December 17, 2010
First "Wizard's Crag" Prototype!
Anyone who has followed my progress on past paper model projects knows it is a very long process.
This os the first of several more prototypes that need to be constructed in order to fine tune the details and geometry. Then I must create the construction diagrams and write the instructions, which takes quite a while.
Bottom line...completion will not be before mid winter.
UPDATE: December 22,2013- I've received many inquiries about the status of this particular blog post. In more recent posts I explained that this model kit is essentially dead in the water. Warner Bros will not permit me to release Wizards Crag (as a free download or purchase) without it being an officially licensed product. Unfortunately I have been unable to find an interested licensee. Without a license, I risk legal action by the owners of the properties. Right side
Top view
December 13, 2010
More "Wizard's Crag" Progress
December 4, 2010
December 2, 2010
My Interview
The Ray Keim Interview
November 28, 2010
A Return to "Wizard's Crag"
November 24, 2010
Connected to the Web
November 8, 2010
A Very Nice Article About Haunted Dimensions!
November 6, 2010
Halloween Success!
November 3, 2010
“So shines a good deed in a weary world”
Two years ago I received an email from April who lives in Toronto. April told me how she built the Phantom Manor Cookie House (based on my free pattern available at Haunted Dimensions), and donated it to a United Way raffle. It was a HUGE success, and raised lots of money! Her story touched me deeply and added a new dimension to my models and projects!
Well, April is back!
"The house was again used as a bucket raffle item and apparently there was quite a war between two of the lawyers here, both of whom were buying a lot of tickets in an attempt to win the house. The lawyer who won the house had originally intended to take it home to her three children but decided instead to donate it to Ronald McDonald House (http://www.rmhtoronto.org/). It was a double win for your karma this year!"
April was forwarded an email from the Toronto Ronald MacDonald House, along with photos of the kids enjoying her creation! The email said that the cookie house was a huge hit at the Halloween party held for the families and children staying at the house. It was displayed, then happily eaten! The photos, which I am not at liberty to share, brought tears to my eyes. Seeing families and kids who are going through unspeakable trauma, yet smiling and happily exploring a gingerbread house, was overwhelming!
It is a wonderful example of a good deed being handed down from one person to the next, brightening the lives of many.
Thank you so much, April!
“So shines a good deed in a weary world”~ Shakespeare & Willy Wonka
October 31, 2010
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October 30, 2010
HALLOWEEN EVE!
October 21, 2010
Update the Blog Archive, OR ELSE!
October 10, 2010
Catching Up
First I would like to recognize a few people who have sent me photos of their Haunted Dimensions projects in recent weeks.
Michael B. sent a photo of their first attempt at a cookie house. It is nothing short of spectacular!
Next, MaryKay, Karen and Kathyrn, who live in Beijing, China, have created several Cookie Manors over the last few years. Here there most recent.
As usual, MaryKay, you and your crew have outdone yourselves!
On Thursday, October 7, I had the opportunity to meet the fans and discuss the behind-the-scenes process of writing and designing our "LegendaryTruth-The Collective", immersive web mystery! I joined TJ Mannarino (Director of Entertainment Art & Design), Vickie Fraser (designer) and Rick Spencer (writer) for an evening of secrets and fun stories we experienced while inventing an online phenomenon. The evening is part of series of special events taking place in the "HHN VIP Lounge" at Cafe La Bamba, at Universal Studios, in which fans of HHN can meet the designers of Halloween Horror Nights and learn about key milestones of the last 20 years of HHN. For more info about the HHN Lounge and the special designer forums (Thursday nights), click here, "Secrets from the Past.
Meeting with LegendaryTruth fans, aka "The Collective", at the HHN VIP LOUNGE at Universal.
October 3, 2010
OCTOBER!
Sorry for being away so long. As most of you probably know, my spring, summer and early fall are consumed by working in the Art & Design Department for Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights event. Sadly, my season of Universal horror ends next week, but it also frees me to pick up the projects I had to set aside in the spring.
Projects such as "Wizard's Crag", and "The Knoll" will be dusted off and reanimated and hopefully I will be able to create a Halloween treat or two to drop in your bags before Halloween.
While I'm still on the subject of Halloween Horror Nights, I will be speaking along with TJ Mannarino (Art Director for Horror Nights), and several other HHN designers at our HHN VIP Lounge located in La Bamba, in Universal Studios, on Thursday, October 7th. It is part of our weekly forum series, "Secrets from the Past". Fans can see our museum of props and concept art spanning the last 20 years of HHN, and have a chance meet and ask questions of the design staff. We will be speaking about the design process and story writing behind our successful fan mystery "LegendaryTruth: The Collective". VIP Lounge tickets are $9.99 (tax included) and are available at Universal Studios' front gate and Guest Services windows, as well outside the Lounge itself.
August 22, 2010
The Themed Entertainment Association
August 1, 2010
A New Feature Coming to Haunted Dimensions!
July 25, 2010
The Haunted Mansion Movie We Always Wanted?
Del Toro told MTV's Josh Horowitz, "For some people, it's just a ride, but for others like me, it's a way of life. We're serious fanatics. I'm a big, big collector of it. I've been collecting not only memorabilia but artifacts and original artifacts from the mansion for the past 10 years".
I am a HUGE fan of Del Toro's cinematic visions! A new Haunted Mansion movie that has a similar level of artistic depth and storytelling as "Hellboy" or "Pan's Labyrinth" has the possibily of rendering us Mansionphiles unable to lift our chins from off the floor after seeing it! This is very exciting news!
It also means that I will have a NEW haunted mansion paper model kit to design!
Guillermo! Please drop me a line! Let's talk!!! :)
Del Toro tapped artist Brandon Ragnar Johnson to design this teaser poster for the movie annoucement.
June 20, 2010
My Stay in Hogsmeade
Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint arrived in the flying Anglia car and kicked off the amazing display!
Everyone in the audience received a wand, and on Radcliffe's cue, everyone swished and flicked and said "Lumos Maxima". On that command all of the wand tips glowed and Hogwarts castle came to life as John Williams worked his magic! The orchestra accompanied the most spectacular show of lights, projections and fireworks I've ever witnessed! Truly wonderful to experience!
The event was repeated the following night for Universal Execs and VIPs, however Williams and the orchestra were not part of the line up.
This spectacular shot was taken just after the show's finale. John Williams is on stage in white, and the cast of the Potter films are the brightly lit figures in the center. I even spotted myself in the crowd
with my camera (in green circle)!
Here I am with Potter film art director Alan Glimore, whom I first met in April at the Entertainment Designers Forum. Behind us is the real Knight Bus, and the Anglia which brought the stars to the stage.
Warwick Davis, from several of the Potter films, conducted the Hogwart Frog Choir. I briefly spoke with Mr Davis during a rehearsal, who seems to be a very nice guy!
Hogsmeade was full of townsfolk, the wizards and witches who call Hogsmeade home.
Ernie, the Knight Bus driver took a moment for a photo!
Then June 18th was the big day! The official grand opening of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"!
We were charged with helping with the set up of the stages and props to be used by the celebrities at the gate of Hogsmeade for the grand opening.
Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) prior to the grand opening.
I created the large prop match in Oliver's hand, and we helped set up the rocket.
A view out of Hogsmeade gate at the crowd waiting to enter the land after the grand opening ceremony. This shot was just after Radcliffe, Grint and the rest of the cast (Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy),Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore),Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), and Warwick Davis) escorted the first guests into the land.
It was a crazy day, but despite the throngs of expectant guests, the sun and heat, the day went smoothly and everyone remained safe and orderly.
Days like this are a wonderful reminder of why I love doing what I do!
June 5, 2010
The Phantom Manor in 3D
Then, in 2008, I finally decided to create the Phantom Manor Paper Model. However, unlike the previous two mansions, I did not create a detailed Lightwave model first, but went directly to the simple paper model version. Instead of creating a 3D illustration of the Phantom Manor for my front page, I used a Photoshop manipulated photo of the Manor (taken by long time HD fan, Rita).
I am finally in the process of completing a 3D Lightwave model of the Manor which will be used as a new front page illustration!
Hopefully I will complete the new illustrations in the coming weeks and incorporate them into the front page.
Here is a rough rendering.
May 3, 2010
HauntCon Meets Horror Nights Designers
April 25, 2010
The Entertainment Designer Forum
March 6, 2010
The Pilgrimage
February 11, 2010
My Newest Paper Model Project!
This one will be based on the Hogwarts castle, currently under construction at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure, for "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". The working title for my model is "Wizard's Crag", but that may change.
I am using online fan photos as reference.
As usual, I am beginning the process by building a simple model in a 3D application (Lightwave).
It will be a challenge to design. Half of the model will be the cliffs and gully on which the castle sits. I need to make this cliff base interesting, but relatively easy to build, relying on printed textures for most of the effect.
I do not know how big the model will, since it will be limited by the size of letter paper, but I would like it to be at least 12 inches tall.
I will be designing this in my spare time, so I do not know how long the project will take. My mansions took 6 months, and this model will be no less complicated.
So stay tuned, or become a member of my FaceBook page for updates!
Haunted Dimensions Fans
Here is the most recent 3D blocking.