Schneblog

Ghost Bride 3

2010-10-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

To watch the video demo of this effect, click here.

My favorite ride of all time is the Disney Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. As a kid, I longed for the day that I could recreate some of the classic effects seen there. After much research and experimentation, I have begun to perfect this art. Every Halloween I put my effects out for people to enjoy and they are met with great enthusiasm. In order to move on to the next challenge, I am offering up my used special effect to carry on the enjoyment.

An interesting note regarding this Ghost Bride. It was one of the displays at the Marvelous Mechanized Magic Kingdom celebration at the Disneyland Grand Hotel Ballroom. This effect was seen and complimented by two of my most admired Disney Pioneers, Bob Gurr (who designed every ride on wheels in Disneyland, including the Monorail) and X Atencio, the genius behind the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.

I had previously made a Ghost Bride as seen in the attic of the Haunted Mansion, but that was bought a year ago, so I thought I would recreate her. The dress is a beautiful and ornate Victorian gown and she has the original, custom-made video with the sweet face that turns gruesome when no one is expecting it.

The mannequin is 6 feet tall, so as you can see, she can be quite imposing.

The video covers the head and surrounding veil and most of the upper torso. The torso shows the chest ribs in green with a red heart beating from behind. The bottom half is a small flood light I purchased from a hardware store with a green gel. This light is not included.

In this auction, I am including everything needed to create the effect seen in the video except for the video projector...

One 6' mannequin with modified facial features for video projection
One Ghost Bride DVD (sells alone for $700)
A DVD player (which auto repeats the video)
A pair of computer speakers (with 10' cable) for audio.

Any portable video projector will do, as long as it is nice and bright. I find the Infocus LP70s work quite nice, and are relatively small.

The Ghost Bride is the main focus of the story behind the Haunted Mansion. I hope I have faithfully reproduced her here and did justice to this fascinating character.

To watch the Ghost Bride in action, click here.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask me via email.

Poe Bust & Mausoleum

2010-08-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

Coming to eBay, mid-November 2010, after Halloween!

To watch the video of this effect, click here.

This year is going to see a fantastic set piece and brand new effect. Last year I successfully created a statue bust where the head seemed to move and watch you. I then took this effect one step beyond what even Imagineering has yet to do, and that is to add a video projection to the moving head! The results were creepy beyond description. To add some class to this effect, I had the bust recite the entire text of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven.

To house this effect, I built my own mausoleum. Made of stretched and painted muslin, wood, and plaster cast decorations, this beautiful set piece will be sold to those willing to make the drive to Redlands in Southern California to pick it up. I will not be shipping this. Here is what the mausoleum looks like when it is disassembled.

Properly tied down, the entire set can be transported via the bed of a small truck or U-Haul. Assembly is fairly simple with A-A, B-B, C-C markings on the wood, and alignment markings. Here is a short video that shows my wife and I setting it up in the backyard.

Once assembled, it looks ominous, even during the daylight hours!

The base of the mausoleum sits at 5' wide by 5' long. The height is a menacing 9' high. It comes with a Haunted Mansion-like torch on the side with two flicker-lamps, 6' columns, angel pediment decoration, and 2 large urns (not shown in above, but can be seen below) that house spotlights and gels for creepy lighting.

The Poe Bust effect will be auctioned separately from the mausoleum. The Poe Bust effect will include everything needed to create the effect seen in the video demo...

One 12" x 24" bust with custom head to create turning effect with projection
One DVD with specially designed head to recite Poe's The Raven.
A DVD player (which auto repeats the video) - see photo below
A small but bright Dell portable projector - see photo below
A pair of computer speakers (with 10' cable) for audio.

To watch the Poe Bust in action, click here.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask me via email.

Ghost Bride 2

2010-08-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

To watch the video demo of this effect, click here.

My favorite ride of all time is the Disney Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. As a kid, I longed for the day that I could recreate some of the classic effects seen there. After much research and experimentation, I have begun to perfect this art. Every Halloween I put my effects out for people to enjoy and they are met with great enthusiasm. In order to move on to the next challenge, I am offering up my used special effect to carry on the enjoyment.

I had previously made a Ghost Bride as seen in the attic of the Haunted Mansion, but that was bought a year ago, so I thought I would recreate her. The dress is slightly different and the mannequin is as well, but she has the original, custom-made video with the sweet face that turns gruesome when no one is expecting it.

The mannequin is 6 feet tall. I am 5' 6", so as you can see, she can be quite imposing.

The video covers the head and surrounding veil and most of the upper torso. The torso shows the chest ribs in green with a red heart beating from behind. The bottom half is a small flood light I purchased from a hardware store with a green gel. This light is not included.

In this auction, I am including everything needed to create the effect seen in the video...

One 6' mannequin with modified facial features for video projection
One Ghost Bride DVD (sells alone for $700)
A DVD player (which auto repeats the video) - see photo below
A small but bright Dell portable projector - see photo below
A pair of computer speakers (with 10' cable) for audio.

The Ghost Bride is the main focus of the story behind the Haunted Mansion. I hope I have faithfully reproduced her here and did justice to this fascinating character.

To watch the Ghost Bride in action, click here.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask me via email.

Grim Grinning Ghosts Quartet

2010-08-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

To watch the video demo of this effect, click here.
To watch the bonus Barbershop Quartet version, click here.

My favorite ride of all time is the Disney Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. As a kid, I longed for the day that I could recreate some of the classic effects seen there. After much research and experimentation, I have begun to perfect this art. Every Halloween I put my effects out for people to enjoy and they are met with great enthusiasm. In order to move on to the next challenge, I am offering up my used special effect to carry on the enjoyment.

This year I am selling my Grim Grinning Ghost singing busts. Please note that I am not selling the DVD, but rather giving away one of two versions of the video to the winning bidder. There is the original Disney version that was digitally manipulated to properly wrap around each bust, and include a haunted, ghostly replication of the chest piece and base to light up as you see in the photo above.

If you are charging admission, you may want to exchange this video for a custom Barbershop Quartet version. This is a 10 minute loop of 4 barbershop quartet songs, In the Sweet By and By, All of Me, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, and Side by Side. Each busts (portrayed by professionals) sings each of the 4 harmonies and is very effective and fun to watch.

See the video demo of the Barbershop Quartet version here.

So, the winning bidder will gain one of the two DVDs described above for free. So what is offered in the actual bidding process?

What I am selling is the following...

Four 12" x 24" resin busts (51–54" wide together)
A DVD player (which auto repeats the video) - see photo below
A small but bright Dell portable projector - see photo below
A pair of computer speakers (with 10' cable) for audio.

I am not including the 48" pedestals seen in the photos because they are too heavy to ship.

Here is what the heads look like in the daylight. They are very large, and each looks different from the other.

The four busts are hand molded from casting resin with a polyurethane back fill. Please understand that these heads are not perfect. There is a crack here and there, maybe a chip, even some deformation–but this adds character and a sort of Tim Burton-look. They still look awesome as a whole at dusk.

These busts were hand fashioned by my own hand because they do not exist anywhere that I know of. So don't expect factory quality.

If you wish to watch a video of these heads in full throat, click here.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask me via email.

Little Madame Leota

2010-07-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

To watch the Little Leota version of this effect, click here.
To watch the bonus Nursery Girl version, click here.

Like many, my favorite ride of all time is the Disney Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. As a kid, I longed for the day that I could recreate some of the classic effects seen there. After much research and experimentation, I have begun to perfect this art. Every Halloween I put my effects out for people to enjoy and they are met with great enthusiasm. In order to move on to the next challenge, I am offering up my used special effect to carry on the enjoyment.

In this auction, I passing on my version of the Little Madame Leota who bids you farewell in exiting the Haunted Mansion. She is a little more fancy in her attire, and her hair is quite strawberry and curly. But the face and voice is the original. Leota measures 36" high and has custom-made video to wrap properly around the head.

Watch the video of Little Madame Leota.
To watch the bonus Nursery Girl version, click here.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask me via email.

Haunted Mansion Effect - Q&A

2009-08-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

You can reach me for questions at rickonline@verizon.net

How far does the projector have to be from the heads?
The provided projector has a zoom, and this will help in placement. The minimum distance is 4 feet. The maximum distance is 5 feet. Now that does not sound like much play, but remember, we are not projecting on to a screen where we can have a grand amount of size possibilities. The heads are only so big, and so must your picture. The advantage to having a close proximity is increase in light falling on the heads.

I am not mechanically inclined. can I set this effect up myself?
It is very easy. You just need to hook up a couple of cords. It will come with setup instructions to walk you through, and I will help you along via email on your first setup. The only real difficulty is getting all four heads aligned.

How much is insurance?
I believe insurance at the PO is $7.70 plus $1.00 per $100.00 or fraction thereof over $600.00 in declared value. It's up to you, but I would highly recommend it. I will pack it all up nice and padded, but we are still talking about some heavy handed delivery people.

What if it rains?
The heads and should be OK, however the special matte paint used is water soluble. A little water is fine since it is cured, but prolong exposure might loosen it. Your projector is another matter. Plan for rain when laying out your electrical connections. Make sure you plug in to a GFI receptacle for safety-sake. Remember, rain happens--so be ready. If it begins to rain, I would shut it down and take everything in or cover with a plastic tarp.

Will people see the projector and DVD player?
Your projector should be in an enclosure that matches the environment. It can fit behind a large tombstone, for example. Make sure that there is ample ventilation in the front and back of the projector or it will overheat.

Does it have to be very dark?
I started the show at dusk. You lose a little contrast on the heads, but it still looks great--albeit, it is better at night.

Do I place the projector low or high?
The video was distorted to accommodate a low projector pointing up. If you plan on using the heads inside and wish to use the projector on a ceiling mount, you may be able to adjust the keystone of the projector to adjust for this.

Outside, keep it on the ground and focus it upward. For best results, keep the angle of the projection toward the head as shallow as possible or else you may get shadows off of the nose.

Is it a big hassle to setup?
To initially setup? Somewhat, but after that you are good to go. The trick is aligning everything perfectly so that the effect is flawless and people stand awestruck. It may take a few minutes to setup, so give yourself some time before dusk if you are outside. Practice before opening night to get the hang of it.

I've tried something like this. How did you make it look so good?
I watched some old specials on the Haunted Mansion construction and effects. I took careful notes, did other research and a large amount of experimentation. Much depends on the actual head surface. The trick is to have a good 3D space to project on When done correctly, your mind immediately sees it is a 3D surface. By far, the modification of the video footage was everything. When you project at an angle, you need to warp your footage to counteract the keystone errors. Also, a technique was used to wrap the head around a 3D surface. It looks very weird in 2D, but excellent on the busts.

The Decapitated Dans

2008-08-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

How far does the projector have to be from the heads?
Most projectors have a zoom, and this will help in placement. I pulled the heads out of storage and did a quick test. The minimum distance is 4 feet. The maximum distance is 5 feet. Now that does not sound like much play, but remember, we are not projecting on to a screen where we can have a grand amount of size possibilities. The heads are only so big, and so must your picture. The advantage to having a close proximity is increase in light falling on the heads.

What if it rains?
The heads and hats should be OK, however the special matte paint used is water soluble. A little water is fine since it is cured, but prolong exposure might loosen it. Your projector is another matter. Plan for rain when laying out your electrical connections. Make sure you plug in to a GFI receptacle for safety-sake.
Your projector should be in an enclosure that matches the environment. It can fit behind a large tombstone, for example. Elevate the projector off of the ground, and make sure there is something over it. Make sure that there is ample ventilation in the front and back of the projector or it will overheat. Remember, rain happens--so be ready. If it begins to rain, I would shut it down and take everything in or cover with a plastic tarp.

Does it have to be very dark?
I started the show at dusk. You lose a little contrast on the heads, but hey, it still looks great--albeit, it is better at night. The video and still photos provided above were taken at dusk, and it looked even better at night, but dusk allowed the video to capture the surrounding area.

Do I place the projector low or high?
Treat the heads like a movie screen. If you plan on using the heads inside, I would mount the projector on a ceiling mount. Outside, you may want to keep it on the ground and focus it upward toward the heads. For best results, keep the angle of the projection toward the head as shallow as possible or else you may get shadows off of the nose.

Is it a big hassle to setup?
Not really. The only real trick is that you have to get the four guys very close together and at the right height. This may require some shim work or spacers under the heads. It may take a few minutes to setup, so give yourself some time before dusk if you are outside. The DVD includes a layout grid to aid you in rough alignment. Also, if you are going to use columns, make sure they are very narrow.

Can I use a cheap DVD player?
Sure, no problem. My only caveat is that the DVD player needs a loop or continuous repeat function so you do not have to restart the DVD. Most have this ability, and it is usually found on the remote control. Sometimes labeled as A>B. Read the manual regarding how to do this.

How long is the DVD loop?
The four songs total to 9-10 minutes of play. This was important for those watching for long periods of time or returning for another look.

How do I hookup for sound?
Your DVD player usually has a stereo RCA audio output (red and white). You will need to connect this output somehow to some powered computer speakers. Go to Radio Shack or another stereo store, and purchase adapters from RCA to what ever input is required for the speakers. Place the speakers near or behind where the heads are. This is important so that you increase the illusion that the heads are singing.

I've tried something like this. How did you make it look so good?
I watched some old specials on the Haunted Mansion construction and effects. I took careful notes, did other research and a large amount of experimentation. Much depends on the actual head surface. One mistake I made was using the cheaper mannequin heads that have no facial feature. This is a major error seeing that you lose the effect of 3D space. Your mind immediately sees it is a flat surface. A few modifications to the the more expensive head features and it worked perfect. However, by far, the modification of the video footage was everything. When you project at an angle, you need to warp your footage to counteract the keystone errors. Also, a technique was used to wrap the head around a 3D surface. It looks very weird in 2D, but excellent on the busts.

Where did you get the video footage?
I hired some theater people to pantomime the music. This required memorization of each part of the four part harmony. A real chore, let me tell you! It was not easy and required several takes for some of the more complex songs! It required a bit of doing to get the footage to work right. As I mentioned above, I have developed a method of wrapping the light around the surface of the head, yet still keep the facial features in the right position-even the ears! Something that took months of editing to perfect.

What ever happened to last year's Grim Grinning Ghosts singing busts?
I chose not to sell that effect bundle due to getting a cease and desist letter from the Disney Company. If I ever get an OK in writing from them, I will offer it. My best solution, however, was to come up with my own, custom version. Hence, the Decapitated Dans.

Jack Skellington Details

2007-09-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

The photo below should give you the scale of Jack. I forgot to measure him before storage, but we are looking at around 7-8'. It is perfect for those wanting pictures taken with him.

Jack looks better at night. The flash does not do him justice (as us all).

Stocking cap can be removed.
Bat collar is made of foam.
Jacket is actual kids jacket.
Jacket liner on sleeves is turned inside-out to lengthen arms.
Both the head and his chest are made from a couple of gourds. A gourd is hard as wood with a nice natural neck and very little weight. I then filled the inside with insulation foam for reinforcement and stability. Both materials make the head extremely lightweight and durable, which was very necessary for stability.
The hands are artificial skeleton hands with some amount of pose ability.