Subject: Re: Magic Castle/Knott's Halloween Hellraiser! (Long) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jeanni, did you see what Harry posted about the start of the plans for Knotts!! The park is getting ready I guess we should :) Since I am sitting here with a broken ankle for another month and a half is there anything I can do!! I was wondering about getting hold of Knotts and telling them about our group and seeing if they will costume us up as extras for one night!! would that not be a blast!!! Just a idea, what do you think?? Write soon, I could use something to look forward to! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-xmas-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 07:56:37 1996 Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 06:17:12 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Christmas Party Reply-To: xmas-l@netcom.com Pamela, You are as bad as us. We were talking about Valentines day yesterday, and saying we have to start planning!! Glad your party went so well. Kathy From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 07:59:46 1996 Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 06:17:12 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Christmas Party Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Pamela, You are as bad as us. We were talking about Valentines day yesterday, and saying we have to start planning!! Glad your party went so well. Kathy From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 10:09:34 1996 Date: Fri, 27 Dec 96 12:08:06 CST To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: robdoc@startribune.com (Robyn Dochterman) Subject: Re: Candelabra Plans - and Hello! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Dave wrote..."I'll write up another one for the battery-operated portable candles Scrooge and his haunts carried around!" I'd like to know more about these portable candles. Before Christmas, I saw some battery operated plastic candles at Target, but they wouldn't work with C-7 flicker bulbs, which is what I wanted to use, so I didn't get them. THanks. --Robyn Robyn Dochterman Interactive editor Star Tribune Online Robdoc@startribune.com http://www.startribune.com ----------------------------------------------------- "Creativity is ability led by imagination" --Doug Ferguson ----------------------------------------------------- From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 12:17:48 1996 Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 12:04:12 -0800 (PST) From: Dave Bell To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Candelabra Plans - and Hello! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > Robyn Dochterman wrote: > [I] wrote..."I'll write up another one for > the battery-operated portable candles Scrooge and his > haunts carried around!" > > I'd like to know more about these portable candles. Before Christmas, I > saw some battery operated plastic candles at Target, but they wouldn't > work with C-7 flicker bulbs, which is what I wanted to use, so I didn't > get them. THanks. I thought about making something for these, but it looked like way too much to accomplish in the time I had available. The main problem is that the lamps require high voltage (OK, at least 90 V or so) to operate, and you would need some sort of inverter circuit to get that from batteries. With the new power supply chips available, that probably is practical, but I need more time to research it. At the very least, you need a switching oscillator (LM555 or couple of transistors), power driver(s) (MOSFETs or power transistors) and some sort of transformer. The transformer could be either a small audio transformer in reverse, or a custom wound toroid. The latter is certainly smaller, as long as you run the circuit at high frequency, but there is more work in manually winding it if you can't find one off-the-shelf. Size of all this is a consideration, of course, unless you have a fairly bulky, hollow base... My solution was based upon a mini-Maglite for the first unit. I was thinking about how to make a nice looking stage candle, and spotted the flashlight on the kitchen counter. With these, and their faithful copies, the reflector assembly unscrews to focus the beam, and can come off all the way. This is also the normal power switch - a half turn or so lets a disk rise up on a spring and switch the lamp on. If you remove the reflector completely, you have an exposed, TINY, grain-of-wheat lamp on the end of the slim flashlight case. I went into the living room (!), pulled a tuft of spiderweb off the dead tree we had for Halloween, and wrapped the fluff around the bare lamp, bringing it up into a little sharp peak. From anything more than 5 feet or so, it looked perfect! A bright, diffuse glowing cloud around a hotter core... Of course, the flashlight still looked tacky! It fit very loosely into a length of (3/4" ?) PVC pipe, so I wrapped a bit of fuzzy-side sticky back Velcro around the top and bottom, and it fit tightly into the pipe "candle". I trimmed the pipe so the base (with the lanyard hole) stuck out the bottom. Cut down a clear pill bottle to make a sleeve that fit smoothly around the bottom of the pipe, put a wad of modelling clay into the pocket of a little antique candlestick, hotglued the clear sleeve to the wax saucer on the candlestick, and squished the pipe and flashlight assembly down through the sleeve, embedding the screw base into the clay. Now, the actors just unscrewed the pipe a couple of turns, as the base stayed stuck in the clay, and the batteries lost contact - simple but effective ON/OFF switch! The propmistress loved it, and asked for another one! Well, I didn't have another mini-Maglite to use, and they were selling for $10 or so, so I grabbed one of those cutesie Coleman lantern keychain lights. These have a button cell battery, and a different style of mini lamp, with the lamp inside a clear plastic "chimney" lantern. I cut off the clear part and top, leaving a teapot-shaped base with the bare lamp on top. Another short bit of PVC pipe, another tuft of spiderweb, and voila! This light switches by turning the flat base of the lantern body, so I hotglued that to a sleeve inserted inside the outer PVC pipe, and the actor just twists the lantern base. Final dress-up was again hotglue drips down the side of the white PVC, which was slightly rounded off at the top cut edge. Dave From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 12:38:18 1996 Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 12:27:59 -0800 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Knotts report Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 05:44 AM 12/26/96 -0800, you wrote: >Harry, > I wonder if we set up the date and stuff to have the group hit that >area if Knotts Berry Farms would let us play for one night??? Kathy, I'm jumping on the bandwagon with your great idea. I'd be willing to help appeal to the Knott's people for a behind-the -scenes peek. Greg T (619) 945-4424 F (619) 726-2804 E ghope@mailhost.csusm.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 15:57:12 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 15:50:34 -0700 Subject: Re: Knotts report To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com No idea who to contact, Kathy. I'll try and pull strings around. Hope to arrange a haunt meet for us to hang out and enjoy it. 2 days worth of fun, there is so much to see and do... Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 18:13:43 1996 Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 12:35:29 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Knotts report Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hey Greg, Since Harry has the inside track on the park I wonder if he knows the person we would write the first letter to!! Wouldn't that be great fun for one night scaring thousands of kids!!! I can see Denny now....Xrated .... !!! So Greg You and I will have to get the info and get it done!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 18:20:40 1996 Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 12:42:59 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Knotts report Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Harry, If you can get us a name or sectretary or whatever I will do the grunt work. I didn't want to make it hard on you!! I just think it would be fun to be a part of it!! I can't wait until this happens!! We are planning on it for our late vacation!! So keep in touch and let me do what I can!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 20:31:31 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 20:25:46 -0700 Subject: Re: Knotts report To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Kathy, I said I will TRY and get the inside track on things. Am into string pulling, but I do not have any within the Halloween gang. Yet. Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Dec 27 23:10:34 1996 Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 03:03:13 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Knotts report Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Don't know if this will help or not, and ya'll may already have this number. But the number I have listed for Knotts Berry Farms is 714-827-1776 Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Dec 28 00:34:45 1996 From: JeanniSkip@aol.com Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 03:28:31 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Happy New Year! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com This mail was returned to me, so I apologize if you already got it.... Jeanni (Cheers!!!!) ........................................... Hello Favorite Ghouls, and Happy New Year! Best, er, worst wishes for a happy, er scary New Year to all my fellow ghouls!! I am really excited about finding this list last September and can't wait to spend this coming new year perfecting and creating all kinds of fun new Halloween projects. Many thanks to everyone on this list for your terrific ideas, instructions, humor and banter, and I am also looking forward to our California *get-together* in October. I've been fairly silent since Halloween (took on too many projects!) but will start coordinating the Magic Castle thing soon into the New Year!. We are heading up to Grants Pass, Oregon for a week (leaving tomorrow) so will *see* all of you in 1997!! Have a Safe and Happy New Year! Jeanni P.S. Don, how long will your Holiday Decorations be up??? Will be traveling thru Sacramento tomorrow and again on our way home next Friday! Will probably stay overnite next Friday nite in Sacramento... if we have time, will try to cruise your street!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Dec 28 07:17:04 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 09:11:36 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Haunt Themed Gifts? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hi All, I Hope everyone's holidays are going well. Good friend Stu started the controversy last year by asking if anyone received or gave haunt related gifts. I haven't been in much trouble lately so I thought I'd start out this year. (Don cringes 2,000 miles away) My daughter gave me a 13 inch tall nut cracker. Very traditional? Nope! This one is similar in operation to the normal "Old World" nut crackers seen this time of the year except it's a skeleton wearing a top hat, holding a shovel in one hand, a pumpkin in the other and standing in front of a headstone. He's very cool, he'll live on my desk from now on. Another sort of haunt related item received was the Disney Imagineering book that was reviewed on the list awhile back by Doug. Anyone else? Best of the holidays to all, Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design 630-830-9561 7:30 am. to 5:30 pm. CST fax 630-830-9577 24 hours Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Dec 28 07:19:08 1996 Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 07:16:30 -0800 From: Spook To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Knotts report Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Good morning, Not sure if it will help, but one of my actors worked Knotts Scary Farm in 94 & 95. If ya'll would like, I could ask him for any contact names or numbers. Wish I could join you guys for the trip, but my own haunted house eats ALL my time and energy. I'm down on the Central Coast, so maybe you could wave on the way down! Mark From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Dec 28 10:20:50 1996 From: GFerris330@aol.com Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 13:15:32 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Haunt Themed Gifts? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Denny, Funny that you should mention it. I received a Frankenstein movie poster as well as a nutcracker shaped like Frankenstein's monster. Happy New Year everybody, Greg From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Dec 28 11:00:15 1996 Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 10:46:28 -0800 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Haunt Themed Gifts? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > Anyone else? Uh.. my wife gave me a B.T.Productions Terror by Design gift certificate. -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Dec 28 12:27:41 1996 Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 06:30:15 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Knotts report Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Thanks Keith, I think I see a great Halloween gathering in the future!! Watch out southern Cal.... Kathy the new kid on the crypt!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Dec 28 12:33:38 1996 Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 06:36:28 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Haunt Themed Gifts? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Denny, What a great idea!! I never thought of asking for haunting gifts for Christmas...I know when I went shopping for my Christmas decorations I boughts a lot of stuff for Halloween. Like lights, and bulbs, and candles, and material for costumes, etc. I love the nut cracker!! It sounds great...something you are going to carry next year??? Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Dec 29 07:03:36 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 05:43:09 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Haunt Themed Gifts? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 06:36 AM 12/27/96 -0800, you wrote: >Denny, I love the nut cracker!! It >sounds great...something you are going to carry next year??? >Kathy Hi-ya Kathy, No, my wife found it in one of the skazillions of "general stuff" (Lillian Vernan?), mail order catalogs she receives. I see from Greg's post that he received a Frankenstein's Monster nut cracker, hmmm, there could be another collection starting around here. Denny From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Dec 29 18:09:18 1996 From: Jacqueline Young To: "'halloween-l@netcom.com'" Subject: Christmas gifts Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 21:10:07 -0500 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Well I received lots of lovely things for Christmas, mainly my beloved Teddy bears. Sadly no Halloween treasures. I was hoping for some gift certificates for TBD, but just a promise of extra leeway at Halloween future. The nutcrackers sound wonderful, sadly we don't have kazillions of mail order catalogues up here, just snow, snow and more snow. Just in case I don't get back to the list before the big night, HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. Jacqui From owner-xmas-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Dec 29 19:57:54 1996 From: EPBLUESTAR@aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 22:55:16 -0500 To: xmas-l@netcom.com, halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Christmas Party Reply-To: xmas-l@netcom.com In a message dated 96-12-27 10:57:43 EST, mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com (Michael Marcrum) writes: << Pamela, You are as bad as us. We were talking about Valentines day yesterday, and saying we have to start planning!! Glad your party went so well. Kathy >> Hey, can't waste any time. My husband can't decided if I should be going to crafters annoynamous or party annoynamous - I say, what problem??!! Pamela From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Dec 29 20:00:25 1996 From: EPBLUESTAR@aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 22:55:16 -0500 To: xmas-l@netcom.com, halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Christmas Party Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 96-12-27 10:57:43 EST, mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com (Michael Marcrum) writes: << Pamela, You are as bad as us. We were talking about Valentines day yesterday, and saying we have to start planning!! Glad your party went so well. Kathy >> Hey, can't waste any time. My husband can't decided if I should be going to crafters annoynamous or party annoynamous - I say, what problem??!! Pamela From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 07:01:42 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 96 09:52:03 EST From: Stuart McIntire To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Haunt Themed Gifts? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Denny sez: >My daughter gave me a 13 inch tall nut cracker. This one is similar in >operation to the normal "Old World" nut crackers seen this time of the year >except it's a skeleton wearing a top hat, holding a shovel in one hand, a >pumpkin in the other and standing in front of a headstone. He's very cool, >he'll live on my desk from now on. Hoo boy. My wife's gonna kill me when I tell her I need MORE ROOM for the nutcracker collection that I'm going to have to start now. It's not enough to have an entire room of the house for my comics and Halloween collectibles... now I need to apply for a zoning variance to build a new wing! You'd better run, Denny. I think my wife saved your address I took off of that package... ;) >Another sort of haunt related item received was the Disney Imagineering book >that was reviewed on the list awhile back by Doug. There are a lot of good Disney books on the market - especially the animation books. There is also one that looked really good about Industrial Light & Magic. I didn't get any of those, but Dear Darling Wife got me the Tales from the Crypt book I asked for...plus a Rhino Records Halloween tape that I wasn't aware of... Next year, I'm asking for one of those swanky gift certificates from Terror By Design. I hear they're all the rage. To borrow an advertising slogan from The Washington Post..."if you don't get it, you don't get it!" - Stu stuart.mcintire@uage.com From owner-xmas-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 07:05:25 1996 Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 01:10:51 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Christmas Party Reply-To: xmas-l@netcom.com Pamela, We built a large tent for our Haunted house, and then we took the front off and turned that into out Christmas Display...The neighbor asked us the other day what we were going to do for New Years...!! Before I could open my mouth my husband said " Were going to take it all down"! I guess that is the end of my planning :) Now on to next year!! Kathy The shortest elf on the crypt!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 07:08:46 1996 Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 01:10:51 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Christmas Party Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Pamela, We built a large tent for our Haunted house, and then we took the front off and turned that into out Christmas Display...The neighbor asked us the other day what we were going to do for New Years...!! Before I could open my mouth my husband said " Were going to take it all down"! I guess that is the end of my planning :) Now on to next year!! Kathy The shortest elf on the crypt!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 16:53:57 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 20:47:01 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Was stitting here at my computer and working on plans for a Haunted House my brother. And I got to thinking about some of the most frightening spots in some of the houses I've been through. I was wondering if anyone or everyone would like to share a spot or place in a previous haunted house that really got you. For me it was the following. The place that got me was at the exit of a local haunted house in Missouri. Here's the description. Right after you pass the last monster exhibit you made a 180 degree turn into total darkness. Using my normal procedures when this happens I put both hands on the walls and move forward. Only to discover after a few feet that the hallway appeared to be a dead end. At the same time I noticed this the lights came on. On the floor, ceiling and walls, were sheets of plexiglass filled with live trantulas. As you turn around to leave this dead end you discover that the hallway has moved and your now facing the door marked exit. Just as soon as you start for the doors all the lights went out again and you heard the sound of shattering glass. Then a bunch of feather boas were dropped from the ceiling, so that they hung face high. This exit room always gave everyone a good scare. Many people after this room were checking each others for stray spiders. Who thought up this room you might ask. Well to be honest I did. Even though I knew about the feather boas falling and all I must admit it still spooked me when I went through the house. BTW, if anyone wants to use this idea. Feel free. All I ask is you let me know how it works out for you. Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 18:12:16 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 18:02:30 -0800 From: Spook To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com This year we did a pretty good scary spot. As you come to the end of a 50-foot tunnel (1000 pounds of plaster!), you find yourself standing at the end of some railroad tracks that run way up into another cave. On cue, an ore cart comes screaming down the tracks. At first, you know its a gag, so you don't worry. When it gets up to about 15mph and is only six feet from you, even the bold try to get out of the way. When it gets about four feet from the end, a flash goes off. You're blind, and the last thing you saw was this big ore cart about to hit you. Very effective. The entire gag is 32-feet long, 11-feet high, and 4-feet wide. The ore cart weighed 70 pounds. If you want to try this, please e-mail me first. Not for permission, but for advice. This is a DANGEROUS gag. If it fails ONCE, you've got dead customers. Dead customers make good props, but it really jacks up your insurance costs. (: Mark From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 21:01:22 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 21:00:26 -0700 Subject: Re: Curious To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Mark, one time a hoiuse I was in used a similar gag, the "Crash Koaster" coming down a diagonal track. You have a large metal stop at the bottom end of the track, and you use upstop wheels underneath. The flash was not used, but that sounds like a neat variation. Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 22:08:20 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 01:19:20 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com <' > ********************************* * Mr.Scary Productions * * http://www.mrscary.com * * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * * 1-812-824-8935 * * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * ********************************* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 22:08:27 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 01:19:22 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com < Snip 'o rama > Sounds like a really cool gag! (and I HATE spiders!) One thing I have wanted to do is hit on the fear of tight space. Have a hall slim down narrow (and get dark of corps), then use the "dead end" gag, only as the lights com up (real slow) have the walls, floor, and ceiling chuck full of dead bodies (behind grate). At the mid-point, (about the time the figures are seen as bodies), shake the props as several screams and moans come from all around, then dump the lights! Open the "trap" to let them out. A few strobes, color gels, and a simple recording, a 10' hall could be a real scream. Never done it.....yet.. Muahhahaha. I wanted to mount the hall on the "Hell-o-vator" platform. Humm.... John ********************************* * Mr.Scary Productions * * http://www.mrscary.com * * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * * 1-812-824-8935 * * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * ********************************* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 22:19:44 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 01:30:45 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Killer dolls Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I don't know if you have seen it on the news yet or not. But the "Cabbage-Patch" kids doll that "eats" fries, as been apparently "nibbling" on small children! Looks as if 12 or so parents have reported the doll attempting to devour the kids fingers, hands, hair, nose or whatever it gets a hold of! This calls for a "Carnage-patch" Doll room! I feel sorry about any pain to the kids, but this is too funny! Once the X-mas animitronic sets go on sale, I'm picking up several to tinker with :) The only thing missing from the news cast was a voice-over of "Chucky" saying: "Hi, I'm Chucky....Wanna play?" Or a haunted "music-box" tune... Now THAT would have been priceless! BTW>I hit the wrong key and sent that other note. Sorry. John ********************************* * Mr.Scary Productions * * http://www.mrscary.com * * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * * 1-812-824-8935 * * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * ********************************* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 22:49:46 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 02:43:03 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Spook wrote: > > This year we did a pretty good scary spot. As you come to the end of a 50-foot tunnel (1000 > pounds of plaster!), you find yourself standing at the end of some railroad tracks that run way > up into another cave. On cue, an ore cart comes screaming down the tracks. At first, you know Wow, my idea with the trantulas seems extemely tame compaired to this. I see now I've got alot of work to do, in order to make a fantastic haunted house. Oh to dream the dream. Someday, to own and operate a Successful Haunted house. Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Mon Dec 30 22:57:26 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 02:50:44 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John P. Jeffries wrote: > > < Snip 'o rama > > > Sounds like a really cool gag! (and I HATE spiders!) One thing I have > wanted to do is hit on the fear of tight space. Have a hall slim down > narrow (and > get dark of corps), then use the "dead end" gag, only as Tight spots. I'm not claustriphobic (sp??) but a great idea. BTW, I hate spiders as well. Just thougt of a tight squeeze that got my brother to be rather vocal. It was a U shaped hallway but it got rather narrow as you approached the blind corner. So you had to go sideways. Right in the middle of the corner was a sliding panel which the appropriate actor opened and of course he gotcha. Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 00:05:42 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 03:16:36 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Spooky games Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Everyone loves a cool game...right? There are a couple that are (to me) real freaky. One is called "Quake", an ID Doom spin-off. The graphics are awesome, but the sound is real freaky, gives me the chills! (Big game, 80 meg). The other is called "Witchaven". Works like Doom, but it's based on the Dark-ages and a little AD&D (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons). Sort a' creepy, and the ghouls come from behind (boy do I hate that!) Both have good lighting, and can give one ideas what to do with lights. Scenes are very good, and "Quake" has Zombies that will not stop! So, if you have the machine to run them, try them out, turn out the lights and turn the sound up...I bet you get freaked out too. "Witchaven" runs off the CD, so hard drive space is not as bad as "Quake". Oh well, 'nuff said. John ********************************* * Mr.Scary Productions * * http://www.mrscary.com * * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * * 1-812-824-8935 * * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * ********************************* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 00:44:54 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 03:54:45 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Timer Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Back in September, several people were talking about timers, and a "Mad Scientist" flashing sign. There is a timing unit I use for Animitronics that works very well. It handles 120v and the timing can be adjusted to suit ones needs. Sold by the McMaster company, the item number is: NCC TIMER, MODEL: CKK-00060-461 Timing is adjustable from .6 sec to 60 sec, and any combination within. ( 2 sec on-60 sec off, 1 sec on- 1 sec off. etc, etc. ) The price was about $35-45 bux, but works well. When one "side" is off, the other "side" is on. So, you can have a sign that says: WARNING (side one) GHOST LOOSE (side two). Just build a box from plywood or sheet metal, cut the letters from cardboard and a stencil, use a few 40w bulbs and color gels and there 'ya go! The unit will run in a cycle as long as the power is on.(please use an in-line fuse for safety!) The unit "plate" is not wired, but easy to do. Just a couple of jumper wires do the job. (Use wiring heavy enough for the load.) It takes about 5 min to set one up. I used it for a pop-up with a strobe light. And again, the timing is adjustable to whatever settings you might want. Hope this helps, call a local electronic shop (not Radio Shack) to see if they carry NCC timers or if they can order one for you. Or check with Terror By Design, Denny might have a unit close to this one. I'll check around to see if I can snag a few if enough are wanted. McMaster usually takes large orders. John. ********************************* * Mr.Scary Productions * * http://www.mrscary.com * * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * * 1-812-824-8935 * * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * ********************************* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 02:00:04 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 01:59:44 -0700 Subject: Spooky games To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com My fave game is a neat arcade game I have at home called Chiller. It was yanked from the market because it's so gross. The bible belt went nuts over the game. (I had to get mine from teh company). Basically, it's a gun shooting game. first scene is a torture chamber, guy in manacles on the wall, you can shoot him all up, flesh sloughing off. gal in a guillotine, cut off her head, dog comes and picks it up or some body parts laying on the floor. nother guy in a bench press, you can crush his head like a grape. Severed heads on the shelf. Next scene is a rack room, knives flying through the air, sticking into anyone in sight. guy suspended above a river of blood, anytime you shoot the crank, a crocodile rears up and chomps off part of him. you get the idea. A truly fantastic Halloween arcade game. And the pinball machine in my house? A Gottlieb's HAUNTED HOUSE, of course! :) Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 05:13:57 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 06:52:39 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Timer Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 03:54 AM 12/31/96 -0500, John wrote in part: >Back in September, several people were talking about timers, and a "Mad >Scientist" flashing sign. There is a timing unit I use for Animitronics that >works very well. It handles 120v and the timing can be adjusted to suit ones >needs. Sold by the McMaster company, the item number is: NCC TIMER, MODEL: >CKK-00060-461 Timing is adjustable from .6 sec to 60 sec, and any >combination within. ( 2 sec on-60 sec off, 1 sec on- 1 sec off. etc, etc. ) >The price was about $35-45 bux, but works well. When one "side" is off, the... >Hope this helps, call a local electronic shop (not Radio Shack) to see if >they carry NCC timers or if they can order one for you. Or check with Terror >By Design, Denny might have a unit close to this one. I'll check around to >see if I can snag a few if enough are wanted. McMaster usually takes large >orders. Hey John and All, I can get the repeat-cycle timers as John mentioned (thanks again John) but can't get much of a price break on small quantities. What I normally suggest and often do myself is to build a repeat-cycle timer out of a surplus synchronous gear motor of 1 to 60 RPM range and a couple of Micro-switches. Cams, made out of Plexiglass or PC board material mounted on the output shaft are used to trip the Micro-switches. One of these cam timers can be built for under $10.00, take about an hour to put together and run for years if the switches are loaded properly. John already mentioned adding a fuse in the circuit, which I whole heartedly agree with. Also think about the addition of ground fault interupters to any line voltage devices for additional safety. Ground fault interupters are getting very inexpensive for the added safety margine. and by the way... Happy New Year All! Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design 630-830-9561 7:30 am. to 5:30 pm. CST fax 630-830-9577 24 hours Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 05:19:50 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 08:11:21 -0500 From: ROGER ALEXANDER To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Spooky games -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >>> 12/31/96 3:59 am >>> *snip* you get the idea. A truly fantastic Halloween arcade game. And the pinball machine in my house? A Gottlieb's HAUNTED HOUSE, of course! :) Harry <<<<<<<<<<<<< You have a HAUNTED HOUSE pinball *in*your*house*????? You lucky dog!! How'd you manage that??? That's my favorite pinball game of all time!!! Love the sound affects and the multi-layer/ball play is awesome! Know of where someone could get one for himself? ;) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roger Alexander Phone: 812-854-4748 Naval Surface Warfare Center Fax: 812-854-3508 Bldg 64 Code 111RA Crane, IN 47522 INTERNET: rda413@smtp.nwscc.sea06.navy.mil Supporting the Fleet through Supply! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 06:02:00 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 07:56:46 +0000 From: "Sherri (Ozzy)" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Killer dolls Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Now I am getting ideas! Speaking of "Chuckie".... My daughter has a doll that moves and talks. If you put her down she will "shut" off, but the minute she is touched, her eyes pop open and she starts talking. She left this doll laying on the floor one day, and we had some friends come over to watch the "Chuckie" movie. One of the guys got up and bumped the doll and her eyes popped open... I thought he would go through the ceiling he jumped so high! I will have to see if I can transform the doll into something scary! -- Sherri(IzZy,oOzY,OzZy)~http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7997/ Frosty Minnesota, USA ~ c-n-s.ozzy@Worldnet.att.net ~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~* "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful" - Mae West ~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 06:13:28 1996 Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 23:43:59 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Keith, Just think if all of us could get together in one place, what a haunt we would have. I think it would be nice if we could all build that perfect Haunt....dreaming!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 06:51:22 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 00:21:51 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Ok!! I have the last dumb question of the year from me. Where did you get all the live Spiders?? And what do you do with them after Halloween! I like the idea, because I am terrified of spiders, but I don't know about that many spiders live..... Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 06:58:27 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 00:29:05 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Killer dolls Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hey, I wish I had thought of that first!! You had better hurry if you want the dolls, I just heard on the news that the doll will probably be pulled off the shelves very soon. Mattel is telling parents to take the batteries out until they can think about this. When I mentioned Chucky on another list, Mothers went screaming!! I can't believe how many people were really bothered by that movie!! Speaking of Movies....PLUG>>> Go see Scream!! It was filmed here in Sonoma, and we watched a large part of the filming at the school site!! It was great fun and all the people we meet were nice! Lots of blood!! Enjoy!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 07:36:58 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 11:23:28 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Keith, > Just think if all of us could get together in one place, what a haunt > we would have. I think it would be nice if we could all build that > perfect Haunt....dreaming!! > Kathy > the new kid on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com What a marvelous thought. The Ultimate Haunted House. Now that I would like to see come true. Shame we all don't live near by and could look at doing something like this. >From what i've seen in the archieves, it looks like the majority of Halloween addicts live in the California area. I live in Texas currently. I am hoping to attend the Halloween convention in March, in Chicago. (All depends if I got the cash for the trip). Maybe those who go can all meet when we're there. Now then a spot concerning Christmas gifts. What I got was the money to purchase Cerebus from Wolf Studios (the run the Verdun Manor). I also just found out that my family is thinking about buying me a hearse for my birthday. Man, I really hope so. Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 07:46:58 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 11:39:46 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Ok!! > I have the last dumb question of the year from me. Where did you get > all the live Spiders?? And what do you do with them after Halloween! I > like the idea, because I am terrified of spiders, but I don't know about > that many spiders live..... > Kathy > the new kid on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com To be honest, I got lucky when this effect was thought up. I had a friend of mine who kept Trantulas. In his house. I know that's hard to believe but he like the nasty, grotesque, hairy, crawling things. He said he got alot of his from pet stores. I know when I first moved to Dallas I used to see them in different pet stores. I personally wouldn't want any for pets. As far as after Halloween, he took them back home. I remember once when I was over at his house (also the last time) We were at his kitchen table and one of them came crawling around the corner. I had to leave. Took me an hour to quit checking my clothes to see if one hitched a ride. He said that type of stuff happened all the time. Some people...Go figure..... Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 07:48:54 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 01:19:24 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Keith, Only on this list would someone be happy about getting a hearse for their birthday!! :) I would be very interested in the info on Wolf studios!! Any new place for supplies is always welcomed!! Kathy the new kid on the cyrpt!! mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 08:08:28 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 11:02:35 +0000 From: Cliff Martin To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > Just think if all of us could get together in one place, what a haunt > we would have. I think it would be nice if we could all build that > perfect Haunt....dreaming!! > Kathy Hey! why not "build" the Perfect Haunt in the newsgroup - a virtual haunt? Use some/most of the ideas already posted - with some new scares all assembled as "the scariest haunt ever!" It could include a dark-ride, walk-thru, spook trail/haunted hayride, and so on. This could be used as a way for everyone to develop their own better 'haunts' ! Cliff cliff.martin@saralee.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 09:22:02 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 13:13:54 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Keith, > Only on this list would someone be happy about getting a hearse for > their birthday!! :) I would be very interested in the info on Wolf > studios!! Any new place for supplies is always welcomed!! > Kathy > the new kid on the cyrpt!! > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com Kathy, Here is the URL for Wolf Studios. For there prop page you can either follow their link or go straight there. By going to. You can also view a picture of Cerebus that I am getting on page This is the first time i've tried to put links accessable from a message. I hope it works. Also Wolf Studios is where I am getting to learn some of the in's and outs of Haunted Houses and making creatures. I am an apprentice there now. :-) Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 09:22:29 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 13:15:21 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Cliff Martin wrote: > > Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Just think if all of us could get together in one place, what a haunt > > we would have. I think it would be nice if we could all build that > > perfect Haunt....dreaming!! > > Kathy > > Hey! why not "build" the Perfect Haunt in the newsgroup - a virtual > haunt? Use some/most of the ideas already posted - with some new scares > all assembled as "the scariest haunt ever!" > It could include a dark-ride, walk-thru, spook trail/haunted hayride, > and so on. > This could be used as a way for everyone to develop their own better > 'haunts' ! > > Cliff > cliff.martin@saralee.net Don't know how much space this would take. I have a home page that I would be willing to use for this. I have 5 meg of space available through my server. I know not much space but it was free. Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 10:33:44 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 10:23:49 -0800 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Keith Long wrote: > > Michael Marcrum wrote: > > > > Ok!! > > I have the last dumb question of the year from me. Where did you get > > all the live Spiders?? And what do you do with them after Halloween! I > > like the idea, because I am terrified of spiders, but I don't know about > > that many spiders live..... > > Kathy > > the new kid on the crypt > > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com > > To be honest, I got lucky when this effect was thought up. I had a > friend of mine who kept Trantulas. In his house. I know that's hard to > believe but he like the nasty, grotesque, hairy, crawling things. I used to live in Coarsegold California, back in my Sierra On-Line days. Early every October, there was a tarantula migration right through the developement where I lived. Hundreds of these black, hairy tarantulas walking across the landscape for the taking. I didn't take any. -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 10:48:46 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 04:19:42 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Keith, You are a much stronger person than me, I would have never been in the house in the first place. This does sound like a great idea. And it goes down in the logs for future thought!! I just have to find something besides spiders. I like the idea of the bodies.... Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 11:13:03 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 11:12:58 -0700 Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Kieth, there is a very excellent haunted house setup caleld Castle Dragon. I think it hangs out in Carrolton. The head honcho wrote a pretty wonderful book on making such large scale haunted houses. It's an expensive book, and not designed for home use. I got mine from Denny, and I'll vouch that it's a worthy investment. Perhaps the reason there are so many haunted house maniacs out here, lots of other states tend to frown upon Halloween festivities :( Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 11:14:33 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 11:10:58 -0700 Subject: Spooky games -Reply To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Roger, I got it about 7 years ago, a decent price of $585. Some of thje paint is worn, though. Got a whole bunch of other games, perhaps because I'm in the game biz. (look for us to release for our Neo Geo system a Halloween game called Ghostlop where you have to exorcise ghosts. You get to fight the monster under the bed, a rampaging ghost carousel horse, a ghost in the mmuseum and some other fun spooks. Rated G, a rather cuddly game. Came out too late for this year's Halloween though :( :( :( Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 11:16:50 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 04:48:09 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Cliff, I really like that idea!! I wonder who, and I don't mean me the techno dummy, but who on this list has the ability to make a homepage....we could take this virtual Haunt to a higher level!! Just a idea on your idea, but it could be fun. A haunted house on the web...any wheels turning out there?? Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 11:20:59 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 04:52:21 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Keith, thanks for the info. I am going to check it out. Something to do tonight. Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 11:45:38 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 14:39:22 +0000 From: Cliff Martin To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > > >I think it would be nice if we could all build that perfect Haunt. > > Hey! why not "build" the Perfect Haunt in the newsgroup - a virtual haunt? > Don't know how much space this would take. I have a home page that I > would be willing to use for this. I have 5 meg of space available > through my server. I know not much space but it was free. > > Keith ------------------------------- I guess I was thinking more of a newsgroup discussion on this specific topic - very focused on the components/processes of the "perfect haunt" - all to help the group think about what makes up a "haunt", and how to make mine/theirs better... B u t. . .h m m m. .. making perfect haunt something you could actually see in some form (like in a web page graphic) would help! Even if it is only top-view sketch form would be a help.... Any thoughts? Anyone? Cliff From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 11:56:29 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 05:26:36 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Keith, I could not wait until tonight. What a great site. They have some great props and the haunt looks gruesome....Thanks for the lead!! kathy the new kid on the crypt!! mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 12:00:21 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 13:54:03 +0000 From: "Sherri (Ozzy)" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Cliff Martin wrote: > Hey! why not "build" the Perfect Haunt in the newsgroup - a virtual > haunt? Use some/most of the ideas already posted - with some new scares > all assembled as "the scariest haunt ever!" > It could include a dark-ride, walk-thru, spook trail/haunted hayride, > and so on. Very interesting idea! -- Sherri(IzZy,oOzY,OzZy)~http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7997/ Frosty Minnesota, USA ~ c-n-s.ozzy@Worldnet.att.net ~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~* "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful" - Mae West ~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 12:31:09 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 96 14:29:03 CST To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: robdoc@startribune.com (Robyn Dochterman) Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >B u t. . .h m m m. .. making perfect haunt something you could actually >see in some form (like in a web page graphic) would help! Even if it is >only top-view sketch form would be a help.... Any thoughts? Anyone? >Cliff Hi Cliff and everyone, I don't have 3D modeling skills, but I might have some resources for this project. I can write html, can encode Real Audio files, and have access to things like Authorware and Director (I might have to sit down with some manuals, though), and can scan drawings and photos. If any of that looks like it may be of value, holler. --Robyn Robyn Dochterman Interactive editor Star Tribune Online Robdoc@startribune.com http://www.startribune.com ----------------------------------------------------- "Creativity is ability led by imagination" --Doug Ferguson ----------------------------------------------------- From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 13:01:38 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 06:28:25 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Robyn, I don't have any of those talents but I will do whatever I can. We have a whole year to work on this...! Not knowing about this type of thing, would it be possible to put graphics like in games so that people can see a image of the haunt as described room by room. This could be great fun for those that don't have the big budget but would like to see their ideas in 3D!!! Kathy now looking forward to the new year!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 13:13:45 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 17:01:34 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com htraver@dreamsys.com wrote: > > Kieth, there is a very excellent haunted house setup caleld Castle > Dragon. I think it hangs out in Carrolton. The head honcho wrote a > pretty wonderful book on making such large scale haunted houses. It's an > expensive book, and not designed for home use. I got mine from Denny, > and I'll vouch that it's a worthy investment. > Do you by any chance remember the name of the book? Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 13:16:10 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 17:08:53 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Catalogues Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Kathy and all the rest, I've got a question for you. I've been finishing up reading the archieves and notice that there are alot remarks about ordering stuff from catalogs. I was wondering if anyone would post a list of all the places to order Halloween and other type supplies from. I will be checking out TBD page to see what there catalog runs and I am planning on ordering the Nightmare Factory catalog. I've heard of a company called Death Studios but haven't found a number or address. If you know of good catalogues to order from please send me the information. Company Name, phone number, address and cost of catalog would be nice to know. Some if not all of this information will probably be in the archieves. I still have over 3800 messages to read through. So this will be to help me save time and get some of the catalog's in early so I can start ordering. Thanks in advance, Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 13:21:53 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 15:13:42 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 04:48 AM 12/30/96 -0800, you wrote: >Cliff, > I really like that idea!! I wonder who, and I don't mean me the techno >dummy, but who on this list has the ability to make a homepage....we >could take this virtual Haunt to a higher level!! Just a idea on your >idea, but it could be fun. A haunted house on the web...any wheels >turning out there?? >Kathy I've run across quite a few virtual haunted houses on the web but have never stayed interested for more than two minutes with any of 'em. Has anyone seen a good one they would recommend to the list?... one that doesn't take 18 hours at 28.8 to down load? Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 13:27:14 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 17:19:04 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: The PERFECT HAUNT was Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Cliff Martin wrote: > I guess I was thinking more of a newsgroup discussion on this specific > topic - very focused on the components/processes of the "perfect haunt" > - all to help the group think about what makes up a "haunt", and how to > make mine/theirs better... > B u t. . .h m m m. .. making perfect haunt something you could actually > see in some form (like in a web page graphic) would help! Even if it is > only top-view sketch form would be a help.... Any thoughts? Anyone? > Cliff Sounds like a great idea. Ok hows this for a starter. I envison the house to set off a little in the woods. Unseen from the main road. You enter through a stone arch with an iron gate. The winding path is overgrown and the trees are all bare and knarled. Some trees have a vague human shape. In the bushes and branches you catch glimpses of red beady eyes following your progress. Their would be very little of any sounds except for an ocassional crackle of branches being broke and the rustle of branches just out of your perifrial view. The path of course twists and turns through the woods. Anyone care to take it from here or offer another entry point. Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 14:19:35 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 17:14:08 +0000 From: Cliff Martin To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The PERFECT HAUNT Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > Sounds like a great idea. Ok hows this for a starter. I envison the > house to set off a little in the woods. Unseen from the main road. You > enter through a stone arch with an iron gate. *the gate opens by itself, slowly (with appropriate creaking) > The winding path is overgrown and the trees are all bare and knarled. Some trees have a > vague human shape. In the bushes and branches you catch glimpses of red > beady eyes following your progress. Their would be very little of any > sounds except for an ocassional crackle of branches being broke and the > rustle of branches just out of your perifrial view. The path of course > twists and turns through the woods. * Just out of the range of the car's headlights (you're driving in, right?) you see indistinct "ghostly" shapes cross the road. (please forgive - I cant remember the exact name - but this is the prop ghost animated by "bicycle" wheels & motor on a long thin line) * Just as you round a turn, there is a large old can/drum near the side of the road - as the driver's side window is directly across BANG! Carl Chetta's trashcan terror (I think that's right..) jumps/screams in your face (Towing $10) All this before you get to the door! ;) From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 14:36:39 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 16:31:47 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Catalogues Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 05:08 PM 12/31/96 -0800, you wrote: >Kathy and all the rest, > >I've got a question for you. I've been finishing up reading the >archieves and notice that there are alot remarks about ordering stuff >from catalogs. I was wondering if anyone would post a list of all the >places to order Halloween and other type supplies from. I will be >checking out TBD page to see what there catalog runs and I am planning >on ordering the Nightmare Factory catalog. I've heard of a company >called Death Studios but haven't found a number or address. > >If you know of good catalogues to order from please send me the >information. Company Name, phone number, address and cost of catalog >would be nice to know. Howdy Keith, You'll find Death Studios at- (219) 362-4321. Nice people there, along with their very excellent line of custom masks. As for other dealers, THERE ARE ONLY FIVE- 1. Nathan at Theatre Effects- 2. John at Mr. Scary- 3. Tad at Harlequin Costume- 4. Brian Oberquell at The Wizard's Den- 5. and me at Terror By Design- Those five can find just about anything you need, and speaking of the other four, they're very reputable. None of the other dealers on the Internet contribute to or support this mailing list. Needless to say I'll never suggest supporting them. :) Denny PS. Oops dang, there is one other company that I'll suggest that is not on this list and that's Steve Biggs' Special Effects Supply. He's a good guy and true to his word. Tell him Denny sent ya. B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 14:44:00 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 16:38:26 -0600 (CST) Subject: Re: Curious To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >B u t. . .h m m m. .. making perfect haunt something you could actually >see in some form (like in a web page graphic) would help! I'd be happy to offer my services in realizing any graphics that might arise from such a project. The only problem with this idea arises in deciding how to reach a concensus on a final design, dealing with all the potential input from listmembers. I suspect that the best course might be to offer several alternate plans, assembled around different themes, the goal of wich would not be to provide actual construction 'blueprints' for haunt-builders to copy, but to give inspiration as to how all the within-reach basic technology we discuss on the list might be combined logically and artistically to produce the greatest effect on the potential customer. Such illustrations should include references to as many of our unique effects and mechanicals as possible, and be an 'advertisement' for the list itself, with the second purpose of attracting new and creatively- stimulated talent to join and contribute. I think it's time to hear from Don on this subject, eh? ;-) --------------- Incidentally, H A P P Y (H A U N T E D) N E W Y E A R to all of you, and may it bring new inspirations and inventions in its wake. I thought 'wake' sounded appropriately funerial. :-) -Doug F. *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 14:44:10 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 96 16:43:39 CST To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: robdoc@startribune.com (Robyn Dochterman) Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Denny wrote: > I've run across quite a few virtual haunted houses on the web but have >never stayed interested for more than two minutes with any of 'em. Has >anyone seen a good one they would recommend to the list?... one that doesn't >take 18 hours at 28.8 to down load? I couldn't agree with you more, Denny. Some had good ideas, but didn't develop them, and some had cool sounds or gizmos, but no theme or substance. And Kathy wrote: >Not knowing about this type of thing, would it be possible to put >graphics like in games so that people can see a image of the haunt as >described room by room. This was also my first thought, Kathy. I'm sure it is possible to craft this ideal cyber haunt in 3D...for someone. Unless I learn 3D modeling quickly, however, it probably won't be me. Maybe we could strike a deal with Broderbund or someone like them. We conceptualize the "perfect" haunted house, and they render it. Or maybe we know someone already, but just don't know it yet... --Robyn Robyn Dochterman Interactive editor Star Tribune Online Robdoc@startribune.com http://www.startribune.com ----------------------------------------------------- "Creativity is ability led by imagination" --Doug Ferguson ----------------------------------------------------- From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 15:07:50 1996 Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 18:03:06 -0500 From: Nightmare To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Catalogues Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Keith Long wrote: > > Kathy and all the rest, > > I've got a question for you. I've been finishing up reading the > archieves and notice that there are alot remarks about ordering stuff > from catalogs. I was wondering if anyone would post a list of all the > places to order Halloween and other type supplies from. I will be > checking out TBD page to see what there catalog runs and I am planning > on ordering the Nightmare Factory catalog. I've heard of a company > called Death Studios but haven't found a number or address. > > If you know of good catalogues to order from please send me the > information. Company Name, phone number, address and cost of catalog > would be nice to know. > > Some if not all of this information will probably be in the archieves. > I still have over 3800 messages to read through. So this will be to > help me save time and get some of the catalog's in early so I can start > ordering. > > Thanks in advance, > > Keith I just looked at this catalog today (strange eh?) so here is the info you need: Death Studios 431 Pine Lake La Porte, Indiana 46350 (219) 362-4321 Some of the new things from their latest catalog include Klownzilla (the boss clown from Killer Clowns From Outer Space), Werewolf trophy plaques/puppets, and many others. They offer a 20% discount on all orders before March 1st. I have bought MANY masks from this company and I must say they are excellent (no I'm not related to them..ha ha) Allan Clifford Nightmare Forest...."Experience the Fear" From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 17:10:20 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 10:42:00 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The PERFECT HAUNT was Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com OK, You have a great opening into the haunt but how about some minor details. On the stone gates you have died whithered vines. Also mounted to the stones are very old rusted iron lamps. They might look like gnarled hands if you look at them at a glance. The driveway is as your describe, except that as you are driving in the dark a occasional animal, or is it, scurries across in front of the car. Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 17:17:35 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 10:48:15 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hello, don't ask me why, but I never thought that the Halloween list would be the busiest list I have on New Years Eve!! Leave it to us ghouls to make it a Horror New Year!! Happy to all and please be careful, we don't need any props for next year!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 17:50:59 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 17:51:22 -0700 Subject: Re: Curious To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Instead of a graphic virtual haunt type of thing, why not have one where us members create a set using rich text to describe the rooms and a simple GIF picture for a top view, or a drawn picture of the concept. Much better than the virtual type garbage available on the net these days. This way, we can let our imaginations run wild..... Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 18:53:33 1996 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 18:53:38 -0700 Subject: Re: Curious, Christmas gift and Birthday gift To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Sure, it's called "How to build a portable modular dark attraction (a haunted house) by JB Corn. Contact Denny for current pricing on it. If you are into making the large event type haunted houses, the book is a most invaluable reference. I forget his number and Email, but contact him at BT Products, Terror By Design. I'll vouch for great service from a nice guy who is a contributing member of the list. Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Tue Dec 31 19:42:57 1996 From: "Ryan C" To: Subject: Re: Curious Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 19:38:13 -0800 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > Instead of a graphic virtual haunt type of thing, why not have one where > us members create a set using rich text to describe the rooms and a > simple GIF picture for a top view, or a drawn picture of the concept. > Much better than the virtual type garbage available on the net these > days. This way, we can let our imaginations run wild..... I agree with Harry completely. A "Virtual" Haunt would take to long to load for the majority of people with 14.4 or 28.8 connections to the Internet. And it would be very hard for all of us to come to a consensus on what it would look like. Besides it is very hard to make VRML web pages, and they don't look that great. I like the idea of placing ideas on the web for all to view. What if we place a description, (like Harry said) of a section of a haunt, with conceptual art, graphics, blue prints, plans, etc. Do something similar to what is on the list archives, but add much, much more, and with (no offense Don) a better interface. With little bits and pieces of ideas like that, we could take and put them together to make a nice haunt. I can also help with the web pages with advanced HTML (Frames, Tables, JavaScipt, and the like, not Java though) I can also do some nice graphic in Photoshop, but not 3-D modeling. If you want to see some samples of my work, point your web browser (Best Viewed with MS Internet Explorer 3.0) to: http://www.ioc.net/~ccnet/disney.html I also have a demo of a new look of my pages at (This currently requires MSIE 3.0 because of a bug in the JavaScript): http://www.ioc.net/~disneyfan/disneyland.html Ryan C (Who has turned off lurk mode, while I have time, and am on Christmas Break, yeah!) The Unofficial Disneyland Home Page: http://www.ioc.net/~ccnet/disney.html Here You Leave Today and Enter The World Of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy. Inscription above entrance to Main Street, USA, Disneyland. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Wed Jan 1 09:08:32 1997 Date: Wed, 01 Jan 1997 01:27:21 -0800 From: Keith Long To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: volunteer home page for the Perfect Haunt Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Ryan C wrote: > > I agree with Harry completely. A "Virtual" Haunt would take to long to > load for the majority of people with 14.4 or 28.8 connections to the > Internet. And it would be very hard for all of us to come to a c the web for all to view. What if we place a description, (like Harry said) > of a section of a haunt, with conceptual art, graphics, blue prints, plans, > etc. Do something similar to what is on the list archives, but add much, > much more, and with (no offense Don) a better interface. With little bits > and pieces of ideas like that, we could take and put them together to make > a nice haunt. > > I can also help with the web pages with advanced HTML (Frames, Tables, > JavaScipt, and the like, not Java though) I can also do some nice Well we have a partial start for the entrance. I am curious to see how it grows and works out. I am willing to use my home page to set this up on. I will need some help with HTML as i'm new to that. My page currently is at "http://web2.airmail.net/dokktor" It was my first try at a page and as such is not real great. I put it up for the Season's Greetings. I would like to make it more for a Halloween/Haunted page. The stuff that is already posted for the Perfect Haunt, I will print out and put it on the page this weekend. Would do it tonight but my printers on the fritz, so i'll have to wait until I get to work to pring the messages out, and combine the posts together. Keith P.S. Here's wishing everyone on the list a Hauntingly Happy New Year. May you get all the Halloween toys and goodies you desire. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Wed Jan 1 10:34:45 1997 Date: Wed, 1 Jan 1997 01:34:40 -0500 (EST) From: Domina To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Spooky games Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > meg). The other is called "Witchaven". Works like Doom, but it's based on > the Dark-ages and a little AD&D (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons). Sort a' Ever tried Hexen and Heretic? They're both based on the Doom style game but are set in medieval times.... domina | / | \ The full moon, like a spider, lets down her light that / / | \ \ covers the earth, as with a web, and there we mortals \ \_(*)_/ / helplessly struggle, we flies of fate, until the \_(~:~)_/ night devours each one of us.... /-(:)-\ The masquerade is never over... @}>--'--,--- / / * \ \ Listowner: Mortuary Mailing List \ \ / / A Murder of Ravens Mailing List \ / Domina http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~wmg47005/ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Wed Jan 1 10:39:57 1997 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: bdosfx@wimsey.com (Brian D. Oberquell) Subject: But I do play one on TV... Date: Wed, 1 Jan 1997 10:30:34 -0800 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Denny sez: >As for other dealers, THERE ARE ONLY FIVE- > >1. Nathan at Theatre Effects- >2. John at Mr. Scary- >3. Tad at Harlequin Costume- >4. Brian Oberquell at The Wizard's Den- >5. and me at Terror By Design- > >Those five can find just about anything you need, and speaking of the other >four, they're very reputable. Denny, ya flatter me (Gawrsh!) -- however, I must state that I'm *not* a dealer; I do build props and FX and I make a mean blood (Dick Smith's recipe) but I don't really have products as such for sale, though I'm always ready to help people out... Brian ______________________________________________________________________________ Brian D. Oberquell The Wizard's Den SPFX Studio 210 Cornell Way Port Moody, B.C. CANADA V3H 3W2 Phone (604) 931-6298 Pager (604) 895-3721 Website: http://www.wp.com/FXWizard/ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Wed Jan 1 14:49:59 1997 From: Jacqueline Young To: "'halloween-l@netcom.com'" Subject: You're corrupting me. Date: Wed, 1 Jan 1997 17:51:17 -0500 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Here it is New Years day, Christmas (my favourite time of year) just over, and all I can think about is planning this years haunting. You people have corrupted me, but sadly I love it. I love the start of the virtual haunted house and I'm going to spend some "downtime" tomorrow picturing and going with it. It certainly makes the wait 'til the big day this year a little easier. Now I just have to measure my husband so that I can get my order in for his coffin. Jacqui jacqui.young@cciw.ca From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Wed Jan 1 17:47:37 1997 Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 20:48:16 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Angel Killer Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I was at a haunt in Atlanta that had one good scare. While walking through a dimly lit hall, you soon see what might be something faintly glowing ahead of you. Reflected light, or just a mark on the wall? Suddenly the mark moves, and a gruff voice threatens you. Scared the ---- out of me! (Almost) Fearless Freya of Arty Atlanta From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Thu Jan 2 08:11:58 1997 Date: Wed, 01 Jan 1997 01:39:02 -0800 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: You're corrupting me. Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jacqui, You wrote... "I just have to measure my husband so that I can get my order in for his coffin" Now if something or someone from the outside world, that world that does not think like us here in the Halloween world, should see this they might take it the wrong way. Us on the other hand know what you are up to, make sure to let him ferment a little before you use it!!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Thu Jan 2 09:44:54 1997 From: "Jim Baggett" To: Subject: Re: Curious Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 01:37:28 -0500 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com While on vacation year before last we went to a place in Gatlinburg Tennesee. I don't remember the name of the place but it was a haunted house. One of the things they had on the thrid floor there was a doorway you stepped through out onto a balconey. The railing and all looked really old. I am not fond of heights but I stepped out on this to see what was to see. It was over the entry to the building and you were looking down on the chandelier (sp?) The scary part was that when you stepped out there the balconey fell forward a few inches as if it was falling off the wall. Scared the $--t outta me. Charmaine From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Thu Jan 2 09:58:12 1997 Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 12:45:50 -0500 (EST) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Santa Claus Subject: Re: Curious Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 05:51 PM 12/31/96 -0700, you wrote: > >Instead of a graphic virtual haunt type of thing, why not have one where >us members create a set using rich text to describe the rooms and a >simple GIF picture for a top view, or a drawn picture of the concept. >Much better than the virtual type garbage available on the net these >days. This way, we can let our imaginations run wild..... > >Harry > I like this idea, not only will it require less technical expertise, but it will also allow the page to be viewed by those of us who only have lowly 14,400 bps modems...:) Maybe this could be the base of the page, with some seperate 3D rendering if we can find someone to do it... Denny Kennedy maryjane@sundial.net GO NOLES!!!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Thu Jan 2 14:11:40 1997 Date: Thu, 02 Jan 1997 17:11:21 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: "Curious" Thread (link game) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com One thing that might work, use links to "find" your way through the place. It can get confusing placing the links to all the correct places, but would make for an interesting tour. I have seen several pages that have games built like that. Kind a reminds me of High School Computer programming. Choice "a" will take you to page "b". :) Each page could have a little jpeg or music added. Take a wrong turn and end up a ghost! Text takes little space on a server, and this would be a neat way to "look" around a house on your own in a non-linear form. (Hey, anyone remember the old Apple games like this??) Oh well, just my thoughts. ********************************* * Mr.Scary Productions * * http://www.mrscary.com * * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * * 1-812-824-8935 * * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * ********************************* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Thu Jan 2 15:57:06 1997 Date: Thu, 02 Jan 1997 15:25:19 -0800 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: "Curious" Thread (link game) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John P. Jeffries wrote: > > One thing that might work, use links to "find" your way through the place. > It can get confusing placing the links to all the correct places, but would > make for an interesting tour. I have seen several pages that have games > built like that. Kind a reminds me of High School Computer programming. > Choice "a" will take you to page "b". :) Each page could have a little jpeg > or music added. Take a wrong turn and end up a ghost! Text takes little > space on a server, and this would be a neat way to "look" around a house on > your own in a non-linear form. (Hey, anyone remember the old Apple games > like this??) Like Myst with the monitor off. -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Thu Jan 2 16:36:21 1997 Date: Thu, 02 Jan 1997 16:13:23 -0800 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Greetings, all! [banter] Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Happy new year to you all! I allowed myself to become overwhelmed by holiday activities, but things have now settled back down to their usual hectic pace. If your email address begins with letter A through M, you should have received a member list survey from me. Since it's been a busy season for everyone, I'm sending out a friendly reminder to those people who may have missed the request and wish to be included in the member list. San Diegans, shall we take a shot at scheduling our first workshop? And Kathy, what was that business about "showing those southern Californians..."??? : ) Greg T (619) 945-4424 F (619) 726-2804 E ghope@mailhost.csusm.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Thu Jan 2 17:08:27 1997 Date: Thu, 02 Jan 1997 19:35:34 -0800 From: "K. Long" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: "Curious" Thread (link game) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John P. Jeffries wrote: > > One thing that might work, use links to "find" your way through the > > place. It can get confusing placing the links to all the correct > ? places, but would make for an interesting tour. I have seen several > pages that have games built like that. Kind a reminds me of High School > Computer programming. Choice "a" will take you to page "b". :) Each > page could have a little jpeg or music added. Take a wrong turn and > end up a ghost! Text takes little space on a server, and this would be > a neat way to "look" around a house on your own in a non-linear form. > (Hey, anyone remember the old Apple games like this??) Don't know about any Apple games like that. But it does sound like some of the old text adventure games I used to play on the Texas Instruments 99/4A Home computer. I'll post on my web page whats been posted for a starter this weekend. Don't have a picture or anything even remotly matching the beginning description, so it will just be text. Pretty much what we have so far without all the fancy words is a drive down a twisted road in the woods. At the end when you get out of the car you get got with a TrashCan Trama effect. (That's a very short description of the lead in) I would iike to make the Perfect Haunt non-linear like you mentioned. So need help from everyone on alternate entries, and all that. Keith From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 00:19:12 1997 Date: Fri, 03 Jan 1997 03:30:14 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: "Curious" Thread (link game) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Pretty much what we have so far without all the fancy words is a drive >down a twisted road in the woods. At the end when you get out of the >car you get got with a TrashCan Trama effect. (That's a very short >description of the lead in) I would iike to make the Perfect Haunt >non-linear like you mentioned. So need help from everyone on alternate >entries, and all that. > >Keith > (I'm not feeling well and just got up from a nap so forgive any errors) A side door? Back door? Basement entry? "As you look about, you see the old mansion has seen better days. Through the trees, the moonlight shines down upon what looks like the family plot towards the back of the house. You shiver in the cold night air and begin walking towards the house. To the North, you see the side yard. A giant Oak tree takes up most of it, and a childs swing is tied to the massive lower branch. You wonder to yourself how many generations of children have spent hours there. You smile and begin to walk once again. As you do, you hear what seems kids laughter hang in the wind...A shiver runs up your spine..." Plot things out in the North, South, East, West fashion. Movement can be done by choosing N, S, E, W, Up, Down, and Open. I can see a very interesting game in this and lots of interactivity. List members could even "build" rooms on their own page and all done by links. Geez, a coast to coast game! Truly the "worlds LARGEST game" eh? (example: Kathy's Crypt, Terror Dungeon, etc, etc.) I donno, maybe a bit far fetched. Oh well, just a thought. John ********************************* * Mr.Scary Productions * * http://www.mrscary.com * * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * * 1-812-824-8935 * * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * ********************************* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 04:10:12 1997 Date: Thu, 02 Jan 1997 09:28:59 -0500 From: Outlander To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Death Studios was : Catalogues Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > I just looked at this catalog today (strange eh?) so here is the info > you need: > > Death Studios > 431 Pine Lake > La Porte, Indiana 46350 > (219) 362-4321 > <<<<< WARNING!! WARNING!! Danger, Will Robinson!! >>>>> I would like to take the time to caution all of those out there that are considering doing business with Death Studios. Unless you know what you need a hell of a long time before hand [ and have the money available then as well ] you can pretty much forget about getting it on time for Halloween. I have ordered from them for the past five years, often as early as late June or early July and once as early as May. Each year at least part of my order has not been filled. Last year, I had to call them to get my catalogue at all [ And keep in mind I order $200 to $1000 worth of merchandice from them every year. ] I placed my order by the first week of August, for an Exquisite Corpse [Their hot new item that year, so it's in stock, right? WRONG!] one of the new masks and the werewolf head trophy plauque. Anyone want to guess which portions of my order I recieved THIS year? DRUMROLL PLEASE .... NONE! ABSOLUTELY FUCKING GODDAMNITALL NOTHING AT ALL! Not only that, I had to hunt them down to get them to admit that the corspe wouldn't be coming. I left messages on their machine twice with no response, finally the third time I reached a living person and was told I wouldn't get the corpse, but the mask and plaque "were shipping that Monday." Nothing EVER arrived and I have not heard anything from them since. On the bright side ... I used the money that I saved to order a really cool Le Maitre Show Mist Pro fogger from Denny at TERROR BY DESIGN. Although I am not affiliated with Denny in any way and have indeed never even met him; I would like to point out the contrast here. I contacted Denny out of the blue five days before Halloween with requests for pricing. He worked with me and got me my fogger and fog juice the day before Halloween, from across the country. And two of the days were non-business days! Anyway, I hope I have made my point, and anyone considering giving Death Studios their business has been appropriately cautioned. -- `'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,. "Get a new President." - Snake Plissken Jeff A. Simon Express elevator to Hell, going down. Home: Business: No current address for business eMAIL `'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 05:01:31 1997 From: DOKK%mimi@magic.itg.ti.com Date: Fri, 3 Jan 97 06:55:31 CST To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Death Studios-Catalogue Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: dokk@msg.ti.com Subj: Re: Death Studios-Catalogue Concerning the warning about Death Studio's. This is not the first time i've heard of problems with them getting stuff out on time. After a message I got from Denny at TBD and a list of companies he said help promote the halloween list. I personally figure I will use TBD or one of the companies he listed. I'm already planning on ordering some stuff from TBD I just have to stop and get a money order and send it to him. K. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 05:30:52 1997 Date: Fri, 03 Jan 1997 05:27:42 -0800 From: Spook To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Death Studios was : Catalogues Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jeff, I'm not flaming you here, but as someone who works in the industry, I have to put your complaint in perspective... Most large orders for mechandise are placed in March at the trade show in Chicago for DELIVERY in July. Two hundred dollars is not considered a large order (in fact, $200 is barely considered an order), and will therefore be moved to the bottom of the pile (keep the $10,000 customers happy first). Also, there is a tremendous difference between ordering a fog machine, which is merely stocked or ordered from the manufacturer, and a mask, which has to be hand-made. In your defense, the Halloween industry is famous for companies who make some swell stuff, but can't deliver. In fact, if you can find a company who can actually deliver their stuff as promised, HANG ON TO THEM. They are the exception, not the rule. When enough customers start refusing to do business with the slow companies, the industry will change. Until then, this is business as usual. Another perspective... most manufacturers of quality handmade merchandise spend 16-18 hours a day, 7 days a week, from March through August, working to fill their orders. When you call to complain, be nice. They're really tired and grumpy. Another perspective.... If you know what you want, order it today! Mark From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 07:09:22 1997 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Fri, 03 Jan 1997 09:03:02 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: How To Operate A HH book Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hi All, On Thursday I was informed by the only company that wholesales the book- How to Operate A Financially Successful Haunted House that it will soon be out of stock until June or July when they can get new copies from their printer. I was told that since the last printing (1988?) the original printer lost many of the plates. They couldn't fill my entire order so I suspect they're telling the truth about the stock situation. These people have never published a book on time, Grande Illusions II for example was many months late, June or July could be a little optimistic. Anyone who has delayed buying "How To Operate" should contact John at Mr. Scary Productions to make sure they get a copy on order before it disappears for awhile. Denny From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 07:09:26 1997 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Fri, 03 Jan 1997 09:03:03 -0600 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Death Studios was : Catalogues Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 05:27 AM 1/3/97 -0800, Mark wrote in part: > Also, there is a tremendous difference between ordering a fog >machine, which is merely stocked or ordered from the manufacturer, and a mask, >which has to be hand-made. While I very definitely agree with most of what Mark wrote, I feel there is no difference between a fogger and a mask other than the money tied up in inventory. It's much harder, financially, to keep a $600.00 retail fog machine on hand than a $60.00 retail mask. Both items are low volume and essentially hand made. >In your defense, the Halloween industry is famous for companies who make some >swell stuff, but can't deliver... Yes, actually the "famous" companies seem to be the worst. I want to say thanks to Jeff and the other poster for their kind words and confidence in TBD, we make plenty of mistakes but we're trying. Jeff was very understanding when I told him that I may not be able to get a professional model fog machine to him in time for Halloween. His understanding and very cool attitude of "well I'll have it for next year" made me work even faster and pay the extra shipping from my supplier to get it to him on time. If you find a good supplier, stick with them. I have found a few I can trust with my orders and know I'll get what they promise... many others aren't worth the powder to blow them off the face of the earth. One short example- I've been calling one small publisher and author of a book for five months trying to get copies of his book. In our first conversation I was told copies would be sent within three days, five months later, nothing. Despite my repeated conversations with the author/publisher's answering machine I have never gotten a call or e-mail back. Now shoot, this guy's book is on the business and marketing of haunted houses, you have to wonder if he actually knows anything about running a business. Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 07:23:28 1997 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Fri, 3 Jan 1997 07:22:38 -0700 Subject: "Curious" Thread (link game) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Sounds more like the classic Zork type of game for the adventure. I was thinking more of a linear exhibit, not an interactive game. One3 that shows our Halloween skills to our best. Not designed for the Web or as a game, but as if someone went to the best haunted house they ever seen, and described each room with a sketch and text. When you begin putting it in a game context, you lose the main purpose.... Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Jan 3 08:32:43 1997 Date: Fri, 3 Jan 1997 11:26:22 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: costumes@mindspring.com (Rich Williamson) Subject: Re: Death Studios was : Catalogues Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Jeff, > >I'm not flaming you here, but as someone who works in the industry, I have >to put your complaint >in perspective... Most large orders for mechandise are placed in March at >the trade show in >Chicago for DELIVERY in July. Two hundred dollars is not considered a >large order (in fact, $200 >is barely considered an order), and will therefore be moved to the bottom >of the pile (keep the >$10,000 customers happy first). Also, there is a tremendous difference >between ordering a fog >machine, which is merely stocked or ordered from the manufacturer, and a >mask, which has to be >hand-made. Mark I tend to agree.... I have been in this business for longer than I care to remember.... The Chicago show used to be only open to the trade. In the last couple of years it has been opened to the general public (although this year they are starting to attempt to weed out the public). There is a reason for the Chicago show: To get their products shown to distributors and retailers around the world! not showing to the public! There is a reason there is a multi layered selling system in this country. The manufacturers make millions of their product. They don't want to be bothered unless you are placing huge orders and don't typically stock items for immediate delivery. They make huge runs of products that are sold to Distributors and wholesalers. These wholesalers stock the items and help even out the surges in production schedules. The wholesalers then sell to retailers in local areas who in turn sell to the public. If you bypass this system you are NOT going to be treated the way you would by a retailer.... Welcome to our world of supply and demand... We all place large orders early (carrying large $ amounts of capitol goods and pray that we bought the right stuff in March)... We in-turn hope (and use experience) that we have the right amount of stock to carry us through the season. The manufacturer or wholesaler could not care any less about a small pseudo wholesale account who is buying $200 of stock when other real retailers are spending thousands with them. The retailer will buy year-round and will be in business in a few years. It is in the interest of the manufacturer to get their products stocked at various retailers around the country... they get better exposure and sell more volume...which increases their production (obviously at the cost of magins but they chose to be high volume - low price). Retailers have agreements with distributors and manufacturers to stock certain amounts to in-turn get the discounted prices. Retailers advertise the product brand names for the manufacturers which in turn helps the manufacturer. Imagine tring to call up Cambells soup in Camden NJ. Telling them that you buy a lot of soup a year (say... 200 cans). your family really likes it and you feel you should get a discount... They would not sell to you because 1. you are looking at what you feel is wholesale and they feel is really retail. 2. they wqant to protect Acme markets, and the other large supermarkets that would obviously be hurt (and would rightly complain) by this move to sell retail. You ( the original poster not Mark) would be better off finding a retailer who you develop a business relationship with. Perhaps the retailer wioll co-op advertise with you or give you substantial discounts for a plug at your event. Some even give discounts for larger retail orders ( and the prices are VERY close to wholesale) BETTER YET you get the service... find that it's in stock... give money to local merchants who will in turn give you a plug to their customers who are looking for an event to go to (I put out flyers for my haunted house customers and put up their posters... Where else will you find 8,000 people walking past your poster who are all into halloween?) Bottom line don't pretend to be wholesale account when you obviously aren't