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.

I'm back home in Pa, after an amazing 5 1/2 month gig helping to build the "Carnival of Carnage" at Universal Orlando! This year I had a chance to be involved in many more aspects of the event, and even better, I now have a fantastic, talented group of good friends!
Here are some random shots.
The ferris wheel in front of the "Men in Black" attraction.


The beautiful and eerie archway leading into the central park scare zone "Troupe Macabre".



Looking across the lagoon past one of the Universal 360 movie balls, towards the Giradelli tower in San Francisco, lit with a gobo pattern of tentacles.


Me and my pal, Jack, who is the ringmaster and local hero to us haunt geeks!



By the way, the Magic Kingdom looks beautiful with its candy-corn colors for Halloween!

It's Show Time!

Last night was the official opening of the 17th annual Halloween Horror Nights,
"Carnival of Carnage" at Universal Studios, Orlando !

I've been through five months of intense work in the Art and Design Department and I am very proud of the results! Along with creating a huge amount of art and graphics for the HHN website, I also had the opportunity to design some of the event signs and banners, elements for the shows, and even an animation which is part of the queue video for the "Nightmare on Elm Street - Dreamwalkers" house!
I also designed a showcase display in the VIP HHN Museum, featuring a 3D model of the Carnival of Carnage panarama, (or, as I called it, the "Carnirama") which I helped design for the web site.


Opening night was fantastic! Our guests were excited and they created a terrific level of energy and fun throughout the park!
"Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure" rocked, Rocky Horror rocked, and "Jack Schmidt" our maniacal ringmaster, rocked, bashed, ripped and burned! And our Freakshow...

was disturbing and amazing! This is me and my pal, "The Enigma".

I also had the opportunity to help escort rocker Dee Snider (from Twisted Sister and Widowmaker), horror film actress Debbie Rochon, and special effects make-up master Tom Savini, through several of our haunted attractions, prior to Snider's live broadcast on Fangoria Radio, where he interviewed my pals Michael Roddy, Michael Aiello, and Michael Burnett about the concept and production of Halloween Horror Nights. It was a memorable evening!


Yes! I know! This site claims to be a tribute to the Haunted Mansion! Well, even though I'm in Orlando, I haven't had much opportunity (or disposable income) to visit Disney, however, I just HAD to see the rennovations! I paid the mansion a visit last weekend.
It looks beautiful!!!


I love EVERYTHING they did as part of this re nnovation! The mansion facade has been painted with a richer, more detailed paint job, with a slight aging effect that I love. It is also coated with a sheen that makes it appear to be wet. Even the new, red awning fantastic!


The dome looks awesome now!




The interior of the attraction is just as superb as the exterior. I didn't attempt to take any photos inside, since most interior photos of the mansion look terrible, and do not do it justice, but take my word that the haunted mansion experience has never been better!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently!
The art and graphics for the Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights web site has been keeping me and the other artists in the A&D department VERY busy during the past couple of weeks, and the next 4 weeks will be even busier as the event prepares to open.
I'm loving the way the "Carnirama" is turning out!
You can see my boss TJ and this years ringmaster, Jack Schmidt on the newest promotional video on the HHN site. You can also catch a split second of me working on the Carnirama!
That's Scooby sitting on top of the monitor.

The best part is, I finally changed my shirt!

http://media.universalorlando.com/halloween/video/thelargesthhn.htm

After weeks of intense design and pixel pushing, the Universal Orlando, Halloween Horror Nights web site has officially gone live online!

I was on CNN for a few seconds the other day!
They did a short spot about Horror Nights.
You can see me here, but my monitor (from home) is the star!


Hey, and I'm wearing the same green shirt I wore in last year's HHN production die-ries video (below)!

Something's in the Air
Last night, after Islands of Adventure closed, I was in the park doing some work in Jurassic Park when somebody noticed something weird in the sky over The Lost Continent.


What the heck is going on up there?!
Then we remembered. The Space Shuttle Atlantis was due to launch and we were so busy that none of us noticed the bright light in the sky as it went up. What we were seeing was the aftermath of the booster rocket contrails, which were slowly drifting miles overhead. As you can see from this collage of photos, it was beautiful, especially with the ruins of the Lost Continent on the horizon!


It was also interesting to see the contrails take the form of a flying Pterodactyl as it drifted past the palms of Jurassic Park!

A Magical Announcement at Universal



In the next two years, 20 acres of land between Jurassic Park and The Lost Continent will be transformed into the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest,

and even Hogwarts castle itself!

Here are two beautiful concept renderings.
I can't wait to finally see the towers of Hogwarts looming over IOA! It should be pretty spectacular!

May 2, 2007
Photos From Sleepy Hollow

Email me at haunted3d@raykeim.com