the talent inside. As always, all information is IMNSHO. Your mileage may vary. -bill. -- "You see, it's like I've always said: 'You can get more with a kind word and a two-by-four than you can with just a kind word'. - Marcus Cole ----------------------------------------------------------------- rothe@ug.eds.com ** Opinions stated here are not those of EDS ** From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 11:24:25 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 11:05:21 -0700 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greg Hope wrote: > Bob, I just became involved in a dialog with a neighbor who is a born-again > Christian in this very topic (I knew it would come up eventually). Her > comment was that we have a neighborhood full of Christian kids who don't > care about Halloween anyway and why couldn't I concentrate on Christmas > instead. After explaining that I decorate for both, I explained that my > interest in Halloween centered around the theatrical, dramatic side and that > I really have no great interest in images of demons, dripping blood and > other "anti-Christian" topics. > > Regards, > Greg in Vista I can kinda see her point. Bodies and blood, and coming back from the dead have no place in Christianity. ;-) -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 11:55:15 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 11:53:08 -0700 From: Wil To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I am as you know, researching the options of event time controllers and wondered if anyone on the list has info on the computer software that runs the X-10 system. The local Radio Shark can't even get this info! If I could find an on-line source, that would make all of this much easier--as long as they would offer info on the system's particulars. Thanks, -- Wil X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X Rest in Peace Death Lord '97 Topic Archives- http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 12:13:28 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 12:02:22 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >I can kinda see her point. Bodies and blood, and coming back from the >dead have no place in Christianity. ;-) Now, now. That's all part of the historical base. Today the emphasis is more on good music, fellowship, home schooling and charitable works. Christians don't kill people anymore, unless they work at womens care centers, federal buildings...whoops! Sorry, it's the coffee. St. Gregory, inventor of the one, true calendar From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 13:21:56 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 13:12:59 -0700 From: Scott Axworthy To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Smoke Rings {Is before I forget again!} Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jason: I was just about to send mail to the list noting a smoke ring in use. I'll bet it was made with this device. A friend at work dropped off a copy of Opera News (Apr 5 issue) on my desk. I was perusing it and came to a large photo from the Met's "Die Walkure". It shows Wotan standing on a rock outcropping with spear raised. Gaseous flames are low around the edge of the rock and there is a large backdrop that glows orangy-red (from the flames.) 25 feet above Wotan is a *large* smoke ring that appears to be rising. I did a serious double-take when I first saw the picture. Very cool image! Jason R wrote: > > Going thur the old Lighting Dimensions 96-97 buyers guide and look what I > find... > > Towards 2000 INC=Lightforce > Vesuvius smoke rign generator blows a 3ft smoke ring 2ft to 500ft! > Sounds just like what we were talking about!. > > Jay > > P.S Yes I am drooling over all the great new strobes, and foggers and > lights in the guide!. > -Scott (Stay tuned for the contest annoucement, it should be appearing later today. ) From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 13:29:12 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 13:18:01 -0700 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Banter! Thomas W Oliver Don't read! Was Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greg Hope wrote: > > >I can kinda see her point. Bodies and blood, and coming back from the > >dead have no place in Christianity. ;-) > > Now, now. That's all part of the historical base. Today the emphasis is > more on good music, fellowship, home schooling and charitable works. > Christians don't kill people anymore, unless they work at womens care > centers, federal buildings...whoops! Greg, I was getting that from the apostle's creed, me being Catholic and all. (Body and blood of Christ, rising on the third day, kinda thing) -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 13:32:05 1997 From: dallan@dow.com To: Subject: RE: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 16:22:22 -0400 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Try this site: http://www.techmall.com/smarthome/index.html David >---------- >From: Wil[SMTP:crafters@silcom.com] >Sent: Friday, April 25, 1997 2:53 PM >To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Subject: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D > >I am as you know, researching the options of event time controllers and >wondered if anyone on the list has info on the computer software that >runs the X-10 system. The local Radio Shark can't even get this info! If >I could find an on-line source, that would make all of this much >easier--as long as they would offer info on the system's particulars. > >Thanks, > >-- >Wil >X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X > Rest in Peace > Death Lord >'97 Topic Archives- >http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm >X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X > From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 13:32:48 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 16:21:44 -0400 From: Derek Schwab To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do. . . Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Thomas W Oliver wrote: > > > Are you suggesting that us teenagers rob banks and steal projectors? > > I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!!!!! > > You can't enjoy halloween in jail. > > > Yeah, *everybody* comes dressed up as a 'convict' to the halloween party. Why should everyone dress as convicts?, So the police will not who the real convicts are? From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 13:57:03 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 13:43:00 -0700 From: david c schwend To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Wil wrote: > If > I could find an on-line source, that would make all of this much > easier--as long as they would offer info on the system's particulars. > Here's a copy of the post I made awhile back ... You might want to look over some of these Home Automation links. There are several computer control interfaces for X-10 products that control lights, motors and dry contacts. Some even allow timed macros (If this, then do this, then this, then this, etc). Your guide can even carry a wireless controller to initiate the macros, one at a time, as the tour enters each room. X-10 devices communicate over the house powerlines so you can communicate with any outlet or light fixture in your house. Devices made by others that "speak X-10" include IR motion detectors and sprinkler controllers. Radio Shack has a few of the more common modules for sale under their brand name. Enhancing Your Lifestyle with Home Automation http://www.electronichouse.com/ Home Automation for Do-It-Yourselfers http://www.pophome.com/ Home Automation Product Guide http://www.asihome.com/guide.html Home Automation Systems http://smarthome.com/smarthome/hajump.htm Home Automator Newsletter Home Page http://www.automator.com/ X-10 Home Page http://www.x10.com/ There is software information in most of these sites, a few offer developers kits with cheap computer interfaces. I've been trying out the X-10 Home Commander ($85 at Fry's). It comes with software to do macros that will allow a programed sequence of events from one contact closure. Most of my house (not the haunted one) is X-10 controled. It turns on the outdoor lights (Christmas Lights in season), makes the house look lived in when I'm out late, and turns off anything I forget to do myself. When I need to get up before the sun, I have it turn on the lights about 5 minutes before I get up. Makes it much easier on those cold, dark mornings. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 14:05:24 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:43:43 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Wall Of Fog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > > Thinkin' out loud... > > There are devices that most of you have probably seen or walked through > called air curtains. Essentially an air curtain is a long fan unit that > mounts over a doorway and directs air towards the floor. They're used in > loading docks, open freezers, Vegas Casinos etc. to keep air from passing > through an open doorway. > > I wonder if one could be used to keep a thick fog on one side of an opening > and leave the other side relatively clean, a quick dissipating fog fluid > would help with any fog that escaped. > It would seem that having a fairly controllable wall of fog for props or > actors to pop out from would open up some great possibilities. > Has anyone tried this? Anyone out there work in a loading dock and own a fogger? > Denny > > B.T. Productions' Terror By Design > Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares > Hi Denny, The air curtain works better with a return. Place a return in the path directly below and recycle the air. Dilute fog juice with distilled water. I used this effect to project a video ghost onto, customers had to walk thru the wall/ghost to continue. The return must be as narrow as the exhaust and piped to the exhaust intake. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 14:05:32 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:38:03 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Bob Andrews wrote: > > My new nextdoor neighbor (Feb. 97) asked me what all of the lumber in my > driveway was for. When I responded "Why, it's for Halloween! Didn't > they tell you about me before you moved in?" He mumbled "no" and went > back into his house. I think he may be ultra-Christian, and > anti-Halloween. Wish me luck! > -- > Bob Andrews > bandrews@inreach.com > http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews Hi Bob, I wish you the best for Halloween, and should you need any additional support do not fail to call. Maybe my age will weigh in your favor, I'm just short of ancient. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 14:06:04 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:40:33 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Southern Cal help!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Harry and other southern Cal members, > I was wondering...When we were in LA for the convention we saw several > used dummies/Mannequins (sp) stores. We were going to "borrow" the > telephone book from the hotel room, but someone beat us to it...how dare > they!!! Would it be possible for you, when and if you have time, to look > in your yellow pages for the LA area and or your area in general and > could post me any phone numbers you find for used dummies!! Hubby may > have to go to LA next weekend on business and I can make him make the > calls...in the few minutes he says he will have free!! Thanks for the > help!! > Kathy > the new kid on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com Hi Kathy, Don't buy them. Cruise the clothing district and pull them from the trash, check with dept strore, they are always up dating their dummies and may give them to you for free, Low end stores like K-mart, Walmart, Target, Mervyns etc jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 14:09:59 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:34:49 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Death Lord wrote: > > Heloo. > > It's twenty-question-kid again. > > I hate to bother you with this, but through fruitless net search and > checking with the local Home Base and Radio Shark, I am left empty > headed once again. May I humbly ask of all of you the nuances between > the 555's, X-10, midi vs hand-control. I have read the archives about > these and to be honest, I have gotten the most hope from X-10 for timed > event-controllability. I thought the list would be perfect to tap for > this info. > > I am getting ready to take the next step in automation and didn't want > to jump untill I really had some comparative knowledge between the big > four choices. What do you all choose for event control? > > Wil > -- > X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X > Rest in Peace. > > The Death Lord > http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm > X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X Hi Wil, My first choice is actors/techs. Automation has its pluses and minuses. For an entertainment type display automation is great, for providing a good distraction they are great for scaring people over the age of six, forget it. The actual moment a scare is initiated is difficult. All of us that work at scaring people know that some actors make great door stops and lousy scarers(?). I use automation to entertain. I use remote controled camera monitored effects to scare. ie. I have an entertaining display, a camera aimed at the customer entry area, and an operator waiting for the customer to look in the correct place. The operator initiates the scare sequence. An operator can easily operate four such sequences during crank thru, 8 or more when things are slow. B&W security camera systems are available for less than $200 with additional cameras around $100. Each one of these systems will ahndle four cameras. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 14:10:14 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:50:18 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Security Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greg Hope wrote: > > I admit upfront that this would not be a solution for a high-traffic HH, but > I've not yet heard anyone mention the idea of renting a costume and creating > their own "police officer". For a haunt that has no access to off-duty cops > and can't justify the cost of rental security, wouldn't this be a fair > compromise? I'd suggest enlisting the help of a big, burly male friend to > play the role and, instead of making arrests, just have him eject > troublemakers from the scene. The costume creates the perception that help > and incarceration is always just a radio call away. > > Greg Hi Greg, Real bad idea. Police are trained to handle difficult situations. Some people look for confrontations with police, your costumed officer would find himself in deep do do. A real police officer is worth every penny you pay them, I love the radio they wear, one call "Officer needs assistance" and you will have all the help you need for any emergency. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 14:16:53 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:27:57 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: $12.00 Big Screen Neighborhood Theatre and Cabaret Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Brian Rich wrote: > > Death Lord wrote: > > > This brings back up the subject of the $12.00 projection TV lens, which > > was never covered in full. The one question left hanging was; Did this > > lens offer the ability to project a large (four or six foot square) > > picture?Very likely, yes. I have one of these lenses, and have projected large images onto a wall. But you must keep in mind that the projection TVs that these lenses are a part of have super bright CRTs (picture tubes). So crank the brightness way up and keep the ambient light out of the area. Kathy- is the front of your house a dark place? > -- > Brian Wesley Rich > ------------------------------------------------- > Visit my amateur science page. > Chemicals, sample experiments, and good ideas! > http://www.west.net/~science/ Hi Brian, The limitation is the focal length of the lens in relationship to the screen, (most will project 6' diagonal), the condition of the TV screen, and how bright you can adjust the screen. Using brightness and contrast controls to turn the image up. Also, the room projecting from must be totally light tight, any light leak will decrease projection intensity. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 15:04:15 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 14:55:51 -0700 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com JB Corn wrote: > Hi Bob, > I wish you the best for Halloween, and should you need any additional > support do not fail to call. Maybe my age will weigh in your favor, I'm > just short of ancient. > jbcorn Well JB Corn, welcome to the Halloween-l list! I haven't talked to the neighbor since the first confrontation, but if it looks like it's going to blows, I'll be sure to give you a call! ;-D -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 15:10:14 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:02:44 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Banter! Thomas W Oliver Don't read! Was Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Greg, > >I was getting that from the apostle's creed, me being Catholic and all. >(Body and blood of Christ, rising on the third day, kinda thing) Uh, oh, the coffee's wearing off. There's a little voice in my head saying, "button your lip, Greg, you want to have friends..." I blame it all on my early modern european civilization course. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 15:10:35 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:02:38 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Security Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >Hi Greg, >Real bad idea. Police are trained to handle difficult situations. Some >people look for confrontations with police, your costumed officer would >find himself in deep do do. A real police officer is worth every penny >you pay them, I love the radio they wear, one call "Officer needs >assistance" and you will have all the help you need for any emergency. >jbcorn > Ignore my previous idea. Admittedly, I'm inexperienced in this area. It was just a thought. Greg From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 15:39:56 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:33:39 -0700 From: rothe@edsug.com (Bill Rothe - Tekware sys mgr) Subject: Re: Southern Cal help!! To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com *>Don't buy them. Cruise the clothing district and pull them from the *>trash. Warning: Cruising the Garment District in LA going through trashcans can be hazardous to your health. Suggestion: If you do go, Definitely go at night....;) If you can't tell, I'm kidding. -b. -- "You see, it's like I've always said: 'You can get more with a kind word and a two-by-four than you can with just a kind word'. - Marcus Cole ----------------------------------------------------------------- rothe@ug.eds.com ** Opinions stated here are not those of EDS ** From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 15:56:45 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:44:28 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Iowa Chapman Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 11:05 AM 4/25/97 -0700, you wrote: >Greg Hope wrote: > >> Bob, I just became involved in a dialog with a neighbor who is a born-again >> Christian in this very topic (I knew it would come up eventually). Her >> comment was that we have a neighborhood full of Christian kids who don't >> care about Halloween anyway and why couldn't I concentrate on Christmas >> instead. After explaining that I decorate for both, I explained that my >> interest in Halloween centered around the theatrical, dramatic side and that >> I really have no great interest in images of demons, dripping blood and >> other "anti-Christian" topics. >> >> Regards, >> Greg in Vista > >I can kinda see her point. Bodies and blood, and coming back from the >dead have no place in Christianity. ;-) >-- > >Bob Andrews >bandrews@inreach.com >http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews > Ya know, I would tell her any holiday is what YOU YOURSELF make of it. So if she wants to think Halloween is for people who worsphip satan or something that is HER perogitive. I am a Christian myself but I ilike to have fun and I happen to like Halloween. I like Christmas too, but I get into Halloween more, does not mean I like satan over jesus. These are the same people who wish to pass stupid laws like HELMET LAWS and SEATBELT LAWS just because the way they feel about something even though it does not infringe on another persons right to live. If they do not like it then stay away go home stay inside or whatever, as long as your not promoting or causing bad things to happen to that person they should shut up and mind their own business which is the problem with msot of these folks they can not mind their own business worth a damn, ever notice that they seem to be unhappy type folks never smiling always grouchy... From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 15:58:16 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 15:46:04 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Iowa Chapman Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >> Regards, >> Greg in Vista > >I can kinda see her point. Bodies and blood, and coming back from the >dead have no place in Christianity. ;-) >-- Neither does hate, or dislike or passing judgement on someone for doing something. She is passing judgement on him for what he is doing, which is not up to her in the Christianity world, she needs to stop pointing her finger and look at what the other 3 fingers are pointing at... herself... From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 15:58:24 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 97 15:44:31 PDT From: oliver@nemesis.saic.com (Thomas W Oliver) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do. . . Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > > > Are you suggesting that us teenagers rob banks and steal projectors? > > > I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!!!!! > > > You can't enjoy halloween in jail. > > > > > Yeah, *everybody* comes dressed up as a 'convict' to the halloween party. > > Why should everyone dress as convicts?, So the police will not who the > real convicts are? > .... it was suppose to be a joke about 'halloween in jail'... only being allowed to wear prison uniforms... I'll shut up now & stick to just the straight lines... Boy, what a tough audience. B-) THomas From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 16:04:04 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 97 15:51:33 PDT From: oliver@nemesis.saic.com (Thomas W Oliver) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Banter! Thomas W Oliver Don't read! Was Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > Subject: Banter! Thomas W Oliver Don't read! Was Uh-oh! Huh? *sniff* why am I being singled out & picked on? mea culpa Oh well... it's off the the RenFaire tomorrow, perhaps I'll come back next week with a better latitude. THomas From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 16:45:37 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 16:38:29 -0700 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Banter! Thomas W Oliver Don't read! Was Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Thomas W Oliver wrote: > > > Subject: Banter! Thomas W Oliver Don't read! Was Uh-oh! > > Huh? *sniff* why am I being singled out & picked on? Thomas, Once upon a time you said: Nothing personal people, but my time to look at the email from this group is extremely limited. Can we call it quits on this? THomas > > >Bob Andrews wrote: hjukkkk? I just wanted to save you from having to read worthless banter. Like this. ;-D -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 16:57:33 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 16:55:28 -0700 From: Scott Axworthy To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Wil wrote: > > I am as you know, researching the options of event time controllers and > wondered if anyone on the list has info on the computer software that > runs the X-10 system. The local Radio Shark can't even get this info! If > I could find an on-line source, that would make all of this much > easier--as long as they would offer info on the system's particulars. > Bruce Christensen, a one time halloween-l list member (maybe he's still lurking, I'm not sure) at posted a message about a DOS program called XA that he authored for controlling X10. He was specifically trying to control lighting and events for Halloween and Xmas. I was trying out this software last Halloween and had some success controlling fog and lights. The software is shareware and costs around $45 I believe. (If your out there Bruce, I'll really buy it this year.) The software seemed a bit buggy when I got into heavy scripting but I liked the results. My main gripe is with the ssslloowwwness of the X10 protocol and the one-way nature of it. You never know if you actually triggered something (or more importantly in some cases, triggered somethings to turn off.) Here is the last reference I had on where to find it: ftp://oak.oakland.edu/SimTel/msdos/x_10/x10xa300.zip This was from a post in 1995 so I don't know if it is there still. A quick search in your favorite web search engine looking for X10 might turn up a link. -Scott From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 17:31:20 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 17:29:15 -0700 From: Wil To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com onal cameras around $100. Each one of > these systems will ahndle four cameras. > jbcorn Thanks for all the great info, JB and everyone that has responded. This helps a lot. -- Wil X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X Rest in Peace Death Lord '97 Topic Archives- http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:02:24 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 18:01:01 -0700 From: Wil To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > Here is the last reference I had on where to find it: > > ftp://oak.oakland.edu/SimTel/msdos/x_10/x10xa300.zip > > This was from a post in 1995 so I don't know if it is there still. > A quick search in your favorite web search engine looking for > X10 might turn up a link. > > -Scott Been there and done all that. I couldn't get the ftp to work so I emailed Bruce last night directly for info. I would really like to find a windows environment if it is possible for operating the X-10s. I have spent mucho time searching this on the net, but am coming up empty for real info. David Schwend mailed numerous locations for me to peruse, so this is a thank you to Scott and David and everyone. I am on the trail of this animal now. Won't rest till its slaughtered and hanging in my shower stall bleeding. (Wow, that was gross even to me!) -- Wil X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X Rest in Peace Death Lord '97 Topic Archives- http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:14:26 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 20:04:23 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Security Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greg Hope wrote: > > >Hi Greg, > >Real bad idea. Police are trained to handle difficult situations. Some > >people look for confrontations with police, your costumed officer would > >find himself in deep do do. A real police officer is worth every penny > >you pay them, I love the radio they wear, one call "Officer needs > >assistance" and you will have all the help you need for any emergency. > >jbcorn > > > Ignore my previous idea. Admittedly, I'm inexperienced in this area. It was > just a thought. > > Greg Not a problem, next time you can help me. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:31:26 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 21:30:15 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: hauntedattr@pelican.net (Oliver Holler) Subject: Re: Wall Of Fog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >The air curtain works better with a return. Hurray for this AND the strips of 'curtain' idea. (Mylar, or whatever is safe. . .) Patrons can easily pass through the strips of the curtain. The curtain would be 'unseen' behind the fog curtain pouring down infront of it, plus it serves as a surface to channel or contain the fog (at least on one plane). -It also might help give better surface to a projection, increasing resolution. . .? Grim and Grinning, Oliver hauntedattr@pelican.net http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:31:28 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 21:30:23 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: hauntedattr@pelican.net (Oliver Holler) Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com (unsigned wrote) >Neither does hate, or dislike or passing judgement on someone for doing >something. She is passing judgement on him for what he is doing, which is >not up to her in the Christianity world, she needs to stop pointing her >finger and look at what the other 3 fingers are pointing at... herself... Good judgement call, but a bit pointed. Oliver hauntedattr@pelican.net http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:31:43 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 21:30:11 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: hauntedattr@pelican.net (Oliver Holler) Subject: Re: Street graves, was Halloween lumber Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greg wrote: >A huge industry depends upon our insistence on marking gravesites rather >than recognizing >people in other, more relevant ways. At times it seems that we make more >effort to >identify the non-existence of people than we do the existence of them. Good point. But it would get heavy carrying a tombstone around when you're living. . .:-) Oliver hauntedattr@pelican.net http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:37:56 1997 From: Scott Axworthy Subject: The Game is Afoot...Contest Begins! To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 18:35:42 -0700 (PDT) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com April 25, 1997 Announcing.... The First Annual Halloween-l Haunted Gizmo Design Contest! Sponsored by: Terror by Design, http://btprod.com Mr. Scary Productions, http://www.mrscary.com Esoteric Toys, http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html A. Harlequin Costume, http://www.costumemagic.com Haunted Attraction Magazine, http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine Official Rules and Information: Synopsis: The device, known as an "air cannon" has potential for general haunt use. The potential, as described in a post on the halloween-l list, is for an "Apparatus to project an airbourne, chemically vaporous, spectre-like apparition", (or as it has been fondly referred to as the Ghost o' Matic), or, as a way to whack a haunt patron upside the head, (er, I mean, to provide a harmless physical sensation to a haunt patron as a means of stimulating tactile sensory input thus intensifying the experience.) The device has been described on Brian Rich's web page: http://www.west.net/~science/acannon.htm The Contest: The question posed by the contest is how to effectively use this device in a haunt to produce an interesting ghost-like projectile or other haunt function. Other uses will also be considered. Direct derivations of the device are not only legal, but encouraged. This device is just the starting point, although there must be some direct lineage in concept from this device to be considered in the contest. All decisions by the judges are final in this matter. Sharing of ideas and plagiarism is highly encouraged with extra points going to those that provided original ideas. Specifically: Entries must be received by Midnight, June 25th, 1997. Multiple entries are allowed. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Category 1: "Best all-around use of the air-cannon for a haunt device" This category requires a working prototype device. A description, schematics (if applicable), and picture(s) are required for entry. (Anything necessary for a technical listmember to reproduce the effect.) o Grand Prize o Second Prize o Third Prize Category 2: "Best use of an off-the-shelf air-cannon for haunt use" This category requires a description describing how a basic air-cannon might be used to good effect in a haunt. Note that no device is required in this category, only your spooky ingenuity and hauntineering imagination. (Originality, creativity, and a good scare factor will score high in this category.) o Fourth Prize o Fifth Prize Entries will be judged based on the following criteria: o Overall effect o Producibility/reproducibility o Ease of use o Creativity o Originality (even for ideas that go into other's entries!) o Cost to produce o Judicial discretion All decisions by the judges are final, this is an informal contest and the rules are subject to change without notice to enforce the concept and intentions of this contest as defined here. And now for the prizes! (Note: The sponsors have offered specific prizes, any misunderstanding of the prizes as described here or in future contest information is my doing. If any misunderstandings occur, we will look to the original intent of the sponsor.) (In the order that I received them) -------------------------------------------------------------- Denny Dahm, Terror by Design, http://www.btprod.com One of the following, your choice: F-1 Fogger or an FG 2001 Fogger and a quart of fluid, 75 Watt Strobe Web Shooter & Fluid Thunder/Lightning Control w/CD -------------------------------------------------------------- John Jeffries, Mr. Scary Productions, http://www.mrscary.com Your choice of: ADJ Black Widow Laser and Grande Illusions books 1&2 ****or**** 50" Tarantula (Don Post) And a 20% coupon for good measure :) -------------------------------------------------------------- Tad Peters, A. Harlequin Costume, http://www.costumemagic.com 1 latex mask from the web page (as long as it is in stock). -------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry Chavez, Esoteric Toys, http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html Spookyworld Video Tape ( America's Horror theme park ) How to Run a Haunted House Video Tape (from Boneyyard productions). and Enough Phlex glue to construct the corpse that is described on my webpage. -------------------------------------------------------------- Oliver Holler, Haunted Attraction Magazine, http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to the magazine. (Quantity 2-See below) -------------------------------------------------------------- Here is how the prizes will be awarded. There are two categories and five prize slots. "Category 1" is the most difficult and the top three contestants in "Category 1" will choose first from the field of prizes. After the "Category 1" winners have chosen, the two winners of "Category 2" will choose. Note that several sponsors have offered a choice. Only one (1) of these items is available from the choices offered. Once an item has been chosen from that sponsor, the other choices are no longer available. The grand prize winner will select first, followed by each successive winner. (Note that one of the magazine subscriptions will go to the grand prize winner in addition to his/her pick from the list.) Entries will be submitted to Scott Axworthy (scott@cdac.com) and will be posted ASAP to the contest web site. Assistance in picture scanning is available to entrants. I can accept many various formats as well, contact me for specifics. Entries and on-going info will be posted to the contest web site as it comes in. All device descriptions and rights belong to the collective halloween-l Internet mail list, Don Bertino, list-owner, benefactor, Pumpkin King, and representative, presiding. If you intend to sell your concept or device exclusively for your own profits, please do not submit it here. Licensing of any halloween-l owned concepts is available at *very* reasonable rates, with all proceeds directly benefiting the halloween-l medium and mechanism. Special thanks to the sponsors for providing such incredible prizes. More information will follow soon on the Web site and the panel of judges. -Scott -- Scott Axworthy Phone: 206-649-7668 Cascade Design Automation Fax: 206-649-7600 scott@cdac.com http://www.cdac.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:52:41 1997 Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 22:23:05 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greg, YOu are so right in your post. We have a neighbor down the street that hates what we do!! this guy has tried to have us kicked off the street!!But every year the day after Halloween his wife comes by to tell me what a great job we do and how much her kids love it!! go figure!! People go to plays, go to operas, watch movies...we are just the same thing except in our yards!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt who's kids, relatives, and other friends kids play here every year!! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:54:05 1997 Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 22:25:14 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Automation Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hey Bob, We have two guys, a panel of light switches and a lot of rope!! I think that is the half a shoe string budget!! got to love it!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:54:30 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 20:50:14 -0500 From: Gertrude Smith To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Security Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greg Hope wrote: > > I admit upfront that this would not be a solution for a high-traffic HH, but > I've not yet heard anyone mention the idea of renting a costume and creating > their own "police officer". For a haunt that has no access to off-duty cops > and can't justify the cost of rental security, wouldn't this be a fair > compromise? I'd suggest enlisting the help of a big, burly male friend to > play the role and, instead of making arrests, just have him eject > troublemakers from the scene. The costume creates the perception that help > and incarceration is always just a radio call away. > > Greg You have to be real careful here if you're thinking of having your "officer" APPEAR to be a real cop (Ever hear of the CRIMINAL CHARGE of "Impersonating a Police Officer?") There has also been reports from Arkansas, Ohio and California of the "Blue Light Rapist" type of impersonator out on the country roads so we "county mounties" have another problem with credibility right now. This shouldn't be a concern in a public setting, tho. O.K., back to Halloweening: Could your "big, burly male" play the part of a KEYSTONE KOP? These "uniforms" (read COSTUMES) should be available from rental places or you could improvise with the long dark coat, a "Bobby" hat, oversized "badge" and billy club. A bushy handlebar mustache would also be good. A simple, "now, now, mates! Behave yourselves!" with an admonishing finger could turn the situation into a comedy routine for the other guests. If this is an adult haunt, check out the "zombie cops" in some of the horror movies (I forget titles right now...). Basically, be careful with your costuming and acting... Even if you can't have any REAL officers present, advise your local agency about the haunt and they should provide "back up" if there is a problem. ARE ANY OF YOUR ASSOCIATES POLICE OFFICERS? Him (or her) might have to forego a choice part in the Spook Patrol and be the ticket-taker as a "civilian" but if you live in a small town, everyone probably knows who is "the fuzz" and behave themselves in this officer's presence. Hope this helps! Gertrude Smith Miss. Co. (AR) S.D. gsraptor@arkansas.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 18:59:25 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 20:56:23 -0500 (CDT) From: John Dolan To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Kiddie Torment (was: touch-me-not) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com On Fri, 25 Apr 1997, CTMartin wrote: > > BTW - anyone got ideas how to keep parents from torturing their kids by > forcing them to go through a haunt? > Hey Cliff, Heres a couple of other things we do: 1) On the Sat afternoon before Halloween we have a "lights on" tour for the children. During this the lights are on, the music is turned down, and we have fewer monsters (who still dress up but don't wear masks or makeup). The children are given bags when they buy their tickets and the monsters hand out candy as the kids come through. It's not really meant to be scary just sort of a "trick or treat" kind of thing. Ad- mission is half price for children and free for accompaying adults. It has been really successfull and we may add another Sat. to handle the big crowds. This can hopefully prevent some of those "macho" parents from showing up on your regular hours. Btw- I don't know who has more fun at these, the kids or the workers! I get more volunteers for this than anything else! 2) If one of these parents does show up, we first offer them free tickets to the "lights on tour".(We don't tell the parents that they would get in free anyway, as sort of a personal revenge ;-) makes them feel like they're getting more than they really are ;-) 3) If this fails we go with the "hoods down" tour or if it's a slow night we'll turn on the lights. Btw- I really like Kathy's idea about the "sound activated" scares. Good idea Kathy! I'm going to try that this year, thanks for the suggestion! Also I agree with Oliver we need to come with our own derogatory term for this group (No offense Wil but "selfish" just ain't mean enough ;-) Anyway, hope this helps, JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 19:22:34 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 21:19:02 -0500 (CDT) From: John Dolan To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Security Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com On Fri, 25 Apr 1997, Greg Hope wrote: > >Hi Greg, > >Real bad idea. Police are trained to handle difficult situations. Some > >people look for confrontations with police, your costumed officer would > >find himself in deep do do. A real police officer is worth every penny > >you pay them, I love the radio they wear, one call "Officer needs > >assistance" and you will have all the help you need for any emergency. > >jbcorn > > > Ignore my previous idea. Admittedly, I'm inexperienced in this area. It was > just a thought. > Hey Greg, actually I thought it was idea that probably crossed some other peoples minds so don't beat yourself up ;). That said, if I may amend to JB's post since one of my jobs is as a "rent-a-cop". One other point, is that your contracts (i.e. insurance,rental agreement etc.) may call for you to provide "security". This may or may not mean that your security force must be insured and bonded as such. So you have to check your contracts really carefully or you could open yourself up to potential liability problems. And then you'll have to deal with those really "scary" individuals: lawyers! Gotta go find the nearest donut shop, JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 19:24:34 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 97 19:14:00 PDT From: oliver@nemesis.saic.com (Thomas W Oliver) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Banter! Thomas W Oliver Don't read! Was Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com ouch! Stabbed in the back with my own words! You've been saving that email for just a time like this, haven't you? B-) The problem is that I *like* 99% of what you write... Besides, it wasn't you, it was the thread. I just happened to reply to your email instead of someone else's. I *knew* I should have removed your name. B-( If I offended you, I apologize. I guess I've gotten spoiled with the quality of the postings on here. I also read most of this at work, where sometimes the anger of dealing with idio-- err, *users* bleeds over. I promise not to post anything non-constructive or in anger, to the list from work again. THomas THomas W Oliver |"Daemons are a Ghoul's best Fiend" Network Security Officer | telephone: 619 458-2175 Science Applications International Corp.| fax: 619 535-7860 4110 Campus Point Court MS G2 | e-mail: oliver@nemesis.saic.com San Diego, CA 92121 | e-mail: Thomas.W.Oliver@saic.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 19:26:12 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 21:21:13 -0500 From: Gertrude Smith To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jason R wrote: > > >, I just became involved in a dialog with a neighbor who is a born-again > >Christian. Her > >comment was that we have a neighborhood full of Christian kids. I explained that my > >interest in Halloween centered around the theatrical, dramatic side. I also mentioned that I am a member of a > >Halloween discussion group on the Internet and her eyes were like saucers - I think she thought I was a member of a cult! I am convinced that a glimpse into our group > >discussions would offer some reassurance to those who are fearful, but > >somewhat ignorant, of the motives of Halloweenophiles. > > We decorate for both Halloween and Christmiss. > > Not that we don't have anything gory here. In fact it is more of just > creating a a setting and let your mind make of it what it will. To get kids > to say COOL and have them be a bit afraid to enter the yard, it doesnt take > blood and guts.. Nope. > > So. I think it is what you make of it. If you see it as good clean fun, > {Rather than eggs and whip cream all over your car} then it's okay. > > Jay > > P.S The kids in our area JUST LOVE IT!. > > ------------------------------------------------------------- > -- Jason Roland- Yes, I support Mac's!. > -- > -- Member FDC {Beach Club lighting tech} > -- > -- Webmaster of the VRC Homepage. All Disney, all the time. -- > -- Http://www.vivanet.com/~thelazer > -- > -- "I told'em the truth, and they fell for it"-Harry Anderson -- > ------------------------------------------------------------- If the kids say "COOL!" and these parents say "CUTE!", you've broken the barrier! (Even if you're supposed to be a SCARY thingie!) From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 19:50:39 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 22:45:53 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Cobwebs Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-25 01:20:02 EDT, you write: << We still use the stretchy 99 cent webs too - as a base. I start with a pinched off bit of webbing (a ball about 1-1/2 across) and use that to eventually fill a volume of 10'x10'x5'. It gets stretched and cross-linked (spit on a finger and roll fibers together to make a knot) out until the fibers are 2" or so apart, the sprayed with the web-maker and cobweb fluid and dusted, the another layer stretched above the first and so on . . . It takes me a day to do a lar >> ---------------------------------------- I have had a hard time getting the fire resistant kind. The bags I see now say "keep away from flames!" Am I just having bad luck or are you all using the flammable stuff and the fire marshals are not as concerned with this as other parts of the HH? Denny, I which I knew about your web maker with "non flammable web juice". I would have put it in my book.... How much is it and a unit of the fluid? jerry From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 20:06:29 1997 From: SkinkSim@aol.com Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 23:00:55 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Fire Marshalls and Building Inspectors Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Just today we were given the go-ahead for renting a house for October. We are stipulating that initial approval from the local fire marshall, building inspector, and police be required before we will enter into an agreement. Are we doing this the right way? We are concerned that we will sign a lease, then the fire marshall will come in and say the property can't be used. Help! From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 20:13:28 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 23:08:46 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Wall Of Fog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-25 11:21:04 EDT, you write: << The reason I ask is because I've seen some commercial air curtains that were very efficient (and expensive) and it seems that if used totally indoors with no wind or large temperature variations they would work even better. Denny >> --------------------------------- That might help.... But I was refering to the fog rise. In order to get a good "curtian", the rooms became too flooded with the byproduct fog... jerry From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 20:14:15 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 23:10:27 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Jim Kadel Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 10:23 PM 4/21/97 -0700, Kathy wrote (in part): ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > snip...We have a neighbor down the street that >hates what we do!! ....snip... A next door neighbor of mine, a day or so after Halloween, stopped over to pointedly mention that there are an increasing number of trick/treaters attracted to my Haunted Porch. Her candy ran out after about an hour, so she then just turns her light off. In former years, when her son was around, both were big fans. I don't usually hear directly from her about anything that I do, so am pretty sure there was a message, in her tale. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net)0000,0000,8080 Haunt Master Products, Inc http://members.aol.com/hmpi0000,0000,8080 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 20:15:34 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 23:10:57 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Wall Of Fog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-25 13:42:44 EDT, you write: << I think I have sloved this problem.. It's pretty simple. You do need air from the top, but also you need to suck air from the bottem. This way, the air from the top is shot down to form the wall of air. It is then sucked into a vent under you, or in the floor, this prevents the fog from going elsewere and it makes it stay like a wall. Jay >> ----------------------- WOW ! Very good Jay..... jerry From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 20:51:28 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 22:31:51 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Kiddie Torment (was: touch-me-not) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John Dolan wrote: > > On Fri, 25 Apr 1997, CTMartin wrote: > > > > BTW - anyone got ideas how to keep parents from torturing their kids by > > forcing them to go through a haunt? > > > Hey Cliff, > Heres a couple of other things we do: > 1) On the Sat afternoon before Halloween we have a "lights on" tour for > the children. During this the lights are on, the music is turned down, > and we have fewer monsters (who still dress up but don't wear masks or > makeup). The children are given bags when they buy their tickets and > the monsters hand out candy as the kids come through. It's not really > meant to be scary just sort of a "trick or treat" kind of thing. Ad- > mission is half price for children and free for accompaying adults. > It has been really successfull and we may add another Sat. to handle > the big crowds. This can hopefully prevent some of those "macho" parents > from showing up on your regular hours. > Btw- I don't know who has more fun at these, the kids or the workers! > I get more volunteers for this than anything else! > 2) If one of these parents does show up, we first offer them free tickets > to the "lights on tour".(We don't tell the parents that they would get > in free anyway, as sort of a personal revenge ;-) makes them feel like > they're getting more than they really are ;-) > 3) If this fails we go with the "hoods down" tour or if it's a slow night > we'll turn on the lights. > > Btw- I really like Kathy's idea about the "sound activated" scares. Good > idea Kathy! I'm going to try that this year, thanks for the suggestion! > Also I agree with Oliver we need to come with our own derogatory term > for this group (No offense Wil but "selfish" just ain't mean enough ;-) > > Anyway, hope this helps, > JD > jdolan@titan.iwu.edu Hi, Lights on Tours are great. I have been using them since 1988, opps, my age. And I have noticed nearly half the tour kids come back and go thru the full blown haunt. Our tour includes make-up demos, tour behind the scenes, a detailed explanation of each scene, how we scare and where the scare comes from. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 20:56:52 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 23:50:09 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: David Janoskie Subject: David Copperfield's "Flying Crank Ghosts"? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Last week, David Copperfield had his annual magic show on NBC. This year's theme was "Unexplained Forces". One of the skits involved a portion of a haunted house on stage, where David was bound and put inside. All of a sudden there is paper flying around and such. The part that grabbed me though, was when "ghosts" started flying out of the house and stage. There seemed to be more than 10 to 20 ghosts at one time. I said to myself, " This has got to be a VERY large-scale version of the Flying Crank Ghost", which has been described at various times in the list. It really was a good illusion. Any thoughts as to if I'm right about how it was done? ************************** David Janoskie djan@erols.com "There is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it." Alfred Hitchcock From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:08:25 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 23:05:49 -0500 (CDT) From: John Dolan To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Fire Marshalls and Building Inspectors Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com On Fri, 25 Apr 1997 SkinkSim@aol.com wrote: > Just today we were given the go-ahead for renting a house for October. We > are stipulating that initial approval from the local fire marshall, building > inspector, and police be required before we will enter into an agreement. > Are we doing this the right way? We are concerned that we will sign a > lease, then the fire marshall will come in and say the property can't be > used. Help! > Absolutely! A contract contigency is the smartest thing you can do. One thing you should do is call the departments you listed and find out how long it will take for them to look at your property. Depending on the size of your town this could take a couple of weeks :(.The fire depart- ment and building department will also need to now what your layout, means of egress,modifications you intend to do,etc., so you will need to have that ready as well. Also an inportant thing to check out is the zoning. The zoning may not allow you to set up a haunt or any other type of business so I would make this your first priority. It could save you alot of time. But by all means don't sign the dotted line with out checking these out and having the contigencys included in your rental agreement! Hope this helps and good luck! JD jdolan@titan.iwu.edu From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:10:38 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 00:06:06 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: "Human Tram Car Effect" (very long) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-25 06:51:41 EDT, you write: << I was just wondering what HH this was? -- Bill >> -------------------------- ????? I don’t understand your question... Do you mean what HH have I designed? Check out my web page for a list of my bigger events. Yours ghouly Jerry - @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ ^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^ (Creative, Not expensive solutions in special effects.) (No one ever got anywhere by being NORMAL!) Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:19:06 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 00:14:10 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Smoke Rings {Is before I forget again!} Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-25 10:50:23 EDT, you write: << Going thur the old Lighting Dimensions 96-97 buyers guide and look what I find... Towards 2000 INC=Lightforce Vesuvius smoke rign generator blows a 3ft smoke ring 2ft to 500ft! Sounds just like what we were talking about!. Jay P.S Yes I am drooling over all the great new strobes, and foggers and lights in the guide!. >> ---------------------------------------- Hi Jay How much dose it (the smoke ring cannon) cost? jerry From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:25:56 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 00:22:03 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Jim Kadel Subject: Toscano Catalog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I've just rec'd a Design Toscano, Inc. catalog (1-888-744-4888). I'm not usually an arts fan but this catalog of statues, fountains, garden plasters, etc. would be great for haunts. Some are very expensive, but some are not that bad, at about $30 to $60. They have many gargoyle statues and fountains and other great looking stuff. There's even a Nosferatu page. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net)0000,0000,8080 Haunt Master Products, Inc http://members.aol.com/hmpi0000,0000,8080 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:36:26 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 00:30:16 -0400 From: Derek Schwab To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > Bruce Christensen, a one time halloween-l list member (maybe he's > still lurking, I'm not sure) at posted a message about a DOS > program called XA that he authored for controlling X10. He was > specifically trying to control lighting and events for Halloween > and Xmas. I was trying out this software last Halloween and > had some success controlling fog and lights. The software is > shareware and costs around $45 I believe. (If your out there > Bruce, I'll really buy it this year.) I'm also interested in X-10 control for Halloween and Xmas, if you find out anything about this software, please let me know. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:36:29 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 00:30:13 -0400 From: Derek Schwab To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Halloween Discussion group Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > I also mentioned that I am a member of a > > >Halloween discussion group on the Internet Where did you find a Halloween Discusion group? From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:36:26 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 00:30:09 -0400 From: Derek Schwab To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do. . . Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > > > Yeah, *everybody* comes dressed up as a 'convict' to the halloween party. > > > > Why should everyone dress as convicts?, So the police will not who the > > real convicts are? > > > > .... it was suppose to be a joke about 'halloween in jail'... only being allowed > to wear prison uniforms... > > I'll shut up now & stick to just the straight lines... > > Boy, what a tough audience. You don't hsve to shut up, just Don't confuse me like that! Sorry I messed up you joke. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 21:49:09 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 00:42:55 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-25 19:20:29 EDT, you write: << y first choice is actors/techs. Automation has its pluses and minuses. For an entertainment type display automation is great, for providing a good distraction they are great for scaring people over the age of six, forget it. The actual moment a scare is initiated is difficult. All of us that work at scaring people know that some actors make g >> ----------------------------------- jerrys response: You make some good points. But I disagree with the idea that non human devices can not scare with as much intensity as a human, because of the "intuition" a good operator can have. I have been using simple automation for over 20 years in HH work. I have always worked for charities and have found that volunteers, although well meaning, are very unreliable. I would put it to you that if your statement were not without some exceptions, horror MOVIES like “screams” would not be so scary. (Just one of the many different and varied opines on this list...) Yours ghouly Jerry - @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ ^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^ (No one ever got anywhere by being NORMAL!) Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 22:35:24 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 22:24:02 -0700 From: Bob Andrews To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Halloween Discussion group Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Derek Schwab wrote: > > > I also mentioned that I am a member of a > > > >Halloween discussion group on the Internet > > Where did you find a Halloween Discusion group? Yeah, I'd like to join this Halloween discussion group! ;-D -- Bob Andrews bandrews@inreach.com http://www.anaserve.com/~BoBandrews From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 22:35:51 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 23:11:26 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Wall Of Fog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Spookyfx@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 97-04-25 11:21:04 EDT, you write: > > << > The reason I ask is because I've seen some commercial air curtains that were > very efficient (and expensive) and it seems that if used totally indoors > with no wind or large temperature variations they would work even better. > Denny > >> > --------------------------------- > > That might help.... But I was refering to the fog rise. In order to get a > good > "curtian", the rooms became too flooded with the byproduct fog... > > jerry HI, The fog curtain I own was custom built, two squirle cage motors suck air from a return. The intake is 3'6" long and 1/2" wide, the return is the same. The room has negitive air pressure so that any fog building up is evacuated. The room is double door entry/exit with a small bathroom style exhaust fan. The first door leads customers thru a ghost illusion, second door places the customers in the ghost fog wall room, they must pass thru the ghost to exit, the ghost is live and talks to the customers, the only flaw is the second customer to pass thru sees the ghost image on the back of the first customer, well you can't have everything. The first exit door leads to another ghost illusion then to the exit door. The double doors are used to control air flow. The room fails totally during crank thru, so during high volume the customers do not enter the ghost fog room, they go around it and view the talking ghost thru a window as another illusion, they still see the ghost illusions as the route only bypasses the effects room. The room is high on entertainment value, especially if you have a quick wited foxy lady teasing them. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 22:57:12 1997 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 22:55:48 -0700 From: Death Lord To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Cobwebs Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Spookyfx@aol.com wrote: > Denny, I which I knew about your web maker with "non flammable web juice". > I would have put it in my book.... > How much is it and a unit of the fluid? > > jerry You have a BOOK? -- X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X Rest in Peace. The Death Lord http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 23:25:37 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 02:51:59 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Southern Cal help!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com JBcorn, I will give that idea a try. I have to start getting to work on cold calling these people and asking if they have them!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 23:25:42 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 01:04:42 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Toscano Catalog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim Kadel wrote: > > I've just rec'd a Design Toscano, Inc. catalog (1-888-744-4888). I'm > not usually > an arts fan but this catalog of statues, fountains, garden plasters, > etc. would be > great for haunts. Some are very expensive, but some are not that bad, > at about $30 to $60. They have many gargoyle statues and fountains and > other great looking stuff. > > There's even a Nosferatu page. > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net) > > Haunt Master Products, Inc > http://members.aol.com/hmpi > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I have been on their mailing list for two years and yes its great. The items can also stir the imagination for original creations jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 23:25:46 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 01:02:07 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Spookyfx@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 97-04-25 19:20:29 EDT, you write: > > << y first choice is actors/techs. Automation has its pluses and > minuses. For an entertainment type display automation is great, for > providing a good distraction they are great for scaring people over the > age of six, forget it. The actual moment a scare is initiated is > difficult. All of us that work at scaring people know that some actors > make g >> > ----------------------------------- > > jerrys response: > > You make some good points. But I disagree with the idea that > non human devices can not scare with as much intensity as a human, > because of the "intuition" a good operator can have. > > I have been using simple automation for over 20 years in HH work. > I have always worked for charities and have found that volunteers, > although well meaning, are very unreliable. > > I would put it to you that if your statement were not without some > exceptions, horror MOVIES like “screams” would not be so scary. > > (Just one of the many different and varied opines on this list...) > Yours ghouly Jerry - > > @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ > > ^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^ > > (No one ever got anywhere by being NORMAL!) > > Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html > > @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ Hi, Not to disagree. But, I need to make sure I understand. I have been startled by mechanical devices. I do not recall being scared by mechanical devices, except as a child. I find a major difference between a scare and a startle. A startle evokes a sudden rush and I (customer) respond with some physical reaction. A scare evokes a stronger emotion and physical reaction. Actually at this time I shall jump firmly upon my soap box and deliver the following. ENTERTAINMENT 4-20-97 I am often reminded that we are in the business of scaring people, by my actors. One will come up to me and relate an exciting experience he had when scaring the bee gee gees out of a customer. Seldom do I have an actor tell me about the many customers that he does not scare. Actually I am not in the business of scaring people. I am in the business of entertaining people. In 1990 I built two Haunted Houses. Consider one inside a mall, many scenes with elaborate sets. Number two in a parking lot, black as pitch, little detail, lots of fog. 1990 was a season of learning for me. While both haunts did well, the indoor haunt only opened Friday and Saturdays while the parking lot haunt opened for the entire month and the indoor haunt made more money. Customers appreciated the detail, sets and costumes of the indoor haunt. Also, they appreciated the way the scenes played. Our newspaper review panned the parking lot haunt and praised the indoor haunt. I worried at first. It seems that a good number of customers exiting the indoor haunt were laughing as they exited. True, most were terrified and glad to get out alive, but… It appears I had much to learn, you see I thought I was in the business of scaring people. The final scene of the indoor haunt was over 400 square feet. A path wove its way through a forest of trees (flame proofed), the path divided around a giant eight feet long spider with six foot legs and red glowing eyes. It was devouring a lovely young lady covered in blood. We play the melodramatic scene to the max. As customers approached, the spider would rise up on its legs and lean toward them. Customers could select a path to the left or right around the spider to the exit clearly in their view. Once the customer was on the path of their choice the spider would lean into their path in a threatening way. The customers would stop, panic, back-up, scream, take the other path, etc. The spider operator had a blast. Yet, some of the customers were laughing. What was I doing wrong? I began to observe customers as they moved through each event of both haunted houses. The parking lot haunt had more customers exiting early than did the indoor one. The two haunts are equally terrifying. However, the indoor haunt retained terrified customers better, maybe because the light levels inside were higher. I did have a few customers laughing as they exited the parking lot haunt, but the indoor haunt had many more. I was getting no closer till I decided to follow groups that had purchased tickets to both haunts. It was then that I learned the truth. In no way possible can you scare all the people all the time. You can scare some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time. (poetic license please) However, you can entertain all the people all the time. Starting in 1992 I designed scenes with entertainment value. First we entertained the customers and second, if possible, we scared them. Yes, there are customers that scream from the time they enter the building till the time they get home, but these scene designs are to entertain. The real scares came in the corridors and from above and behind. Here are two of my favorite entertaining scenes. 1992 we introduced the "Pendulum" inspired by Edgar Allen Poes book "The Pit and the Pendulum". A giant four foot blade swings slowly over the stomach of a lovely young lady dressed in white and as a tall strange looking beast hovers greedily over her. The scene as played out would scare over half the customers and entertain the rest. The room is richly decorated with instruments of death and pain covering the walls, cells containing the remains of previous victims and victims yet to be. Create a false sense of security by illuminating all the rooms' visuals. The tall beast lumbered around slowly as the customers eased their way around the scene. He would suddenly move towards the customers or leap up on the table and roar. Both worked rather well. The first year we produced this scene we placed an exit door in the room, it was the most used chicken exit for the 1992 season. In 1996 we introduced a unique scene for the ladies. I do not recommend this scene for most haunts. The brightly illuminated room and contains an eight foot X leaning against the wall at about 30 degrees. Chained to the X is a gorgeous young man with long blond hair; his shredded clothes leave little to the imagination; to his bikini briefs we have added a cod piece and thus created a feast for female eyes. Not to leave out the guys, our victim's tormentor is a well-endowed female, long black hair, skin tight leather clothes with chrome accessories partially clothe her and a purple cat-o-nine tails’. She whips our blond victim and teases the customers. Scare factor is low, entertainment factor is high. Immediately after this room the chamber of victims contains an emaciated corpse, a skeleton and an empty cell with a black curtain across the back. Most customers are still commenting on the previous room; they look at the cells then look into the empty cell. An actor rushes the curtain and pushes it up against the cells bars while making a loud sound. Customers are scared by a curtain and a sound because of the entertaining distraction in the previous room. Copyright 1997, By JB Corn If I am too wordy tell me now, because once I get started its hard to shut me up, he he he *LOL* From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 23:28:06 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 02:20:58 -0400 From: Derek Schwab To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Halloween Discussion group Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > > > I also mentioned that I am a member of a > > > > >Halloween discussion group on the Internet > > > > Where did you find a Halloween Discusion group? > > Yeah, I'd like to join this Halloween discussion group! ;-D I just searched Dejanews and found a newsgroup called alt.horror, but it doesn't seem to interesting, it only had 2 postings today. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Fri Apr 25 23:28:52 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 02:55:48 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hey Bob, If worse comes to worse you can always put your fence up at our house!! Our neighbors have given up on us!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 00:49:45 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 03:08:10 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Another tid-bit of info: As many have found, some are good, some are bad, and other people are just plain odd/selfish/closed minded or whatever :) I make every effort to see their side and be "nice"...Smile, nod and agree, as long as they don't get nasty...I have fangs, and have bitten once or twice :) To demonstrate the diversity of groups, I'm working with a Church on a production they are doing. They needed help, and I offered to do whatever was needed. They even offered to put the company as a reference on the hand-outs...I mentioned that "MSP" will be just fine, and the words "Mr.Scary Prod." do not have to appear. The minister found this a "healthy" attitude...I call good business. I short, I have found 99% of the population have no problems. But now and again, that 1% finds something to gripe about, so I try to work with them so no-one is offended...Closing my doors is not one of them.:) Just my pocket-change. 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 Sat Apr 26 08:12:28 1997 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 07:19:12 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Cobwebs Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 10:45 PM 4/25/97 -0400, Jerry wrote: >I have had a hard time getting the fire resistant kind. The bags I see now >say >"keep away from flames!" Am I just having bad luck or are you all >using the flammable stuff and the fire marshals are not as concerned with >this as other parts of the HH? >Denny, I which I knew about your web maker with "non flammable web juice". >I would have put it in my book.... >How much is it and a unit of the fluid? >jerry Hey All, I answered Jerry's cost questions off list but for those of you that are checking the archives for cob web machine instructions to build one yourself here are a few tips to save you time... 1. The fan blade should be 8 to 10 inches in diameter, this is an efficient but easy to work with size. Smaller fans are slow to shoot webs, larger are unwieldy and more dangerous. 2. The canister (should be metal) works best at around 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. 4. If you want to use TBD fluid, the holes in the canister should be .028 inch dia. 5. If you're going to try cold vulcanizing fluid (tire patch cement) for making webs, you'll have to play with the hole size by adjusting it with masking tape, every can of vulcanizing fluid I've seen worked differently. The solvent in vulcanizing fluids is normally non-flammable but the webs burn like mad. Vulcanizing fluids are very low in solids content (under 5%) and have formulas that stay chemically hot for an extended period so they bond well to other surfaces, they also have a high dry tack. Try a few brands to find one that works best for you. Camel brand is the best I found. 6. Stay away from any fluids with flammable solvents (rubber cement). Flammable fluids usually contain heptane and/or light grades of naphtha in their formulas... damn ugly and explosive stuff. The finished webs from rubber cement are almost explosive in their burn rate. Dusting rubber cement webs with Fuller's earth will make them more visible and slow the flame spread a little. Rubber cement has a higher solids content than vulcanizing fluid, which is nice, but the -natural crepe rubber only- formulas tend to sag a bunch after being shot. You're on your own, be careful. Comments, criticisms and additions always welcome. Later All, Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 09:06:29 1997 From: CATHY.KELLER@48.ima.infomail.com (CATHY KELLER) Date: 26 Apr 97 08:47:04 -0600 Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hello JB! In a message to Cathy Keller <04/26/97> Jb Corn wrote: JC> An actor rushes the curtain and pushes it up against the JC> cells bars while making a loud sound. Customers are scared JC> by a curtain and a sound because of the entertaining JC> distraction in the previous room. Copyright 1997, By JB Corn JC> If I am too wordy tell me now, because once I get started JC> its hard to shut me up, he he he *LOL* After keeping me spellbound reading that, there's no WAY you get to shut up NOW!!! --- Platinum Xpress/Wildcat! v1.3 -- | Fidonet: CATHY KELLER 1:382/48 |Internet: CATHY.KELLER@48.ima.infomail.com | |Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly their own. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 10:51:36 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 10:44:12 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Halloween Discussion group Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 12:30 AM 4/26/97 -0400, you wrote: >> I also mentioned that I am a member of a >> > >Halloween discussion group on the Internet > >Where did you find a Halloween Discusion group? > _We_ are the Halloween discussion group to which I was referring. When speaking to someone who isn't familiar with the Internet, I avoid terms like "listserv" out of respect for the other person. To tell you the truth, I've gotten so comfortable with the listserv format, I haven't even considered searching for another type of forum. The chat room Wil is supporting sounds fascinating, but I don't have enough free time to fit the schedule. The great beauty of email is that you can read and respond at any hour of the day. Greg From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 11:09:18 1997 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 13:02:01 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: David Copperfield's "Flying Crank Ghosts"? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 11:50 PM 4/25/97 -0400, you wrote: >It really was a good illusion. Any thoughts as to if I'm right about how it >was done? ************************* >David Janoskie I think you'll find it closer to Scott Axworthy's Flying Ghost System than The Flying Crank Ghost... but fast! Denny From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 11:09:20 1997 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 13:01:59 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 12:30 AM 4/26/97 -0400, you wrote: >> Bruce Christensen, a one time halloween-l list member (maybe he's >> still lurking, I'm not sure) at posted a message about a DOS >> program called XA that he authored for controlling X10. He was >> specifically trying to control lighting and events for Halloween >> and Xmas. I was trying out this software last Halloween and >> had some success controlling fog and lights. The software is >> shareware and costs around $45 I believe. (If your out there >> Bruce, I'll really buy it this year.) > >I'm also interested in X-10 control for Halloween and Xmas, if you find >out anything about this software, please let me know. Do a quick search for Home Automation Systems (I lost their URL), you'll find their catalog and a number of Windows and Mac programs. Many are fairly priced and there was at least one available for downloading as a trial program. Denny > B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 11:34:06 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 13:19:20 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com CATHY KELLER wrote: > > Hello JB! > > In a message to Cathy Keller <04/26/97> Jb Corn wrote: > > JC> An actor rushes the curtain and pushes it up against the > JC> cells bars while making a loud sound. Customers are scared > JC> by a curtain and a sound because of the entertaining > JC> distraction in the previous room. Copyright 1997, By JB Corn > JC> If I am too wordy tell me now, because once I get started > JC> its hard to shut me up, he he he *LOL* > > After keeping me spellbound reading that, there's no WAY you get > to shut up NOW!!! > > --- Platinum Xpress/Wildcat! v1.3 > -- > | Fidonet: CATHY KELLER 1:382/48 > |Internet: CATHY.KELLER@48.ima.infomail.com > | > |Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly their own. Why thankyou, be careful what you ask for. Any particular topic intrests you? jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 11:34:09 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 13:18:26 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John P. Jeffries wrote: > > Another tid-bit of info: > > As many have found, some are good, some are bad, and other people are just > plain odd/selfish/closed minded or whatever :) > > I make every effort to see their side and be "nice"...Smile, nod and agree, > as long as they don't get nasty...I have fangs, and have bitten once or twice :) > > To demonstrate the diversity of groups, I'm working with a Church on a > production they are doing. They needed help, and I offered to do whatever > was needed. They even offered to put the company as a reference on the > hand-outs...I mentioned that "MSP" will be just fine, and the words > "Mr.Scary Prod." do not have to appear. The minister found this a "healthy" > attitude...I call good business. > > I short, I have found 99% of the population have no problems. But now and > again, that 1% finds something to gripe about, so I try to work with them so > no-one is offended...Closing my doors is not one of them.:) > > Just my pocket-change. > > John > ********************************* > * Mr.Scary Productions * > * http://www.mrscary.com * > * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * > * 1-812-824-8935 * > * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * > ********************************* Hi, I agree. Religion and politics have visited me. 1988 on opening night we were visited by a religious cross bearing cult. About 25 fanatics aggrevated our customers, handed out flyers and explained to me that we were all going to hell. They stayed around long enough for the local TV news to show, did an interview and left. We talked to the news, gave them a tour and were packed Saturday night, go figure. 1994/5 we cut a deal with a city. '94 caused some difficulty that rolled over into absolute disaster in '95. Bottom line 2 weeks before we opened the city pulled out and tried to cancell the show, many vendors, a carnival and our haunt were effected. If you are a small operation find land in the boonies. Large operations can afford the attorneys and politicians and ways around the code. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 12:23:21 1997 From: Ryan C To: "'halloween-l@netcom.com'" Subject: RE: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 12:13:46 -0700 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hello, Long time since I last posted... I have the shareware XA software for the X-10 controllers. Those who want it please e-mail me directly so that I don't add a large file to download on the list. The software is really nice. It allows input from the joystick port and has a basic scripting language that allows you to run outside programs; such as a sound player. If you look at the scripts that come with it you can see the creator connected the computer to a door bell so that a sound play and lights came on with the push of the button. Speaking of which, does anyone know how to do this. I don't know anything about electronics, and was wondering if anyone has tried this. Also goes anyone know if there is a way to connect a motion detector from a porch light to the computer to do the same type of thing? Thanks for the help in advance. Ryan C The Unofficial Disneyland Home Page http://www.ioc.net/~ccnet/disney.html Maynard Home Page http://www.ioc.net/~ccnet/disneyland/maynard/maynard.html "Eat figs not worms" commented Maynard. -----Original Message----- From: Derek Schwab [SMTP:gschwab@bellsouth.net] Sent: Friday, April 25, 1997 9:30 PM To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-controlled :-D > Bruce Christensen, a one time halloween-l list member (maybe he's > still lurking, I'm not sure) at posted a message about a DOS > program called XA that he authored for controlling X10. He was > specifically trying to control lighting and events for Halloween > and Xmas. I was trying out this software last Halloween and > had some success controlling fog and lights. The software is > shareware and costs around $45 I believe. (If your out there > Bruce, I'll really buy it this year.) I'm also interested in X-10 control for Halloween and Xmas, if you find out anything about this software, please let me know. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 12:29:35 1997 From: jeyster@juno.com To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 12:00:29 -0700 Subject: Re: The First Semi-Annual Southern California Halloweenaholics Gettogether and Creatathon Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hi Wil, my name is Jack Eyster, and I would be interested in a So Ca Halloweenaholics Get together. I think that it would be a lot of fun and a great way to meet others from the So Ca area. I live in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, and I would be willing to drive up to Santa Maria for a meet, possibly car pool with some others from this area. I'm open as to what dates you or anyone else would like to set. You or anyone else interested can e-mail me at: jeyster@juno.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 13:36:04 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 13:35:40 -0700 From: Wil To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Halloween Discussion group Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > To tell you the truth, I've gotten so comfortable with the listserv format, > I haven't even considered searching for another type of forum. The chat > room Wil is supporting sounds fascinating, but I don't have enough free time > to fit the schedule. The great beauty of email is that you can read and > respond at any hour of the day. > > Greg Even though I would enjoy an instant response format of discussion such as MIRC, there have been setbacks. The foremost setback would be the traffic that clogs up MIRC in the evenings creating a painfully slow response time, and the lack of interest for the chat during the day is nill, including for myself. Therefore, I have abandoned the chat night and make due with the listserve. If a number of folks on the list contact me about getting this back under way and have answers to the challenges facing the practicality of its survival, I'm all ears. However, I must agree with Greg in saying that the convenience of the review and responding at our leisure to the many posts has its appeal too. If I had one wish though, it would be that the listserve would have an instant response time such as the last list I was on had. But then, If I had one CHAIR, I'd probably whine about not having TWO. I'm NOT a brat. I'm NOT I'm NOT I'm NOT. -- Wil X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X Rest in Peace Death Lord '97 Topic Archives- http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 14:08:54 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 17:04:10 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Cobwebs Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-26 04:04:03 EDT, you write: << Spookyfx@aol.com wrote: > Denny, I which I knew about your web maker with "non flammable web juice". > I would have put it in my book.... > How much is it and a unit of the fluid? > > jerry You have a BOOK? -- X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X Rest in Peace. The Death Lord http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/haloween.htm X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X >> Jerrys response: Yes, well um.... I wrote the book I titled "The Complete Haunted House Handbook" almost 4 years ago. I was irritated that out of 3 different countries and dozens of different libraries and book stores, and magic shops I could never find a good book on HH work. By good I mean a "complete" step by step guide from brainstorming to prop making techniques, which included in depth information on illusions, construction, showmanship, sound systems, etc. I have seen such books on many other subjects, but none (in my opine) that did justice to the HH subject. One of my roommates is a screen writer, (such works as MTV ARON FLUX ) and one day he was complaining about a writing block for just a few pages and I said that If he knew what was to be written, how hard could it be to write it! Well needles to say he blew up on me and said if I think it is so easy than why don’t I write the book I always complain I cant find. SO I DID. Now I must admit It was MUCH harder than I though it would be. I have dyslexia and I am the worlds worst speller. But with help from a friend who is a copyeditor, it was accomplished. I still have NOT seen a book that covers the material in a way that a complete novice would want. My book may have some problems as well. It is the nature of a expert, who may not necessarily be a good teacher. Many of my Engineer friends have told me this about their professors. But I wrote it for personal reasons (one of which I have explained.) And because I have always wanted ( from age 12 ) a patent or a book in the MAGIC section of the library. It took me 6 months to write it. I sold it by mail for a year, tried to get a publisher to go for a contract I LIKED. Gave up on the publisher thing for 2 years. than broke down and signed up with the one publisher that I thought would actually put me on the library shelf. The book name has been changed by my publisher ( Mcfarland ) not because I was beaten to the market by a DIFFERENT book by the same name, but because they INSISTED. I got screwed on the contract, Oh well. Anyway the title is now "The Haunted House Halloween Handbook." I HATE the name but the publisher has the right to do this... I just hope the cover is NOT as stupid as the name that came up with. Yours ghouly Jerry - @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ ^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^ (Creative, Not expensive solutions in special effects.) (No one ever got anywhere by being NORMAL!) Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 14:09:52 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 14:09:44 -0700 From: Wil To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The First Semi-Annual Southern California Halloweenaholics Gettogether and Creatathon Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com jeyster@juno.com wrote: > > Hi Wil, my name is Jack Eyster, and I would be interested in a So Ca > Halloweenaholics Get together. I think that it would be a lot of fun and > a great way to meet others from the So Ca area. > > I live in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, and I would be > willing to drive up to Santa Maria for a meet, possibly car pool with > some others from this area. > > I'm open as to what dates you or anyone else would like to set. > > You or anyone else interested can e-mail me at: > jeyster@juno.com Thus far Jester, (I'll bet your friends call you that) you are the only one that is interested in getting together and having a haunted summit. What I envision for this is at least a full day of passing around pictures and sharing stories, a trip to the Pizzaria for neccesary party ingredients, bantering over good theme ideas and untried events. I love the idea Kathy mentioned of getting together and building an animatronic in group fashion. This could be cool. Have everyone bring a piece or two