In this section I will keep notes of my observations, problems and discoveries, as I build the 3D models, as well as giving updates and news about what's going on here in the Haunted Dimensions.
Most entries are removed within a few weeks, but some of the more interesting items will remain archived.

April 1, 2007
Video Games Live

This past weekend we went up to the Yale University campus in New Haven, Conn. to see the spectacular, and brilliant concert, "Video Games Live"!

"Video Games Live is an immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time.   The Yale University Orchestra  & choir performed along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience!"

It just so happens that Jack Wall, who is the orchestra conductor, Co-creator and Exec Producer of "Video Games Live", was also a classmate of ours from our High School graduating class of 1981!   His credits include the music from Myst III: Exile, Unreal II, and Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, among many, many more.   Here is Jack's site, http://www.jackwall.net/index.html
My wife is also from the same High School class, so we were able to have a mini reunion with Jack, which was very cool, and my kids got to meet one of the leading video game music composers in the country!   We also had a sneak peek of the rehearsals the night before the concert, which served to build excitement to seeing the real thing!

If you read this Jack, thanks a TON! It was an unforgetable night!


This is the stage before the perfomance. Behind the screen is the 104 year old, 3 story tall, Woolsey Hall Pipe Organ,
on which Martin Leung played the music from "Castlevania". Awesome!

Unlike most folks in the entertainment industry, Tommy Tallarico (game industry icon, and concert host), encourages guests to take video of the show and post it on YouTube, so if you want to see some of the concert from that night at Yale, check out these Youtube videos. Keep in mind that no photos or video can compare to seeing and hearing the REAL THING!

As the show begins, the giant video screen behind the orchestra lights up modestly with the classic 1975 game "PONG" (can it really be 32 years ago?!) .   The audience cheers!   As the game begins to play, the beeps and b oops of the game are picked up by the orchestra and serve to establish a rhythm that builds to a grand crescendo of music and visuals from 1980's games.
Here is a fantastic clip of the "PONG" opening at Yale showing a beautiful shot of Jack and the orchest ra playing along with the video! Don't let the slight audio time-lag of the video fool you, the orchestra hit the paddle beats perfectly!



I never realized that hearing an orchestra playing the music from Donkey Kong, Centipede, Frogger, Sonic, Mario , Legend of Zelda, and Space Invaders, could be as emotionally stirring as it was! It was like hearing a sentimental, old pop tune from my teen years!   It was like a visit from a old, dear friend!
By the time Jack gets to the music he composed, Myst:Exile, the full power o f the choir and orchestra sent shivers down my spine!

In between the musical sets, people are chosen from the audience to actually play games on the big screen, while the LIVE orchestra follows the game play music in real time! Hearing 3000 people cheering a guy on stage, who is trying to get his Frogger across the gauntlet of cars, trucks and logs, was hilarious fun!

"The Shark Is Still Working"

I am in the process of buidling all of my paper models for my own collection. Over the past year I have constructed multiple versions of all of the models, but ended up giving them all away, leaving my shelves empty! I am taking this opportunity to modify and enhance the models with custom parts and a little bit of miniature landscaping.
Here is one of the models I designed for Universal, Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights web site. It is the facade of one of the sound-stage haunted houses "Psychoscareapy"
depicting the "Shadybrook" asylum.

I used reindeer moss and flat moss (found in craft and hobby stores) to simulate the overgrown vegetation, and I stuck in a few shrub twigs to simulate dead trees.

I recreated the chainlink gate using some stretched contour mesh (used in clay sculpting) and toothpicks. I gave the whole gate a dry brushing of black and gold acrylic paint, to make it look rusty.

The Psychoscareapy and ScreamHouse models are no longer available for download from the Universal site. If you you want them, drop me an email.

Ignignokt Has Left the Building

I received great reactions to the "Ignignokt" lite-brite that I placed on my front page mansion last Friday! I have to admit that I was a little nervous about it at first, considering the "stir" the real ones created in a certain North-eastern city. However, in this case everyone seemed to get the joke and enjoyed it!

January 12, 2007
The Voice of "Master Shake"

"Great site, amazing stuff, I can't wait to go blind putting them all together. thanks! Keep up the amazing work!"
~Guest book entry from Dana Snyder, the voice of "Master Shake" on "Aqua Teen Hunger Force"~
(one of my favorite shows on Adult Swim)
Thanks Dana! It was a thrill to hear from you!

Email me at haunted3d@raykeim.com