Haunted Dimensions Going Dark

On January 18, Haunted Dimensions will join many other sites around the Internet in "going dark" to oppose SOPA and PIPA, the pending US legislation that creates a punishing Internet censorship regime and exports it to the rest of the world. 

"Even though a substantial portion of my living comes from the entertainment industry, I don't think that any amount of "piracy" justifies this kind of depraved indifference to the consequences of one's actions. Big Content haven't just declared war on the "fun" Internet: they've declared war on every person who uses the net to publicize police brutality, every oppressed person in the Arab Spring who used the net to organize protests and publicize the blood spilled by their oppressors, every abused kid who used the net to reveal her father as a brutalizer of children, every gay kid who used the net to discover that life is worth living despite the torment she's experiencing, every grassroots political campaigner who uses the net to make her community a better place -- as well as the scientists who collaborate online, the rescue workers who coordinate online, the makers who trade tips online, the people with rare diseases who support each other online, and the independent creators who use the Internet to earn their livings."
-Cory Doctoro-

Paranormal Activity in Ravenswood Manor

I want to thank the producers of "Paranormal Activity in Ravenswood Manor" - (a Johan Production) for including me in their list of parody review quotes! I am honored to be in the company of Doomduggies.com, Alfred Hitchcock and Del Toro!

The Serious Art of Make-Believe

The Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando, Florida is hosting an exhibit called
"The Serious Art of Make-Beleive-from the archives of Universal Orlando Resorts"
The exhibit features hundreds of pieces of orginal art created by the Entertainment Art & Design team of Universal Studios, Orlando (which I am proud to say, I am a part!)
The subject matter ranges from Halloween Horror Nights, and Mardi Gras to "Grinchmas".
In some cases you can follow the design process, from simple pencil sketches all the way to the
completed project. (You might even spot a couple of my paper model creations!)

From the Orange County Regional History Center web site:
"Enjoy a rare opportunity to peek inside the creative genius behind the theme-park entertainment experience. Discover how imaginary worlds of unique characters, objects, and environments start with the art and design revealed in this exhibition of more than 200 original detailed drawings, architectural plans, and models from the resort's signature annual events including Halloween Horror Nights®, Mardi Gras, and spectacular holiday extravaganzas."

The exhibit runs through April 29, 2012

For information about the exhibit please visit the Orange County Regional History Center web site:

http://thehistorycenter.org/exhibits/TheSeriousArtofMake-Believe

Thanks to Jeramy Walton for the photos! Visit his blog at
http://jwfearman.blogspot.com/2011/11/serious-art-of-make-believe.html 

A Few Words About "Wizard's Crag"

Unlike my past paper model kits, this one has attracted the attention of Universal and Warner Brothers. This attention could mean one of two things. It could be purchased and merchandised by these companies or, due to its discovery by these companies, end up becoming a liability to me and thrown on the scrap heap. Either way it looks like this one will not become a Haunted Dimensions free download. Very discouraging and frustrating for me (and the thousands of fans who want one)!!
I will keep you updated if the situation changes.

Why Halloween Matters

"The joy of Halloween is not that it's dark and we revel in that; it's that Halloween can bring a bit of light and laughter into this darkness." 
Lesley Bannatyne, author of "Halloween Nation. Behind the Scenes of America's Fright Night",
wrote a beautiful little article about why so many of us love Halloween. Give it a read and repost it.


Lesley Bannatyne - "Why Halloween Matters"

For more info on Lesley's book click image below.

Happy Halloween!

I hope Haunted-dimensioneers everywhere have a spooktacular and safe Halloween!
As a treat, here are a few shots of the new Haunted Mansion queue at Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom.

Paul Frees, the actor who voiced the Ghost Host finally has his own memorial! 

The organ crypt. 

And for those wondering where to find the Bride's wedding ring, it is to the far right of
Captain Culpepper's crypt, next to (or under) the trash can. 

The It's Alive Project!

70 local Orlando artists and 10 special guest artists bring life to man's most macabre creation…the Frankenstein Monster! Each artist will be challenged to create their own interpretation of Boris Karloff, as seen in his most famous role using their own individual creative hand and style.
My Frank is shown below. His famous forehead scar is a torn copy of Mary Shelley's book, and incarnations of the "Frankenstein" legacy cover the bust (Karloff's Monster, to Herman Munster). 
Sales benefit St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Phantom Manor Cookie House - 2011

This is only the second time I ever built my own Phantom Manor cookie house. The first one being the one I built for Gingerbread Dimensions! Due to time this one is much more basic than the first but I'm very happy with it!

I also created cool little cemetery cupcakes to accompany the Manor. Everything is store bought. "Cameo" Creme Sandwich Cookies by Nabisco, make awesome New England tombstones! I scribbled black icing on cookies and stuck them in store bought cupcakes along with some autumn leaf sprinkles (from Michael's Crafts), and a candy pumpkin on each grave.

More "Not-so-scary"

Here is a clip of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" portion of the "Boo-to-you" parade.

Disney Mini Figures Collector Packs

While at the Disney Studios in Orlando, I came across a bin of Disney Mini Figure Collector Packs. The packs contain mini characters and iconic park attractions, each no bigger than your thumb and there are several different collections you can choose from and each bag contains 3 figures. However, you can't see what's in each pack. It is a grab bag and you just hope you get the figures you want. One of the collections offered the possibility of finding a mini New Orleans haunted mansion and a Tower of Terror.
Fortunately, these figures have very distinct, boxy shapes. After a minute or so of package squeezing (while a 4 year old boy watched with fascination, while repeating to me earnestly, "You onwee get fwee toys in a pack!"), I made my choices. I bought 2 packs. Here was my reward.

Mickey's Not-so-scary Halloween Party

Last weekend I attended "Mickey's Not-s-scary Halloween Party" at the Magic Kingdom.
I had a wonderful time!
The "Boo To You" parade at the Magic Kingdom (part of "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party") was wonderful! Of course, my favorite portion of the parade (besides the Headless Horseman's appearance) is when the Haunted Mansion characters come through! I love the sparking shovels of the grave diggers and the flopping heads of the ballroom dancers! A brilliant production!

It has been a busy summer!

Sorry for the lack of posts! I am in the middle of my yeary Halloween Horror Nights season here in Orlando. Besides HHN, I have several other cool Halloween and theme park projects keeping me busy. 

"So what's up with Wizard's Crag?! We've been waiting (somewhat) patiently for months!"
Here's the deal.
Let's just say that certain individuals have seen the model and they might be interested in granting it a more "official" status. It may be a long shot, but certainly worth pursuing since this is the first time one of my models has received such attention! Unfortunately, it also means that a release may not be taking place in the near future. 
Sorry for keeping you guys hanging on for so long (your support is what keeps me going) but this is a very exciting possibility!
I won't be free to discuss the details of what might be taking place, but I will fill you in when I can.

Thanks to your continued support over the years and the positive comments to my projects (on my blog), you have shown that my work is valued and desired!
Keep your fingers crossed!

For years now, the employees of the Clayton County Library, in Forest Park Georgia, have created Halloween dioramas featuring my paper models. Stephen, who is the lead builder, realized that he never sent a photo of last year's display. Here it is! This scene makes me smile! What a wonderful job from what I'm sure is a wonderful library!