Quiet day

It was quiet around the Graveyard with Kevin and Jesse in school. Justin and I started the work on installing the Pumpkins in Pumpkin Patch. I took down one side of the double sided fence in the middle and I started ripping out the old wire. Later Justin dug up the PVC pipe that contained the wire going under the path.

The picture is Justin with part of the fence taken down.

Jesse and Kevin's last day....

Today Jesse, Kurtis, and Erin worked on Temple. Erin pained walls while Jesse and Kurtis worked on the Earth room. Justin sanded Styrofoam rocks for the Temple. Megal and Julio worked on Dungeon repairs. Taylor worked on things like installing more fake doors in Vampires. I installed speakers in Cemetery and the strobe lights in Pumpkins and the Cornfield, among other things.

Today was Jesse, Kevin, and Erin's last full weekday of work. They are all back in school next week.

The picture is Erin sand painting Temple with her hand.

Cemetery gets a cut

Today the Cemetery grass finally got cut along with most of the other areas of the show. Dan, Taylor, Chris, and Kevin cut it with Dan and Taylor doing most. Dan also worked on more fake doors for Catacombs and Taylor worked on making fences for family plots. I spent the day fixing the wire in Cemetery that they ran over or weed wacked. It wasn't too bad and I only had to fix a few areas. I also put low voltage blacklights for the Dungeon fire bed and I installed the Dungeon repeters.Kevin also worked on fixing the saw blade in the Sawmill.

Justin worked on Temple waterfall area Julio and Megal worked on putting floors in all of the Dungeon rooms. Dungeon is really muddy this year and Ernie didn't want actors to have to stand in it all night. Mark was also there and working on the Manor facade. Jesse, Kurtis, and Erin worked on Temple.

We also had the second day of Featured Actor signups.

Food!!

Today Julio and Megal did more Dungeon repairs. Dan made some Catacombs doors. Taylor put Bats on the arches of Vampires. Justin rode around with Ernie to get wood. Justin, Kurtis, and Jesse then used the wood to make a walkway in the Earth room. Jesse also installed a big face he made in the Earth room. Erin painted stuff in Temple. I installed repeaters in Fishpuppet and finished some torches for Fishpuppet that were started last year.

Julio and Megal brought food later in the afternoon. The Chicken and rice were very good.

We also had featured actor signups.

IMPORTANT ACTOR INFORMATION

If you would like to be an actor this year you need to read this page. There is a lot of information including dates and the location. One important addition this year is our Featured Actors that will help tell the story of the graveyard. If you can act we need you. Our scare actors are still our core and we need you also. There are other jobs too if you would like to work behind the scenes. For more detailed information goto:

http://www.hauntedgraveyard.com/jobs/

I'm going to try and keep this on top of the blog.
Original post 8/14/09

Second day of Signups. More House Managers

Jesse and Kurtis are continuing along in Temple. They are working in multiple rooms but they started on the entrence to the Earth room today. Erin was also there painting the hallway from the Sun room all the way to the Wind room. Megal and Julio worked on more Dungeon repairs. Ernie told Justin to bounce between helping Jesse and Kurtis and MEgal and Julio but after standing around pretty much doing nothing for a while he went and helped Kevin. Kevin was installing animatronics mostly in Manor. He made two new ones that go in the windows. Dan had a list of things to do and after he finished them he helped Kevin with building some boxes around animatronics to protect them. I jumped around the show doing random things. I started with putting some lights that got taken down when we were redoing the Ballroom. I also put up the strobe lights in Zombie Forest and the lanterns in Trail 2. I also started installing our audio repeaters.

This evening was the second night of House manager and behind the scenes sign ups. I put up some signs and it seemed like most people didn't have as hard a time finding it as yesterday. One woman showed up very angry though.

Tomorrow is the first night of Featured Actor sign-ups. It should be very interesting as we've got a lot of responces to our posts.

The picture is the Wind room in the new Temple.

First day of signups; House managers

Today was another busy day.

Ernie made the deal with the TV show for a couple props so Kevin and I had to take down a few sections of the cemetery fence for them. The weeds were very high and there were a lot of bugs, spiders, a snake and at least two praying mantis. It wasn't fun trying to get the fence out of there. ;p The TV show also borrowed a couple tombstones.

Other than that we were all working on our own projects again. Megal and Julio worked on Dungeon repairs. Justin continued worked on the Temple facade area. Jesse and Kurtis worked on a bunch of rooms including the wind room. I worked on finishing the Manor thunder, lightning, and rain in the morning. I also started fixing some of Vampires. The jewelry box cubby we moved need the candle lights hooked back up. Kevin's friend Dan started working this afternoon. It was his first day and he worked on changing a few behind the scenes things in Dungeon.

As we were going to lunch we noticed someone hit the Endless tunnel. One wing that helps stabilize the walls was ripped off and one side of the hallway was pushed into the other. We aren't sure who did it or when but Compounce is investigating. In the picture you can see the wing on the left side facing out. We had two other panels leaning against the hallway, those are the black ones. Behind those two you can see the actual hallway panel and how its pushed into the other side of the hallway.

In the Evening we had our first sign-ups. It was supposed to be just for House Managers and Behind the scenes people but a few actors showed up. Some people had a hard time finding the new spot for sign-ups so tomorrow we are going to put up more signs. Tomorrow are more House Manager and Behind the scene sign-ups.

Haunted Graveyard props on TV?

I started today off by continuing on the Manor Thunder and lightning. I started it yesterday after I was done with the Catacombs lights. Justin kept working on the Temple waterfall and facade area. Kurtis and Jesse kept working on the sun room. Kevin worked on Vampire animatronics including two new ones in the Ballroom. Ted worked on Vampire arch repair. Julio worked on repairing other things in Vampires.

Right before lunch we got a call from Ernie. He wanted me to take pictures of the Compounce Display and of Tombstones from Cemetery. A TV show that just moved to CT wants to borrow some stuff from us. (I don't want to say which one until its official)

For lunch we went out to a restaurant for Ted's last day. Ted is the first one to go back to collage.

Right as it was time to go home a really bad storm started coming in so we rushed to leave. Justin said it was the worst thing hes ever driven through.

Repeat of yesterday

Today was pretty much a repeat of yesterday. I could copy and paste and wouldn't really have to change much. Since there isn't much to write here is a picture of what the Temple waterfall and facade area is looking like now. The bridge still has a lot to go before its finished. The mannequin at the top of the facade isn't there. We bring him down so he doesn't get ruined in the weather.

Temple pic

Today Jesse, Kurtis, and Erin worked on the sun room and the hallway before the sun room. Justin continued working on the waterfall/Temple facade area. Roger primed some stuff. I finished up the pumpkins and started to put up the strobe lights in Catacombs. Kevin worked on animatronics. Scott and Ted worked on Vampire repairs including putting up the arch and roof for the box we moved. Julio and Megal also worked on Vampire repairs.

I recently realized I haven't been posting as many pictures of the new Temple as I thought I was. I don't want to post everything but I wanted to give an idea of how its coming out. This is a picture of the third room in Temple.

More heat

We had a lot of people on a lot of different projects today. It was also very hot.

Justin kept working on the Temple facade. Roger primed Catacomb arches. Chris worked on cementing the the bottom of the waterfall. Kevin worked on a moving shutter for Manor and a falling Column in Temple. Jesse and Kurtis moved onto the next room called "The Sunroom Room". Julio repaired the alter he made after Jesse broke it. ;p Megal worked on a compressor shed for Temple and on an exit door for Temple. I worked on converting some more pumpkins to low voltage and tested some low voltage strobe lights. Ted and Scott worked on Vampire arch repairs.

The picture is everyone waiting for Ernie to arrive at the Graveyard. From left to right Julio, Megal, Jesse, Kurtis, Kevin, Ted, Justin, Scott, and Roger.

Old friend

It was very hot today so I tried to keep out of the sun. I stayed in my trailer all day and put low voltage lights in the rest of the pumpkins. I also put a bunch of low voltage lights, 12 to be exact, in the big pumpkin. I'm hoping it will be enough but I'm not sure. I also converted some battery powered pumpkins to low voltage.

Justin worked on the Temple facade again. He said it was much hotter on the facade than in the work area. Jesse and Kurtis continued working on the fifth room. They plan to start the next room tomorrow. The next room is called the sun room.

Kevin worked in his area on animatronics. Scott and Ted started Vampire repairs but they both left before lunch. Roger also worked half a day painting the Catacomb arches.

Later in the afternoon Bobby and Taylor got to work and they worked on a casket with Ernie. Ernie said he always wanted monks carrying a casket from Catacombs to the Graveyard so that's what they are doing.

Also Chris an old friend and former summer worker at the Graveyard stopped by to say hi.

The picture is Justin on the Left, Ernie on the phone, Chris in the middle, and Jesse on the right.

The sun is back

Today Kevin worked on soldering amplifiers together to be used in the animatronics. Most of the animatronics should have their own sounds this year. Some of them had them in previous years but we bought a lot of stuff that Kevin has to get ready. Kevin and I also spent some time testing the amplifiers and sound players to see how they sound and if they can run some of our other speakers.

I spent the day putting the low voltage lights we made yesterday into the pumpkins. I have to put a strip of tin foil in the back of the pumpkins since they are painted black inside then I have to put a little batting on the eyes and mouth so you can't look in and see the bulb. Finally I have to install the bulb itself.

Justin spent the day on the Temple Facade and surrounding area. He's trying to make it look like the jungle is overtaking the temple so hes putting plants and roots on the Temple facade itself.

Ted finally finished with the Catacomb arch repairs. I'm sure he's glad to be done with that but now he has to move onto Vampires. ;p

Julio continued work on Jesse's altar thing. Its taking shape but its taking a long time to do.

Jesse and Erin worked on the fifth room in Temple again. Jesse keeps adding stuff to the room so thats why its taking a while. ;p

Chris spent the morning roll roofing a couple of the Temple rooms.

The picture is Julio's Altar thing. Justin is standing in the picture.

Rain Rain

It was another rainy day today. Justin and I spent the day getting low voltage lights ready to be installed into the new pumpkins. We got over 80 finished, which should be more than enough. Jesse and Kurtis continued with the fifth room and started the hallway after it. There are holes in the walls now where bodies will sit and they have started to paint the room. Julio started on something for Temple. We aren't sure what it is but Jesse gave him the design. ;p Ted was also working on Temple stuff. He was cutting out geometric shapes for one of the hallways. Kevin is still working on animatroncs. I wish I had more details on what he is actually doing but I always forget to ask him. ;p

More of the same

Today Jesse and Kurtis continued work on the fifth room. Justin continued to fix up fish puppet and the Temple Facade area. I continued to cut pumpkins. Kevin continued working on animatronics. Scott and Ted continued Catacomb arch repair. Megal and Julio kept doing other Catacomb repairs. It was almost an exact repeat of yesterday. ;p

More work

Today Justin continued work in the facade area of Temple. Hes putting up a lot of trees and other plants and it really looks like a thick jungle.

Jesse and Kurtis worked on the fifth room. Right now they just have some rock shapes on the walls and a couple bodies. I believe they are calling it the tomb room.

I cut out a lot of pumpkins today. Years ago when they first built the pumpkin patch they bought a lot of pumpkins with LED eyes. The pumpkins are hallow inside but they aren't carved. We have so many of these pumpkins that I'm just cutting out the eyes and mouth like they did to use them up. When we went to the Houston halloween show we bought some pumpkins that have the face already cut out and those will be in the show also.

Kevin worked on more animatronics. Ted worked on more Catacomb arch repairs. Julio is also doing repairs in Catacombs.

The picture is Kevin listening to Linken Park on the radio. Hes standing next to one of his animatronics he recently built.(They really are Pneumatics. We just call everything animatronics.) It raises into the air and will probably sit in the front of Vampires.

Hot Day

Today Justin started fixing the plants in Fish Puppet. Some of the plants were messed up from the end of the show last year but some were also pushed over when he took the tarps out.

Jesse and Kurtis worked on another room of Temple. This room sort of looks like a mine with skeletons stuck on the walls.

Kevin set up an animatronic in Temple. You might remember it from the old Temple. He was in the third little 4' by 4' cubby near the entrance of the old Temple. Hes going in the fifth room in the new one.

Julio worked on more Catacomb repairs and Ted worked on more Catacomb arches.

I cut out some arches to replace the ones in the front of Catacombs and I also made a new panel.

The picture is Kevin installing the animatronic with Justin helping hold it. Kurtis and Jesse are in the back.

Weekend work

A couple people have been coming up to help on the weekends. The weekday crew usually takes weekends off but we also have a small weekend crew to help out.

This weekend Justin and Katie were in the park at the enter to win booth. Anyone can sign up for a chance to win two free tickets to the Haunted Graveyard in October. They are located near our display in front of the entrance to Bolderdash. They will be there every weekend usually from around 12pm to 4pm.

Ernie, Taylor, and Bobby went through the mannequin storage areas and made mannequins for the new area where the Tunnel of Light used to be.

Julio was also there making even more repairs to Catacombs.

Random Video

Today I finished testing the fog machines and the controllers. The reason I didn't test all of them in one day is because I think it was so hot these last few days they were overheating and shutting themselves down. I could only test in the early morning while it was still relativity cool. I also finished fixing the broken lights in the Vortex and put up a few more speakers and low voltage boxes.

Justin spent the day taking down the plastic that was covering the plants in Fishpuppet. Most of it was huge sheets of plastic 100 feet by 20 feet long. The people that put it up last year were a little lazy and didn't cut the sheets to size. He dragged and rolled the sheets to the front of the show by himself.

Jesse and Kurtis finished the second room and started on the third. We call the second room the spike room and it is one of the best looking rooms in the show.

Ted continued fixing the Thermo-Ply on the Catacombs arches. The last time the Thermo-Ply was put up roofing nails were used instead of screws with washers so its taking a very long time to fix each arch. The bees and other things aren't helping either.

Julio is continuing making repairs in Catacombs and Kevin did more animatronic stuff.

The Video is Kevin, Kurtis, Ted, Jesse and Justin in the third room in the new Temple.

Jesse and Kurtis continued on the second room today. Justin, Ted, and Scott worked on fixing Catacombs arches. The Thermo-Ply that forms the bottom of the arch doesn't hold up well and has to be replace every few years. I tested more fog machines, fixed a few broken UV lights in the vortex and cut out a 6 foot circle for the calender in the calender room. Kevin worked on animatronics. Julio continued on Catacomb repairs.

New head of the actors

Today Justin and Ted worked on the Temple facade area. They put up camo tarps and plants on the walls. Jesse and Kurtis finished the first room and started on the second room. I tested more fog machines and put in more speakers and low voltage boxes. Megal and Julio finished the new area where Tunnel of Light was and then started on Catacombs repairs. Kevin did more animatronic stuff.

We also have a new person to head the actors, Walter. He has been the head of Manor for a few years and he has helped out during the summer in past years. He has some big shoes to fill and a lot of changes to implement but we are sure he will do a great job.

The picture is Justin putting up the plants in the Temple facade area.

Lots of work and a meeting

Today Jesse and Kurtis finished the first hallway and started on the first room. We are calling the first room the calender room. Justin and Ted put plywood on the back of some Vampire panels to form a wall. We are using the back of Vampires for part of the wall in front of the Temple facade. I worked on putting up more speakers and low voltage boxes and I also tested some Skull flame pots we are going to put in Temple. I also brought over all of our fog machines and started testing some of them. Kevin worked on more animatronic stuff. Megal and Julio (his first day) worked on putting in the cubbies that look like coffins in the new area.At the end of the day we had a meeting to discuss the show. We mostly talked about actors what we want them to do and how to organize house managers, zone managers and the rest. We also talked about changes we need to make to the show.

Back on our own stuff

We got back to our own projects again today. Hopefully with most of the major construction done we will stay on our own stuff. I jumped around from house to house putting up more speakers and low voltage boxes. Jesse and Chris started working on the first hallway of Temple. Scott, Ted, and Justin collected rocks to put down in the Temple waterfall pool liner. Kevin did more of his animatronics.

Unfortunately Clora called Ernie this weekend and told him that she and Bob could not head up the actors this year due to schedule issues. They have done a great job over the years and we hope we can find someone as good as they were.