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Author: Brian

How to Make a Prop Controller and Use Automation Software with Lee Alder

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:24 — 85.7MB)

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how to make a prop controllerHave you ever tried to make a prop controller for your Halloween props? Looking for free computer software to integrate with your existing prop controllers? Have you ever thought about tapping into the Christmas Community for advice on programming your mini lights or animatronics?

Lee Alder meets us in the dungeon to walk us through some basic prop controller techniques, how to make your own animatronic triggers, and using computer software to operate all of your animated props…much from the Christmas community. Lee likes Christmas but is also a strong supporter of Halloween decorating and scaring the trick-or-treaters at his home each October.

Beware!! This podcast episode gets a bit technical and refers to Christmas many times but is stuffed full of helpful advice for those searching for a great starting place for building your own animatronic operating system. Us Halloweenies can learn much about lighting and automation from these Christmas guys. If you find yourself getting lost in the audio check out the links below for some visual aids and video to help you build your own.

Lee recommends using Vixen 2 as a free software program for automating your lights/props and lists various types of controllers to try. He even goes into detail on how to make a prop controller for just a few dollars. Vixen is software for do-it-yourself lighting automation displays. Most popular at Christmas, computer-controlled displays are becoming increasingly popular for other holidays (such as Halloween) as well. With a PC and some hardware, anyone can have a professional-looking lighting display synchronized to music.

So if you want to get into building your own prop controllers, playing with automation software, or want to start animating your lights and props then listen to this episode and check out the links below. This will help you get started…

Haunt Topics in this episode:

 

This video is just an example of what is possible with automation software. You can design a elaborate light display like this or use it to control props, lights, foggers, music, etc.

 

If you enjoyed this article join The Haunter’s Toolbox for FREE

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Halloween Memories with Darryl and Brian (and a few extra guests)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:58 — 39.8MB)

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Vintage HalloweenDo you remember when the Halloween Bug bit you? Do you have unforgettable memories of Halloween when you were growing up? What do you do now to celebrate the month of October?

We talk about our upbringings as children and young adults as the Halloween infection spread through our tingling unscathed virgin bodies. Halloween has a way of grabbing a hold of some people and not letting go. If you are still reading this post then you have probably been bitten by the Halloween Bug and can relate to this twisted obsession. You are not alone.

We also add a few audio clips from a few of our guests as they share their experiences along their journey as a Halloween Junkie. You will hear stories from Leonard Pickel (HAuNTcon), The Bloodshed Brothers (Field of Screams), Eric Lowther (Haunted Overload), Matthew Flagler (The Canadian Haunted Attraction Conference), & Chris Ainsworth (ScareFest).

Whether it’s the crowded neighborhoods on Halloween night, filling up pillow cases full of Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or scaring the little children that stroll innocently through the dark streets…we all have favorite memories from our Halloween past. The important thing is that we continue to reflect back into what excited us about this wonderful holiday and carry those thoughts into our future.

So…what are your favorite memories from Halloween? How did you know that you were infested with Halloween?

 

Haunt Topics for this Episode:

  • A NEW Contest for Haunters. ‘Hack a Christmas Prop Contest’ by Haunt Nation Mag (Deadline Jan.3)
  • The Home Haunt Contest (Contest Expired but check out these awesome Home Haunts!)
  • Thanks to Matthew Freyer for his awesome Haunt Graphic Skills! Find him here for your Haunted House Graphics.

 

Do You Have Halloween or Haunted House Products You Would Like to Promote on Our Show? We are Looking for Prizes to Give Away to Our Listeners.

Contact Us Today.

 

Transworld Buys the Midwest Haunters Convention (Interview with Kelly Collins & Jen Braverman)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:57 — 82.3MB)

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Midwest Haunters Convention TransworldThe Midwest Haunters Convention (MHC) has been purchased by TransWorld Trade Shows LLC, which also produces quality shows such as Halloween Extreme, The Halloween & Attractions Show, and The Legendary Haunt Tours. MHC has been operated by Kelly Collins, Neena Collins, Barry Schieferstein, & Kathy Schieferstein for the last 10 years and to sell the show has always been in their business plans from the birth of the convention.

The Midwest Haunters Convention is the largest Halloween show of its kind in the United States serving the haunted attraction industry professionals, scare actors, home haunters, and haunted house enthusiasts. The MHC is open to the public and features a tradeshow, education, chartered bus tours and entertainment. Unlike The Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show which is a trade show that mainly caterers to professional haunted attractions, theme parks, and Halloween stores.

We interview Kelly Collins first about why he felt it was time to sell The Midwest Haunters Convention and then we get the new owner, Jennifer Braverman, on to discuss her plans for the future of the convention. Push that little play button above to hear our audio interviews.

 

Here is what Kelly Collins had to say on Facebook:

 I appreciate all the support and kind comments about the sale of the Midwest Haunters Convention. I’ve also seen some negative comments about the change and I would like to try and address some of the concerns.When we started the show in 2004; we wrote a 10 year goal and business plan. When you think about it; 10 years is a long time and we gave up a lot of ourselves and energy pursuing our goals. Our show eventually grew to the point where we were faced with either hiring a registration company or leasing office space and hiring a full time staff.

We’ve been talking with Jen Braverman for several years about our plans for the show. She approached us after June and we reached an agreement. We were drained and ready for some rest and Jen was looking for a show that appealed to haunters. A convention designed for haunt owners, actors, makeup artists, decorators and home haunters. Her plans are to continue our show as its been operating for years.

There are no plans for big price increases; she wants to keep the show within the financial means of our supporters. The same goes for our exhibitors. She wants to continue with a cash and carry show that’s very affordable. The Columbus Convention Center space is about 100,000 sq feet and we’re only using about 60% of it. Jen has the ability to grow the trade show floor and offer more exhibiting opportunities.

Barry, Kathy, Neena and I will remain on as consultants for at least the next year of the show. Nothing else has been discussed after that, but I can tell you that we want our “Baby” to continue on and grow.

We’re confident that Jen and Transworld are heavily involved in the haunted attraction industry and they are here to better it. We wouldn’t have sold the show to them if we felt otherwise. They’ve recruited a number of leaders in the industry to assist them with their plans. I encourage everyone to give Jen a chance to demonstrate her commitment to haunters.

Thanks again everyone for your support and I hope you will join us at MHC 2014 at the Columbus Convention Center June 6th – 8th.

For information please check out our website at www.midwesthauntersconvention.com or contact Jennifer Braverman at jen@haashow.com or me at Kelly@MidwestHaunters.com

-Kelly Collins (Midwest Haunters Convention)

 

 

The Topics we Talked About in This Episode:

 

How do you feel about Transworld taking the reins of The Midwest Haunters Convention?

Leave Us an Audio Comment and We’ll Mention You On Our HaunTopic Radio!

Haunted Attraction Reviews & How To Make Your Haunt Better with Onezumiverse

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20:47 — 111.0MB)

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oniandharknellHaunted Attraction Reviews are often hard to believe or difficult to trust. After you listen to our interview with Oni Hartstein and James Harknell from Onezumiverse.com, you might just change your mind. James and Oni have been reviewing Haunted Attractions since 2008 and try to keep their opinion unbiased and more focused on the creativity of the event.

They definitely look for the scary ones but there is more to Haunted Attractions than just scary. With each Haunt they go through they reset their haunt radar and pay attention to different aspects of each one. Innovation, Back Stories, Set Design, Scare Acting, Queue Line Entertainment, and the Complete Experience are just a few things they focus on as they enter a Haunted House.

If you live on the East Coast and are looking for an honest review of your Haunted Attraction, then Oni and James want to hear from you!

Topics We Discuss in This Episode:

  • The different types of Haunted Attractions and how to experience each one.
  • How to make your Haunted House the best attraction that it can be.
  • Haunted Attractions that you need to visit that you may not know about.
  • How to scare a Haunted Attraction reviewer…and everyone else.

More about OneZumiVerse:

The Winners of the October Giveaway from The Haunter’s Toolbox are:

  • Dan Caulfield
  • Vince Parsons
  • Charlie McAllister

 

Happy Halloween from Us to You (14 Spooky Tunes)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:47 — 72.5MB)

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Happy Halloween Pic VintageWe’re cutting this one short and leaving you with 14 Spooky Audio Tracks from various artists from Halloween’s past. THANK YOU for supporting HaunTopic Radio and for being a friend. Have a Happy Halloween!!

We will announce the winners of our October giveaway in our next episode on November 6th. Stay tuned…

Tracks Played in this epiosode:

  • This is Hallloween- Danny Elfman
  • It Lives- Midnight Syndicate
  • The Monster Hop- Bert Convy
  • Crosses Under The Moon- Shadow’s Symphony
  • Halloween Theme
  • Grim Grinning Ghosts- Disney’s Haunted Mansion
  • Nightwish- Scaretale
  • Monster Mash- Groovie Ghoulie
  • Nightmare On Elm St. Theme
  • Kiddie Land- Prelude to a Nightmare
  • Psycho theme
  • Awaken- Destini Bearde
  • The Frightners Intro
  • Thriller- Michael Jackson