I hope everyone enjoyed their Night of Nights.
October 31, 2013
Halloween Night
We couldn't have asked for better haunting weather and everything went off pretty much without a hitch. All in all, a perfect Halloween evening. Exhausted, but satisfied, with a few interesting tidbits to share later on.
I hope everyone enjoyed their Night of Nights.
I hope everyone enjoyed their Night of Nights.
Halloween Day
The wind has kicked up a little bit.
Praying to the Gourd that it blows the dark grey stuff out and dies down for this evening.
Praying to the Gourd that it blows the dark grey stuff out and dies down for this evening.
Halloween Eve
Hard to believe it's our fifth year with Rose. The time seems to have flown by. The years are showing here and there, but...
The yard is ready...
The pumpkins are carved...
and, with a watchful eye on the weather, we await Rose's return tonight.
The yard is ready...
The pumpkins are carved...
and, with a watchful eye on the weather, we await Rose's return tonight.
October 31, 2012
November 1, 2011
The Dark Garden
The air was still and the fog crept low as Rose beheld her garden...
Physically, the haunt this year looked the best it ever has. Still a few issues with lighting and photography, but all in all, I'm pleased with the way things turned out.
More to come.
Physically, the haunt this year looked the best it ever has. Still a few issues with lighting and photography, but all in all, I'm pleased with the way things turned out.
More to come.
October 31, 2011
The Night of Nights
May your candles burn bright, your fog hang low and your pumpkin lids singe ever so sweetly.
October 5, 2011
Halloween 2010 Redux
Here are a few shots of the haunt last year...
I hesitated posting them because the majority of the photos did not come out very well and I really had to ramp them up in Photoshop. Uncooperative weather for lighting setup, not covering the street light as we did the past year, additional lights left unhooded, no budget to speak of and a wingman with not one, but two broken wrists really hampered us this year.
Due to economic times, the only new prop for 2010 was a Celtic Cross tombstone, based on Hector Turner's design, that I made out of foam board left over from 2009.
The only other change was to the Tree of Woe. In 2009, to accommodate the Halloween Tree motif, the witch jars that came with the haunt were hung on the outside of the fence. With LED tea lights in them, they were quite dim and went pretty much unnoticed. The crown-of-thorns skull was hung over the lower window and also went pretty much unnoticed. In 2010, I decided to hang the witch jars from the tree (with real candles) and the crown-of-thorns skull as well. I'm pleased with how it turned out.
Regrettably, I wasn't able to put together a video for 2010, as my video editor's 30-day trial expired and I put off purchasing the program. When I finally got around to updating it, they had upgraded to a newer version and wanted even more money... that I didn't have. Frustrating to say the least.
The frustration continues, so far, for 2011 as our economic situation has not improved. Our only camera was dropped and damaged, long after the warranty had expired of course. Still no video editor and lack of funds leading to lack of building materials is leading to nothing new being added to the haunt this year. I did receive a Bucky skeleton (my first) from Chris Baker for the work I've been doing for Hauntcast, which was really cool. Sadly, it'll probably have to stay in the box until I can get materials to corpse it properly. I don't want to half-ass it.
I'll probably just be playing with the arrangement and lighting of the haunt this year. Maybe some small additions and that's about it.
I was generously given a great haunt to care for and build upon and I love it. I want to do it the justice it deserves. But between last year and this year, at least so far, I'm starting to feel like I'm resting, however involuntarily, on Rob's laurels. I have plans and ideas. Right now I just lack the means to see them through the way I'd like to. Hopefully, that will change in the very near future.
At any rate, I'm not letting the tough times dampen my spirit. Here's hoping that you are all faring well in your haunting endeavors and I look forward to seeing what you all come up with this year.
More photos from 2010 here.
I hesitated posting them because the majority of the photos did not come out very well and I really had to ramp them up in Photoshop. Uncooperative weather for lighting setup, not covering the street light as we did the past year, additional lights left unhooded, no budget to speak of and a wingman with not one, but two broken wrists really hampered us this year.
Due to economic times, the only new prop for 2010 was a Celtic Cross tombstone, based on Hector Turner's design, that I made out of foam board left over from 2009.
The only other change was to the Tree of Woe. In 2009, to accommodate the Halloween Tree motif, the witch jars that came with the haunt were hung on the outside of the fence. With LED tea lights in them, they were quite dim and went pretty much unnoticed. The crown-of-thorns skull was hung over the lower window and also went pretty much unnoticed. In 2010, I decided to hang the witch jars from the tree (with real candles) and the crown-of-thorns skull as well. I'm pleased with how it turned out.
Regrettably, I wasn't able to put together a video for 2010, as my video editor's 30-day trial expired and I put off purchasing the program. When I finally got around to updating it, they had upgraded to a newer version and wanted even more money... that I didn't have. Frustrating to say the least.
The frustration continues, so far, for 2011 as our economic situation has not improved. Our only camera was dropped and damaged, long after the warranty had expired of course. Still no video editor and lack of funds leading to lack of building materials is leading to nothing new being added to the haunt this year. I did receive a Bucky skeleton (my first) from Chris Baker for the work I've been doing for Hauntcast, which was really cool. Sadly, it'll probably have to stay in the box until I can get materials to corpse it properly. I don't want to half-ass it.
I'll probably just be playing with the arrangement and lighting of the haunt this year. Maybe some small additions and that's about it.
I was generously given a great haunt to care for and build upon and I love it. I want to do it the justice it deserves. But between last year and this year, at least so far, I'm starting to feel like I'm resting, however involuntarily, on Rob's laurels. I have plans and ideas. Right now I just lack the means to see them through the way I'd like to. Hopefully, that will change in the very near future.
At any rate, I'm not letting the tough times dampen my spirit. Here's hoping that you are all faring well in your haunting endeavors and I look forward to seeing what you all come up with this year.
More photos from 2010 here.
November 3, 2010
May 6, 2010
Best. Halloween. Ever.
Very pleased to report that we've been honored with the 2009 Haunters Video Vanguard Award for Best Yard Haunt. I am completely blown away that we were even considered for an award. Especially since it was only our first year displaying the haunt.
My sincere and heartfelt thanks, as always, to Rob at Skull and Bone, without whose trust and generosity none of this would have been possible.
Thanks also to Paul "Propmaster" Venturella for continuing to put together this wonderful DVD set every year. Always great fun to watch and get inspired.
And congratulations to all the other winners this year.
You can buy the DVD set here:
The Haunters Video 2009 DVD
The Haunters Video 2009 DVD
You can view all of this year's award winners here:
November 18, 2009
Davis Graveyard
My friends Jeff & Chris Davis of Davis Graveyard have submitted their video to the Home Haunters Association 2009 Halloween haunt video contest. They are currently in third place, but having one of the best haunts in the contest, if not the country, they still need your support! Watch their video on YouTube (all the way through so it counts), rate it and help them get a much deserved win.
The Davis Graveyard 2009 Haunt Video
I'm fortunate enough to have seen this haunt in person, so I can tell you what a beautiful and richly detailed haunt it really is.
The House thanks you for supporting outstanding haunters.
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