of hardware to toss in the pot and after its done take pictures to share with the rest of the list. The person that initiates the project would be responsible for repaying everyone for their offering parts and pieces and in return would be able to keep the project for him or herself. Of course, the person keeping the event could just pop for the pizza and beer I suppose. Another way this could work is to have the person that will be taking the animatron home would bring all the parts to it themself and everyone would help with the assembly, ala the old fashioned barn raising. But one way or the other I think this could be terriffic. I will toss back out to the group again the suggestion of the The First Semi-Annual Southern California Halloweenaholics Gettogether and Creatathon. We will need interest in this to unite and organize or it will simply die. I have offered my furniture manufacturing plant as the hobby-shop for soething such as this if anyone is interested. I have most of the tools needed to complete most of the events we might tackle, right here on the premises, so no one would have to lug around a trunk load of tools. If it helps, I have completed a Trash Can Trauma and am nearly finished with a Flying Crank Ghost, so I already know what to do first in at least these two items. I also have completed a fog-chiller that is fully self-contained that has taken a good bit of effort to perfect, so I could offer pointers on that also, as well as working examples to use as templates for all three. We always have lots of scrapp wood to use for these projects also, and if something takes a bit more wood such as the Flying Crank Ghost is, I can let mine go for the wholesale price that I pay for huge quantity. The city I'm in is large enough to have access to much of the hardware we may wind up needing at the last minute also for the completion of an event. We have a Home Base, Electronic Parts Wherehouse, OSH and numerous other smaller hardware stores. Also, the local Motel 6 is very affordable for those that would like to make a weekend out of it. So respond to this if you are within a morning's driving distance of the Central Coast of California. Remember, Santa Maria where I am located is directly between San Fran and L.A. 3 hours either way. Jester offered a good idea in carpooling up here. So the cost of travel could be very limited if this were addressed. Once again, I'm completely open to driving down to Ventura or Thousand Oaks to attend this elsewhere, so what we need is suggestions and input. -- 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 14:29:55 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 16:07:31 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > > After keeping me spellbound reading that, there's no WAY you get > > to shut up NOW!!! ACTORS I have been producing haunted houses since 1979. No matter how creative I think I am; I am never prepared for what my actors will do with my creation. Sometimes they improve upon my work and make me look good. More likely than not they make me look foolish and trash carefully prepared scenes. No matter actors age they must be treated like children. In reality, they are children. The power an individual obtains when they become someone else is nothing less than absolute. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. As a haunt's creator, it is easy to be wrapped up in your favorite room and enjoy plying your annual trade upon hapless victims (customers). I am no different. However, may I offer a change. I do my thing on the slow nights and for a short time on the busy ones. Then I step back and become the creative director. I monitor all scenes, travel through the attraction as a customer, constantly give direction and make DAMN sure all my talent know that I am watching them. OK, as the creative director I have already trained all my actors and technicians. I have explained each individuals duties and any variations that are allowed. I have explained what to do in the event of an emergency, how to handle customers that really should have gone to Boo at the Zoo (not only children) and how to notify internal security about rowdy customers. I have left no stone unturned. HA!!! Well, all of you that believe that, I have some invisible paint for sale, just $99 per pint. I have identified the problem. After all these years one would think I might have learned something. It is the power of the mask and even elaborate make-up can have a similar effect. Once a persons true identity is concealed, they can and often do become God like, "I can do no wrong" "…and if by chance I do, no one will know its me, he he he " I had a friend relate an incident to me. All his actors wear masks in his attraction. A select few decided to grope attractive females. The first time a female complained he shut the attraction down, brought all his actors out and the female easily selected her attacker, who was fired. An actor in the select group learned from this. The next time he traded masks with another actor, who promptly turned him in when the victim pointed his way. Again the select actor group learned. This time the culprit brings a mask to wear for groping and a mask to wear when in review. Eventually this actor was caught and fired. I am an x-Marine and in fairly good shape. I explain to my actors that if I ever see them touch a customer, the least of their problems is going to jail, because a trip to the hospital will take precedence. I do not count reflex response. That is when a customer is so scared that they lash out and accidentally make contact with one or more of my actors: or when an actor gets carried away, looses balance or missteps and bumps into a customer. It is important to note that masks do more than give actors’ power, they also give certain customers’ power. Because an actor will do things he/she never thought possible, a customer may do the same. An actor in a mask is no longer human, has no identity and as such will become a target. Certain customer types will hit masked actors. Especially those that stand still like dummies. The customer will say " Hey, I thought it was a dummy, I didn’t know it was a person" Which of course is a lie, the customer was looking for an out. His goal was to hit an actor and get away with it. Increased security has no effect on this problem. The solution is simple. Starting in 1992 I began to limit the use of masks and for the most part masks were used on dummies. I did not go to elaborate make-up. Instead I created scenes for people. My technique is more complicated than can be explained here, but I am playing with your mind and senses from the time you enter to the time you exit. Alfred Hitchcock is my style. Another article will cover the human senses and how most haunts ignore them. I use limited make-up to enhance a face, like a touch of red, for blood, a light base of white and some black. The actors’ face is visible and the person recognizable. What I have added more than makes up for any perceived loss. The most important addition is eye contact and next facial expressions. Actor training is more intense and not anyone can perform in my haunt. Customers comment on how my actors make eye contact, look at them. I train my actors to look at the customers, to use their eyes and facial muscles to convey meaning. I entertain, previous article. You are safest in rooms with my actors, not that they don’t nail more than half the customers, the real scare comes in the corridors between rooms. More planning is necessary. Your room/scene scripts become complicated to the point of simplicity. What? Yes, the scenes are so simple that it is now possible for your actors to become bored even quicker than before. After all, they have to do the same thing over and over and over and… I offer several variations for the actors to work with and I have a reward system for actors to work their way up the privileged scene ladder. The actors that have been with me the longest get first choice. Once you have proven your worth I design a scene for you. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 14:32:30 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 17:27:55 -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 97-04-26 05:58:30 EDT, you write: < 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 < ...he 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* >> ----------------------------------------- Greetings your excellency Baron JBCorn [in respect to your honorary title... :~> ] A movie camera is a MECHANICAL device, Yet the "Exorcist" SCARED me a great deal. Yes the device is "programmed" by artists and talented actors, but so can MANY mechanical devices. Its not the tool but the craftsman. And the craftsman dose not have to be there to impress his audience with his master piece... 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 15:09:45 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 18:05:05 -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 97-04-26 17:26:52 EDT, you write: << ......he customers, the real scare comes in the corridors between rooms. More planning is necessary. Your room/scene scripts become complicated to the point of simplicity. What? Yes, the scenes are so simple that it is now possible for your actors to become bored even quicker than before. After all, they have to do the same thing over and over and over and… I offer several variations for the actors to work with and I have a reward system for actors to work their way up the privileged scene ladder. The actors that have been with me the longest get first choice. Once you have proven your worth I design a scene for you. jbcorn >> ------------------------------------------------ Hi JBcorn WOW! This really impressed me. I wish you had included this kind of in depth info in your books. Are you planning a revision or a new book. I think that this is the kind of info (based on experience) that serious HH designers NEED. jerry From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 15:10:25 1997 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 17:03:20 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The Game is Afoot...Contest Begins! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 06:35 PM 4/25/97 -0700, you wrote: > April 25, 1997 >Announcing.... > > The First Annual Halloween-l Haunted Gizmo Design Contest!... Nice job Scott, very well thought out! I can't enter but I'm cutting up a couple of 5 gallon buckets so I can play. :) Let's have some fun. Denny From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 15:42:42 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 19:14:16 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Flying Crank ghost Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Ok, I am trying, with the help of hubby!! , to make the flying crank ghost. I am curious does anyone have a real picture, as in photograph, of the ghost on their page??? I want to see one in real form to see what I am looking at??? I want to do a few little changes to the material, painting and that stuff and I want to see if I am really thinking of it in the right way!! thanks for your info!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 16:34:39 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 16:28:05 -0700 From: Scott Axworthy To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The Game is Afoot...Contest Begins! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Denny: milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > > At 06:35 PM 4/25/97 -0700, you wrote: > > April 25, 1997 > >Announcing.... > > > > The First Annual Halloween-l Haunted Gizmo Design Contest!... > > Nice job Scott, very well thought out! Nice job up until I got your web address wrong! I forgot the "www"! I have fixed it in all the followup stuff. I'm preparing the web info today. Hope to have it up soon. > > I can't enter but I'm cutting up a couple of 5 gallon buckets so I can play. :) > Let's have some fun. After seeing that picture of the big ring, I want to try and make a big cannon. See how it works on a larger scale. Just need to find something really big that I can cut holes in! Later, -Scott From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 16:38:45 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 20:09:33 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: EarthQuakes, Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Hi Ghouls, I am just checking to make sure all of the southern cal ghouls are all upright. You all have had a couple of big shakers down there today. Hope all is well, I would hate to see any computer damage! ;-) Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 16:45:34 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 20:16:37 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com JBcorn, You have some great thoughts and ideas. Plus all the experience that teaches you more than any book. I enjoy reading your posts...and I am learning a lot. I agree with once you put a mask on the person gets a whole new identity! Looking forward to draining your brain for ideas. Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 16:52:30 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 20:23:14 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The First Semi-Annual Southern California Halloweenaholics Gettogether and Creatathon Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Wil, We made it even easier and cheaper for all those involved. The person whose home we are in supplied the main dinner ingredient, hamburgers, turkey, etc. The rest of us brought chips, dips, salads, bread, etc!! And then people brought what they would like to drink. As for the next gathering, we are each bringing the supplies to build a crank ghost each. We can get the aluminum stock cheap so we are getting that, someone else is getting washers and all those little things, and those things we can't get in a group like that ( as the head, cloth, and those things) we each get our own!! this makes it a little more affordable for all of us. That is just some of the stuff we have done, good luck getting the gang together. Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 16:58:32 1997 From: CATHY.KELLER@47.ima.infomail.com (CATHY KELLER) Date: 26 Apr 97 17:05:44 -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> Why thankyou, be careful what you ask for. Any particular JC> topic intrests you? Well, I really would love to build a walk-thru haunt... one that I could actually break down and store... And, having just visited TBD yesterday, I saw your book on building modular haunts -- would that come close to what I'm looking for? (The other books looked wonderful, too!) --- Platinum Xpress/Wildcat! v1.3 -- | Fidonet: CATHY KELLER 1:382/47 |Internet: CATHY.KELLER@47.ima.infomail.com | |Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly their own. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 17:28:09 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 16:13:24 -0700 From: Greenrey To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: EarthQuakes Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Hi Ghouls, > I am just checking to make sure all of the southern cal ghouls are > all upright. You all have had a couple of big shakers down there today. GMT Lat. Long. depth yy/mm/dd hh:mm:ss deg. deg. in km Mag. Location 97/04/26 10:37:28 34.35N 118.72W 10.0 5.0Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 97/04/26 10:40:28 34.33N 118.72W 10.0 4.0Md A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 97/04/26 11:55:45 34.38N 118.71W 10.0 3.8Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 97/04/26 14:31:33 34.34N 118.66W 10.0 3.0Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Actually, they were all up in Los Angeles. We didn't feel a thing down here in San Diego. Still, one of my email addresses _is_ califsunk@hotmail.com... Thankfully, though, we're not underwater...yet. Wish that as much could be said for our fellow citizens in N.D. Let's all hope things get better for them REAL SOON. Best To All, Kevan -- "When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout." --Robert Heinlein greenrey@worldnet.att.net -or- awynnhi@kes.miracosta.cc.ca.us Visit Greenrey's Study at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1982/ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 17:56:30 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 19:52:21 -0500 From: Gertrude Smith To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Uh-oh! (not enough candy) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim Kadel wrote: > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > 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) > > Haunt Master Products, Inc > http://members.aol.com/hmpi > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yes, there is: GET MORE CANDY THIS YEAR! On our block, average treating went from 2# to 20# (per house). One reason is the Yard Scare, usually at my place. We also run off flyers on a copy machine "TRICK-OR-TREAT ON ________ ST!" We'll also add a tag line to fit the theme ("meet the Wolfman!"). These go up in the immediate neighborhood. We have a nice mix of folks here: the Groovy Ghoulie, a few young families and the "old timers". The latter can't pull off some of the stunts we young(er) sprouts do but they still enjoy being visited by the many TOTrs in their costumes. AND THEY TREAT GOOD! You know you have a good show around here when kids are "bussed in" by the car full. Normally, this is only done to the "Country Club" area, based on economic theory. They come here for the theatrics, costumes and candy. There isn't a "party pooper" in our two-block area that turns off the house lights or intentionally runs out of candy. Everyone, regardless of religious preference, treats the children. Personally, I feel good about being able to do this. We're in the Mississippi Delta region with some of the lowest incomes in the country. These kids don't get much candy at home, aren't taken to live stage productions (or even movies in some cases) and sure enough don't get to see space ships, monsters, special effects, etc. up close and personal at home. You sure can't blame the children for their lot in life. Tell you neighbor to enjoy the costume parade and the happy squeals of fright (and delight!) from the little visitors to the fullest. I know some folks are trying to shut down Halloween and if it became law, I'd be one unhappy trouper. We'd have to all move to Monster Island (or somewhere!)so we could decorate and go "BOO!" to each other. And of course, bring in excursion boats of happy children to visit us... From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 18:23:33 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 18:14:27 -0700 From: Brian Rich To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The First Semi-Annual Southern California Halloweenaholics Gettogether and Creatathon Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Wil wrote: > So respond to this if you are within a morning's driving distance of the > Central Coast of California. Remember, Santa Maria where I am located is > directly between San Fran and L.A. 3 hours either way... So > what we need is suggestions and input. I'm in Santa Barbara, and would be interested in meeting. Unfortuinately, I don't have a place where we could meet. I'm open to going to Santa Maria, or even the San Fernando Valley. Someone mentioned Huntington Beach. If I had enough notice to plan, I'd go there, too. -- Brian Wesley Rich ------------------------------------------------- Visit my amateur science page. Chemicals, sample experiments, and good ideas! http://www.west.net/~science/ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 18:26:00 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 20:21:41 -0500 From: Gertrude Smith To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Book available? (was Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job?) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Spookyfx@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 97-04-26 17:26:52 EDT, you write: > > << ..... the real scare comes in the corridors between rooms. > More planning is necessary. Your room/scene scripts become complicated > to the point of simplicity. > it is now possible for your actors to become bored even quicker than > before. After all, they have to do the same thing over and over and > over and… I offer several variations for the actors to work with and I > have a reward system. > > Once you have proven your worth I design a scene for you. > jbcorn > > >> > ------------------------------------------------ > > Hi JBcorn > > WOW! > This really impressed me. > I wish you had included this kind of > in depth info in your books. Are you planning a revision or a new book. > > jerry I've seen the posts and they are very informative. My question: where can we find your BOOKS? Titles, ISBNs would be most helpful to us new boo-ers, late screamers, etc. out here in Halloweenland-on-the-Web. Gertrude Smith gsraptor@arkansas.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 18:52:40 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 21:12:41 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Re: Book available? (was Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job?) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >I've seen the posts and they are very informative. My question: where >can we find your BOOKS? Titles, ISBNs would be most helpful to us new >boo-ers, late screamers, etc. out here in Halloweenland-on-the-Web. > >Gertrude Smith >gsraptor@arkansas.net > Hey Gertrude, The JB Corn books are on Terror By Design's site , and JB has them himself (my browser ate his address). I can agree that JB's books reach deep into the soul of Haunted Entertainment, and explain over 20 years of work in a great way. They are worth the investment. Hauntingly, 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 19:48:25 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 22:43:41 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Book available? (was Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job?) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-26 21:22:36 EDT, you write: << jerry I've seen the posts and they are very informative. My question: where can we find your BOOKS? Titles, ISBNs would be most helpful to us new boo-ers, late screamers, etc. out here in Halloweenland-on-the-Web. Gertrude Smith gsraptor@arkansas.net >> ----------------------------------------------------------- Jerry's response: My publisher is trying to get them out in the next few months. If any on this list are interested, Denny might be able to sell them if I can work out a deal with my publisher. I don’t know yet. I don’t think I will make much money on these books, they will sell the books for only around $25 (I get less than 10%) But that is not set in stone. This is up to the publisher and the retail people. Once it is on the library bookshelf, I will let you all know if you really want to check it out. (no pun intended...) 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 Sat Apr 26 20:11:48 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 21:46:03 -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 97-04-26 17:26:52 EDT, you write: > > << ......he customers, the real scare comes in the corridors between rooms. > More planning is necessary. Your room/scene scripts become complicated > to the point of simplicity. What? Yes, the scenes are so simple that > it is now possible for your actors to become bored even quicker than > before. After all, they have to do the same thing over and over and > over and… I offer several variations for the actors to work with and I > have a reward system for actors to work their way up the privileged > scene ladder. The actors that have been with me the longest get first > choice. Once you have proven your worth I design a scene for you. > jbcorn > > >> > ------------------------------------------------ > > Hi JBcorn > > WOW! > This really impressed me. > I wish you had included this kind of > in depth info in your books. Are you planning a revision or a new book. > I think that this is the kind of info (based on experience) that serious > HH designers NEED. > > jerry This material is from a new book to be released in 1998. You guys get a jump on it and I get something I really need, feedback, good or bad. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 20:12:09 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 21:44:33 -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 97-04-26 05:58:30 EDT, you write: > > < > 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 > > > > < ...he 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* > >> > ----------------------------------------- > > Greetings your excellency Baron JBCorn [in respect to your honorary title... > :~> ] > > A movie camera is a MECHANICAL device, Yet the "Exorcist" SCARED > me a great deal. Yes the device is "programmed" by artists and > talented actors, but so can MANY mechanical devices. > Its not the tool but the craftsman. > And the craftsman dose not have to be there to impress his audience > with his master piece... > > 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 > > @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ Hi Jerry, Not sure about the title. Of course I will point out the fact that the word SCARED is in the past tense, and how old were you? I saw the movie SCREAM recently and was very impressed. Thought the film was very well done. As a child I attended a forbidden movie at the Inwood theater. My parents forbade me. One saturday afternoon I saw the forbidden movie, I was scared out of my tree, had nightmares for a week and when my parents found out... The movie was Psycho. SCREAM is state of the art 1997 horror, Psycho was state of art for its time. And yes I noted adults at Scream that were terrified. I imagine that the same folks would be scared by a shadow and have nightmares. If I have a point, it is that in general mechanics/film are a startle for say 50% of the potential audience; a scare for 25% and do nothing for the other 25%. The same can be said for live action actors. The one area where we as providers of visual media can excell is in entertainment. Even this is not easy, but I find it much more satisfying to watch my customers exit with a smile and a compliment, not that I do not enjoy seeing them run for their lives screaming in terror. I measure success in compliments and positive feedback of terror from my customers. A purely mechanical show may deliver good entertainment but I find it hard to believe it does much more. Although I know people that are frightened in the Wax Museum, they are not a majority. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 20:12:11 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 21:47:50 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > JBcorn, > You have some great thoughts and ideas. Plus all the experience that > teaches you more than any book. I enjoy reading your posts...and I am > learning a lot. I agree with once you put a mask on the person gets a > whole new identity! Looking forward to draining your brain for ideas. > Kathy > the new kid on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com I will try not to disappoint. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 20:40:21 1997 Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 00:10:39 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: not worthy!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com JBCorn, I am so sorry that I did not know who you were. We have only been doing this for a few years and are just now starting to find all the great things we can do. Mostly because of this list. If you want feedback this is the place!! The movie Scream was filmed in our town of Sonoma!! And the other towns in this area. One of the new members on the list even got to see the cast up close and personal..and has some great photos. I took my nieces out of class for half a day and took them down to watch the filming!! They were just shocked at all the hard work and details. The people on the set were really neat and let us take pictures with a lot of the props...We have not seen the movie yet...but we will be seeing it!! Looking forward to reading your posts...and I think you will enjoy this inventive list!! kathy the new kids on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 21:12:16 1997 Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 20:57:46 -0700 From: Brian Rich To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: EarthQuakes Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Greenrey wrote: > GMT Lat. Long. depth > yy/mm/dd hh:mm:ss deg. deg. in km Mag. Location > > 97/04/26 10:37:28 34.35N 118.72W 10.0 5.0Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA > 97/04/26 10:40:28 34.33N 118.72W 10.0 4.0Md A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA > 97/04/26 11:55:45 34.38N 118.71W 10.0 3.8Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA > 97/04/26 14:31:33 34.34N 118.66W 10.0 3.0Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA > > Actually, they were all up in Los Angeles. We didn't feel a thing down > here in San Diego. My wife felt one this morning. We're in Santa Barbara. i didn't feel a thing. I haven't heard or seen any news (we don't watch T.V. here) was there damage anywhere? -- Brian Wesley Rich ------------------------------------------------- Visit my amateur science page. Chemicals, sample experiments, and good ideas! http://www.west.net/~science/ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 22:06:23 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 00:59:38 -0400 From: William Wallace <104221.2540@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: What we did/banter To: "INTERNET:halloween-l@netcom.com" Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Wild Fire Paints have various Blacklight and UV paints available. If interested please let me know. Evil Erik From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 22:41:36 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 01:07:28 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: SCREAM (was x-10, Midi, 555) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com (Surgical Snipping:) JB Scribed: > I saw the movie >SCREAM recently and was very impressed. Thought the film was very well >done. We went to see SCREAM a while back (it's still showing here) and WOW! Talk about a wild ride! It's been the longest running film at the theatre thus far. But what would have REALLY freaked me out is if at the end of the movie, a costumed "SCREAMER" came charging up the isles, I would have had a stroke!... *sigh* What ever happened to all the old "ballyhoo". For those that have not seen the movie, a definite two skulls "up". John---Humm, I wonder if they would let me do that... ;) ********************************* * 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 22:47:38 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 00:25:58 -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> Why thankyou, be careful what you ask for. Any particular > JC> topic intrests you? > > Well, I really would love to build a walk-thru haunt... one that > I could actually break down and store... And, having just visited > TBD yesterday, I saw your book on building modular haunts -- > would that come close to what I'm looking for? (The other books > looked wonderful, too!) > > --- Platinum Xpress/Wildcat! v1.3 > -- > | Fidonet: CATHY KELLER 1:382/47 > |Internet: CATHY.KELLER@47.ima.infomail.com > | > |Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly their own. Yo Kathy, Now what would you expect me to say? Of course my books would help. I have been building portable haunts since 1979. Ask Denny maybe he'll let you browse thru them. Along with the book you get unlimited e-mail access to me, HMM well, seems that you got that here, oh well. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 22:47:46 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 00:39:23 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: not worthy!! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > JBCorn, > I am so sorry that I did not know who you were. We have only been > doing this for a few years and are just now starting to find all the > great things we can do. Mostly because of this list. If you want > feedback this is the place!! The movie Scream was filmed in our town of > Sonoma!! And the other towns in this area. One of the new members on the > list even got to see the cast up close and personal..and has some great > photos. I took my nieces out of class for half a day and took them down > to watch the filming!! They were just shocked at all the hard work and > details. The people on the set were really neat and let us take pictures > with a lot of the props...We have not seen the movie yet...but we will > be seeing it!! Looking forward to reading your posts...and I think you > will enjoy this inventive list!! > kathy > the new kids on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com Hmm, Kathy, HMMMM, I am flattered, but I am just another person on the web, I'm not special and need your input probably more than you need mine. I tell it like it is and answer any question I can to the best of my ability. The only secrets I have are to the questions that I have not been asked. As long as my posts are enjoyed and helpful I will be like a Bad Penny, always turning up. I like sharing my knowledge. I answer the complaints about the pricing of my books with this; I consider most of my material for people seriously interested in building a good safe haunt, I do not want anyone purchasing my books and distorting my meaning. I reduce that risk with pricing. The videos are cheaper because they need the books to become effective. Your servent, jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 22:47:51 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 00:30:01 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Book available? (was Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job?) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Gertrude Smith wrote: > > Spookyfx@aol.com wrote: > > > > In a message dated 97-04-26 17:26:52 EDT, you write: > > > > << ..... the real scare comes in the corridors between rooms. > > More planning is necessary. Your room/scene scripts become complicated > > to the point of simplicity. > > it is now possible for your actors to become bored even quicker than > > before. After all, they have to do the same thing over and over and > > over and… I offer several variations for the actors to work with and I > > have a reward system. > > > > Once you have proven your worth I design a scene for you. > > jbcorn > > > > >> > > ------------------------------------------------ > > > > Hi JBcorn > > > > WOW! > > This really impressed me. > > I wish you had included this kind of > > in depth info in your books. Are you planning a revision or a new book. > > > > > jerry > I've seen the posts and they are very informative. My question: where > can we find your BOOKS? Titles, ISBNs would be most helpful to us new > boo-ers, late screamers, etc. out here in Halloweenland-on-the-Web. > > Gertrude Smith > gsraptor@arkansas.net Hi Gertrude, TBD, Denny has my books. I am too lazy to get ISBN numbers, maybe soon. It is my purpose to participate and to help improve communication between fellow haunters. I have several ideas about that and am waiting on some feedback before I persue them. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sat Apr 26 23:34:00 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 02:28:01 -0500 From: Derek Schwab To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Flying Crank ghost Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > I am trying, with the help of hubby!! , to make the flying crank ghost. > I am curious does anyone have a real picture, as in photograph, of the > ghost on their page??? Complete plans and pictures for the flying crank ghost can be found at > http://members.aol.com/phanmech/index.html From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 00:49:43 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 02:43:50 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Flying Crank ghost Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Derek Schwab wrote: > > > I am trying, with the help of hubby!! , to make the flying crank ghost. > > I am curious does anyone have a real picture, as in photograph, of the > > ghost on their page??? > > Complete plans and pictures for the flying crank ghost can be found at > > http://members.aol.com/phanmech/index.html Hi, Haunted Attractions had one, actually photos of this effect are not very good, don't really show it. I have been working on a way to improve communication in this area with video of effects. I am currently aawaiting feedback from some friends before I proceed. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 00:49:43 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 02:41:20 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: SCREAM (was x-10, Midi, 555) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John P. Jeffries wrote: > > (Surgical Snipping:) > > JB Scribed: > > > I saw the movie > >SCREAM recently and was very impressed. Thought the film was very well > >done. > > We went to see SCREAM a while back (it's still showing here) and WOW! Talk > about a wild ride! It's been the longest running film at the theatre thus far. > > But what would have REALLY freaked me out is if at the end of the movie, a > costumed "SCREAMER" came charging up the isles, I would have had a > stroke!... *sigh* What ever happened to all the old "ballyhoo". > > For those that have not seen the movie, a definite two skulls "up". > > John---Humm, I wonder if they would let me do that... ;) > > ********************************* > * Mr.Scary Productions * > * http://www.mrscary.com * > * E-mail: mrscary@kiva.net * > * 1-812-824-8935 * > * FAX: 1-812-824-9960 * > ********************************* Hi, Be carefull, Principal Winkler wasn't very happy with the ones that did that at school, HMMM, on second thought, the principal got to visit the goal posts up close and personal, he he he jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 00:59:28 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 03:55:13 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: WOW! COMON GROUND! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 97-04-26 23:09:14 JBCorn writes: << satisfying to watch my customers exit with a smile and a compliment, not that I do not enjoy seeing them run for their lives screaming in terror. I measure success in compliments and positive feedback of terror from my customers. A purely mechanical show may deliver good entertainment but I find it hard to believe it does much more. Although I know people that are frightened in the Wax Museum, they are not a majority. jbcorn >> Jerry responds: Well I glad to see we agree on one thing... :~) As long as the customer feels they got their moneys worth, you did your job! I learned this from my mentor in HH work, Gary Skinner of the Chaffee Collage Haunted Houses. By the way, welcome to the list, I am opinionated, but I am also new here myself. I have been Very impressed by the members ( including the novice and amateurs ) creativity and ingenuity on this list. I wish there was a PRACTICAL way we could all work on a HH together.... Yours ghouly Jerry - @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ ^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^ (Creative, Not expensive solutions in special effects.) Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 01:52:51 1997 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 01:50:14 -0700 Subject: Re: The First Semi-Annual Southern California Hall To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Count me in for the Create-a-thon, Wil. i'm in Gardena, South Bay of Los Angeles. Can give 2 people rides in my truck if you don't mind listening to the best Halloween show in the world on the way up (grin) Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 02:08:37 1997 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 02:06:18 -0700 Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jerry, a camera is mechanical, sure, but it is a TOOL. A tool in the hands of a craftsman can do much more than it can alone. Don't let the tools lead. I despise the habit in computers of people who are so enamored of the technological prowess that they forsake everythign else. This leads to such things as computer movies that claim to be games but have no play value whatsoever. You have those who measure a worth by how new and powerful it is. In the hands of such an idiot, the device has no extra value. Yet a workhorse in the hands of a craftsman can so do much more. In a haunted house, I have seen a Distortions electric chair as a final scene, which performed no scare whatsoever. There was no extra context to it, merely a bare ship's room with the electric chair behind a chain link fence. A real waste of money, IMHO. Yet a simple and cheap trick in the hands of a craftsman will provide a much wilder scare. One example is a stunt I pulled back in 1988, working a haunted hoise in anaheim. There was a pitch black corridor, sort of "U" shaped. You entered behind a pool with a monster in it, a creature from the black lagoon. Inside the corridor, the floors were padded, the side walls had tubes sticking out, a kid would lay on the floor, pleading for help, a voice in the darkness. I had this $2.99 plastic skull about 2 inches tall. It glowed in the dark and when the battery was in, two green LED eyes would blink and it would make a wild sound. I would charge up by a blacklight, then I would walk towards the group in the maze holding it about eye level. The whole group would flip to see this wierd skull floating towards them. I'll bet anyone who saw it is still wondering how the heck it wasd done (grin) Harry "in a dark and twisty maze" Traver [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 02:24:33 1997 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 02:16:20 -0700 Subject: Re: Book available? (was Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John, I will vouch for the books with one very important caveat. These books are for those building a haunted house attraction. For those building a front yard haunt, the books are almost useless except for a couple of things on scare gagdets. The books are aimed at the HH type. Book rundown: Book 1: building the main Haunted Attraction, whole bunch of room ideas, not the traditional set. Book 2: logistics. Actors, advertising, legal, security, promotions. The business side of things. Includes an alien HH walkthrough with a storyline. Includes proposal letters, promotional advertising, tons of experience written in. Book 3: Advanced designs. Main haunted house unit, more in depth building. Some mechanical tricks and a new Fright Control Unit concept. If you already have a unit set up, book 2 is quite valuable, especially if it's your first year. It points out MANY things that can bite you in the rear if you don't think about them. Harry "the book reviewer" Traver [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 02:27:58 1997 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 02:20:22 -0700 Subject: SCREAM (was x-10, Midi, 555) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com We saw Scream as well. It hads to be THE best Disney horror movie ever. Good horror, tons of suspense and mystery and humopr all wrapped up into one piece. Wes Cravens honors and pokes fun at classic horror films, yet keeps the tables turning. Another two skulls up. Harry "and now the obligatory signature" Traver [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 06:48:49 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 06:48:56 -0700 From: Death Lord To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The First Semi-Annual Southern California Halloweenaholics Gettogether and Creatathon Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Wil, As for the next > gathering, we are each bringing the supplies to build a crank ghost > each. We can get the aluminum stock cheap so we are getting that, > someone else is getting washers and all those little things, and those > things we can't get in a group like that ( as the head, cloth, and those > things) we each get our own!! this makes it a little more affordable for > all of us. > That is just some of the stuff we have done, good luck getting the > gang together. > Kathy > the new kid on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com What a great idea. The only thing I can see is tackling a project small enough to do in one day. My Flying Crank Ghost, which is almost complete has already taken me at least 25 or more hours. However, mine is lights and sound which those two feature alone have taken twenty hours by themselves. Of course, if I had known a single thing about making my own color organ before I started, it may not have taken quite so long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . It is very rewarding however once you actually see the LED eyes dance along with the voice! If anyone has any questions about this, let me know. As with most of the projects in the archives and sponsored by the list members, I made this more complicated than it is in real life. As in: Did you know that an "amp" for the eyes is actually a boom box? Cheah! And the electricity that makes the LED eyes light up is not a shot of 'lectricity at all, but the SOUND that comes out of the headphones outlet of the boom box and through the little gizmo? And then by sending the sound back into another gizmo like the first gizmo, only backward, it turns it back into sound that sounds perfect through an external speaker! Cheah! I know that this sounds like ELECTRONICS 101 to all you silicon heads, but this is like creating a life form for a high school drop out. When I go on to patent superconductivity at 120o degrees, I'll be giving all of the tinkers on the Halloween-L my warmest thanks as I accept my Nobel prize. I owe it ALL to YOU guys! 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 From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 07:16:13 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 10:12:41 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Jim Kadel Subject: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > A purely mechanical show may deliver good entertainment but >I find it hard to believe it does much more. Although I know people >that are frightened in the Wax Museum, they are not a majority. >jbcorn Suppose that there was a modern "Wax Museum" that used animated dummies randomly activated by computer. The motion of these, could be anything from "in place", torso, arm & face action to actual physical displacement (walking, crawling, etc.) within a limited area. < Now suppose YOU were offered $1000 to spend one night, locked in this place (I know, against fire code, right?) ALONE with only a flashlight. The lights would be turned off, and dummies activated. You were not allowed to see the their action prior to being locked in overnite. However, you do know that no other human is in the building with you. How many would take this challenge, and if not, WHY not? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 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 Sun Apr 27 07:25:24 1997 Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 10:56:35 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: What we did/banter Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Evil Erik, I keep trying to get on their site but I must have the wrong URL!! I would really like the URL if you have it, or any other information. Thanks Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 07:44:27 1997 Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 11:15:30 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Screamer Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com John, You reminded me of many years past...it was Halloween and we went to the theater in town. Now this place has been here since the start of the town, it is old! It has the red velvet curtains that pull back for the movie..the old wallpaper...and chandeliers on the ceiling..and a balcony!! We loved going there... Well, they were showing some Halloween scary movie...now this is in the 60's so I have no idea what the movie was...but right at the end at that moment when all good horror movies have all the bodies and heads falling and rolling everywhere...they let bats loose in the theater...real live honest to batman bats!!!! It was the greatest scare I have ever had!! We loved it. We knew the guys that ran the show...they would never tell us where, what or nothing...I think the bats may have lived in the theater in the atic and they just disturbed them at the right point!! either way it is something I will never forget...it only lasted a few seconds before they went back up into the ceiling vents but it was great!!! Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 08:07:59 1997 Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 11:38:59 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim, I would not take the challenge...I have a bad heart and scare really easy!!! Now my hubby on the other hand would be there with bells on...that is just his type of thing. Good idea... Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 10:20:31 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 10:06:38 -0700 From: Death Lord To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Book available? (was Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com htraver@dreamsys.com wrote: new Fright Control Unit concept. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ??? Can you let us know what this might be? I would be horrified to think that it is some system that "limits" the scare factor! Now THATS scary. 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 From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 10:55:56 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 12:32:31 -0500 From: James Brandt To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim Kadel wrote: > > > A purely mechanical show may deliver good entertainment but > >I find it hard to believe it does much more. Although I know people > >that are frightened in the Wax Museum, they are not a majority. > >jbcorn > > Suppose that there was a modern "Wax Museum" that used animated > dummies randomly activated by computer. The motion of these, could be > anything from "in place", torso, arm & face action to actual physical > displacement (walking, crawling, etc.) within a limited area. > > > > Now suppose YOU were offered $1000 to spend one night, locked in this > place (I know, against fire code, right?) ALONE with only a > flashlight. The lights would be turned off, and dummies activated. You > were not allowed to see the > their action prior to being locked in overnite. However, you do know > that no other human is in the building with you. > > How many would take this challenge, and if not, WHY not? > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net) > > Haunt Master Products, Inc > http://members.aol.com/hmpi > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hiya, Sure I would!!! You wouldnt beleive the things I have done for less :) jimmy -- "Morty's Mortuary, you stab 'em, we slab 'em" ____________________________ _|_ _ / ___/~~~ /------|------\ | ___|___ _|_/_______________|______|____\__\__|________,_ / R.I.P.\ \ _________________|____-_|-______|_____________) | The | <____// \|______|______|_______|_// \)_____> | Brandts | \___/ \___/ |_________| http://www.tecinfo.com/~ofm From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 11:03:00 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 12:38:06 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim Kadel wrote: > > > A purely mechanical show may deliver good entertainment but > >I find it hard to believe it does much more. Although I know people > >that are frightened in the Wax Museum, they are not a majority. > >jbcorn > > Suppose that there was a modern "Wax Museum" that used animated > dummies randomly activated by computer. The motion of these, could be > anything from "in place", torso, arm & face action to actual physical > displacement (walking, crawling, etc.) within a limited area. > > > > Now suppose YOU were offered $1000 to spend one night, locked in this > place (I know, against fire code, right?) ALONE with only a > flashlight. The lights would be turned off, and dummies activated. You > were not allowed to see the > their action prior to being locked in overnite. However, you do know > that no other human is in the building with you. > > How many would take this challenge, and if not, WHY not? > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net) > > Haunt Master Products, Inc > http://members.aol.com/hmpi > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hi Jim, Gonna be a party pooper, I am. I realize that I am in the haunt business, but (God help me here) I do not believe in ghosts, the paranormal or related s--t. So, I would have no problem with your challange, and you could keep the flashlight, I would curl up on the floor next to the loudest source of sound and sleep. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 11:03:09 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 12:30:05 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: WOW! COMON GROUND! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Spookyfx@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 97-04-26 23:09:14 JBCorn writes: > > << satisfying to watch my customers exit with a smile and a compliment, not > that I do not enjoy seeing them run for their lives screaming in terror. > I measure success in compliments and positive feedback of terror from my > customers. A purely mechanical show may deliver good entertainment but > I find it hard to believe it does much more. Although I know people > that are frightened in the Wax Museum, they are not a majority. > jbcorn > >> > Jerry responds: > > Well I glad to see we agree on one thing... :~) > > As long as the customer feels they got their moneys worth, > you did your job! > > I learned this from my mentor in HH work, Gary Skinner > of the Chaffee Collage Haunted Houses. > > By the way, welcome to the list, I am opinionated, but I > am also new here myself. I have been Very impressed > by the members ( including the novice and amateurs ) > creativity and ingenuity on this list. > I wish there was a PRACTICAL way we could all > work on a HH together.... > > Yours ghouly Jerry - > > @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ > > ^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^ > (Creative, Not expensive solutions in special effects.) > > Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html > > @ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ Hi Jerry, If we all worked on a haunt together... Hmm, I agree, there are many good ideas here, some very creative people. I enjoy the list and have only been here a few days. Work together on a haunt, Well, I see a long line of customers, an exit where they run out laughing or screaming and a longer line of ambulances...He he he jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 11:03:20 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 12:42:26 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > Jim, > I would not take the challenge...I have a bad heart and scare really > easy!!! Now my hubby on the other hand would be there with bells > on...that is just his type of thing. Good idea... > Kathy > the new kid on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com Hi Kathy, The question is Why do you scare easy, and with that I deliver yet another soap box on MASKS USING MASKS Jason, Freddy Kruger, Darth Vader and Hannibal the Cannibal all evoke emotions and for some, emotions of fear. Jason was a young man in a Hockey mask. The mask did not reveal an entire face, leaving the viewer to guess at the identity Freddys’ face was the result of a fire. The damage concealed his original identity. Darth Vader wears a mask to stay alive. It hides the fact that he is human. Hannibal earned his mask with his teeth and of all the images, I find this one the more terrifying. Hannibal Lecter is a human that crossed over to realms of horror. The other characters are inhuman, or act that way. Not any actor could play the part of Hannibal Lecter. It requires more acting skill to be a villain of such horror with no mask and add to the mix the partial mask he did wear, but only after establishing his character without one. Haunted attractions do not attract Academy Award winning talent like Anthony Hopkins, nor do they contain award winning scripts. Ideas are rampant, execution faulty, scenes incomplete and technical flaws abound. Yet we survive. Motion Pictures continue to provide a wealth of horror material from which we all draw some of our inspirations. Sometimes we select a mask to use because of these emotions. We, as creators, rely on the images created in movies and television to help us produce some of our scenes. The movie "The Pit and The Pendulum" with Vincent Price inspired my pendulum room. Freddy has been a stable in haunts for years and Jason rules. Leatherface is still chasing customers out many a haunt with a chainsaw. I do not question the use of masks, just how, where, when and why. HOW A mask is used to hide a poor actor. The power this can provide to the actor has already been discussed. The real problem, is the actor any better? The answer is no. If your actor cannot do a great job without the mask, he will do no better with it. The haunts creator will often mistake improvement in a scene with the emotions he has tied to the mask. The creator will read into the mask (not the actor) things he wants to see. The mask has now impaired the actor and the creator. "I spent one hundred dollars on that mask and it will make the scene work". The scene will scare people because the mask is great. Yeah, right… WHERE Creators tend to use masks in scenes with little floor space. The idea is that the closer the mask is to a customer the more horrific it will be for the customer. The customer must pass close to my creature and will fear the closeness. The reality is that the closeness reveals that it is a mask for which the actor must now compensate and either scream louder or become more physical. The mask is no longer scaring the customer; the action of the actor, as he goes over the edge, is scaring the customer. The customers are not afraid because of the creators’ design; instead they are in fear for their safety in the real world, and rightly so. WHEN I try to visit haunts whenever possible. I go to garage haunts, Halloween parties, yard haunts and, yes, the commercial ones. At times the only faces I ever see are those of other guests, customers or the ticket taker. Masks cover all the faces. One haunt I visited had Freddy popping out everywhere. Masks, masks, nothing but masks, every scene all over the place, AHHHHHHH! WHY The mask is an easy out. A scene based on a mask is easier to produce. The creator can rely on images/fears that the mask evokes. He will create actions based on these images, direct the scene as the mask directs him and allow the mask to limit his creativity. OK, I have trashed masks. I use masks and not only on dummies. HOW Carefully. Masks are powerful. They can and do create fear in customers. The mask must not be close to the customer, at first. The mask must completely cover the head, fit snugly and give the actor freedom of movement. The costume cannot expose anything that is not the character being portrayed. The eyes must be visible. Open the eye hole in the mask, add color correct make-up to the actors’ eyes and make sure that the snugness of the mask pulls it back flush with the flesh of the eye socket. The transition between mask and body must be flawless and look natural. WHERE Scenes with masks must be big. Use space to build the tension. Create the scene around the space needed for the scene to develop. The masked actor moves towards the customers. By varying the rate and direction of movement, the actor controls what the customers see and how safe the customer feels. A small scenic area gives the actor no room to develop his character or to move in relation to the customer. WHEN A scene with a mask is a high point on the roller coaster (another article). Use these scenes as accents of terror. Masks become more effective when used sparingly. WHY Now the mask becomes a challenge. You are no longer using it as a crutch to show how great you are. You are using them as a true horror artist, painting scenes with variety, keeping your customers guessing as to what they will see next. A scene produced with a mask will now create fear because it is different and the customers know that masks mean something different and unexpected. The Hannibal Lecter style mask worn in haunts today evokes emotions. A person may see a monster, a murderer or a cannibal. Which image scares you the most and why? The answer will guide you to create horrific scenes. Good haunting, its all in your mind. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 11:55:41 1997 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 11:44:16 -0700 Subject: Now for Something Really Scary To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com I would take the challenge, no sweat. The realization that it is all mechaincal and nothing else tends to negate the fear factor. Some people get scared on coasters thinking they may fly off or something. since I know them to be absolutely safe, I get enjoyment from the forces rather than a fear of physical harm factor. Wax museums are spooky enough, but I don't think mechanicals would really add to the fear factor unless other things are applied, such as context and human actors :) Harry "where's that damned flashlight?" Traver [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 11:58:04 1997 From: htraver@dreamsys.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 11:46:46 -0700 Subject: Re: Book available? (was Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Nope, it is NOt a syste,m to limit the scare factor. You will have to ask jbcorn, 'cause I'm not telling what it is. I busted a gut laughing when I realized how it worked though :) Harry [ Sent From: Dreamscape Systems - dreamsys.com ] [ Location: Van Nuys, CA - (818) 781-7529 ] From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 12:09:45 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 11:53:38 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Greg Hope Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim wrote: >Now suppose YOU were offered $1000 to spend one night, locked in this place (I know, against fire code, right?) ALONE with only a flashlight. The lights would be turned off, and dummies activated. You were not allowed to see the their action prior to being locked in overnite. However, you do know that no other human is in the building with you. How many would take this challenge, and if not, WHY not? This brings to mind a passage from biography of Alfred Hitchcock I read some time ago. ca. 1928 "During a shooting that especially bored him, Hitchcock was 'more engrossed in thinking up wicked practical jokes...' Hitchcock bet the property man a week's salary that he would be too frightened to spend a whole night chained to a camera in a deserted and darkened studio. The chap heartily agreed to the wager, and at the end of the assigned day, Hitchcock himself clasped the handcuffs and pocketed the key--but not before he offered a generous beaker of brandy, 'the better to ensure a quick and deep sleep.' The man thanked him for his thoughtfulness and drank the brandy, and everyone withdrew. When they arrived on the set next morning, they found the poor man angry, weeping, exhausted, and humiliated. Hitchcock had laced the brandy with the strongest available laxative, and the victim had, unavoidably, soiled himself and wide area around his feet and the camera." It seems that the master of suspense himself warned us that there is more to fear in ourselves than in unknown spectres. Greg From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 12:14:50 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 15:00:07 -0500 From: Derek Schwab To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com > Now suppose YOU were offered $1000 to spend one night, locked in this > place (I know, against fire code, right?) ALONE with only a > flashlight. The lights would be turned off, and dummies activated. I would jump at it for $1000, or maybe even $500, but not for free. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 12:33:10 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 15:28:04 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Jim Kadel Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com >So, I would have no problem with your >challange, and you could keep the flashlight, I would curl up on the >floor next to the loudest source of sound and sleep. jbcorn JB, Kathy, and others, It seems that most of you are like that fellow in the story who couldn't shiver. I had this theory that we who love to haunt others were caused to be that way by some traumatic scare in our youth. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 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 Sun Apr 27 12:41:21 1997 Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 16:06:56 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Haunts...long Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com jbcorn and fellow ghouls, As most of you on the list know we are going for the "tribute to the horror movie classics" this year. And hearing so much about the use of masks makes the use of this theme interesting...here is a very thin outline of our thoughts and plans so far..will be interested in the groups thoughts...remember we do this in a tented area in our front yard...each room is about 9'x9' of scare... 1. front wall will have movie posters of all the movies that will be represented inside...wolfman, mummy, etc. 2. ticket booth with a skeleton that will be giving out tickets. 3. snack bar where human exchanges ticket for the candy treat or popcorn. this will help us keep track of how many people. 4. enter theater with screen at end of long tunnel showing clips of the old movies. exit at end... 5. dracula (dummy) looking into mirror but no reflection...everything else in the room reflects... not much of a scare...then dark thunder and a window lights up and you see a bat with glowing red eyes flying in the window towards you 6.creature from the black logoon...you enter a room filled with plants, moss, animal noises, fog, and humidity. you first notice the raptors peeking out from around some plants..your eyes go there...and out from behind you leaps the creature... 7. mummy...long hallway, lots of phony mummies and egyptian artifacts...your eyes draw to the big mummy on the far end of the room...again as they go there another less noticeable mummy will be the one to attack...right into a snake that they didn't notice before. 8. frankenstien...lab set up..monster on slab...lots of lights etc. all the lights start flashing..jacobs ladder, glow fluid...and just as it comes to a peek a blast of C02 at feet level!! 9. werewolf...the old mirror change...first it will be a man...slowly change to the werewolf..but all behind bars. Then the lights go dim you hear screaming...and the lights come on..the bars are empty and torn...and behind you jumps the wolf. He grabs the guide and rips her throat...the exit opens and you are out. lots of black lights, strobs to give the feeling you are in the movie itself, and campy effects to not seem to modern in respect to the old style. More mental distraction and scare than gore. We tend to average a age group of around 9 to 11. so this is about right. We will have the graveyard with a crank ghost and jumping headstones. And little scares along the wait.... OK dump on me and let me know what you think.. I can take it.. Kathy the new kid on the crypt mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 13:37:18 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 15:20:20 -0500 From: James Brandt To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: politically incorrect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com hello fellow frightners, I have debated posting this to the list for quite awhile, and recent post on religion and sex have given me the courage to post on this subject. The town we live in is 72% black, this causes us some interesting considerations in our haunt...ie the first year we learned never to put a hood on a person hanging from a tree (it is interesting to note that all of the same ppl who found the hooded hanging dummy offencive were all quite pleased with the hanging skeliton that took its place...I still dont quite understand it but do find it interesting...even the ppl who complained failed to understand quite why it was offencive one way and not another). Now I understand that scare factors between males and females seem to be different under some constraints...is it the same between black, white, red, and purple? Since we are commited to doing our haunt for profit this year, and we want to entertain our audiance and givin the fact that the majority of our audiance will be black, do any on the list have ideas that I might not have had yet? I had entertained the thought of putting a voodoo scene in the haunt, but after talkin to freinds have decided not too. The only thing that kept coming up when this was brought up was "some things shouldnt be messed with" Also I have found that my hearses cause more of a stir in the black community than in the white?? (I have only found one mechanic who will work on my hearses when I dont have time...and that is only during daylight hours :) I do hope that this post does not offend...but demagraphics are something that must be taken into account...ie the haunt set up in Boise would not play the same in L.A. I welcome any insight, ideas, or experiances that anyone may have on this, And do hope this hasnt offended anyone...but then again if it does offend ya 'tough s**t' its a legit question :) jimmy BTW...the reason I donot use the politically correct term for ppl of color...I beleive we are all Americans who should strive for the common good of us all (sorry Canaidians on the list, but I thought I should explain. -- "Morty's Mortuary, you stab 'em, we slab 'em" ____________________________ _|_ _ / ___/~~~ /------|------\ | ___|___ _|_/_______________|______|____\__\__|________,_ / R.I.P.\ \ _________________|____-_|-______|_____________) | The | <____// \|______|______|_______|_// \)_____> | Brandts | \___/ \___/ |_________| http://www.tecinfo.com/~ofm From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 14:24:11 1997 From: angele.ryan@salata.com (Angele Ryan) Date: 26 Apr 97 08:45:08 -0800 Subject: The First Semi-Annual Southern California Halloweenaholi To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com On (26 Apr 97) crafters@silcom.com wrote c > So respond to this if you are within a morning's driving distance of c > the Central Coast of California. Remember, Santa Maria where I am c > located is directly between San Fran and L.A. 3 hours either way. c > Jester offered a good idea in carpooling up here. So the cost of c > travel could be very c > limited if this were addressed. Once again, I'm completely open to c > driving down to Ventura or Thousand Oaks to attend this elsewhere, so c > what we need is suggestions and input. Hello All, I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks, and, although I consider myself a Halloweenaholic, I'm an amateur compared to what I've been reading here. I'm in the Southern California area, and travel to the Central Coast quite frequently. This get-together sounds good.... although I'm not even sure I understand all the terminology here. I'm sure I'll learn more as I keep reading :-) Thanks, angele From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 14:25:07 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 17:07:54 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "Freya E. Harris" Subject: Re: EarthQuakes Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 04:13 PM 4/26/97 -0700, Kevan wrote: > > GMT Lat. Long. depth >yy/mm/dd hh:mm:ss deg. deg. in km Mag. Location > >97/04/26 10:37:28 34.35N 118.72W 10.0 5.0Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA >97/04/26 10:40:28 34.33N 118.72W 10.0 4.0Md A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA >97/04/26 11:55:45 34.38N 118.71W 10.0 3.8Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA >97/04/26 14:31:33 34.34N 118.66W 10.0 3.0Ml A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA > >Actually, they were all up in Los Angeles. We didn't feel a thing down >here in San Diego. Still, one of my email addresses _is_ >califsunk@hotmail.com... Thankfully, though, we're not >underwater...yet. >Wish that as much could be said for our fellow citizens in N.D. Let's >all hope things get better for them REAL SOON. > And to think these occurred the same weekend as the release of "Volcano." I think there's something very ominous about them-- ___________ __________________ | | | | | More hay, | | No thanks, Roy - | | Trigger? | | I’m stuffed! | | __________| |_____ ___________| |/ \/ /\_ /° || / )\ ||| @-~/ \ ||| \ |||_________ | \ / / |\ \| | \ |\\ | /--------\ |\\\ || ) ) \\\ || // || // = = From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 14:52:20 1997 From: Spookyfx@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 16:11:54 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: X-10, Midi, 555, hand-job? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Harry wrote: a camera is mechanical, sure, but it is a TOOL. A tool in the hands of a craftsman can do much more than it can alone. Don't let the tools lead. I despise the habit in computers of people who are so enamored of the technological prowess that they forsake everythign else. This leads to such things as computer movies that claim to be games but have no play value whatsoever. You have those who measure a worth by how new and powerful it is. In the hands of such an idiot, the device has no extra value. Yet a workhorse in the hands of a craftsman can so do much more. Jerry’s response: WE agree, it takes talent to use a "tool" like "phantomechanics" in a HH I would agree it is EASIER to do it with actors. I still say that a good designer can make the tool work, but it is HARDER. JBCorn said in his book himself that he would rather use an air ram than pay an operator and that an operator would not perform the task in a consistent way. (page 56 dark attraction advanced design) from this book: "I have a problem paying someone $5 an hour to stand and do this, Not because a human can be more effective, but because the individual usually doing this, dose it wrong 90% of the time." I did not write this, JBCorn did. But I AGREE. Remember that Disney had an internal disagreement on whether the Haunted Mansion should be mild or REALLY SCARY! The "mild" camp won out. But does anyone doubt that they could have made their “tools” and robots and automatic devices REALLY SCARY? 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 Sun Apr 27 15:20:48 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 17:39:24 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "John P. Jeffries" Subject: Re: politically incorrect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com At 03:20 PM 4/27/97 -0500, you wrote: >hello fellow frightners, > > I have debated posting this to the list for quite awhile, and recent >post on religion and sex have given me the courage to post on this >subject. > > The town we live in is 72% black, this causes us some interesting >considerations in our haunt... (Snip) It's an interesting challenge, but difficult to give advice....Towns and areas all have different demographics, and even then are broken down further as to what group "a" will enjoy vice group "b". Your best bet is to make up your design team with members of your community. Then brainstorm and work things out..After all, fright and entertainment is the top priority. Your team will know what your particular demographic area will enjoy. As a humorous plug, bend a golf club around a prop named "Fuzz" ;) *For those that don't know, Fuzzy Zeoler (sp) made a crack about Tiger Woods after he (Tiger) whopped everyone in the Masters tournament...Fuzzy is known to be the wise-crack golfer.* John--Who cares about entertainment, not skin tone. ********************************* * 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 Sun Apr 27 15:20:53 1997 From: CATHY.KELLER@47.ima.infomail.com (CATHY KELLER) Date: 27 Apr 97 12:21:28 -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 <04/27/97> Jb Corn wrote: JC> Yo Kathy, JC> Now what would you expect me to say? Of course my books JC> would help. I have been building portable haunts since JC> 1979. Ask Denny maybe he'll let you browse thru them. JC> Along with the book you get unlimited e-mail access to me, JC> HMM well, seems that you got that here, oh well. jbcorn Super!!! My husband already knows I'm insane when it comes to Halloween... if I built a permanent haunt in his backyard, he'd have me committed!! Well, Denny... looks like I'll be sending you some money at the 1st of the month for JB's book! --- Platinum Xpress/Wildcat! v1.3 -- | Fidonet: CATHY KELLER 1:382/47 |Internet: CATHY.KELLER@47.ima.infomail.com | |Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly their own. From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 15:21:01 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 16:49:41 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Haunts...long Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Michael Marcrum wrote: > > jbcorn and fellow ghouls, > As most of you on the list know we are going for the "tribute to the > horror movie classics" this year. And hearing so much about the use of > masks makes the use of this theme interesting...here is a very thin > outline of our thoughts and plans so far..will be interested in the > groups thoughts...remember we do this in a tented area in our front > yard...each room is about 9'x9' of scare... > > 1. front wall will have movie posters of all the movies that will be > represented inside...wolfman, mummy, etc. > > 2. ticket booth with a skeleton that will be giving out tickets. > > 3. snack bar where human exchanges ticket for the candy treat or > popcorn. this will help us keep track of how many people. > > 4. enter theater with screen at end of long tunnel showing clips of the > old movies. exit at end... > > 5. dracula (dummy) looking into mirror but no reflection...everything > else in the room reflects... not much of a scare...then dark thunder and > a window lights up and you see a bat with glowing red eyes flying in the > window towards you > > 6.creature from the black logoon...you enter a room filled with plants, > moss, animal noises, fog, and humidity. you first notice the raptors > peeking out from around some plants..your eyes go there...and out from > behind you leaps the creature... > > 7. mummy...long hallway, lots of phony mummies and egyptian > artifacts...your eyes draw to the big mummy on the far end of the > room...again as they go there another less noticeable mummy will be the > one to attack...right into a snake that they didn't notice before. > > 8. frankenstien...lab set up..monster on slab...lots of lights etc. all > the lights start flashing..jacobs ladder, glow fluid...and just as it > comes to a peek a blast of C02 at feet level!! > > 9. werewolf...the old mirror change...first it will be a man...slowly > change to the werewolf..but all behind bars. Then the lights go dim you > hear screaming...and the lights come on..the bars are empty and > torn...and behind you jumps the wolf. He grabs the guide and rips her > throat...the exit opens and you are out. > > lots of black lights, strobs to give the feeling you are in the movie > itself, and campy effects to not seem to modern in respect to the old > style. More mental distraction and scare than gore. We tend to average a > age group of around 9 to 11. so this is about right. We will have the > graveyard with a crank ghost and jumping headstones. And little scares > along the wait.... OK dump on me and let me know what you think.. I can > take it.. > Kathy > the new kid on the crypt > mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com HEY, DO I get an invitation? Or what! jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 15:25:37 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 16:46:45 -0500 From: JB Corn To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim Kadel wrote: > > >So, I would have no problem with your > >challange, and you could keep the flashlight, I would curl up on the > >floor next to the loudest source of sound and sleep. jbcorn > > JB, Kathy, and others, > > It seems that most of you are like that fellow in the story who > couldn't shiver. > > I had this theory that we who love to haunt others were caused to > be that way by some traumatic scare in our youth. > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net) > > Haunt Master Products, Inc > http://members.aol.com/hmpi > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hi Jim, Not me, I am an entertainer, puppets, costumed character, TV/Film Producer director, on stage, giving seminars or conning people into buying my goods (opps). I am pure ham, as apposed to spam, and I enjoy scaring, entertaining, and informing people. jbcorn From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 16:06:40 1997 From: ScaryHouse@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 19:01:21 -0400 (EDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: politically incorrect Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com In a message dated 4/27/97 8:29:03 PM, you wrote: <> ************************************************ Greetings from ScaryHouse Studio!!! I have noticed that black people have a much greater emotional reaction in my haunts. Could it be that social and religious difference account for a different level of 'suspension of belief?' I'm thinking of those really animated black revivals in comparison to the boring, low key white churches. My mom and I were invited to many of these by some of our friends when I was a little kid. It actually scared me when I saw people really screaming, clapping hands and dancing in CHURCH. After a few times, I ended up looking forward to it. I'm not a religious person, and I can think of many of my white friends who are agnostic or atheist. I don't know of any black people who do not believe in some supernatural thing. This is only my small observation in my little world, so it's not conclusive at all really. Anyway, the point is perhaps black people are better prepared to 'let go' and get emotional. They are better able to 'suspend belief and 'get into it' because they don't have the stifling background some white people have as far as what is an acceptable emotional display. All my friends, black and white, seem to dig working in my haunts. Actually, thinking of gender barriers, it is much more acceptable for a woman to cry or emote publicly. Maybe us white males just have a lot more obstacles in our way to really enjoying a haunt. Happy Haunting!!! "Scary" Dan Gildea, ScaryHouse Studio, Box 15377, Rockford IL 61132, scaryhouse@aol.com From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 16:48:42 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 18:35:41 -0500 From: Gertrude Smith To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim Kadel wrote: > > > A purely mechanical show may deliver good entertainment but > >I find it hard to believe it does much more. Although I know people > >that are frightened in the Wax Museum, they are not a majority. > >jbcorn > > Suppose that there was a modern "Wax Museum" that used animated > dummies randomly activated by computer. The motion of these, could be > anything from "in place", torso, arm & face action to actual physical > displacement (walking, crawling, etc.) within a limited area. > > > > Now suppose YOU were offered $1000 to spend one night, locked in this > place (I know, against fire code, right?) ALONE with only a > flashlight. The lights would be turned off, and dummies activated. You > were not allowed to see > their action prior to being locked in overnite. However, you do know > that no other human is in the building with you. > > How many would take this challenge, and if not, WHY not? > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net) > > Haunt Master Products, Inc > http://members.aol.com/hmpi > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This looks like a good scenario to get insight into human behavior. The "reward" can be seen two ways: simple incentive and "This must be really something if they'll give me $l,000 to do it..." Personally, I'd accept the challenge, even not knowing how large the building is or how it is laid out. I would probably be a lousy "guinea pig", tho, since I revel in these things and say "COOL!" instead of "EEEK!" If no physical contact is stipulated up front, the test subject could concentrate on the fright value. In a HH, I can see this 100% animatronic building working. The promotion of "unguided by human hands" gives the guest cause to consider the unknown awaiting them. I would suggest even the lighting be controlled for best effect. Also, a flashlight can be a great "defensive" weapon.... This is just "what if" but we might could still develop a good thread and lead to new haunt ideas. Gertrude Smith gsraptor@arkansas.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 16:58:02 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 19:57:12 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: hauntedattr@pelican.net (Oliver Holler) Subject: Re: more politically incorrect(long-ish) Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Here's a question: Are there any black members on this list? (I know there are white members, because I have met a few.) Not for any reason but curiosity. Jimmy wrote(in black and white!) " I do hope that this post does not offend..."(snipped) . . .my hearses cause more of a stir in the black community than in the white. Jimmy and all, Not to offend equally as much: I find that ANYTHING about my haunt causes more of a stir in the black patrons than in the white. I guess I am generalizing, (finding this a consistant, recurring common trait.) Just an observation from my location's haunt. Unfortunately, even though there is a sizable black community in Asheville, North Carolina, the majority of the patrons are white. And last year, for the FIRST time ever, we had a black man volunteer to help. (He was so helpful and 'in the spirit'. I wish we had more volunteers like him!) Is this a common observation with list folk? (not helpfulness- Participation/Attendance). And a second question:(I'm guessing yes. . .) Why? And I'll take one more step. . . The black audiences ALWAYS come out screaming, and laughing, and expressing themselves as I wish ALL my patrons would. (and sometimes I wonder if they even looked at HALF the stuff!) This would suggest that it doesn't even MATTER (safety aside) what's in your haunt. The attitude of the patron can make ALL the difference. If they are determined (pre-disposed?) to have a good time, they WILL have a good time. I think this would be hard to argue with. Now, if someone could invent an 'attitude machine' for the cue line, everyone could have a 'brilliant haunted house'. Anyone have anything to say 'bout Pre-conditioning audiences? (I hated the movie Scream, and obviously missed something. It's STILL playing at the theatre, and has broken records! I figure I wasn't in the right 'mind set' when I first saw it, so I will go see it again, and try to join y'all in the enthusiasm for this much-lauded cinematic accomplishment.) -Be forewarned: I don't see myself making the leap of comparing with Hitchcock. . . (I don't watch the tv show 'Friends' either, for those who want to send private flames, preferably not on a cross! ;-) -"In e-mail text, we're ALL black." -Oliver, 'peachy-freckledy-pink-and-whit-ish thirty-something-male-American.' I may not be politically correct, but my glasses are color corrected. . . hauntedattr@pelican.net http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 17:09:39 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 19:05:31 -0500 From: Gertrude Smith To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Now for Something Really Scary Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Jim Kadel wrote: > > >So, I would have no problem with your > >challange, I would curl up on the > >floor next to the loudest source of sound and sleep. jbcorn > > JB, Kathy, and others, > > It seems that most of you are like that fellow in the story who > couldn't shiver. Sorry. I'm not familiar with this tale. > I had this theory that we who love to haunt others were caused to > be that way by some traumatic scare in our youth. > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Jim Kadel (jimk@rica.net) > > Haunt Master Products, Inc > http://members.aol.com/hmpi > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Maybe not. I accept the challenge based on personal background which includes certain skills I'm comfortable handling.Kind of like rock climbing and not being afraid of falling because of balance, terrain knowledge and equipment. A certain degree of "macho" is fine if you can back it up. In certain professions, we are trained in our limitations as well as encouraged to overcome natural fears (height, water, speed, etc.) KNOWledge can be found in unKNOWn places. Anyway, I believe when a guest comes to our haunts, they are SUSPENDING a lot of everyday rationality to fully enjoy the show. Didn't Donald Pleasance of HALLOWEEN fame say (in "Terror in the Aisles"-I think), "Remember...it's only a movie." But still... Happy Haunting! Gertrude Smith gsraptor@arkansas.net From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 17:20:26 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 20:19:34 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: hauntedattr@pelican.net (Oliver Holler) Subject: Chuck Woolery. Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com JB Corn wrote: I am an entertainer, puppets, costumed character, TV/Film Producer director, on stage, giving seminars (snip) I am pure ham, as apposed to spam, and I enjoy scaring, entertaining, and informing people. Sounds like we've made a love connection! What's your sign? ;) Grim and Grinning, Oliver hauntedattr@pelican.net http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine From owner-halloween-l@majordomo.netcom.com Sun Apr 27 18:12:50 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 21:03:52 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Jim Kadel Subject: "The Fearless Man Who Couldn't Shiver" Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Earlier I wrote (in part) ------------------------------------------ >> It seems that most of you are like that fellow in the story who >> couldn't shiver. To which Gertrude responded: -------------------------------------------- >Sorry. I'm not familiar with this tale. I remember the story, but wonder if it was a Grimm Fairy Tale? Anybody know for sure? It certainly was grim :> in any event. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 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 Sun Apr 27 18:41:46 1997 Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 20:30:35 -0500 From: Gertrude Smith To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Chuck Woolery./What's your sign? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Oliver Holler wrote: > > JB Corn wrote: > I am an entertainer, puppets, costumed character, TV/Film Producer > director, on stage, giving seminars (snip) I am pure ham, as apposed to > spam, and I enjoy scaring, entertaining, and informing people. > > Sounds like we've made a love connection! What's your sign? ;) > Grim and Grinning, > Oliver > > hauntedattr@pelican.net > http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine WHOLE HOG, HALF HAM (Arkansas, by damn) Anyone want to come up with a astrological chart for Halloweeners, based on personnae? Cat, bat, wolf, fangs, claws, scales, furball, ET, monster, ghoul, ghost, etc. Oh, yeah...Just 'cause you could only dress up as a bunny rabbit as a kid don't mean you're stuck with (furball) for the rest of your