SOS Animated Haunt for 2011

[Halstaff]

Now that I've had a couple of years to develop my Halloween display, my wife has asked that I devote some time for a Christmas light show. I reluctantly (oh sure) said yes. I guess it was my Christmas present.
I'll be using much of the lighting control systems to improve the lighting for the Halloween display as well since it is one of the things I'm looking to improve.
The haunt has over 30 animated features I've built myself including most of the controllers. Here's this year's display video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyqxwdj6MS4

[duramadmax]

very well done...

[Materdaddy]

Wow! That video makes me want to do a big halloween display! Great setup you've got there!

[lightman]

Great show. Terrific camera work. Really brings out the mood and feeling of the night.

[dirknerkle]

That's just incredible. Very, very well done. Do you work for Disney?!?!?

[Greg in Canby]

The flopping fish on the plate may be my favorite - but how can one name any single element of your haunt as favorite?!? It's all very well done.

I have used Vixen to control haunt lighting and props since 2009 but on a much, MUCH smaller scale.

I'm sure you have seen this (based on video evidence) but if not check out the .pdf about lighting: http://www.robertdbrown.com/haunt//tutorial_01.htm

Love the Madam Leota, would totally enjoy a brief explaination/how to on that one.

I really hope your haunt is not on the east coast as I would love to visit!

The Christmas light addiction is very similar to the Halloween addiction, in fact I started this whole thing Halloween based and added extreme Christmas later - much like it sounds you are doing BUT you have your wife's blessing - coooool.

A lot of guys sequence lights to Halloween music but I have never tried that, choosing to keep the technology to enhance the classic haunt presentation.

We have very few TOTs here so unless Halloween in on a Friday or Saturday, I keep it really small.

It looks like you have several "zones" to work with theme wise, I found this awhile back and wad intrigued:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMqdTYzoeN8

Sky's the limit . . . eh? I tried to keep this post Christmas centered since that is what your "adding" but didn't do very well, but it is in the Halloween section I suppose. Glad to see you back! Fasten your seat belt, enjoy the ride!

Again, great work on the haunt, can't wait to see your Christmas display!

Greg
Oregon

[Halstaff]

Thanks everyone!
It's been fun building all the animatronics and I've got plans for some great new ones for this year. My Halloween display will use my light controllers just for varying the lighting, not for synchronizing the lights to the music. I'm saving that for Christmas so that the 2 displays are completely different.
For the Madame Leota, I took a large spirit ball and base that came with an animated head in it. I removed all the electronics and added a foam head I sculpted using a foam wig head as a base. The face is projected on the wig head from about 5 feet away and hidden under a shelf. It's a great effect and I was surprised at how many people were puzzled about how it was done.
Greg, my haunt is in San Diego and you're welcome to come by for a behind the scenes tour.
We had over 400 people in 2011, which was our second year setting up the haunt and we don't advertise.

[Greg in Canby]

Thanks for the Leota info and invite. San Diego is possible, I'm putting it on the calendar!

[Materdaddy]

Where in SD? I'd love to bring the kids by next Halloween!

[Halstaff]

I live in El Cajon. We have an open house for friends and family which is planned for the Sunday evening before Halloween. Come by then if you can to see the entire haunt as the inside of the house and backyard are not open on Halloween.

[Joefunkx]

Wow... very impressive stuff!!!

[Halstaff]

I'm pleased with the display so far but am really looking forward to taking it to the next level by improving the lighting. With what I'm learning here, I'm sure it will take a giant leap forward in that regard plus I'm going to have a blast adding a Christmas show.