http://www.cascade.net/darknet.html The Yahoo site address is : http://www.yahoo.com/text/Society_and_Culture/Holidays/Halloween Jett ************************************************************** wraith:co-owner: Nightstalkers http://world.std.com/~chaotic The House of Pain http://www.psdesert.com/wraith/index~1.htm The Halloween House of Pain Actually Won An Award!! ***************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 03:23:03 1996 Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 15:03:56 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Dummies -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Did anyone mention using the 6-foot inflatable skeletons as dummies? A friend dressed one as a gypsy fortune teller in her "tarot parlor" scene one year. In the dark, those tacky faces look pretty real... From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 03:23:28 1996 Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 15:28:44 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Haunted House in New York City? -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com The following is from my web page (http://www.geocities.com/heartland/2007/haunts.html): October 18?27 * MADISON ?SCARE? GARDEN * Madison Square Garden (in the Expo Center). 90?minute shows begin at 10:00 a.m. Admission: $16.95 ($13.95 each for groups of 20 or more) at the box office or through Ticketmaster. This fall, you?ll wander?or RUN?through 3,000 feet of fear in the mind-bending ?Terror Maze,? scream your way through the ?Mad Caretaker?s Fright Control Center,? experience a chilling case of stagefright in the ?Haunted Theatre,? and step carefully through ?Pirate Jack?s Perilous Pumpkin Patch.? Scared? You oughta be! There?s all that and more in this 90?minute interactive spooktacular guaranteed to give you the fright of your life! For ages 7 and older. * Call the Madison Square Garden box office at 212?465?6744 for complete showtimes. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 03:23:55 1996 Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 16:03:40 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Creepy ScreenSavers? -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Please send! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 03:24:09 1996 Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 15:27:10 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Creepy ScreenSavers? -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Cool! What kinda computer are they for? I have Macs and DOS/Windows! Please send! >>> Freya E. Harris 10/13/96 07:46pm >>> I have a couple Halloween-themed screen savers. One is a witch who drifts across the screen and periodically drops a pumpkin. Not exactly scary, but in the spirit of things. Another has a bunch of ghosts, skulls, etc. that leave trails across the screen. They are both public domain, so I can share 'em with anybody who would like a copy. - Freya Atlanta, GA They call it Hotlanta for a reason! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 04:56:13 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 07:50:48 -0400 (EDT) From: Jennifer Etowski To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: oreo traranchelas Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com put orio cookies and honey in food prossor and much up. mold into spideror terranchelas. use chocolate chips or mm or malt balls as bodyand eyes. refigerate to make stiff. see washington post food sectionfor Wed.Oct.23. Yes I think it is on line. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 04:59:18 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 07:49:43 -0400 (EDT) From: RevCOAL To: Greg Hope Subject: Re:Party tunes Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com On Thu, 24 Oct 1996, Greg Hope wrote: > >Not to mention CAREFUL WITH THAT AX, EUGENE, from the same album..... > > > I thought that was from the Relics album Nope, it's on the original Umma-gumma album I still have...bought on sale at Woolworth's for 99 cents because back then no one knew who Pink Floyd was, and the album wasn't selling.... I remember getting home and listening to it for the first time (on my parents big 'totally high-fidelity stereo', the piece of furniture which looked like a coffeetable and took up one wall of our living room...) ...it was summer, the windows were open....and I kept turning the volume up cuz CAREFUL WITH THAT AX, EUGENE keeps getting softer and softer until... Hell, it even woke up our dogs! People on the street turned and looked at our house, wondering if a murder was taking place... Donna, still showing her age.... ;-) From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 05:21:23 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 07:12:38 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Flying Ghost Verses Rocket Scientist Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com The ol' ghost bit the big one today... As many of you know I built Scott's flying ghost system way back when and ran it for weeks last year without a hitch. This year, time has been really tight and the flying ghost was the one thing I did get set up again. Every night the ghost comes in just in case a storm or heavy winds come up during the night, this way I know his fragile bones will survive. Our youngest Bull Terrier is Hoover, his AKC name- Lochiel's Doctor Hans Zarkov. When he was born it was obvious he wasn't too bright so we gave him our kennel name of Lochiel and the tag, a famous rocket scientist's name. He's 85 pounds of muscle and not a lot of brain. I was letting Hoover through the back door this morning after he went out for the first time, he came busting in and instantly headed for the living room where my wife was sitting and the ghost was resting on the floor near the front door. Instantly seeing the new addition to the living room, he ran over to challenge the creature. Hoover got tangled in the Kevlar thread harness on the ghost and figuring the ghost was coming after him, responded to the "attack". Bull Terriers never back away from a threat, especially if it's an inanimate object that doesn't put up much of a fight. It was over in seconds, the ghost didn't have a chance. :( Ahhh... there's always next year. Denny From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 05:58:50 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 08:52:30 -0400 (EDT) From: Jennifer Etowski To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: countdown Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com OK Halloween is next Thursday.Oct.31 Take a deep Breath and scream all the panic out and run around like a bat out of h... From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 06:03:29 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 07:52:09 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Gary Engle Subject: homemade fog juice Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com When making your own homemade fog juice with glycerin and distilled water, what is the proper ratio glycerin/water? ...Gary gengle@erols.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 06:40:05 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 09:33:56 -0400 (EDT) From: Jennifer Etowski To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: I just got all my rentals! :) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com PARTY DOWN!Enjoy the Celtic New Year!!!!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 06:49:21 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 09:41:14 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: kahnn@pa.net (Nathan Kahn) Subject: Re: homemade fog juice Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > When making your own homemade fog juice with > glycerin and distilled water, what is the > proper ratio glycerin/water? That depends a lot on the pump and heat exchanger in your machine. Water is just a carrier, its the glycerin that makes the fog. But its not economical to use a pump that will pump 100% glycerin, and an exchanger to turn it into fog without running cold pretty quick, so water is added. >From what I read on the list here, most pumps are capable of pumping a 20% glycerin solution, so that is a pretty good place to start. You want the solution to be thin enough a: for your pump to pump, and b: for you to be able to get nice healthy bursts of fog, without the fog coming out wet. The thinner your solution is, the longer you will be able to fog without the exchanger losing enough heat so as to not complete aerosolize the fog fluid. Of course the thinner your solution is, the less fog comes out. As I mentioned in a previous message, if the temperature of the exchanger is too high (over 575F or so), you will begin to get byproducts coming out in the fog. You don't want this - you want your fog to be 100% droplets of glycerin and water. I should clarify this - you don't want this if people will be inhaling your fog. For fog that is safe to breathe, use the lowest temperature possible that will still completely aerosolize your fluid, and give you the length of burst you need. Your fluid will almost certainly be thinner than 80/20 now. There is no cut and dry rule - it all depends on the type of exhanger and temperature. To make dense clouds of fog that is not safe to breathe, use the highest temperature possible (within reason) and the thickest concentration of fluid that your pump will handle. (Note: this is *not* how the big professional machines make more fog - they do it with longer and multiple heat exchangers, and multiple pumps.) [Throughout this text I have used heat exchanger to refer to the part you use to transfer the heat from the heat element to the fog fluid. I've never actually read the Halloween archives on this, so I'm not sure if you just run copper tubing over an element or not (in this case, the portion of the tubing that is over the element would be the heat exchanger).] :Nathan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nathan Kahn Home: kahnn@pa.net Work: nathan@theatrefx.com Work Web: http://www.theatrefx.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 06:59:31 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 08:52:36 -0500 From: David Kiihne To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Magic Coffin effects trick (long!) -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >>> Jason R 10/24/96 05:42pm >>> >Gee whats the address of the Magicians mailing list, does it get as >much traffic as this one {Halloween1} does.? Actually, I was just being a smart-aleck because my posts lately have been dealing more with magic tricks than with Halloween. I don't know of any public Internet mailing lists for magicians. The only thing close to that category in the public access is the alt.magic newsgroup. (Although there has been talk of an alt.magic.history newsgroup starting up, but it has yet to show up on my news server. :( Sorry for the confusion. Dave - daveki@nebfef.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 07:20:02 1996 Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 04:09:31 -0700 From: Mike Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Strange Question time Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jo, Lets see if I can remember my shopping list 6 black lights 1 smoke machine 40 2x4's 200 ft. of walling 600 ft. nylon rope 8 masks and I am out of memory. Someone said earlier it is only once a year!! Yep!! Told all the nieces and nephews this is the "Nightmare before Christmas" and also their gifts so enjoy it!! Now I see why people charge for their haunts...:) I love this Horrorday!!!!!!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 08:00:04 1996 Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 04:51:28 -0700 From: Mike Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Flying Ghost Verses Rocket Scientist Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Denny, You love your dogs, just remember that. And you wanted to build a new one anyway!! The ghost not the dog!! Here is how you fix the problem..put the harness on the doggie and let him haunt the yard...if he is a dumb as you say he will like it!!! Kathy screaming around the house at everyone!!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 08:29:42 1996 From: Davis_Karen To: "'halloween-l@netcom.com'" Subject: RE: Magic Coffin effects trick (long!) Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 11:22:08 -0400 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com dave, >2.) If you REALLY want to learn about magic (more than just the one >trick that >fooled you and ticked you off so badly), then I can -and do- recommend >some >excellent magic books that should be available in your local public >library for >free. Generally, these books outline the fundamental principles behind >many of >today's spectacular illusions. Check them out, read them, and if you >have any >questions about what you've read, I'll be more then happy to talk about >them >with you then and help you continue to learn about magic. ...well...okay, what are the titles?...please send them to me at my address, rather than to the list, thanks karend davis_karen@bls.gov From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 08:44:05 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 10:29:43 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Flying Ghost Verses Rocket Scientist Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 04:51 AM 10/24/96 -0700, you wrote: >Denny, > You love your dogs, just remember that. And you wanted to build a new >one anyway!! The ghost not the dog!! Here is how you fix the >problem... I'm thinkin' that having Hoover neutered would be sweet revenge. ;) Denny From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 09:56:52 1996 From: Jacqui Young To: "halloween-l@netcom.com" , "'milwiron@btprod.com'" Subject: RE: Flying Ghost Verses Rocket Scientist Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 12:45:59 -0400 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I'm thinkin' that having Hoover neutered would be sweet revenge. ;) Denny I don't know if you want to give you wife ideas like that!!! Jacqui jacqui.young@cciw.ca From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 10:12:33 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 10:01:38 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Tracy Miller Subject: Re: Great Halloween URL Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 10:09 PM 10/24/96 -0500, you wrote: >Hi, Fellow Ghouls! > >I was just doing a little surfing (darn it, I'm exhausted after making >monsters all day!) and ran across this great URL: > > http://www.cascade.net/yaboo.html > >It's Yahoo's collection of Halloween links. Now, I know all of you have >nothing better to do with your time right now... ;) > >DJ, >who fully intends to do 7 weeks of work in the next 7 days > I agree that this is a great list, but I thought I would just offer this correction. Yaboo! is a parody of Yahoo! done by Carrie Carolin, the maintainer of the "Dark Side of the Web" links page. Carrie has done a lot of great work and I'd hate for her not to get the credit she deserves. Tracy From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 10:38:40 1996 From: "Brian Henderson" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 08:32:00 -800 Subject: Now I'm depressed... :( Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Here it is, just over a week before Halloween, and the location of our Halloween party moves from our house (huge place, acres of space) to a friends house (much smaller, hardly any land) because my best friend's new girlfriend is allergic to cats. All that work done so far down the dumper. *sigh* -Brian From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 10:59:06 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 12:52:18 -0700 From: "John P. Jeffries" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Flying Ghost Verses Rocket Scientist Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > > At 04:51 AM 10/24/96 -0700, you wrote: > >Denny, > > You love your dogs, just remember that. And you wanted to build a new > >one anyway!! The ghost not the dog!! Here is how you fix the > >problem... > > I'm thinkin' that having Hoover neutered would be sweet revenge. ;) > Denny LOL That reminds me of the scene from "The Addams Family" of when they were in the motel, watching Gomez with the window over his shoulder. You hear Mother Addams faintly at first as it gets louder,"Here kitty, kitty, kitty..." As you see a BIG CLUB walk past the window..... (Denny with Vets address in hand: "Honey, have you seen Hoover??") John From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 10:59:45 1996 From: Jacqui Young To: "'Brian Henderson'" , "halloween-l@netcom.com" Subject: RE: Now I'm depressed... :( Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 13:52:29 -0400 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Here it is, just over a week before Halloween, and the location of our Halloween party moves from our house (huge place, acres of space) to a friends house (much smaller, hardly any land) because my best friend's new girlfriend is allergic to cats. All that work done so far down the dumper. *sigh* -Brian Relocate the cats!!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 10:59:50 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 12:45:02 -0700 From: "John P. Jeffries" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Flying Ghost Verses Rocket Scientist Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > It was over in seconds, the ghost didn't have a chance. :( > > Ahhh... there's always next year. > Denny (sound of Amazing Grace on bagpipes in background) I will send flowers (dead ones of corps) :) (Sobbing) John (Alas, poor ghost, we will miss him) From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 12:07:11 1996 From: sao@mit.edu To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now I'm depressed... :( Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 14:43:30 EDT Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com bhendrsn@microsys.net, Fri, 25 Oct 1996 08:32:00 -800: > [...] and the location of > our Halloween party moves from our house (huge place, acres of space) > to a friends house (much smaller, hardly any land) because my best > friend's new girlfriend is allergic to cats. Could she come as a scientist from "The Andromeda Strain"? Or maybe an astronaut or scuba diver (with working air tanks?) :^) Seriously, though...I've got severely cat-allergic friends who can still stick it out for several hours at my house, thanks to taking allergy medicine in advance. Has she looked into better living through chemistry? It seems a shame to have your hard work all dismantled. :Andy Oakland sao@mit.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 12:07:33 1996 From: JeanniSkip@aol.com Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 14:45:33 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Strange Question time Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Kathy wrote: << Just to show that I have not gone overboard what is the average that people spend on Halloween each year!! Mine for this year is way over $1000!!! I hope hubby took his heart pills :) >> Hi Kathy-- You just made me feel a little better...after buying the food, alcohol etc yesterday for the party this weekend, in addition to all the *stuff* purchased weeks and weeks ago from Pic & Save, Target, Savon Drugs, Electronics store, House of Fabrics, Michaels, Home Depot and Price Club (still have to buy my worms and dry ice), it put me close to $400. Now THAT'S scary! (My husband would keel over even after taking his heart pills!) Each time I go out to get *one more thing* I forgot, I cringe when I reach for my checkbook.... Good thing my husband never reads these messages! Happy Haunting, Jeanni From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 12:07:54 1996 From: JeanniSkip@aol.com Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 14:45:23 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Assorted Lights and Electronics Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jacqui wrote: << Well I suppose you could jump harder? ;) Jacqui jacqui.young@cciw.ca Sorry I just couldn't resist. >> Jacqui- Good one!!! Laughing out Loud (LOL) ;-) ..despite the fact that I am near tears, exhausted, freaked out, haven't even tried out MY costume yet...and have a weeks worth of work still to do by ...AAAAAAAHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!! - TOMORROW!!! Bye, all and Happy Haunting... Jeanni From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 14:08:31 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 13:00:15 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Can't Miss This Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com You folks that live in easy driving distance of Columbia, MD should take a run over to "Bearing Gifts" in Savage Mill, Savage, MD (10:00 a.m. to at least 5:30; hours at the Mill have been extended into the evening, so you might want to call 301-498-6871 to check). This is a teddy bear/doll/antiques/collectibles place on the bottom floor of the New Weave Building. It's not the teddy bears I'm sending you there to see. If you enter near the cash register, go to the back right corner where the full-size bear is. Check out what's between his paws. Look again. Have a chat with the store owner. You do not want to miss this if you live nearby. It is not, however, for all audiences. Cheers! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 14:09:11 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 15:28:35 -0500 From: David Kiihne To: Davis_Karen@BLS.GOV, halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: RE: Magic Coffin effects trick (long!) -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com You wrote: >...well...okay, what are the titles?...please send them to me at my >address, rather than to the list, thanks Delighted to oblige! First, the Dewey Decimal code for Conjuring is 793.8. You'll find lots of great books (and a few not-so-great ones) in this section. If you looking for a starter book for kids, look in the same section of the Juvenile section. (j793.8) If you're outside of the U.S. or your local library doesn't use this numbering system, then look up Conjuring in the card catalog or ask the librarian; they're usually very helpful. Now, for some specific titles I recommend. - "Amateur Magician's Handbook" by Henry Hay - "The Stein and Day Handbook of Magic" by Marvin Kaye - "The Blackstone Book of Magic and Illusion" by Harry Blackstone, Jr. - "Classic Secrets of Magic" by Bruce Elliot - "The New Magician's Manual" by Walter B. Gibson - "Professional Magic for Amateurs" by Walter B. Gibson - "Learn Magic" by Henry Hay ...and my 2 all-time favorites! - "Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic" by Mark Wilson Perhaps the BEST beginner's book on magic. It provides excellent "from-the-ground-up" information about a wide range of magic specialties (cards, coins, mentalism, illusions...) giving the reader the chance learn so much. I frequently refer back to my copy when struggling with a new routine. and... - "The Illustrated History of Magic" by Milbourne Christopher This deals more with the history of magic than with learning secrets, as the title suggests. If you want to learn how magic got to where it is today, this is THE place to look. It covers everything from medieval times through vaudeville and modern magicians. You won't learn many specific tricks but you'll really gain an appreciation for the art of magic. This is a good one for after you've already started to learn from some other sources; otherwise it would be pretty overwhelming for a first read. There are lots of other books out there, but this should be enough to get you started. I'd suggest starting with one of the general beginner books, preferably the Mark Wilson book if available; if not, then "Amateur Magician's Handbook" and "Stein and Day Handbook of Magic" are excellent first choices as well. If you have any problems or questions about anything you read, feel free to send an email my way. I'd be more than happy to help in any way I can. Good luck! Dave Kiihne - daveki@nebfef.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 14:18:31 1996 From: Davis_Karen To: "'halloween-l'" Subject: stealing candy from the kids was: FW: Strange Question time Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 16:03:29 -0400 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >WAIT!!! Whadda ya mean _you_ bought candy? Aren't the kids supposed to >bring >candy to you? (Actually, I do look in the kids bags as they come by & >if I >see something I want, I try to give them more of my candy to get it.) ...this reminds me of the very last time i went trick-or-treating...after having not gone out for about four years...i was 16 and some friends from school were going to dress up and go out...y'now...just for the halibut...so i went along...we met up with a friend of one of the guys' in our group, and he started tagging around behind us, only he wasn't t-n-t'ing...he was giving his candy to the people at the door!!!...so we go up to one door, shout 'trick or treat' and the man of the house looks us all up and down, and says, 'aren't you all just a little bit old for this?'...and then noticed the new guy, who was standing at the bottom of the steps waiting for us to move out of his way, and the man says, sneeringly, 'and who are you?'...to which the guy replies, 'i'm their father!!!'...i fell out ROTFL!!!...karend From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 14:39:40 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 16:32:43 -0500 From: David Kiihne To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Anyone seen my brain?? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com About the library books post: Karen specifically requested that I send the information directly to her rather than to the list. So what do I do??? I SEND IT TO THE LIST! (and to Karen, so she got hit with it twice --Sorry, Karen.) I think Igor brought me the brain from that Abby Normal person. I meant to change the TO: field, REALLY! Sorry for the wasted bandwidth; but, hey, now I've got the whole list covered if anyone wants to learn about magic. :) Grovelingly, (Is that a word? My spell-checker says "No") Dave - daveki@nebfef.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 15:48:19 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 18:42:53 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Denny Kennedy Subject: $$$ Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com WOW you guys spend a lot of money on your haunts.... My little Haunted Porch now, I spend about $50 or less per year, adding stuff to it:) But,then again, I don't have flying ghosts, or wooden constructions, or any of that other stuff you guys are doing:) Mine is mostly store-bought animated stuff, with a few homemade props:) Denny Kennedy maryjane@sundial.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 17:52:23 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 20:26:59 -0400 From: dingwal To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Haunted Mansion record. Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Bob Andrews wrote: > > I was about to go to my dad's house to search for my old Haunted Mansion > LP (The one with Ron Howard). Then I realized that I have no way of > playing it once I found it. I haven't owned a turntable in ten years. > Sometimes technology stinks. > > Bob Andrews > bandrews@inreach.com > http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews I recorded all my Disney Albums (including the above) onto the HiFi tracks of a VHS tape in 6hr mode so I have'm all in one place. Matter of fact, this is a good way to do music/sounds for haunted houses so you can fire it up and forget about it for the rest of the evening. Bobby From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 17:52:42 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 20:36:02 -0400 From: dingwal To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Sound controlled strobe Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Bell, Erik H. wrote: > > Hello again fellow Spooksters, > > Does anyone have any information on how you could control a strobe to be > in sync with loud music or noise. Ex: strobe flashes to a thunder clap. > > Thanks Does it have a control jack on the back of it? If not, perhaps power it through one of those clapper things. Put the clapper next to a speaker....Bobby From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 17:52:44 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 20:18:45 -0400 From: dingwal To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Goodbye? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com RevCOAL wrote: > > On Tue, 22 Oct 1996, Phyllis J Persun wrote: > > Several people have posted that they want this list to continue after the > > "Big Day". Any word if whoever's in charge is planning on keeping the > > list going after Halloween? I sure hope so! :^) > > I've been on this list for about 2 years now...it, and it's sister list > xmas-l, stay active year-round as long as the list members keep posting. > I've found that this list will have a last spurt of hyperenergy right > after The Big Day, as everyone shares stories, then does slow down > somewhat later in November and thruout December....but it picks up again > after the holidays, as everyone uses the winter months to plan and build > for the next Halloween. > > So don't worry, it and we do not go away.... > > Donna ;-) How do I sign up for Xmas-1??? Thanx...Bobby From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 21:29:27 1996 From: qoe@sna.com Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 21:22:20 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now I'm depressed... :( Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 08:32 AM 10/25/96 -800, you wrote: >Here it is, just over a week before Halloween, and the location of >our Halloween party moves from our house (huge place, acres of space) >to a friends house (much smaller, hardly any land) because my best >friend's new girlfriend is allergic to cats. > >All that work done so far down the dumper. *sigh* > >-Brian > Does the party have to move? I am allergic to cats and I do not frequent my friend's houses who have cats, but... when they have a party I go. I found out quite by accident and out of desperation that 4 teaspoons of Children's cold/allergy (orange bottle) will keep me sneeze and puffy free for the evening. I still don't frequent my friends houses (I don't want to be drugged all the time), but on occasion I swig down some of that yucky orange stuff and go have a good time. __________________________ |\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 21:32:27 1996 From: qoe@sna.com Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 21:25:02 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: RE: Now I'm depressed... :( Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Relocate the cats!!! > I wasn't sure if you were joking or not, but removing the cats doesn't do it. It's all their hair or/and dander that gets us wheezing and puffing up. All the vacuuming in the world won't do it. My folks haven't had a cat for about 5 years maybe longer and I still have a mild reaction when I stay the night there. __________________________ |\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:00:20 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 00:58:24 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: jdunfee@shadow.net (Joe Dunfee) Subject: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com It is too late to start on such a project for this year, but I have always had in the back of my head the idea of using three individually controled motors with each of their ropes attached to the object to fly. _______ _______ _______ |motor#2| |motor#1| |motor#3| -------\ ------- /------- \ | / \ | / \ | / \ | / \ | / \ | / \ | / \ | / \|/ /^\ [object] [to fly] This is a side view of the arrangement... and a top view follows _______ |motor#1| ------- | [object] [to fly] / \ / \ / \ / \ _______/ \_______ |motor#2| |motor#3| ------- ------- With this arrangement, if all three motors tightened their lines, then the object would fly up centered between the motors. If Motor #2 and #3 let their line out while motor #1 took in a few inches of line only, the object could stay at the same elevation and move horozontally to a position under motor #1. The object could be made to fly anywhere within a 3-dimensional area bounded by the triangle formed by the three motors. I expect that the motors would need to be stepper motors, or perhaps DC motors that have their positions monitored by a optical encoder. Of course, this requires computerization. I have also thought of a less technical means of controling the motors though just simple switches controling DC motors. Make a joystick with a triangle at its base. The triangle firmly attached to the handle which is free to pivot. At each corner of the triangle attach a momentary switch to the underside as well as the top. These two switches are wired to one of the motors. Downward pressure on that corner causes that motor to wind up its cable, and upward pressure the opposite. wires to Motor #1 : This is a top view of the /^\ Joystick, the actual handle is / o \ the "o" in the center. /_____\ Wires to : : Wires to Motor #2...: :....Motor #3 With this arrangement if you push the joystick firmly towards the corner where the switches for Motor#1 are located, that motor will start to wind its cable up, and the other two corners will be pushed up, causing those two motors to unwind their cables. The net result will be that the flying object will move to a position underneath motor#1. It would also be possible to simply pull up on the joystick evenly, causing it to lift the object up as all three motors wind up their..... oops... I think my design is going to have to be modified. This exact wireing would work in reverse and lifting the joystick would cause the object to sink... Anyway, you all get the idea. I have no experience with these kinds of motors with wenches on them. Can anyone tell me what kind of money we are talking about here for something that has at least 10 pounds of pull. I guess it is also going to take power adapters as well. Any comments? Joe Dunfee Miami, Florida USA From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:10:36 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 18:02:33 +1300 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Candy Subject: Re: Now I'm depressed... :( Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com yes At 21:22 25/10/96 -0700, you wrote: >At 08:32 AM 10/25/96 -800, you wrote: >>Here it is, just over a week before Halloween, and the location of >>our Halloween party moves from our house (huge place, acres of space) >>to a friends house (much smaller, hardly any land) because my best >>friend's new girlfriend is allergic to cats. >> >>All that work done so far down the dumper. *sigh* >> >>-Brian >> >Does the party have to move? I am allergic to cats and I do not frequent my >friend's houses who have cats, but... when they have a party I go. I found >out quite by accident and out of desperation that 4 teaspoons of Children's >cold/allergy (orange bottle) will keep me sneeze and puffy free for the >evening. I still don't frequent my friends houses (I don't want to be >drugged all the time), but on occasion I swig down some of that yucky orange >stuff and go have a good time. >__________________________ >|\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles > \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com > |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:12:06 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 18:03:45 +1300 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Candy Subject: RE: Now I'm depressed... :( Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com yes that will do it At 21:25 25/10/96 -0700, you wrote: >>Relocate the cats!!! >> >I wasn't sure if you were joking or not, but removing the cats doesn't do >it. It's all their hair or/and dander that gets us wheezing and puffing up. >All the vacuuming in the world won't do it. My folks haven't had a cat for >about 5 years maybe longer and I still have a mild reaction when I stay the >night there. >__________________________ >|\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles > \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com > |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:26:14 1996 From: Ldwarf@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 01:18:43 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com hi... cool idea......... but i would try to forget the big ol' motor cluster.... a lot of expense and potental problems... could you get the effect using three lines attached to the object at one end, and connected to a hand held , tri pointed stick of some sort... on the other.... like a marionet (yeah i know.. too tired to look it up )...... but instead of hanging the ghost from the tri pointed stick, like a puppet... run the control lines over and around some pullys... above the ghost and guide the lines to a remote location, so the power...(your hand) is transmitted to the object in a less direct (detectable) way.. the over head pullys would need to be spaced far appart, or at least above the limbs if you were using a ghost... but after that point all of the lines could be clustered in any way that would help hide them... so long as the lines remain taught and untangled thay should transmit the motion to the intended spot....think about how the brake cable on a bike does not need to travel a straight line to get the job done................ yikes im tired.. and this actually made sense to me as i thought it. but reading it .... yikes... just a thought ...... something to think about.... or not... Scott From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:37:11 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 18:29:10 +1300 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Candy Subject: Re: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com why are you telling me a primary school student At 00:58 26/10/96 -0400, you wrote: > It is too late to start on such a project for this year, but I have always >had in the back of my head the idea of using three individually controled >motors with each of their ropes attached to the object to fly. > > _______ _______ _______ >|motor#2| |motor#1| |motor#3| > -------\ ------- /------- > \ | / > \ | / > \ | / > \ | / > \ | / > \ | / > \ | / > \ | / > \|/ > /^\ > [object] > [to fly] > > This is a side view of the arrangement... >and a top view follows > > _______ > |motor#1| > ------- > | > [object] > [to fly] > / \ > / \ > / \ > / \ > _______/ \_______ >|motor#2| |motor#3| > ------- ------- > > With this arrangement, if all three motors tightened their lines, then the >object would fly up centered between the motors. If Motor #2 and #3 let >their line out while motor #1 took in a few inches of line only, the object >could stay at the same elevation and move horozontally to a position under >motor #1. > > The object could be made to fly anywhere within a 3-dimensional area >bounded by the triangle formed by the three motors. > > I expect that the motors would need to be stepper motors, or perhaps DC >motors that have their positions monitored by a optical encoder. Of course, >this requires computerization. > > I have also thought of a less technical means of controling the motors >though just simple switches controling DC motors. Make a joystick with a >triangle at its base. The triangle firmly attached to the handle which is >free to pivot. At each corner of the triangle attach a momentary switch to >the underside as well as the top. These two switches are wired to one of the >motors. Downward pressure on that corner causes that motor to wind up its >cable, and upward pressure the opposite. > > wires to > Motor #1 > : This is a top view of the > /^\ Joystick, the actual handle is > / o \ the "o" in the center. > /_____\ >Wires to : : Wires to >Motor #2...: :....Motor #3 > > With this arrangement if you push the joystick firmly towards the corner >where the switches for Motor#1 are located, that motor will start to wind >its cable up, and the other two corners will be pushed up, causing those two >motors to unwind their cables. The net result will be that the flying object >will move to a position underneath motor#1. > It would also be possible to simply pull up on the joystick evenly, >causing it to lift the object up as all three motors wind up their..... >oops... I think my design is going to have to be modified. This exact >wireing would work in reverse and lifting the joystick would cause the >object to sink... > > Anyway, you all get the idea. I have no experience with these kinds of >motors with wenches on them. Can anyone tell me what kind of money we are >talking about here for something that has at least 10 pounds of pull. I >guess it is also going to take power adapters as well. > > Any comments? > >Joe Dunfee >Miami, Florida USA > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:46:13 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 22:33:43 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Costume Help!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Help! Help! Help! I desparately hope that someone on the list who has experience with fabrics, costuming or hosery can help me. I'm trying to complement my all black costume with a "faceless" face covering that my mask will cover. The effect I'm trying to create is that of no one beneath the mask. My first thought was a cut shred from black nylon stockings, but it almost seems too sheer. If anyone remembers the Broadway musical scene from near the end of the movie Beaches (Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey), then you know what I'm aiming for. Can someone with more experience than me please recommend something to achieve this effect? Thanks, Greg H (619)945-4424 F (619)726-2804 E ghope@mailhost.csusm.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:49:36 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 22:37:07 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Recorded sound effects Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I know it's a little late in the game, but here's my vote for my favorite, trusty, tried and true FX tape: World's Best Scary, Spooky Sounds! Produced and distributed by Dove Audio 301 North Canon Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 copyright 1991 It's on a cassette tape, so it takes a little maneuvering to cue up the effects you want, but they're first class, IMHO. Greg H (619)945-4424 F (619)726-2804 E ghope@mailhost.csusm.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:49:42 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 22:43:30 -0700 From: bertino@majordomo.netcom.com (Don Bertino) Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney.parks,alt.disney.disneyland Subject: Check me out on Disneyland Inside/Out (10/27) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Yeah, it's me. :) It was a few short month's ago that I was in Disneyland (July) when they where taping the October DIO, dressing up the Haunted Mansion for halloween, lights, fog machine, action.... Maynard, the band, the works.... And suddenly I'm in it. :) Well sort of... When they are taking shots of the Haunted Mansion with the hosts, characters and children there, I'm the tall one, second to the far left end, with glasses and a mustash behind the scenery. Also, I did all the balloon hats (I call them the swan hats) for all the kids (and the one Maynard "stole" :) My 15 minutes... Ok, ok, it will probably be 30 seconds... But it was fun. Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween! don -- bertino@netcom.com ____/^\_____________________________________ Disney ascii art & / \ || FDC MCP || / \ animations are at <______\ [] [] [] || [] [] [] || [] [] [] /______> http://www.calweb.com \----------------||----------||----------------/=== /~bertino===============\______________||__________||______________/===== Dynamite Disney Document of the Day (available at the above FTP site): ** Attraction Descriptions/Scripts: EPCOT.innnoventions From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:55:54 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 22:43:07 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: HH review Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com For the San Diegans: I paid a visit to the City of Carlsbad Haunted House at the Calaveras Hills Community Center. For $3 you get a straight walk for about 150 feet. The whole thing is constructed inside a chain of construction containers with framed and painted walls within. The actors are young people and I'm afraid the show would disappoint the veterans in this group. They do a good job of lurking and pouncing, and make use of a number of strobes. I had a chat with the organizers and the whole shebang is constructed and staffed by volunteers. This year, 30% of the admissions is going to the Red Cross to supplement aid for those who lost their homes in the recent fires in our area. With this in mind, I commend their efforts. I took a card from on of the chiefs and might contact them next year to contribute some time in the setup or take down. Is there any interest in the locals of this group in working on a shared project sometime down the line? Greg H (619)945-4424 F (619)726-2804 E ghope@mailhost.csusm.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 22:58:56 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 22:52:47 -0700 (PDT) From: Don Bertino To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: homemade fog juice Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com On Fri, 25 Oct 1996, Nathan Kahn wrote: [Excellent analysis deleted] > To make dense clouds of fog that is not safe to breathe, use the highest > temperature possible (within reason) and the thickest concentration of fluid > that your pump will handle. (Note: this is *not* how the big professional > machines make more fog - they do it with longer and multiple heat > exchangers, and multiple pumps.) It is sure nice to have Pro's like Nathan on this this to example such things to us. Thanks again Nathan.... BTW, just to let everyone know, I bought a American DJ fogger and their fog fluid. I was getting less than 1 1/2 minute of fog with a 1 minute reheat time. This year I bought a higher quality fog fluid, available at Denny's or Nathan's site, and I'm now getting 2 1/4 of fog and 3/4 minute reheat.... And more importantly, no residue! There was a residue with the other stuff all over the place, including a puddle in front of the fog machine. You get what you paid for. don bertino@netcom.com ____/^\_____________________________________ Disney ascii art & / \ || FDC MCP || / \ animations are at <______\ [] [] [] || [] [] [] || [] [] [] /______> http://www.calweb.com \----------------||----------||----------------/=== /~bertino===============\______________||__________||______________/===== From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 23:00:52 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 18:52:34 +1300 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Candy Subject: Re: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com pretty cool when you explained it more. How do you write things like this to people I would like to do that. At 01:18 26/10/96 -0400, you wrote: >hi... >cool idea......... but i would try to forget the big ol' motor cluster.... a >lot of expense and potental problems... could you get the effect using >three lines attached to the object at one end, and connected to a hand held , >tri pointed stick of some sort... on the other.... like a marionet (yeah i >know.. too tired to look it up )...... but instead of hanging the ghost from >the tri pointed stick, like a puppet... run the control lines over and around > some pullys... above the ghost and guide the lines to a remote location, >so the power...(your hand) is transmitted to the object in a less direct >(detectable) way.. the over head pullys would need to be spaced far appart, >or at least above the limbs if you were using a ghost... but after that point >all of the lines could be clustered in any way that would help hide them... >so long as the lines remain taught and untangled thay should transmit the >motion to the intended spot....think about how the brake cable on a bike does >not need to travel a straight line to get the job done................ yikes >im tired.. and this actually made sense to me as i thought it. but reading >it .... yikes... >just a thought ...... something to think about.... or not... >Scott > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 23:01:15 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 22:54:22 -0700 (PDT) From: Don Bertino To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Check me out on Disneyland Inside/Out (10/27) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Yeah, it's me. :) It was a few short month's ago that I was in Disneyland (July) when they where taping the October DIO, dressing up the Haunted Mansion for halloween, lights, fog machine, action.... Maynard, the band, the works.... And suddenly I'm in it. :) Well sort of... When they are taking shots of the Haunted Mansion with the hosts, characters and children there, I'm the tall one, second to the far left end, with glasses and a mustash behind the scenery. Also, I did all the balloon hats (I call them the swan hats) for all the kids (and the one Maynard "stole" :) My 15 minutes... Ok, ok, it will probably be 30 seconds... But it was fun. Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween! don -- bertino@netcom.com ____/^\_____________________________________ Disney ascii art & / \ || FDC MCP || / \ animations are at <______\ [] [] [] || [] [] [] || [] [] [] /______> http://www.calweb.com \----------------||----------||----------------/=== /~bertino===============\______________||__________||______________/===== From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Oct 25 23:11:45 1996 From: Ldwarf@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 02:03:56 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com well ............... i just hit the reply button....... and start typing away.......... if you could call it typin' that is... hope it helps... i wonder... has this group considered the merrits of cable control ? lots of cool things can be done with cables ... (like the ones that stop your bike..or switch the gears.. ).. i have animated a cheap plastic skull with an old brake cable... and it works just fine... also like to mention that a small servo and a remote control pilfered from a RC plane, and a bent paperclip will animate the jaw of a plastic skulll as well .. and is in fact easier to rig... ok..ok.. so it cost a bit more.. big deal... this country was built on debt... .... Scott From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 03:23:58 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 05:16:54 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Barry Wulfe Subject: Re: Talking Skull - help! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Hello hackerish Harry-- > >Unfortunately, an Apple program simply won't do for me :( but if I ever >reach 60,000+ effects I can probably afford a new computer too... > In the vast deiluge (sp?) of list mail during this time of year, I appear to have missed prior messages on this topic. I have a Mac 8500, and would love to find out about this Apple program. If possible, send a copy of the reply directly to my e-mail address (rather than the list) so that it will not get lost among the 100+ other messages per day on the list. THANKS!!!! Barry Wulfe bwulfe@txdirect.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 03:35:58 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 05:30:44 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Barry Wulfe Subject: Re: Tombstones - Less Expensive approach Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com A less expensive and very impressive alternative to using spray finishes on foam (the granite texture paints cost $$$) is to buy the "Secrets of the Haunted Mansion" (Not Disney's HM) tape from Denny. Part of the tape deals with painting very realistic stone surfaces, using conventional latex paint. While I could type out a long description of how it is done, I do not feel that I can do justice to the proceedure, in just words. You really need to SEE how it is done. I just got the tape a month ago, and have gone nuts with decorating ideas from it. I have even built a miniature mosoleum (4'W X 4'H X 2'D) that looks gantastic (It houses the Propane tank for my Flaming Grave attraction). I have also created about 8 new toumbstones for my graveyard, using the stone paint methods from the tape, and they look fantastic. In my opinion, they have a better, more haunted, appearance than stones that I have previously made with the Granite texture paints. If anyone wants further details, I can provide them, but as I have stated, words can not do justice for the techniques that you actually see in the tape. Barry Wulfe bwulfe@txdirect.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 03:39:33 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 05:34:36 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Barry Wulfe Subject: Re: Tombstones - Less Expensive approach Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com One thing that I forgot to mention in my last post was that I used a Weller Portasol Cordless Soldering Iron, with a Hot Knife tip, to engrave the epitaths on my toumbstones. It worked like magic. After painting the stones, I went back and used Phosphoresent (Glow in the dark) paint on the epitaths so that they really show off at night. Barry Wulfe bwulfe@txdirect.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 03:48:07 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 05:43:00 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Barry Wulfe Subject: Re: Torch Effects Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Hi all! >I was reading through the archives and found an idea for a torch effect >which I'd like to try. Problem is, it calls for a muffin fan, and I have >no idea what this is. Can anyone help? > >Debbie A muffin fan is the type of fan that you find inside of Computers and other electronic devices. It is small, quiet, and does a good job of keeping electronics cool. They can range in size from about 1" to about 5" and are available in a large range of power levels ( AC/DC , Voltage, Amperage, etc.) You can usually find them in electronics supply stores, especially those that have good computer supply sections. Pricing can range from a few dollars for a 1" DC model - to close to $50 for a larger AC unit (I just purchased a 4" 115V AC fan for my Fog Cooling Chamber - the cost was $37.00). Barry Wulfe bwulfe@txdirect.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 04:04:31 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 05:59:21 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Barry Wulfe Subject: Re: Strange Question time Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Ghouls, > I know that you are all up to your necks in wire and things but I just >want to voice something. I just balanced the old checkbook, or tried, >and I can not believe how much we have spent this year..way way more >than I thought as I was writing the next check. Just to show that I have >not gone overboard what is the average that people spend on Halloween >each year!! Mine for this year is way over $1000!!! I hope hubby took >his heart pills :) >Kathy >the new kid on the crypt >who will be living on the crypt when the rent check bounces :))) Boy, would it be nice to know that I only spent $1000 this year. I just invested a small fortune in upscale props (Mostly from Denny), Custome built items (I spent about $350 just on wood), Foggers, lighting equipment etc. I estimate my total damages at close to $4,000.00 While this is definatly not a typical year ( $2100 was for the purchase of lighting equipment that I have rented for each of the past 4 years) It does show that there are some of us out here that are a bit too obsessed with our annual Haunts. Barry Wulfe bwulfe@txdirect.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 04:49:09 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 06:36:37 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Gary Engle Subject: Re: Tombstones - Less Expensive approach Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Thanks for the info. I would like more info on the tape you speak of. I want to make some tombstones and have been gathering info before starting. The tape sounds interesting. ...Gary gengle@erols.com At 05:30 AM 10/26/96 -0500, you wrote: >A less expensive and very impressive alternative to using spray finishes on >foam (the granite texture paints cost $$$) is to buy the "Secrets of the >Haunted Mansion" (Not Disney's HM) tape from Denny. Part of the tape deals >with painting very realistic stone surfaces, using conventional latex >paint. > >While I could type out a long description of how it is done, I do not feel >that I can do justice to the proceedure, in just words. You really need to >SEE how it is done. I just got the tape a month ago, and have gone nuts >with decorating ideas from it. I have even built a miniature mosoleum (4'W >X 4'H X 2'D) that looks gantastic (It houses the Propane tank for my >Flaming Grave attraction). > >I have also created about 8 new toumbstones for my graveyard, using the >stone paint methods from the tape, and they look fantastic. In my opinion, >they have a better, more haunted, appearance than stones that I have >previously made with the Granite texture paints. > >If anyone wants further details, I can provide them, but as I have stated, >words can not do justice for the techniques that you actually see in the >tape. > >Barry Wulfe >bwulfe@txdirect.net > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 05:36:35 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 07:28:17 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 12:58 AM 10/26/96 -0400, you wrote: > It is too late to start on such a project for this year, but I have always >had in the back of my head the idea of using three individually controled >motors with each of their ropes attached to the object to fly. > Last year we had a thread going about 3 dimensional control of a ghost with a number of systems being kicked around. The one I suggested was to "borrow" the basic mechanism of an Etch-A-Sketch. In years past I've worked on motorized versions of the toy for a company that was trying to improve on Ohio Art's version, it was finally marketed by a division of Galoob Toys called The Toy Boys, I still see them in stores. I don't see why the basic system couldn't be enlarged to a yard size scale with another drive for the Z axis. Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 05:52:51 1996 From: R4M2J1@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 08:45:26 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Outdoor Flying Ghost Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I almost have the outdoor flying ghost set up ( talk about cutting it close. Hope there are no bugs in it). Anyway does anyone have any ideas on how to hide the bicycle wheels? Thank in advance Dale r4m2j1@aol.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 06:34:41 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 08:27:25 -0500 (CDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: DJ Subject: Re: stealing candy from the kids Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 04:03 PM 10/25/96 -0400, you wrote: >>WAIT!!! Whadda ya mean _you_ bought candy? Aren't the kids supposed to >>bring >>candy to you? (Actually, I do look in the kids bags as they come by & >>if I >>see something I want, I try to give them more of my candy to get it.) This reminds me of something that makes me LOL every time I think about it. I have a good friend who is from Thailand. A couple of years ago I asked her what halloween was like in her homeland. She explained to me that she had never heard of the holiday until she came here 15 years ago. Her husband had neglected to explain things in advance to her, and on halloween night he was working and she was home alone. She said the doorbell rang and it was some children who held bags of candy out to her. Not speaking any English and thinking they were offering the candy for sale, she tried to take the bags from them for inspection. She said it turned into quite a tug-of-war before the children got hysterical and ran off down the street screaming. When the doorbell rang a second time with exactly the same results, she became so unnerved she didn't answer the door again all evening. :) DJ, who's been told taking candy from a baby isn't that easy after all From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 07:08:07 1996 From: JMccoog@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 10:00:20 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Dead or Alive Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Does anyone know the website for the Dead or Alive game? Thanks, Mary Ann Another house haunter... From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 08:16:38 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 10:06:18 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Flying Ghost Verses Rocket Scientist Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 12:45 PM 10/25/96 -0700, you wrote: >milwiron@btprod.com wrote: >> It was over in seconds, the ghost didn't have a chance. :( >> Ahhh... there's always next year. >> Denny > John Wrote: >(sound of Amazing Grace on bagpipes in background) >I will send flowers (dead ones of corps) :) >John (Alas, poor ghost, we will miss him) No that's not fog from my foggers the neighbors are seeing, that haze is the fumes from all the Super Glue and Zip Kicker curing! Hoover (soon to be barking soprano) managed to "re-kit" the ghost into 32 pieces. Through the miracle of modern space age adhesives (I always have a few 2 oz. bottles of Super Glue and Kicker in the freezer) the ghost will "live" again. I'll rot before I make another one from scratch. :) Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 08:17:40 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 10:09:06 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Outdoor Flying Ghost Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 08:45 AM 10/26/96 -0400, you wrote: >I almost have the outdoor flying ghost set up ( talk about cutting it close. >Hope there are no bugs in it). Anyway does anyone have any ideas on how to >hide the bicycle wheels? I just painted mine flat black and added some flat dark brown areas for camouflage. Denny From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 08:39:17 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 10:30:35 -0600 From: Brandt To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Outdoor Flying Ghost Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com R4M2J1@aol.com wrote: > > I almost have the outdoor flying ghost set up ( talk about cutting it close. > Hope there are no bugs in it). Anyway does anyone have any ideas on how to > hide the bicycle wheels? > > Thank in advance > Dale r4m2j1@aol.com We painted the whole works black and hid them in plain view. We have a large stuffed witch from Walmart that we set on top of the wheel brace and a couple of lighted inflatable jack-o-lanterns that sit on the others very nicely. The effect is quite nice, like a perch for our decorations Kelly exhausted and loving it!!! "Morty's Mortuary, you stab 'em, we slab 'em" ____________________________ _|_ _ / ___/~~~ /------|------\ | ___|___ _|_/_______________|______|____\__\__|________,_ / R.I.P.\ \ _________________|____-_|-______|_____________) | The | <____// \|______|______|_______|_// \)_____> | Brandts | \___/ \___/ |_________| http://www.tecinfo.com/~ofm From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 08:58:38 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 08:45:13 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Strange Question time Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Barry Wulfe admitted: I estimate my total damages at close to $4,000.00 While this is >definatly not a typical year ( $2100 was for the purchase of lighting >equipment that I have rented for each of the past 4 years) $4,000 ??? Barry, where in the country are you located? If you are anywhere close, I wouldn't pass up the chance to see what a $4,000 investment can do for a private haunt. If I spent that kind of money on Halloween, my wife would probably sharpen up the guillotine... Greg H (619)945-4424 F (619)726-2804 E ghope@mailhost.csusm.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 09:07:16 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 11:58:28 -0400 From: Rob Freeman To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Ready to Haunt Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Here it is 12 Noon on Saturday, October 26 and I've just finished 36 straight hours to complete my haunted garage. I expect my first guests tonight at 8:00 PM and still have to get the booze and order pizza! You'd think that after 14 years, I'd get smart and start earlier! Anyways, the Haunted Garage is open Saturday and Sunday from 7-8:30 and anyone in the Detroit, MI area is invited to stop buy (and anyone not in the area can come, too!). Mention that you're a Halloween-L member and get the special 'lights-on' tour! I-96 exit 175 (Merriman Road) North 2 blocks to Perth, east (left) one street to Denne, north (left) 300 yards to house with graveyard. Hope to see you! -- Happy Haunting Rob Freeman freemanr@oeonline.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 09:49:59 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 11:43:05 -0600 From: Brandt To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: halloween toons Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com This was mentioned in a thread a few weeks ago... TBS is airing a halloween cartoon marathon!! All of your favorite loony toons spooks. It's on now. Check it out1 Kelly "Morty's Mortuary, you stab 'em, we slab 'em" ____________________________ _|_ _ / ___/~~~ /------|------\ | ___|___ _|_/_______________|______|____\__\__|________,_ / R.I.P.\ \ _________________|____-_|-______|_____________) | The | <____// \|______|______|_______|_// \)_____> | Brandts | \___/ \___/ |_________| http://www.tecinfo.com/~ofm From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 09:52:02 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 12:35:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Lund To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Ready to Haunt Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Lets see; Three flying crank ghosts all operating perfectly. 2 Jacobs ladders OK. Hangman hanging. Trash can Trauma set to go. Leaping Loafer on porch and connected. Crypt keeper in coffin and air activation working. All tombstones up. Spanish moss imported from Florida all hung. Jason wielding his knife. 8 foot spider on garage roof. Lighting system all checked out. Sound system in place and operating. Animated Dracula in his coffin and operating. Guilletine up and operating. Graveyard ghoules coming out of the ground in graveyard. Witch hanging. Sculls, bones etc. in graveyard. Guests due at 7:30, all booze on ice. Wife cooking for 2 days. 10 lbs. of hot wings....ummmmmm. Bloody towel and cut off head in bathtub, I can here the screams now! I'm ready!!!!!!!! Let the party begin!!!!!! Anyone that wants to come, come on over, my address is below. P.S. Thanks to all who contrbuted to make this our best halloween ever. Special thanks to Doug Ferguson and Carl Chetta. Wait till next year, flying ghost, peppers ghost and more. Larry _ ___c Lawrence H. Lund \ _| \_ 179 Studley Street __\_| oooo \_____ Brentwood, NY 11717 ~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ E-mail: llund@suffolk.lib.ny.us llund179@aol.com Phone: (516)-231-8790 Fax: (516)-434-9315 From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 09:56:12 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 11:48:00 -0600 From: Brandt To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Ready to Haunt Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Rob Freeman wrote: > > Here it is 12 Noon on Saturday, October 26 and I've just finished 36 > straight hours to complete my haunted garage. I expect my first guests > tonight at 8:00 PM and still have to get the booze and order pizza! > You'd think that after 14 years, I'd get smart and start earlier! You're done and I'm jealous!!!! We're soooo far from done, it doesn't seem like we'll be done till xmas! Well, back to the dungeon... Good luck with the haunt and happy haunting!! Kelly "Morty's Mortuary, you stab 'em, we slab 'em" ____________________________ _|_ _ / ___/~~~ /------|------\ | ___|___ _|_/_______________|______|____\__\__|________,_ / R.I.P.\ \ _________________|____-_|-______|_____________) | The | <____// \|______|______|_______|_// \)_____> | Brandts | \___/ \___/ |_________| http://www.tecinfo.com/~ofm From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 10:36:30 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 06:28:25 +1300 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Candy Subject: Re: Costume Help!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Here is a url that you can get idea's for costumes: www.goodwillnj.com.hallowe.htm At 22:33 25/10/96 -0700, you wrote: >Help! Help! Help! > >I desparately hope that someone on the list who has experience with fabrics, >costuming or hosery can help me. > >I'm trying to complement my all black costume with a "faceless" face >covering that my mask will cover. The effect I'm trying to create is that >of no one beneath the mask. My first thought was a cut shred from black >nylon stockings, but it almost seems too sheer. If anyone remembers the >Broadway musical scene from near the end of the movie Beaches (Bette Midler >and Barbara Hershey), then you know what I'm aiming for. Can someone with >more experience than me please recommend something to achieve this effect? > >Thanks, >Greg >H (619)945-4424 >F (619)726-2804 >E ghope@mailhost.csusm.edu > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 10:39:44 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 06:32:13 +1300 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Candy Subject: Re: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com so can you write about costumes anything to do with Halloween At 02:03 26/10/96 -0400, you wrote: >well ............... i just hit the reply button....... and start typing >away.......... if you could call it typin' that is... >hope it helps... > i wonder... has this group considered the merrits of cable control ? >lots of cool things can be done with cables ... (like the ones that stop your >bike..or switch the gears.. ).. i have animated a cheap plastic skull with >an old brake cable... and it works just fine... also like to mention that a >small servo and a remote control pilfered from a RC plane, and a bent >paperclip will animate the jaw of a plastic skulll as well .. and is in fact >easier to rig... ok..ok.. so it cost a bit more.. big deal... this country >was built on debt... .... > >Scott > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 10:57:56 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 10:42:50 -0700 From: Catie Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Ready to Haunt Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Brandt wrote: > You're done and I'm jealous!!!! We're soooo far from done, it doesn't > seem like we'll be done till xmas! Well, back to the dungeon... What Kelly said! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 11:06:07 1996 From: "Chris Howard " To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 11:13:06 +0000 Subject: Re: Now I'm depressed... :( Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > At 08:32 AM 10/25/96 -800, you wrote: > >Here it is, just over a week before Halloween, and the location of > >our Halloween party moves from our house (huge place, acres of > >space) to a friends house (much smaller, hardly any land) because > >my best friend's new girlfriend is allergic to cats. > > > >All that work done so far down the dumper. *sigh* > > > >-Brian > > > Does the party have to move? I am allergic to cats and I do not > frequent my friend's houses who have cats, but... when they have a > party I go. I found out quite by accident and out of desperation > that 4 teaspoons of Children's cold/allergy (orange bottle) will > keep me sneeze and puffy free for the evening. I still don't > frequent my friends houses (I don't want to be drugged all the > time), but on occasion I swig down some of that yucky orange stuff > and go have a good time. __________________________ |\/\/\/\/\/| > Lynne Miles Hmm...I've never tried the children's medecine thing- but I do know that when I have to take "adult" allergy medecine it makes me sleepy and unable to enjoy anything. Thanks for the tip Chris H. a lurker -- Chris Howard lhoward@ix.netcom.com http://www.netcom.com/~lhoward/ "Humans live best when each has his place to stand, when each knows where he belongs in the scheme of things and what he may achive. Destroy the place and you destroy the person." -Bene Gesserit teaching From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 15:54:16 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 18:40:39 -0400 (EDT) From: RevCOAL To: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Costume Help!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com On Fri, 25 Oct 1996, Greg Hope wrote: > I'm trying to complement my all black costume with a "faceless" face > covering that my mask will cover. The effect I'm trying to create is that > of no one beneath the mask. My first thought was a cut shred from black > nylon stockings, but it almost seems too sheer. If anyone remembers the > Broadway musical scene from near the end of the movie Beaches (Bette Midler > and Barbara Hershey), then you know what I'm aiming for. Can someone with > more experience than me please recommend something to achieve this effect? Well since no one else has answered, I'll give it a try (and BTW, I didn't see the movie)... I'd say it would depend on what sort of environment you're going to be in... if low-light, crowded, no one particularly peering at you from 2 inches away, then I'd try just dying gauze black and gluing it on the inside of your mask over the openings...the gauze has an open enough weave which would allow you to see thru (albeit 'gauzily'), but would give the effect of dark emptiness when viewed from a few feet away If there's going to be more light, and/or people viewing you from a shorter distance, you might want to try black nylon, but you'll also have to use black face paint on your skin (presuming you are light-skinned) to give 'depth' to the blackness.... Donna ;-) From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 16:51:35 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 16:45:24 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Len Canders Subject: Re: Costume Help!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 10:33 PM 10/25/96 -0700, you wrote: >Help! Help! Help! > >I desparately hope that someone on the list who has experience with fabrics, >costuming or hosery can help me. > >I'm trying to complement my all black costume with a "faceless" face >covering that my mask will cover. The effect I'm trying to create is that >of no one beneath the mask. My first thought was a cut shred from black >nylon stockings, but it almost seems too sheer. If anyone remembers the >Broadway musical scene from near the end of the movie Beaches (Bette Midler >and Barbara Hershey), then you know what I'm aiming for. Can someone with >more experience than me please recommend something to achieve this effect? > many halloween suppliers, including the drug store chains, etc., have a "faceless" hood/mask combination which sells for about $3-4. it uses material which is almost a flat black on the outside, but woven so that from the inside you can see out fairly well. i haven't been able to find a source for the material which works pretty well under a conventional mask to give a "no eyes" appearance. rather than try to duplicate this, i'd check out the local halloween shops or suppliers which crop up at this time of year. locally, i found mine at walgreen's. hth. len canders lcanders@ccnet.com "in the fuzz" http://www.ccnet.com/~lcanders/welcome.html concord, ca From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 19:33:48 1996 Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 22:32:26 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: jdunfee@shadow.net (Joe Dunfee) Subject: Re: Three motor flying effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > It is too late to start on such a project for this year, After getting over 90 new messages in less than 24 hours, I have decided that I am subscribed to too many lists. But I will go a ahead and stick to this list since it should dye off significantly after halloween. I will hold off on this discussion untill November as well... maybe someone will want to make a flying reindeer! Joe Dunfee Miami, Florida USA From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 22:23:57 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 19:12:33 -0700 From: Mike Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Strange Question time Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jeanni, Well, the tarp was on!! Now a big wind storm is hitting so we have to go out and get wood strips to tack it down with. There goes another couple of bucks....I forgot about the booze!!! Kathy Rob Peter to pay Paul and then tell Paul the check is in the mail From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Oct 26 22:25:09 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 19:14:06 -0700 From: Mike Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Strange Question time Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Barry, I thought I had gone over the edge!! There is still hope for me!! Now if the wind would stop I would feel a heck of a lot better!! Oh for a huge house with a BIG garage!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 02:18:15 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 04:02:10 -0600 (CST) Subject: New Orleans Haunt Review #3 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com The Blood Center Haunted House Lakeside Shopping Center (mall) Causeway Blvd. and Veterans Blvd. Metairie, Louisiana Hours of Operation: 7 PM - Midnight October 26, 27, 29, 30, 31 Admission: $5.00 This charity Haunt is located on the ground level of a multi-story parking facility, beneath the tilted ramp space leading to the second level - a space that is not small. Every year, they spend an entire month converting the space to suit their needs, adding pneumatic systems, electrical conduits and sturdy walls, as needed. The haunt has been operating for the last 6 years (to my knowledge.) Local radio stations provide music and remote broadcast publicity, and act as sponsors, along with 20 or more local businesses, and there are food concessions available. For patrons who donate blood, the long queue line may be bypassed, but I believe these patrons still pay the $5.00 fee. The management has a very tight system of operation, and they include Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies in the cast for safety reasons (there are signs posted to this effect outside the attraction.) I learned about their management system two years ago when I was a castmember (playing Beetlejuice for the queue crowd, and for part of the night in the attraction,) and I can attest that they have a good way of keeping their castmembers fresh and happy. The following items may give you an idea of the degree of their organization: * Volunteers are scheduled, and required to 'punch the clock' for the times when they are present. * There is a make-up area, complete with counters, mirrors, and lights. * On a regular 15 minute schedule, between groups of patrons, runners are sent through the haunt with refreshments for the actors. * Between 9:30 and 10:00 PM, there is a full shutdown for a cast break. A break area is provided, with enough tables and chairs for a sit-down meal, with food provided by sponsors. Soft drinks are available at all times, on demand. * The music system is a central P.A., with an all-call feature to alert the cast to breaks and problems. * Wherever a mechanical effect was needed, and required activation by a castmember on the set, the 'switch' is an air valve. This avoids possible shock to the castmember from a switch with trailing wires. Needless to say, almost all motion effects are air-driven. * The no-touch rule is strictly enforced. (This year, patrons are being told, 'The monsters will not touch you, if you do not touch them.' * Replacement ('stand-in') castmembers are available at all times for on-stage personnel who become sick or tired during operation hours. * The Haunt is divided into segments, complete with doors, to allow 'flow-control,' much as one might see in a dark ride. After reading all the above, one might get the impression that the show must be first-rate as well. Alas, I cannot confirm that, at least not this year. The Haunt, although safe and professionally-run, was a disappointment to this reviewer. It rates third thus far, behind the House of Shock and Sheriff Foti's attraction, for Haunts in New Orleans. What, precisely, is the problem? Well, it is multi-faceted. First of all, almost all of the cast was juvenile (in the legal sense of the term.) There were no adult actors to speak of, and thus no on-stage leadership. All the adults belonged to management, and were not in the maze, at least not for the show's benefit. Furthermore, the sense of atmosphere I had experienced in this Haunt's past incarnations was missing. I can't put my finger on one particular weakness, but the Haunt just didn't add up expectations based upon experience. Let's take the entrance, for example. The year I worked there, it was done up as elaborate set piece, themed as a sewer. It worked! It had atmosphere! This year, when the group entered, it met an un-costumed castmember, who screamed at the group over the loud soundtrack, telling them to stay with the guides (one before, and one aft) and keep their hands to themselves. After traversing a short hallway, the group entered a blacklight-lit room with fluorescent-painted walls, and were met by yet another un-costumed castmember, who repeated this warning a second time, through a P.A. system distorted with reverb/echo FX which rendered the message such that it was inaudible to most: 'Don't touch the monsters or they'll tear your flesh off!' or something to that effect. Apparently, someone in the cast had seen the 'Evangelist' character at the House of Shock and was trying to copy his style, sans costume and character.) What about the rest? Here's a brief summary of the highlights: What followed this was a 'tilt-room,' decently done, which effectively threw off your sense of equilibrium by requiring you to walk an s-shaped path through it. Sturdy tubular-metal handrails were provided, and for decor, a mirror-ball above projected moving images of multiple orange cat-eyes on the walls. Entertaining, for it engaged several senses at once; not a bad start. There was a room stacked with boxes, a few stacks of which were set up to tip via pneumatics. The effect was too limited to be truly effective - I imagined what it might have been like if the stacks had reached the ceiling, and if they had _all_ been rigged to tip, filling the field of vision, and providing a claustrophobic thrill - food for thought, perhaps, for other haunt builders? Another area featured a wooden bridge with a segment that used a vibrating plate. I am not sure whether this is the commercially available effect I have seen recently on a Halloween-related website, but it worked well mechanically. The problem came in its application. If there had been multiple units installed on the bridge across several segments of its length, and if they had been triggered suddenly and briefly, either together or in cascade, the scare would have been much better. Instead, it was switched on and left running as the party crossed it, providing a nice foot massage, but not much more. A dark maze section was provided, and the guides wore phosphorescent skull masks to act as markers for the guests to follow. It had a 'mushy' floor for part of its length, and strings dangled from the ceiling in one segment. The main problem? Because the haunt had to be ventilated, the chosen method was to leave a gap between the tops of the walls and the concrete ceiling of the parking garage, and this allowed light leakage, weakening an otherwise decent feature. One feature mentioned above, a technique I had introduced to our Jaycee chapter's houses years ago, based upon observations made on dark rides, was the segmentation of areas by doors to provide sight-and-sound isolation between groups traveling through the attraction. However, when I think about what transpired, the isolation setup was not really necessary in this haunt, except in a couple of locations. One of these was a black-lit room with small orange squares painted on a black wall, in which the party was 'trapped'. The effect was to camouflage two actors, who were clad in black costumes painted with similar orange squares, and were hiding in two corners of the room. It worked visually, but the actors were too diminutive, and merely came out from the corners and wandered slowly around the room. They were not even wearing masks. I thought that if the actors had been tall, properly masked, and the blacklight had been strobing, this might have been a rather effective room. A car-crash scene, set in what was supposed to look like a corn-field (did I miss some obscure movie reference here?) used an actual wreck with a pneumatic actuator on one of the car's doors, which caused it to open and close slowly. The 'scare' was to be provided by actors who jumped out from the wings of the stage-area, and kept yelling 'help me!' I was not impressed with this, despite all the work required to set it up. Too much light, a mostly static display, and unimaginative staging killed it. In point of fact, the 'help me!' cry emanated from a number of scenes, one of which was an asylum set. I wanted to help, all right - I wanted to help re-work the attraction. The rest was pretty standard fare. How did it all end? Can you say 'chainsaw', boys and girls? I knew you could. That makes three-for- three chainsaw closers for New Orleans haunts under review, to my chagrin. It's not that I hate the concept, it's just that it has been used to death over the years. Now, someone is bound to be asking the silent question: "If the reviewer worked for this haunt for one of its incarnations and found fault with it, why did he not join up with this organization and help to remedy its weaknesses, instead of merely criticizing it in ascii on the 'net?" Well, fellow ghouls, list, and I'll tell ye, verily. When I inquired about contributions to the design process, I was told, essentially, that I had to 'pay dues' by starting out as a 'grunt' laborer and working my way up over the years. In other words, prior resume meant nothing to them. I did my stint as Beetlejuice that year, and walked away. I had spent over two-and-a-half decades paying dues prior to the asking, and was not of a mind to repeat the process: their loss, not mine. By the way - the group of customers I entered the attraction with did not emit one single scream during the entire 10-minute tour. Diagnosis? It is possible for a well-oiled, well-maintained motor to produce no almost effect at all, if nothing significant is connected to the output shaft. -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 04:20:27 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 05:43:39 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Tombstones - Less Expensive approach Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Barry Wrote: >>A less expensive and very impressive alternative to using spray finishes on >>foam (the granite texture paints cost $$$) is to buy the "Secrets of the >>Haunted Mansion" (Not Disney's HM) tape from Denny. Part of the tape deals >>with painting very realistic stone surfaces, using conventional latex >>paint. Gary Wrote: > Thanks for the info. I would like more info on the tape you > speak of. I want to make some tombstones and have been gathering > info before starting. The tape sounds interesting. > ...Gary gengle@erols.com Hi Gary, You'll need to check around to find the video tape, I was out of them for months and then managed to find another dozen. Those are now gone with little hope of getting more. Some of the other dealers on the web may still have them. Check with John at Mr. Scary Productions or Tad at Harlequin Costume. Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design 630-830-9561 fax 630-830-9577 Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 04:49:04 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 07:36:03 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Gary Engle Subject: Re: Halloween mood music Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Is there a contraption somewhere that will make a rocking chair rock, with no one in it? Or is this easy to make? ...Gary gengle@erols.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 04:53:14 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 07:40:41 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Gary Engle Subject: Rocking Chair effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Sorry to those who have read this message twice. Is there a contraption that will make a rocking chair rock, with no one in it? Or maybe, is this easy to make? ...Gary gengle @erols.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 10:37:24 1996 From: R4M2J1@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 13:29:02 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: The ghost is up Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com My flying ghost is up (Still need to hook up the motor though) complete with baby monitor for sound. I did some test runs (spinning the wheels manually) and it seems to tolerate the weight fine. The monitor is very light. The problem is you can't get much volume out of it without distortion and it has a safety mechanism built in which cuts the sound completely if it gets to loud. Maybe I can splice in a better speaker. Any ideas? Thanks in advance Dale r4m2j1@aol.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 11:14:57 1996 From: Ldwarf@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 14:07:03 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Tombstones - Less Expensive approach Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com looking for the tape ?????// i would be happy to sell you my copy... ( no , no copy right infringement... ill sell you my tape .. origional box and all, i got it a few months ago and played it once... i just have no need for it) i have seen it and tho it is a great tape for a beginer... i found it to be a bit below my needs and expectations...if it could be of use to someone.. please E-mail me directly... (i dont remember what i paid for it... someone help me with this... ) and we can work out the details Scott a.k.a. Ldwarf@aol.com. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 13:58:16 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 15:50:34 -0600 (CST) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: DJ Subject: Re: Rocking Chair effect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 07:40 AM 10/27/96 -0500, you wrote: > > Is there a contraption that will make a > rocking chair rock, with no one in it? Or > maybe, is this easy to make? > > ...Gary gengle @erols.com Hi, Gary and Fellow Ghouls, I know of two fairly simple ways and one complicated way to rock a chair. On the simple side, you can attach fishing line to the back of the chair and then attach the other end of the line to the outer rim of an old record turntable. When I did this, I found that attaching a swivel (from the tackle box) to the turntable and then tying the line to this works best. For this method to work, the post in the middle of the turntable must be short else the line tangle around it. Sometimes it works best to set the turntable on its side. The second simple way is to use a chair with a solid back. (If your rocker has spindles instead, you might insert a piece of cardboard.) Then position a heavy duty oscillating fan behind it. As the fan rotates, the chair will rock. For this method (as well as the one above) the chair must be fairly light weight. Now, a more complicated method is to use an electro-magnent. I haven't done this myself, but I've seen diagrams of chairs with metal attached to one rocker. Underneath the floor is a strong electro-magnent which flashes on and off to rock the chair. It would probably work great, but seems like a lot of trouble to me. Gary, I hope this helps. Let me know how things turn out. I'd love to hear if anybody has other ways to do this. Regards, DJ, who must be off her rocker to be at the computer when there's so much work and so little time! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 14:08:40 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 16:59:13 -0500 From: Rob Freeman To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Ready to Haunt Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Kelly Brandt wrote: > You're done and I'm jealous!!!! We're soooo far from done,... I still had 2,000,000 things on my list to do, I just said that at 12 Noon that I was done. Well, not really. I still had to buy booze and ice, by a black sweatshirt for one of my dummies and put it on him, finish my costume, charge the video camera batteries, buy film, install cable in my basement and move the TV down there (University of Michigan football at 7, Red Wings Hockey, and the World Series all at the same time), borrow folding chairs, and on and on and on. So I'll just put away the list until next year, and promise to get an earlier start! -- Happy Haunting Rob Freeman freemanr@oeonline.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 14:35:02 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 17:25:47 -0500 From: Rob Freeman To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Party Review Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Well, here it is Sunday and the party's over and the mess is cleaned up. I'm not sure if the hangover is due to too much drinking (only had a couple of beers, a couple Bloody Brains, and a couple shots of Nuclear Waste) of from lack of sleep the last few nights. Now I just have to get ready for the onslaught of guests for the haunted garage tonight! We had a good turnout, about 45 people, and most did real well with their costumes. We guessed right this time about the number of pizzas and the toppings, so only had two left over (but what will I do for dinner the rest of the week?). My haunted garage was a big hit. I got a lot of screams (isn't that why we do it?), a lot of "How'd you do that?", and even more "All of that fits into ONE garage?" I got a couple of "Cute's", but those people couldn't be scared no matter what you tried. Here's a list of the costume winners. They are selected by giving every guest a vote. First Place: Braveheart - kilt, sword, painted face. Second Place: Fried Electrician - Cut up clothes and construction helmet, covered with soot. Soot make-up. Electrician's tool and battery operated light bulb. Third Place: Pot-of-Gold (with the Leprachaun) - Stuffed cloth rainbow worn over the head, plastic pot with bottom cut out worn around the waist, gold wrapped chocolate coins. Honorable Mention (1): Ghost Bride - Wedding gown, white make-up Honorable Mention (2): Wednesday Addams - Headless doll and all Honorable Mention (3): Pirates - Standard fare but very well done homemade costumes Honorable Mention (4): Indian Princess - Standard costume, but was passing out free passes to Indian-run casino in northern Michigan when a simple question was answered correctly. After you got the pass, she told you that "It's free to get in anyway!" (At my house, character counts almost as much as the costume.) Other costumes of note: 3 couples came as a slumber party with pajamas, sleeping bags, stuffed animals and the game of Twister (they would have gotten more points for playing it, though). Gomez and Morticia Addams (unrelated to Wednesday) Jed Clampett Gangster with sub-machine gun and blood capsules Bottle of Michelob Light Cleopatra French Maid 60's Love Child (Hippie) Private Eye -- Happy Haunting Rob Freeman freemanr@oeonline.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Oct 27 15:51:35 1996 Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 18:32:10 -0500 (EST) From: RevCOAL To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Netsurfer Digest: Vol. 02, #34 (TEXT) (fwd) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I've edited out the sites just solely devoted to pigs, with no Halloween theme.... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 26 Oct 96 20:36:57 PDT From: editor-bounce@netsurf.com Subject: Netsurfer Digest: Vol. 02, #34 (TEXT) ______________________________________________________________________________ N E T S U R F E R D I G E S T Halloween Issue