All about the mr. and mrs.
Halloween as Trick-or-treaters ourselvesJody- As a youngster I was always interested in Halloween and had always deemed it as my favorite holiday. It all started when I was about 2 years old. My dad had taken me trick or treating for the very first time around our neighborhood and there was just something about it that got me hooked. To this day, I can recall the slightest detail in the atmosphere and one house specifically.
I remember going to a particular house that had cheap pumpkin lights and little ghosts made of plastic Giant Eagle bags stuffed with newspaper hanging from their porch, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. However, when you walked up their driveway, they had a tent set up that you could walk inside. My curiousity was ignited and nothing was stopping me at this point. Of course, my dad and I proceded into the tent to get the most anticipated part of trick or treating...THE CANDY! Inside the tent, there was a cauldron with fog spewing out and around the sides of it to my left, and a full sized wooden coffin to my right. The person whom was handing out the candy was located at the back of the tent wearing a costume that looked like one of the monsters from "Where The Wild Things Are" (btw- that movie creeps me the hell out! Also, this is just a rendition of what I remember as a 2 year old, so I'm sure it wasn't anything near as scary as those monsters). Just as I was getting the candy from the monster lady, this guy popped out of the coffin next to me and for a brief millisecond, I caught a glimpse of monster lady's face and the pure shock on it and the guy in the coffin. He was wearing some sort of vampire mask but was wearing a red and black flannel shirt and jeans that looked like he rolled all around in in the mud. I don't kow how well I was able to use my legs at my young age, but they worked to their max as I ran as fast as possibly could to get out to the yard, and about 4 houses down. Screaming and crying, my dad had figured I had enough and had taken me home. However, little did we know, that small event had sparked an excitement and obsession that is where my obsession for Halloween all started... As I got older, my mom would allow me to pick whatever costume pattern I wanted and my great aunt had sewen it all together for me. I would proudly walk around my elementary school in our Halloween parade and go trick or treating to every one of my relatives neighborhoods. Regardless of snow, rain, frigid temperatures, or time, we (my brother and my cousins) drug around our 50 pound pillow cases until our little legs just couldn't go anymore. One thing that I always would look forward to is picking our pumpkins from Schramm's Farm and going through the corn stalk maze, and picking a treat from their bakery. It;s still a tradition in my family and I will continue to pass it on to our future kiddos. Although I was scared sh*tless of "Tales From The Crypt", I would peek around the corner as my parents were watching it even though I was scared and had wicked nightmares, there was just something about it that kept me wanting to watch. The thrill of getting and being scared kept my interest in Halloween and horror at its peak and I couldn't get enough of it. By the time I was 13 I had already seen all of the classic horror movies "The Excorcist", "The Omen", "Ammityville Horror", etc. was inspired by what I had seen and started making my own halloween decorations. Now that I am in my mid twenties and married, and have discovered a whole new relam of Halloween and all of those whom share my passion, the possibilities are endless! I am constantly finding new things that will allow my crazy ass nightmares come to life. My husband, whom I've dragged into all of this, is getting more excited with each project that I am making and learning about. I am forever greatful and thankful for all of the halloween resources (the forum, youtube, monsterlist, etc.) and for all of the newly found friends that share this passion. I appreciate all of the help and the dedication of showing how everyone makes their props, so I can too make what you've made! So here's to many many years of new creations, scares, memories, and traditions to be passed on and to put a smile on people's faces. Because, in the end, seeing the effect it has on people and the excitement and joy it brings to them is what will keep me going for the rest of my life! |
How Nightmare hollow started Est. 2012 Located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania we are a husband and wife duo that creates and will be creating our haunt. It all started just a few years ago in 2010 with an annual Hellacious Halloween/ Fall Harvest party and we've only become more and more intrigued to make it better each and every year. I had dragged my husband into helping me decorate and get the house ready for our annual party and got him to fall in love with the holiday as I have (just not as obsessive haha)
In 2009, I came across a website called "The Monsterlist" and was amazed, fascinated, and inspired by all of the different Halloween props even I could make. And then it had begun, the desire to make the best damn yard haunt Latrobe had ever seen. So I began learning how to paper mache, after I had seen PumpkinRot's props, I was determined to make something even a fraction of the quality. I discovered Scott Stoll's website and started my very first paper mache pumpkin which is now the head for our 7 1/2' tall pumpkin reaper. In 2012, I joined Halloween Forum and learned of all it's glory! I went through what feels like every page of tutorials and albums the members had so I could learn the most that I possibly could so I could dive in and get working! Last May we attended Hauntcon (my husband admitted that before he went, he didn't think he was going to like it) and since then, our asses have been lit on fire! The classes had taught us a lot and it got us into the real "serious" mode. I am more of a detailed person when it comes to building props (meaning extremely anal), and am the one who wanted to start all of this lol but once my husband learned about motorized and pneumatic props, he was all in! Thankfully we work as a team and are excited to build things we never thought possible :) Thus, our haunt "Nightmare Hollow" came to life. I came up with the name because of the extremely detailed, vivid, colorful, gory, scary as hell nightmares that I have, and the creations from those nightmares that are to come. Seriously though, my nightmares would make pretty damn good horror movies haha This is just the beginning and with years of building experience, learning, and watching millions of youtube videos, we will have a complete yard haunt that will be forever growing :) We will be sharing each of our steps that it takes to create a home haunt, and reaping the reward of bringing happiness to others. |