The Owls Are Not What They Seem

Art by @drewrausch

Now Watching: Blade Runner

The Final Cut, of course.  Introducing my sister to Ridley Scott's genre defining masterpiece.  

I miss Vangelis. Rest in peace.

Click below for the original trailer

I promise this isn't just a classic movies blog haha. I've just been taking my time with this Haunt Theory post.  More Halloween-specific stuff soon!

Now Watching: Raiders of The Lost Ark (on the big screen!)

I had the absolute pleasure of watching a theatrical re-screening of Raiders presented by Fathom Events. It's such a formative and influential movie for me, my interests, and my artistic style. (Fun fact, I learned how to crack a bullwhip because of my love for Indiana Jones haha)

If you want to catch the film, there is one more day to see it: Tonight, Wednesday June 7th. 

Click below to get tickets in your area

Listening to: you're in an empty place for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

A round-the-clock music livestream of ambient music; a mix of dark, hopeful, melancholic, and relaxing tracks. I'm currently listening to this while writing up a very long haunt theory post, which I hope to share soon!

Listen below:

ElmParkHaunter's Groundbreakers

Three awesome skeletal groundbreakers by @elmparkhaunt on Instagram!

A familiar face visits Twin Peaks

I've been binging Twin Peaks for the first time, and have been thoroughly enjoying it in all of its quirky, soapy, mysterious, 90's glory. 

Created by David Lynch and Mark Snow, who went on to make The X-Files only a few years later (a favorite TV show of mine!)

So imagine my delight and surprise when I'm watching Twin Peaks and in walks an actor that would go on to appear on X-Files as one of the FBI's "spookiest" agents...

Click below to see the clip!

Listening to: Swinging Wake

From The Haunted Mansion ride.  A short little instrumental motif to the tune of Grim Grinning Ghosts. YouTube incorrectly credits Xavier Atencio as the artist, but he was the lyricist to G.G.G.  Buddy Baker was the composer for the ride's score (this song included).

Listen below

Playful Pumpkin Girl

By @si_ot_drawing

Listening to: Nightlife

By Street Cleaner. I first heard this song back in 2019 at Halloween Horror Nights, and now will forever associate it with retro horror vibes!

Click below to listen

UPDATE: New Job!

You'll have to forgive my absence from the blog the past couple weeks. I've been very busy with my new job! 

I've been hired on as an artistic fabricator with a fabrication company in Orlando. I can't share the name of which one I work for due to privacy and non-disclosure concerns.  They are one of several companies that offer scenery and prop fabrication for Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando. The parks provide designs and we're the ones that build it!

We're currently tied up with several big projects that I can't talk about, but I'm hoping we are able to do some work regarding a certain unnamed large-scale Halloween event in Orlando (*wink wink*).  My company has made things for it in previous years, so fingers crossed.  All in all, I'm super excited to be working for them. I plan on working with them for at least a year, but could be longer (or shorter). 

Unfortunately, working here poses some problems for my own personal projects, namely my yearly yard haunt. This job is currently requiring most of my time throughout the week, and it is exhausting. To get an idea of just how exhausting and time consuming it's been, this is the third day in a row I've tried to write this post because I keep passing out as soon as I get home. 

I definitely have plans for this year's haunt, but it will be a week or two before I can confidently say whether or not I'm going to execute on those plans.  I'll be sure to give an update then.

Send those Halloween vibes my way.  Fingers crossed for a 2023 yard haunt!

A Ghostly Memory

Picture by @12monthsofoctober. The kind of picture that gets me through the dog days of Summer. 

New Original Song: Mile-long Reminder

For best listening experience:  Get drunk. Real drunk. 

Put on your coat and stumble out of your house at dusk.  Look up at the darkening sky, and start walking.  Let your inebriated mind guide your thoughts (and your feet).  Think about the past, even though you know you shouldn't.  Walk until you don't recognize the houses, and then walk a little more. Realize it's getting late, and you should probably head back. Stumble inside and head to the kitchen.  Pour yourself one more drink.  Whiskey, most likely.  Sip and remember, then sip until you forget...

At 20 minutes, it's a much longer track than I normally make, but I wanted to make something pensive and melancholic that you can get lost in.  I think I achieved that effect just fine.

Click below to listen on YouTube:

Listening to: The Facility

By Simon Stålenhag. Music for his art book The Labyrinth.

Click below to listen - (Fixed the link!)

Art by Simon Stålenhag

Halfway to Halloween

May 1st means we're over the hump!  Better get cracking on those Halloween plans, it won't be long now... 

Give a comment if you'd like to share some projects you've already started, I'd love to hear about them!

Here's some fun art by @joekeinberger_art. I'd like to imagine this fella as a Halloween hobo, just passin' through on his way to October Country. 

Breath of Autumn

by Derek O'Brien (@its_halloween_night)

200 Days Until Halloween!

I feel so behind! I haven't even begun fabrication yet. I keep trying to wait for life to chill out for a minute so I can begin, but let's be real here: That aint gonna happen.  

I better start soon though.  October will be here before I know it.

Photo from 2022

“Signs of life in mummy exhibit in Mexico have experts worried”

(A news site sensationalizing headlines for more clicks? Never!)

"Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History expressed concerns about this exhibition, according to a March 31 statement. The institute said it was not alerted about the display and did not authorize or advise on the transportation, handling or presentation conditions of the mummies.

"Experts saw photos of the display and spotted signs of possible fungal growths on one mummy, the institute said in its statement. The signs of life worried experts because of the possible biohazard concerns — yet lack of safeguards — and the danger of damage to the fragile mummies."

So while these mummies look very cool, they will, unfortunately, not be reanimating. Still, better keep Brendan Fraser on speed-dial just in case.

Click here for the original article, and click here for a much better article providing some background on the mummies.

Modern Masters Rust Finish Kit

I've heard of these kits before, and I think I might try one out for this year's yard haunt.  It uses iron paint that is then coated with a rust activator to rapidly cause the paint to oxidize, thus creating real rust on any paintable surface (not just metal!)

@quiet_grave used it to make these awesome tin can jack-o'-lanterns:

Looks like you can pick this up at most hardware department stores.

Check out the Modern Masters website for a full product list of rust and patina effects.

Dressed to Kill

Another fun photo from @the_old_ghost777

TransWorld EAST COAST dates announced!

I'm now realizing that I forgot to share the news, but TransWorld's Halloween and Attractions Show is finally coming to the East Coast!

A week ago, TransWorld announced that they were adding a new show. In addition to the St. Louis show, a Haunters Convention will now also be happening in Philadelphia, starting next year!

Yesterday, they announced the location, sponsors, and show/tour dates for 2024. TransWorld's East Coast Haunters Convention will be held at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, April 25 - 28, 2024.  

Attendee tickets aren't on sale yet, but Exhibitor registration forms have opened up. I hope to attend!!

See the announcement photo below or click here for the IG post