More NHC

The Monster Madhouse Video

I said I was going to use this space as a soapbox!

This article really hit home for me. Not only was some of the content related to a town near me, it hit on a subject that has had me thinking for some time now.

Quoting from the article in Reason.com

"A law like that is likely to face fierce opposition from law enforcement organizations. Jim Pasco, executive director of the national Fraternal Order of Police, says he sees no problem with arresting people who photograph or record on-duty cops. Pasco says his main concern is that activists will tamper with videos or use clips out of context to make police officers look bad.

“There’s no chain of custody with these videos,” Pasco says. “How do you know the video hasn’t been edited? How do we know what’s in the video hasn’t been taken out of context? With dashboard cameras or police security video, the evidence is in the hands of law enforcement the entire time, so it’s admissible under the rules of evidence. That’s not the case with these cell phone videos.”

But Carlos Miller, proprietor of Photography Is Not a Crime, says that’s no reason to prevent people from taking video in the first place. “If a video has been altered or edited, that’s a pretty easy thing to discern,” he says. “That’s going to come out in an investigation. And just because a video has only been in police custody doesn’t mean it hasn’t been altered or edited. Police can edit videos too.”

Or delete them entirely. In the College Park case, a campus police surveillance camera was pointed at the area where Jack McKenna was beaten. But there’s no security video of the incident. Campus police say the camera coincidentally malfunctioned at the time of the beating. A local news station reported that the officer in charge of the campus surveillance video system is married to one of the officers later disciplined for McKenna’s beating."

I think the real issue here will end up be the fact that when we the people leave the comfort and safety of our homes, we leave behind many constitutional protections. What makes the police or government think that they should enjoy in public, the same protections that we forfiet upon leaving our residence?

(((Blush))) a needed correction

In my previous post I had made a comment about some people I know and the fact that they had NOT won a makeup contest. Well as it turns out, I was mis-informed. They didn't lose the contest, they were DQ'ed. I'm not 100% certain, but it appears they were disqualified because they had used a prosthetic piece in the contest in clear violation of the rules. In their defense I'll say this; if the prosthetis was made up before hand, then yes, they deserved to be DQ'ed. However, if they had built up the so-called prosthetic while in the process of applying the makeup (and these folks are quite adept at just that!), then I believe that they should have won. In any case, I hope theat they come back again this year. They are employed by a new Haunt and their makeup is fabulous! I'd hate to see them pass up this opportunity just because of something like this. I'm hoping they'll let the past be what it is and return to the contest and give everybody a proper ass-kickin!

decisions decisions

I still haven't decided what direction to take with this blog. Like I said earlier, it was a vehicle for my business. Now that the business is no longer viable, maybe it's time to use it as my own personal soapbox. Your comments are welcome.
I do like the soapbox idea. And to that end, I'll start with my first rant.
As previously stated, I am the seminar coordinator for the National Haunters Convention.
I've been with them since the early days, in Mike's back yard, and I take no small measure of pride in my association with them. I recently asked two people who I worked with recently if they would like to be involved in the con. Both told me they didn't think it was a real con or that they just flat out didn't like it.
Normally I would have slammed them for it. I could have said that if their make up was any good they might have a shot at winning the makeup contest. But that would only be a deception. Their make up is pretty good. I think that their problem with the make-up war is with the fact that it has turned into a de facto T&A contest. The hottest girl wins. Ain't that a bitch! You can't dress up a regular, normal, run of the mill girl and win this contest...you have to go over the top. And that's just the way it is! We call it a war for a reason...and if you want to win...Don't bring a knife to the gunfight!

The latest update and a long break

The observant will notice that I haven't posted anything in two or three years. I started this blog as way to further my own efforts at starting a haunt. That didn't work out as well as I had hoped, but it did connect me with a few folks who either were interested in my work or worked in haunts.
In the time since my last post I've had the opportunity to work at the Fright Factory. That was to be the defining experience that re-kindled my passion for fright. Actually getting paid to scare is one of life's greatest pleasures for me. I worked for Rob and his crew for 2 wonderful years and then another opportunity arose. Actually it was 2.
I was asked by Mike Bruner of the then fledgling Eastern Haunters Convention to find and contact speakers for the con. That has been a blessing in disguise for me. I now have a venue to contact the movers and shakers in the industry as well as see first-hand the inner workings of a business that still captures my imagination. I've had a front row seat to watch this little PA Gathering of Haunters grow into one of the largest industry conventions in the world. This year will be even bigger and I see no end in sight. It has indeed been one of the best things that I've been a part of.
The other opportunity came from the most unlikely place. I had heard that Arnold's GoKarts in Oaks, PA was looking for a haunt manager. I had tried and failed to successfully open "A Place Called Fear" at the very same location. At first I was a little apprehensive about tackling this project. I was uncertain as to whether or not my motives lay in the proper place. It turns out that it was an irrational fear. I managed the haunt to the best of my ability and along the way discovered that this was an occupation ideally suited to me. I have since taken a part-time position with the parent management company of the haunt. Though it is not haunt related it is still an exciting and interesting position. I quickly realized that the potential to expand did not exist and that this haunt would in all likelihood remain the same size as ever. All the same I really enjoyed my time running the haunt for them.
This May at the NHC I heard about the Pennhurst haunt for the first time. I heard that Randy Bates of the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride was contracted by the owners to build and run it.
When I talked to Randy at the NHC, I asked if there was a spot for one of the characters. He said there was and that I should contact him about auditions. Needless to say, I got the job.
It is now mid November and the haunt is done for the season. There's talk of expanding the haunt and the museum it houses. I certainly hope so.

National Haunters Convention

The NHC is coming Apr 29,30 & May 1,2.
Freshly Dug Up Doug will be at the ball Sat. night.
Perfect...this years theme is zombies attack.
Bonus round!!!!!!!!!
Here's a completely randomly placed picture...or is it?

WARNING!?!

BeelzaBubba .....where 'ave i 'eard that name before?

Where'd the time go?

2 Years?!? Holy C@*p! I guess time flies when you're havin' fun.
The Eastern Haunters Convention is now the National Haunters Convention.
My how time flies!

Eastern Haunters Convention

EFP and A Place Called Fear will be at the Eastern Haunters Convention May 2,3,4, But this time I'll be providing security services for the event. That in itself should be scary enough. Mike Bruner has done a great job of growing a little gathering into a national sized convention. I attended a few of these when they were in Harrisburg, PA and always had a great time. Two years ago I attended the gathering and won a door prize...a Ghillie suit. That Ghillie suit can be seen in action in the Mossman video. And if you're planning on going on the Haunt tour Friday night, you will see for yourself just how well The Mossman works!

The Mossman Chronicles

The Mossman. Originally conceived in the back of the garden shed, the bastard child of the Freezer Beast and Robert Brasch, the Mossman lurks in dark corners just waiting set upon the unsuspecting. It appears that, because he blends in so well with his surroundings, he seems quite at home in the garden shed, and that seems to be where he likes to spend most of his time.
Unseen, silent, still as night......waiting...for you.

Devil went downta Georgia...and brought back a boatload of rain

Well 'ole BeazlBubba, he jus' kinda gave us a da,goned mean 'ole surprise witha week 'o rain and a bath Friday night...whether we needed it or not!

To make up for it I had him pose in front of the Fire Company's '46 Hahn. I like the way she brings out the red. Everything on that truck is original even if she ain't in service any more.

'Ole Beez also brought us some nice weather for Saturday. The Fire company will also be running the hayride again this Friday night, Nov. 2. We sure could use some clear skies for that...

Beazlbubba aka 'Devil gone down ta Georgia'

Beazlbubba made his first appearance Sat. night at the Tylersport Fire Co. Haunted Hayride.

They got rained on, Fri. evening, so we waited to unveil him until it was drier. Next week he'll be on stiits, and wearing the proper bibs.....a little tweaking here and there and I think we have a winner.

I've also been putting in time down at the Fright Factory in philly. Freshly dug up Doug finally made his return Sun. Sundays are usually pretty slow but this Sunday was quite exciting downtown...

The Unholy Sideshow trailer

Back in December 2005 we helped out on the production of this movie. Did some of the makeup and lent a lot of props. We had a great time on the set with these guys. Great vid trailer!

Fright Factory 2007

Well, it's October again and last week I started working at the Fright Factory. I've known the owners, Rob and Aven, a few years now and it's really great of them to let me come down and help out.

This is my buddy Chet from the fire company. Chet's pretty damn good on those stilts. It ain't easy, he's got to stay up on them all night, and they have to be duct-taped to his legs so they don't slip. Chet and I met the folks from the Fright Factory at Horrorfind in '04 and gave them a hand with the costume contest. We've been down at the Fright Factory ever since. Go figure! Anyway, I did Chet's makeup, not the best I've ever done, but considering it was a 2 year old appliance...not bad.

I've been doing the 'Mossman' schtick., and it's been working real good so far , but I think I hear 'Freshly dug up Doug' calling to be let out to play. I know I've got to let him out for the fire company's hayride later this month, so I might as well let him warm up some at the Fright Factory. Besides, he's got some new hair and shoes. I think we have a new character for Chet as well, 'Beazlbubba aka The Devil went down to Georgia'. We'll see what develops in the next few days. expect more pictures

EFProductions has completed the castle display project for Clan Young.We did this on time and under budget and even threw in delivery to the event. Needless to say the folks from Clan Young were very pleased with the way this turned out...and so were we. We even hung out at the festival and had a great time!
We also plan on taking part in Philly's own Fright Factory. We've worked there in the past and always have a good time getting paid to scare the crap out of people...it's what we do!

Back from Horrorfind

Well the convention went well. There was plenty to do and I did get to couple of seminars...I had planned on doing that anyway, so I would rate this mission a success.
I ran into some folks form other Haunts that I've known over the years and we had a good time chatting about how the last season went. Obviously mine didn't go as planned, but everyone else seemed to have had a good year. Good luck to them all.
One of the things thats been a hot topic around the haunt business world is cross promotion and marketing. I've always believed that the more "buzz" that we generate, the better for everyone in the business. Being as I'm a shameless self promoter and don't see anything wrong with giving a little shout out to my friends, I say that I ran into some friends from Goatman Hollow, Dark Woods Manor, Kim's Krypt, The Fright Factory, Patient Creatures and a new place in Delaware called Nightmares. I'll post some pictures just to keep it interesting.
The costume contest Saturday night was also quite interesting. Though I don't think it was as big as in years past, it certainly wasn't without a large selection of imaginitave and nicely executed costumes

Here at Horrorfind

Well, we're here at Horrorfind and I've got to say this is an event I look forward to all year.
Meet up with some old friends in the industry, make some new ones, and see everything that there is to see. The vendors this year are awesome, and the celebrity room is packed. There is also a ton of really great seminars, which, after all is the real reason I go to this.
I just took a few minutes away to update the blog and I'll have to be getting back soon...don't want to miss anything! I'll put up some pictures from the show later. See 'ya

Next Gig

EFProductions, the micronational nanoconglomerate that owns aplacalledfear has a new gig. We'll be creating a facade for Clan Young to use at the Green Lane Scottish-Irish Festival. Clan Young sets up tents at festivals and distributes information on Clan Young, Scottish heritage and just general information. They also draw admiring stares from passing womenfolk who just want to know whats under that kilt......Pssst... if 'ya wanna know..........shoes.
They've also been known to consume vast ammounts of single malt scotch and sing. Alas, the Green Lane Festival is in a county park and as such, no alcohol is allowed, however, I have it on good word that there should be plenty of singing, and some dancin' too! Aye, the lads from Clan Young do like to carry on and have a good time.

Horrorfind Weekend 8

Yes folks we'll be attending Horrorfind Weekend 8 August 10-12 2007. As in the past this has been a huge event and is always a lot of fun. We will definitely be looking for old friends in the business as well as making new ones. I (Neil) missed this event the last 2 years because of other obligations, but I will be returning in full force this year.
I had the opportunity last year, to work with the great people at Philadelphia's scariest haunt, The Fright Factory, and I had a great time working with them. I'm sure they will make their presence known to all who attend