Chatlist Topic Archives

 Subject:
KATHY"S THEATER MAGIC and the burned out brain cells...
Date:
Thu, 3 Apr 1997 03:21:35 -0500 (EST)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


In a message dated 97-04-02 22:52:40 EST, you write:

<< We have a very long walkway that we enclose as a hallway. We are going
 to set it up like a movie theater seating area. We would like to put a
 piece of material at the far end of the hall and show the old black and
 white movies on it. So when people go down the hall they really feel
 like they are in a theater. Now what we need is a CHEAP OLD video
 projector. Or another way of doing it....any and all ideas are welcome.
 Kathy
 the new kid >>
------------------------------------------------------------------------


I have been working on a way to duplicate the Indiana Johns ride illusion
of bugs crawling up the wall. ( By the way, I worked on theis ride indirectly
as a draftsman for a SUBcontractor for Disney )
Last year I made a LOW heat projector and
a special chamber for crickets. It worked OK but the projection of
the bugs were too BIG. I let it go for a season, but I still wanted a
creative and CHEAP way to do this. I RACKED my poor little
brain and came up with this not great but workable solution....

I used animation (free off the web) software to produce bugs
(VERY SMALL ONES)
on a Monitor, than used a television projection box I made
using a simple LARGE magnifying glass. I had to turn the monitor
WAY up but it worked! You should be able to do the same thing
with a normal television set. (This was one of the hardest challenges
for "creative, not expensive solutions in special effects" I have attempted
so far. I know it seams easy now that you know the "trick". But
It sure gave me some sleepless nights....


Yours ghouly Jerry -


@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@
 
^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^
(Creative, Not EASY solutions in special effects.)
  
 Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html

@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@


Subject:
Re: KATHY"S THEATER MAGIC and the burned out brain cells...
Date:
Wed, 02 Apr 1997 10:18:19 -0800
From:
Michael Marcrum
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


Jerry,
Thanks for the idea. Mike just said that it gave him a idea...Oh no
wonder what is going to get torn apart now!! This is the happiest he has
looked about this part of the project. We looked at renting a video
projector.....$$$$$!!
Kathy
the new kid on the crypt
mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com


Subject:
Re: KATHY"S THEATER MAGIC and the burned out brain cells...
Date:
Fri, 4 Apr 1997 03:30:18 -0500 (EST)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


your welcome and

please email me his idea,
I am DYING with curiosity...

Yours ghouly Jerry -


@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@
 
^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^
(Creative, Not expensive solutions in special effects.)
     
 Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html

@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@



Subject:
Re: KATHY"S THEATER MAGIC and the burned out brain cells...
Date:
Fri, 04 Apr 1997 19:16:52 -0800
From:
Michael Marcrum
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


Jerry,
Well we took a small TV and our transfer projector. We opened up the
projector and set the small TV in close to the mirror. Then we hung a
white screen on the wall. We hooked the VCR up to the TV and played the
movie. It showed on the TV, reflected on the mirror, and projected
through the lens and onto the wall!! Instant projector!! We are working
on the little details but we do have a great start.
Kathy
the new kid on the crypt
mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com





Subject:
How is it done?
Date:
Fri, 04 Apr 1997 08:14:29 -0500
From:
Gary Engle
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


In the Haunted House at Disney they have pictures on the
walls with eyes that follow you as you go by. How is this
accomplished? What would it take to duplicate? Not only in
pictures but any other prop with eyes. Is the circuit for this
maybe already availabe somewhere.

...Gary



Subject:
Re: KATHY"S THEATER MAGIC and the burned out brain cells...
Date:
Sun, 06 Apr 1997 11:53:07 -0700
From:
Wil
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1 , 2


Michael Marcrum wrote:
>
> Jerry,
> Well we took a small TV and our transfer projector. We opened up the
> projector and set the small TV in close to the mirror. Then we hung a
> white screen on the wall. We hooked the VCR up to the TV and played the
> movie. It showed on the TV, reflected on the mirror, and projected
> through the lens and onto the wall!! Instant projector!! We are working
> on the little details but we do have a great start.
> Kathy> the new kid on the crypt
> mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com


Kathy, all your talk about movies gave me the notion for something
similar. I thought how cool it would be on the approach to our door that
there was an old black + white tv on the ground, askew, playing some old
horror movie. So I went to the flea markets yesterday and today and
bought a 13" B&W tv, and a VCR for a total of $55.00. They work great
together, so the effect is there as soon as I get an old movie video.
Pretty cool. And I wouldn't have had the idea without your input!
However, now that I have this, I'm wondering how difficult it would be
to set up this mirror / projector idea for projecting a large picture on
our garage door. I was impressed with this idea. Can you tell me how
well this works, and what type of a projector you wound up using?
Thanks!

Wil

--
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
http://www.creepcrafters.com
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X



Subject:
Re: KATHY"S THEATER MAGIC and the burned out brain cells...
Date:
Sat, 05 Apr 1997 16:58:23 -0800
From:
Michael Marcrum
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1 , 2 , 3


Wil,
Here is what we are using...Design Master Projector. We got this to
copy artwork for painting backgrounds. The same sort of thing can be
purchased at craft and hobby stores. The main thing to make it work is
the brightness of the TV screen/monitor!! Images with high contrast work
the best. We played with it for hours yesterday and we did pretty well.
We used a white photobackdrop that I have from my studio and projected
the image on that...worked well, not great yet...we are still working on
it.
 I know micheal's has the hobbby projectors that you sit on a pattern
and it projects it on the wall. They are fairly cheap and would work as
long as the screen/monitor were bright enough. Hope this helps.
 The area that we got the best and sharpest projection from was about
4'x4'...so to make it look bigger I am going to sew some heavy drapes
like the old thearters used to have around the sides and at the top.
This will give the whole thing a bigger feeling.
Kathy
the new kid on the crypt
mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com



Subject:
Re: KATHY"S THEATER MAGIC and the burned out brain cells...
Date:
Sun, 06 Apr 1997 15:21:24 -0700
From:
Wil
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1 , 2 , 3 , 4


david c schwend wrote:
>
> We had a room, two years ago, in the Oneonta Haunted House, that
> featured shelves lined with old TV sets. All were showing either old
> black and white monster movies, or plain old snow and hash. The audio
> coming from all those TV's was pretty disorienting. (We used 6 VCRs
> running simultaneously, each feeding several TVs, to create the kaos.)
 


Very nice. I hadn't seen it used before, but I haven't been around the
Halloween world for much more than 1 year. I like the idea of perhaps
projecting the picture large on the garage door for those waiting in
line to see what's in my "Living Dead cave"(the walk leading to my door
which will be enclosed for the most part).
 
--
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
http://www.creepcrafters.com
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X






 

Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Sun, 13 Apr 1997 22:35:17 -0400
From:
hauntedattr@pelican.net (Oliver Holler)
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


The following talks about Disney's 'Bust' and 'Gazing Portrait' effect.

Perhaps I've missed some posts, but the 'Bust' effect is a separate 'scare'
from the 'Paintings' effect.
At our Halloween haunt, we do the inverted mask ('Bust') effect every year.
We simply screw store bought, vacu-form plastic masks to the wall (facing
the wall).
Granted, several things help:
They are especially deep masks with ears.
We painted the insides with glow paint, and black-lit them from the front
instead of back lighting them.
The patron path of travel is past them, as opposed to towards them.
The masks are out of arms reach.
We used several, in a totally black room, insuring they get the attention
they deserve.
And I'll be the first to say it's the most 'inconsistent-to-the-theme'
thing we use, and the 'cheesiest'. We all moan and laugh and giggle when
we pull the cheap trashy things out of the box every year.

Then we find ourselves converging in the room upon its completion, swaying
back and forth as the faces follow us, even looking up and down at us!
And every year, patrons rave about the 'holograms' in our 'incredible'
attraction.
'How in the WORLD do you do that?!!!?', they repeatedly ask. Lasers?
Projections?
-Never tell 'em. (Why disappoint them?)

The eyes in the paintings work in a similar 'self serve' fashion. The eyes
are simply cut out and recessed. Maybe a good 1/2 inch. That's all.
(Of course, lighting, and the paint job affect it.)
(I've read there is a 'hidden Mickey' as a pupil in one of the eyes!)

I suggest the most sublime thing, next to scaring someone, is fooling them
with the most simple of tricks. ;-)

Hey, I'm curious. . .Has anyone ever done the eyes-cut-out paintings and
had staff look through them -and get their eyes poked at by patrons?

Grim and Grinning,
Oliver

hauntedattr@pelican.net
http://www.pelican.net/hauntedmagazine





Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Mon, 14 Apr 1997 12:27:29 -0700
From:
Wil
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


Oliver Holler wrote:
 ew store bought, vacu-form plastic masks to the wall (facing
> the wall).
> Granted, several things help:
> They are especially deep masks with ears.
> We painted the insides with glow paint, and black-lit them from the front
> instead of back lighting them.
> The patron path of travel is past them, as opposed to towards them.
 
> Grim and Grinning,
> Oliver

Can you offer a photo somewhere to reference or more detailed
description of exactly how to paint this to make this effect? I am
interested. Also, on the topic of Disney's HH, does anyone know how they
make the talking head work? I LOVE that! Every year my family and I go
to Disney, we have to see the row of talking heads. It looks like maybe
they use the equivalent of like wig forms, then project a hologram-ish
picture on it. Anyone?

Same thread--the crystal ball is probably beyond anything possible in a
home haunt, but that would be awsome to duplicate also. 

Wil
--
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
http://www.creepcrafters.com
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X


Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Mon, 14 Apr 1997 12:45:08 -0700 (PDT)
From:
Don Bertino
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


On Mon, 14 Apr 1997, Wil wrote:

> Can you offer a photo somewhere to reference or more detailed
> description of exactly how to paint this to make this effect? I am
> interested. Also, on the topic of Disney's HH, does anyone know how they
> make the talking head work? I LOVE that! Every year my family and I go
> to Disney, we have to see the row of talking heads. It looks like maybe
> they use the equivalent of like wig forms, then project a hologram-ish
> picture on it. Anyone?

Look in the archives for Scott's post on this. He did a great effect with
a singing band as I remember.

Disney uses a video projector and a laser disc now.

> Same thread--the crystal ball is probably beyond anything possible in a
> home haunt, but that would be awsome to duplicate also. 

The only difference is it is transfered thru fiber optics, so the table can
wobble.

BTW, check out the Haunted Mansion FAQ for more info...

http://www.calweb.com/~bertino/disney.html

don
bertino@netcom.com



Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Mon, 14 Apr 1997 16:15:59 +0000
From:
Cliff Martin
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
 
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
 References:
1 , 2


Wil wrote:
>
snipped!
>
> does anyone know how they make the talking head work? 

> (or)..the crystal ball....

Hi Wil...!
Check out the archive! Both effects are done with movie/video
projections on wig heads, or custom molded heads.
A couple of intreped listers have already used this effect in their
personal haunts!
Cliff
cliff.martin@saralee.net


Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Mon, 14 Apr 1997 20:22:11 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


In a message dated 97-04-14 17:07:25 EDT, you write:

<<
 Same thread--the crystal ball is probably beyond anything possible in a
 home haunt, but that would be awsome to duplicate also. 
 
 Wil
 --
 X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+ >>
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Will
You may have come in after the discussion on this (good it was not
my finest hour...)

Most of the Disney HH illusions were taken from old stage illusions.
I have duplicated every effect on a smaller scale for less than
$100 for each effect

You would be amazed how many individuals with advanced training
in electronics and physics (I am a draftsman and worked with many
in the aerospace industry ) Swore that the "ballroom ghosts"
were "obviously" advance hologcylinder technology.

(and just try to tell them it is not without actually giving the secret
away!)

One of the best things this list did for me was introduce me to "CREATIVE"
engineers (the 4 year collage kind) of which I have met very little in my
professional life as a draftsman. (only the ones I have met, NOT ALL
ENGINEERS!)

But maybe I better stop here..... :~>

Yours ghouly Jerry -


@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@
 
^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^
(Creative, Not expensive solutions in special effects.)
    
 Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html

@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@

Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Mon, 14 Apr 1997 18:49:26 -0700
From:
Wil
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


Spookyfx@aol.com wrote:
 
> Will
> You may have come in after the discussion on this (good it was not
> my finest hour...)
>
> Most of the Disney HH illusions were taken from old stage illusions.
> I have duplicated every effect on a smaller scale for less than
> $100 for each effect
 
I'll send you $200.00 within 3 minutes of your response for the complete
crystal ball!! Hah, I know that's unfair. I know that you are one of the
most creative and resourcefull imagineers on the list, and am not
surprised you have done this. I plan to research these in the archives
as directed by Don and Cliff. The Crystal Ball though, I mean THAT kicks
ass. All things aside, that is truly the flagship of the Disney
Hollywood HH.

Also, may I just say to the list as a whole now, I thought I would learn
new and fun ways to decorate for Halloween by joining this list. Instead
I found so much technology flowing freely herein that I have now become
a raving Halloween psychotic that has at least 6 major events in process
at one time in my garage. Sometimes I hate to go to bed, because I know
that if I hang out five more minutes, some other talent will toss some
other fabulous chunk of knowlege out there to the list.... I can't
remember when I've had this much fun screwing around in my garage. No, I
haven't EVER had this much fun in my garage! Thanks to everyone that
contributes to the list and the archives. Speaking of which, the '97
TOPIC archives have finally taken decent shape, and are ready for
perusal if anyone is interested. Keep in mind that I am adding to what's
already there, my own pictorial and written experiences creating some of
the major events covered by those on the list. Photos are ready to be
processed already, and more are being taken almost daily. Please check
out the DARK LINKS to see if your url is there, and e me if you'ld like
the reference! I'd be happy to add anyone to it.

Thanks again everyone.

Wil
--
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 TOPIC Archives-----
http://www.creepcrafters.com

DARK LINKS-------
http://www.silcom.com/~crafters/weenlink.htm
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X

Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 18:43:24 -0500
From:
milwiron@btprod.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


At 07:37 AM 4/15/97 +0000, Cliff wrote:

>Hey Wil, think round glass bowl, like a classic goldfish aquarium....
>Make check payable to...
>
>Cliff ;-)

Cliff reminds me of-
There are a couple of versions of an old magic illusion called Girl In A
Fishbowl that would be good additions to a haunt. One of the illusions is
the girl's live head (dead is no trick) in a fishbowl while the other is her
entire shrunken, living body. I believe both versions were common fair in
carnival sideshows.

...and before anyone asks, both can be found in illusion books from decent
magic shops! ;)
Denny



B.T. Productions' Terror By Design
Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares


Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 04:41:40 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


In a message dated 97-04-15 01:59:40 EDT, you write:

<< I visited a Haunted House put on by the following church in 1995 ...
 
 Holliston United Methdst Church 1305 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
 91106-1933
Phone: (818)793-0685
 
 They managed to recreate all the effects from the Disney Haunted Mansion
 in some form. Their head in the crystal ball was life size, and the
 audience was close enough to reach out and touch the globe. They used
 some type of water mist fog in the courtyard/graveyard that positively
 "boiled". 
>>
----------------------------------------------------

I wish the producers of a great HH like this one (at least it sounds great)
would put 20% of the effort (or more) into advertising. In 95 I did not
have a HH myself and spent 3 months looking in newspapers and calling
various government agencies trying to find all the HH in southern California
to organize a "tour" for my friends and I. I could only dig up
15 in all and only one was any good! (NightScares in Sherman Oaks)
Honestly I never found the one mentioned in Pasadena and I have a
second apartment that I stay at every 2 weeks right there on Eagle Rock.
If someone like me could not find it, how could they be reaching their
full potential as a fundraising operation? This is not a put done,
rather a CONCERN. I think most of us who do this for fundraising
should put a lot more effort into advertising! One of the worst large
sponsor HH I have seen was done by the Coors beer company a few
years ago. I was not the only one with the opinion that it was a colossal
waste of potential for a grand HH. But they made more money than all the
little
HH put together. The beer company dose not know HH but they sure knew
advertising!

Yours ghouly Jerry -


@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@
 
^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^
(No one ever got anywhere by being NORMAL!)

 Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html

@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@







Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 04:55:00 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


In a message dated 97-04-14 23:29:58 EDT, you write:

<< I'll send you $200.00 within 3 minutes of your response for the complete
 crystal ball!! Hah, I know that's unfair. I know that you are one of the
 most creative and resourcefull imagineers on the list, and am not
 surprised you have done this. I plan to researc >>
-------------------------------------------

If you are serious, Email me privately and we will discus the details of
your offer. I could use the $ to offset what I have spent on goodies
I bought from Denny ;~>.

Hey I was suppose to MAKE money of the internet, not spend
more! :~)

Oh well, I guess I will always be a HH hacker ( semi-pro pumpkin ).

 I don’t think I really want
to get to the point were I was doing it ONLY as a business and not enjoying
it
anymore......

Jerry



Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 18:43:24 -0500
From:
milwiron@btprod.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


At 07:37 AM 4/15/97 +0000, Cliff wrote:

>Hey Wil, think round glass bowl, like a classic goldfish aquarium....
>Make check payable to...
>
>Cliff ;-)

Cliff reminds me of-
There are a couple of versions of an old magic illusion called Girl In A
Fishbowl that would be good additions to a haunt. One of the illusions is
the girl's live head (dead is no trick) in a fishbowl while the other is her
entire shrunken, living body. I believe both versions were common fair in
carnival sideshows.

...and before anyone asks, both can be found in illusion books from decent
magic shops! ;)
Denny



B.T. Productions' Terror By Design
Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares



Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 21:48:20 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
To:
wil@wilschock.com


In a message dated 97-04-15 10:31:50 EDT, you write:

<< Jerry. I cant imagine that this event could be reproduced in detail for
 a mere two hundred dollars. In fact, I would think that to reproduce the
 crystal ball in the same quality as Disney's would cost a few thousand.
 All fibre optics and smoke. Have you really made this? If so, yes,
 anyone would buy one for a mere $200.00. If you can make these for
 $200.00, we need to go together to Spencer and get a contract for 3000
 of 'em. You make 'em, and I'll scoop up the cash with a snow shovel! :~D
 
 Wil
 
 -- >>
-------------------------------------------


NO,NO NO..... 8~D

Get away from tech and get into the "illusionists" frame of mind.
Remember How everyone was trying to engineer an afordble black hole?
Remember how expensive it was to get all the parts and set it up with the
motors, and the 20 foot tube, and the walk way, etc. ??????????

Then I posted the list with the idea that the TUBE dose not have to spin,
it just has to LOOK like it is spinning. Over engineering is the pit fall
of many highly trained and intelligent people. You need to remember that
the EFFECT is all that is important!

jerry
Yours ghouly Jerry -


@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@
 
^v^ Esoteric Toys ^v^
(Creative, Not expensive solutions in special effects.)
    

 Web page: http://members.aol.com/Spookyfx/index.html

@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@ --'---,--',---@

Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Wed, 16 Apr 1997 12:09:30 -0700
From:
Wil
To:
Spookyfx@aol.com
References:
1


> the EFFECT is all that is important!
>
> jerry
> Yours ghouly Jerry -

how did you reproduce the effect of the lady's talking heaad inside the
glass ball? Perhaps your trick to this is really worth looking at!

Wil

--
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 Topic Archives-
http://www.creepcrafters.com
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X



Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Wed, 16 Apr 1997 20:31:20 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
To:
wil@wilschock.com


In a message dated 97-04-16 15:02:50 EDT, you write:

<< Perhaps your trick to this is really worth looking at!
 
 Wil
>>
----------------------------------------------

PERHAPS? PERHAPS!!!!!

you hurt my feelings..... :~P :~>


Many ways to do it, The Original method that disney used
(and was far better than the Fiber optics thay use now)
Is the same method used to make the talking heads in the
outdoor graveyard. This is the one I used.

The fiber optic crap was Disney getting inlove with tech and
forgeting effect...

The problem:
a self illuminating face rather than
a face that REFLECTS light. This results in a less realistic
effect.

jerry
 



Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 21:49:54 -0400 (EDT)
From:
David251@aol.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


Check out the book: Haunted Illusions, by Paul Osborn. It has the plans for
some of these illusions. It's a great resource. I got a copy of it myself
for Christmas. (It's available from Terror By Design.)
David
david251@aol.com
http://member.aol.com/david251/david.htm



Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Sat, 19 Apr 1997 19:04:43 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
To:
wil@wilschock.com


In a message dated 97-04-19 05:43:57 EDT, you write:

<<
 Yes, I am interested. Please let me know how I can actually effect this.
 Do I buy a 8mm camera and projector? Can I get a good enough quality
 picture with an old 8mm? I am ready to buy or make. This sounds like a
 killer event that would be the talk of the haunt.
 
 --
 X+X+X >>
--------------------------------------------------------------

Try the old before you buy new in this case. If you limit the film time
to a few seconds you may be able to make a continuous loop on the
projector by splicing the ends. The jumo may not look great, but it
will save rewinding time. You might use the television vcr idea
with the overhead projector idea i gave to kathy, but I have not done
it this way so I am not sure it will work. LET ME KNOW if it dose..

jerry




Subject:
Re: Busts and Paintings lookinatcha.
Date:
Sat, 19 Apr 1997 19:07:47 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
To:
wil@wilschock.com


Oh I forgot to tell you that you will need to cut a hole
in black cardbord to fit around the face. when you film.
that way the front half of the face is filmed and NOTHING
els is filmed. The projection will be black except for the
area of the face. Dont let your subject move around.
the head must be held in one place...

jerry



Subject:
Ideas from previous years
Date:
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 10:54:44 -0700
From:
Bob Laviguer
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
"'chatlist'"


Thought I'd pass along a few ideas we've used successfully in previous year's haunts.
BTW, should we come up with a rating system for effects? Maybe 1 to 5 screams, 5
being the the one where you need to call the paramedics for a heart attack? :-)

1. The striped room
We took half of my garage and enclosed it in 4'x8' black plastic panels which
had 18" wide white butcher paper glued on in horizontal stripes. The stripes
continued from one panel to another throughout the room. We had one 3'
entrance, and one 3' exit. A strobe light was pointed across the room from the
exit towards the entrance. Tina sewed a black and white outfit to match the
stripes in the room, one which covered our actor from head to toe. The actor
stood in a corner away from the entrance, and was practically invisible to the
guests as they walked into the room. He could move up right in front of them
without being seen. Very good response, 3.5 screams :)

2. Old Sawbones
We made a slightly raked table on which layed our victim (a female actor,
dressed in a white smock). One of her legs was bent at the knee, and went
through the table. What was visible of her then, was her whole upper torso,
half of one leg, and all of the other. We stationed another actor behind her,
decked out in mad scientist garb, holding various saws, hatchets, and
cleavers. Where the victim's leg went through the table, we positioned a REAL
cow femur, and then slathered her, the bone, and the doctor in stage blood.
As the victim screamed, the doctor hacked away at her leg bone, only about
2 feet from the flow of guests. Guests periodically came into contact with bits
of flying bone and blood. The cow bone looks very realistic. Excellent guest
reaction, 5 screams.

3. A living hell
We took the area behind our garage, which at that time contained a small
pond, and built a paper mache'/chicken wire cave. The mouth of the cave
stood about 6-7' tall at it's center, and was about 6' across. We spray painted
it red and black. The top of the cave was open, while the back was surrounded
with dark shade cloth. The overall effect looked like a full cave, while just the
mouth was really anything substantial. Just inside the mouth, we installed an
air operated devil. Dressed in red satin with a devil mask, he lunged forward on
a mechanism similar to the ones shown here for the jumping grave. He had
arms made of chicken wire, which bounced and moved as he travelled towards
the guests. The real feat was live flame. We tapped off my barbecue, and built
a natural gas distrubution system using PVC pipe and a fireplace log lighter.
We submersed a section of PVC in the pond. This pipe had a series of holes
drilled in it. Then we set the log lighter just above the water, hidden behind some
rocks. The log lighter was lit all the time. A valve was adjusted to let the gas out
of the submerged pipe in large bubbles. When a bubble reached the surface of the
pond, it was lit from the log lighter, giving the effect of a burning pond.
A major problem was keeping the log lighter lit; too much natural gas buildup in
your backyard is NOT a good thing ;). This effect sounded much better than it
worked, 1 scream.

4. A talking head
We made a headless dummy, and layed it out along our backyard fence. A
couple of pieces of red lighting gel filter were cut in circles and layed on the
deck to simulate pools of blood (this works great!). We took a styrofoam wig
head, and used clay to create a lifelike man's face. We then set this head
kind of floating in space next to the body. We had previously recorded a short
video loop using a camcorder and vid capture board of one of my friends made
up in "dead" makeup, screaming and shouting. We used a video projector to
project the video loop on the front of the wig head. Sound was pumped out from
behind the head. The effect was a'la Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. It looked
pretty good... All of my techie friends were impressed - the general public,
however, missed the point :(. Could be a good effect, 2 screams.

Happy haunting!
Bob and Tina


Subject:
Re: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 1997 17:14:20 -0700
From:
Michael Marcrum
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


OK Bob,
> We used a video projector to
> project the video loop on the front of the wig head.

We have been looking at ideas that involve video projectors but...we
could not find one that we could afford. So please let me know how you
did it!! We will drain your brain of any knowledge we can consume!!
Kathy
the new kid on the crypt
mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com


Subject:
RE: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 12:58:26 -0700
From:
Bob Laviguer
To:
"'wil@wilschock.com'"


>Bob, where do you get this video projector?

I borrowed one from a friend. It's the kind they use to project the output from
a computer on a large screen for trade shows, classes, etc. They are also
available for rent from Audio/Visual supply companies.

Bob


Subject:
RE: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 14:11:19 -0700
From:
Bob Laviguer
To:
"'wil@wilschock.com'"


>I am currently getting the info together for the talking head. Did you
>say you say that you filmed the tape to this on continous loop? If so,
>where do you get this type tape?
What we did was record the scene on my camcorder, and then transfer it to
my PC using a video capture card. After some manipulation in a photo editing
program, the result was a 9-10 second clip of the video. We wrote some software
to continuously play back the clip (an .AVI file) in a window surrounded by black -
you need the black border so nothing shows up but the clip. The video projector
was hooked up to the PC, and projected the same thing we saw on the monitor.

>I'll bet the video projector is pricey to purchase....
To say the least! Borrowing or renting is your best bet.



Subject:
Re: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 14:11:57 -0700
From:
rleach@bigboy73.West.Sun.COM (Roy Leach)
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com

>
> OK Bob,
> > We used a video projector to
> > project the video loop on the front of the wig head.
>
> We have been looking at ideas that involve video projectors but...we
> could not find one that we could afford. So please let me know how you
> did it!! We will drain your brain of any knowledge we can consume!!
> Kathy
> the new kid on the crypt
> mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com
>

We used a projection TV lens from ALL Electronics ($12.00) in front of a 13"
tv. It was attached to the TV with a home build cardboard shroud. Cheap,
easy, fun for the entire family.
roy.


Subject:
Re: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Fri, 18 Apr 1997 09:24:37 -0700
From:
Michael Marcrum
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


OK Roy,
I get the idea...now what is All Electronics?? Where is All
Electronics!! Hubby is getting all excited...a new toy!!
Kathy
the new kid on the crypt
mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com

Subject:
Projected video
Date:
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 15:55:14 -0700
From:
Bob Laviguer
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
"'chatlist@netcom.com'"


>We have been looking at ideas that involve video projectors but...we
>could not find one that we could afford. So please let me know how you
>did it!! We will drain your brain of any knowledge we can consume!!

Kathy,
good luck on a vid projector you can afford! I borrowed one from a friend who was
current president of a computer user group. They used it for software demos, etc.
I know they are also rentable from Audio/Visual supply companies, but I don't know
how much.

I read the post about using a lens in front of the TV. Sounds like an interesting idea. One
major problem we had was trying to eliminate the "overspray" on objects around the head
(including the hair). You have to surround the clip with a black window, and surround the
surface to be projected on with light absorbing (black) fabric - not a particularly attractive
look!

Also, the vid needs to be pretty clear (sharp) and bright. Good luck... We're gonna
shelve this particular idea for a couple of years. We liked it, but audience response
was lackluster.

Drain away :-)

Bob


Subject:
Re: Projected video
Date:
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 17:02:38 -0700
From:
david c schwend
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


Bob Laviguer wrote: (RE: Video Projectors)

> I know they are also rentable from Audio/Visual supply companies, but > I don't know how much.

Audio Visual Companies usually rent for approximately "1 day = 1/10 list
purchase price". So a $3000 projector would rent for $300 a day. Also, a
one week rental would be equal to 3 times the daily rental, and a
monthly rental would be twice the weekly rental.

This is just ball park, all companies set their own rates based on
demand, age of equipment, usefull life of the equipment, and local
competition. Delicate equipment that can be damaged easily will be at
the high end, and substantial deposits may be required. Warning: Be
prepaired to buy it if the fog machine burps fog fluid all over it.





Subject:
Re: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Tue, 22 Apr 1997 07:21:36 -0700
From:
Wil
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


Spookyfx@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 97-04-21 22:01:01 EDT, you write:
>
> << We used a projection TV lens from ALL Electronics ($12.00) in front of a
> 13"
> tv. It was attached to the TV with a home build cardboard shroud. Cheap,
> easy, fun for the entire family.
> roy.
> >>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> BOB
>
> PLEASE post the address and or phone number.
> of this company, (prefer phone number)
>
> jerry waiting with trembling wallet....

I would like that phone number too. Ahh hell, send it to the whole list!
I need this lens.
--
Wil
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 Topic Archives-
http://www.creepcrafters.com
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
 
Subject: Re: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Tue, 22 Apr 1997 04:49:18 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Spookyfx@aol.com
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


In a message dated 97-04-21 22:01:01 EDT, you write:

<< We used a projection TV lens from ALL Electronics ($12.00) in front of a
13"
 tv. It was attached to the TV with a home build cardboard shroud. Cheap,
 easy, fun for the entire family.
 roy.
>>
------------------------------------------------------------------

BOB

PLEASE post the address and or phone number.
of this company, (prefer phone number)

jerry waiting with trembling wallet....



Subject:
Re: Ideas from previous years
Date:
Tue, 22 Apr 1997 10:04:58 EDT
From:
sao@mit.edu
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


<< We used a projection TV lens from ALL Electronics ($12.00) in front of a 13" tv.

Spookyfx@aol.com, Tue, 22 Apr 1997 04:49:18 -0400 (EDT)
>PLEASE post the address and or phone number.
>of this company, (prefer phone number)

Well, I typed "all electronics" into my AltaVista search window (A wonderful
resource, by the way -- " http://www.altavista.digital.com/ ") and the first
entry that came up was " http://www.allcorp.com/ ". That's them!
If you don't have a web browser, their contact information is

All Electronics Corp.
P.O. Box 567
Van Nuys, CA 91408-0567
1-800-826-5432
FAX 1-818-781-2653

I get their paper catalog -- They're a wonderful supplier of random electronic
and mechanical components and surplus sub-assemblies! Just the thing for
putting together Halloween devices.
       
"That Pesky" Andy Oakland
sao@mit.edu
http://mit.edu/sao/www/



Subject:
Re: Ideas from previous years (TV Projection Lens)
Date:
Tue, 22 Apr 1997 15:02:03 -0700
From:
rleach@bigboy73.West.Sun.COM (Roy Leach)
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


Sorry for sending any of you ghouls into an excited frenzy then leaving you
hanging. If you've ever looked inside a projection TV (completely disregarding
the "do not open unless you're a qualified technition" sticker on the back),
you'd see 3 small TVs (one for red, one for green & one for blue) inside with
lenses in front of them. These lenses project the image from each mini TV
onto a mirror that then reflects the image onto the back of the plastic screen
that you view. If you put one of these lenses infront of a small TV (eg, 13"),
they will project the image from the TV some finite distance. The distance
that the lens is from the TV is important as is the distance to the image that
is being projected on:

TV LENS HEAD

\ /
\/ _________
+---------+ \ \
| | ________ 0 0 \
| | ( ) / ) |
| | ( ) \ |
| | (________) |--- |
+---------+ \_______/
|<----->| |<------>|
Focal Focal
Dist Dist
A B

You'll need to play with it, but the distance A that we used was about 4-6"
while distance B was about 2 feet. The lens itself is about 8" long and
6" diameter and is enclosed in a plasic housing.

The part number for the lens is LNS-1 & is $12.00.

All Electronics Corp.
P.O. Box 567
Van Nuys, CA 91408-0567
888-826-5432
818-781-2653 (24 Hour Faxline)
http://www.allcorp.com
The have online catalogs (PDF) as well as some selected catalog pages as jpg.

roy.



Subject:
Re: Ideas from previous years (TV Projection Lens)
Date:
Wed, 23 Apr 1997 00:18:36 -0500
From:
DJ
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


Roy Leach wrote:

> The desired effect was a talking head, so we project an image on a
> styrofoam wig head. Ours is placed on a stump with an ax next to it.
> What gets projected is a videotape of a person talking. 

This is something I'd love to experiment with. It sounds like you had a
great setup, Roy. One question, though. How did you disguise the
projector? I assume it had to be relatively close in order for the
projected face to fit the wig head, and wouldn't it have to be pretty
much directly in front for the angle to be right?

DJ, who's dusting off her thrift store projector in anticipation


Subject:
Lenses
Date:
Mon, 28 Apr 1997 12:21:53 -0700
From:
Wil
To:
Spookyfx@aol.com


Jerry. Although I haven't been able to do anything with them yet, since
I'm still at work, but the lenses I ordered from All Electronics

(All Electronics Corp.
P.O. Box 567
Van Nuys, CA 91408-0567
1-800-826-5432
FAX 1-818-781-2653)

for $12.00 each just arrived. The lens assembly looks just like the optic
assembly from the top of an overhead projector. The lens is adjustable,
and these look like they should cost over a hundred dollars each! You
would have to see them to know what I mean. I am really excited and
can't wait to get home and try them out on my little TV. I will let you
know if they work or not as soon as I can.

--
Wil
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 Topic Archives-
http://www.creepcrafters.com
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Subject:
Talking Head/Here's lookin' at you
Date:
Fri, 02 May 1997 09:24:20 -0700
From:
david c schwend
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist


Found this little article on the net at
http://www.bix.com/news/showbizexpo/pa.html

A Personal Address System
By Loren Wilton

Most people have had the experience of being addressed by
someone using a "public address system." And unless you were really
interested in what the speaker was saying you ignored the voice, since
it was coming from that guy way over there who couldn't see you, much
less make eye contact, and the voice was coming from the speakers all
around the room.
Or you have seen public video sales presentations. Someone
sets up a TV set to play a video tape and then walks off. The person on
the video tape is very earnestly addressing the camera and speaking
persuasively. But the person on the tape isn't addressing _you_, she is
addressing the camera. If you aren't standing right in front of the TV
set she isn't looking at you.
Videotronic Systems has changed that. Their Visualactive
Imager(tm) might be the world's first _personal_ address system for
public use.
The unit is intended for uses much like the TV on a stand,
with someone on the tape addressing a small crowd. But there the
concepts differ. The Visualactive Imager consists of an attractive gray
cube-like base containing a VCR and a video projector. The video
projector is aimed upwards to a large mirror mounted at a 45 degree
angle, reflecting the image from the projector to the viewers standing
nearby. But between the projector and the mirror the Magic Happens. The
video projector os projecting the image of, quite literally, a talking
head. This image is projected on a special screen mounted horizontally
at the base of the mirror.
The unique thing about this screen is that it is not flat,
as most screens are. Instead, it is molded to the general shape of the
talking head being projected on it.
This has a very interesting effect. No matter where you stand
while watching the image of the talking head, the person is looking
directly at you! No longer the impersonal sales pitch, where the
salesperson is trying to earnestly sell the product to the camera.
Instead, you have a presentation where everybody in the audience knows
that they are being addressed personally. A presentation using the
Visualactive Imager will take a little more thought and effort to set up
that the usual videotape sales pitch done in an afternoon. But the  
difference in results should be worth the extra effort and cost.
              
Videotronic Systems
23971 Crescent
Lake Forest, CA 92630

(714) 470-6040 or (714) 364-7081


J. Bentley wrote:
>
> Hi folks. I am most likely about to get myself flamed to no end for
> this, but so what. I think the Trademark discussion has gone far beyond
> the need to be taken to private email. How about bringing this thread to an end and get back to decorating
> ideas.
> Jack "O'Lantern" B. - Flame suit on!





Death Lord wrote;

I must agree.



NEW topic.

 I have ordered my puppet heads from Distortions and am looking forward to to
posting how they test out soon.

 Also, I have located a small (5") B/W TV to couple with the projection TV lenses
for the projection TV thing and talking head. I will be able to report on the outcome
of the effect as soon as my cam corder is out of the shop. I tried to use the lens with
a 13" TV, but the problem is the lens pickup end is very small and must be very
close to the screen, so it won't give you a projection of the full screen. I realise
that this would still work with the talking head if you were to carefully shield
around the gap and center the lens to the tube, but it wouldn't give you the
ability to also use as a projection tv as we were talking about earlier. I am
hoping to project an image on our garage door of an old horror movie for
waiting weenies. So the idea now is to perhaps use little 5" TVs for both a
pplications.

 I read posts earlier on this very thing, and am wondering if those folks would
post again the specifics on what they had to do to get the projection to work
nicely. I will have street lamp light to deal with for the projection TV idea, but
I hope to be able to overcome the light killing my picture.

--
Wil
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 chatlist Topic Archives;
http://www.creepcrafters.com
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Subject:
VIDEO PROJECTORS
Date:
Thu, 08 May 1997 13:13:57 -0700
From:
"wil@wilschock.com"
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


I doubt if I will be taking advantage of this for my home haunt, but I
have found a video projector that works from a 6" projection up to a 50"
size for only $469.00. That's a bit better than $3500.00. It comes with
stereo sound and is compact in size. The item number, in case anyone is
interested for a commercial haunt (or Bob Andrews, his stuff is nicer
than the commercial stuff without argument), is #30PC. The order line
phone number is 1-800-733-6766.
--
Wil
         
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Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 chatlist Topic Archives;
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Subject:
The BLACK HOLE was drilled into the center of the earth.
Date:
Wed, 07 May 1997 07:20:17 -0700
From:
"wil@wilschock.com"
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


>> It seems it has become the How To Run A
>> Business list.
> 
> Jerry says
>
> SORRY! But NO!
>
> :~{ (sheeesh whizzzzz)
> jerry


BOYS BOYS! While you were all looking at the lines we shouldn't cross
the days till All Hallows Eve slipped from 180 to 177! Threads don't
last forever! (Even though the BLACK HOLE thread nearly did.And even in
that case my pulse finally came back and was able to turn off the life
support machine within just days or weeks.) Let's move to the next
thread.

I've got another question for the Projected Animation topic; Does anyone
know how to get the video of the talking head to come out nicely green
like Disney's H M? I thought I might get a green filter or gel to shoot
the video through? Where can I get this? Is it a photo accessorie or
craft? Or should I shoot the picture through the gel from the TV itself?

--
Wil
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 chatlist Topic Archives;
http://www.creepcrafters.com
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Subject:
Green video projection
Date:
Wed, 7 May 1997 13:39:16 -0700 (PDT)
From:
Don Bertino
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


On Wed, 7 May 1997, wil@wilschock.com wrote:

> I've got another question for the Projected Animation topic; Does anyone
> know how to get the video of the talking head to come out nicely green
> like Disney's H M? I thought I might get a green filter or gel to shoot
> the video through? Where can I get this? Is it a photo accessorie or
> craft? Or should I shoot the picture through the gel from the TV itself?

I take it your talking about Madem Loeta in the Crystal ball?

The people who did the replacment *hate* the green color and have been trying
to figure how to get rid of it.... They'll get a kick out of this post. ;)

don
bertino@netcom.com


Subject:
Re: Green video projection
Date:
Thu, 08 May 1997 07:18:04 -0700
From:
"wil@wilschock.com"
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com
References:
1


> I take it your talking about Madem Loeta in the Crystal ball?
>
> The people who did the replacment *hate* the green color and have been trying
> to figure how to get rid of it.... They'll get a kick out of this post. ;)
>
> don

Don

 Actually I was talking about the talking heads all lined up in a row
before you get to the crystal ball. It looks as though they shoot a
green picture on the form. I feel like a dufus. The only way this could
work is to shoot the picture from the TV through the gel unless I buy a
COLOR TV.

Der der der derrrrr.... Wil skips away humming gingerly to himself.....
--
Wil
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 chatlist Topic Archives;
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Subject:
VIDEO PROJECTORS
Date:
Thu, 08 May 1997 13:13:57 -0700
From:
"wil@wilschock.com"
Reply-To:
chatlist@netcom.com
To:
chatlist@netcom.com


I doubt if I will be taking advantage of this for my home haunt, but I
have found a video projector that works from a 6" projection up to a 50"
size for only $469.00. That's a bit better than $3500.00. It comes with
stereo sound and is compact in size. The item number, in case anyone is
interested for a commercial haunt (or Bob Andrews, his stuff is nicer
than the commercial stuff without argument), is #30PC. The order line
phone number is 1-800-733-6766.
--
Wil
         
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
Rest In Pieces
Death Lord
'97 chatlist Topic Archives;
http://www.creepcrafters.com
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X