Friday, May 31, 2013

Halloween Extreme in Orlando

In a previous blog post I talked about how we were unable to attend the Transworld Haunters Convention this year for various reasons, not the least of which was the overall cost for out of state travel, room, and board. This year though, for the first time, Transworld, Netherworld and Spooky Empire combined to form a "Halloween Extreme" convention right here in Orlando in conjunction with the annual Spooky Mahem Convention. Between how-to classes, costumed characters, and a pretty good size vendor hall, it was a very busy three days of Halloween madness. If you weren't exhausted from that, there was a Zombie Walk, an after hours Zombie Prom, a prop building competiton, a prop contest and a costume contest. Overall it was an excellent weekend for us. We learned a lot, spent more money on props than we should have, and met plenty of fellow haunters. If you get the chance to attend this convention in the future, jump on it! I'd be surprised if you were disappointed!

Entry to the vendor room
This poor guy was skewered on a pike on the opposite side of the door. Though the detail to this face was amazing.


One of the masks on display by co-sponsor Netherworld. Just in case you need a little horror inspiration.

Photo op from Netherworld built by Distortions Unlimited

Not all the props were horror related, Dino Rentos had some huge mystical  or Fairytale type creations.
 
Dino Rentos

 Four of the previous contestants from Science Channels "Face Off" TV series were up for a Q&A session. I saw at least one of them doing some face painting if you needed to get zombified.
 
Plenty of people in some top notch costumes were around for photographing.

Some classes were hands on and required a nominal fee for materials. This was a fun mold making class with instructor Mike Layton from Scary Studios

 Netherworld has a new shop opening online. We gave these vintage replicas a second and third look. Alas, all our money was spent...



Spooky Mayhem was right down the hall with more rooms of vendors and characters. While it isn't really our thing because it's mostly about the Hollywood or movie side of  horror, some of the costumes people wore were amazing, like this one from "Beetlejuice".  I know a fellow blogger who is all about anything Tim Burton that would have appreciated this costume.

Belinda is always making new friends. This guy was a bit clingy though...

Monday, May 27, 2013

"Making Monsters" - Coming Back for a New Season!

The last few years we have really enjoyed some of the Halloween television programming, and it's become part of our Fall season traditions to make sure we tune in to them. Included in our most favorites is  "Making Monsters" on the Travel Channel. Ed and Marsha Edmonds, are owners of "Distortions Unlimited", long time makers of masks and props for the Halloween industry. This seasonal reality series features the mayhem of running the business, and features some of the colorful characters that work there. It's entertaining to watch them put together a new creature from concept to setting it up at it's final destination.

One of the highlights of the Halloween Extreme trade show this weekend was meeting the owners Ed and Marsha. They were a really friendly couple. They showed a program from last season and did a short Q&A session later that night. I think meeting them was "THE" highlight of the weekend for Belinda! All of this might have resulted in a new prop for Shingle Creek Manor but I'll save that for a future blog entry.

According to Ed Edmunds, "Making Monsters" is back again this season!

Ed Edmunds, Marsha Edmunds, and Belinda - 2013 Halloween Extreme

Distortions Unlimited




Monday, May 20, 2013

Halloween Extreme!

So the Transworld trade show didn't happen for us this year as I'd planned in our Halloween goals for the year. Turns out we had a choice between a new central air and heat unit for the house or Transworld. It's Florida, guess which one we chose...

But then, just when I'd written off any Halloween trade shows, Transworld opens a whole new show here in central Florida, 30 minutes from home, Halloween Extreme! Got our advanced tickets and hopefully we'll have a weekend of haunting how to classes, looking at the props from vendors (maybe a small purchase or two), and meeting some celebrity's. I know Ed and Marsha Edmunds from "Making Monsters" and owner of Distortions Unlimited is making a presentation on Saturday night. Should be an inspiring weekend!