Preparations Are Underway for 2004 Season
Our "laboratory" is filling up with all kinds of latex body parts, skeletons, intricate simulated wood carvings, a whole colony of bats, and the beginnings of an alien invasion in the form of alien eggs. Click on pictures for a close-up view.
Here we see Henry hanging up more costumes that are coming in for the new season. New this year is a large collection of Gothic costumes for men and women, as well as zombie robes and suits, and a collection of hats, costume accessories and wigs. There's also a new section of western wear ready for the future addition of a mine theamed attraction. This season there will be costumes for everyone, including ticket sellers in the ticket booths.
Beginning in February in Henry's basement we began sculpting oil-based clay into a variety of forms, then either made plaster molds (both one part and two part) for latex masks and props, or made silicone molds for foam props. Pictured below is the process of removing a foam skull from a silicone mold. Foam props are lightweight, easy to store, can get bumped without breaking (they're also safer for guests to your haunt who accidentally run into them while trying to escape the monsters).

Here's Henry first producing the bats, and then being attacked by them! There's enough here for an entire bat colony. Their skin has realistic texture to it and they have faux fur on their bodies. Even their toes are individually formed. Right now we have two styles, one that hangs from the ceiling and one that sits on the floor (or your shoulder).