Updated the slideshow in the last post with all our pics.
Some final thoughts on 2011.
We’ve gotten a little too big for our own good. Had to form a queue line for the first time. This left me out front, and that meant only Kyle was working in the actual haunt. We officially need some help now. Need at least one more ‘scare’ place. I’m hesitant to go mechanical, as mechanics can’t adjust for little kids.
Placed a comment/suggestion book out for the first time. I’ve been wanting to do that for at least 3 years now. Many more people used it than I expected, and we sincerely thank everyone for the feedback.
Of the suggestions: Chainsaw, Freddy, Zombies, and Michael. Frankly, I think people can find enough of that stuff somewhere else. We’ll stick to more original stuff and atmosphere.
Equal parts “scary” and “make it more scary”. Since our goal always is “Have the little kids clinging to their parents but not up all night”, it’s a fine line, but one I think we’re treading fairly well.
This has been my favorite year, personally, even though I got stuck playing gatekeeper. Everything pretty much came out how I wanted, but would still have liked to finish the original plan on Kyle’s costume.
Time to pick it all up, and start begin the annual switch to Christmas mode. What’s in store for that? I’m not sure yet.
It’s also the research time of year for me. We’ve already settled on a theme. Chosen by the kids. “The Recondite.” I’ll leave you to guess the meaning of that for now, but will leave you that the name is a clue…
We’ve been too busy to update for a few weeks now, as you’ve noticed.
Well, I was out doing my normal routine of researching for inspiration. The subject at the time was the Moche civilization, specifically their trophy heads…and I stumbled onto something so completely unorthodox and beautiful, I knew I had to have one.
You have to look for inspiration in unorthodox places.
We’ve been deep into research mode. I’ve made no secret I was unhappy with the scarecrows this year. I mean they turned out ok, and how I expected, and all. They were just too ORDINARY. What’s more, they really did not have any way to tie in with the eventual planned move to Spider Woman.
So, how does one come up with UNORTHODOX scarecrows? And, what’s more how does one tie scarecrows into Spider Woman?
First up, finding some scarecrows. I’ve been running random searches for some time. Found plenty of scarecrows, scary and cute. Virtually all the standard humanoid being on a cross. None of it was catching my attention.
I forget what the specific search term was that brought up THIS image.
Magic the Gathering, of all things. Not only was it dishing up unique art in spades, it was dishing out a story to go with it.
“Most of the scarecrows of Shadowmoor were built by kithkin cobblesmiths to perform basic farming tasks. Even on that dimly lit plane, kithkin have to raise springjacks and care for their sickly, nettle-infested crops, so enterprising hedge-mages of the douns (the Shadowmoor term for kithkin villages) built creatures to help with the chores. The cobblesmiths could only spare a few tools, bones, or scraps of wood to create the things, which caused the scarecrows to move in an unsettling, herky-jerky way. Some say the first scarecrow-makers used the enchanted wood of dead treefolk, and their movements are indicative of the wood’s intrinsic rage. Whatever the cause of their strange movements, they didn’t do their jobs very well, but at least when dark things in the night snatched them away, the farmers hadn’t lost much.
Over time, as farmers moved or passed away, some of the scarecrows remained. Most of them continue to try to perform their intended actions, but removed of their context, their actions seem bizarre and inappropriate. A scarecrow designed for scything grain, for example, can seem menacing when it comes at you in the dark, its sickle-arm raised high and its empty eyes trying to decide whether you are ripe for mowing. Other scarecrows are more innocuous in purpose, but can still be strange and scary.”
As I put away the last of the items, it’s time to reflect on the year that was 2010.
The year began with a massive plan to build a temple. Not in the traditional sense you may think of, but in a very Mayan sense. I envisioned the side of the house as a cave, a mural on one side, Tzompantli in the center, and mummies on the other. Eventually, the idea to light everything with blacklights formed, and there was a great push to blacklight everything…
At the end of the day, 2 and a half Steves were created, and about 50 skulls. A ton of lessons learned in the mixing of fluorescing paint, and a decent amount of fun had. Ultimately, these set unused as it first became unrealistic to create the cave/temple, and then the backup plan of lighting the back yard with blacklight fell through. But they stand at the ready…
The failures shortly followed.
First, “Them”. An unorthodox experiment in animation. They wound up being abandoned as the weather continued to pound rain early in the spring. A little tricky with the counter-weighting, but they looked promising what little time the prototype actually worked. (not long enough to get video, unfortunately)
Next on the list of failures came more in an act of nature.
Both the Stele and the Witches fell victim to weather when our gazebo took a tumble in a storm.
This was the final nail in the coffin for trying to switch to a Spider Woman theme. Thus, we stood back and began formulating other plans whilst finishing up some items on the Laboratory.
With the Laboratory completed, the Harvest was born.
The Harvest had a LOT of good points. It felt good being out in a field again, even if it was only collecting the decor. A reflection on some of my childhood in and of itself.
For, perhaps only the second time since I have started this, the front yard came out pretty much EXACTLY as I wanted it to.
Well, Charr was at rest in the shed, as I wanted the fog machine to be used more traditionally for The Harvest… A part of the aftermath of the weather that night is that I lost all 3 fog machines. Well, at least the timers. Hard to tell if the machines work or not without a switch.
And, the lighting I was hoping would help out the video camera…well, didn’t much.
With the weather wiping out everything early as well, we’re left with needing to procure new bamboo for this next year, no matter what we do.
So, what does that all mean?
I don’t know. The Harvest, in the form of the front yard, will likely be returning in some form at some point. Charr needs to make a come back, and I need to but new fog and bamboo, and still want to be heading towards the Spider Woman changeover. Beyond that, I’m taking a little break from building things till January. Maybe make some sketches, and do some research. (yes, research is vital to theme building) See what I dream up next, and how to pull it together.
First thing this morning, a black cat crossed my path, and then sat staring as I passed.
How curious.
I’m not a superstitious person. However, who had not heard of a black cat crossing your path being bad luck?
Well, apparantly, to some it’s lucky:
Will you worry the next time a black cat crosses your path? It may depend on where you live in the world. In Britain and Japan, having a black cat cross your path, is considered good luck, whereas if you live in the USA or several European countries, it is bad luck to have a black cat walk by.
Here are a few cat superstitions from various countries. A strange black cat on your porch brings prosperity. – Scottish superstition A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. – Italian superstition It is bad luck to see a white cat at night. – American superstition Dreaming of white cat means good luck. – American superstition In the Netherlands, cats were not allowed in rooms where private family discussions were going on. The Dutch believed that cats would definitely spread gossips around the town. In Egypt, it was once believed that the life-giving rays of the sun were kept in a cat’s eyes at night for safekeeping. To kill a cat brings seventeen years of bad luck -Irish superstition
But, I found it most curious that today, of all days, it should happen.
August 19, 1692, 5 witches hung from Gallow hill in Salem. Among them, George Burroughs. Despite having no witches marks, and being able to recite the Lords Prayer, supposedly proof of his innocence, the former minister was hung as a witch.
I’ve always found the Salem witch trials a fascinating topic. And, in case you hadn’t noticed yet, bizaar research topics are something of a theme around here. So, for more information, a great place to start is over here.
Speaking of bizaar research topics, I’ld estimate anywhere from 80-90 percent of my ideas comes from some obscure research I do. I watch documentaries all the time, and you never know when some little tidbit there will make me go off in search of more info.
In the past, one of my favorite series for this was Digging for the Truth. Then Josh Bernstein left the show after season 3. And, the new host was a complete moron. At least Josh KNEW something about the stuff and would ask half-way intelligent questions.
And, the series fell flat in the 4th season. (Though the mummies of the clouds SURE has some Halloween potential…)
Last night, however, the Discovery Channel premiered Josh’s new series: Into the Unknown. I was hopefull it would be a decent replacement.
While last night’s show on Gladiators was of little value, and really shed no new light on the subject, a look at the episode guide reveals plenty more potential. Another look at the Cloud Warriors and New Guinea mummies among the potential additions to someone looking to bring a unique aspect to Halloween.
