Night Terrors NEA Build Progress

[Frightener]

I decided after noticing all of the other build progresses were in this section to move (start anew here) my thread.

I'll post some pics up till today's progress. Keep in mind, this is our first year.

Bio: Been haunting parties and yards for many years. I'm 36 now, and since I was a young kid, I had always loved Halloween. Mom and dad always joked how I was the only child who looked forward to Halloween more than Christmas. I quit a few years ago and sold all of the stuff I had made. Stuff I had made looked awesome, I had the time and the money to do great costumes and had sold such as a nice Darth Vader for $800 to a Spawn costume I made that looked VERY good, thanks to a nice latex mask I stole from Trick or Treat for $30! It was listed for $99 at the time and someone had ripped it in the back. I used a hole puncher and made a hole at the end of the tear and it never ripped more. I dodn't know how or why I knew that would work, but some things just came to me.

This year has been rough. We've been struggling since my father in law passed and his place (next door to us) became a halfway house. With a nice looking wife and a newborn baby girl, we no longer felt safe with convicts and sex offenders 65 feet from us. Their numbers were in the 40's when we left. We sold our place, sold our 67 Camaro and took our savings to do this haunt. It has been my dream since I worked at Jonesboro Jaycees where I had helped build panels (too long ago to remember how) and for a short time was Predator, in a very VERY hot suit. I didn't get an award out of it, but people always bragged on how I was the best Predator. I'm a short fella, so I used a few of the crates (very strong ones) to leap from one to another (2 stacked to 1 crate) just in front of the guests.

So here we are. Giving it all we have to make it in one shot.

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[Frightener]

After the FM told us we'd be fine with our building (he didn't look at it, nor did he read the codes) we signed our lease agreement. $2,000 a month broken up to $1,000 rent, $12,000 at end of year.
FM came back 2 days later! And told us we couldn't do it in the big blue building. So I moved my old 1,000 sf carports and bought another. He signed off on the house beside the building and told me we'd be good.

100_3403.JPGExterior Wall.JPGInterior Panels.JPGNew Jig.JPGWall 2.JPG

[Frightener]

So we'll have just over 3,000 sf of haunt space to start with. Our place has an apartment inside so basically, all the haunt has to do is pay for rent, and we're golden! Electric bill may be rough, but we can handle it I think.

Progress 1.JPGProgress 2.JPG100_3404.JPG100_3405.JPG

[Frightener]

So we got a hearse bought for a billboard and had it wrapped for about a 1/3 of the cost for sponsorship.

Drivers 1.JPGDrivers 2.JPGDrivers 3.JPGHood.JPG

[Frightener]

I have had a lot of help from this forum to get here. I owe a LOT to fellas like, BrotherMysterio, Allen Hopps and Bobby Arrel to just name a few. I'll have to set back and get everyone included sometime (and double check some name spellings :P )
Allen's videos from youtube, pshh, I wouldn't have started making my own latex apps and partial masks w/o him. Bobby made my brain cap because I've been trying to save save save and be frugal, as Allen teaches. I got a few of his DVD's btw, they've helped a ton and I'll also be purchasing his Acting DVD's. I've also gotten inspiration from haunts like Shane's Disturbia and Larry's The Darkness! I'm even doing a "Poor Man's" replication of one of his scenes sort of as a tribute.

Hopefully, this thing will take off and I can have more time next year to do much more. I've had speed bump after speed bump, PLUS getting robbed and having to spend a lot of money to get my tools again... It's hard, but... it's my dream and it's now or never! Now, I know my work isn't great, but in time, I hope to produce such a haunt as some of the guys listed above, and others that haven't been mentioned. You guys, being here in this forum, has given a poor man like me a chance to make his dream come true. THIS IS IT! This is all I have left to do. I don't want to go to Alaska, or go deep sea fishing. I've had my 67 Camaro, I've got my Airbrushing Kiosk and done that 'pro', I've got my baby girl, married to a great woman... WTH else do I need? If this makes it, 2012 can wipe us and I'll ONLY regret not having more time with my family. I hope this explains some of us / who I am. Hope you enjoy watching a noob in progress!

This is today's work. We had the lady from Premier magazine, a local publication come out today to take pics for the next issue where we get an article, and hopefully another with the cover in October.

BTW:< I have more detailing such as paint and such on the facade of Bldng 2 and Captain Howdy there (the Monster Mudd guy there) And sorry for the crap pics, my camera is on it's last leg with a rod knocking. My foam work looks much better in person, the paint comes out weird in the pics for some reason.

Bld 2 Door.JPGBld 2 Front.JPGBldng 2 Front 2.JPG

[scottylmt]

Awesome story Dewayne. That place is really starting to look good. I think the foam work is great! Can't wait to see more.

[Pumpkin King]

I love the look of the facade!! It turned out great from how you were describing it in your other thread. Way to go, keep up the good work!!

[Wellinton]

I am really enjoying this thread! I wish you so much success! The help on this Forum is tremendous and you mentioned my heroes and superstars as well.

[BrotherMysterio]

Amazing work! Excellent!

C.

[screamforadream]

You're doing great things buddy! Keep it up, can't wait to see more!