Halloween 1987: Spook House
With the sounds of an 80's Hallmark Halloween cassette blaring from the base of a glowing corn stalk, we took the below photos late last night (we had to wait hours for a lingering storm to pass). The SPOOK HOUSE opened its doors in the breezy cool air with witches, a scarecrow, a pumpkin ghost, and the dark funeral of our dear Morris Moundshroud.
When Jenna suggested we do a throwback Haunt to the 80's this year, it felt kind of meta for me, and exciting. I typically try to create a little world out there on the lawn and porch. My goal is to transform it to where you almost don't see the porch ceiling, the windows, the door...or the house. As those things feel like a distraction. But this was an opportunity to say "Yeah, this is a Home Haunt. This is what we would have built in 1987 if we were adults back then." And we would absolutely positively have to use that old Hallmark soundscape.
I couldn't be more thrilled with the end result, and for the suggestion to go back in time. It was pure magic out there last night. Old School magic.
Here are some of our photos...
47 comments:
wow. I’ve been wishing for a full old-school haunt from you for years - absolutely worth the wait! completely nailed the classic Halloween spirit here. so much stuff here that I don’t think I’ve ever seen in one of your haunts - the faux cobwebs, string lights, straw bales, blood-smeared gravestones. Normally this stuff would feel out of place in your world but it all comes together seamlessly.
and our dear Morris Moundshroud… he will be sorely missed but he sure does make a lovely cadaver.
this feels to me like a spiritual successor to the 2017 haunt. in that same 'meta' vein that you touched on in the post. just such wonderful, wonderful stuff
wishing you the happiest of halloweens to you!
and I must add, those bleary shots through the cobwebs are SO mesmerising.
I smile every time I see your profile photo. haha.
Thank you SO much, Theo. We really appreciate those words. You're the best and a Legendary Haunter, so it's wonderful hearing what you thought of this one.
Looks fantastic!
Happy Halloween!
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Thanks! Happy Halloween!
I have been looking forward to the Spook House from you since you started the teasing of it! Definitely Old School and I love it! Oh how I wish I lived next door to you...
In the age of social media and over inundated posts, your blog serves a significant purpose and one I go to year-round for that Halloween magic.
Happy Halloween Rot, thanks for all you do and sharing your incredible work!
Sitting at work in a very corporate office, feeling significantly less than Halloween...
I needed this.
Great work! Happy Halloween Rot!
nice Happy Halloween
It's all fantastic, and thanks for sharing!
Being a bit of a vintage sort myself, this hits on so many levels...an old school 'Howl-O-Ween' soundtrack, classic cobwebs, 80's-esque saturation, and of course, the Moundshroud element.
I have to tell you that as I was scrolling through, it was a tug of war between wanting to spend time lingering on the photo I was currently viewing, and hurrying along to finally get a close-up of Morris. (I was patient, and it was worth the wait)
I hope you both have a fantastic Halloween!
Happy Halloween, RM! We were watching your reel this morning and commenting that it was like watching a full-on professional haunted attraction. It’s unreal the level of detail you achieve. So much atmosphere.
Thanks so much for the kind words! We really appreciate it immensely.
Absolutely insane, I told Jenna that it was like an old darkride with the new purple/green lighting scheme. There used to be an old wax museum in Lake George New York that I would go to as a kid that was called House Of Frankenstein, and the color scheme is something very similar to Spook House. This was a super different direction for you and it came out better than I even imagined. Those candelabras and wooden tombstones are something else, something amazing. You’ve outdone yourself once again!! Have a great Halloween, y’all!
You’re the best! We really appreciate you saying that! Love the comparison to a dark ride!
Your Haunt is exceptional this year!
Mr. Nightmare,
Hey, I REALLY appreciate that! A lot! So glad you’re out there! Happy Halloween!
Thanks so much, Johnny!
Wow. What can I say. This is the best lighting job I have ever seen you do…Really creates an incredible atmosphere. You absolutely knocked it off the park this time. Great job man looks fantastic.
Thanks, TR!
Here I was at 6:30, as we do…waiting for the blog post. For a few minutes I questioned the date, I’m capable of making that mistake. Fell asleep, waking again at 8ish and just happened to check IG. Blown away, old school cadaver, toe pincher, bagged style webs…white sheet style pumpkin ghost. I felt like I’d wandered into my childhood neighborhood, except this neighbor really, really had the goods. This is probably redundant as I blathered on in the IG comment, but man…really diggin this one. Awesome show, as always! Happy Halloween!
Oh WOW. Love the throwback 80s style, the colors, the lighting, the webbing, the candelabras, the graveyard, and especially old Moundshround rotting in his coffin!! So many brilliant details. Can't get over that first photo, with the whole house lit up and the witches with glowing eyes!! Y'all did such an amazing job! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
I love it! The lighting is beautiful and I love the tombstones. Happy Halloweemn!
Thanks so much, Jeff!
So glad you dig it so much.
Thanks a ton, K.O.! I really appreciate that!
Hope you’re having the best Halloween!
Thanks, Jeanne! So glad you swung by! Happy Halloween!
Awesome as usual, I love the funeral idea and all of the lit Jack-o- lanterns, very very cool. Where did you get your coffin from if I may ask, it's perfect.
Thanks, Mr M! Just like you I built my own! Haha. Made it with foam, cardboard, mache, and an old bedsheet for the lining.
You did a beautiful job on it.
I agree with Tworivers on the lighting, the way the colors blend is outstanding. I think I recognize one or two of the grave markers from your very early years. I've always been a fan of rotted wood markers, and yours look great.
I kept looking around for a Beistle paper skeleton...
This is sweet, Rot, takes me back many years!
Love the lighting and contrast in this one! Fantastic mood and work!
Wonderful job, as always, young man.
It really is a kind of magic, isn't it?
Seeing it in person must be a joy.
Lucky neighbors you have.
(or very tolerant...ha)
Happy Halloween!
Looks awesome- wish I could trick or treat at your house.
Outstanding!
Bravo!! Looks amazing. I love all the little details aswell. The funeral setting and coffin ghoul Moundshroud is brilliant ð
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Happy Halloween
As always, you can do no wrong with the haunt, no matter the style. Absolutely beautiful, and can't wait to see more pics.
Thanks so much, guys!!!
We really appreciate it!
Thanks for all the kind words! Hope everyone had a wonderful All Hallows Eve :)
Awesome as always Rot. I love the old school vibe of the Pumpkin Ghost reminds me of decorations from the 70's and the corpse is very well detailed and creepy. Lighting is always impeccable. So many little things here and there to notice. Wonderful job guys. Hope you had an amazing night. MV
Thanks, Mike!
Just....Wow! You guys really outdid yourselves this year. And going back in time was brilliant! So much to take in and everything done impeccably. Thank you once again for sharing your talents with us! Happy Halloween!
Looks absolutely amazing. Hope you had a great Halloween
Wonderful, Rot! I am really digging the bright colors, string lights, and the three ghouls/witches by the sign. Bravo!
Thanks, WC!
Literally stunning. The color combo this year is perfection. The blue against the oranges and reds (with the addition of the turquoise). Chef’s kiss!!!
Thanks, Sar!
So glad you're digging it!
We bought some new LED floodlights and they are primo... every possible color combo and brightness level. Was holding off on LEDs, but they looked amazing and didn't hurt my eyes. haha
Yeah I wasn’t even thinking they might be led but in this case they really make the colors pop. “Pop”.
WOW!!! I am so amazed at how this all came together! So different from what I had expected and so different the way you guys lit everything....I really love the colors! Especially all of the greens in there. Had to chuckle at the string lights because it brought back memories of dealing with dozens and dozens of string lights when I first started doing a haunt.
I think the funeral scene is my favorite....so jealous of those candelabras.
#22 and #23 of the shots are divine!!! Love the view thru the cobwebs....sooo cool!
Lordie!!! That's a lot of jackolanterns!!! Makes my hands hurt just thinking about carving that many. Ouch!
I have to come back say how much I LOVE the Pumpkin Ghost! He seems to move.
Thanks Sooooooo much, guys!
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