Sunday, July 31, 2011

Hauntcast 33!

Hey Frightners!

Just a reminder that Hauntcast 33 premiers next Friday so don't forget to listen!!

Stay Scary!!!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Terra's Hell Horse Prop.

Hey Frightners!

Well I just wrapped up writing my segment for Hauntcast 33 which airs August 5th! I think I got some cool news and links for everyone so I do hope you enjoy the August edition of the Access Hollyween segment on Hauntcast.

Im constantly scouring the internet for cool haunt news and jotting down everything I see and read as potential topics of interest in my Access Hollyween segment but this is one link that I just simply have to share right now and it's a video for Terra's Hell Horse prop (as I dubbed it.)

I find there are always a few haunters each year that end up working on that one prop that becomes near and dear to them, that one prop that becomes their baby and focal point of their haunt that year. Those are the props that I love to see and learn what the process was that went into making them because the time and effort it took to make them really always shines through. Terra's Hell Horse prop is one of these types of props which simply amazed me and I am glad she posted a video of her process because it helps me appreciate it that much more.

Terra, great job! As Chris Baker would say on Hauntcast...I am not worthy! I am giving you my mad props for your prop and am looking forward to seeing what it looks like when it is finally set in its place this Halloween!

Enjoy the video everyone!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Random but cool!

Hey Frightners,

I don't know what I was looking up that I ended up coming across this but wow! Can you imagine having this laying on your lawn on Halloween?!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Fake a Ghost.

Hey Frightners,

Here is a nice tutorial on how to fake a ghost by using the peppers ghost effect and some video edition software.

I have been dabbling with the peppers ghost effect for the past two years in my haunt with some luck here and there. It's really a great effect if used correctly and will definitely amaze your friends and family. I highly suggest trying it out! I will be working on some new peppers ghost effects this year for my haunt and will be sure to video my process of setting them up.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Uncle Creepy Stop Motion Animated Short.

Hey Frightners,

I came across this Uncle Creepy Short last Friday while poking around Youtube for some Halloween animations. It's pretty cool! I'd love to see an Uncle Creepy Halloween Special or some sort of half hour series but until then a boy can dream! Enjoy....

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Vincent Price Presents by Blue Water Comics.

Hi Frightners!

Today I kicked back and caught up on reading some comics I had bought recently. There was one in particular that I think all you haunters out there may like and it was "Vincent Price Presents" by Blue Water Comics.



This is a monthly ongoing series by Blue Water Comics which features some of Prices's films as well as some new frightening tales all featuring Vincent as different characters all of which are sure to send shivers down your spine!

One tale I enjoyed that I highly suggest is issue #26 "House of the Raven."  If you like spooky old mansions, werewolfs and ghost then you will enjoy House of The Raven.

You can purchase these comics online on Amazon or at a local comic book shop and don't forget to check out the Blue Water Comics website for other titles such as Stephen King, The Blackbeard Legacy and Jason & The Argonauts The Kingdom of Hades.

Stay Frightful!

Faces of the Great Pumpkin Art Contest!

Hey Frightners!



Cool news for all you contest lovers out there. Cult Of The Great Pumpkin is running an art contest from now until September 30th on their WEBSITE. The concept is simple: Drawn, Paint, Sculpt or otherwise create a portrait of The Great Pumpkin. That is, YOUR VISION of The Great Pumpkin. Since nobody's ever seen him (or her!) his appearance is completely open to interpretation. Go to the contest page HERE! to view all the rules.

My wife and I will be entering since we have missed out on a few recent contest due to our busy schedules with work and life but this sounds to be a fun contest and there are some really great prizes from companies such as Sinister Visions, Zombie Pinups, Flashback Weekend and Retro Zombie Tiki Terror.

If any of you Frightners enter please keep me posted and maybe I can post up some of your entries here on the blog along with mine and my wifes.

Stay Frightful!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Star Wars Monster Bobble Heads.

Hey Frightners!

Very cool Start Wars Bobble heads that have been monsterfied by Funko Toys. Funko also makes a great line of classic monster movie bobbles too!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Hey Frightners!


So as most of you know I am a big comic book fan and though I stick mainly to reading my super hero stories I always keep my eye out for anything horror related and luckily today I came across the authorized graphic novel adaptation of Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes!"

Now I haven't actually read the actual book (shame on me!) but I have read The Halloween Tree and own the VHS animated version of it so I figured it was a no brainer to pick this adaptation up and give it a whirl. The introduction was written by Mr. Bradbury so that told me he must have given this adaptation his seal of approval.

Now if you don't know the story of Something Wicked This Way Comes it goes a little something like this:

"Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show howls into Green Town, Illinois, at three in the morning, a week before Halloween.Under it's carnival tents are a mirror maze that steals wishes; a carousel that promises eternal life, in exchange for your soul; the Dust Witch, who unerringly foresees your death; and Mr. Dark, the illustrated Man, who has lived for centuries off the misery of others. Only two boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, recognize the dark magic at work and have a plan to stop this anchient evil if it doesn't kill them first!"


Since I am adding a dark carnival of sorts to my haunt this year I saw this book as the perfect read for me. I am interested in what Mr. Dark's carnival has in store for both Will and Jim and what Dark illusions they will experience. Maybe the story will inspire some ideas for my haunt?

Since this is a graphic novel it is fully illustrated in comic book fashion. The drawings remind me slightly of the animated Halloween Tree, special simple clean lines. There is no color as it is all in black and white but that doesn't bother me much. I am less then half way through the book and will give a full review when complete but if you are a fan of Ray Bradbury and his works then I think you will like this adaptation.

To purchase the graphic novel adaptation of Something Wicked This Way Come you can go to either AMAZON or the publishers website FSG Books.

I intend on picking up the full book once I have read through this to compare but overall I am looking forward to what seems like another cool and creepy Halloween Story by Ray Bradbury!

Stay Frightful!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Creepy Babies!

Hey Frightners!

Today I was reading through the newest edition of peanutgnomes Haunter News and one of the stories was about these new baby doll Harry Potter toys made by artist Tracy Ann Lister. These dolls are super creepy, especially the Voldemort doll! Ewww!

Check out the write up and see who is who and how to order the Potter babies HERE!







Sunday, July 17, 2011

Storm King Pictures

Hi Frightners!

Well today I had a BLAST at Storm King (http://www.stormking.org/) Here is a little bit more about Stomr King as taken from their pamphlet that we received upon entering today..

"Storm King Art Center is a museum that celebrates the relationship between art and nature. Over 500 acres of landscaped fields, rolling hills, meadows, and woodlands provide a dramatic setting for more than 100 post-World War 2 sculptures by internationally renowned artists. At Storm King, exhibition space is defined by earth and sky.

Visitors discover monumental sculpture set against vistas of the Hudson Highlands. As seasons, weather, and light change, so does each visit to Storm King. Storm King's museum building contains galleries for smaller sculptures, special exhibitions, and the Visitor Center."

Overall this was an amazing place were you can wander for hours on end. I think it is impossible to see everything in one day as you can get caught up for endless periods of time just looking at one sculpture or the various country wide views set atop huge hills that stretch as far as the eye can see. I have never experienced anything like it.

You are free to hike the entire way or you may choose to rent bike or bring your own and if you would like they have guided tram car tours or guided walking tours but we just enjoyed hiking by ourselves and getting lost in it all.

Each piece and sculpture you came across was different and unique. Some seemed super modern, other looked like they crash landed from space and then there were those that looked like they were left behind from the golden ages.

From a haunters perspective it was interesting to see what kind of materials were used in each sculpture. Everything from Metal, Tires, Concrete, Terra Cotta, Glass, Mirror, Stone, Wood and more was used. It was just so interesting what such raw materials could create. It goes to show you with an imagination you can really build anything you want with whatever you want.

If you are visiting the NY/NJ Area I highly suggest making time to visit Storm King because it's one of those places unlike anything you have ever seen and if you love art and sculpture its perfect. It only costs $12 to enter the park but be sure to bring a lot of water if you are going during the summer time as there aren't many any stops a long the hike where a water fountain or rest room can be found. There is one cafe area and the visitor center where you can get some water and food so come packed with your own snacks  beyond those two stops. Dress according to the weather and make sure you got some good hiking sneakers or boots on if you are going on foot. As I stated above, there are 100's of sculptures spread all over and they do provide a map for you to follow and pin point any that you may want to hike to but the fun of Storm King really is just getting lost in it all and seeing what you might find around that next corner or as you come out of a twisting and turning woodland trail, you never know what your are going to see next!

Enjoy the pictures below and if you have any questions about any of the pieces and who they were made by, what materials were used or anything at all just let me know in the comments and I will do my best to answer.

Stay Frightful!!