The Witch’s Hat Halloween Blog

On the internet you can find some pretty sweet blogs with so many out there. And we have seen our share of blogs. Well one of them we came across was The Witch’s Hat.

This blog gives you a look at things for the Halloween and Horror Enthusiast. It’s fun, light hearted and keeping you in the true Halloween spirit we all grew up with. Now I do have to say we found this blog because of her mention of Rotting Flesh Radio. She recently wrote about how so many podcasts are popping up, many come and go, but gave Mad Haunt Props to those of us who started the trend in this industry with 4 or more years under our belts.

Thank you for the mention. But all of you Deadites, above and beyond that, we have found this blog to be a total fun read for that Halloween tidbit you are looking for to keeping you in the mood.

Read Today at: WitchsHat.wordpress.com

Raycliff Manor’s SCREAMFEST 2010!

Come out to Raycliff Manor and kick off the Halloween and Haunt Season at Raycliff Manor with some of the ROCKinest horror bands around! If you like Ska, Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Horrorbilly, Metal and Horror Surf music, (which if you spin RFR then you do!) then you are in for a treat! This is going to be the Halloween event that will have you dancing, laughing and screaming for more! Don’t miss the event that will be talked about well into next year! Life’s short, come out and make some memories to last a lifetime, or at least until you drop dead from delight or fright at SCREAMFEST 2010!

This year we’re offering vendors the opportunity to come out and set up their food, product and service booths for free and we just suggest they donate 10% of their profits from the event, on the honor system, to a local non-profit charity. Vendors interested in participating should contact us via email at info@raycliffmanor.com with “SCREAMFEST Vendor” in the subject line and include their product or service for consideration.

The following bands will be rocking the Raycliff stage at SCREAMFEST:

THE INDEPENDENTS, BRUTALLY FRANK, KROM, THE KARLTENS, BANDIT SOUND, THE BOOGEYMEN

Admission:
$25 SCREAMFEST Pass to this event provides: Free Parking and Round Trip Rides to and from the festival on the SCREAMFEST Shuttle!

Access to all 6 bands!

Access to the vendor festival area!

Admission to both the Raycliff Manor and Raycliff Carriage House attractions!

Access to the Budweiser Beer Garden ! (21 and older, ID required for beer garden entrance)

Tickets are limited and will no longer be available once sold out! If we are not sold on the day of the festival, the cost of the SCREAMFEST Pass at the gate is $30.

For more information on SCREAMFEST 2010 visit: www.RaycliffManor.com

Canadian Haunters Convention This Weekend

RELEASE CA HAUNTS CON:
Firstly, I have to tell you that I don’t think the Welcome Rally is to be missed! TJ Mannarino from Universal Studios Orlando will be speaking that evening, as will Leonard Pickel, and myself. This is a free event, everyone is invited! TJ will be touching on how they build their Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal as a preview of his seminar on Saturday. Leonard will be giving a “State of the Industry” address, and I will be talking about the future of the Canadian Industry. Each of these talks will be about a half hour long, so some real meat and potatoes there!

Immediately following the Welcome Rally, a bus will be leaving for the Haunt Tour out at Mr. Pumpkin. Brian over there at the venue says the more the merrier in terms of attendance, and therefore lots of spots available on the tour. Tickets are just $35 and that includes some light refreshments at the event.

For those of you staying behind, the Tradeshow Floor will be open on Friday night also, and the vendors will be happy to talk to you about their amazing products and services. The Black Widow Hearse Club will have at least 5 fully restored vintage funeral cars right on the Tradeshow Floor.

Saturday is an action packed day, with seminars all day for one low price. Some of the biggest names in the business are presenting over the weekend, including Leonard, TJ, me, Gordon Smith, and more. I also wanted to highlight the Haunted Hamilton talk on the truly haunted places of Niagara Region. This is a free talk, first-come first-served. Secondly, I bring your attention to a special guest appearance in Wayne Mallows, author of Whitechapel Road. Wayne will be available for book signings, autographs, and photo ops at various times on Saturday. His partner in crime, Stef Von Riot, promises to be in full vampire attire on Saturday.


Saturday evening we have the VIP Dinner. Here’s your chance to rub elbows and share a meal with the likes of Leonard, TJ, and author Wayne Mallows. And at just $21 per person, you couldn’t ask for a better deal. Again, there are still seats available, and you can make payment when you arrive to register at the convention centre.

Later that evening we are hoping to do some bowling! There is an alley right on site at the convention centre, and they have promised after 10:30 pm to offer a Rock-n-Bowl with blacklight, great tunes, cold drinks, and lots of socializing. I’m thinking you should come in costume and make an evening of it. Pricing will be announced soon, but will include 3 games of bowling and shoe rental.

Sunday, while a little more low-key, is not to be discounted. We still have some great workshops we are negotiating to book, and the Tradeshow will be open also. The highlight seminar in my opinion is Gordon Smith, a man who pioneered a technique in the FX industry that has literally become the standard in the film/TV industry. He will be giving an intensive clinic on his techniques and how you can use them to bring a greater professionalism to your own event.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, we have been fortunate to attract a LOT of media attention for this event. To name a few, the SPACE Channel will be covering the event; as will CHCH TV Hamilton, TV Cogeco Niagara, and the St. Catharines Standard.

All of the television outlets will be shooting footage on site, some on Friday in order to promote the event over the weekend.

So, I suppose I’ve gushed enough for one email. I hope that you feel I have worked hard enough to earn your support. I have done all of this for the benefit of the industry in Canada, and now I’m here, hat in hand, asking for your patronage of this monumental event. I know it’s not as big as some of the US events yet, but with your help and support it can get there.

I look forward to meeting you at the convention this weekend, and hearing your thoughts and ideas for Canadian Haunters Convention 2011.

For More Information visit: www.CanadaHaunts.ca

Sinister Controls to Represent Lights Alive!

Lights Alive welcomes Sinister Controls LLC of Oxford, Connecticut as an authorized distributor of Lights Alive brand products, including FireFly lightning simulators, MANTIS controllers and sensors, MonsterEyes, miniFLICKER, CHAMELEON and more.

“We are very careful about who we allow to represent our products”, commented Ron Musgrave, President of Lights Alive. “We pride ourselves in being a solution provider, not just a box dropper‚ a philosophy clearly shared by Sinister Controls”, Musgrave said.

In expressing why they chose Lights Alive products, Kathryn Ames, President of Sinister Controls LLC remarked, “With all the competition in this market one supplier stood out from the rest, Lights Alive. Lights Alive has listened to the end users and instead of parroting what was already on the market, introduced both new innovative designs as well as making major improvements on existing technology. Not content to rest on their laurels, they continue to innovate and expand their product offering”.

Sinister Controls engineer Scott Ames said “I take great pride in the quality and workmanship of the custom products we design and build ourselves. When selecting a supplier to partner with, I would not want to present a line of products to my customers that were not to our standards. With Lights Alive I have no concerns for quality, reliability, functionality, or ease of use. The Lights Alive product line has far exceeded my expectations and has now raised the bar for our own custom product line. I am truly excited about the opportunity to represent this product line”.

Sinister Controls will launch their new Lights Alive product line
offering at the National Haunters Convention in King of Prussia, PA, on April 29 – May 2, 2010, in booths 2001 & 2101. Sinister Controls LLC services the Dark Amusement Industry (haunted houses, dark rides, amusement parks, etc.) with industrial quality controls, pneumatic props, air cannons, animatronics, and design services.

Lights Alive designs and manufacturers specialty electronic products for professional haunted attractions, home haunts and other entertainment industries. For further information, contact sales@lights-alive.com.

For more on both companies visit: www.Lights-Alive.com and www.SinisterControls.com

RFR2: Streaming 24/7 Coming Soon…Limited Sponsorships Available

RFR2: Streaming 24/7 Coming Soon…

Indy Haunt Fest Coming June 2010

Since the end of Ironstock, Indy has been without a Haunters Event now. Well, fear not there is a new event for you Haunters in Indy and surrounding areas. The All-New Indy Haunt Fest 2010 is coming June 26-27, 2010.

This all new event is going to be the First Annual Indy Haunt Fest and will feature vendors, costumes, demonstrations on prop building and performance techniques for all levels of haunt enthusiast, a haunter’s auction of new and used props, special tours of the areas creepy attractions, networking opportunities, food and much more!

Registration has begun for Vendors and Attendees and it seems like it will be shaping up to be a fun weekend and event.

Right now you can save on registration as well. If you register Before March 17 you can register for the weekend for a mere $15.00! The Weekend Pass is good for both Saturday and Sunday admission.

If purchased January 15st- midnight March 17th
Adult: $15.00, Youth: $5.00, Child: Free

If purchased March 18 – midnight May 1st
Adult: $20.00, Youth: $7.00, Child: Free

At the Gate Weekend -from May 2nd to June 26th.
No pre sale prices available after midnight May 1st, At the Gate pricing will be the only option. Adult: $25, Youth: $10, Child: Free

Daily Dose good only for one day and only available at the gate. Adults: $15.00, Youth: $7.00, Child: Free

The Vendor list is growing to be a good one as well this year including: Frighteners Entertainment, Pumpkin Pulp Productions, SCAREVANIA Haunted House, The Iron Kingdom and more.

More information will come shortly, but stay tuned to RFR for all the details in this new event in Indy. For more information visit: www.IndyHauntFest.com

The Horror Dome’s New Werewolf Costume for 2010

The Horror Dome has been providing costumes for the Haunt and Horror Industries for quite some time. Always full of detail, made of quality and great customer service.

Well just in time for the upcoming 2010 Haunt Season they have unleashed the beast. Brand New for 2010 is the Werewolf Costume to terrorize your customers.

For more information about the Horror dome visit them at: www.TheHorrorDome.com

About the Horror Dome:
We offer products for the Home Haunter as well as the Professional Haunter. In our Mask Shop you will find low cost high quality latex halloween masks, monster hands and feet. In our Prop Shop you will find all types of Halloween Props and Haunted House Decorations from witches to zombie risers and novelties. In our Costume Shop you will find over sized costumes from Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and Yeti to Evil Twins and Night Terrors that will make any Halloween Party a hit.

Trick or Treat Studios Debuts and with One of Three Toxic Toons Masks

This past weekend was the annual Transworld Halloween Costume and Party Show in Rosemont, IL. And among the many vendors we usually see there, there were some new ones hitting the scene.

Trick or Treat Studios debuted at the show with a great response and something fun and fresh to the scene including an All- New Eric Pigors of Toxic Toons Mask that is Number One of a Series of Three.

Trick or Treat Studios has face masks designed Erich Lubatti, creator of the masks for the street performers at Knott’s Scary Farm’s Halloween Haunt. In fact these ARE the same masks worn by the street performers! Available exclusively through Trick or Treat Studios. Also in their collection are some beautifully detailed full head masks inspired by the classics and sculpted by Justin Mabry exclusively for Trick or Treat Studios.

In addition to these masks, Eric Pigor of Toxic Toons is designing some masks for the studio and right now you can get the First in the Series of Three.

GRUESOME is only 59.99 and Sculpted by Justin Mabry / Designed by Eric Pigors. Gruesome is the first mask in Trick or Treat Studios exclusive Eric Pigors Toxic Toons Collection. “What is a Toxic Toon you ask? Let me quote Eric, “It’s a cartoon character described as a nutty scabbed chicken poxed lilly livered stiched up bone poppin goofball! With some sort of diabolical disturbing dilemma in store.”

Gruesome is the embodiment of this description. This amazing likeness, sculpted by our own Justin Mabry, has all the characteristics that make Gruesome the character we all know and love. Put on your maggot filled overcoat, slip on your mask and prepare all your friends for Gruesome.

Trick or Treat Studios should be on the look out for some great low-cost products with details that can add to any haunt, party or Halloween Store. Stay Tuned to RFR for them to be guests soon.

For more information on Trick or Treat Studios Visit: www.TrickorTreatStudios.com

Detail Your Haunt: Bad Boys Scenic Design Seminars 2010 and Discount Code

Long friends of Rotting Flesh Radio the Bad Boys Scenic Design who also run the Top Rated Haunt Terror on the Fox in Wisconsin have been regarded as some of the best in details in the Haunt Industry. They make rooms that can rival any Disney waiting queue and more.

For many years you have been able to pick up their How-To DVDs, see them at Conventions teaching Seminars and now the list has been announced for the Bad Boys Scenic Design Seminars 2010 so get a pen and get ready to make your haunt rock and shock all!

National Haunters Convention in Valley Forge, Pa.

Detailing your Haunted Attraction : Foam Carving & More!
Apr 30, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Are you ready to take your attraction to the next level? Here’s your chance! Sure to be a hit with attendees, this informative how-to (and hands on) seminar will give haunters of all experience levels the techniques to turn an average room design into a highly detailed Disney-level attraction. Detailing techniques, tips, tools of the trade as well as advanced methods will be demonstrated and discussed. Topics and demos will cover painting, distressing, LightScaping, rust, rotted plaster, tiger foam, and of course the Bad Boys’ signature Styrofoam Masonry. Learn how these applications have been used in attractions across the country including Nightmare New England, SpookyWorld, Reapers Revenge, Terror on the Fox and more!

Bad Boys Scenic Design is a group of designers whose artistic skills in set design have earned them the respect and admiration of the most prominent names in the haunted attraction industry. Don’t miss the chance to learn their best tricks, techniques, and methods refined during their 20 year career in the Haunted Attraction industry. Register soon to guarantee your spot in this special seminar as this 3 – 4 hour long seminar is expected to sell out.

To Register Today Visit: www.HalloweenUniversity.com

Midwest Haunters Convention in Columbus, OH.

Extreme Detailing for your Haunted Attraction
Sunday June 6, 1pm – 5pm
by: Bad Boys Scenic Design & Screamline Studios

Are you ready to take your attraction to the next level? Here’s your chance! Sure to be a hit with attendees, this informative how-to (and hands on) seminar will give haunters of all experience levels the techniques to turn an average room design into a highly detailed Disney-level attraction. Detailing techniques, tips, tools of the trade as well as advanced methods will be demonstrated and discussed.

Topics and demos will cover faux painting, distressing, LightScaping, rust, rotted plaster, tiger foam, and of course the Bad Boys’ signature Styrofoam Masonry. This year’s seminar will include special guest designer Jason Blaszczak from Screamline Studios.

Learn how these applications have been used in attractions across the country including Nightmare New England, SpookyWorld, Reapers Revenge, Terror on the Fox and more!

Register soon to guarantee your spot in this special seminar as this 4.5 – 5 hour long session is expected to sell out. Cost – $150. Save $20 if registered by May 4th – Use Discount Code “BBSD”.

To Register Visit: www.MidwestHauntersConvention.com

VOTE for Rotting Flesh Radio in the 8th Annual Rondo Awards

That time of the year has come again. And although we were nominated, we did not win in the National Podcast Awards, we are however Nominated once again in the 8th Annual Rondo Awards.

Rotting Flesh Radio is once again nominated in this annual award process in Category 20: Best Horror Audio or Video Podcast. Please take a moment, spread the word and THANK YOU DEADITES for all you have done to support us over the years and to help us get nominated for these awards.

To Vote Go To: www.RondoAward.com and follow the directions to get your votes in.

ABOUT THE RONDOS:
The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards were created by David Colton and Kerry Gammill at the Classic Horror Film Boards in 2002. The awards are fan-based, and have no connection to any commercial sponsor. Anyone in fandom can vote or propose nominees.

The ‘Rondo’ award itself, shown at right, features a bust sculpted by illustrator Kerry Gammill, and cast by modeler Tim Lindsey.

The statuette is a miniature version of the bust of Hatton seen in the Universal film, HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946). The Rondos have been praised by recipients for their quiet beauty and evocation of classic horror.