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Category: Haunted House Tips

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)

Subscribe: Apple

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.

 

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Foam Carving Tips and Home Haunting with The Davis Graveyard

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:43 — 87.5MB)

Subscribe: Apple

davis graveyardIn this episode of HaunTopic Radio, we unearth Chris and Jeff Davis from The Davis Graveyard to find out all of their foam carving secrets and how you can create realistic tombstones out of foam. They reveal the best foam carving tools you’ll need in your toolbox and how to get started with the tools you already have. We also discuss monster mud, creating their 3 story abbey, and how they keep their passion alive all year long.

The Davis Graveyard has been mentioned on media outlets such as Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Haunted Attraction Magazine, FearNet, and many of their local news resources.

Don’t let all of their high quality props fool you. They started out with the store bought tombstones and props too! With some research and messing up, you can make some cool foam carvings yourself. We are going to try these techniques here at HaunTopic Radio because we might be a little guilty of the store bought props too…

Chris and Jeff love to teach what they know at Haunted House conventions in the off-season and at their home. You might just have to meet up with them in person to learn of few more secrets of your own.

The Davis Graveyard is located in Milwaukie, Oregon and open throughout the entire month of October. Check their website for updates and a full schedule so you can see this haunt masterpiece for yourself.

Topics and Links:

 Time For A NEW Contest!! Here are the prizes this month. All entries must be in by October 24th. Support our sponsors by checking out their websites and products. You must be a member of The Haunter’s Toolbox to win…it’s FREE.

Click Here to Subscribe to The Haunter’s Toolbox

 

Thanks to HauntLife.com for donating these prizes for October! We are giving away 1 Woman’s & 1 Man’s Haunt Life T-Shirt any size. And 1 XL Man’s HAuNTcon 2013 T-Shirt. (3 Winners)

Sign Up before October 24th.

haunt tshirt

 

Tips for Your Haunt and The Best Online Haunter Resources (picked by Haunters)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:39 — 39.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple

Check out this audio podcast on Halloween & Haunted Houses!!In episode 52 of HaunTopic Radio we dive down into our secret interview archives and dig up some clips you have never heard. We focus this episode on Tips & Tricks from other Haunters, Advice from the Haunt Experts when operating your Haunted House, and Where to Find that Tutorial You Need for Your Last Haunt Project.

We bring in Leonard Pickel (HAuNTcon), Kelly Collins (MHC), Eric Lowther (Haunted Overload), Rich Teachout (Asylum Haunted Screampark), Kristy Noble (Noble Manor), & Travis Russell (Camp Nightmare) to shed a little light on your dark projects. Advice you need as you are building, some marketing tips, project tips, and more haunt tips while you pound away in your workshop.

We also took a poll on our social media sites and asked you where you go for Haunt Projects, Haunt Tips, Haunt Tutorials, and inspiration for your next Halloween/Haunt project. Below is an active list of all the websites you mentioned. Don’t get lost…

Online Haunted House/Halloween Resources: (picked by Haunters)

  1. Haunt Forum
  2. Halloween Forum
  3. Garage of Evil
  4. Haunt World Forum
  5. Haunt Space
  6. Scary Lady Videos (YouTube)
  7. Stiltbeast Studios (YouTube)
  8. Hollywood Haunter (YouTube)
  9. Haunter’s Hangout (YouTube)
  10. Haunt Project
  11. Halloween Monster List
  12. Scary Guys
  13. Instructables
  14. Stolloween
  15. Dave Lowe Design
  16. Haunt Nation Magazine
  17. Haunter’s Hangout (facebook)
  18. Haunted Attraction Industry (facebook)

We extended our contest deadline to August 31st! If you want a chance to win one of the prizes below then make sure you are a Member of the Haunter’s Toolbox. If you are already a member, watch your email. If you are not a member- Sign Up For FREE Here.

A prize package from Stabbing House

stabbing house

OR

A Scary Peeper Prop from HauntNav.com

Win this Scary Peeper Prop from HauntNav.com

The top winner gets to pick!!

Where is your favorite place to find Haunted House or Halloween Information?

Monsters Wanted: A Journey from Home Haunting to Owning a Haunted Attraction

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:41 — 77.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple

monsters wanted documentaryMonsters Wanted is the New Haunted Attraction Documentary from ThoughtFly Films. The movie follows Rich Teachout, an IT professional, as he quits his job and invests his life savings into opening a one-of-a-kind haunted attraction.  He and his partner Janel dedicate every moment, ounce of energy and dollar to making their “scream park” a reality. Along the way they have to deal with sabotage, civil war, and the crunch of time to achieve their goals. The resulting movie is a rare peek into a multi-million dollar industry known for its well-guarded secrets and self-proclaimed madness.

“We can’t be more excited about how this project turned out,” says co-director Joe Laughrey. “We knew starting out that the industry was interesting enough to support a feature, but we had no idea the level of emotional investment these haunted house owners have in their work.  This is really a great story for anyone who’s taken a chance or followed a dream.”

“We had over 200 hours of footage,” says co-editor and co-producer Kaley Roberts. “The editing process was intimidating, but I’m glad we took the months of work we needed to find a story that people inside and outside the industry can really connect with.”

In addition to following the Asylum Haunted Scream Park, “Monsters Wanted” also gives an insider’s perspective on several different haunted houses and the industry as a whole.

“Going to the Transworld Haunt and Attraction Show was an eye-opening experience,” says director Brian Cunningham. “Here you had thousands of haunters and vendors set up in one place, all working to try and make their attraction stand out from the others. It wasn’t until then that I realized how big the industry was and how many people are involved in it. It’s one of my favorite sequences.”

The movie also features music by acclaimed indie rock bands Sick of Sarah and Viva Viva as well as Louisville locals OK Zombie and Two-Pump Chump.

“We needed music that could blend together all the different emotions the characters were feeling,” says Cunningham. “We really found a great soundtrack to support the images on screen.”

“It’s a great mix of horror, comedy and real-life drama,” says the film’s co-director Joe Laughrey. “But at its core, ‘Monsters Wanted’ is about following a dream at all costs.”
 
 
Monsters Wanted is scheduled for release on August 27, 2013 through Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, and Digital Download. Buy Monsters Wanted

 

“Monsters Wanted:” There’s nothing more terrifying than following your dreams.

 

Find Out More About Monsters Wanted:

 

Win Prizes for the Month of August!! Submit Your Entry Before August 24th, 2013. Here is What YOU Can Win. You must be a member of our FREE Haunt Club the Haunter’s Toolbox. (All new subscribers between now and the deadline will be automatically entered. All current members- check your email.) Sign Up Here.

 

1) A Scary Peeper Prop from HauntNav.com

Win this Scary Peeper Prop from HauntNav.com

 

2) A Prop Package From StabbingHouse

Win a Bloody Meat Cleaver from Stabbing House!

 

Win a Bloody hand from Stabbing House

Best Places To Buy Your Haunted House Supplies (picked by Haunters)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:00 — 36.6MB)

Subscribe: Apple

Halloween SuppliesWhere do you buy your supplies for your Haunted House, Home Haunt, or Halloween Display?

In this episode of HaunTopic Radio we asked you where your favorite places were to purchase masks, make-up, props, animatronic parts, sound effects, decorations, and general haunted house supplies. And YOU delivered!

Keep in mind these questions were answered by a variety of different haunters. Pro Haunters, Home Haunters, and Beginner Halloween Enthusiasts. Answers vary from places like Scare Factory to Picking Up Materials Off the Curb! There are 1,000’s of places to acquire haunt supplies but these are the ones hand picked by you. Check out the list below and see if your favorite store is listed.

We also introduce a new segment called The Spider’s Web hosted by a fellow HaunTopic crew member- Matthew Hampel. In this ongoing segment Matthew will cover all scary things we find on the web. Cool haunt products, Haunter YouTube channels, Halloween information websites, and other valuable places online to get your haunt on!

 

Here is the list of the best places to find Halloween & Haunt supplies (picked by you):

  1. Top Pick- Fright Props
  2. Monster Guts
  3. eBay/Amazon
  4. Home Depot/Lowe’s/Find it on the curb (build your own)
  5. Spirit Halloween/Halloween Express
  6. Haunted Props
  7. Haunted House Creations
  8. Distortions
  9. Halloween Asylum
  10. Froggy’s Fog
  11. Gore Galore
  12. Midnight Syndicate/Audio Zombie (Audio)
  13. Creepy Collections
  14. Master Fog
  15. Scare Factory
  16. Darklight Lighting
  17. Creature Corps
  18. Spooky Dimensions
  19. Poison Props
  20. Nethercraft
  21. Shop of Horrors
  22. Haunted House Makers
  23. Fright Ideas
  24. Haunting FX
  25. Nightmare Factory
  26. Bloody Mary (make up)
  27. Creeped Out
  28. Frightmasters
  29. Party Galaxy/Buy Costumes
  30. Oriental Trading Company

Newly Added. (Leave a comment below to add your favorites.)

  1. Horror Dome

 

Did your favorite place make the list? Let us know in the comments below!

The winner of the 1031 Horror Comic “Halls of Bedlam” is: Christie Watkins

Get Your Own Personalized Horror Comic at 1031 Comics!

1031 Comics

The 3 prizes for the month of July are:

1) A personalized comic cover of your Haunt or Character by John O’Brien (the artist above)

2) A personalized color illustration caricature of you as your favorite monster. (also by John O’Brien)

3) A hand-crafted scarecrow mask by John Dean of TerroRealm in Rutland, VT.

If you want a chance to win next time make sure you’re a member of The Haunter’s Toolbox Newsletter!

Click Here to become a member of The Haunter’s Toolbox for FREE