Heartless Bones!

Click on the pic for a delightfully sinister performance from those skeletons over at the Bates Haunt...

Pepper's Ghost - Lots of Bang for Your Buck!

It's been a few years since I posted about Paul Lasaine's Pepper's Ghost illusion and his subsequent how-to video. but I felt that with social distancing being the watchword for Hallowe'en 2020, it could use another bump!

Paul Lasaine is a production designer, VFX art director and supervisor, matte painting artist and supervisor, and won an Annie Award (awards are for outstanding animation) for his work on Boxtrolls. 

Though the original video was posted in 2007, it's still a high-impact, low-budget effect for 2020. It's fairly easy to achieve for the rank beginner if you're willing to invest some time and patience. While I do enjoy the more commercially available projection effects we have access to these days, what I like about the Pepper's Ghost illusion is that it looks realistic and has a huge "wow" factor. I feel that we've become so accustomed to the look of CG, the "reality" of Pepper's Ghost is still as viable as it was in 1862, when it was developed.

Take a look at the videos and let me know what you think!

Giveaway Ends Tomorrow!

Remember that tomorrow ends my AtmosFX coupon giveaway! 

If you've been wanting to try out digital decorations for Halloween (or the other holiday), now is a great time to enter the giveaway! You can also use the coupon to get some gear to run your digital decorations.

Remember, you need to go to the original post and leave a comment to let me know that you've done any of the steps to enter the giveaway! Have you become a new follower? Please leave a comment. Shared the original post around anywhere? Leave a comment! See? Simple! 

There aren't many comments on the post, so there's an excellent chance of winning the 25% off coupon!

Good luck!

AtmosFX Coupon Giveaway!

AtmosFX Ghostly Apparitions offers spooks for windows and walls!

It has been a very long time since I've done a giveaway here, and I must say that since the stars seem to have aligned just right, now is the perfect time!

While I was attending Midsummer Scream, I popped over to the AtmosFX display and chit-chatted for a bit. While I was there, I was given six 25% off coupons, each of which has a code for you to use at checkout whether you buy their digital decorations or some of their AtmosGear! (They do Christmas digital decorations, too!) And because it's how I roll, I will give all six coupons away to my readers!

What's even better than 25% off of great digital decorations? Well, I'll tell you!

AtmosFX has teamed up with Michael Dougherty, creator of Trick 'r Treat, to make an official Trick 'r Treat projection package! I'm so stoked!

From their website:

AtmosFX, Legendary Pictures, and filmmaker Michael Dougherty have joined together to create a stunning new digital decoration that captures the spirit of Dougherty’s 2007 indie horror classic “Trick ’r Treat.” 

The AtmosFX “Trick ’r Treat” Digital Decoration features Sam, the mysterious child in the burlap-sack mask, who ties together the feature film’s intertwined Halloween-themed stories. These all-new vignettes will remain true to the theme of the original movie, in which Sam dispenses his own unique brand of grisly justice on anyone who does not adhere to the traditions of Halloween. 

Like its R-rated film counterpart, this digital decoration features horror-themed content and is not suitable for younger audiences. 

AtmosFX’s “Trick ’r Treat” Digital Decoration will be available as a high-definition (1080p) digital download in late September, 2016.

Here's how you enter the giveaway, and each way will get you an extra entry:

1) Become a new follower of this blog.
2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter.
3) Become a follower of mine on Twitter.
4) Blog about this giveaway on your own blog.
5) Mention this giveaway in your Facebook Status Update with the web address to link back to this blog post.
6) Leave a comment on this blog entry.

7) Follow my boards on Pinterest.

8) Follow me on Instagram.
9) Follow me on Tumblr.

For any mention of my giveaway, please leave me a web address in the comments so I can follow up. If you wish to remain anonymous, please leave me a way to identify you later.

The giveaway will end on Friday, September 2nd, so you'll have your coupon code in plenty of time to order your new toys!

Good luck, and spread the word!

Big Effect, Small Storage!

Click on the pic to watch a fun projection haunted house!

I've been out of town, so that's why I haven't posted. Will be back soon with works-in-progress and other silliness!