared years ago....it's been boarded up. Entering, we find his living
room stacked with books, and equipment and "things" in jars... as the group passes
an old recorder, the bump it and it begins to play... "I've discovered the perfect food!
It's a form of mushroom, or fungus which grows like wildfire...I intend to mutate
it with radiation on an attempt to increase it's protien value..." entering the next
few rooms, they find a huge tank that has been broken open from the inside, and a slime
trail leading them into the next room...the halls are lined with glowing, wet fungus...some
of it reacts when touched....violently! In the next room they find a series of human sized cages...most with skeletons in them...another that is half devoured...the
last cage has a man in it, who begs the group to let him out before "It" comes back...too
late! A door bursts open, and the Doctor storms in, only he's now more of a slimy grey muchroom than a man... chase through the next room or two, until they find
another set of old skeletons....these still have some flesh left, and they try to
make a grab for the group...another room has bubbling vats of human body parts, and
another with mushrooms slithering toward them....
This house would depend more on the "creep out" factor...props and costumes
would need to have a real "Tx Chainsaw Massacre" feel to it...you could also add
other, menaces as well...perhaps a housekeeper who protects the Dr., or a ferral
dog who's been chained up too long without being fed....
Subject:
Re: HALL: House Theme Ideas
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 00:01:58 EDT
From: Hauntdwhse@aol.com
One idea we used last year was camouflaged military type netting made into a maze,
with snakes all around the room. Green lighting was used to accent. It made for
some interesting hiding places, too!
Subject:
Re: HALL: New Topic
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 01:18:38 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(the question about scenic overdoing...)
(The new question about detail)
I myself am rather ambivalent about detail. The trends right now is to load up as
much on the extravagant theming as possible, eye candy. To me, this is kind of a
waste of time and money. Certain places you DO want excellent theming, to the best
of your ability. These are places to keep your storyline moving along. Assuming you have a
story which uses the theming situations to advantage.
The finest scare I have ever given guests cost me all of $2. I was helping out at
one of the older John Burton houses back in Anaheim, 88 or 89, I think. I brought
this one up before, some years back on the list. Anyhoo, one part was a pitch dark
maze (actually a U shaped long passage leading from the swamp room to the circus room). rubber
tubings on walls, someone lying on the ground with a pitiful voice in the pitch darkness.
Lots of fun. I was mainly helping out with mechanical breakdowns rather than being an actor, but I had a new toy, so I could not resist.
My toy was a small plastic skull, about 2 inches in diameter. It would glow in the
dark and it had two batteries to light green LEDs for eyes which would flash fast
with a tinny siren sound. For kicks, after recharging the glow in the dark using
a black light, I would run fast through the maze in the opposite direction of the guests, holding
the skull about eye level ahead of me. This freaked out the guests BIGTIME. I think
I pulled this stunt maybe 5 or 6 times total during the c ouple of weeks. Rest of
the time, the mechanical spiders kept driving me crazy :)
THE most boring haunted house I ever did was also one of the most expensive, the Chamber
of Chills at Universal. Tons of money spent on furnishings, but it was all wasted.
WHY, you ask? Welp, this house had a factor I had NEVER before experienced in a haunted house. Each room, the scenario had the playlet in the richly decorated room for
10 seconds. Lights go out, strobe goes on, villain comes out threatening with appliance
or something in hand. ONCE was ok, but 20 rooms, and 20 times? The new feeling I
felt was BOREDOM.
Before you make the giant $$$ plunge on rich sets, ask yourself if you have the scares
to support the sets, and do the sets support your story or what you want the guests
to experience? If you are trying to ooohh ahhh "look how richly we decorate, look
how much we spend on furnishings, then you have lost sight of your primary goal which
is to scare and entertain your guests. I would much rather go to a low budget haunted
house which has original and clever scares rather than someone who has illusions
of beating Disney at the theming game. Now, if you can beat Disney and create your own
world AND have clever and original scares and thrills, then you pretty much have
something worth seeing....over and over again :) Harry
Subject:
HALL: swamp ideas
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 15:20:18 +0100
From: John Kochefko <kochefko@saqnet.co.uk>
Here are some ideas from my ancient "haunted house notebook" disk. Ignore the numbers;
they refer to an old filing system I had. Sorry some of the ideas are vague. I have
moved FIVE times in the past year and a half, and my details and updated haunted
house disks are among the missing. Hope you get some good ideas. My big suggestion:
go to a library and check out some water garden books. They talk about pumps, building
bridges, etc. Cheers, from DIane
8. ORIENTAL GARDEN
Japanese-style bridge over pond (baby pool). Monster jumps from under the
bridge? Bonsai-style trees, paper flowers (branches and cardboard; paper) Sound
of water flowing. Use an environmental tape or tape your own. A samurai or a ninja
jumps from shadows. Japanese theatrical makeup can be startling. A Chinese "killing ghost"
is called a Gwai
8A. JURASSIC PARK
Big footprints. Tar pits. A huge motorized tail. Shadows of pterodactyls and
others on ceiling, walls. A big head bends toward the people, looks, then returns.
Huge legs, extending upwards into the tree tops. Make fake floor out of cement or
something lighter,, and put big footprints in that, so the footprints are actually in
the floor. People have to walk in them before knowing what they are.
8B. ANCIENT GREEK AREA
The ruins of a temple offer hiding places galore: Greek (not Egyptian) Sphinxes
Talking pilasters (Caryatids)
THREE FATES or WEIRD SISTERS: Clotho (maiden), Lachesis (mother), Atropos
(crone) These ladies wove every person's fate. Atropos cut the thread of life.
SIBYL: Veiled female who picks one of the party and predicts "death"
MONSTERS: Centaur, Cyclops, minotaur, dryad, faun, talking goddess-head, Medusa.
The pediments (those triangle things at the top) are normally carved with very
interesting scenes. Can yours come to life?
8C. HAUNTED or ENCHANTED FOREST
Perhaps outside the entrance or exit to your haunted house, you can put some
trees that look alive (like in the Wizard of Oz). Hang things from the branches.
Things crawl out from under the bushes. A hand sticks out of the earth. Garden pond
or a water fountain?
ENCHANTED FOREST: Not a scary place. Oversized fluorescent leaves, flowers,
mushrooms, trees, etc. A dragon, an elf or troll, etc. Suspension bridge (directions
from Home Depot, landscape division)
Escape into a fantasy world. Dragons. Elves. Wizards. Giants legs go up, no
torso. Little fairies (dolls from a flea market)
8D. BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
You can make a fake river with a water pump, plastic lining, newspaper, and
some supports. Will your nursery or hardware store let you use their water garden
display for free, in return for advertising? Hide motors, etc., in fake foliage.
Make the bridge from some stairs and planks. A troll under the bridge. Bodies floating in
the water. Does the water bubble or blurp? Snakes: Lots, rubber, wet, hanging, lying,
blown air hissing at you
8E. SWAMP
Vines, mangrove trees, lots hanging, draping, wet ropes, never see tops of
trees, fade to black. Many snakes, made from rubber hoses, dryer hoses, plastic dog
turds (honest.), Put a humidifier in this room, and preferably something moldy to
smell right. Low-level fog. Use black plastic to make the swamp, with the rims made of
whatever is available. For bubbling swamps, use a bathtub whirlpool maker.
Subject:
Re: HALL: New Topic
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 14:57:33 -0400
From: "leonard.pickel" <leonard.pickel@mci2000.com>
Incubus wrote:
> Likewise, detail could mean handcrafted props and
>display. Detail could also mean a well-written script, or a great
>place for an unexpected jump-out, or even the use of sleight of hand
>to create the feeling that the place might really be haunted.
Could what we are talking about here be called 'Layering' ? The question would
then be how deep (or thick?) should a show be? My storyline is very detailed,
and strictly adhered to, but as for the sets inside my show, people blow by them
to fast to notice much detail. I would rather spend the money somewhere else (like
marketing). But I can see how the detail is very necessary to Inc's show. The
longer someone stands in
one place the more detail is needed.
At the Manor, the lobby and pre show room are more detailed, and I always try
to have one pretty room, for the news cameras :) Everywhere else is designed around
the scare. The amount of detail is enough to get across which (or what kind of)
room they are in, but no more.
Leonard
Subject:
Re: HALL: New Topic
Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 10:44:00 -0400
From: Ricky & Karen Dick
>
>Would you further explain 'the game' aspect of your show?
Castle Blood does a different game each year. Basically the customers are on a
quest to find the four talismans of the castle. 1st are the beads of protection.
These were years ago bought from a mardi gras supplier(listed in the wcc;) ) and
given to children as a pacifier. The adults started asking for them as well, and
the tradition started.
The other 3 change from year to year. One year (on the tape)You were tester on
your wisdom,bravery and faith. These words were ampley mentioned as tip offs in
the specific rooms. Then we made them do stupoid mortal tricks to get the talisman..
Drink poison in the coven room (seltzer with un sweeted kool-aid) stick their
hand through a gullotine, into a box, and let us drop the blade to prove bravery
etc... they collected a card,cup,and coin, along with the beads. to win the actors
have in their pockets, some of the talismen, and from time to time will try to
fool the mortals out of their stuff by trading them, or demanding them for passage.
If they finish with everything, they get a certificate, vampire fangs, and discounts
in the gift shop.
Each year, we always have to dumb it down for them after the first week, so we
can get at least 35-40% winners.
I like happy customers, and watching a grmoup of eight all leave with those sttupid
teeth in trying to talk, well both they and we had a good time. In the summer
we've run a Mid Summers Night-mare trivia tour. Guided, and tho the scares were
scattered in there, it was more mellow, and each of the main rooms had a question
vaguely dealing with a matching movie in it. Depending on how many they got right
, there was a sliding scale for prizes. And if you have one smart person in the
group. the whole group wins. Getting ALL right, got everyone T-shirts. not bad
for a price of 6.00 for the summer event. we charged 10.00 for the oct. event
last two years, and with the move this year, will be back tyo a 5-6 dollar price.
by changing the game each year, I dont need to change all my rooms. just change
what happens in them. We get a very loyal clientele, many have been with us all
5 years we've done it this way, and tons who come back each weekend. As the actors
shift around from week to week, the game takes on new things as well.
ALL these things grew out of having not the scariest screamers for actors, but
GREAT one on one and ad lib performers, and in the TOT days, I trusted them to
just know their characters, stay in them, and go for it.
>
>And how much is a tape?
Tapes of the 96 game are 20.00 I have some and Denny has some. John Floyd and
I are trying to finish up the 97 tape 'real soon now' :) Man that was long. hope
it makes sense
Gravely MacCabre
Ricky Dick
Castle Blood
Subject:
HALL: Dead man walking (the hangman room)
Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 23:33:54 EDT
From: blissg3@juno.com (Gene JV Gemperline)
My "patented" hangman room, gaurenteed for scares of many shapes and
sounds. (shapes??)
Here's the effect.
You walk into a room, there is a dead man wearing a bag over his head (like they
did long ago after people were executed at the gallows). He has been hung, and
is still hanging from the gallow's with a noose around his neck. At first glance
you think "Oh, that is one elaborate dummy!! The whole room is illuminated
by a single strobe on medium frequence, tinted with red celophane (just picture
it). You take a few steps toward the next room. You hear a low moan "Set
me free". You discover that the exit that you had been heading to is nothing
more than a four foot by four foot indentation in the wall (it looks like the
way out, due to the low, low lighting, and the black walls). You panic.
Again, you hear "SET ME FREE". The dead guy starts walking toward you,
ever so slowly. He can't reach you because the rope acts as sort of a leash, and
hinders him from getting too close. "What do I do" you think? You see
a bright green light directly behind where the dead guy was hanging. You run towards
the opening, just dodging the man once thought "dead".
It is pretty easy to figure out. The only hard part is making the guy look like
he's hanging. The trapdoor underhim has a small crate that he stands on, it is
not seen by the patrons. Next the guy must have his head pointed downward (a dead
man hanging from a rope does NOT look up, or at the patrons). Then the guy must
refrain from any real movements until the time has come. Of course you can breath,
bite your lip (who does that?). Because the strobe will made it unnoticable. But
dont wave your arms around like a wild man (or, in this case "a dead man")
-Ganymede X
>8^(
PS: Tell me whatcha think.
Subject:
Re:HALL: Admission They'll Remember
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 00:10:58 EDT
From: Orniske@aol.com
Joe wrote:
>The objective is to keep it inexpensive, creatively collectable, and let
>it identify your haunt's name and location. Just think of the increased
>traffic if you can come up with something that the kids all want to
>collect.
Back in 1981, our Jaycee haunt used Oriental Trading's little jointed
skeleton 'slum' with a tag attached, which read: "I was scared out of
my skin at the Halls of Horror." We sold 'em for .50 each, and they cost
us about .03 a piece. We sold out quickly... should have had many
more than we did.
-Doug
Subject:
Re: HALL: swamp set
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 00:49:30 EDT
From: Hauntedfx@aol.com
OK , well i could not find the directions for the tree but i have it about memorized
or enough to get you in the right direction....i hope..... here is what you
need:
Plywood
2 heavy cardbord tubes (they can be bought at hardware stores) can spray foam
instalation black, brown, grey paint old limbs from trees....or you can make
some out of paper machie
Opt..Spanish moss
1. first cut your plywood as shown in the picture..
2. fit one end of one of the tubes on all 4 plywood pices
3. attach 2nd tube to top of first....glue them together (you may want to make
a cut in the first tube to make them fit better)
4.attach old limbs( or paper machie limbs) to the tree by drilling holes
5. spray the foam over the tree in short verticle lines to simulate bark make
sure you go over the aera where the tubes meet and the tube meets the bases
6. spray paint the tree with virticle blasts of black brown and or grey
paint....
7.opt....attach rope painted green to simulate vines...also add spanish moss
tip:the top of the tree (tube) can be cut jagged like it has been broken or
hit by lightning?
Hope this helps ....this makes a slinder tree if you want you can build the
out side up with chickenwire and make the entire thing out of paper machie but
the other way is easier.....well good luck if ya try it i have done one and
it turned out great ......
Jeff
Subject:
Re: HALL: Food at a Haunt
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 10:41:26 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Hi!
We've run a midway at the "Castle of Fear" in Denver for the
last three years running. We've found that people are not all that interested,
and as such, we're cutting it down to about half it's usual size.
What will be staying (out of seven games, two sales booths, a fortune telling
area and a public execution scene) will be the fortune tellers and a couple of
photo-op boards. They're the kind of thing that you stick your face through and
take pictures of yourself as a disembodied head, etc., etc..
Subject:
Re: HALL: Food at a Haunt
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 11:19:12 -0400
From: "Thomas Hoey" <magicalvillage@cyberagency.net> Hmmm. We
run a midway with three food concessions in trailers. 2 Major rides and 6 kiddies
rides with a minimum of 6 games and we find there is as much interest from the
families for this as for the "haunted house". We also provide two constume
contest nightly and Karaoke.
The food operations do very well and the right to do same is hotly contested.
We have deposits already for this year. They serve the standard carnival midway
fare including doughnuts and cider. Tom Hoey
magicalvillage@cyberagency.net
www.santamagical.com/halloween.htm
Subject:
Re: HALL:Help from GYROS members
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 12:31:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: simpson1@earthlink.net (Jason Simpson)
Jhep,
I don't remember this particular effect, but I think I know what you're talking
about. The headlights were powered by a car battery, (couldn't tell you how to
do the wiring though). The surging forward motion was operated by a tech. It was
either slingshot-style, (pulled back and launched on bungee cords) or it was on
a wooden track, pushed forward on a cart. Hope this helps.
Jason
simpson1@earthlink.net
>I can't remeber who it was but, one of the group worked for GYROS Haunts
>and I have a question for you!
>
>a large spider web with a large spider guarding it. Nothing so
>special about that in fact the spider was sort of crudely made from paper
>mache and dryer hose ducting for its legs.
>
>The cool thing about it was that its eyes were fasioned from car headlights
>and when a person got too close they would light and the spider would surge
>forward (on a track ,I presume) charging at the group and really made an
>effective scare!
>
>I REALLY ,REALLY WANT TO MAKE ONE AND I DONT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO DO
>IT!!!!!
>
>If any of you know what I am talking about and can tell me how they wired
>the eyes(headlamps) and what kind of track or mechanism made it move I
>would really appreciate it.
>
>I have a real dark area of tall trees in front of my house that would be
>ideal for this and since I have a reputation in the neighbor hood for
>having something new and different and better each year I am really having
>to start early to get a jump on the exibits.
>
>Thanks ................jhep
>
Subject:
HALL: gatlinburg report-very long--
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 01:02:02 -0500
From: DAWN408@webtv.net (Stephen Pardue)
Hi Everyone--We just got back from Gatlinburg(A.K.A--City of Fiberglass). I will
drop off the phtos to be developed tomorow. Well let's start with what not to
do in Gatlinburg--stay far away from Dollywood it cost $65 for 2 tickets and they
only have a couple rides but they have a money back guarantee if you aren't satisfied
so we did get a refund. ok now what you should do in Gatlinburg--- Mysterious
Mansion--this is a huge old house with a great facade includung a skeleton wearing
a trenchcoat that walks out on a balcony and flashes you and a grim reaper that
waves at you from another balcony. upon entering into the lobby you see a large
winding staircase with the phantom of the opera leaning down at you and a small
gift shop with coffin shaped display cases. Buy you ticket ($4) and enter an old
parlor with dusty old antiqure furniture and a burning fireplace. Look to the
left at the bust of Vincent Price- He opens his eyes and begins a short speech
telling you the rules of the house, next you must find the secret passage out
of the room (pull the torch on the wall and the fireplace swings open.) Now you
begin a walk down a stone hallway lit with torches. Open the door at the end of
the hall and enter a circular room with 13 doors a voice tells you that one door
leads out and the rest lead to your death. Open a wrong door and get a blast of
air or witness a screaming monster. After finding the correct door you go down
a short hall and you are behind the parlor -look through the peepholes to see
the next victims waiting to enter. Now how to get out? Try pressing the bloody
handprints on the wall to open a secret door. Next you go down a long hall. A
long haired demon woman drops out of the ceiling at you. Go up a few steps and
another long hall. As you walk down it various alien pop up from behind windows
ending with an alien sleep chamber behind the last window. turn the corner and
go up some more steps and you are in a very small room with some amusing family
portraits. you used to be able to step out onto the balcony next to the flasher
skeleton but no longer can because of some sort of accident.(They wouldn't tell
me what happened) next you go up a few more steps and out over the main entrance
and into a hallway with bloody walls and a monster jumps at you. next you go down
a few steps into a very richly detailed egyptian tomb. there are a few surprises
that pop up behind windows and ends with a mummy surprise. next you go to a small
hallway with a balcony step out on the balcony d you notice you are on the 3rd
floor looking down at the ticket booth. suddenly the balcony breaks away from
the wall and tilts down towards the floor (this is very scary. the balcony falls
about a foot but is very high off the ground) next you must figure out how to
get out of the room. try opening that coffin leaning against the wall. it is a
doorway to the next room. You will see a black room with balloons on the wall
a clown bursts through the wall at you. Go down a few more dark hallways with
some pop up surprises in the windows and you enter a small room with a low ceiling
which is actually a spiderweb several large spiders drop down from high up onto
the web. next up is an laboratory complete with wiggling body parts on tables
and various bubbling potions. The Distortions Frankenstein goes into his program
and then bangs against the wall trying to escape. next go down a ramp turn the
corner and start down another ramp that uses a blacklight and a good paint job
to look just like stairs but there are no stairs just another ramp but very disorienting
trying to walk down stairs that are not there and a monster pops out on a balcony
and thrown a severed head at you on a bungee cord which goes back up to the balcony
(kind of like a yo-yo) next a few more dark halls with some window pop-ups and
a flying crank ghost made with a lab skeleton behind a hazy window so you can't
see the strings. turn the corner and you are in a really good cemetary and a rotted
corpse pops out of the mausoleum at you. go down another ramp and you are put
of the house. I got some good pictures. I also got a lights on tour. The buiding
is very cleverly constructed. It is 3 floors but uses lots of split levels to
make it seem like more. Everything is mostly behind glass windows and the only
rooms you can actually walk around in are the parlor and the cemetary. Be advised
only to go on weekends as sometimes during the week they have no actors and some
of the pressure pads to activate the effects are hard to find. Try taking someone
with you and walk side by side and you should step on all the pads. The mansion
is not on the main tourist strip but behind everything so be sure to stop at the
other gift shop they have on the main street and get easy walking directions.
thats all for this e-mail the next one will describe terror on the parkway, haunted
golf and earthquake Next stop on the tour is Terror on the Parkway. It is located
on the main strip in front of and above a fudge shop. 'The facade features a few
spooks hanging above the ticket booth and a bat that flys above an overhang on
a porch upstairs is a good example of why you should keep latex out of the sun.
Poor Freddy Kreuger has melted away to a blob and various heads that pop up over
the balcony have also melted away to latex blobs with hair.Buy a ticket ($4) and
wait outside for about 10 minutes for the next show. Enter and go up the stairs
to a large room with a parlor in the front and rows of pews to sit in towards
the back. The very bored ticket seller will come up the stairs and tell you not
to get up during the show and no photos (they actually took away my camera) next
the ticket seller closes the door and the show begins. the lights dim and in the
mirror above the fireplace a face appears and begins to tell you a story about
how everything in the room is from a real haunted house and is possesed by demons.
next all lights go out and the voice tells you about strange events that happen
in the room. wind begins to blow and your seat start to shift then the light turn
back on very dim. A piece of chalk float to a chalkboard and writes "death"
next books fall offa shelf and float., some other thing float and the bookcase
crashes over. The light go off again and a glowing tamborine and horn float around
the room. The tamborine hit me in the head. then as the insturments fall to the
floor the lights come on again. the face in the mirror tells us that the spirits
are mad and we must remain seated or risk injury. the light go off again and all
the mirrors on the walls light up from behind with various spooks behind them.
then a glowing skeleton hand appears crawling on the floor, up the walls, over
your lap. My wife discovered that it was someone in a black robe manipulating
the hand when she kicked the person as the hand started to explore up the front
of her shirt. then the lights turn back on suddenly and the ghost vanishes. the
door opens and the ticket seller from downstairs tells you shows over as you get
up to leave a strobe turns on and the ghost appears in the middle of the room
with a chainsaw(????) and chases everyine out. The show was quite interesting
but is too much for kids because things grab you and move your seat in the darkness.
One little girl cried hysterically the entire show and we noticed had by the smell
going down the stairs behind her to leave they actually scared the you know what
out of her. I don't know how they did the effects or how the person operating
the tamborine and hand was able to hide so quickly when the lights were turning
on and off and got no answers from the ticket seller other than real ghosts are
on the loose inside. the show is ok but could get unsafe very quick if someone
tried to get up out of the seat in the dark or tried to hit the grabbing ghost.
next e-mail haunted golf and earthquake.
Next stop on our tour is Haunted Games and Golf located in Pigeon Forge another
tourist street 4 miles from Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge must be Laser Tag, Minature
golf, Go cart capitol of the world. I couldn't even begin to count just one after
the next. Haunted Golf is not easy to see with all the giant fiberglass things
trying to get your attention on the street so you will just have to drive slow.the
facade features a 2 story house with a giant fiberglass monster busting out of
the roof. Various characters lean out of the windows. It feature an arcade with
monster/horror video games, a go cart track that you can drive through a giant
skull, past a huge bug attacking some tourist dummies and a few smaller things.
a minature golf corse where you putt through a small 1 room haunted house, a cememtary,
a swamp monster, a horse drawn hearse and a few freaks. the weather and golf clubs
have not been kind to these poor joint compound and chicken wire covered with
concrete monsters. also on the second floor is a hauted house that no employees
so feel free to explore all you want. dont let the person at the ticket booth
see your camera(no pictures allowed) "sir,sir--you need to give me that camera""
upstairs is a small haunt featuring several flying crank ghosts and lots of simple
scenes in chicken wire covered boxes. they also have a modified ceiling fan. paint
it black, remove the blades, add 4 ft pvc black pvc pipe where the blades should
be and top them with shulls covered with gauze and instant flying ghosts. Also
all the effect were triggered by taking one of those outdoor motion detector fixtures
that hold 2 bulbs put a bulb in one side to light the scene and put one of those
adaptors that screw in a light fixture like a bulb but have an outlet on the end
and plug you motor into the adapter. when you walk by the motion detector the
light and motor turns on for about 30 seconds. The entire attraction was fairly
run down but it only costs like $6 to do everything and you can get lots of good
ideas on things that are simple enough that you could actually go home and make
them. so because of that I would rate this a don't miss attraction because it
is something that I could actually get ideas that i could actually make. Also
if you are really cheap you can walk through the miniature golf and go cart area
for free and just look then pay $2 and go through just the haunted house. next
e-mail earthquake, and i almost forgot about the Elvira attraction
next stop -- Elvira's Superstition---located next to cars of the stars minature
golf (see the munster mobile) The outside of the building features a very large
t-rex on the roof that leans over into the street and tries to eat tasty tourists.
The attraction is a moving seat type movie (think Star Tours at Disney) featuring
a ride through an old haunted mansion. The film is great but is not cheap at $7
for a 5 minute ride but do it anyway it's only money. Next we go to the World
of Illusions $6
outside features a genie in a bottle and R2-D2 performing a vanishing trick with
Princess Leah. Inside you will see about 15 different illusions all done by the
Pepper's Ghost method. Apparantly things break in this museum often so you may
see all 15 illusions or maybe none. 4 things were broke when we toured and don't
expect any sympathy from the ticket seller about it either, so enter at your own
risk of $6. Next is Earthquake the Ride presented by International Studios (-insert
sarcasm here- hmmm that sounds familiar I think there is some amusement park in
Orlando copying this idea) Anyway you get on a subway car (some patio chairs bolted
to some plywood) and the car moves out about 3 feet into a workshop that has a
gorilla in a cage. The walls shake and a headlight appears in some smoke. you
go forward a little more and the front of you car leans way to far over a hole
where an alligator pops out to far and hits your feet. (the ride has no seat belt
and we actually came out of our seat and had to hold on to to the wooden rail
in front of us to keep from falling on the alligator) the car backs up and returns
3 feet into the workshop where a pece of the ceiling falls and a bunch of rubber
spiders fall into your lap. some water sprays out of a broken pipe and then the
gorilla escapes and swings onto your car. then the ride is over. The whole ride
is very silly and not even safe (don't even ask me why this ride was ever even
allowed to open) The facade is very impressive but don't fall for this tourist
trap. Well thats the end of my report. look for the photos soon and if the report
bored you I'm sorry. Please feel free to e-mail m with any questions
Subject:
Re: HALL: swamp set
Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 08:27:13 -0400
From: Mark Jones <jomark@scs-nds.com>
Here's an easy to do swamp monster costume.
It requires access to Spanish Moss. Easy in the South, not so easy up North. Start
with a large, baggy clothing in a dark color. Get some cloth that matches and
make a "hood" that will cover head, neck and shoulders. Cut eye slits
and allow for breathing. Next, cover the entire thing with curtin hooks. The kind
that are sort-of S shaped with a Pin on one end. You now have a ready made place
to cover the monster in Spanish Moss. I'm sure you'll get some good scares if
you hide them amongst trees and then have them start moving when people get close.
Subject:
HALL: Chainsaw Solution (?)
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 12:41:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: coolghouls@iname.com
O.K....I thought of a chainsaw solution.
Actually, part of the thanks goes to JB. I adapted the idea from one of his books.
So you don't use a chainsaw in the haunt because it's a castle/victorian/cave/etc.
theme? Your patrons are upset because you don't have a chainsaw? Some angry patron
asks if you're even *trying* to be scary? People who hear these exchanges turn around
and walk away because you aren't providing the All Powerful Traditional King-of-the-Frenzy
Scares High Falutin' Chainsaw Guy Effect?
Here's what you do.
As the patrons exit your haunt and you stop them to do an exit poll (you DO use exit
polls, don't you?), ask them all the questions. What did you like? What didn't
you like? How would you like to see this improved? Yada yada yada?
When you get the one wise guy who doesn't understand that a medieval sorcerer themed
haunt doesn't have a use for a chainsaw asking "Hey! Where's the friggin chainsaw?!?",
you trigger the chainsaw sound effect. REAL loud. From behind. With big speakers. Say in a real macho tone: "I got your friggin chainsaw right here!"
Hand the louse a Depends undergarment imprinted with the name and logo of your haunt
and tell him to have a nice day...
Evil Doc Stu
coolghouls@iname.com
Subject:
Re: HALL: keeping the "HAUNT" in haunted house - long
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 20:14:30 EDT
From: SMessin983@aol.com
<< This year I would like to keep my haunted house strictly under the "haunted"
category. This means no swamps, indoor graveyards, and such.
The overall theme of the house is that it is actually haunted. Tours are mostly
self-guided with an occassional pause for a scene. Spirits, spiderwebs, candlelight,
and ghostly figures should be the main focus of this years haunt. Any pre-halloween
ideas on keeping with this theme?? I am going to try the FCG and a couple of air-actuators
as well. I unchain the doors in one week to vacate the hiding homeless from the
house. >> Ok, here's an idea i had when I should have been working.
The back story: An old magician falls in love with a beautiful girl. However she
does not return his advances. One night he kidnaps her and takes her away to his
house. Rather than give in to this horrible man, she commits suicide. In a fit
of despair, the magician consults some old books and calls on the dark powers
to bring her back to life. No one ever saw the magician or the girl again. When
the townspeople broke into the house the next day, they encountered many strange
manifestations. They barricaded the doors and windows and no one ever goes there.
Until.... now!!
This haunt would be your basic haunted house. Patrons would be led through the
house by a guide. I don't have all of the effects planned out. A consistent theme
is the old magician appearing in mirrors, and his voice swirling around the rooms
(via several synchronized speakers) demanding that everyone 'Get out!'.
One main room would be the library. The patrons enter. The walls are filled with
bookcases and books. A round table with 2 chairs sits in one corner. A fireplace
is in one wall, with a huge mirror above it.
Suddenly the chairs pull back from the table (fishing line). The table begins
to vibrate and move across the floor (motor attached under the tabletop, with
an off-center weight). The magicians voice swirls around the room (4 speakers
in the corner of the room, synchronized) telling everyone to get out. Books fly
out from the bookcases (pneumatic or springs or something). A fire flares up in
the fireplace (scrim cloth and orange lights). The magician appears in the mirror
above the fireplace (a two way mirror made with plexiglass and auto window tinting)
and delivers some short speech about being trapped in this other dimension behind
the mirror, and that he will pull you in with him (I imagine he would be a man
with wild gray/blonde hair, dressed in the old Victorian style or something.)
The magician appears in several mirrors throughout the haunt, warning and taunting
patrons.
Insert other 'haunted' effects here.
Later the patrons stumble across the old desiccated body of the girl, hidden in
some secret passageway. Then the girl appears in a mirror, begging for help to
be released. She gives a short speech about being trapped behind the mirror, forever
avoiding the magician. She wants to be released into the 'light'.
The haunt ends in a secret dungeon. The walls are stone. An ornate full- length
mirror stands in one corner of the room. in the center is a round table with something
in the middle (a crystal ball or something more interesting). The guide suggests
that everyone join hands around the table and concentrate on releasing the magician
and the girl (hey i know it's hokey. I just made this up). The lights dim. The
magicians voice booms "Stop! what are you doing!?" He appears in the
mirror. The room begins to rumble (bass speakers). Light appears between the cracks
in the stone walls. The magician's form begins to recede, as if he were being
pulled away. Suddenly the lights go out and the magician lets out a long howl
that fades away as you hear the sound of glass breaking. When the light comes
up, the mirror is shattered. You can see the wood backing, and shards litter the
floor (You have another mirror that is shattered; it slides in front of the intact
mirror within the frame. A small thin section of the wall under the mirror flips
down to lay flat against the floor. The part facing up is painted to look like
the floor. If the floor is a patterned rug or such, use the patterns to help disguise
the edges of the section. Shards of the mirror are glued to this section). The
girls voice swirls throughout the room "I'm Free! Thank you!" before
fading away.
The patrons exit the room. As the guide shows them the exit to the haunt, the
magician comes though a large mirror and pulls him through it (I have no idea
how to do this!). His amplified laughter echos over the guides screams for the
patrons to save themselves. The patrons hurry out the door. Whew! I don't expect
that this would all work. It may require too many people to reset the effects
and be the guides.
Scott Messinger
Subject:
Re: HALL: Pumpkin in London -BANTER
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 20:33:39 EDT
From: SMessin983@aol.com
In a message dated 98-06-04 07:54:55 EDT, you write:
<< If I rememeber, it was themed as if you were getting to tour 'the company's'
research station as a stockholder, and getting to see some of its newest 'products',
one of which were some rather large eggs...
Before you could get to the alien eggs, alarms go off, and the soldiers escorting
you hear radio reports of escaped aliens. >> This must be where I got one
of my unrealized haunted house ideas.
I had an idea where the patrons were getting a tour of a scientific facility.
The idea was that they created 'windows' into other dimensions and times, that
you could look through. But the things on the other sides couldnt see you. I imagine
the windows would look something like the entrances to the brig on Star Trek;
large light bars framing an opening as if indicating some kind of force field.
The idea is that alarms go off and you find out the experiments are getting out
of control. Things are starting to come through the windows and invade the complex.
As you make your way though the complex, you see the scenes are starting to take
over each room.
The great thing about this is you can create a lot of unrelated scenes, and tie
them together with this back story. You can go from space aliens, to frankenstiens
monster, to the swamp thing, to ghosts, to jack the ripper, etc. Other inflluences
for this idea were the movies 'My Science Project' and "Wax Museum 2".
Scott Messinger
Subject:
HALL: The Frighteners/Living Wall
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 17:51:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: coolghouls@iname.com
Ever since I saw The Frighteners a few months back, I have tried to figure out how
to adapt the "thing in the wall/floor/ceiling" concept to a haunt.
I knew the idea would be something along the lines of the living wall latex sheets,
but always felt that the concept of pushing a solid object against one side to create
a 3D image on the other was somewhat limiting.
So here's what I came up with.
What if you had a track mounted behind a wall, underneath a floor, or above a ceiling...something
along the lines of a garage door track is what my simpleton mind is dreaming here.
So you mount an object to slide up and down the track and the object pushes against the covering (living wall sheets, or a carpet, perhaps) to recreate the
concept that they used in The Frighteners.
Using this technique, you can have the hidden spirit moving the length of the room
and the customers see something more than just a static 3D pop-out image. You can
add the more detailed 3D pop-out to add something to the scene (the moving "spirit"
would be more like a moving lump, if you will) which should be a nice touch.
You could even use this concept with a wooden plank floor. You would need to either
pre-cut the planks to appear broken as the spirit moved under the floor, or even
use loose planks (anchored to fall back into place as the spirit continued on its
way). The secret here would be to make sure the planks fall back into place - as if nothing
had passed beneath them.
Like I said, all I can imagine is a garage door track. But I just *know* that all
you engineering wizards out there can tell me how to create this scene a better way...
;)
Evil Doc Stu
coolghouls@iname.com
Subject:
HALL: Rose's Baby / Alice's Room
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 12:34:47 PDT
From: "Mike Tucker" >On Mon, 8 Jun 1998, mmarcrum wrote:
>
>> One of the rooms we are talking about having is a childs room.
>>> ......A baby carriage lit with a red bulb so it has a Rosemarys
>> baby feeling........
>
>Hi Kathy,
>How about a "mobile" above the baby carriage with rats, bats, and
>spiders dangling from it.
>
> JD
>jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
One year we had Alice's Room in our haunt. This room was a bedroom that
included a bed, a dresser & mirror, a lamp, and several young girls toys.
Every thing was dusted with spider webs, even the pink curtains. As you approach
the closed door to enter, the words "Alice's Room" are written with
her finger in dripping blood. As you enter, you see the dim lamp and places on
the wall where she has written her name (like a child would write on the wall.)
After everyone gets in the room, the door slams (spring loaded). A hidden blacklight
reveals a few glowing eyes on the dolls. The crowd was told never to say her name
out loud. Well of course they do. The lights begin to dim, and Alice's face appears
in the dresser mirror. The dresser drawers also move in and out, as well as the
dolls moving. Immediately following, the lights go out, and a strobe comes on
revealing the faceless Alice running across the room (a part played by an actors
child wearing an old night gown and long haired wig).
The catch is, you must circulate the bogus story (about Alice)around in line first.
Get creative and make someting up about her actualy dying in the house. It was
so belivable, we had guests coming through the next asking "where is Alice?"
Subject:
Re: HALL: Rose's Baby / Alice's Room
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 19:13:50 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Fri, 12 Jun 1998, Mike Tucker wrote:
> One year we had Alice's Room in our haunt. This room was a bedroom that
> included a bed, a dresser & mirror, a lamp, and several young girls
> toys.....
And
> The lights begin to dim, and Alice's face appears in the
> dresser mirror.
Hi Mike,
Cool scene! Do you wan't too resurrect "Alice" again? How about this....
The guests enter Alice's room.. to the right is a wall with a small dresser with
a window above with the curtains drawn, to the left is a window with the curtains
open. Once in the room, the guests here Alice's voice from outside the window
on the left... "Help me! I'm out here.. OUT HERE!!" The guests go to
the window and outside all they see is a small outdoor scene (doesn't have to
be much) but no one is there. Suddenly there is a crack of lightning and thunder
and then the outdoor scene goes black. It's at this point that your guests suddenly
realize they are not looking through a window *but* at a mirror. Of course they
will now see their own images but also the reflection of "Alice" hovering
behind them with a bloody knife........
Ok if it isn't already obvious the window is actually a two-way mirror.The outside
of it is lit before they enter the room so they shouldn't realize it. As the guests
are distracted Alice sneaks through the curtains of the window on the opposite
end of the room and steps onto the small dresser which will help elevate her above
the guests own reflections in the mirror.
JD
jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Re: HALL: Rose's Baby / Alice's Room
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 19:53:21 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Fri, 12 Jun 1998, John Dolan wrote:
> Suddenly there is a crack of lightning and thunder
> and then the outdoor scene goes black.......
#@?*!, I forgot to mention that the whole reason for the thunder effect was that
you aim the strobe (or floodlight) at the guests to momentarily blind them which
should help "Alice" sneak into position unnoticed (hopefully).
And while I'm at it I ought to earn some endorsement money... ;-) The thunder
and lightning effect and 2 way acrylic mirrors can be ordered through Denny. That's
all the hi-tech gadgets you should need for this scene as the "Alice"
actress can shut of the lights to the "outdoor scene" herself by positioning
a switch near her location. JD
jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
HALL: Alice's room mirrors
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 08:52:26 PDT
From: "Mike Tucker" In response to the mirror, I used the simple two
way effect. The glass
is 2 1/2 ft x 2 1/2 ft and 1/4 inch thick. It cost me about $30.00. It is tinted
with mirrored (silver)car window tint. A local tint shop gave me the scrap tint
for free, and I applied it myself (easy). The lamp on the dresser is dimmed in
conjunction with the small spotlight behind the glass (with Alice). The effect
is great! We painted the area behind the glass black to allow Alice to stand out
better. The mirror gag is an old trick that works good and can be applied to a
lot of different effects.
Mike Tucker
Subject:
HALL: The story of Marlow.
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 19:15:26 EDT
From: blissg3@juno.com (Ganymede X)
I mean "circus" as a term meanning something that entertains people
(ie: small play, skit, freak show). It really isn't a CIRCUS circus (lion tamers,
trampolines, and human cannonballs).
Although.................... Anyway, my "circus" is a choreographed
fencing bout between the young Marlow (me), and his best friend. His best friend
wants to kill him because he (Marlow) has gone insane and killed his parents.
He thinks that it would be better if he killed him, than if he were to be hanged
at the gallows (This was a long time ago, thus explains the fencing with sabers).
Eventually, Marlow kills his friend. He saves his friends body for reasons undiscovered
until he is found in the cellar of the castle in which he resides. He had attempted
transfuse his blood with his friends blood. The reason is that he believed that
his blood was possessed. He was hung three days after his discovery. One year
and 301 days later, he rose from the dead for mysterious reasons (some say it
was the impure blood of his friend), looking for people to kill. He finishes his
machine to switch blood and goes on to wipes out three entire towns, tacking all
the blood. The blood has let him survive for ages. Now, his supply has run out,
and he has begun to look for more blood. Marlow is often called a vampire, but
he is not. Most of this story is explained in a short skit outside of the HH.
The rest is explained by the tour guide as you go through the HH.
-Ganymede X
>8^(
In response to Christopher:
<<<<Please give us some details on your Circus it sounds interesting.>>>>
Subject:
Re: HALL: Sargasso Sea Theme
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 21:06:18 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
This one is so obvious, someone HAS GOT TO HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE! Instead of building
rooms for your haunted house, you instead build shipwrcks, (using ships from every
era from the spanish main to the Titanic, and perhaps even present day yachts)
and small island-like platforms. These set pieces are NOT connected in any way
as of yet. Once these are finished, you create hallways that guide the patrons
from one "room" to another by draping cammo net, plastic vines and spanish
moss everywhere.....
Customers would enter via a huge ballroom of a wrecked liner, move to the steerage
area and enter the "Sargasso Sea" by way of a hole in the side of the
hull. The advantage here is, they can look out, and see all the various ships
trapped in the choking vines...(much as you might look over an entire haunted
house from a security crow's nest) The more I think about this idea, the more
I like it! > support poles for wide open retail spaces can be disguised as
"masts" of the ships.
> You can have Skeleton Crews manning pirate ships.
> Natzis can be trapped aboard a Wolf Sub...
> "Crab Monsters"
> "Sea Monsters"
> "Octopus tentacles"
> Multi armed Zanzabarbarian shark-women and their exploding wigs of Death!"
In addition, I think it would cut down the expense of having to build walls to
create the connecting hallways..... Plus, you gatta admit, it gives the whole
thing a better atmosphere than "just another haunted house".... Just
a thought.
Joe
"DiaboliCo"
Subject:
Re: HALL: reference for "Sargasso Sea Theme"
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 23:13:10 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Just a few video, and book ref's for the theme I was talking about...
> "The Lost Continent" (Hammer, 1968)
> "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" 1992, Terry Gilliam (Giant
fish
sequence)
> Jonny Quest "The Lizardmen" (pilot episode) A sargasso sea of wrecked
ships,
oddly just off the Florida Coast, is the setting for espionage using a futuristic
device called "a LASER beam"! Lol! > Jonny Quest "Visitor From
Below" episode where the quest team finds a frieghter adrift with only the
chineese cook still aboard, hinding from a sea monster....excellent!
Books:
"Myths of the Sea"
"Great Tales of the Mariners"
"Monsters of Loch Ness"
"Encyclopedia of Monsters" (ref chapters on sea monsters)
Subject:
Re: HALL: "Sargasso Sea" theme
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 1998 11:33:39 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Hi Guys!
I tried posting this yesterday, but it didn't seem to go through. Forgive me if
this is a redundant post.
I had an idea for how to do a cost effective haunted house, which seems to allow
for much easier set up and operation. It does, however, require a very large space.
This idea seems so obvious, that I have a hard time believing no one has thought
of it before.
Instead of building hallways and rooms, you build a set of shipwrecks. Each of
the shattered hulls you make is a self-contained "room" of the haunt.
These ships can be built to look like pirate ships, luxury yachts, german submarines,
the Titanic, what have you... These ships would house ghostly skeleton crews,
barbaric survivors of the ships captured there decades and even centuries before.
In addition, you can create "islands" of craggy rocks
jutting up out of the floor, where various sea monsters and huge crabs may dwell...
Next, to control the crowd flow, you make "hallways" and other passive
barriers by draping cammo net, spanish moss and plastic vines everywhere.....
When finished, you have a "Sargasso Sea" of lost ships.
Patrons can enter via a "ballroom of a luxury liner, and enter the "Sea"
via a torpedo hole in the side of the ship....before they do, they get a sweeping
view over the entire house.....much as we do when building the haunt...
I think this could be very, very effective!
Joe
"DiaboliCo"
Subject:
HALL: A Narrow Walkway
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 18:02:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: coolghouls@iname.com
If you want to give your patrons the illusion of being caught on a perilously
narrow walkway, line the sides of the walkway with infinity mirrors mounted in
the floor. You'll need a lot to get the best effect, and two-way can be expensive,
but the illusion would be a winner!
Evil Doc Stu
coolghouls@iname.com
Subject:
Re: HALL:the cheapass, never fail room....
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 20:18:42 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Guys.
We seem to be letting the room slide away from it's main purpose, which is the
exchange of haunted house/halloween designs and activities. To the end of getting
back on track, I suggest this new thread....what designs have you had to come
up with for a room, when whatever you had planned got trashed by lack of budget,
inspectors, or other problems?
Here's one that worked so well, we've kept it for several years: IT CAME FROM
THE CAMMO NET!!!!
The patrons enter from one side of the room, and see a room that is bare except
the walls are draped in cammo net, and a coffin is propped up at an angle in the
center of the room.....
Naturally, they assume the scare is going to come from the box, so they move through
the room hugging the walls.... Suddenly, "The Cammo Net Creature"
steps out from the wall, and groans at them, showing a glowing mouth.....(one
of those clyume stick mouthpieces)
This room was a throw together out od leftover props at the last minute....byt
on surveys, it was one of our most popular "you got me with that one!"
rooms.....we've since embelished it with a "chatter box" for the performer,
and a couple of gnarled hand gloves.....
Subject:
Re: HALL:the cheapass, never fail room....
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 23:55:48 -0400
From: "leonard.pickel" <leonard.pickel@mci2000.com>
Great topic Joe :)
>I suggest this new thread....what designs have you
>had to come up with for a room, when whatever you had planned got trashed
by
>lack of budget, inspectors, or other problems? Like lack of time !
Here is my story about this very thing!
It seemed that every year there was one room in the house that was put off until
last. It was complicated, or not well thought out, or no one liked it, something,
but it happen every year.
The year was 1988, and someone came up with a room design that had a live actor
drowning in a water bed. (Hey this was a long time ago :) Opening day loomed and
it just wasn't happening!
I was watching TV and a commercial came on with a guy raiding the icebox late
at night. The room was black, he flung open the door, which flooded the room with
light, and I thought; if someone was behind the frige when the guy opened the
door that someone could REALLY scare that guy! So we found an abandoned refrigerator,
just like the one in the commercial and blocked open the door slightly. Then built
a plywood box and painted it to look like a kitchen cabinet. One single light
in the lower section of the frige and a hole in the wall behind it for the actor.
No more no less! >From the git go, this room was the most effective in the
house that year! People would enter the room, open the frige to find a pizza with
a real rat skeleton on it, say 'ooh' and the actor would pop out and ask "DO
YOU WANT
SOME PIZZA?"
I have never, before or since, had as much trouble keeping a wall in place as
I did in that room that year!
NOW HERE IS THE KICKER!
I tried several times in the following 4 years to duplicate this scare, and it
just does not work! Even with the same frige and the same cabinet..... and same
rat.
The problem seems to be that no one will open the frige, they just scurry on by!
WHICH, decreases the effectiveness of the room substantially! Whatever it was
that made them open the door that one year is lost to me, and I have not been
able to reproduce it!
To this day, I still use a kitchen in my shows, as a tribute to this long lost
friend, hoping someday I can figure out the key and make it work again! It is
amazing to me how fragile the 'scare' really is! Sometimes I think twice about
changing the color of a gel :^{
Leonard
Subject:
Re: HALL:the cheapass, never fail room....
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 00:50:32 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
I've got an el cheapo I'll throw out. It's called the drop wall (probably everyone
has it already but...).
We have used it in several scenes but the most effective was this: We had a serial
killer's living room scene that people would walk through. It was full of distractions
including a head in a fish tank, an pleading, bloodied actress on the bottom of
a huge pile of body parts, and a door across the room that was shaking as if someone
was trying to get in. Anyway, the room could have been anything, as I said it
was just a distraction.
As everyone went through the room, they hugged the black non-discrepit wall behind
them, thinking that the scare was coming from the shaking door across the room.
Anyway, the top half of the wall behind them drops down behind the lower half.
Very fast and very loud. Behind it, of course is the monster, who is standing
on a platform to make him stand slightly over the crowd.
Everyone hit the floor in that scene. There was no where else for them to go,
they were practically standing on the monster and didn't know it. It seems no
one ever pays attention to a plain black wall, since there's so many of them anyway.
Anyway, the room or distractor could be anything and the drop wall is a very cheap
and effective scare to build.
Dwayne
Louisiana Nightmares
Subject:
Re: HALL:the cheapass, never fail room....
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 1998 01:03:00 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
Bad Haunting wrote:
>
> How did you build the wall? How did it work to slide behind the bottom
> half? I was thinking of doing a room with a opening wall but was
> looking for the best way to do that. Any help wold be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> BADHAUNTING
>
OK, very simple to build, kinda hard to explain...
Basically, this is just a sliding door with a pin to drop it quickly. Make the
door slightly larger than the hole (if the hole is 3.5 ft x 3.5 ft, then make
the door 3.6 ft x 3.6 ft) that way it won't fall out. Then make a vertical track
by first blocking the door piece in with 2x4s on each side and the top (with enough
play in it to keep it from jamming). Then to keep it from falling back, screw
1x2s onto the two side 2x4s. With alittle adjustment it will fall easily and stay
in the track. Add a handle in the middle, a small hole to see through, and a wooden
pin to one side to jam it in the up position. That way all you have to do is pull
the pin. If you are on wooden floors it is very loud when it drops and 95% of
the people automatically hit the floor.
The smaller the wall, the easier for the actor to pick up a thousand times (although
the scene I described had one that was 8 foot wide and required 2 people to lift).
The the heavier it is, the louder noise it makes when it drops....
Make sure you have a distraction or misdirection opposite the drop wall and no
one will ever think to examine the plain black wall.
Hope this helps,
Dwayne
Louisiana Nightmares
Subject:
HALL: Re: Haunt
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 13:41:43 -0500
From: "Rick Schnetzler" <rschnet@ctllc.com>
i'm also creating a story on this place- i'll let you guys know when it's done
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Schnetzler <rschnet@ctllc.com>
Subject:
Haunt
Fellow haunters,
hi again, I'd just like to describe my haunt and if anyone has any ideas for it,
PLMK.
it starts as a group of five people (accompanied by a cast member, who leads them
through) enter the front door, as they step in, a hidden pressure pad on the floor
activates a chandelier which falls, rocks back and forth w\lights flickering,
then raises itself. (I got this idea from Allen's Halloween page) at the first
turn, cast members jump out and scare customers, (the cast members are hidden
in a side room, see floorplan; hidden spooks) next, the customers walk into a
Vampire crypt, complete with vampire!!!, after this, they venture onwards, passing
a graveyard w/3 grave jumpers. meanwhile on their left, it looks like deceased
people are trying to get out of the wall, (this is a basic living wall effect)
when another cast member jumps out and scares them again! Next they venture on
into the witch's cauldron, inside they see a witch, with her mixing pot and all,
adding ingredients into her pot, the guests then turn around and head down the
second corridor, filled with strobe lights, and to their left they see a phantom
(me) playing Midnight sonata at an Organ in mask and cape, after this, the cast
member leading them opens up a door, which leads them down into the basement,
that looks like a construction site underground, with power transformers and all.
sparks fly and it goes dark, too dark. all of the sudden , they hear an evil laugh,
and a scream. the lights go up below. one of the guests is missing. the group
still ventures onwards, upstairs and enters the final room, which is a mad doctors
lab, apparently, he is just getting finished with a patient.(or should I say,
finishing the patient, heheh). on the left wall, is a rack full of candles and
skulls and body parts floating in jars. the guests are then led out through the
back hallway, where their fee is collected, and, for children, they receive candy.and
leave.
side notes:
this haunt took only 4 nights to set up, it was done in an old school building
located in thayer, IL. we had a cast of 12 people, excluding me. the rooms were
my design, and i think we did pretty good for our fourth year.
-Rick
Subject:
HALL: The Television in the Family Room.
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 21:13:49 EDT
From: blissg3@juno.com (Ganymede X)
On Fri, 19 Jun 1998 00:34:55 -0400 "leonard.pickel"
<leonard.pickel@mci2000.com> writes:
>Harry wrote:
>>(Leonard on the refrigerator scare)
>>Think context. What rooms were before,
>
>A television room with a couch and a TV with broken tube, (two popcorn
>strobes inside) No scare!
>
Here is a cool effect I just thought of. You walk into a normal family room, it
seems that it has been robbed. The light fixtures are on the floor, the furniture
was knocked over. The only light is that of a television in the center of the
room. It is playing a news brodcast of the robbery. You hear the reporter say,
"at least one is dead, and three other hurt in this gruesome robbery / attack
by a man known only know as MARLOW, though some now call him MARLOW THE CUTTER.
They then break to a live picture of the patrons inside of the same room, as the
reporter says, unknowingly, "The whole house was left in shambles" he
finally sees the people watching the TV in the room. "Hey, get those people
out of there!!! It's dangerous!!" The screen then fuzzes up and you hear
the reporter scream. While the patrons are looking intently at the screen, it
suddenly reveals a dismembered head (you can tell that i have a thing for these)
inside of the television. Just then, MARLOW jumps out and kills a fake patron
as the rest flee in terror.
I know that it is complicated, but I think that with just the right amount of
planning, it would be the highlight of the haunt. Maybe a video projector could
be used on the TV, and the glass on the TV would be double sided or something.
And the actuall live footage of the inside of the house would be a stragetically
placed security camera. Man, the more I think of it, the better it sounds.
PLEASE RESPOND, OR GIVE ME SOME IDEAS / CRITISISM.
-Ganymede X
>8^(
Subject:
Re: HALL: Flexing door", now just long
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 19:15:02 -0800
From: milwiron@btprod.com
At 07:22 PM 6/19/98 -0500, you wrote:
>If you mixed
>some colorant (say white) into the latex when you started
>and then finished it off with a clear gloss finish (for
>latex masks), I'm imagining you would end up with a look
>of a gloss paint finish. Denny? John J.? Jerry? Anyone?
Hey JD,
For home brewing you can get a fairly decent gloss stretchy paint by mixing Latex
Gloss Enamel paint (slowly) into your slip casting or dipping latex. Experiment
in small batches with the ratios, but 20% paint by volume would be a good starting
point. Too much paint and it won't stretch. >Lastly (as if this wasn't long
enough), what I would really >like is a stained finish because the painted
look would >be sorta out of place for my flats that are already made. >So
I'm wondering if a water based stain would work? I have >no idea what the binders(if
that's the right term?) are in >them and if they have any "flex"
at all. Or might a latex >gloss finish on top help improve it from cracking?
If the stain truly soaks into the latex I doubt if you'll see any cracking. If
it sits on the surface clear won't help. Be sure the stain contains no petroleum
products.
How about "wood graining" with brown and tan mask paint or paint mixed
from Latex Gloss Enamels (outdoor house paint) and latex like I mentioned above?
Or here's a weekend project-
If you've got a ton of latex on hand (2 gallons of mold latex), pull a thick latex
and Spandex skin off a real paneled door. Most people would never notice the skin
latex "door" is a reversed image since panel doors come in such a large
variety of styles.
Denny
Subject:
Re: HALL: Star Tunnel
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 10:43:29 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
The Haunted1 wrote:
>
> Do you still have the plans for the tunnel?
>
> Eugene R Vanaman
> PhotoRays Digital Publishing
> ICQ # 4115395
> http://www.thegrid.net/thehaunted_1/
> (Please note the underscore.)
>
We never had plans. We just looked at others, took a few pictures and then sat
down and discussed how to do it. I have a VERY talented welder who can make anything.
He first made a custom table to bend the square tubing (it had a ring on it which
he would pull the tubing around slowly while heating it. Anyway he made 4 rings
4 ft wide and 10' tall. In between each ring is heavy wire mesh. These rings all
bolt together. He made a large metal base and a bridge out of metal I-beams. 2
wheels on each side cup the tunnel and a set of drive wells underneath (connected
to an axle and driven with a large electric motor and a lawn mower transmission
(to adjust the speed).
Four 4-ft blacklights (from Lowes), two on each side of the bridge. For the fabric
I used 8 king-sized black sheets from walmart (turned out to be the perfect material)
which was sewn together. We wired the fabric in easily. Then, as it was moving,
I took a paint brush and splattered wildfire paint inside the fabric. It turned
out perfect!
It is all disassembled now or I could have got you a picture. It will be up in
late September at LSU in Baton Rouge. Hope this helps,
Dwayne
Subject:
HALL: Psychic Ghost Theatre: Review
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 07:41:00 EDT
From: Pulpscrypt@aol.com
This past weekend I had the opportunity to be in Maryland to experience the Psychic
Ghost Theatre. A combination magic show/seance. It's a bit pricey at $40 per person,
but does provide a full evening (over two hours) of entertainment.
There was mind reading and card tricks, levitation and spirit cabinet. Most of
the illusions and magic was well performed (I have a slight background in magic
as a hobby), but for fans of the list, you'd want to see the third portion of
the show... The Seance.
An interesting experience and one I'm sure you'd get a kick out of. Susan (the
medium) explained about her "Shining" (I guess Stephen King won't mind!)
and her spirit guide, "Rachael" who was horribly murdered. The she showed
us some haunted artifacts (a silver knife, book of poetry and doll
baby).
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
Before you know it, the room is plunged into almost complete darkness and the
haunted baby doll is scurrying amid the guests with the big silver knife! You
get brief glimpses of the doll as it moves toward the group. I happened to be
in the front row and was startled to see the doll on a table right in front of
me during one slow strobe moment! I swear it jumped right off the table at me!
Lucky for us, Susan contacts her spirit guide, who floats in to protect us (two
very interesting effects allow you to see and "feel" her presence, and
the evil doll is defeated.
If you're in the Wheaton Maryland area and have a spare evening, you could do
worse then to spend it at the Psychic Ghost Theatre. The admission is a bit steep,
but the evening was very "magical". They have a web page too: www.psychicghosttheatre.com
301-946-2882
All in all, a cool weekend. Plus, I got to visit the Star Wars exhibit at the
Smithstonian!
Dave
Subject:
Re: HALL: Odd ideas in the middle of the night.....
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 13:09:35 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Dies & ghouls,
Here are a few ideas that have been occurring to me, usually when I'm getting
ready to drop off to sleep....(just before the "Greys" show up to check
on my implant) If any of these are usable, please feel free...
One simple idea would be to have a pumpkin patch that looks absolutely normal
as you approached, but when you trip the IR switch, the mellons begin to break
open, hatching little baby deamons..... (or it could be done via puppetry, or
a combo of both)
Another simple, but effective, scare was suggested in a sequence that was dropped
from "Ghost Story" (Cinifantastique, 1981) Where a woman has a long
wig draped over the front of her face. She approaches the customers and does a
"flip back" of the hair to reveal that she has no mouth, but a huge
gaping maw lined with razor sharp teeth.
I've always loved the bit they did in the "War of the Worlds" TV show,
where one of the martians would attack someone. A suckered hand would reach out
of the chest of their host to clutch at the throat of their next victim. There
has to be a way of doing this with a fake arm and maybe a shoulder/chest prosthetic.
This one's a bit strange....anyone ever think of a haunted used car lot? I just
had this vision of a VW opening it's front lid, with a bunch of spikey, Tyrannosaurus-style
teeth inside.... a salesman that looks more like Beetleguse....and a contract
that is written in blood.....it would be great for a bit of humor...
Also saw a Shel Silverstien cartoon about a carniverous TV...Someone would sit
down, start to watch, when the screen goes "static" They get up to adjust
the set, getting closer....the TV antennae shoot out like tentacles and the front
of the TV opens to reveal a snarling mouth.....after feeding, the TV would return
to normal.....someone would sit down, and the screen goes to static again.....
Is it true that the roots of trees in graveyards take on the shape of the corpses?
Read a great bit about a "premature burial" alarm....there's a knob
inside the casket. If you get buried alive, you pull it, and it rings a bell...
It might make a nice touch in a graveyard scene...
Joe
"DiaboliCo"
Subject:
HALL: RC rats and heads
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 18:11:31 EDT
From: blissg3@juno.com (Ganymede X)
I have a similar idea. I think that I just might mount a dismembered head on top
of my small remote controlled car. It's going to talk and all that stuff. I'll
use it when people start to line-jump (a problem for me). When they get out of
the line to go further up, VRRRROOOOOMMMMM, that thing would come out of nowhere
and make them jump back into their origional spot. Twisted, but funny.
-Ganymede X
Subject:
Re: HALL: more thoughts in the middle of the night....
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 12:42:56 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Guys,
I really need to get some sleeping pills or something....this is getting out of
hand. Had a great idea for a variation of the "Pepper's ghost" where
a person has their skin melt into a puddle on the floor, which then begins to
move toward the audiance.....I imagine this as being a mad science scene, the
glass of the "trasmorgification chamber" being the 45 degree glass.
The crawling skin would be a puppet made from left over latex, bubble wrap, etc.
Later on in the house, this same "blob" creature could be seen attacking
another actor.
While going through a book of Dante's Inferno, illustrated by Dore', I came across
a great etching of the damned chained into pits of burning sulfur, writhing in
agony. Easy enough to do. A raised floor, some lights underneath and a smoke machine...
you could probably get away with dummies, if you had something pushing on them
now and then. Make a great Devil to oversee the proceedings, and you have a bang
up room.
A variation of the falling wall: rig a set of shelves to collapse, with a set
of tin cans and other loud objects setting on them. Not only will the noise make
them jump, but you could have someone in the cast dress in a security shirt and
tell them, "You're gonna pay for that!"
I remember a great scene from the Chicago production of Dracula about 20 years
ago. It was the climactic "staking" scene. They had built his coffin
onto an inclined pedestal (about 45 degrees) and had a shaft of light holding
him there. I caused deep shadows as well. The vampire hunters came in and rammed
the stake home. The vampire then screamed into a huge PA system,equipped with
an echo chamber, and tilted back into the darkness of the coffin/pedestal, while
triggering the smoke machine....the effect was of him crumbling into dusts with
an earth shattering howl. Very cool, and highly effective. Would building a reproduction
of Hiroshima, complete with "walking wounded" be too otre'?
One thing that we do plan on doing this year: building really fun photo ops of
people with rotted corpse bodies coming out of graves....a "head on a sword"
chair and maybe a guillotine/ head in a basket diorama... (too fun!)
Joe
"DiaboliCo"
Subject:
HALL: RE:The lamest house I've ever been to....
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 12:15:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Incubus and Spidella
Joe,
I guess that this is a touchy subject because we might offend someone that worked
in one of these places, ah what the hell...
The worst thing that I have ever seen was very similar to the place that Joe talked
about. It is the most publicized place in the Pittsburgh area and it was (in my
opinion) and over-priced rip-off that was only there to make money.
In addition to some "actual movie props" (big deal, most were boring)and
some fog machines, they had a seance room. I figured that this was perfect for
me so I waited to go in.
We entered a large tent where there were a series of long tables set up in rows.
It looked like a room that was ready for a bingo game (being raised a "good
catholic boy," I know what a bingo looks like). We sat in this brightly colored
room at these firehall-type tables for several minutes. Then a guy in gorilla
suit ran through and banged on the tables and ran out. No effects, no medium,
no nothing, end of seance. All this was ours for a mere $10.00. What a bargain.
I won't even bother to tell you about the loser in the other gorilla suit that
slid under the wheels of the "hayride" and got his leg run over. It
least it was a great comedy.
Remember, when the "big boys" in Pittsburgh try to sue me for saying
how much of a rip-off their dump is, it was just my opinion.
Incubus
Subject:
HALL: Disappointed
Date: Sat, 4 Jul 1998 15:58:52 +0100
From: "Diane and John Kochefko"
I just came back from the local 4th of July celebration, which included a carnival.
There was a "crooked house" and a "ghost train." I went on
the ghost train, which featured skull-shaped carts. Hubby and I got in, paid one
pound (about $1.70), and away we went. As we entered the dark, we got sprinkled
with water. I laughed, anticipating a series of cheesy "boos." We went
along in the dark, turned a corner and began up the incline. No decorations at
this point. At the top of the incline, we could see a kid, about 10 years old,
with a squirt bottle. He squirted us as we approached, and again as we turned
the corner and left him. This corridor had a blacklight and a couple of ghosts
painted on the right-hand wall. Turned a corner, went down a decline (no art),
and at the bottom the kid squirted us again. Then we were out of the "haunt."
Deja vu, anyone??? Anyhow, I went alone into the crooked house, which was pretty
neat, sort of. It was meant for children, but hey, money's money. It was garishly
painted in a smokey lavender, rose, primary yellow, primary blue, horrible "golf-course
polyester" green, and touches of white. As you walked in through the narrow,
open doorway to the left of the cashier's cage, you made a sharp right. There
was a pillar, which turned out to be the axis for the circular floor, which moved
when you walked on it (think of a turntable). In another doorway, down a short
hall with off-angled walls, and up the stairs. The stairs were very narrow, and
canted to the right about 35 degrees. Beyond the landing was a floor tilted to
the left a bit, then a short decline. Another landing and across a slat bridge.
The cargo net directly under the bridge functioned both as a safety device and
as hand rails, since the net came close to surrounding the bridge. The slats were
about 1 inch apart, held together by what looked like steel eye bolts, no links
between. The bridge was held to each landing by a very short series of links,
perhaps 3 on each side. Enough to make it wobble a lot, but it didn't take up
much room. Around the second landing was another set of stairs up. At the top
was a short hallway with an infinity mirror at the end. A turn, a short hallway
with an interesting feature: It was a wide hallway, and to the left, about two
feet off the ground, was a sort of crawlspace that looked like Swiss cheese. Mom
could pop the kid in it, the kid could crawl through or stick his hands out the
holes at mom. At the other end, mom takes the kid down, goes around the corner,
and there was a choice of sliding down to the first floor or walking down more
crooked steps, circular this time. I slid down.
At the end of the slide was a 2 inch wide wall of vinyl-covered foam rubber. A
walk across a floor with a center axle (as opposed to axis), which tilted like
a see-saw, and out the other side of the cashier's cage. It was the only fun thing.
You don't think it was boring because it was in Britain, do you? I mean, the war
did end two hundred years ago! Cheers, from Diane
Subject:
Re: HALL: HH Safety
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 1998 18:11:18 -0500
From: thehauntfactory@att.net (Oliver Holler)
Our muscle-conditioned Scott flexes:
>Apparently I am not very good at conveying my ideads through words.
Well, (re)actions do speak louder. . . ! :-) Just joking. -Don't hit me.
>they managed to actually SCARE me (momentarily) instead of mearly THRILL
>me. <snip> A good rule of thumbwould be to keep at least an arms length
>from the patrons unless you have a barrier (plexiglas,fence, etc) between
>you.
Would the same guy have scared you, or mearly thrilled you if he had been behind
chicken wire at arms length? And. . .what is arms length? I've seen some patrons
who had chronic knuckle-dragging conditions. . .
Anyway: I let patrons know that they will NOT be touched, and they will NOT touch
anyone inside, which would result in police charges being filed. What I DON'T
tell patrons, is what I tell my staff: "Tonight, there will be an @ss hole
who will try to hit you. We will tell him/her not to, but their simian 'instincts'
will prevail. Do NOT get hit! Stay a safe distance and be on guard! If you get
hit, you are not doing this properly! (I have found that this really puts them
on guard to protect themselves, while putting my mind at ease that no physical
contact will occur either way.)
I think it is wise to be selective with information. I believe certain information
should not be told to the general public. If patrons hear you saying 'If our monsters
get hit, it's their own fault', they will accept the challenge. Flame me, blame
me, but don't hit me. . .
Grim and Grinning,
Oliver
Subject:
HALL: haunt description. LONG
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 00:31:47 EDT
From: maynedelacroix@juno.com (SCOTT A WAGGONER)
This is a description of the HH my SCI-FI club put on a few years ago. They were
looking for a way to make money fior club expenses and they decided on doing a
HH since it was the end of summer and we had some time to prepare.
We rented two adjoined ballrooms in a Ramada Inn (the rooms had the retractable
wall which we opened about 5 feet to allow passage from one ballroom to the next.
I will describe the concept of the rooms and then the actual way the room came
out.
area 1 Graveyard
Concept
A graveyard with tombstones, leaves on the floor, a downed tree. Ghosts would
walk towards you and moan. This was not a startle just to funnel them to the other
end of the room to a hallway.
Actual
The volunteers we got to work this room was a obese couple that sat in chairs
in the costumes and moaned, not getting up but for food and bathroom breaks. Yes
this room was lame.
Area 2 dark hallway
Concept
A dark hallway with thread hanging to simulate cobwebs (the clasic)
Actual
The thread got replaced with xmas garland and the dark got replaced with a green
floodlight. That's what you get when you let people with no clue work on their
own. This part was more of an annoyance walking through and not the creepy sensation
they were hoping for.
Area 3 Jason scene
Concept
Turning right at the end of area 2 brings you to anotherr hallway. A murder scene
with broken police tape, chalk outline and another corse hacked to peices next
to the wall as your turn the U-turn at the other end of this hall, man in hocky
mask comes out from secret area on the side of the U-turn.
Actual
The original person doing this the first night was the club president. Short and
skinny. On Halloween night my brother came down and volunteered. He is about six
feet and stocky. He rode his motorcycle so had his OD green rainsuit. He made
a great jason. Instead of popping out suddenly, he would sit in the chair behind
the curtain. When they rounded the corner he would poke his masked face out of
the curtain. thats would startle them. Then they would get macho with "I
aint afraid of you" type comments, then he would stand up and step out in
the hall. they would almost pee their pants. Sometimes he would have to go back
into the hinding place just so they would go past the area into the next, they
were so scared they tended to back up downthe hall. One thing he attributes the
effect this had to was he never uttered a sound. No shouts, groans or anything.
We found that just silent stares really gave people the creeps.
Area 4 stupid scene
Concept
Fake hands protrude from he walls of this hallway.. Which are real hands??? Also
the floor is uneven here.
Actual
Stuffed rubber gloves adorn the walls, all obviously fake. the uneven floor was
simply put a trip hazard. I finally convinced them to take out the ramps (they
were short up and down ramps) before anyone hurt themselves. Already a couple
people fell over them. Simply put, this area sucked. A bare hallway would have
been better.
Area 5 combo room
Concept
This was a small area that had two differnt themes. An alcove off the walkway
was a living room. I forget what the concept was for it. poltergiest i think.
The other side of the room was egyptian with hyroglyphics on the walls and a sarcophagus
on the wall was the secret exit.
Actual
The living room went empty the first night then we foudna guy in a ghost costume
to sit in the chair and glare at the patrons. If they couldnt figure out where
the door was he would give them clues. I guess it was ok considering the close
proximity and the strange combo of scenes. As a bonus the egyption wall was the
back side of Jason's hiding place, he could stand on the chair and reach over
the wall at them. Great bonus scare.
Area 6 Pyrimid
Concept
Going through the sarcophagus (situated in the opening between ballrooms) let
to the egypt scene proper. There was a fake ant mound with a skeletal remains
of a tomb robber. and cobwebs everywhere. The egyption queen threatens you with
her snakes.
Actual
This scene was a short corridor before you get to the lab. You can see the lab
when you go through the sarcophagus. While you are distracted by that they queen
comes up behind you and dangles rubber snakes in front of your head. Good scare.
This was the begining of the non-lame part of the show. (Jason being the only
real scare in the first half)
area 7 Laboratory
concept
The only other good size room besides the graveyard (area 1). A Strobe light backlights
the wall in here. A mad doctor is ranting and raving (and waving a hand saw) about
his experiments. Lots of stuff on the lab table bubbing and all that. maybe YOU
can help him! actual
I loved this one. The props were decent, the actor was fantastic. I think he was
an acting student if i remember right. He did a sort of whiny ranting mad doctor.
His speil went something like this
'They said I'm crazy. I'm not crazy.. I'll show them! I'll make it LIVE! but i
need a few things to make it work. I need some of this! (holds up bottle) and
some of this! (holds up another bottle) and i need a BRAIN.. i need YOUR BRAIN!!:"
He gestures at them with the saw and banters. After they refuse to be brain donors
he gets grumpy and tells them to hit the bricks. Not startling but a great show
nontheless. NOTE: behind the table is the other outside ballroom door for quick
access to the second half of the show by the workers outside.
Area 8 Torture chamber
Concept
In the corner of the lab room is a smaller room with the door open and a rope
across the entrance, you look inside and it is a torture chamber with a body on
the table. WHen you get right up to the door, the executioner steps out and yells
"NEXT".
Actual
Everything worked pretty much as described above. The guy in this room runs the
controls for the next area since it is a hallway going direcly away from the torture
chamber door. Area 9 railroad crossing
concept
You leave the torture chamber and suddenly find yourself walking down the railroad
tracks. Near the ned of the hall is an opening to the left with carpet strips
hanging in it.
Actual
Wood tracks with real chunks of gravel. I considered that a major safety issue
but no accidents occored thankfully. When you get to the carpet strips (BTW we
found that going through the carpet scared people as much as anything else..weird)
if you look further down the "tracks" you can kind of see something...
too late! Suddenly a trainwhistle blows and a 200W light turns on about 3 foot
from you at head level. Another typical trick but the scene was really tailor-made
for it. This also has the effect of ruining their night vision so the halls seem
even darker now. the used a steel train whistle so it really sounded like an old
steam engine. Good startle. This allowed two areas to be run by one person. On
Halloween night we also got an extra in a monster mask and robe to slowly follow
them down the track. he kept his distance but that prevented them from backtracking.
Area 10 funeral home
Concept
After you go through the carpet strips you go down a 10 foot hall which u-turns
to the right. At U-turn there is a coffin with a dead (?) woman in it. you can
hear her softly speaking to you.
Actual
Bjo Trimble, I love ya! She come by to see how things wre going and when she found
out that a lot of the people that volunteered hadn't shown up she went out to
her car and got some of her SCA garb and wore it as a burial gown, complete with
cap. We originally had a blow-up skeleton in the coffin but whe tossed that in
favor of a live person. She would, instead of yelling. softly say things like
" Come deary, and join me in eternal sleep." and things like that. One
girl touched her outstretched hand and proclaimed "she's warm!" After
tha Bjo kept a bag of ice in the coffin to rest her hand on before reaching out.
Feeling a COLD hand from a "corpse" will make some peopel come unglued.
i had the fortune to be able to watch this scene from my hiding place since it
was behind me. I could see how many and who were in the group coming my way.
Area 11 Boiler room
Concept
Coming around the corner you see Freddy right in front of you! OH wait, thats
just a lifesize poster on the wall, cleverly lit with a red light from the side
so no glossy glare on the poster. Now you see you are about 15 feet from the open
exit door that leads to the interior of the Ramada. Time to leave...
Actual
Someone found a hug box of heating vent T-peices on the freeway a week before
the HH was to open. We assembles them into a couple stacks and put a red light
inside them and a tape player with spooky sounds and "freddy music"
on it. The poster DID actually startle people as they came around the corner then
when the see the exit, their guard comes down. They figure it's over. When the
last person passes me, i slide out from behind the curtain , get behind the person
and yell "HEY!" when they turn around and see me they usually jump.
I made a great modification to the mask. Then I would laugh and wizecrack in Freddy
style. (btw the walls all were covered with black plastic sheets like you get
at the home centers, in places the sheet is just hangin from a wire and no wall
is there. that's why the hiding places were undetectable) Anyway thats the show
folks. I wish I had pictures from it, but since i dont have a website it doesnt
matter. Maybe this will give someone some inspiration for scenes.
Scott Waggoner
Subject:
Re: HALL: San Fransico meets the Halloween list!!!
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 23:59:26 -0700
From: mmarcrum <mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com>
> Great review Kathy,
>
> One question.
>
> How did the floor fall out from under Jeanni? Could you explain that
> further?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Leonard
>
OK...I am going to try but it is not easy!
the stairs go up to the right, and then turn back to the left. From the bottom
you can see that the stairs end at a hole in the wall. Of course we all thought
that the trick was going to be in the hole in the wall, plus we felt they would
not put something on the stairs...to much chance of injury. As you walk up the
last 4 feet to the wall, you stop and lean over to check things out. In Jeanni's
case she stopped and waved her arm to see if there was a motion detector. Since
nothing happend on the stairs she thought she was safe. When she waved her hand
and nothing happened she took that last step forward so she could look into the
hole.
When she took that last step so she would be up against the wall the floor dropped
from under her foot. It looked like it was done with a simple spring door.
/
/
I am not real good at this! The whole floor piece does not drop, but the front
part of the last 6 inches or so. I would say, since we did not go and really get
down and check it out, that they have hinges on the solid floor attached to the
hinged loose piece. When the pressure of your foot hits on the panel the front
piece drops about 3 inches. Just enough to make you feel like you are going to
fall down and forward. When you move your foot away the section springs right
back up.
the new kid on the crypt
Subject:
Re: HALL: Weird thoughts....
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 16:33:22 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
More weird thoughts in the middle of the night...
> How much of the attraction of the "Haunted House" is based on the
same
impulse as slowing down to see a traffic accident? Are people coming to us for
a vicarious thrill, or is there something deeper here...what Stephen King called
a "death rehearsal"? Do people want to view such scenes of death and
dismemberment because they want to remind themselves that death will probably
not come for them after a good meal, some good sex and slipping onto sleep?
> Are there other hosehold devices that are as scary as the chainsaw? How about
a kitchen disposal? Wood chipper?
> Weird dream the other night....two huge gears (like in a mill) slowly rotating,
Crushing a hapless victim into something that looks like a red, wet mass of paper
towels.... but the gears are stuck...they keep backing up slightly and trying
again, and again, and again....
> Could you trap a group inside what seems to be a huge walk in freezer, and
turn the lights and sound off.....making them think they are trapped in the HH
for the night? Imagining pre-recorded voices outside the room wishing each other
good night, doors slamming, Etc.
> at the far end of a maze....a little sign, which reads...."You are now
as far from the exit as it it humanly possible to be. Have a nice day!"
> Alternative to the "closed HH" room before....a totally dark room,
with a foam puppet being moved through the darkness via a fishing pole/line arrangement.
"What the hell was that?" ,"There's SOMETHING in here with us!"
(The Scrod Scare, a la Star War's" trash compactor beast) > more to follow....
Joe
"DiaboliCo"
Subject:
RE: HALL: Telling the tale...
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 09:50:41 -0500
From: David Kiihne <daveki@fes.org>
Incubus and Spidella (hauntedchamber@yahoo.com) wrote:
> I have thought about utilizing a recorded message for this year, but I am
still leaning towards
> my original feelings that human interaction will create more fear because
I can personalize
> each group just a little.
I don't remember the script for the first haunt I worked for, but I do remember
HOW we told the tale. After entering, the guests were brought into a room designed
like an old library room like you might find in an old mansion. (Study table,
floor-to-ceiling bookcases, old paintings of dead dudes, etc.) When they entered
the door closed (and "locked") behind them and they realized there was
no obvious exit.
On the study table was a box with an open front. A light slowly came up inside
to reveal a skull with decomposing flesh clinging to it in spots. The skull then
visibly transformed into a living head (mini blue room in a box, basically) and
then proceeded to tell the tale. The design had the skull in the "deflected"
portion and the actor in the "straight-a-head" (sorry) portion so the
actor had a very good view of the guests and could get good eye contact as well
as throw in some custom lines. (Like "The fiend especially loved preying
on girls in leather." spoken to a girl wearing leather, of course.) After
the tale, the head transformed back into the skull and the bookcase opened to
reveal the entrance to the rest of the haunt.
Years after I left someone more cultured than I came up with the excellent idea
of making the primary painting in the room resemble the actor in the head box.
Then when the skull transformed into a living head, they had the face in the painting
change into a skull. After the tale, of course, the face returned to the painting
as the skull reappeared in the box. I thought it was a fantastic touch; I wish
I'd have thought of it myself. They did it by painting the character's face on
a scrim, put a skull behind it and just lit it at the right times. The extra transformation
didn't get noticed 100-percent, but when it did it had a major impact. Sorry this
isn't a script like what you were looking for, but I thought sharing the WAY the
story was told may help get some creative juices flowing.
Dave - daveki@fes.org
Subject:
Re: HALL: Telling the tale...
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 12:47:45 -0400
From: Rob <kengott@gte.net>
Telling a tale...
We never worked up a detailed history for our haunted house, but we ALWAYS put
together a theme. Any history for the haunt was only to play up to that years
theme. Two years ago, the last time I was a tour guide, we had the theme of Gerald's
Nightmare.
After standing in line for two hours, the guests would reach the front of the
line, and be greeted by one of twelve bizarre characters. Each character would
escort ten to twelve of them through the haunt. After taking them through a few
traditional haunted rooms, the guide would announce that he understands the source
of the paranormal disturbance. Flashlight in hand the guide closes in on the troublemaker/heckler
of the crowd. It only takes a couple of rooms to figure out who this will be.
Guide: "You are a very psychic individual, Gerald."
Heckler: "But my name's not Gerald?"
Guide: "It is tonight."
Crowd: laughs - mostly at the turn of events and as they enjoy the personal twist
Gerald/Heckler: "Okay."
Guide: "Now, Gerald here has been traumatized by the events of the haunted
house, and has pulled all of us into his nightmare! We must be able to travel
through his nightmare until he finally wakes up!" This allowed an otherwise
typical and large haunt to take on a personal elements AND switch tables on the
heckler of the crowd who suddenly find himself unable to hide in the anonymity
of the crowd. Additionally, it justifies any sequence of rooms, especially if
you are using a lot of movie monsters. Finally, if you ever find yourself joining
up with a larger group, this is a great theme to suggest as it allows everyone
to have their own room anyway they want, and since everyone has seen
Nightmare on Elm St., they should already be familiar with the idea.
Just my $0.02
Necromancer
Subject:
Re: HALL: Telling the tale...
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 11:56:42 PDT
From: "Mike Tucker"
>Mayhem Manor has a brief History/Storyline as well. We have it posted, on
>the wall, and told on the phone message and rack cards, but the most
impact
>is when the actor briefs the group before they enter.
>
>Many people do not make it any further into the show than that!
>
>Leonard
>
>-----Original Message-----
>>I spent time last night rewriting/updating the legend that we use at
>>The Haunted Chamber. I really believe that telling the patrons a tale
>>about the history of the haunt really enhances not only their
>>experience, but it also stimulates their imagination.
>>I was wondering how many haunts out there tell a tale, and would
>>anyone be willing to share theirs with the rest of us
>>Incubus
>>The Haunted Chamber
We also use a theme. Last year the guests were led into our Unliving Room for
a brief introduction. As they stood in the dim candle lit room, a deep voice came
over them and said...
"Thank you for being so patient. Now everyone please move to the dead center of
the room. In 1953, the remains of an unknown family were found just outside of
this old estate buried in several shallow graves. This led to the discovery of
the old Wrightsboro Family cemetery. It is believed that this very house sits
atop their gruesome memorial site. After a freak lightening storm three years
later, strange things began to happen in the house. The caretaker reported hearing
children's voices and seeing a young girl's reflection in the living room mirror.
Some think that it's just a hoax, but I know they still hang around!"
Various illusions happened during this. They included a swinging chandelier, a
face in the fireplace mirror, lightening in the window, and a hanging body appeared
the disappeared in the window. It was a blast! This room usualy determined whether
or not the guests would continue.
This story line was recorded and played over a loud stereo. We also played a RULES
tape for the waiting guests in line. I have these in WAV if you want them.
Mike Tucker
Subject:
Re: HALL: haunt description. LONG
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:49:09 EDT
From: blissg3@juno.com (Ganymede X)
>Area 9 railroad crossing
>concept
>
>You leave the torture chamber and suddenly find yourself walking down
>the railroad tracks. Near the ned of the hall is an opening to the
>left with carpet strips hanging in it.
>
>Actual
>Wood tracks with real chunks of gravel. I considered that a major
>safety issue but no accidents occored thankfully. When you get to the
>carpet strips (BTW we found that going through the carpet scared
>people as much as anything else..weird) if you look further down the
>"tracks" you can kind of see something... too late! Suddenly a
>trainwhistle blows and a 200W light turns on about 3 foot from you at
>head level. Another typical trick but the scene was really tailor-made
>for it. This also has the effect of ruining their night vision so the
>halls seem even darker now. the used a steel train whistle so it
>really sounded like an old steam engine. Good startle. This allowed
>two areas to be run by one person. On Halloween night we also got an
>extra in a monster mask and robe to slowly follow them down the track.
>he kept his distance but that prevented them from backtracking.
>
Sounds great, except your RAILROAD scene is reminicent of an effect I witnessed
while riding "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at Disney World. Anyway,
it sounds like a top-notch scare-a-thon.
-Ganymede X
>8^(
Subject:
HALL: Dance of Death
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 05:34:52 EDT
From: MDANDCD@aol.com
A few years back, I know not where, I experienced an effective display some of
you may want to use or modify. It used a small alcove space and in it an actor
dressed in tattered formal wear was dancing with a woman in a wedding dress. An
eerie waltz was playing and as the couple turned, the woman's face was revealed
... she was a long-dead corpse, nothing but bones really. The man stepped away
from her for a moment, and we then realized that she was hanging by the neck from
the ceiling! She swung to and fro for a moment before he joined her again to continue
the dance. The swinging of the corpse was accentuated by the fact that the light
hanging in the room also was swinging continuously, casting wild shadows all about.
It was a very effective departure from the in-your-face scares and really gave
us the creeps. Mechanically, it borrowed somewhat from the final scene of Psycho,
but this had a different feel to it. The sad scenario and romantic but twisted
obsession this little scene suggested was unlike anything I had seen in a walk-through
before.
Chris
Subject:
RE: HALL: light sensor
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 14:29:51 -0400
From: jmaguire@pharoshealth.com
Call Kingalarm Distributors - Ask for Richie Korinskie - Tell him you
are a friend of Jim Maguire. The model # that is 9.50 is the Napco 1500
-----Original Message-----
From: Cliff Martin [mailto:cliff.martin@saralee.net]
Sent: Friday, July 24, 1998 2:15 PM
To: halloween-l@netcom.com
Subject:
Re: HALL: light sensor
jmaguire@pharoshealth.com wrote:
>
> Burglar alarm Pirs typically operate on 6-12vdc and can be obtained for
> as little as $9.50.
Where! Where?...
Cliff
Subject:
HALL: Re: Dance of Death
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 18:22:32 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 MDANDCD@aol.com wrote:
> A few years back, I know not where, I experienced an effective
> display some of you may want to use or modify......
This brings to mind something I've wanted to try for awhile now.... There's a
guy who has a pretty fun marionette-like act you may have seen on T.V. at one
time or another (the first time I saw him was on Johnny Carson). Anyway, the guy
dresses up like Micheal Jackson and does his routine to the song "ABC".
On each side of him are 2-3 "dummies" dressed in the same attire. Each
dummy (or marrionette) are cleverly linked to his arms and legs such that every
dance movement the guy makes is reproduced by each dummy giving the effect of
a choreographed line of dancers. It's pretty funny..
But I think you could adopt the same principle in a haunt to create a decent non-mechanical,
but animated looking, scare. Say you had a scene of a row of coffins standing
upright and each occupied with a "corpse". Of course all of them would
be fake except one (and I think that's the conclusion the guests are going to
be anticipating...). So just when the guests are about to figure out which corpse
is the live actor...the actor reaches out and steps forward causing all of the
"fakes" to do the same simult- aneously.
I just know this would get a decent reaction....he he he...
JD
jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
HALL: Re: Dance of Death
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 18:41:45 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 R4M2J1@aol.com wrote:
> << 2-3 "dummies" dressed in the same attire. Each dummy (or
> marrionette) are cleverly linked to his arms and legs such that
> every dance movement the guy makes is reproduced by each dummy
> giving the effect of a choreographed line of dancers. It's pretty
> funny..
> But I think you could adopt the same principle in a haunt to
> create a decent non-mechanical, but animated looking, scare. >>
>
>
> Great idea, you could also use this for a group of zombies.
Sure, zombies would be cool... Or how about creating a dark set
and making up some Roswell/Area 51 aliens in upright "cry- ogenic chambers"
with a touch of fog. Light it with blacklight and paint the aliens in green U.V.
paint so they glow. It might be easier to hide the connecting rods that way (just
paint them black or make it look like it's part of the equipment).
Or to really camouflage the rods you could work this idea into a dark creepy forest
scene. Have a row of trees on each side of a path the guests have to walk through
and then the trees come to life on both sides. The rods could just be disguised
as branches. ps- Scott S., you didn't happen to take some pictures from the "Night
of the Living Dead" opera you mentioned? JD
jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
HALL: I'll give away a coffin
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 14:43:19 PDT
From: "Mike Tucker"
My haunted house's radio station has requested that I give another casket away
this year at the haunt. It's a great promotion! We gave a "gray cloth covered"
away last year. We filled it with prizes from all of our sponsors and displayed
it at a local movie theatre during October. It was given away over a live broadcast
on Halloween, through a drawing. I plan to simply build a casket this year myself,
and paint it in the Radio station's colors. The promotion possibilites are endless!
mike tucker
Subject:
Re: HALL: Idea I just had!
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 20:05:25 EDT
From: Pk361@aol.com
In a message dated 98-07-27 19:29:51 EDT, you write:
<< Best prop I saw in a yard haunt - A coffin with a large sign on top which
said 'DO NOT TOUCH' of course that just screams look inside! When you yanked the
lid open (it was a little heavy) some fishing line attached to the lid pulled
a skeleton inside so it sat up. Not the most high-tech or spooky, but I laughed
until I cried at some of the responses people gave it. They never learn. >>
I like this idea. Simple yet effective.
Subject:
Re: HALL: special motor
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 23:30:06 EDT
From: MONKEE1291@aol.com
If you don't need much torque you can use a small clock timing motor,if you pry
open its case you will see a small peice of metal or plastic that is on the same
shaft of one of the gears(if you run the motor with the case removed you will
see what this does to prevent the motor from reversing if it is over torqued)remove
it and put the motor back together,when the motor senses resistance it will reverse
direction till it senses resistance in the other direction and vise versa.
Ive used this for animated worms and maggots in a corpse i did years ago.You can
also use a 2 phase stepping motor if you run it on ac with a capicator(the ac
causes the phases to sequence with out the usual logic sequence needed for steppers
but prevents the holding torque) Eric Princz
Subject:
HALL: Knotts Scary Farm Question
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 20:30:52 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Carl looking for dates on the Hallowreen haunt)
We dont have a date posted yet for all of us. The tickets are on sale right now.
I have a method I have been using for the last 18 years. Here's the scoop to enjoy
everything AND see all the nifty little side things as well.
1. Get 2 days worth, a friday and a sunday. NEVER on a saturday.
2. Jacket is suggested. It can get a wee bit chilly.
3. Get to the park AT LEAST 2 hours before the main event, which begins at 7 pm.
This will place you at the beginning of the line. If they have the VIM (Very Important
Monster) dinner that night, go for it. That will get you in ahead by about 1/2
hour. Without the crowds, this will help speed things up.
4. In either case, your FIRST destination is the Log Ride. The line to this ride
can become over *3* hours, so get it out of the way.
5. After the log ride, IMMEDIATELY do the Calico Mine Train. This is another 3
hour line puppy. These two are the absolute worst for lines, so this will give
you a HUGE advantage in time.
6. One of the slowest lines after this would be the Camp Snoopy funhouse. I THINK
they will bring back THE INQUISITION again this year, since it was its first year
last year. It was quite a fairly decent undertaking with a blast from the past
end suprise, something which has been most EVERYWHERE in the park :) (if you like
the soundtrack, it is the main theme to "A Clockwork Orange")
7. If the time is right, GO SEE THE HANGING. If you missed the first show, time
yourself for the second show. In any case, GO SEE THE HANGING.
Predictions for haunted houses to stay and go:
These are last years houses, and their possible outcomes. Camp gonnagetcha (log
ride). Funny gig here. Ithink its on the second year, so I THINK it will be around
for this year. If not, they will probably do a slasher or a toxic chemical spill
haunt. (Toxico was a hoot several years ago, with all the toxic spills in the
lake :)
THE UNDERWORLD (calico mine train) For sure this year. It debuted last year, wads
a really good one. The sounds in the main chamber are some of THE creepiest I
have ever heard. I busted up laughing when the sound guy told me what they were.
(ask me about it AFTER we all do the haunt).
THE INQUISTION (camp snoopy funhouse). I would bet it returns for the second year.
Short but fun. The music we could not place, yet it sounded so midieval. I plan
to buy the CD for the track alone :)
THE UNDERGROUND (Mexican Village Stage). 3rd year. Recycled from Industrial Evil
which used to wind round the Soap Box Racers (if you are an amusement park owner
interested in getting a great rollercoaster for a low low price, please email
me at htraver@dreamsys.com and I can work you a deal). Back to the post, The Undeground
is a post nuclear sewage nightmare. Think Escape from New York mixed with Road
Warrior with te pinball Centaur, and you have an idea where this house is coming
from. Lots of clever ideas all around.
NIGHTMARES (Bumper Cars) As much as this is my favorite haunted house here, I
seriously do NOT expect to see it this year. It ran for a great 4 years. The soundtracks
are truly fantastic, ranging from Peter Gabriel, Danzgi (Black Aria) and Miranda
Sex Garden. A Gothic masterpiece of a haunt, it WILL be sorely missed. These soundytrack
pumping bass through the bumper car floor is a never to be forgotten experience.
DOMINION OF THE DEAD (Whirlpool & Knotheads stage area). Another wonderful
Gothic masterpiece, this will be its 3rd year. Each house averages 3 years in
lifespan, so DOTD SHOULD be back this year. The soundtrack is but one song, but
a fantastic one, THE HOST OF SERAPHIM by Dead Can Dance. Another house which compares
quite well with Nightmares, the outdoor graveyard is a true delight. I am confident
it will be here for this year, so you can all enjoy it. Another "10"
in my book.
GHOST TOWN DEAD & BREAKFAST (Ghost Town Barn). I think that it will be gone
this year. It had a 3 year run already. I didnt think too much of this one. Great
effects, but it simply didnt hit my spot. It did have some theming fun with the
particular guests of this Dead & Breakfast. Soundtrack is Nightmare on Elm
St. 1.
TOON TERRORTORY (behind Pan For Gold). Gone, unless it resurfaces in anmother
spot, possibly on the site of the dolphin Show which is slated to come out. The
reason it leaves the original spot is that the area is torn down for a new rollercoaster
called Ghost Rider (gotta love that name!) Clever and cute haunted house, low
terror but lots of fun. Refreshing change of pace.
25Th ANNIVERSARY YEARS OF FEARS (Stagecoach Lawn). Gone. Was a 25th year celebration
featuring little parts of past haunts. It rekindled some sweet memories. Lair
of the Vampire, Carnival of Death, Dr. Timothy L. Eerie's Magical Terror Trip,
Which Maze. Some haunts I WISH were put in would include X Dimension, Camp Hatchet
Head, Kingdom of the Lounge Lizards, The Body, Toxic Terrors. Oh year, it had
Mother Noose's Scary Tales as well in it. A well done special memory thing for
anyone who loved their past haunts. Wish I had a videotape all through this one.
Sigh.
CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (Haunted Shack). This would be the 4th year, so I would
bet on this one being gone. A really nice werewolf haunt, though. Ysengrin would
have a blast with this one. Right, Ysengrin? Let's figure a friday night and a
sunday night for it.
Harry
Subject:
Re: HALL: Mr. Scary/ burial levitations?
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 18:21:30 -0700
From: Chuck Rice <Chuck@WildRice.com>
At 4:32 PM -0700 8/5/98, mrscary@kiva.net wrote:
> >Just, a question, what are you achieving- raising of the dead, Tell-
> >Tale Heart, or just earthly stirrings?
>
> It's something I've had scathed on paper for eons...one of many un-made
> ideas. :(
>
> The larger-bore would allow a stronger shaft....All on paper y'know... Once
> might be able to use a smaller bore but PVC is cheap. Think of it as a
> "small scale" O.A.R. of Jerry's.
You might try using 4 or 6 PVC extensions. Get a piece of plywood and attach them
to the 4 corners. They would only lift about 3 inches, but with a selenoid each,
you could make the ground heave and rock back and forth. Cut the plywood in half
and use 6 (two in the middle at the cut) and you could rock it all over the place.
I have a picture of one of the extensions at <http://www.WildRice.com/Halloween/LiftnTurn.html>.
(I use one in my Lift n' Turn piston). You can find them at most any hardware
store for about $3 each. -Chuck-
Subject:
Re: HALL: El Cheapo ideas....
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 16:35:36 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Hi.
I'm assuming that you mean you want quick and easy ideas for your haunted attraction.
1> Go out and buy a jar of phosphorecent paint. Paint a series of dots on the
walls of a totally dark room. Chearge them up with a flourecent blacklight. Turn
it off when you hear people coming into the room. All they will see is a "shape"
moving around in the darkness. Scary!
2> Decorate an entire room with camoflage netting. Take a spare piece of the
netting and drape it over the actor like you would a sheet to make a ghost. Dim
the lighting.... now the actor will blend into the walls perfectly. BOO!
3> Have a room where the actor's do some sort of cliche'd scene, and have them
drop one of the props by "accident" at the patron's feet. "Oh,
darn, would you get that for me? Thanks. Put put it on the shelf over there."
The patron, thinking he's being a help, opens the cupboard door. Another actor
jumps out. "Boo!" 4> Paint a rubber skull with glow in the dark paint.
In a darkened room, have an actor hold it in his hand. People enter, thinking,
"Oh, what a cheesy gag...just a glowing skull." Then it moves toward
them, screaming!
Hope these help.
Joe
Subject:
HALL: Haunted Key
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 16:30:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Incubus and Spidella
A couple of earlier posts had referred to the Haunted Key. I will tell you that
as much as I was not interested in using one originally, it works very, very well
in a haunt.
The way that it has been used in the Chamber is that before the group enters,
they are given this "relic" to carry. They must present it along the
way to continue on their journey.
When they arrive at the halfway point, I am given the key and I perform the effect.
(It turns over in your hand without any wires, magnets, gimmicks, etc...)
Many people have opted to leave at this point because this object that have been
carrying has now become a tool that the spirits communicate through. My basic
presentation has always been the spirits are unlocking the door, permitting the
guests to enter the next level of the Chamber.
As hard as it is to believe, it creates real fear in many adults. Give one a shot.
You will be surprised how well it can work.
Incubus
Subject:
HALL: Rattle Snake Scare!!!!
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 21:01:48 -0700
From: #mmarcrum <mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com>
Hey DAve!!!
Did you go and check to see if the snake survived your visit?? I would have died
and let the snake go on living!! Scary! We are going to use rattlesnakes in our
haunt this year. We purchased a latex one from ebay that looks like a baby ratttler...it
is mostly to start their little minds thinking...they will be walking through
our boothill cememtary during this time. Then when they get to a tight space they
will hear a rattle and then feel a blast of air on their ankle...a light will
go on and they will see a 18 inch striking large Rattle snake!!! Big boy!!! then
the lights will go off....where they bit??? only we will know for sure! So what
do you think...do we get thumbs up on the scare meter????
Subject:
HALL: Re:Hall: Reference books/TV/Curiosity Shop
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 10:05:06 EDT
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Hi,
Someone recently asked me, "where do you get your ideas?" I sat up out
of the coffin, looked them straight in the eye, and said: "Kids books!"
In my home, I have a collection of childrens books of ghost stories. Most of them
are illustrated. The reason why I use these as springboards for many of my designs
is very simple: we all grew up with them, and they helped shape our conceptions
of what is scary.
Along with books, there's TV. I'm sure I'm not the only haunter on this list that
has a half dozen episodes of "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" on tape.
Nor are any of these tapes in great condition, due to our frequent freeze framing
to look at some background art more closely for details.....
There is one TV show that I've been wanting to get my hands on again.... Does
anyone remember a show called "The Curiosity Shop?" It was produced
by Chuck Jones. Their halloween episode starred Vincent Price, and was all about
fear, and being scared.
Joe
Subject:
Re: HALL: Peppers Ghost
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 21:57:44 -0400
From: Leonard Pickel <leonard.pickel@mci2000.com>
With all this Pepper's Ghost talk again, I wanted to introduce a new variable!
Those of you who have FCG's (I still don't buy the way, hint : ) are having the
prop move to appear ghostly. Another way, is to move, or better yet, distort the
reflecting material. If this is the storm window shrink stuff, a small fan would
work. If this is a sheet of plex, suspend it, and use a bigger fan, if it is glass,
don't do it! :) The effect of this on the reflection is quite remarkable. Try
it you'll like it!
Leonard
Subject:
Re: HALL: Applesauce. (was Terror on C. Street vs. Oranges)
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 01:04:43 -0400
From: Leonard Pickel <leonard.pickel@mci2000.com>
Oliver wrote:
>I'll probably always say that there is no right or wrong absolute in choice
>of haunt style.
I agree! There is no right or wrong way to frighten, only degrees of effectiveness.
(Which is VERY subjective)
>And anyone who says one thing or another NEVER works, has only failed to do
>it successfully themselves.
I am not sure what you are refering to, but I'm with you!
>True, there is poor taste, tired subject matter, etc., but it is all simply
>a choice.
>However, there are decisions which will directly affect the level of
>success of the goal(s) you are trying to accomplish with your haunt.
I would call these the design paramiters (instead of goals) under which you shape
your own personal "design theory!" The differences in those decisions
are what makes each of our shows different, and why it is hard to appriciate other
people's shows (because they made DIFFERENT choices than we would have!)
Although these choices may change over the years and with different curcomestances
or clients, generally these are my choices:
>Do you have to make 'x' amount of money?
As much as possible! (So I get to do it again :)
>Do you need to get people in and out the fastest?
As fast as I can, and still give them a show worth the admission price! So they
will come again (see peramiter #1)
>Do you want to scare the patrons to the point of embarrassment, crying and
>soiling themselves?
No, not really.
>Do you want them to laugh?
Inbetween shrieks of terror, Absolutly!
>Do you want to 'wow' the patrons with craftsmanship and attention to detail?
No, they are moving to fast to notice.
>Do you want to 'dazzle' the patrons with special effects?
Nope, I want to scare um!
>Do you want to tell a story?
YES!
>Do you hope to capitalize on 'popular' subject matter, or introduce
>unexpected 'concepts?'
Unexpected by all means!
>What are your goals?
I recently did a seminar piece on this very subject, and I came up with the following
parameters that define the style and the decisions I made that shaped the show
that I do!:
Throughput -High
Complexity Low
Masks Vs. Make-up -Neither
Budget -Low
Manpower
Set up -Low
Operations -Low
Quality -High
Length-Long
Gore Level -Way Low
Creativity -High
Separation High
Theming -High
These decisions will not be the same as yours and that is a good thing, but they
give me a map to follow, so that I can get to my goal. Without that 'design theory'
map, I would be going in circles.
Leonard
Subject:
HALL: Hanging! (was my haunted house)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 19:50:24 -0500
From: thehauntfactory@att.net (Oliver Holler)
Hey Drew,
I'm sure I won't be the only one to say it, but if I don't, I feel kinda negligent.
The 'hanging' thing is a long-standing safety concern. Trying to present a stunt
involving hanging a live person should only be done by professionals with professional
equipment.
(Now, if he's already dead, that's another story. But you may have a 'Distortions'
problem with the head coming off, after a few repetitions. . .! ;-)
I don't even like to have people show me how they can tie real noose knots, because
invariably, someone just has to put the loop around their head and 'play act'
like they're being hung. (which never ceases to under-whelm me.)
A dummy can look wonderful, and you can use all sorts of things to really make
the scene look great! Creepy lighting through the slats of the wooden barn boards,
blowing leaves and hay with a strong fan, cobwebs and torn burlap dripping from
the rafters, having a real good human screamer (off stage), scary music, a tape
recording of stable animals panicking -as if they know death is near!, etc.
Put a 'bumble ball' or two inside the dummy to make him quiver and shake! (you
know, those vibrating bouncy things you can find at most any toy shop).
You can put so much more time and energy (and an extra staff member) to work by
avoiding the safety logistics of a hazardous stunt. BTW, do a favor for me, and
make the noose knot fake, o.k.? Make it so it doesn't constrict, or better yet,
tie the rope securely to the dummy and fake the loop part, making it a 'break-away'
in case someone decides to try to mess up your scene and do the stupid 'play-actin'
thing. Another thought- If the dummy doesn't have to face the audience, even better!
(It can sometimes be a challenge to get a real looking head and face, but hair
and a hat for the BACK of the head is pretty simple to find.)
Also, you might get real crafty and try rigging the arms with fish line through
a few eye hooks, so when the body drops, his arms fly up from his sides to his
neck! (as if grasping his throat, trying to resist strangling!)
I hope this helps and inspires 100 more of your own ideas! Grim and grinning,
Oliver
Subject:
RE: HALL: projecting a transparent spirit?
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 14:23:05 -0500
From: David Kiihne <daveki@fes.org>
Bill (WRutledge@aol.com) wrote:
>How would you make an illusion that would project itself - "in their
>face" or right night to them- preferably one that moves or talks for
a
>shock startle?
Yikes! That's a tough one!
Right now the only way I can think of to even come close to doing something like
that would be to use ultra high-tech holographic technology. Even then the illusion
would be fairly obvious because the hologram would still require a film surface
and would not be free-standing or "touchable." The best setup I can
think of immediately would be to have a room with a large plastic cylinder in
which a ghost is apparently trapped. The cylinder is actually the projection film
for the hologram and the image appears to be inside the tube. If the hologram
is made so the ghost has a different pose from each angle, apparent motion could
be achieved by having the film cylinder slowly rotate.
As far as the sound goes, I would use a generic ghostly type noise like a tortured
wail or moan. It would be impossible to match voice to motion because viewers
on different sides of the illusion would be viewing frames at different points
in the motion loop. I would then use 2 stereo speakers concealed inside the tube
and place one at the top and one at the bottom. With the balance adjusted properly,
this should make it sound like the noise is coming from the ghost without being
too obviously created by either of the speakers.
The big problem with this is that it would be EXREMELY EXPENSIVE!!! I'd estimate
AT LEAST a thousand dollars for a scaled-down (half-size or less) custom hologram.
If you're thinking of getting the equipment yourself to roll your own, I've been
told to bump that up to the four or five thousand dollar range. Some other more
technical drawbacks include the need for tight lighting control, protecting the
fragile film surface, and the fact that it will probably LOOK like a hologram.
(WARNING!! This idea is purely theoretical and has no basis on practical experience
whatsoever! Quite frankly, some of this technical stuff is over MY head so if
you even consider doing any of it, check your facts and consult with someone with
experience! This would be a very expensive experiment just to find out if it even
works! End Disclaimer.)
If it were MY haunt (and my budget), a hologram would be too much buck for too
little bang in my opinion. I'd stick with the pepper's ghost setup. I've been
working for a while at creating a free-standing ghost that can be approached by
the viewer, but so far I've been stumped. If I ever do come up with a solution,
believe me I'll be more than happy to share with the list.
If anyone on the list has other ideas or, better yet, has already accomplished
this type of illusion, please jump in here. Or if there are any obvious flaws
in my hair-brained scheme above, please point them out as well. :)
Dave - daveki@fes.org
Subject:
Re: HALL: facades!
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 11:58:12 -0700
From: Joe Heppler <hepcam@ix.netcom.com>
I did a Batman theme one year and got a hold of 32 2 1/2 ft x 6 ft tops to boxes
that held large computer consoles. One of my fellow haunters then found a real
cool Halloween card with a picture of a skyline against a moon. We cut that card
up into 32 pieces and handed pieces out to each person that was helping to paint
flats. By copying just what was on their card to each flat,when we put it all
together 16 wide and 2 high we had a really impressive "Gotham City"
that covered the front of the house. We added the "bat" logo over the
moon and "voila"....instant Batman..all we had to do was park our Bat
mobile in the front and get into our costumes.......one of the best displays i
ever did..............well there's my idea...hope it helps......jhep
Subject:
HALL: Bad toy room
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1998 03:00:02 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
I can't remember if this was ever brought up, but if you are planning a "toy
room" consider the following....
A haunt I did some props for called saying they needed a scare in a "toy"
room and thought the killer jack-o-box was played out...I mentioned keeping the
thing but add a twist to the room with a live actor. They had "oversized"
puppets hanging from the ceiling anyway so I mentioned dressing up an actor in
a similer costume and running the lines just like the others...But take them over
a fake wall and hang counter weights. Anyway, they finished up the scene and weighted
it for the actor...They said he hangs almost weightless and can rest in what appears
to be an "impossible" human postition. (knees bent, on toes, arms up
to side...yadd.yadda)
Anywho, the people see this -huge- jack-box and anticipate this thing poping up...but
when their attition is to the box the Mad Jester makes his move. Only then does
the box do it's thing. Should prove to be interesting.
John J.
Subject:
Re: HALL:Doug Bradley
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 22:50:04 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
References:
1 , 2 , 3 , 4
Just wanted to thank whoever posted the email on Doug Bradley (aka Pinhead). I
think maybe Larry K. He will be appearing at The Dungeon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
on October 10th.
I found his fee of $2000 to be very reasonable, considering Elvira asks for 8-10k
(plus expenses) and Robert Englund asks for 17K! He has many dates open if anyone
else is interested. Ask for Jim at (323) 461-9630.
Subject:
HALL: Re: Hall: Gotcha Idea's for Haunted House
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 11:27:41 -0400
From: Jim Kadel <jimk@rica.net>
Welcome !
Here's an idea that's based on something being bantered around relatively recently
on the List. It may be something you haven't done yet? I like to know. Paint the
walls of a room with UV sensitive white paint. Build a "bomb box" that
sits prominently in the center of the room with a illuminated dial or digital
button panel and a large readout countdown clock. The clock is set for something
that's short like 5 mins but not something that will count out in the time that
the group normally would stay - so that they are apparently "safe".
The room is fairly well lit, but only contains the "bomb box". A obviously
worried actor approaches the group and asks if anyone can enter the code to stop
the bomb's countdown. If so, that person is asked to try by pushing the buttons,
switches, dials. whatever. If not the actor tries it himself. Of course the "bomb
box" immediately makes a bad sound and begins to count down super fast, reaching
zero in a matter of seconds. Actor cries for help. Lights go out. Big flash from
a strobe strength light creates shadows of everyone in the room on the walls.
Finally the black light fixture/s come on and show off these shadows vividly.
Jim
Subject:
HALL: Project: Medusa
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 15:40:48 -0700
From: john <jpmc@ix.netcom.com>
Reply-To:
halloween-l@netcom.com
To:
"halloween-l@netcom.com" <halloween-l@netcom.com>
Folks,
Jus thought I'd share with you all a project I'm working on now: a Medusa, complete
with wiggling snakes.
I found a Conair Body Tone massager at a thrift store for $6 and snagged it. This
is a hand held unit with 12 rubber "fingers" that move in circles delivering
the massage.
I took the thing apart, discarding the case and removed the rubber covers from
the fingers. This left 12 plastic things about an 8th of inch across and 1/2 inch
high.
I carved out a styrofoam head to accept the motor and finger section and placed
it inside, leaving it flush with the top of the head. I'd found some cheap rubber
snakes at a dollar store and went to work on them I cut the tail ends off the
snakes about 2 inches from the end. Width at this point was slighty >/<
1/4 inch. Too thick and it'll stand straight up, too thin and it'll flop down
completely. In the cutoff ends, I drilled holes about 1/2 inch deep and slightly
smaller then the plastic fingers. These holes are drilled into the snake lengthwise
to allow mounting onto the plastic fingers.
I mounted them next, pushing the snakes onto the fingers with a twisty motion.
You may want to test one snake before you drill them all out. They want to be
snug on the fingers so they wont fall off. You may have to hunt around quite a
bit before you find suitable/affordable ones. The Imaginarium wanted $1.45 for
a 6 incher. I got a pack of 3 of at least 9 inchers for $1.39 at the Dollar store.(Huh?)
Of course they are of lesser quality, there is a seam where it looks like the
heads were glued onto the rest of 'em.(Huh?) They'll do nicely, though.
At this point stick it in the head and plug it in. At this point I realized I'd
cut off what I thought was just a switch, but is actually some kind of rectifier
between the 12V AC power supply and the DC motor. I plan on rewiring that back
into the line today. It looks real cool just sitting there not moving though.
I'm sure it'll look really cool when I can plug it in! I plan on running it through
a relay, connected to an led output from one of those annoying "Happy Halloween!"
motion sensor jack o'lantern things, but that may change. I hope to have some
pictures taken and scanned so's you can see what the heck I'm talking about. --
John P. McGowan
Subject:
HALL: Acid Bath/trick tube
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 23:31:57 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
Hey there ghost fans: :)
Here's the details of one of these last second "gatta-do-this for me"
thingies. Turned out kinda cool tho. It's for a Mad-lab scene...sort of an acid-bath,
or Radio active wash thing or corpse-o-matic....you could call it whatever...Here's
the scoop. >From the patrons point of view, it's an isolation chamber. (Plexiglass
half-tube). It's made by bending polycarbonate or acrylic (whatever you use) over
an arch. The whole thing makes a lid. The "innocent" young lab girl
gets tossed in this thing and it fills with smoke as you hear her scream...(Also
note there are tons of "CAUTION: UNIT DESTROYS HUMAN TISSUE") type labels
everywhere...Lots of noise and a distraction from a quick movement of a body on
the table or a scream from behind the viewers. Then the screaming stops....the
Doc opens the clear cover and out plops a smoking skeleton with hints of bloody
flesh on it...(and clothing and hair etc).
"SUCCESS!" Screams the mad doctor! "I've done it!....Now, who's
NEXT?!"
How is it done? Simple...sorta... There is a chamber behind the tube with a fake
back (I used a spandex split down the middle with a plywood spring-loaded back)
The cloth makes for easy escape and looks solid....The smoke comes from here (back
chamber and into the clear chamber)...once filled, the girl puts the "flesh-melted"
corpse in the chamber while she is free to sneak out the back to get fresh air.
If you use this out front (waiting line or whatever) make sure other ghouls and
creepies are walking around *BEHIND* the effect...that way, your victim can slip
on a costume and follow a group of ghouls walking by....now everyone will be waiting
for (whomever) to step out and be accounted for...and they wont!
Hummm...This could even be done with audience members... Clear as mud right? Oh
well. Hope this gives an idea or two. John J.
Subject:
Re: HALL: Stone Coloring...
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 23:15:38 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
Jeffrey Armbruster wrote:
>
> I know I asked this before and I apoligize for reposting but what kind
> of spraypaint and color of sparaypaint is the best to use for the
> Styrofoam/4x8 sheet style tombstones that many of you have made?? The
> kind I am using is "eating" at the stones and the under color keeps
> coming through with every layer?? HELP!!??
Try this...
Paint it with grey latex paint (brush not spray can). Then, while it's still wet,
cover it in mortar mix and let it dry. The mortar mix will give it a great stone
look and texture. Best of all you don't have to know anything about painting shades,
highlights, or different colors.
You can use this technique on anything you want to look like stones. For additional
textures, I usually will sand it with a hand sander or heat it with a heat gun
(which also makes it harder and stronger), but it's not necessary. To make cracks,
cut them with a knife, then heat them with the gun (to open the cracks up).
Subject:
Re: HALL: Stirring witches cauldron
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 06:10:55 PDT
From: "Jeff Quaglietta" <jquag@hotmail.com>
>I know that this subject has been discussed but I lost all my saved
>e-mail and I want to make a witch standing at a cauldron. I would like
>to animate her and now I DON'T HAVE THE PLANS!!!!
>
>Could those of you that posted before either re-post or give me the
>subject title so I can look it up in the archives....so far I have had
>no sucess
Joe,
I'm currently in the process of constructing my own "Three Witches Around
A Cauldron". I plan on making the figures by constructing a frame out of
PVC and foam rubber. I used this method to build several other full sized props
for my display. To create some animation, I plan on putting a small motor at the
bottom of my cauldron, something with low RPM such as is used for the FCG. On
the motor will be attached a disk and attached to the disk will be the end of
a "stirring" stick that 1 of the witches will be holding. As the stick
moves around on the disk, it will pull her arms. To make the arms flexible, I'm
going with a suggestion from another post to attach the arm sections at the shoulder
and elbow with swivel key chains. This will allow for full movement of the arms.
Depending on how many witches you plan on having around your cauldron, there was
also another suggestion for having the disk on the motor act as a "gear"
in between 2 other disks. This would then allow you to attach 2 stirring sticks
for animation of 2 witches. I'm going to experiment a bit with this and if it
works, I'll go with 2. If you'd like any further details on how I construct the
PVC and foam frame, let me know and I will post the plans.
Good Luck,
Jeff
Subject:
Halloween's Past Listing
Date:
Thu, 27 Aug 1998 06:23:50 PDT
From:
"King Bonehead" <kingbonehead@hotmail.com>
To:
Cliff.Martin@saralee.net
Here is a list of previous ideas we used (the best i can remember) Cruella The
Fortune Teller-victims(paying customers) enter a dark room
with a fortune teller looking into her crystal ball (this is done with a card
table with a hole in the center and a small colored light underneath) She gives
them a pre-recorded (usually rhyming) speech warning them of the horrors to come.
This room is generally not real scarry, just informative. (Also used Grizelda
the witch, Crypt Keeper, etc...)
Texas chainsaw massacre was used several years in different variations. People
looked forward to this one. The first time we made a fake wall about 3 feet wide.
The chainsaw dudes were in the fake wall...and after a small dialoge...the lights
go out...you hear the start of a chainsaw..the strobe begins and the wall drops
and you are chased by the chainsaw brothers.
Merlin the wizard also was re-used in variations. One year, we built a cave in
the room, and merlin would cast a spell, use a little pyro-techniques and while
waiting for the creature to come out of the cave, a monster would swing out from
the ceiling for the gotcha effect.
A rented costume (man eating plant) was a big hit in a spin-off room from the
little shop of horrors. a greenhouse setting with evil dr. doebel...some goofy
music from the show and the room relaxed patrons long enough to set them up for
the next big scare, just as they are leaving the room(generally a morbid plant
creature)
Jack the ripper setting was a park and a woman on a bench at night. The ripper
would come behind her, cut her head off with a huge knife(insert scream and gurgling
noise) and Jack comes at the crowd with the head(generally dripping with some
goo)
nuclear waste site had a power plant in the background with barrels of toxic waste.
the floor covered with plastic and dug out in places...had green mucky water(use
florescent lighting for the neon effect)a few barrels, close to the front of the
people, were buried halfway. in these barrels, we put costumed creeps who would
pop out at the right time.we used a recorded tape for this room we have a nuclear
incident, everyone must leave the area in a slowed voice
the dot room was a totally black room with white spots covering the walls...tennis
balls painted white were hung on strings, and a person dressed in all black with
white spots was camaflouged against a wall...the balls were swung out and the
person moves forward creating a freaky effect that the room was moving.
the cemetary is a yearly thing...generally we have a few swing down ghouls, graves
that open and pop out creatures...all timed along the way..add your general wind
and cricket noises for effect.
the swamp is my favorite. we dig about 8 inches down, cover the whole thing with
plastic, and build a true to life swamp...real dead trees and bushes are brought
in, and black lighting sets the room...there is always a rickety bridge to cross,
and something under or over it to getcha. frog and owl noises work good here..and
its smells
real..ack...
the orb...take a huge paper machee rock..paint it in florescents...insert lighting
inside... make up a story about where it came from...add dont look directly at
the orb (of course they will...loud noises overhead(buzzers work great) and a
giant alien ship is decending above them, certain to crush them if they dont get
out now(course, it only drops about 8 inches)
the bat cave was a black hallway, the ceiling covered with hanging rubber bats...screeching
bat sounds echo the room, as you warn to beware...a strobe works great for this...makes
them look realistic
phantom of the opera came in and played his music for the lovely woman(dont remember
her name)telling her this will be your last we made the organ out of junk...all
spraypainted(mostly boxes) and dubbed the music. after he is finished he takes
the girl behind a curtian...you hear him tell hernow you die you hear her scream,
him scream...gurgles and the woman comes out with his head laughing insanely the
demonic dentist was a dentist office setting(dirty and darker) with large instruments
that of course, are bloody. his patient gets a shot(fake ones are easy to find)
and the dentist uses a power drill and of course, the blood shoots everywhere.(squirt
gun) for this to work right..the dentsit must be over the patient so the visitors
cant see the patient.
the elevator of doom...my proudest moment....a 6 foot hole was dug and an actual
elevator was built. underneath...a motor and large shocks were put into place.
working lights and buzzers inside the elevator were used. behind the elevator,
out of sight was the control panel, where the operator ran the entire scene. you
enter the elevator, as you enter, a person outside flips the door shut and opens
another hidden door so you exit into another area without leaving. the rocking,
shaking motion of the elevator simulates your movement down(we had people shake
on each side of the elevator)this may need more explaining..if interested, let
me know.
the catacombs...you enter a room that looks like a mummys tomb. the carcafacus(scuse
the spelling) is in the middle of the room open...mummy inside. the curiator speaks,
closes the tomb and when he reopens it, the mummy is gone(revolving door) and
he enters thru the exit. the curiator is killed holding him back so you can leave.
bloody bathroom is a bathroom, all white, blood splattered walls, blood in the
toilet, and blood running from the sink(pump and bucket)the shower curtain is
closed, and a door is in the back of the room. music starts...a light behind the
shower turns on, revealing the shadow of a madman with a knife. lights go out
as he tries to open the door, (of course, he cant) strobe begins and the man(a
dummy with a knife) drops from the ceiling.
grannys house...the setting is the outside of a house, in the lit window, you
see granny sitting in her rockingchair. (dummy in the rocker that rocks on its
own with a small motor) you see the silouette of a man come over granny, cut her
head off and then rush out the door after you.
the dragon...this was a long hallway that was u shaped...totally dark...when you
get to the turn in the u...you stop and ask if everyone is here...this is the
cue for the operator...who will turn on a strobe and a 9 ft dragon...arms and
legs moving, eyes lit...moves about (with a sountrack) including the buzzer is
a good gotcha!(similar to the semi-truck scene)
the headless motorcycle rider...we told a story about a motorcyclist who haunts
our place, the story of his needless death...(the setting is dark...like a far
off road) you hear the motorcycle approach(getting louder and louder) and then
he swings out (from top) and comes at you
this one is a little strange...but the setting was a bedroom...all in white with
black lighting, i think we used the music from the excorsist, and a small girl
was sleeping in the bed. a light under the bed illuminates the bed and the girl
awakens. she stands and walks emotionless towards the crowd, stops in front of
them raises her hands and two vampires come from each side of the room(hidden
compartments in each front corner) scaring your visitors into the next area.
we used portable radios to communicate, and for each tour of visitors (usually
10 people) we found out one persons name in advance and relayed it to a waiting
person...this person, generally a wizard, demon or something similar would know
the persons name when they came into his room...making them paranoid the rest
of the trip.
the pumpkin patch...setting was a wooded area with a shack home front. a light
in the window of the home is on. in the cornfield or woods near the house...you
hear a rustling. As you enter the room..tell a goofy story(ex.) this is the home
of old man doebel, two years ago his wife dissapeared in these woods/cornfields.
all that was found was one of her legs. he has remained to take revenge on whatever
beast did this. some people think it was ghosts or goblins...some people believe
that it was a warlock ..but most people think...it was a WOLF) as this line is
spoken, the distant howling of a wolf is heard to your far left, taking your attention
there...as the wolf comes at you, the door to the house(far right) swings open
and the old man comes out screaming and fires a shot(we used firecrackers) scaring
all.
The pumpkin contest...we took five cool carved pumpkins...set them up
with numbers and told our visitors it was a judging. we let them vote for each
pumpkin and when all had been voted on, notice the # with no pumpkin next to it
and question it out loud, this cues your operator to swing in the 6 ft lighted
pumpkin (paper machee) with an evil laugh sound attached to it this was all i
could think of without looking thru old video. Let me know if you need additional
info on anything..hope you find something useful here..goodluck and let me know
how it turns out!
Signed By His Claw
KingBonehead
aka:Heather
Subject:
HALL: Elevator
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 23:44:20 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Karl on elevator)
Try the big motor with an eccentric weight, but NOT a crank. Mount it to the playtform,
which sits on springs. Better yet, theme it round your theme. Instead of a motorized
elevator, have it made of bamboo and pirate ingenuity, a secret elevator in an
old hollow tree, heading downwards to the pirate's hideout. Think of if the Professor
from gilligan's island did an elevator. This way, the elevator can stay within
your theming and help the story along....
Harry
Subject:
Re: HALL: Elevator
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 02:59:22 EDT
From: Hauntedfx@aol.com
The EarthQuake ride at universal uses a fan that blows a steady breez and a steady
rocking motion also they have lights on a track on the wall and the lights move
very fast and by looking at them it feels like you are moving at a fast speed
and go a far distance if you could do the lights with a chasing light effect with
mabe a wire mesh bottom and a fan under it ....but the streaks of light would
give the moving feel...
Hope i helped
Jeff
Subject:
Re: HALL: Elevator
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 06:09:48 PDT
From: "King Bonehead" <kingbonehead@hotmail.com>
Here is how we did it. We dug a large square hole(our floor is dirt) we put some
huge springs(like semi truck kind) in the hole(sitting on a wooden base)we bolted
a motor to the same board and also mounted the motor to the bottom of the elevator-it
was easier to mount the motor on the two boards and then put the whole piece into
place.for lighting...we built a control panel behind the elevator(built into a
makeshift desk)this controlled the motor, and all the lighting. a small air compressor
also was available...if we had the extra help to run it. a fake push button panel
was inserted, and christmas lights with rounded covers and were set (the blinking
type, set on a low speed) so that they would go 5....4...3....2....1...we also
had a strobe light set on low..that gave the effect of the light between floors.
we also had a person on each side of the elevator that would rock it for a better
effect. After a day or two...the motor would rattle, where the bolts had slightly
loosened(checked them daily too) and give it an eerie rickety sound...ill dig
for the pics and see if i can find one so you could get a better idea
Signed By His Claw;
Kingbonehead
Subject:
HALL: Re: Elevator
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 20:18:28 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Fri, 28 Aug 1998, Fields, Karl wrote:
> Decision was made tonight to include an elevator in our haunt this year.
> No, I don't have a clue how it fits in with Pirates, yet...
Hey Karl,
We thought about doing an elevator this year but never found the time to put it
together. I don't know if I can describe in words what our idea was but I'll give
it a shot....
Basically we were going to suspend the "elevator car" off the ground
by hanging it from some serious timbers, or better yet, steel framing. The timber
idea was using some industrial chains, "I"-bolts, washers and plate
steel to distribute the load. We were hoping to frame the car out of 4x4's reinforced
with plate steel L brackets and sus- pend it from 6x6 framework. The "car"
was only going to be suspended an inch, at the most, off the ground. This meant
that we would have to build a ramped platform to get on and off the elevator.
When the guests first get on the elevator the car would be held steady with some
"pins" inserted in a braket behind the scenes. Once the guests were
in, the pins would be pulled, a vibrating motor located underneath the center
of the car floor would come on, and some scenery would scroll past some "window
ports". We planned on having some foam rubber around the outside of the bottom
of the car to cushion the side to side movements (again we were only going to
allow about an inch or two movement).
As an added feature you might try getting a back issue of of "Fright Times"
(off-hand I don't know the issue #) but in it Denny has an article of how to build
a variable control servo driver, which among other uses that he mentioned, would
be perfect for controlling a elevator floor indicator dial/arrow. As far as fitting
the elevator into your pirate theme, maybe you could incorporate your mine shaft
scenes. Say you used the storyline that the pirates looted/pilfered a island diamond/gold
mining operation. The guests "descend" down the elevator and end up
coming out in the mine shaft.
JD
jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
HALL: Elevator Plans, FREE
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 14:20:49 -0400
From: ron byrd <lastframe@mindspring.com>
I've got plans for an elevator that was used in the Haunted House of Joppa many
years ago. If you will send a business size envelope with 2- .32 stamps attatched,
self addressed back to you, I'll send you the plans for free.
Send to:
Elevator Plans
Haunted House on Foxcroft Lane
104 Foxcroft Lane
Durham, NC 27713
I'll post them to you ASAP. Sorry, they are not available via e-mail.
Hauntingly yours,
Ron
Subject:
Re: HALL: Elevator
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 16:39:14 -0700
From: brotherfear@juno.com (Brother Fear)
References:
1, 2
Holliston Haunted House, in Pasadena, California, has used an "Elevator"
for several years. It sits on truck air shocks and is shaken with compressed air.
A computer program, originally designed to test rocket engines, controls the effect
. A second computer provides synced digital audio. It has one door, opened and
closed by an air cylinder. While the guests are "riding", an exterior
wall is rotated to change the scene and the direction of exit.
David Schwend
Ghoul for Hire
BrotherFear@Juno.com
Subject:
HALL: Circular room
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1998 01:54:50 +0100
From: "Diane and John Kochefko" <kochefko@saqnet.co.uk>
As long as folks are being creative about elevators, how about the feasibility
of this: TOTs walk into a room, maybe go up a stairwell, open a one-way door into
a narrow, circular hallway. Enter another door into an equilateral-triangle shaped
room. The room is on a quartered dais. The room spins slowly, like rotating restaurants.
They exit one of three identical doors. One enters back into the corridor, the
others enter the next room. All four rooms are identical, and only one corridor
door leads on to the next portion of the maze. The rest are false doors. I had
this all planned out one night (over copious amounts of beer I can plan anything.
Or at least think I can). Now it seems ridiculous, but it is striking a memory
cord in me that I just can't define. Was this in a movie? There was a book called
"House of Doors" or something similar. Maybe that. Anyhow, it seemed
really neat at the time. Kind of like a mirror maze on a moving dais. What would
be involved in that? How do you get a merry-go-round to go round and still support
weight? there must be an answer! It's nearly 2 a.m. and I've got a big church
day tomorrow. ARRGH I NEED SLEEP!
Subject:
HALL: Re: A Graveyard scene to remember for Neal
Date: Fri, 04 Sep 1998 07:21:31 PDT
From: "Joe Pfeiffer" <halloween97@hotmail.com>
Responding to Neal's request for how to use his props for a graveyard scene:
In a graveyard shrouded in low lying fog, there glow skulls painted white attached
to poles scattered around in an area lit by hidden UV lighting.
Three witches chanting around an open grave are faintly illuminated with a flicking
an eerie glow like a fire or sparking light giving off from down in the open grave,
tombstones rocking from the dead attempting to climb out (using fan oscillator
motor), markers lit with the inconsistent flashes of a strobe (lighting effect).
An air powered pop up grave jumping corpse shoots up periodically from the open
grave responding to the witch's canter.
Sound effects of thunder, witches chanting and the groans and moans of the awakening
dead fill the cool night air. You or an actor could be dressed as corpses or skeletons
and pop up from a grave site that you lay in front of covered in leaves or camo
netting. Maybe even have one of the three witches swoops by on a broom stick (she
is mounted to the broom stick which is attached to an overhead sloping fishing
line).
Subject:
Re: HALL: Costumes was Re: Still it's...
Date: Sat, 05 Sep 1998 02:35:01
From: Bonedaddy <allistair@worldnet.att.net>
JD wrote
> This reminds me of ... costume I saw at a State Fair. The actor had on some
sort of shoulder >harness and looked through a tinted "window port"
on the chest plate of the costume. The >costumes shoulder and head extended
above the actors real head. A couple of fake arms hung >off the shoulders,....
> JD
>jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Hey JD,
We have a Reaper costume set up like this. The reaper's head sits above yours
supported by corset boning riveted to a football shoulder pad.(There is no face
in the reaper's hood, just blackness staring out at them) .This adds about 18"
to your actual height. The cloth at your eye level is a gauze type fabric so you
can see what you are doing. The arms are operated by black dowels like rod puppets.
I am 6'3" so when I put this on I guess it looks intimidating, but when I
put on my drywall stilts with it, well.. last year as I jogged thru an opening
in the wall I surprised a Large Patron sneaking back in to *scare* his friends...he
ran into me and actually launched himself into the air and blew the hinges off
the exit doorframe along with the door and part of the frame and kept running
out of the building into traffic where he was run over by a Winnebago towing a
1500 gallon tank of live squids.... Ok I lied about the winnebago....and the squids...
but it was real humerous. :)
Allan Bonedaddy Erush
Skeletons In My Closet Productions
Subject:
HALL: Re: Costumes was Re: Still it's...
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 19:06:25 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Sat, 5 Sep 1998, Bonedaddy wrote:
> Hey JD,
> We have a Reaper costume set up like this.....
Hey Allan, sounds way cool! You've got to bring pictures of this at next years
get-together!
I had the snot scared out of me a few years ago by a giant Reaper.. There was
an illusionist/magician in St. Charles ILL. (hey Ekker ever seen this haunt?)
that ran a haunt for a couple of years out of the Charlsetown Mall. This guy was
Disney all the way. He had a great haunt that was really detailed and had all
sorts of illusions (crystal ball, Pepper's Ghost, endless hallway etc.) This was
a "family friendly" haunt so nothing jumped out at you.. ..or so I thought.
After going through about 10 or so scenes, saying "Oh that's cool",
"that's wild", "neat effect", I got
to the exit where there were some black curtains. Suddenly without warning, BAMMO!
A giant Reaper came rushing at me from behind the curtain. It nearly knocked me
over. It was the ultimate set-up... Unfortunately I heard this guy isn't haunting
anymore and has since moved to Iowa. JD
jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Re: HALL: The haunted Clown Room to remember
Date: Sat, 05 Sep 1998 05:21:50 PDT
From: "Joe Pfeiffer" <halloween97@hotmail.com>
This would make a great room. The scene starts out under normal lighting, a cheery
child's room gayly decorated in colorful clown wall paper with a variety of typical
toys scattered about. But then the lights begin to fade, and a collection of a
child's worst nightmares begin to unfold.
The room is now light by 4 48" uv tubes illuminating a different variety
of clowns, with mean and gruesome features (painted over the regular wallpaper
in UV reflective Glow in the dark paint) Fingers or hands start to appear from
either the wall beside the bed or up from between the bed and the wall. Clothes
in the closet start to take shape into ghoulish visitors (characters dressed in
black begin to make the clothes come to life), faces appear in windows or mirrors,
and even the toys take on grizzly characteristics (again using UV paint to paint
over the happy toy giving it new ghastly features).
Suddenly from under the bed pops out the "killer clown" (Death studios
had some good masks for this). Also think of other childhood nightmares that could
come to life in this innocent child's chamber.
Finally every child's worst nightmare...
Dad pops in and asks if your homework is done!!!
Joe
Subject:
Re: HALL: Clown Room
Date: Sat, 05 Sep 1998 07:59:00 PDT
From: "Bad Haunting" <badhaunting@hotmail.com>
Dan,
We used clowns last year and it went over very well! We Called him psyhco clown.
He was 8' tall and his face was a skull painted with a clown face. We had assorted
dolls and doll parts hanging from the ceiling using fishing line and also had a horse with a large doll riding it with her hair standing strait up in all dirrections.(the
horse came from one of those kids bouncy horse/wonder horse toys)
anyway, the walls were done in black with a strobe to light it. When the guests were
a room or 2 away, psycho would brush his arm across all the dolls to start them swaying
and then he would stand in the corner. His costume was black with white polka dots. When the guests entered his room they would see the dolls swaying back and forth,
then they would see movement from the far corner and hear an evil laugh as an 8'
tall clown came batting his way through the dolls. He would stop and lean over someone
in the group and in a raspy voice say, "I know you...I'll se you in your dreams!" then
the evil laugh again.
We ruined clowns for a lot of people that year. This year he will be a jack in the
box. I hope this helps with some ideas. If you have any questions, e me at reltub@hotmail.com
so I don't miss it.
I just can't keep up with the list.
Subject:
Re: HALL: Clown Room
Date: Sat, 05 Sep 1998 08:10:28 PDT
From: "King Bonehead" <kingbonehead@hotmail.com>
a room with a clown
>theme. Somehow it would start out ok, but then the clowns would turn
out to be a bit twisted.
>
>Any ideas??
We once used a "clown room" the setting was almost like a clown dressing room with
several clowns preparing for their act. We told a corny story about how "happy" or
"freaky" or whoever the clown hadnt smiled or spoke in years...(his face was not
totally visible, just partially) we went on to say that it was feared he was mad...blah blah...as
the clown rose to his feet, he turned to the crowd(insert strobe) and his greusome
evil smile became apparent(insert evil laugh) and he came at the crowd with a large (halloween) type knife... as the room went black....very effective on those who
feared clowns...not too bad with the rest...hope it helps??
Subject:
HALL: Clown Room
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 10:02:34 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Dan on a clown room)
There have been many a great deadly clown room all around. Some fun hints to play
with: bloodstained clown costume, teeth dripping type of makeup, leering evil grin.
Bring a nightmare to life. Clown horn and other such tricks can be used as a suprise
scare in such a situation. Music soundtrack: "Carnival of Death" on the soundtrack to
the movie Rollercoaster. This is a calliope song done entirely in minors. Knotts
used it 2 years ago for their Circus of Death haunted house. Just basically, take
all your fave things about clowns and turn them deadly and horrifying. Watch clowns in action,
and think horror with them. As a memory jog, find the song Clowns of Death from the
final concert CD from Oingo Boingo..... Harry
Subject:
HALL: Re: Clown Room
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 20:00:32 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Dolan <jdolan@titan.iwu.edu>
On Fri, 4 Sep 1998, Dan Socall wrote:
> Like Jack, I also have hated, ok, been afraid of clowns since I
> was a kid. I thought this would be a great scary room in a haunt
> - a room with a clown theme. Somehow it would start out ok, but
> then the clowns would turn out to be a bit twisted.
>
> Any ideas??
>
> Dan
Ok Dr. Dan, I'll retype this out with the understanding that I expect some free psychoanalysis
in the near future. ;-) "Jack-in-the-Box from Hell" The guests approach a very large
version of a child's Jack-in- the-Box. Suddenly the crank handle begins to turn on it's own, and the familiar jingle begins to play. "Da dee da dee dadeedee
dee"...at the conclusion of the song..a brief moment of silence.. ...and then....WHAMMO!!
A bloody, axe (knife, meat cleaver, chainsaw-take your pick) wielding, psycho clown rushes the guests, not out of the expected top, but rather, the front (the front
panel is actually hinged to the bottom).
Here are the specifics: the "box" is actually a 5 ft. plywood cube, with a trap door
style front panel. This will allow your actor to sit fairly comfortably in a folding
chair between groups. The crank handle was made out of 1 1/2" pvc pipe and fittings.
The sound was recorded from a child's toy and played over a portable boom box. The
detatchable speakers were mounted to the outside of the box on the sides. A peep
hole allowed the actor to see when the group was coming. Once in sight, they would
simply hit the "play" button and manually crank the handle until the end of the tune. You
have to make sure to partition off the area in front of the box to prevent anyone
from getting hurt. This *will* get there attention... ;-0 JD
jdolan@titan.iwu.edu
Subject:
Re: HALL: Clown Room
Date: Sat, 05 Sep 1998 23:03:38 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
I always loved the movie Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Lots of ideas there (also
the masks are available from Death Studios). We have a clown room at Louisiana Nightmares
that in blacklight with crooked walls, windows, doorways and a checkered floor. A
small child sits on the floor amongst many toys and stuffed animals (also glowing
under the blacklight). In her hand is the largest cleaver you ever seen and scattered
amongst the toys are remains of her parents.... In the center of the floor is a small
jack in the box (18"wide x 18" long x 18" tall). A handle turns and it plays "pop goes
the weasel". Anyway, there are two scares in this room (if you discount the warped
little girl). The first is a mannequin/large doll against the wall that everyone
walks by. The arms are actually real (an actor stands behind the wall and sticks his hands
through holes in the walls into the sleves). This gets them because they are focused
on the girl and a closed closet beside her. The big scare is of course from the
jack-in-the-box. Everyone thinks that something will jump out but since it's too small
for a person they aren't prepared for what happens. The area under the box holds
a small room big enough for a person to hide in (this is on the second story, so
it was easy to do). So, when a full size clown comes out of a little box, you can imagine the
reaction we get. It's a great room and with the right little girl can be very frightening....
Subject:
Re: HALL: Re: Clown Room
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 15:47:20 EDT
From: Z0MBIE98@aol.com
I have always wanted to make a jack in the box like the one distortions makes. It
is a box covered in glow in the dark paint that is about 5'x5'x5' and reaches a height
of up to 12'. The jack in the box can be activated by a timer, a pressure pad, or
manually. When it is actived the music startes, after a while the music changes eerie,
Last the Scary clown jumps out of the lid surrounded with fog, strobe lights, and
blacklights. It is a pretty cool prop, but since it is an animatronic it cost like
7 or 8 thousand to buy. Matt
Subject:
HALL: to ask or not to ask controversy
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 10:22:38 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Jerry with the fire contingencies)
1. We plan to keep a records file of each item. Each wall and prop is taggd and memory
kept. The date of each being fireproofed is recorded and printed to a aper file so
the FM can track each item. (not that hard, a great program called Appleworks does
everything for me :)
2. A real fun one: the avoidance of foam. The hardest trick will be corner padding,
but we have plans to keep foam and plastic usage to a minimum if not zero percentage.
These are some of THE hardest things to fire treat, evidently. One tale in here previously told about a fire proof hard coating which covers the item. One fire marshall
scrathed the item, then lit it right there, and the owner got to watch as a supposedly
fire treated item cremated itself from within the hard coating. Not a good thing
to use. In closing, I know we have this difference in terms of wall types. Sheetrock
and metal studs would make a nice fire resistant office. HOWEVER, for a haunted house
usage, they would be essentially useless to stand up to a full month of frightened
people going through the walls. Metal walls would slound good except then you have people
hurting themselves. Plywood is the favorite wall material in the area. Waferboard
I think would do even better in terms of fire resistance because it is mainly a binding wood glue rather than straight wood pieces. The usafe of waferboard AND the other
safety precautions would create a safe and durable haunted house unit to work by.
Here is some construction techniques I can think of off the top of my head:
Knotts: 1/2 plywood, 2x4 back frame for each panel, 4x4 wood flooring units. Applies
to all houses except for Industrial Evil which had no walls.
Queen Mary: 1/2 plywood with 2x4 braces to ground in back.
Puzzle Zoo, Santa Monica (MBP Productions): plywood panels with back bracing, similar
to Knotts system, also had braces to ground in spots. Not sure of panel thickness
though)
Chamber of Horror (Anaheim, John Burnett Prodiuctions), 1/2 plywood with 2 x 4 bracing,
self standing unit similar to our plans, entire aseembly covered with tent, no sprinkler
system.
Hollywood House of Horrors (Santa Monica Pier, Jets Productions): 1/8 wood veneer
on 1x2 bracing. Saw a bunch of busted up panels behiond the bumper car building they
used. The word CHEAP somehow came to mind... unknown name, Santa Fe Springs Mall
interior store: sheetrock to metal studs nailed to cement flooring. As a general rule, plywood
seems to be the local favorite from the ones I have seen personally. Harry
Subject:
Re: HALL: railroad
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 17:21:47 EDT
From: SMessin983@aol.com
In a message dated 98-09-06 03:53:47 EDT, you write:
<<
Hi there!
We have a railroad museum in our town and want to incorporate a creepy
railraod scene into our home haunt. Any ideas??
Thanks,
Sherri >>
Have a long hallway. The patrons enter the hallway near (but not at) one end. As
the walk down the hallway, they hear a lound train whistle and the sound of a steam
engine behind them. Then The bright head light of a train engine lights up behind
them and chases them down the hall.
Ithe light can be mounted on a dolly or something with wheels. You can even make
a fake engine front.
....
Or how about a person who fell on the tracks and got cut in half. Half of him is
still alive as he reaches for the patrons to pull them on the tracks (A person under
a built-up floor where the tracks are. The lower part of the body is a dummy, but
the upper part is the person sticking up though the floor) It might be a little too gory
though. Regards, Scott Messinger
Subject:
Re: HALL: railroad
Date: Sun, 06 Sep 1998 20:42:56 -0500
From: Dwayne Sanburn <dwayne@linknet.net>
> ><< We have a railroad museum in our town and want to incorporate a creepyrailraod
scene into our home haunt. Any ideas?? >>
Check out my train at http://www.restin-petes.com/dwane.htm
Click on the end pictures...
You first walk through a mine scene (wooden beams/old lanterns) to a closed wooden
door. An old miner says "We'll you've got about a minute before the next train comes
through. Plenty of time to get through the tunnel". As he opens the door leading
into a dark hallway (6' wide x 60' long), a far away steam whistle sounds and the old miner
nervously says, "sometimes it's alittle early, you'd better hurry". After the group
gets into the hallway, the train lights and sound comes on and it starts chasing
them down the corridor. Cattle shoot right on their heels. The train is as wide as the
hallway and 9 feet tall so there's nothing to do but run! The Train is made out of
plywood and hangs from 2 industrial door tracks that travel the length of the tunnel.
The train is hollow and can be pushed from the inside.... Dwayne Louisiana Nightmares
Subject:
HALL:Seance
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 03:24:16 EDT
From: Hauntedfx@aol.com
Ok this year for my home haunt i am doing a seance ...i just thought i would ruunn
what i have so far by the list ...and its open to sugestions..ok here goes........The
people enter the room in a group of 8 once in the room the guide tell them to sit(
in funeral chairs around a huge black coffin) oncee the guide closes the door to
the room another door opens and in comes Madom Dora ..she walks up to the group
and takes her set and starts a little routine about the house and a spirit which
bothers the house..any way she asks for signs from the spirit world and bells ring and the
chandler swings back in forth above the coffin ....at one point madom dora tells
tthe story of how the the women died they arre trying to contact...they tell about
how bloody her deatth was and the lights go out and the walls havve bloddy handprints and
splattters on them...the lights come back up and the picture on the wall starts
talking ....and tthe piccture talks to madom dora and then starts speaking directly
to the people in the room.....anyway this goes on for a little while the lights go out and
there is a scream and when thhe lights come back up one of the people at the table
is dead( pperson planted in the groupp) the lights go out again and when they come
back up there are 4 zombie ttype creatures behind the people and scare themm out......there
is alot more to it aand its not as long as it soounds but its vverry scray.....the
room its self is solid black with moss and vines growing from thee cealing.....there are speakers everywhere so when the ghost speaks to tthem they hearr it everywhere
..aand there is one speaker in the coffin which plays knocks and scratching noises.....ohh
well tell me what ya think??? thanks Jeff
Subject:
Re: HALL: Actors/Techs
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 22:37:54 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Bruce on terror and fear and the Haunted Mnasion)
During last year's lull, check out the archives, I did this 3
classifications of scare type of things. They would be:
1. Reflex reaction, sudden and unexpected sound or light or action.
2. Gore. guts and all that fun stuph.
3. Psychological scare. This one is the hardest to create, but it works the customer
over the best. Play on his fears, let his imagination run wild, give him the guidelines....
play with the psyche.... Harry
Subject:
HALL: Haunted Well
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 01:34:38 -0500
From: mrscary@kiva.net
Boo,
Here's one of our effects you can try...... Need stuff outside or to dress up the
yard? Build yourself a well..(3'x3'x4' box, and a little pitched roof over it) Inside
place a tape player (or CD player) For the sounds....Get a .WAV file and edit it
in "cool edit, gold wave" etc, and add ECHO. Or, if you have a pawn-shop close, pick up
an ECHO/REVERB gutair effects pedal to get the echo effect. (Rope the area off 3'
or so away...Enough they can't look directly into it...) I've had a great reaction
with the following sounds:
1)Puppy cry
2)Kitten/s
3)Baby giggling/crying
4)Dog whimper
5)Person moaning.
Yeah, the sounds may be a bit harsh but oh "well". This is a truly disturbing prop,
and a -very- simple one to construct. Take some black felt and make an inverse cone
(wide at top, narrow at bottom) and staple it to the inside....Put a small bucket
with Styrofoam BB's in the bottom....Why? Because it's "good luck" to toss coins in a well....This
way, even if they get up to the rope, they will never hear it "hit bottom". It hits
the felt, then slides into the foam BB's.... Denny at TBD has a set of CD's ( I think he can still get them) that have all the aforementioned sounds...all you
need to is echo them just a bit. Nasty Nightmares, John J.
Subject:
Re: HALL: Haunted Well
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 02:55:57 EDT
From: Hauntedfx@aol.com
Why don't ya take this a step further and do the "bottemless Pit" Technique that way
when they looked in the well it would look like it went down for miles???...and to
solve a penny hitting the glass you could put in a layer of neting at an angle so
it would slide off to the side????? just a thought...or what about this put a siren or
other load noise and have it riged to go off when they peep into the well????...But
the well sounds great seems like they had one at the Mysterious Mantion in Gatlinburg???..I think they had a sound of a girl crying for help and i think it would say something
if you through in a penny???i can't remember anybody know???Ohh Well sounds great....
Jeff
Subject:
HALL: Exorist
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 22:18:39 -0500
From: ART SCHAFFER <aschaffr@swbell.net>
Here is an idea that I was thinking about last Halloween but ran out of time to do
it. Perhaps this idea has already been used. I was thinking of building a Megan prop
from the Exorist. I had a low rpm motor mounted in a wooden frame with the shaft
attached to a styroform head. I put a night gown over this frame and a mask on the head.
I hooked the motor up to a motion detector. I place the frame on a bed. The idea
was that when someone would peek into the bedroom, the head would rotate. I never
did complete the project for a couple of reasons; time ran out and I ran into problems with
worrying about the gown twisting around the shaft, excessive heat building up under
the gown, and finding a realistic "Megan" mask. I'm sure that this can't be a new
idea. Anyone have any ideas on how to complete this idea? Art
Subject:
HALL: Exorcist effect
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 19:00:42 -0400
From: ron byrd <lastframe@mindspring.com>
We used this trick/effect in the Haunted House of Joppa many years ago. It was patterened
after the Linda Blair 360 degree head turn scene in the movie 'The Exorcist" While
the Haunted House of Joppa actually dug the hole I will talk about, it is not necessay for you to do so. This effect can be done with a raised platform. However,
when I write these instructions I will do so as if you are going to dig a hole.
You can do the conversions from a hole to a platform. The Actor- It is critical
that you choose an actor that is going to be proportional to the set. The bottom of her neck
will need to come to the top of the costume form. It is advisable that your actor
also have long hair or a wig.
The Set- Your set will consist of the following: a night table with a real mirror;
a chair with a straight back and arms but with the seat removed (you may have to
build a prop to look like a chair). The night table will need to have things on
it to indicate that it is a woman's table ,ie. brush, bottles of perfume, etc. The chair is
the next to the hardest part. The chair needs to have a form attatched to it that
looks like the back of a woman. The form should be costumed like the front of the
actor.
The hardest part of the effect is getting the proportions right. The group will be
positioned behind the chair. They will see only the back of the woman (actually
the form) and the reflected front of the actor in the mirror. Once you get the proportions right, and it's not as easy as it might seem, the group should see a seamless effect:
a woman sitting in front of her mirror is the illusion you want to create. She
is, of course, actually standing in a hole.
You can set the scene anyway you want; use any sort of dialogue that fits into your
Haunt. What works real good is to use taped dialogue (perhaps a devil type of voice
that is modulated) in conjunction with actual dialogue from your actor. Tape and
live dialogue interaction can be very effective. Just be sure that what your group sees
looks real (of course, being in a darkened area really helps) and is very spooky.
When you reach the point when it's time for the head to start to spin, your actor
needs only to turn a 360 degree circle, very slowly, to make this effect work. She should
put her face through contortions and really act her part. When the actor is 3/4
of the way through her turn, turn off all of the lights and have your guides or whomever is leading your group, get the people out of the area. Let the imagination of your
guests finish the trick for you.
Not a particularly hard trick to do but certainly one that needs to be worked at.
Good luck.
Subject:
RE: HALL: Exorcist effect
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 23:18:21 -0500
From: David Kiihne <daveki@fes.org>
Ron Byrd (lastramd@mindspring.com) wrote: >We used this trick/effect in the Haunted
House of Joppa many years ago.
Sounds great! I'm sure it was (is) quite effective when all the details are properly
in place. Thanks for sharing! In thinking about this effect, I've got an UNTESTED,
THEORETICAL (loud enough?) idea for what may be a useful (though limited) method
for a similar effect. (Forewarning to magicians: Some of you may be bothered by this
due to its connection to some modern illusions. Relax. We're talking about things
purely in a haunting context and as a spook effect - NOT as a magic trick. OK?) You
might be able to perform this with no other props besides a Regan (sp?)wig and a thread.
Character stands up in front of the guests and spins herhead completely around.
Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? ;)
Prep work: First get a really bushy Regan-style wig. Put it on. :) Tie asmall
thread to a few strands of the hair on the lower right side of theface. Drape the
string across the front of the neck to the left, around theback of the neck toward
the right, and back over the shoulder to the righthand. If the thread is thin enough and
the right color, hopefully it willblend into the costume and be unseen.
Performance: Slowly (with all the appropriate facial contortions) turn yourhead to
the left until your chin is as far over your left shoulder as youcan go. At this
point start pulling down on the string at the same rate asyou were turning your head.
This should keep the wig moving at the samepace, making it look like the head is turning
around. While the wig isturning, turn your head back to the right so your chin is
over the oppositeshoulder. (When your head is straight forward, you'll be "looking"
outthrough the back of the wig.) When the face gap in the wig lines up withyour face
again, start turning your head again at the same speed until yourback facing front.Obviously
there are details to be worked out still, but this is the basicidea of it. With a little polishing and a lot of practice to get the timingsmooth, this should
(in MY mind, at least) present a pretty convincingeffect. (A few of the "details"
that come immediately to mind are: fabriclining for wig, hair covering or bald cap
for actor, fastener at pivot pointbetween wig and cap and a thread path to make sure the
actor doesn't getcut.)Any thoughts? Comments, criticisms, ...flames? ;)Dave - daveki@fes.org
Subject:
HALL: Exorcist/Jerry
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 03:49:47 -0400
From: ron byrd <lastframe@mindspring.com>
Jerry, thanks for you question about the Exorcist effect. After re-reading
my post, I see where I was not very clear when itcame to the physical layout of the
scene. First and foremost, there is avery short distance between the actor and the mirror. It's not like she'son the otherr side of the room. She's probably no
more that 2 to 2 1/2 feetfrom the mirror. That cuts off the entire bottom portion
of her from beingreflected in the mirror.
It will probably be best to build a chair to attatch the body formtoo rather
than trying to modify an existing one. The back body form willneed to be attatched
directly to the back of this prop chair. The chair isthen placed so that it actually
straddles the hole the the actor is standingin. The actor stands at the back of the
chair with her neck and back intothe form thereby eliminating the gap of 4 to 5 inched.
Also, remember thatthe actors hair and costuming should be placed in such a way
as to hide anygap that exists. Your actors ability to act within the form will go
a longway to making the effect believable.
Again, thank you for your question. It's back and forth dialoguelike this
that leads to effective home Haunting. And, after all, that's allwe really want
to do, isn't it? Haunt!Hauntingly yours,Ron
Subject:
RE: HALL: Exorcist/Jerry
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 09:59:39 -0500
From: David Kiihne <daveki@fes.org>
Jerry (spookyfx@aol.com) wrote:
>Remember we are not looking at her front side.
>No matter how well endowed she is the natural
>distance between the surface of her back and
>the surface of her neck is less then 2 inches
>unless she is a hump back!
>
>The chair back, would have to come up so far
>to clear her shoulders that the effect would be lost.
>All you would see is her head, a little neck and a lot
>of chair!
Excellent point! Clearly I was not visualizing the entire scene properly.I was still
stuck on a front view (or front-reflected-in-mirror) effect.Thanks for the perspective
shift. I agree that the big comfy chair wouldpretty much ruin the effect.I'll have to rent the movie again and see the exact effect. I think thehead turn would be
most effective if one could mirror as closely as possiblethe effect in the movie.
Yet another elusive illusive idea to pursue.Until I figure out how to redefine the
laws of physics, I suppose my minorvariation on your Linda impression is a suitable compromise
between effectand expense for a generic head spin. Still, not as effective as seeing
herfull back and then watching her head turn to face you though.Once again, thanks for the reality check.Dave - daveki@fes.org
Subject:
Re: HALL: Exorcist effect
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 14:51:46 -0400
From: "Cliff Martin" <cliff.martin@saralee.net>
Hi All,
I got to thinking about Ron's Exorcist effect, and I sketched a possible meansof accomplishing
it without the actor turning completely around. Sure, itain't perfeck, but it should
work!A drawing is at:http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/4387/headturn.gifCliff
Subject:
Hanging Bodies (Re: HALL:I got the bird at Walmart)
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 23:17:03 EDT
From: Beetljuse@aol.com
Another cheap prop found at local Walmart ! I was at a friend's shop(Victorian Clothing)
the other day and noticed a great Raven prop perched on ahatrack. Asked where she
found it - expecting a strange answer (she drives ahearse 365 days a year) and she
replied Walmart $9.97 ! Has anyone seen theseyet? I bought one tonight, I'm always
looking for the little extras to "fillout" an effect/room and this is just that -
a great little filler! Could alsobe easily adapted to take LED eyes if your ambitious!
They seem to come in 2models closed-wing and poseable open/spread winged. Lots of promise
for lessthan 10 bucks. Now they're on my Walmart list right beneath those versatileplastic
skulls. Another weird buy I found this year is at Sam's Club -industrial garbage bags !Really! Has anybody seen the prop in the catalogs of upside - down web wrappedspider
victims? I noticed that these bags are semi-opaque and about 5 feetlong and it just
clicked - I made a dummy out of only old clothing stuffedw/paper and pinned together, added a head (styro),hair and hands stuck it in abag and wound it up just
like the picture. and added some web , I liked theresults so much I made 2. The
result is light and easily hung ,surprizinglyrealistic and very cheap to produce.
Hope this helps someone. I start interiorconstruction of this years haunt tommorrow so I'm
a bit wired and apologizefor the length of this post.George aka Beetljuse@aol.com
Subject:
Re: HALL:echo hole
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 17:09:59 -0400
From: Ricky & Karen Dick <castleb@dns.pulsenet.com>
Hi, heres a neat little trick told to me by Eric Persson of the HauntedCastles in
Brentwood ,New HampshireTake a large drain pipe, 4 inch or bigger. Mount it in a
large box with most of the pipe sticking out.The idea is that the pipe is a vent
to an ols mine shaft, or down to thecatacombs.
Put one of those parrots that repeat what you say in the box.As a demonstration of
just how deep the graveyard goes, you let the publicspeak into it to hear how far
away the echo sounds.By putting the parrot in the box, it will distort the sound
enough for itto workWhatta ya think?Gravely MacCabreCastle Blood
Subject:
Re: HALL:echo hole
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 06:53:45 -0400
From: Jim Kadel <jimk@rica.net>
I've had a similar idea but done without the patron's knowledge:Using microphones
in the initial hallway or entrance ramp,record statements of a group as it *just
starts* into the haunt.Then later, replay these words, with echo, in a passage way
or havea dead corpse rise up somewhere on route and speak them.i.e. scare um with their own
words.Jim
Subject:
Re: HALL: CHeAp ThRiLlS!
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 18:41:39 -0700
From: #mmarcrum <mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com>
Hey Dustin,
I think I have posted this before...but I like it! So I will post itagain.A plain
slatted wooden box. Nothing in it....except way in the backcorner a crumpled blanket
or papers...just enough to look like a personhuddled in the back corner. No lights...just maybe a light in thehallway to let you just see the shape inside the box. We
drove behind a truck with a slatted box in it for over 3 milestrying to see inside
the box to see what was in there. We were guessingthe whole way what is was...a animal,
a macine, we could not tell. Whenwe finally got stopped at a light and we got next
to it...itwas...Empty!!! But we talked about it for hours afterwards...just aempty
wood slat box......the new kid on the crypt
Subject:
HALL: Hall: This season
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 11:58:06 -0400
From: Ricky & Karen Dick <castleb@dns.pulsenet.com>
Hi,
Joe Miels( or the zappy boy as we call him) inspired me to write what we'vebeen up
to here at Castle Blood.In between finishing costume orders for folks, many of the
listmembers,(thanks!!) we have actually started on the new/old attraction.We're back
to our original location,but with new stuff.So far the Conservatory is about done. It
is a combination of Gravely'soffice, and a Phantom room. Rock walls, over 50 flicker
bulb candles,coffin doorway, mantel piece, and we even hand painted then coated withpolyurethane, a nice rock floor.( ever since I saw the one that John Denleydid at the
witch village in Salem, I wanted one)We film our first segments for Froght night
friday in it today.Also we've gotten our new 12x16 mausoleum up, and are finishing
the detail.It will have air powered spider drop, and sit up corpse in coffin, and abed of spikes
drop, as well as 3 mannequins, and one actor inside, one outside.This weekend we
made 2 monuments for the graveyard.We used a 2x2 half inch plywood base, framed with
2x4's. Then mounted anice foam tombstone on it, Then placed a mannequin on that. We
costumed oneto be a death angel, and one to be the grim reaper.We coated the WHOLE
piece with the joint compuond and paint mixture, thenfleck stoned them, and are now
putting on many coats of polyurethane toweather proof.Photos will have to wait till after
the season I'm afraid, as I dont knowhow to do that myself. If my web dude is here
before, I'll certainley get something posted for you.Gravely MacCabreCastle Blood.
> Well, the "Castle of Fear" was beginning to worry me.....it seemed as>though
after a great start, things kinda began bogging down. > Now, after tonight, things
are picking up again.....almost 3/4 of the>house is up...most of the power has been
run to the rooms, speaker wire run,>and panic alarm system run too. > They guys
got the PA / stereo going, and now the mood has changed 100%>for the better....
a group of high schoolers did the whole "floorshow">routine when we put on the Rocky
Horror soundtrack....all imromptu, complete>with feather boas taken from the costume room,
and a wheelchair out of props.> Several of out effect rooms are almost done,
and I put together a>Farnkenstien's lab tonight that Todd McFarlane would be proud
of. > Above all, we've just had our first cool, rainy night here in>Denver.....leaves
are beginning to turn....any day now, I expect to see>pumpkin sellers in the empty
lots near churches and chain stores....
>
> This Wed. is the turning....from there on, it's the house of>Scorpio.....the
world will begin to darken around us...the veil betweenworlds>is growing thinner.....>
I think of all the people I knew who have passed out of life beforeme. I>breathe
the crisp autumn air, and remember. I also remind myself, life isn't>forever....>>Happy
Halloween, Everyone!>>Joe>"DiaboliCo"
Subject:
HALL: Re:exorcist
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 19:44:11 -0500
From: john_wolf@juno.com (John C Sterle)
Ron & others,
The following excert might be of interest to you it comes from the HauntWorld list
John Wolf -->
From: "CSB" <cdsb@gate.net>
Last year we did an exorcist room and it went over pretty well. We had a priest standing
and reading on one side of a bed. We also had a mother crying and rocking in a chair
on the other side of the bed. The bed that was made of plywood and 2x4's had a large headboard and was facing directly at the audience. Tubular Bells played from underneath
the bed continuously and fog rolled out from under the bed covering the floor. The
exorcist girl, whose face was all white, green and cracked, appeared to be sitting up and rotated her head 360 degrees and vomited green pea soup out to the side
with every rotation. A light bar hidden behind the high headboard displayed different
colored dancing lights up the wall behind the bed. The rest of the room was decorated
with throw rugs windows and pictures to give it the feel of a bedroom. The bed was
covered with a thick bedspread to give it the look of a real bed. The body, legs
and arms of the girl that was covered by the bedspread up to her neck was really
an actual orthopedic casting of the girl in a sitting position and anchored to the front half
of the bed. The back half of the bed did not have any plywood covering and allowed
the actress to sit on a swivel stool. The vomit was collected in a collection bucket
hidden inside the end table and the vomit was recirculated. An oil pump connected to the
back of the headboard and to the recirculating bucket fed the vomit.
A person hidden behind the headboard powered the pump that fed out through a pipe
at the front of the headboard. The pipe was hidden behind the actress's head at the
level of the actress's mouth and terminated in a 90 degree elbow that projected the
vomit out to the side. People enjoyed the scene and no one complained about it being sacrilegious.
Hope this helped. Charles
Subject:
HALL: Mad Hospital
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 18:40:02 EDT
From: HALLOWE159@aol.com
In a message dated 9/17/98 1:07:44 AM Central Daylight Time, maynedelacroix@juno.com
writes:
<< Make one of the old high necked "mad-doctor" style labcoats, give him black boots,
long black rubber chemical gloves, and some goggles. You can get some welding goggleas
and replace the dark glass with regular or plexi for the costume. Have he yelling something about needing some spare parts...... >>
Intresting......I think i could manage to stick something like that in my garage
this year. It's going to be a mad hospital. I have the gloves and i have the boots
and the lab coat. I could make something up for the face...... i love it!!!. I'm
looking for a wheelchair and a gurnee or stretcher. And some more ideas cause i have a
pretty big garage to fill. The walls are going to be covered with white sheets and
blood splattered everywhere. I'm getting some rags for victims. Anyone have any
suggestions??? THanks a bunch Mike the Halloween Man
Subject:
HALL: Re Jungle Ideas
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 20:06:54 +0100
From: "Diane and John Kochefko" <kochefko@saqnet.co.uk>
Here are some of my notes from a few years ago. Not much useful info, but maybe it
will help the Brandts (not related to Willi?). Cheers, from Diane
8. ORIENTAL GARDEN
Japanese-style bridge over pond (baby pool). Monster jumps from under the bridge?
Bonsai-style trees, pa-per flowers (branches and card-board; paper) Sound of water
flow-ing. Use a cassette mood tape. A samurai or a ninja jumps from shadows. Japanese
theatrical makeup can be star-tling. A Chinese "killing ghost" is called a Gwai
8A. JURASSIC PARK
Big footprints. Tar pits. A huge motorized tail. Shadows of pterodac-tyls and others
on ceil-ing, walls. Maybe a freznel casting a moon on the wall, then "fly" a shadow
pterodactyl A big head bends to-ward the people, looks, then re-turns. Huge legs,
extending upwards. Paper palm trees and saw palmetto, Joshua tree (weird looking). If
dirt floor, dampen it then have two big plywood footprints made. Put one down, step
on it and tamp it down. Place other in front, step on it, tamp it. And so forth.
8B. ANCIENT GREEK AREA The ruins of a temple offer hiding places galore: Greek (not
Egyptian) Sphinxes Talking pilasters (Caryatids)
THREE FATES or WEIRD SISTERS: Clotho (maiden), Lachesis (mother), At-ro-pos (crone)
These ladies wove every person's fate. Atropos cut the thread of life.
SIBYL: Veiled female who picks one of the party and predicts "death"
MONSTERS: Centaur, Cyclops, minotaur, dryad, faun, talking god-dess-head, Me-dusa.
8C. HAUNTED or ENCHANTED FOREST Perhaps outside the entrance or exit to your haunted
house, you can put some trees that look alive (like in the Wizard of Oz). Use bits
of bark and fallen tree limbs to create facial features. Hang things from the branches. Things crawl out from under the bushes. A hand sticks out of the earth. Garden pond
or a water fountain?
ENCHANTED FOREST: Not a scary place. Fluorescent leaves, flowers, Oversized mushrooms,
trees, etc. A dragon, an elf or troll, etc. Suspension bridge (directions from Home
Depot, landscape division). Forest fairies. Or, evil brownies and goblins. Escape
into a fantasy world. Dragons. Elves. Wizards. Giants legs go up, no torso seen as
legs fade into black.
8D. BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
You can make a fake river with a water pump, plastic lining, newspaper, and some supports.
Will your nursery or hardware store let you use their water gar-den display for free,
in return for advertising? Hide motors, etc., in fake foliage. Make the bridge from some stairs and planks. A troll under the bridge. Bodies floating in the water.
Does the water bubble or blurp? "Old Faithful" geyser effect.
8E. SWAMP
Vines, mangrove trees, spanish moss (dyed fiberfill, stretched down over branches);
lots hanging, draping, wet ropes, never see tops of trees, fade to black Snakes:
Lots of them; rubber snakes, cut garden hoses, some vaselined to make slimy, wet
rope snakes, hang-ing from branches, lying on or by pathway. Blown air hissing at you. Kids
toy articulated snakes (wood or plastic). Hang from thread. Vibration will cause
realistic movement. Aligators are available as toys or garden ornaments. Or, create
a big waterproof one from Styrofoam and black trash bags, and put it in the water. Guests
step on a portion of the bridge or a specific stepping stone, and it counterbalances
the gator, sending it out of the water. Get a recording of a peacock calling. It
isn't a jungle noise, but it's a good strange bird noise, and isn't as recognizeable as
some others. You are on a bridge. below are pilasters, fallen ruins, lots of fake
trees, leaves, smoke, mon-ster under bridge or over you. shoot silly string or water
Subject:
HALL: Fun house/Freak show ideas
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 19:43:02 -0500
From: elionwyr@onix.com
Re: Freak Show
I don't know if you're anywhere close to Maryland, but the MD Ren Faire features
a dark attraction called "The Museum of Unnatural History" - inside, it's called
the Ken Show - that features some kinda cool critters in jars. Some are just that;
others are thingies in tanks with magnets underneath (I think) to make them move around and
appear to e alive.
I'd think that this could be nicely applied to a haunted house. The biggest challenge
would be making the critters in question - they look like soft sculpture deals, like
the alien autopsies in jars that came on the market last year. Just a thought!
- Dusti "Minion"/
Subject:
Re: HALL: Re: monster (long)
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 14:21:38 EDT
From: BUSH134@aol.com
In a message dated 9/19/98 10:19:08 PM EST, leonard.pickel@mci2000.com writes:
<< Hey Mike!
How about a blow by blow (not Monica jokes please) description of the Mall Haunt.
You have not even said the name yet! What are the rooms? are they effective? WE NEED
THE INSIDE POOP MAN! (again not Monica jokes please)
Leonard >>Okay, here I go:
The haunt is not a spectacular event, but it is very impressive for a littlemall haunt.
Originally, I think this was on Blake Street(for those in theDenver area) and it
was called Nightmare on Blake Street. It is now calledNightmare on Blake Street
2. It is located in Park Meadows Mall, downstairswhere the video game arcade and snack
bar are. I thought it would be patheticat first, but being me, I couldn't resist
going through it, so I forked up thelow price of $5 and started my journey.
First, you come up to a funeral parlor type scene, there is a coffin with
abody in it and a few other props. There is a curtain on each side of thecoffin
and a monster jumps out from behind the curtain. Next room was a mummyroom. There
are shelve type boards nailed against the wall with 3 0r 4mummies and corpses. There is a
turn and a monster jumps out from a smallhole in the wall. Then you go on through
a room and on one side there is asmall house(doll house size, little bigger) with
a few static props in theyard. No scare in this room. Then you go on and there is this
giant tree(itwas allready in this palce, where the haunt is and he, Wayne, used it
well)There is a static monster and a large piece of cammo netting type mesh andnext
thing you know, it jumps to life. This was a great scare. You walkaround the tree and
there are various props around and a witch startles youfrom the top of the tree.
After this, I don't exactly remember the order ofthe rooms, but they include a cemetery,
a butcher shop, a voodoo room that hasa Distortians controller chair redone to a voodoo
theme, a fireplace, a madscientist lab, and much more. The owner and designer actually
has a goodarray of props. Last night, I got to play the monster in the mummy room aswell as the cammo netting monster. I scared a ton of people really well, evensome
of those teenagers who go through and laugh at everything trying to becool, I sure
showed them. Well that is the main parts of the house, those inthe Denver area who
know where Park Meadows, I recommend you go on Friday orSaturday evening, I will be
there for sure. Well, that is all. Wow that islong sorry.Mike
Subject:
Re: HALL: Wanted - Halloween Jokes
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 12:03:17 -0500
From: MELSSPACE <MELSSPACE@prodigy.net>
References:
1'Don't know if this is what you're looking for, but try:
http://www.banzai-net.com/haunted_hofp/humor.html
--Mel
Subject:
HALL: "70 Volt Audio" ... The simple approach
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 16:21:03 -0700
From: brotherfear@juno.com (Brother Fear)
1A long time ago, but not so far away, folks building audio systems,
whereone amplifier fed multiple speakers, had to do a lot of math to match thespeaker
impedance to that of the amplifier. When speaker impedancematches amplifier impedance, both are very happy indeed.Then a bunch of mathematically inclined folks got together
and decidedthat if they could come up with a standard where all you needed to knowwas
how to add, many more people would get into the sound business. The "70 volt" system (and its cousin the "25 volt" system) were the result.
The "70 volt" side of the transformer is actually marked in "watts at 70volts". The
speaker side of the transformer is marked as the impedanceof the loudspeaker that
is to be connected. The markings mean nothingmore. Note that using them to make
FCG eyes is not their intendedpurpose, but a very creative alternative use. To go any deeper
takes usback to that mathematically complex world that these transformers wereintended
to avoid.When building a "70 volt" sound system, all you need to do is parallel abunch of transformers off the "70 volt" output of the amplifier. Thewattage of the
transformers should add up to the wattage of theamplifier, less a few watts for losses
in the wires. If your amplifierdoes not have a "70 volt" output, you can get a big transformer andconnect the 8 ohm side to the 8 ohm output of your amplifier. The
bigtransformer should be equal to (or slightly less than) the amplifieroutput power.
The little transformers should "add up" to the rating ofthe big transformer (or
slightly less). David Schwend
Subject:
Re: HALL: Hand molds
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 16:48:44 -0500
From: john_wolf@juno.com (John C Sterle)
References:
1Jared,
I have used a product called Flexwax 120 to make a hand cast. It willpick up all the
detail includingpores in the skin. You might find it in your local hobby/ arts supplystore.
It is a wax/plastic substancethat you melt in a dbl boiler then let it cool to a honey likeconsistancy & brush on your hand.When it has cooled it will be a perfect
mold of you hand with or with out theknife.It can be reused over & overjust remelt
when you are done & you can make new molds . There is another product believe it
is called "mold maker" a powder youmix with water that can be usedto make your mold but
it has a limited life span and you have to cast thehand befor the mold degrades.John
Wolf
Subject:
RE: HALL: How to make a scythe?
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 22:06:06 -0400
From: "Fields, Karl" <KFields@radiantsystems.com>
We accidently discovered that if you place a 3/4" PVC directly over thenozzel of
a fair sized fogger, you end up with instant noodle to bend as youplease. Ours was
PVC soft for about 4' .Karl
Subject:
HALL: Hall: epitaphs (long)
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 23:02:41 EDT
From: SMessin983@aol.com
In a message dated 98-09-21 01:19:40 EDT, you write:
<< any idea where to find epitaphs (funny ones). Been looking for months! >>
Here is a collection from everyone on the list:
EPITAPHS
Humorous Tombstone Names:
Abbie Normal (from Young Frankenstein)
B.A. Ghoul
Barry M. Deep
Barry A. Live
Barry R. Bones
Ben Dover (a favorite of the kids)
Berry D. Hatchet
Bill M. Lader
Candy B. Goode
Dawn Under
Diane Rott
Dr. Izzy Gone
Fester N. Rott
Hammond Eggs
I. Emma Ghost
I. Emma Spook
Jaws (a big bite out of this stone)
Jess Gough
Justin Pieces
Justin Tyme
Kerry M. Off
Lea Ning (with a tilted tombstone)
Lefty B. Hynde
M. T. Tomb
M.T. Box
Manny Bones
Mark A. Place
Mummy B. Ware
Orson Buggy
Otta B. Alive
R. U. Next
R.I.P. Van Winkle
Reid N. Weep
Sue D'Bum
Ted N. Buried
Tom Thumb (very small stone)
U. R. Gone
Wil B. Back
Willy Rott
Yetta Nother
Yul B. Next
Humorous Epitaphs:
I told you I was sick.
Here lies Walter Dudley.
He found out too late,
Dobermans aren't cuddly.
Here lies Bill Boller
He got ran over by
A steam roller
(This tombstone is very tall and narrow as if to match the victim)
Lizzy Bordon's father lies here (with many small stones around that say 'and
here')
Mary Lass
Missed the brake and hit the gas
Jim Migg
Would like for you to dig
I was Fred
Now I'm dead
Mary Aster
Should have j-walked a little faster
Mrs. Derns
Now being ate by worms
Your name here
C. Dracula
1236
1458
1527
1703
1823
1995
Elvis
Live with it!
Here lies my wife,
I bid her goodbye.
She rests in peace
and now so do I.
Here lies Henry Blake
He stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
Here lies Vlad the Impaler
He bit off more than he could chew
Here lies the Pillsbury Dough Boy
He will rise again
GO HOME
(accompanied w/ a bloody handprint)
Here lies John Yeast,
Pardon him for not rising.
Here I lie
And no wonder I'm dead,
For the wheel of a semi
Went over my head.
Here lies Lester More.
4 shots with a .44
No Les, no more ...
~ Dracula ~
"Fangs for the Memories"
Rest in Pieces
Here lies dear old Brother Tor
He couldn't take it anymore
Here lies Frank
Dead by gun
Caught in bed
By another's husband
Mary Mary quite contrary
how does your garden grow?
Quite well I bet
since it's well fed
by your body down below.
Here lies the Father of 29
There would have been more
but he didn't have time
First a cough
Carried me off
Then in a coffin
They carried me off in
Here lies my wife
In Earthy mould
Who when she lived
Did naught but scold
Good friends go softly
In your walking
Lest she should wake
And rise up talking
He got a fishbone in his throat
Which made him sing
an angel's note
Here lies the Popular,
Kevin O'Tool.
He thought it was Cool,
To Smoke at School.
Here lies Johnny Yeast
"Pardon me for not rising."
Here Lies
Ron D. Vous
He met with death.
Gil A. Teen
A Tisket
A Casket
His Head is in
the Basket
Here lies Kelly
We buried him today
He lived the life of Riley
When Riley was away
Bob took time from work
By bourbon required
Then he took to the road
Now he's semi-retired
Once I wasn't
Then I was
Now I ain't again
Here lies Bill
He always lied
And he always will
He lied once too often
And now he lies still
When your razor is dull
But you need a shave
Think of the man
Who lies in this grave
It does my heart a world of good
To see you in a box of wood
In loving memory
from your grieving widow...
You slept with them all..
Now sleep with this
Any day above ground
Is a good day
A few from the Haunted Mansion at Disney World:
REST IN PEACE COUSIN HUET
we all know you didn't do it
HERE LIES GOOD OLD FRED
a great big rock fell on his head
DEAR DEPARTED BROTHER DAVE
he chased a bear into a cave
Some rather thoughtful epitaphs:
While living men my tomb do view,
Remember well, here's room for you
Farewell my young companions all
>From death's arrest no age is free
Remember this, a warning call
Prepare to follow after me
The wise, the sober and the brave
Must try the cold and silent grave
Time was I stood where thou dost now
And view'd the dead as thou dost me
Ere long you'll be as low as I
And others stand and gaze at thee
Here lies the body of Thomas Kemp
Who lived by the sword, and died by hemp
Time, like an ever rolling stream
Bears all it's sons away
They fly forgotten as a dream
Dies at the opening day
Stop by here my friends
As you pass by;
As you are now
So once was I.
As I am now
So you must be.
Prepare for death
And follow me.
Behold and see as you pass by
As you are now so once was I
As I am now you soon will be
Prepare for death and follow me
Behold and see as you pass by
For as you are, so once was I
As I am now, so will you be
Prepare unto death and follow me
One I made up:
Pennyless I did die
But don't you go and cry
For if you do some thinking
You'll find I had great timing
Subject:
Re: HALL: Hall: epitaphs (long)
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 07:40:42 -0500
From: MELSSPACE <MELSSPACE@prodigy.net>
few more names:
Russ T. Kauphin
Dusty N. Crumblin
Weldon Corpse
Stella Live
Dee Parted (or "Our Dear, Lee D. Parted)
--Mel
Subject:
HALL: Haunt Master LED's (They're not just for eyes anymore)
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 05:40:06 -0700 (PDT)
From: Incubus and Spidella <hauntedchamber@yahoo.com>
I just got my order of LED eyes from Jim Kadel at Haunt MasterProducts and they are
awesome. I am not using any of them for eyes. Iam using them in dark areas to illuminate
objects. At no point are theLED's themselves visible by the guests.They are simply "mini spotlights" that fade in and out. They makedisplays look real cool when you
come around the corner and the lightis just fading out, leaving you with a brief
glimpse of something andthen nothing but darkness. They look even better when the
timing isdifferent and as you are coming around the corner, a display suddenlyappears, and
then fades again. Either way, they work great.For example, I have a stairway that
contains a display (but no patronsactually walk the steps) and as people pass by
the bottom, the LED'silluminate the object and then they fade out again. It is perfect toget
their attention, startle them, and distract them just long enoughto leave them vulnerable
from the front and the back. (Insert evillaugh here.) We "magicians" (man I hate that word) would call this"misdirection".The LEDs are plenty bright and they work
like a charm. Not to mentionI don't have to run power to some hard to get places.
If you are not using these, get some. If you are only using them foreyes, get more.
You see Scott & Barb; you shouldn't have brought thatpair over when you visited.
You have created a monster. Oh wait, inthis group, that is encouraged. Thanks again.Incubus
Subject:
Re: HALL: HOSPITAL SCENE
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 08:05:12 PDT
From: "King Bonehead" <kingbonehead@hotmail.com>
>anyone has something to add let me hear it... thanks>Mike the Halloween Man
What about an operating table...with a dummy on it...two parted, with a hole in the
center of the table. (of course, bloody sheets cover this area, and you would build
a fake stomache area to fit in with the rest of the body) and have a creature come
up from the hole....or...just put a real person on the table with a drop middle, and a
pan of spaghetti or jello or junk like that..that can easily be pulled from the stomache
of the victim...with the right props and coverings...these are both pretty effective and gory scenes...you can see a pic of the first idea on my fright nites page at
http:www.nwonline.net/hauntedgreenhouseGoodluck!!
King Bonehead Heather
Subject:
HALL: Floating Candellabra (Update)
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 98 11:50:57 -0800
From: The Sound Commando <bruce@hively.net>
I didn't want to make anymore direct references to the HM @ DL until I had a chance
to double check, which is what I have now done Re:the Floating Candellabra. It is,
indeed, a large "infinity mirror" effect, with what amounts to a FCG mechanism flying the candellabra. Those of you who may have a copy of the HM blue prints will notice
there is scrim between the effect and the end where the omni-movers pass by. Where
this might minimize your ability to see your own reflection, it's primarily there
to stop flying trash propelled by the socially challenged. You can, if you look VERY
closely, see a bit of your reflection as you pass. The key here, as with all life
in the dark (Thunder Clap), is properly set lighting. As to how can a haunt do a
large enough mirror without a million dollar budget...... where I haven't specifically done
that effect that large, I would start by checking out mylar film made for mirroring
windows. This is usually available in fairly wide rolls since they use it on sliding glass doors. You could either pick up an old set of sliders or use plexiglass if
that's your preference. You could possibly even just stretch it on a frame. You
will, of course, need two. One as a 2 way front piece and one behind as the multiplier.
I've not seen this done at a small haunt. So if anyone tries it, please let us know
how it worked for you.
Subject:
RE: HALL: LCD projector-experience
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 13:44:00 -0700
Sorry about being a little dated, have been out ill. Bruce started commenting on
LCD projectors, here's my take.I purchased a SONY CPJ-200. $400 ish two years ago.
This home model is aone gun, no frills projector that is about 10" x 7" Its a tiny
round monsterthat puts out!. Sorry, dont have the lumens but I use it on Sunday for 8
footwall projected football games. (Speaker is so tiny it's quite useless though-
Ihook it up to a stereo.) Comes with tilt angle, midi and rca a/v/ input/outputs.It's
incredibly easy to hide during the "SINGING BUSTS" effect is beingshown.This model WAS
designed as a home unit. Ordered it through a local a/v distributer here in ALB since
the big chain stores would give me a confusedlookwhen asked.Bulbs are standard $3.50
(At least thats what radio shack sold them to me for)overhead bulbs so there is no
problem with replacements. I have used it about 150 hours total and still on same
bulb. Give it a try if you got the dough.!!Also, make a friend at a school and see
if you can borrow a projector fromthem?BOO!Mike in NM.
Subject:
RE: HALL: Projected Ghosts Machine ???
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 13:49:00 -0700
From: "Esch, Michael A" <michael.a.esch@intel.com>
I found these options at my local Mall:
1)Tracing Projector, Hobby Lobby: $12.99
2)Shure-Vue Toy slide projector (For cartoons) Kay-Be Toys, :$8.99
AND........
AN OLD GAF VIEWMASTER PROJECTOR (M'EMBER THOSE??????) Still had one stashed away.
Works great! Took an old View master reel with a black "space scene"(I think it was
from an old hokey "Conquest of space" reel set)and scratched ghosts on the film with
a pin. When projected it looksGREAT!!!!Boo.
Subject:
Re: Re: HALL: RE:Frightmares Web Site
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 16:29:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dave Bell <dbell@TheBells.net>
On Tue, 22 Sep 1998, Metamorphis wrote:
> > I have one question, What did you use to glue the foam panels together?
> > Ekker
> >
> I used white glue but dont recommend it. It takes too long to dry. > Use Liquid
Nails adhesive, check the label to make sure it works on> foam. ~M~
>
Last season, I finally discovered this really great stuff for foam glue:"Great Stuff"
expanding foam sealant-in-a-can! Fast tack, fast cure,incredibly sticky...Dave
Subject:
HALL: Re: PA haunts near MD?
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 23:20:27 -0400
From: Jim Kadel <jimk@rica.net>
Anyone heard anything about "Graveyard Productions" Haunted Attraction, about a mile,
East of Exit 6,of I-81, on route 30, near Chambersburg? I met the owners, Connie
Wagner and Jim Fry,about a month ago. They had formerly held their attraction,
around Shippensburg but recently were able to rent an abandonednew car showroom with full
garage area - a nice lot of sq. footage and right on this major traffic artery.To
attract attention and pre-advertise their Haunt they're installing ECT timers,to
fire off automated dummies, and sound, for potential customersif they drive up (at night)
close to the showroom window prior to theopening. Jim is using Microwave sensors
to trigger thruthe glass.Jim
Subject:
HALL: 1998 publicity help- Reply
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 12:50:39 PDT
From: "Mike Tucker" >are totally "fundraising" so im looking for some extra
"publicity" hints...anyone?? I have the usual paper and local tv stuff with discount
>coupons and flyers out...just looking for something special this year??? >any ideas??
>Signed By His Claw;
>King Bonehead
>(heather)
This year (for me) it seems like I have more advertising than actual "haunt." I
guess I'll have to wait and see. Below is what we are doing this year at The House
of Horrors in Augusta GA. Maybe you could get some ideas from this. (?)
****Register to win your own Casket! Sign up at the haunted house to win a prize
filled casket complete with a shovel to get you started. Casket is filled with t-shirts,
Pepsi products, Putt-Putt Golf games, our radio station cd's... Last year it was
a real casket we gave out. This year it is plywood. Winner announced over the radio
on Halloween.
**** Every 105th person through the door each night wins 105 free game tokens from
Putt-Putt Golf and Games. (105 because the radio station is 105.7 fm)
**** Multiple live radio broadcasts, and tv coverage
**** Big opening night complete w/ hearse delivering your cast, free food, ribbon
cutting (crime scene tpae...)etc..
**** We are given out 105 free tickets over the air. When the caller hears a wolf
howl they call in to win.
**** Casket give-away displayed at local movie cinema
**** Free games of Putt-Putt golf for everyone who visits (We have 7000 to give out)
**** Free pepsi drinks to everyone visits (we have 480 six packs to give out.)
Some of our sponsors are
WZNY Y-105.7 FM, Regal 12 Cinemas, Baldino's Subs, Peoples Funeral Home, Harry's
Rental Equipment, Rural Metro Ambulance,
Pepsi Bottling Company, Putt-Putt Golf and Games, Poteet Funeral Home.... more
not listed. Hope this helps. Mike Tucker
Subject:
RE: HALL: yard decor. skeleton hands and mirrors
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 09:53:04 -0400
From: "Michael Hios" <mhios@ma.ultranet.com>
Hi molly,
I can't comment on the store bought skeleton hands, because I make my own, but I think
you can do a lot with the mirror and window. The fun thing I've noticed about mirrors
is how many people stop to look into them when they're passing by. Use this to your advantage. If you have the ability (and your house is set up for this.) you could
replace the glass with a two-way mirror, set up a corpse behind it and by using light
dimmers, you can make their reflection transform into the corpse ( See the Pepper's Ghost Illusion in the archives for some info on this. My explanation over-simplifies
this effect.)
I've also created a really cool effect with a mirror frame and some spandex. What
you do is place two identical mirrors across from each other in a slightly darkened
hallway. One is a real mirror, the other is actually only a mirror frame with black
spandex stretched over the back over the frame. (you can't tell in the dim lighting.)
The fake frame is covering a hole in the wall. Behind the wall is an actor. When
the unsuspecting (and hopefully vain) victim turns to look into the mirror, the actor
either stretches the spandex out toward the victim ( this can be done with a styrofoam
wigform) No matter which mirror the person looks in, (s)he will see either the effect,
or the reflection of it.
You could also do something like this with the window (probably more easily, since
you don't have to have a hole in your wall.) BTW- I really love mirror scares too.
Have you ever been to Mayhem Manor? You'd love their "Hall of Mirrors."
Michael Hios
Subject:
HALL: More Halloween Ideas
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1998 17:25:54 -0400
From: "Amulet/Quark's Latinum Lady/Snyder's Woman" <seanymph@ix.netcom.com>
Thought up a few other things, along with my boyfriend:
Spiders: A bunch of tiny plastic or rubber spiders (or other equally icky creatures...bugs
especially good) drop from the ceiling onto visitors. Pop-Out Walls: Set it up so
people have to walk near the walls, and suddenly panels slide or something like that and a giant, scary cat's head or other monster pops out, or someone pops out
and tries to grab someone passing by
Living Wall: The entire wall starts to curl around the visitor, enveloping them,
as if it were a living creature--Courtesy of my boyfriend, Mike Dark Room: You have
to feel your way through a dark room, but there's something icky and wet on the walls.
You turn a corner and there's a very dim light that you have to go towards, and you
begin to see what's on the walls...bloody meat. You get to a room and see limbs
and gory stuff! Courtesy of Mike, who suggests using real room-temperature meat and
innards (see a butcher)...of course, he's only kidding--I think! He's a sick puppy, my
boyfriend!
Dark Room Variation: Similar to above, but when they get closer to the light, it
moves away.
Subject:
HALL: Batmobile
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 17:42:44 -0700
From: Chuck Rice <Chuck@WildRice.com>
At 9:59 AM -0400 1998/10/12, Pete Hardie wrote:
> Chuck Rice wrote:
> > The small porch will have my batmobile, (six bats on spring steel
> > wires connected to a vibrating motor to make the wings flap),
> > fluttering overhead.
>
> Details, please! This sounds like just the sort of 'incidental'
> effect I'd need for my front porch.
Well, it is not yet working to my satisfaction yet, but it is pretty neat when it
does work.
I ordered 6 rubber bats from American Science & Surplus <http://www.sciplus.com/>
Then I got a 2 inch hub from a radio controlled car wheel and 6 three foot lengths
of 1/18 inch spring wire (aka piano wire) from the hardware store. I drilled 6 tiny
holes in the hub and stuck one end of the wires into each hole, and the other end thru the
bat where the stretch cord normally comes out and bent the end to stab back up into
the bat to lock it into place. This leaves 6 bats bouncing on the ends of the spring
wire and a central hub holding it all together. Holding the mobile by the hub and shaking
it a little bit makes the bats flap their wings. So far so good.
Next I took a 5 by 8 chunk of thin wood (MDF), put an I bolt in the center, and a
shaded pole motor at one end. On the motor, I attached short (about 2 inch) piece
of piano wire and bent it 90 degrees to the motor axle. Then I attached a weight
to the end. When I plug the motor in, the weight swings around and looks a lot like a swamp
boat with the big fan in the back (the weight being the fan blades). Then I put a
bolt thru the hub and into the front of the "swamp boat". As the motor spins the
weight, it vibrates the board and motor. by hanging the board by the eye-bolt in the center,
the board vibrates around the eye-bolt, causing the bats to fly. The big problem
is getting the motor to go slow enough. Too fast and the bats look like they are
shivering, not flying. By adding enough weight to make the motor almost stall and adding a couple
of extra strings I got the wings to flap pretty well.
My problem now is that after a while, the bats achieve steady state. They keep flapping,
but in position. They need to move around more. A little wind makes them bounce around
nicely while they flap, but I do not want to add a fan. Still working on this. -Chuck-
Subject:
Re: HALL: Monster Vision!?
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 02:49:14 EDT
From: WierdEnuff@aol.com
well if you have a walk through haunted house.. and you have access to a video
camera.. you could produce a little home video of fake news footage.. like a ax
murder is loose in the neighborhood.. say he was last scene in the vacinity of your
neighbor hood.. maybe even have some eye witness being inteview outside of your house..
or wherever the haunt is.. stuff like that.. or.. have a bunch of static.. with
screaming and hellish noises.. and then once in awhile flash a gross or demonic picture..
Make it as if your tv is possessed..
Subject:
RE: HALL: Coffin
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 07:40:12 -0400
From: "Michael Hios" <mhios@ma.ultranet.com>
>
I don't know if you're up for this, but here's what I did with a coffin that I built.
After the first year of display, I found that people just weren't scared enough when
someone jumped out of it, because that's exactly what they were expecting. What
I did was remove the cloth liner, then I cut away a large section of the plywood back.
I built a plywood box with the same dimensions as the coffin. I rested the coffin
up against the plywood box and then fastened it with dexk screws. I replaced the
liner cloth with black fabric. I left the fabric sorta loose and put a slit in it so that
an actor could reach through the hole in back of the coffin. The actor would hide
in the box behind the coffin. When people would approach the coffin, they would
naturally open it (cautiously) to discover that it was empty. Just as they relaxed, the
actor would reach out at them through the hole and give them a scream. Then I would
watch ( in hysterical delight) as they high-tailed it out of the yard. Michael Hios
Subject:
HALL: Madison SCARE Garden -- SPOILERS
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 09:45:59 EDT
From: Pulpscrypt@aol.com
After a LONG three weeks working on the charity Haunt The wife and I took yesterday
off to visit Madison "Scare" Garden. I was only a bit disappointed (I had pie-in-the-sky
high hopes that this would be as fun as Universal's HAlloween Horror Nights), but
there were some high-points:
STUDIO FIFTY-GORE: The queue line hosted by "John Revolting". Cute, but boring. The
higlight of this was when a roving videodcamera picked me out of the audience as
a "celebrity look-a-like of Stephen King! The doorman/bouncer was VERY intimidating,
I'm 6'3" and this guy TOWERED over me!
NIGHTMARE ON TIMES SCARE: the SEVEN deadly sins. The rooms were a bit large for the
group sizes and the sound was difficult to hear in some rooms. Best rooms - gluttony
(with a nod to Monty Python), and anger.
GOTHAM SEWER TOUR: Two black holes with a short connecting tunnel. Cool animatronic
guy vomiting into a waste barrel (Distortions?).
DR. SHRIEKS EMPORIUM OF FREAKS: Hats off to John Denley and crew for the BEST of Show.
I wish everything had been as well orchestrated. BTW John, was that a REAL SNAKE?
I copped a quick feel (I'm so ashamed!) and it certainly felt real!
ESCAPE FROM RIKER'S ISLAND: A nifty chain-link fence and mirror maze full of crazies.
I think they needed to be more agressive to startle people, but we're kind of used
to these things. ;)
HALLOWEEN EXTREME 3D: I was impressed by this effect. The Facade here was beautiful.
The 3-d process could have some very cool uses (if you have the money that is!) and
the third black hole was REALLY disorienting.
FANGORIA's HORRORWOOD: Never saw it? But, like the Fangoria conventions, I'm sure
NOT seeing it was a plus.
PIRATE JACKS HALLOWEEN MUSEUM: Probably WORSE than the Fangoria thing, this consisted
of four or five shelves with a couple of old masks and props from poor movies.
CHRIS ANGEL's SHOW. Neat but short. Goth Rock/Magician/Musician. Think Roy (of Sigfried
and...) meets GWAR. One illusion, Metamorphosis.
ALL IN ALL. Some cool stuff, some junk. You pays your money, you takes your chances.
Probably worth twenty bucks if your in the city. Took about seventy minutes to run
through, but it was not busy when we went (1PM in the afternoon).
BEST SCARE of the day was at Planet Hollywood. Themed a bit for the season, the SCREAM
character occasionally roams the tables. One little girl was so frightened she cried
for five minutes! I hope they gave her a free brownie or something! -dave-
Subject:
HALL: REVIEW: Del Mar Scaregrounds "Scream Zone" in Del Mar, Calif
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 08:15:33 -0700
From: "Aaron K. Wynn-Hinman" <oct31@oct31.com>
>From http://www.oct31.com/
==========================================
NAME: The Scream Zone at the Del Mar Scaregrounds
WHERE: Del Mar, California
WHEN: October 8 - October 31
PRICE: "General admission is $8.50. An $18.50 wristband gives you
Scream Zone admission plus unlimited thrill rides all night.
Look for a $5 off coupon at Pizza Hut in coming weeks."
INFO: (619) 755-1161
ADVISORY: "The Scream Zone is not recommended for kids under 13 years of
age."
When I visited the Del Mar Scaregrounds Saturday, October 10, the carnival and ride
portions of this haunted attraction were not yet in operation, and so this review
is limited to the Scream Zone. I was personally quite disappointed by this haunt.
Billing itself "North County's Scariest Haunted House" and carrying an advisory recommending
against bringing kids under age 13, one certainly expects to be entertained, and
at least startled a few times.
However, like most haunts of this sort that erupt like festering sores in October,
the focus appears to lie on maximum throughput and minimum effort. The "maze" was
a collection of trite and tired cliches worn out long ago in haunts and carnivals.
I guess a quickie commercial haunted attraction just isn't a quickie commercial haunted attraction
without the following features thrown in:
* a human butcher shop
* a car that blasts its horn and turns on its headlights as patrons round the corner
* a guy with a chainsaw laughing maniacally as he chases teenage girls (after their
phone numbers, no doubt...)
* an evil clown that follows patrons menacingly
* a toxic dump with mutant zombie jumper
* a room with multiple dummies, one of which you just +know+ has to be a jumper
* several young actors dressed in black and straining so hard to look severely goth,
that in fact they seemed more like they were awaiting a simultaneous root canal
and enema.
The only scene in the Scream Zone that I felt showed any promise was at the very beginning:
an empty black room, dimly illuminated and filled entirely with fog. Of course, there
was only one doorway out, and it was an effort to find it. I'll admit that this, too, is a much-used effect, but one should not discount the merit of making your
patrons disoriented and unsure just what is in a room with them. Of course, there
is a fine and ambiguous boundary between disorientation and irritability, one that
some fellow patrons began to cross. The circuit for the haunt took about five to six minutes
to complete. Again, disappointing - and in my opinion worth something less than $8.50
of my limited finances.
The maze emptied out onto an open area filled by merchants, most of whom seemed to
have nothing at all to do with the holiday (except the outrageously overpriced prop
and costume booth). And now, for my biggest complaints about the Scream Zone at the
Del Mar
Scaregrounds:
1) The primary source of lighting for many scenes were strobe lamps. No only does
the lack of other forms of illumination (black lights, color gels, flicker bulbs,
etc) get boring, but nowhere before, during or after the haunt did I see an advisory
notice to patrons with neurological disorders that strobe lights were used excessively in
the attraction. As an individual who at one time had two forms of trauma-induced
epilepsy (partial complex and psychomotor) I am acutely aware that people with some
forms of epilepsy or other neurilogical conditions may suffer dramatic consequenses if exposed
to strobe lighting. Tsk tsk.
2) Existing at a racetrack with stables, it is no surprise that the haunt took place
in a building with dirt floors. What is disappointing is that areas of the dirt floor
were uneven, and therefore of potential risk to patrons. While I think that it's
fine if haunts use inclining and declining ramps and such, I do not think that the use
of uncontrolled and uneven flooring is responsible on the part of the organizers.
3) One room with a particularly gothic-looking (or is that constipated?) actress was
using as its background audio music from Glen Danzig's "Black Aria." While I believe
it a superb album and appropriate for the holiday, it is a copywritten work, and
to my knowledge Mr. Danzig does not smile upon unlicensed use of his material.
Overall, I'd say that the Scream Zone at the Del Mar Scaregrounds costsfar too much
money for far too little "oomph." Aaron K. Wynn-Hinman Owner - Oct31.com
Subject:
HALL: Re: Alien Scream
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 12:34:09 EDT
From: BUSH134@aol.com
Hey everyone,
Ahh the big day is drawing closer and it is feeling more and more like Halloween everyday.
I went to Alien Scream last night and man, if you live in the Denver area, it is
a must see. It was a totally interactive haunted house. You have to crawl through tubes, push buttons, and pick up a phone. It also boasts a Black Hole, and this
was the first time I had ever been through one. I always knew it was supposed to
be trippy and make you dizzy but I had no idea. By the time I hit the middle, I
could have sworn that the bridge was moving and not the wall. It is definatley something to
see. Besides the haunt, there is also a 3-d maze, which has a chainsaw and other
creatures and a simmilar effect like the Black Hole. Tommorrow, I plan to go to
Elitches with Brutal Planet and Friday we are going to the rest of the major haunted houses.
I even have free passes to two that I got from the haunt that I work at. Well,
I will post reviews on the others, if you guys wish. Take care. Mike
Subject:
Re: HALL: Need ideas for Bug room
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 13:37:47 EDT
From: WierdEnuff@aol.com
I was in a Haunted that had a room that was supposed to be filled with bugs.. what
they did was us a long wide hallway.. they filled it with fog so you couldn't see
in front of you.. but had a light at the end. so you kinda new what directiong to
go.. then they put styrophoam peanuts all over the floor.. just covered it.. like an inch
or so thick.. and then played weird noises.. like cocroaches in the walls.. you
could also add the thread hanging down for added spider web effect..
Subject:
Re: HALL: Brutal Planet + Best Houses
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 19:02:32 +0000
From: "Michele Slack" <mslack@mars.ditell.com>
The best thing I saw in a haunted house was a ceiling with spikes that glowed flourescent
& dropped down towards your head fast. The same one also had a wall that fell sideways
towards you. They both had some guy with a light on him or something to distract you.
Subject:
Re: HALL: Brutal Planet + Best Houses
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 20:11:06 -0400
To: halloween-l@netcom.com
From: Bob McCown <rmccown@ici.net>
Being not easily scared or startled, Id say the best room ive seen in a HH is one,
about 10 years ago. There was a HH locally in a huge barn, and one of the rooms
in the barn (about 25feet square) was painted in black and white checks. Walls,
cieling, floor, and even had deviders in it like a maze. They also had characters walking around
in checkered outfits, and there was a strobe going at about 1 flash per second.
was VERY cool, and very disorienting... -Bob
Subject:
Re: HALL: Brutal Planet + Best Houses
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 22:34:12 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Bob on the best haunted house room) After seeing so many local haunted houses, it
gets fun to remember which one I liked best. Probably my favorite for sheer bad taste
would be the infamous OJ room at the House of Terror in Anaheim several years ago.
That one was discussed on the list as it made the local news when Goldman forced that
room to be shut down.
For personal favorite in running would be the Circus of Death room at Chamber of Horrors
back in 1989. I got the privilege of working that one after being caught with my
tape recorder dictating notes. On the upper catwalk was a computer friend of mine
working it who recognized me, so me and my best friend got invited to help out. No money,
but lots of fun. As an aside for those who read the John Burton article in Haunted
Attraction magazine, this was the one and same haunted house that he built his infamous Egyptian pyramid. The first time through that pyramid simply blew me away. It wasnt
that it was a multimillion dollar effect, but it was such an amazing scale. It also
proved my biggest headache while working the tech stuph. Sionce John has progressed
beyond this haunt, let me relate the fun details of things.
The Circus room was located after a pitch black U turn corridor. The computer room
actually sat on top of this corridor, and the maintainence catwalk was over a vortex
hallway. The pyramid sat at the far end of the corridor.
When you exited the corridor, there was a low light and some mist fog type shinint
towards you. You saw this shadow shape rushing towards you coming down and it scared
the ^%%$^%^% out of you with a huge crach, this was KRASH COASTER. It was built by
a guy who advertises in HA magazine, I forgot which. It had a diagonal track about 15
feet long, was about 10 feet high, and a motor would bring a car down at high speed
until it crashed right next to you. Going into the room farther were two clowns
who loved doing somersaults and menacing the victums. In the corner were 3 Chuck E Cheese
robots singing silently but insanely. The Krash Coaster was run by a pushbutton so
when the people exited, you gave them one HELLUVA suprise!
The pyramis was amazing to itself, but it had one ^%^%^% which kept hitting my personal
fear of heights. The pyramid was 17 feet tall, and located right after Draculas Graveyard.
You went in, there was a sarcophagus, fake torches, paintings on the walls, and the spider trick. Spiders, maybe 3 inches large were dangling all over the place,
going up and down on their strings with a range of 10 feet at times. The spider trick
was computer controlled. Each spider used a small DC motor and a spool to reel in
the thread up anbd down. A program written in C for the Amiga 1000 would pulse the
motors up and down, creating the random movement.
The pain was the thread snarling in the reels. I kept on hqaving tp clib a ladder
for the top 2 or 3 at the very tyop to untangle them. I have this fear of heights,
so it was a slight pain. This house I still consider as one of THE finest I have
ever been to. Nightmare Tony
land hunting all day, and going to a lousy haunt afterwards. Sigh...
Subject:
Re: HALL: Brutal Planet + Best Houses
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 1998 01:17:35 EST
From: WierdEnuff@aol.com
cocroach room.. large hall, thick very thick fog, styrofoam peanuts on the ground,
wierd bug noises, and a light at the end of the tunnel ( I think it was either a
strobe light or a spinning tunnel light. but fog was very very very thick.. you
couldn't see in front of you and walking on the peanuts made a cool crunching bug sound.
Subject:
Re: HALL: Brutal Planet + Best Houses
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 1998 16:20:15 EST
From: Pulpscrypt@aol.com
Best Maze/Haunt I've ever seen was over five years ago at Universal Studios Florida
Halloween Horror Nights.
They did over an entire soundstage themed to Wes Craven's "People Under the Stairs"
and it was awesome. We moved at a slow trot through the entire thing because if you
slowed down, someone dressed up as the Everett McGill "Father" character would pop
up behind you and shoot off a shot gun into the air! This thing was a maze of high class
make-up, dark corridors with multiple drop panels and excellent lighting. It's the
yardstick I measure (unrealistically) everything else against.
Best single effect is the HHN Rat Lady. Not the most recent ones, but the earlier
one when you walked over her in the plexi-glass coffin and it lit up and she screamed
and pounded on the lid. I stopeed for two minutes just to get a peek! -dave-
Subject:
Re: HALL: Brutal Planet + Best Houses
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998 06:51:32 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Dave on Univeral Studios thing)
On Z haunt review things, I guess I will have to budget next year for the local Hollywierd
universal studios. Double review here.
1. The Morgue/Graveyard, Castle Park, Riverside, CA. This on looked sweet from the
outside. A large tent of 10,000 square feet. This group was in their 11th year of
doing it, from around San Diego, Oceanside and finally there. Was anticipating a
good haunt, great ideas. Dream on, Tony. This house was an exercise in what mistakes to avoid.
Furnishings: fairly good. No qualms there. Not as rich as Knoptts furnishings, but
still quite good.
Show: my primary beef. It is one thing to use small groups and lead them into a room
to await the show event. Its another where they pack in maybe 30 per group, so the
lead ones wait about 2-2.5 minutes for the room event to begin. From the inside for
example, you could see a rather large cenbtral room thing, the panels were up 16 feetl
tal, so you figured it must be the main hit of the show. So you go into the room,
metal floor and a hgiant diesel train front in front of you. From the outside, you
could hear the giant air horn anbd VERY loud sharp air compressor hisses, so at this point,
you ALREADY knew what was going to happen. So we waited the 2 minutes until they
pack the room and let it off. By this time, it was merely cover your ears, because
this "startle" scare does NOT work when you have waited 2 minutes for it! A MUCH better
version of this was the much lowewr budget house at Camelot Park in Anaheim. The
room had an S shaped corridor when you walked in, and the train was BEHIND you when
you got in, you were distracted to look to the other side. A far more effective train room.
And in every room, we had to wait for the scare to begin. And each scare used an
air release. Not just a simple hiss but a sharp 140 dB air blast which hurt our ears.
It got to the point where the air blasts did not scare or startle, mbut merely annoy
and irritate. Black thread in a corridor is on thing, but using STIFF fishing line
in FRONT of lighted window displays where you can see them in plain view? Cmon. It
also featured the car from the movie Christine. Didnt do ANYTHING for scale value.
Overall, we rated it a 2 out of 10. Sorry, Hill Productions. Please read the lists
on how to manage your scares more effectively.
On the next day, we hit the 6 Flags Fright Fest, Magic Mountain. They featured a new
haunted house this year, Joker's Hideaway. The only thing thatreally didnt workj
at the park was using fog machines in gusty wind situations. Try netting over things.
The Willoughby's was nice, they ran you through backwars, so they didnt have to mess
witht he Ninja line. Nice, a 7.5. About a tad below or just barely equal to a Knotts
house. Nice furnishings, scares worked quite well. Much more worth a 12 dollar trip
than the previous house reviewed. For the second house, it used a fairly small building,
the flight simultor/sports shop building out by Flashback. A licensed name thing.
This left my expectations down. I was VERY pleasantly suprised. It was small, 6 rooms total, but there were 2 which simply blew me away for the rest of the night, and
let me rate this little haunted house at an 8. WARNING: spoiler below. These two
rooms were VERY clever, so if you have not visited it, dont read this.
1. A black hole effect. Rotating tunnel. Green paint spatters, flourescent type. The
novelty here was instead of using a mirror at the end, using a large rotating disk
to match the tunnel speed. I damn near fell over on the bridge on this one.
2. They diud two jack in the box rooms. The first was neat, killer clown bursting
out. The box, being some 3-4 feet on each side. On the second room, a large box in
the center, it looked like wall panels on the side for the clown to come out of,
or so we thought. Song began, at the end of it, a little TINY panel of some 2.5 inches opened
up, a little jack in the box figure came out. Good comic relief. We thought it would
be a scary clown. THEN we got it, the clown jumping down a bunjy cord from the ceiling right on TOP of the box! Man, were we knocked out of our shows on that one!!!! While
our attention was on the TINY innocent one, BOOM! A classic tension buildup, release
then hit 'em at the release time! This room I was raving about all night long! We
gave this one an 8. Way to go, 6 Flags! Nightmare Tony
Subject:
Re: HALL: re: check this out
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 11:48:08 -0500
From: Ricky & Karen Dick <castleb@dns.pulsenet.com>
Amen Diane,
We love to see folks go over the top for thier yards. We sponsor a yard decorating
contest in our town and this guy would have gotten a prize for sure.
Didnt we all start with cheapie plastic decorations? I have pictures of what would
become Castle blood with not much more than those plastic Happy Halloween banners,
and things from that guys yard. Gravely
Subject:
Re: HALL: Storytelling in haunts.
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 23:10:23 EST
From: JMeils42@aol.com
Hi, My feeling about storytelling in haunted houses is that you can only go
so far. After all, many of your patrons will not be in any room of your house for
more than a minute. Not much time to impart much in the way of plot, or to develop
character. At best, you might be able to build things up on a framework that many people
will instantly recognize.... say, Grimms Fairy Tales, or cliche'd "B" science fiction
films. Even then, you will be hard pressed to build suspense while telling a
story. In a way, every room of the average haunt is a story unto itself. Walking
into a set that screams "Frankenstien", "The Mummy" or even "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"
is an example of this.
Yes, I think you CAN expand on this. Look at the "Hollywood Halloween" issue
of Starlog sometime. It has a great article about how Bob Burns told little three
minute stories at his backyard haunt for years. Of course, he spent a tond of time
and money, and could only put through maybe 1000 people tops.
There seems to be a trade off, between volume, and depth of story. I don't
know about you, but I'll settle for just scaring the beejesus out of a lot of people.
We haunters seem to fall into the trap of somehow thinking we're movie producers.
We're not. If anything, we're closer to "special event geeks" (as a good freind of mine
put it). We just get so much into the season, we build these events up because we
want to drag everyone else into it as well...
Still, there's no reason NOT to keep pushing the envelope.....If you have
any
ideas about how to make storytelling practical in a haunt, I'd love to hear it. Joe
"DiaboliCo"
Subject:
Re: HALL: Storytelling in haunts.
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 21:00:36 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Joe on haunt storytelling)
For storytelling, I feel that the set design and theme can tell the story without
using words. An example I can use is DEAD MAN'S WHARF, a new Knott's haunt maze for
this year. The outside resembles a wharf yard, and the first passageway you go into
has various gruesome autopsy pictures and newspaper headlines shellacked onto the walls
in an old 20's style. This hallway had no monsters, andx the walls were lit enough
to read some of the headlines involving a local slasher type. Various wharf settings
such as an abbatoir of a fishmarket and an abandoned boat draw the customer deeper into
the clutches of the villian, for a final confrontation near the end.
Ironically, this maze during the year is the Haunted Shack which uses a taped storyteller
in the first room to explain the legend of the haunted shack. Different storytelling
style, it imparts more information than the inferred method, unless you stop and read the information provided. (the newspaper hallway had no monsters and had enough
lighting to read the headlines fairly comfortably) Nightmare Tony haunted website:
www.carnevil.com
Subject
: HALL: Great Ideas from a Crazy haunt here in ABQ
From: Esch, Michael A [michael.a.esch@intel.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 1998 9:37 AM
I went to the local Mall haunt in Albuquerque. Wanted to share some ideas that
they came up with. I applauded them for "the big set up". Most of the scenes were
humorous so I thought "OK, great on the fun, little or no scare.....until the end. That was the key. They got you to relax, THEN they hit you on the last two scenes.
Some of the key hits:
Beginning. Normal HOT DOG ON A STICK girls, crazy uniforms. They were complaining
about the uniforms. How they were gonna get even....Had eyes floating in the lemonade.
Cute. Im getting worried that my $$ was a waste.
Several spooky hallways, we are at a fountain pool. (About 3 ft deep) There's
Jack and Rose shivering, floating, BUT Rose keeps pushing Jack into the water shouting
"NO! IM THE STAR! He comes up again and knifes him, puts a bag over his head, hits him with a life preserver. etc. And about 10 more sweet scenes with minor scares..
THEN!!!!
We are in a Disney-ish scene with Animitronics Bambi, singing squirrels, all
joined by the hands and dancing. So sweet it would make you puke.
Then the roof opens up behind us and a 5-8 ft Dragon comes crashing through,
as we turn back, the set (Obviously on a turntable) has switched while we were
watching and the same figures are now rotted corpse screaming a scary tune. Strobes,
HOT musty air has replaced the ambient temp. WEIRD!
The next door opens to those HOT DOG ON A STICK GIRLS who have now gone postal
and are serving people. One is lowering the "manager" into a tank of hot oil (Dry
ice) There is a vat of body parts and heads and two girls are smashing into lemonade. The spigot has blood pouring out. GREAT BUT SICK!
We go into a normal lit room where two people are standing with treats under
the exit sign. Mall advertisements everywhere. You think this is the end when the
corpses appear out of the walls and suck these people in. All in all, ingenious.
Subject:
Re: HALL: Storytelling in haunts.
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 06:46:06 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Clayton on Dead Man's Wharf)
They used the Haunted Shack for this maze. The Haunted Shack is a leaning house attraction,
a "center of gravity" experience. I would have to go back to the audio tape for a
full descrp, but let me pull this one from memory (too early in the morning to fire up ther stereo and search for the taope :)
The front of the haunted shack was redecorated using camouflage netting, some shipping
boxes and containers to suggest a wharf from at least the early 40's. A foam sculpture
of a whale was about 3 or 4 feet long and I think it was carved by the park's inhouse sculpture, Dave Yndtres. (for more of his work, check out the story totem pole
in front of the park, the pelicans on Windjammer and the statues in the waterfall
on Hammerhead).
The waiting area was wood covered, as usual. Merely aged appearing wood for decoration.
On entering, the area was usually a scare zone. This time it was the hallway. U shaped,
both walls appeared shellacked with the newspaper headlines "WHARF SLASHER ON THE
LOOSE IN SHIPYARD" "3 MORE MURDERED IN KILLER'S SPREE", that sort of thing. The autopsy photos were black and white, fairly gruesome. We walked by too fast to notice the
phot detail, though. (photo).
The waiting room for the size bending line became a seafood shop. I forget the name
of the shop, but it was a cute joke. Inside, some customers were slashed up, there
was a skeleton inside the crab tank, and one or two live actors dressed in camouflage
netting. On the size bending line, I forget the display.
Going farther down the descending canyon, the sky was concelaed by oveheard camouflage
netting and a fog machine. A fog horn sounded dolefully and fairly loudly. Along
the way down, you sometimes passed a rain coated actor hurrying past you. He never
menaced, he hurried past you. (I forgot, one also did this in the story corridor). At
the bottom of the canyon was a ship set. In an inside joke was the name stencilled
on the boat: "JACK'S BARGAIN". (for you list members who saw me talk to the staff
guard the first night across the fence, that was actually the president of the park, Jack
Folfas. He is a VERY hands on type who all the employees love. No pretension or suits
for him!)
Anyhoo, back on the boat, I forgot what the scare was, I was still busting up over
the ship's name. Then up into the house itself, the side display was also natucial
but forgotten (this is why I take audio notes to remember this sort of detail!),
the next two rooms were also nautical but also forgotten. The outside room had the slasher
as a giant 15 foot tall animatronic looming up from behind the wharf boxes. It would
ride up and down, maybe about 10 feet.
The final passage past Knotts oldest preserves was a sort of maze of camouflaged netting,
with the dead victums entrapped in the camouflage. Very dark, very memorable. All
in all, a small but fun walk through. Nightmare Tony
Subject
: HALL: new prop
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 21:52:45 EST
From BGMort7@aol.com
Okay, here I go again... This one can be used as an elevator shaft or a railroad station,
or something else. I will tell you about the elevator shaft version, and if you
want to make the railroad station, the changes are simple. The effect is you walk
up to an elevator shaft thats only blocked by a rail. You here screaming and look up
into the shaft and see nothing. The screaming gets louder and louder, then for a
split second you fell the wind of the car falling, and you see the victims, dead,
a look of terror on their faces, fall past you. You here the screams dissapearing down the
elevator shaft fading away to nothing. I don't know how to automatically synch the
screams and the blacklight, but the rest I have figured out. How to make it: you
need two regular mirrors, two one-sided windows, flourescent paint, a blacklight, a tape
of screams on a two-speaker setup, a trigger device (pressure mat, light sensor,
sound sensor), and whatever it takes to synch the screams and blacklight. You set
up a one sided window and a mirror on the floor so it appears to go down forever. You do the
same at the ceiling. It should now look like an elevator shaft where you can't see
the top or bottom. Now you need to paint flourescent paint on the walls to look
like an elevator car full of dead people screaming and install a balcklight out of sight
so when it flashes you see the elevator car. All thats left now is synching the
blacklight with the screams so the screams play on one speaker, then the blacklight
flashes as it switches to the other speaker, and installing the speakers. If noone on this
list can come up with a way to do this, or you don't understand it, or you just don't
want to, you can have that all be manual, or you can have one speaker to play the
tape and have the blacklight be manual. (what I will probably do.) If you have any suggestions,
questions, or answers, please fell free to ask or tell.
Subject
: Re: HALL: Lovecraftian Theme
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 23:08:54 -0700
From: htraver@dreamsys.com
(Joe on HP Lovecraft not describing his monsters)
Lovecraft had the right idea in the above trick. Haunters use itsometimes, to let
the imagination of the reader (or guest) do their own fright numbers.
Use a Lovecraft theme and a maze, for example. I would like to propose a rock cave
similar to the JBCorn setup for Skull Cavern. EXCEPT that this one has a much different
purpose.
Make this rock caverns seem to descend, if you can get a hillside worth of work. flickering
torchers (fake or electric illusions) light the way occasionally. You hear bats rustling
in some corners, sometimes they fly by. You hear low chanting, VERY low throbbing bass sounds which get louder as you go along the caverns. Sopmetimes you hear
the sounds of something HUGE moving or grunting or chanting along with the monks
(or whoever is chanting up ahead of you).
Let's keep this one to about 50 foot length, between the exit doors. one before this
cavern, one at the end, your destination, the evil temple room. And for this 50 feet
of cavern, you are scaring the living wazangus out of your guests by playing with
their apprehension. The sounds, the setting. No need for any monster scares in this cavern,
that would detract from the true scare. The anticipation that whatever is ahead sure
as heck is NOT the Avon Lady.... Nightmare Tony
(filing this one under "themed ideas"...)
Subject
: RE: HALL: Best Haunted Effect
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 19:06:57 -0500
From: "Fields, Karl" <KFields@radiantsystems.com>
One that impressed me the most was at Skull Kingdom in Orlando. About half way
through they have an area where you are looking at some very large animated thing
(might have been a monster, dragon, knight, alien, something). This thing is probably
15 feet tall, the majority of it on the floor below you. So I'm standing there, fascinated
with the movements of something that big when WHAM the little balcony thing I was
standing on gives way a few inches. Hadn't even noticed I had moved onto it from
the regular flooring. Best I've ever been gotten! Karl
From:
http://members.aol.com/jimnifx/halloween/sets.htm
The "EYE GOT YOU" is one of my favorites thats used in a walk thru Haunted Houses.
It's brought guest to the floor with fright. The set up is a large plastic globe
painted to look like an eye ball coming thru the wall. The gag is controlled by one
haunter that swings the eye ball out and turns on a light inside the ball. All the parts
can be purchased at any local home center. The effect is a one that no one will see
coming.
"The Diner for Dinner" This set-up is great just before a kitchen or body parts scene.
It's a simple set-up of a low stage with a center hole big enough for the legs of
the victim to go into. A large pot with no bottom can be made of paper mache' and
placed over the staging. As the "guest" pass by the victim is pulled from the pot screaming.
Having a bucket of water hidden in the pot for the victim to splash on the guest
adds to the effect. Stones and sticks with red/yellow flicker bulbs behind them lights the fire. With the addition of a smoke machine the effect is complete.
"The Flying Spirits"have been used in a Black Light graveyard to seem to be wandering
ghosts flying over the graves. A light weight dummy is attached to a PVC pole which
is held by a haunter dressed in all black.The spirit is then moved thru the graves
appearing to float. The spirit can be dressed in a Glow mask and light weight robes.
This is a very good effect in any haunting.
Over the years we've need dummys or maniquins for Special Effects. We used this simple
and inexpensive design to create the bodys. You can make the whole frame for about
$8.00 out of chicken wire. Make 1 large tube for the body - 4 tubes for the arms
and legs and 1 tube for the head. Attach the tubes together with wire or plastic ties
( I call them Zip ties ) Then bend and shape the form into a body shape and dress
in a costume , covering the head and hands with gloves and a mask.All the parts
are available at most home centers. I use these Dummys for the Flying Spirits because
they are very light weight. "A caution"-- Use good gloves when cutting and assembling!