Well some of you might be wondering what we have been doing lately.  The answer is way too much!  Last year was absolutly crazy and a lot has happened that really changes our approach to how we are handling what comes our way.  Business last year was extremely aweful, if the haunt didn't indicate that, and the haunt was extremely slow.  I almost pulled the plug on the haunt for this year because we were so slow.  Even though we hit tough times we are going to try to make the haunt a success this year by changing our approach to the challenges we faced in 2009.

We did realize that the people of this area are a bit tight when it comes entertainment dollars and we understand why.......even though we were trying to raise money for a local charity.  We also found out that our haunt was one of the best in the area according to our patrons.  So that was great news!  Even though we have been told that many times, year after year, it was still nice to hear.

So we made adjustments for this year, revamped the website, proceeded with building a new company and stuck our nose to the grindstone for this year.  If things work out we will be having our haunt this year in a change of venue and we will be graduating to a professional haunt.  If not, than we will take a year off and enjoy the trend we started in our area of haunted houses and check them all out (there where no haunted houses in our area when we started ours and now there are at least five).  We love that we brought the spirit back!

There is a lot more in the personal department that has been happening but I'll leave all that out for now!  Those that know me can ask if they want to know.  For now I ask that if you could all give some input on our new website it would be much appreicated. 

Hope all your dreams come true in 2010!

The Haunted Courtyard

Tags: Haunted Courtyard Haunt Wizard

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Sorry about not being able to post lately been pretty busy with work which doesn't allow for much time to get all the pictures and video we took from this years haunt up on Hauntspace.  I won't say I regret it because being busy with work is very important to my families survival so I've had to keep my priorities straight.  Anyway, Halloween was a little slower than we were used to but the people who did show up had an enjoyable time.  In fact this year we had more people say that our haunt was better than Knott's Scary Farm than ever before!  That was the best compliment that we could have received. 

We have made a bunch of decissions for next year already but those will have to wait until later. 

I will post those pictures and our video to our website as soon as possible for all my friends here to enjoy.  It will probably be another week or two before it's done but it get done.  Once the haunt is all cleaned up and put away I will be working on the website again and adding a bunch of stuff to it.  You all will be the first to know because I'll post them here as well.

Thank you for your patience!

HW

Tags: Haunt Wizard Haunted Courtyard

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A few times a year i spend some time looking over many of my HS friends profiles when I am wishing them all a Happy (fill in the blank) on the Holiday.  Their pictures aways seem to get my attention.  The props they have made, scenes they have created and all the other numerous things they do for Halloween grab my attention and really make me realize the talent that so many of you have.  There is more talent in our HS group than anywhere on the web.  This is the most talented group I have ever known in my life.  It is so humbling to see all the projects our members have completed and it makes me realize that I have a lot to learn yet!  I am proud to refer people to this site on a regular basis to get more ideas and draw on everybody's collective knowledge. I guess I just wanted to say thank you to all the HS members here for making this site so great and helping me by posting your ideas here.

Tags: Haunted Courtyard Haunt Wizard

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Well I guess I need to let everyone know what is happening.  Our commercial haunt is off!  One of the major players backed out last minute and we have had a tough time finding a replacement so we decided to go back to the old way this year and work on it for next year.  Of course we won't use them again.  We have been building The Haunted Courtyard for two weekends now and although we are making major progress it is exhausting.  About half way done now. 

This year we are very activily trying to raise $1000.00 dollars from the haunt to donate to a local charity to help fight breast cancer..........Operation "Save the TaTa's"  (you can find it on Facebook).  We have also started a new charitible organization of our own (more details at a later date).  All this and a haunt to boot!  Needless to say we have been very busy.  I am hoping that my generous friends here can help a little with our cause.

On a HauntSpace note;  my son was allowed to join HS today (you all know him from the video on my profile, the one that scared me!).  His user name is HWprotege if you want to say hi.

Well I guess thats all for now.......sorry I haven't been around very much.............but hey I'm trying ok!  LOL!!  Hope everyones Halloween plans are coming together and we wish you safe and well this season!!

HW

Tags: Haunt Wizard Haunted Courtyard

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Well the madness has begun!!  Tommorrow we start the building.  We have been planning and putting together props since the beginning of the year and it all comes down to.....well now!  Still need a few items to finish the props in the works but I think they will get done........dang it they better!!  LOL!!  We will be opening on October 16 this year.  It will be a great time and we are selling tickets this year.  We are also helping a local charity by giving them the profits from this years haunt.  So if your in the area let me know and I'll hook you up! 

This years haunt is much better than last years and there will be a video made this year.  Very excited and hoping we can raise a bunch of money for this charity.  Hope you all have a great season and we wish you all success on your Halloween ventures!

Tags: Haunt Courtyard Wizard

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March “How To”

Building a simple PVC pipe figure

We all have needed new figures in our haunts and will always need more.  Hopefully this tutorial will help you achieve this in a very fast and long lasting way.

Materials you will need:

·         2 – 10 ft. sticks of 1 ½” schedule 40 PVC pipe

·         Hack saw or reciprocating saw (sawzall)

·         1 – box of #8 Phillips head lath screws ¾” long

·         5 – 1 ½” tee’s

·         6 – 1 ½” 90’s

·         6 – 1 ½” 45’s

·         Tape measure

·         Pencil or pen

·         Phillips screwdriver or drill gun

·         Clean old rag

Starting with your pipe and your saw of choice (mine is a sawzall), your tape measure and pencil you will need to cut several pieces of the pipe as follows:

·         4 – 2 ½” long

·         3 – 3” long

·         2 – 4” long

·         2 – 6” long

·         2 – 7” long

·         4 – 9” long

·         2 – 10” long

·         2 – 33” long

Then using your rag clean the edges of you cut pieces.  PVC can cut you so please use the rag by folding it over the cut edge and pressing into the edge with your fingers while turning the pipe with your other hand (see photo below).

 Next take three tees and two 90’s and lay them out on a clean flat surface.  

Now get (2)  4” pieces and (2) 3” pieces.  Use the 3” pieces between the tee’s and the 4” pieces from the tee’s to the 90’s.  Don’t push them together tight yet.  They will need to stay loose for the moment.

Next get two 90’s and two tee’s and lay them out on your working surface like shown below. 

Using the last 3” piece between the tees and (2) 2 ½” pieces between the tees and the 90’s loosely fit them together.

Now take (4) 45’s, (2) 9”, (2) 2 1/2" and the (2) 7” pieces lay them out and assemble them as shown below.

Now you can push everything together tight (use a rubber mallet if necessary).  If you use a mallet be careful when hitting the pipe it can break and send sharp pieces flying at cutting speeds!  Once everything is tight begin assembling the shoulders torso and hips together like you see below.  When inserting the torso make sure that you connect the 9” pieces to the shoulders and the 7” pieces to the hip section.  When finished it should look like the picture below.

Put the whole assembly on your flat surface and tighten all the joints (do not use glue) while making sure that all fittings are laying flat on your surface, this is very important or your figure will be very lopsided.  Then start installing your screws.  You will need (2) screws for each place the pipe enters a fitting (yes a lot of screws).  Do not pre-drill the holes.  The screws will enter the pipe without having to pre-drill which will make a tighter fit.  Note:  do not screw the shoulder 90’s or the hip 90’s at this time.  If you are using a screwdriver instead of a drill gun then you will have to pre-drill the holes to allow some relief.  When you finish it should look like the picture below.

Now you can add the legs which will be the (2) 33” pieces, (2) 90’s and (2) 6” pieces.  Depending on what you’re building this figure for you can change this part to suit your need.  I am building a Reaper so I will not need the (2) 6” pieces for the feet so I do not have them in place.  Also you can use a heat gun (hairdryer will work as well) to bend the legs around the knee area for a different stance if you need to or you can use 45’s or 90’s in different combinations to achieve your goal.  With a heat gun anything is possible.  Screw the legs into the fitting securely same as before but do not screw the 90’s to the body yet.

Next we will add the arms.  Here again you can change the way you do this to suit your need.  For this tutorial though you will need the remaining (2) 9” pieces, (2) 10” pieces, (1) 45 and (1) 90.  Place the 9” pieces into the shoulders, screw them in like the legs leaving the 90’s to the torso loose for now.  Then add a 90 to one side and a 45 to the other.  Then place the remaining (2) 10” pieces into the other side of the fitting.  Using the heat gun on your arms or legs is a little time consuming but will eliminate the need for fittings in most cases.  You can see that this figure has the normal arms and legs which I will change to achieve the look I need for this figure.   See picture below.

Your figure is complete minus the head and positioning.  I have used Styrofoam heads with masks in the past but for this figure I’m using a Bucky head.  So mine will be different.  Once you have your head ready you will need to stand your new figure up and position it the way you want it to look in your haunt.  Legs front to back (walking, running), arms front to back and side to side.  Once your happy with the position then screw all remaining joints together tight.  Add your hands from the last tutorial and screw them tight and there you have your new figure.

Hopefully this helps with your haunt creations!

Tags: Haunt Wizard PVC Figure How To

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Hello everyone,

It's been a long time since I've posted a blog.  Been lurking just haven't had time to finish any projects with everything going on.  A couple of set backs on the hands and work always getting in the way!  LOL!!  Anyway the February "How to is finally complete.  March is almost finished as well so expect that real soon.  Thank you all for your patience on this and hope this helps you!

February “How To”

I have been told that making hands is one of the tougher projects that can be made with paper mache because of the detail needed.  Well I guess if you conquer this you can conquer anything then.  So let’s get started.

Since I needed hands that we’re pretty close to life size I decided to model them after my own.  For this project you will need a 1 ½“ coupling, wire, something to start the shape of the fingers (I used small PVC pipe 3/8” which is not readily available to everyone) like foam or maybe packing peanuts, some sculpting tools (16 penny nail, paint brush handle, toothpick), heat gun or hairdryer, drill, wire cutters/pliers and a place to work you don’t mind getting messy!

Start with the coupling which will be the wrist.  I used a threaded one because that is all I had lying around at the time. 


Since I make all my figures out of 1 ½“ PVC pipe this was the obvious choice.  In order to fit it correctly you will need to modify one end of the coupling.  Using a heat gun (hairdryer takes longer but will work) you will need to heat up one end of the coupling until it is pliable.  To do this easily I placed one end of the coupling over a piece of pipe then heated the other end so my hands are nowhere near the heat.  Once you get it to temperature take a 2x4 and press the side you heated into a more flat shape like you see below.  Hold it for about 30 seconds (let it cool down a bit) so it will hold the new shape.

Once it is completely cooled down it is time to drill some holes.  This isn’t exact science but you will need to think a little.  If you’re making a right hand you will need to change the thumb position as opposed to making a left.  I need one of each so I’ll show you the difference (below).  You will need to drill one hole for each finger and one hole for the thumb. 


Now we need to add the wire for the fingers.  You will need 5 pieces about 10-12” long for each hand.  I’m using wire so I can shape the fingers into the shape I want later and so I can show the detail of the fingers.  You will end up with a Freddy Krueger looking hand (below).

Next we will need to add the finger detail (finger bones).  You will need three pieces for each finger and two for the thumb (I used three for the thumb; I’m experimenting with something but that’s another blog) for each hand you make.  They do not have to look pretty remember they will be covered by pulp!  These are just to keep your bearings as you’re creating the hand.   If you look close you can see that I make a loop in the wire about three inches up to keep the fingers from falling into the palm area.  I also bend the wire over the finger tip to prevent the “bones” from falling off the end of the wire.  You will need to cut the excess wire off at this point.

As you see these are completed and ready for pulp.  Adding the pulp is a long process that requires you to add a layer, let it dry, add another layer and so on.  The more time you take with this process the more detail you will have in the finished product.  When you get close to the end then you can add large amounts at a time which makes it easier to sculpt.  To start this lay your hand flat on a non-stick surface such as an old table cloth like I’m using.  Add a layer of pulp to each bone of each finger.  Be careful not to cover your joint too much so you can shape it later.  Once the first layer is dry, shape your fingers how you want them then turn the hand over and add a layer to the other side to completely cover each finger. 

As you add layers you will begin to see the shape you want.  Continue to add until you achieve your goal.  In my case these are going to be skeleton hands which may be different then what you want.  Once the fingers are completed start making the palm area.  You can add large amounts of pulp at a time to this area but remember it will take more time to dry.  Be careful here, you’ll want to leave a little gap (about ½”) between the palm area and the fingers leaving the wire exposed.  This design again will be up to what kind of hands you are making but you will want to begin sculpting the general shape.  Once this process is complete you will begin the final process of design.  This is the final touch as you will.  Start by bending your fingers into the final design you are making.  If you’re going to have the hands hold something you should have that something handy.   Finalize the position of your fingers by adding a little pulp over all exposed wire areas making sure it makes contact with both sides.  As this dries tear strips of paper into various widths and lengths (you can use any paper, newspaper, toilet paper, paper towels anything you have handy).  Using a paintbrush (I use a 1” natural bristle) paint white glue over a surface area a little larger than a strip of paper you tore earlier.  Then adhere the paper to the area with glue and paint glue aver the top of the paper as well until all the strip has be covered (not heavy) with glue.  Repeat this process until your entire hand is cover with paper smooth paper finish.  Note:  When you’re adding the strips make sure you paint the glue and push the paper into any grooves or special sculpts you created during the pulp process.  After everything is dry you will want to start adding details to your hand.  Again your details will be different than mine depending on the style if hand you are building.  For this process you will want to use cotton balls and white glue.  Tear off a piece of cotton ball, shape it into what you want then paint glue on your hand and over the piece of cotton.  You can make veins, knuckles, lines, wrinkles, etc. the possibilities are endless.  Also, if you need finger nails you can use those press on nails but you will need to plan for this during the sculpting phase of this project and you will need to glue them on.

Now it’s time for the last of the details, painting!!  This is in your hands (forgive the pun) all colors, details will need to done per your standards.  There is no wrong answer here.  The best part about painting is if you don’t like it, you can repaint it!!  Simple isn’t it.  I will tell you though that I have successfully used spray paint, acrylic paint, craft paint and house paint.  So pretty much any paint you have laying around will work.  Craft paints are the easiest to use though because they clean up the best and are the easiest to change tints (mixing colors to achieve a desired color).

And there you have it!!  Hands to die for!!

Tags: Haunt Wizard How To Paper Mache Hands

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Hello everyone,

Just wanted to stop by and say a huge THANKS!!  For all the comments lately!  I have been soooo busy between work and helping family members with thier projects that I haven't had time for all my friends here.  I'm very sorry about that.  I wanted everyone to know that I'm still walking among the living and I do appreciate all of you guys.  Things are starting to get completed so there should be a little time to get all the "How to's"  typed up and submitted.  Hope everyone is well and there hasn't been any tragedy's while I was away.  Anyway gotta get my nose back to the grindstone.  We'll talk later.

HW 

Tags: Haunt Wizard Haunted Courtyard

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I know I haven't been in here and been super active lately but I have very good reasons.  Just wanted everyone to know if you were wondering.  First of all I'm sorry for not finishing these monthly tutorials that I have been working on and net being able to finish.......there are three so far.   Almost finished with the rest of January's and February's just have some final touches to Jaunary and a bit more on Feb's. then need to type February's and get it out.  We have been very busy with survival......as you all know this economy has been tough.  I have been trying to get things organized for this years haunt (I will get to into a little later) and helping extended family with large projects like a bathroom remodel that had to get done due to mold.  Things like this have been popping up and taking all my time so of course (unfortunatly) HS has had to take a back burner.  Anyway just wanted to let everyone know what has been going on.

Well on a positive note.  We got final word that The Haunted Courtyard is for sure going commercial.  We are taking our haunt to the Pro level and it is now going to be sponsored and backed by several organizations that will promote and help with expenses.  This is making me sooooo excited and scared at the same time.  The Haunted Courtyard is going to grow by over twice last years size which is the scary part and it will be located in the busiest area of the city (more scary stuff).  Our plan for location will become more apparant (I think) after our meeting this Wednesday.  This is now going to happen for sure.  So now I need a little help.........Anyone know a good insurance company we could use?  If you could send me contact info for them (name and phone number) that would be great!

We wish you all the best and Happy Hauntings throughout the year!

Thank you!

HW

Tags: Haunt Courtyard THC Hauntwizard

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