'Haunted Manor' yard lighting tutorial

[ScareFX]

Here's a very nice tutorial done by Rob at SkullAndBone.com on lighting a yard haunt. Useful stuff.

http://skullandbone.com/tutorial_01.htm

[scarface]

I think this is a very helpful tool for lighting your haunts. I know most of you have already put most of your lighting out but for those of you that havent you might want to check this out. I thank scarefx for the link and I think it deserves a "BUMP".

[shaunathan]

This is the tutorial I used to decide what color my LED spotlights should be.

My warm source of light is the razzer rackin' street light accross the street from me :P

my cool light is my blue LED's.

[Blackwidow]

I used Rob's tutorial too...the correct light placement makes some great shadows.

[Torgen]

Woo hoo! Now I know how to counteract that @#$%! streetlight!

I have a little bitty front yard though. Going to have to be careful about too much light.

[Technical Terror]

We have a light in the back yard up on a high power pole near our haunt. I own it, but it costs me to get it turned off during the haunt. However the power company replaces the bulbs for free.
To save money, my brother suggested shooting the bulb out and after Halloween getting the power company to come replace the broken bulb.
Might just try that this year.

[Gloomy_Gus]

Lucky for me, the streetlight on my street is out because nobody seems to know who pays for it.

I have yard lights that I bought from Home Depot, but I was wondering what to use to make them blue. Where can I get gel covers that won't melt?

[ScareFX]

Lucky for me, the streetlight on my street is out because nobody seems to know who pays for it.

I have yard lights that I bought from Home Depot, but I was wondering what to use to make them blue. Where can I get gel covers that won't melt?

There is a lack of section of colored bulbs at the home improvement stores. I've gotten blue, green, and red 100-watt bulbs but that's all. What I do for other colors is use a gel that is used in professional lighting. They make special lighting units to hold these gels but since it's only for a night or two I don't use them. I use the black plastic containers that hold landscaping plants in combination with cheap green stake lights. You can see a picture of the setup with a green bulb here (http://64.226.23.133/woodycarr/images/up_lighting.jpg).

For the other colors I use a standard white bulb with a gel taped over the black container. You can see the orange gel covering the light at the bottom of this photo (http://64.226.23.133/woodycarr/images/uplight_with_gel.jpg) .

You can purchase gels from a number of online stores. I've had good quick service from this company.

http://www.cheapdjlights.com/item--Professional-Gel-Sheet-21-inch-x-22-inch--ADJ-ZPROGELSH.html

[Empress Nightshade]

Where can I get gel covers that won't melt?
If you don't want to order online, check your yellow pages under Theatrical Stage and Lighting Equipment. The listings there should sell Gel. I've found that Roscoe Gels are the best. Lots and lots of colors to choose from.

[turtle2778]

Hey ScareFX~

Thanks for that link...i was just thinking about how to light my first yard haunt...good looking out for us newbies..thanks

[Sickie Ickie]

We did an alien theatre show last year, and in a pinch when we didn't have a light gel, I used translucent glass paint from michaels to cover the bulb. The green took 2-3 coats, but worked beautifully.

[slimy]

Be careful Sickie, painting lightbulbs is a good way to start a fire. The bulbs (even small wattage bulbs) get very hot and the paint will start to smoke and eventually can catch a flame.

I have been a mobile dj for over 15 years, before that did stage shows with bands and for theatre. I use a company called Pro Sound and Stage Lighting www.pssl.com They have a good selection of roscoe gels and other lighting. Smoke machines to fit any haunters budget. I don't work for them, but they do get plenty of my money.

[edwood saucer]

Based on that tutorial - which I had found a week ago - I built this - just messing around. It was fun - I will continue messing around...

http://www.fizzcreative.com/haunt/haunt.jpg

[JohnnyL]

I'll be doing a great deal of lighting this year. Unfortunatly right at the end of our lawn there's a big street light, KIND of concealed by one of the big trees. This light is possessed and goes off and on all the time, really annoying. I'd like to have it off, but then the street is so dark right there. But who cares if it's just going to be off a majority of the time because it's possessed?

[Beepem]

im doing the 2 lights in a tree method this year...i hope

[spokanejoe]

Lighting makes all the diffference. We go to all the work to make these great rops and with bad lighting you lose the details to the dark. Thanks for the link Scare FX

[SkullAndBone]

Lighting makes all the diffference. We go to all the work to make these great rops and with bad lighting you lose the details to the dark. Thanks for the link Scare FX

Hi all, I just happened to surf by the topic, I'm glad the lighting ideas are helping everyone. I can't agree more with Spokanejoe. Your comment is why I made the tutorial. Our props are 'so-so' when lit poorly they look worse when lit nicely they look almost real. I think everyone should take advantage of great lighting if at all possible. It makes me sad to see great haunts look kinda' flat because of last minute lighting.

All the very best,
Rob

[ScareFX]

...why I made the tutorial...

And thanks for making that tutorial Rob! :) I know it helped me a lot last year.

[edwood saucer]

My initial thoughts are to buy 2 yard stake spots for the front and then 2 for backlighting purposes + 1 for lightning fx.

I see lots of bright lanterns in folks haunts as highlight areas - are these just regular lanterns? What kind of set-up are they?

Rob - mucho thanks for the tutorial....

[zombietronix]

If you like that tutorial, print it, save it, or do whatever you want. He's thinking about a doing a redesign.

Read the 7/12/06 entry from this page:
http://www.skullandbone.com/news_01.htm

[SkullAndBone]

My initial thoughts are to buy 2 yard stake spots for the front and then 2 for backlighting purposes + 1 for lightning fx.

I see lots of bright lanterns in folks haunts as highlight areas - are these just regular lanterns? What kind of set-up are they?

Rob - mucho thanks for the tutorial....

Mine are 25 watt flicker bulbs that I placed inside a lantern. They work like a charm.

[SkullAndBone]

If you like that tutorial, print it, save it, or do whatever you want. He's thinking about a doing a redesign.

Read the 7/12/06 entry from this page:
http://www.skullandbone.com/news_01.htm

I'll try to make sure I keep some form of it available, but a print would be a good idea.

[shaunathan]

hey skull and bone, I dind'nt know you came on here, I know ya from halloween-L :D

is your haunt up yet? as I recall you are up near santa barbara, my uncle lives up there and may get a visit in with him before halloween, if you live up that way maybe I can see your haunt if you operate before halloween at all.

[edwood saucer]

Thats cool skull - I can buy those flicker lights can't I - as opposed to making them?

[heresjohnny]

Skull and Bone, finally got around to reading your tutorial, many thanks!