Three New Books!

Animatronics: Guide to Holiday Displays, 1st ED

Edward Wise

Finally a book that covers the basics of amateur animatronics! Electronic hobbyists and Home Haunters, take note! This hands-on and project-oriented book on animated holiday display covers simple, classic projects and advanced motion animation used in professional mechatronic systems. Along the way , it includes tips and tricks for sculpting and decorating all of your self-operated mechanisms. Author Edwin Wise takes the reader inside his world of robotics in an innovative guide to designing, developing, and building animated displays centered around the holidays of Halloween and Christmas. Covers four broad categories including; Electrical animations, Pneumatic animations, Servo animations and control systems. Also covered are "background" project that include stationary systems such as fog chillers and how to make water glow under black light. This book guides you through project to build and control with AC motors and pneumatics systems inside your animated props. Does overlap a little with his other volume, "Applied Robotics" (see below)

Applied Robotics

Edward Wise

A hands-on introduction to the field of robotics, this book will guide the hobbyist through the issues and challenges of building a working robot. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, extending a core robot project throughout the book. Examples of chapters include: Mechanical Platforms, Power Supplies, Adding Sense, Microcontrollers, Insect Robots, Pneumatics, More Behavior and Intelligence, Programming Projects, Robot Behaviors, and much more.

Electronic Surveillance Devices

Carl Bergquist

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing how to set up and maintain an effective surveillance system! Perfect for do-it-yourselfers, Electronic Surveillance Devices contains all of the information needed to enhance the safety and security of a home or office, from safeguarding against theft to monitoring employee performance and preventing illegal activities from occurring on site. This how-to and reference manual begins by introducing the latest in video and audio surveillance system technology, including both surveillance and counter-surveillance equipment. Subsequent chapters guide readers in selecting the best surveillance devices for home or office security while encouraging them to take into account important system design issues, such as: power supply considerations, camera locations and disguises, use of telephone lines, VCRs and computer network systems, and more! Unique requirements for surveillance in remote locations are explored fully.

Now on to our regular Books!

Book Categories:

• Special Makeup Effects Books
  
• Books on How to Make Stuff
  
• Special Effects and Related
  
• Haunted House Books
  
• Stagecraft and Film Books

Special Makeup Effects Books:

Techniques of Three-Dimensional Makeup

Lee Baygan

The most complete book on makeup prosthetics available, contents include:

• Making a Life Mask
• Breakdown of the Life Mask
• The Three-Piece Mold
• Casting Hands
• Modeling and Modeling Tools
• Modeling and Casting Large Pieces
• Foam Latex
• Making Teeth
• Making Ears
• Casting a Full Head
• Plus much more.

Highly Recommended

CAT #	Description	Price
B613	180 pages, paperback, color photos, 1988

Special Makeup Effects

Vincent J-R Kehoe

This book concentrates on the genre of horror characters and other special creations (fantasy, sci-fi, etc.), giving tips about materials, techniques, and "tricks of the trade". This focused volume is a scaled-down version of Vincent Kehoe's encyclopedic reference for professional makeup artists.
One of our Top Ten.

Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook

Dick Smith

Originally published in magazine form in the early sixties, this collector's edition features sixteen step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions on ''Halloween'' makeup application for ages 6 to 60. Excellent for young people. Dick Smith is an Oscar award winner whose credits include The Exorcist, Altered States, Ghost Story and others.

CAT #	Description	Price
B025	135 pages, paper, 1985 Discontinued

More Grande Illusions

Tom Savini

At last the long-awaited sequel to the academy award winner's best-selling book. Features many of the author's later film projects. Also known as Grande Illusions Book II.

Stage Makeup Step-By-Step

Rosemarie Swinfield

A unique step-by-step guide to planning and creating professional-looking makeup for theatre, film and TV. Practical guidance on adding and reducing age, character studies, period work, fantasy and special effects. Includes prosthetics, burns, cuts, stitches and scars. Makeup for men, women, children and ethnic groups. Broad range of makeup from intimate theatre to cabaret, opera, ballet or ice dance. Advice on wigs, facial hair and making your own beards and moustaches. Each step illustrated with a color photo.

CAT #	Description	Price
B390	125 pages, hard cover, color photos, 1994

Grande Illusions

Tom Savini

A make-up book that has best been described as the foremost gore makeup text. Written by Tom Savini, who has worked on films such as Friday the 13th and Creep Show.

ISBN: 0-911137-00-9

Books on How to Make Stuff:

Do It Yourself Vacuum Forming

Douglas E. Walsh

This is the only book that covers all the basics of low-cost vacuum forming, including: molds, materials, heat sources, vacuum sources and suppliers. Offers many excellent ideas for people who want to get set up on a limited budget. Well worth the investment. One of our Top Ten Books.

Molding & Casting Handbook

Thurston James

A comprehensive guide to the use of more than thirty molding and casting materials in the design and construction of theater properties and scenic elements. Includes a section on vacuum forming. Materials covered include: plaster, polyester resins, latex, neoprene, silicone, urethanes, breakaway resins, hot melt, fiberglass and many others.

CAT #	Description	Price
B281	230 pages, paper, 450 photos, 1989

Mold Making and Casting Guides:

Castcraft Co.

Set includes the following four books:

• MOLDMAKING GUIDE
• CASTING GUIDE
• SOURCE GUIDE
• BONUS GUIDE

Moldmaking Guide is 63 pages. Casting guide is 77 pages. Source book for 186 sources of 210 materials is 28 pages. There is also a bonus guide with charts and other valuable information. The covers are plain and are stapled together, but they contain the best collection of practical information ever seen in an easy-to-read format. Covers procedures used extensively in special effects and other industries.

CAT #	Description	Price
B042	4 BOOK SET, 8.5"x11", stapled, illus.

Monster Makers Mask Maker's Handbook

Arnold Goldman

This is really a photo-documentary of the step-by-step process of creating a Halloween type latex mask. A very good place to start if you've never done a mask before. The author has done an excellent job of showing you important details including the tools needed for each step in the process. If you're looking for a big thick book on the subject this won't be it, just a ton of photos in a thin guidebook. Includes a color single-sheet that details the mask painting steps. Contains many valuable tips and tricks learned by hard experience.

Prop Builder's

Mask-Making Handbook

Thurston James

Fascinating study of nine mask-making techniques including Paper-mache, glue and cloth, Celastic; vacuum forming, styrene, Friendly Plastic, Hex-a-cel, latex, neoprene and leather. Although not specific to Halloween type mask making, this volume will teach all the specifics needed for that application. Includes painting and finishing techniques, sources, glossary and bibliography.

Silicone Art

Tom McLaughlin

Materials, Methods and Techniquues for Coloring, Painting and Finishing silcone rubvber. Chapters include cure types, catalysts, colloring, silicone painting, coloration, seaming, bonding, reinforcing., silicone and foam latex, surface prep, membranes, fluids and sources. 80 pages, paperback, 1997.

Special Effects and Related:

Behind the Mask

Mark Salisbury and Alan Hedgcock

Take a close look at the men and their monsters: Dick Smith, Stan Winston, Rick Baker, Bob Bottin, Steve Johnson. Highlights film's greatest monsters from The Exorcist to Jurassic Park. Sure to be a classic.

CAT #	Description	Price
B885	125 pages, paper, b/w and color photos throughout, 1994

Books for Haunted Houses:

Fifty Frights and More

50 Great Room and Ride Ideas for Hayrides and Haunted Houses

Steve Biggs and Doug Erekson

A fresh collection of stories and room ideas written specifically for haunted hayrides and narrated haunted houses. Includes clever twists to old ideas and many new ones. Also includes five stories that can be turned into local legends. Each idea is broken down into its own three-act story structure; set-up, development and payoff. Save yourself production costs by creating the "Theater of the mind."

CAT #	Description	Price
B212	Pages 80, illustrations, loose-leaf bound, 1998

How to Operate a Financially Successful Haunted House

Philip Morris and Dennis Phillips

Very basic and thorough treatment of haunted house operation. Starts with locations, staffing, floor plans, legal and safety precautions. Covers advertising and promotion. Several pages of useful clip art. Press releases and examples of press photos. Chapters on: Room Designs, Humor, Costume Guide, Rubber Masks, Makeup. Sources and reference guide in the back.

CAT #	Description	Price
B006	160 pages, soft

Field of Screams

How To Promote Halloween and Haunted Attractions

Michael M. Cruz

Written by one of the most respected Haunted House Marketers. Covers some very essential marketing basics. Contents include: The "Eventive" Concept, 7 steps to a successful marketing campaign, Packaging, Identity enhancement strategies, Spin-off Activities, Charity, Hospitality, Income, Selling Clientele, Advertising, Publicity, Promotions, Sponsorship and much more.

CAT #	Description	Price
B301	160 pages, paper, drawings

Film and Stage Books:

Scare Tactics

John Russo

The insider's guide to making your first horror movie. The art, craft and trade secrets of writing, producing, and directing chillers and thrillers. With expert advice from Clive Barker, Wes Craven, John Landis, Joe Dante and Rick Baker.
ISBN: 0-440-50355-8

CAT #	Description	Price
B558	240 pages, soft cover, photos, 1992

This page originally posted: 02/01/1999
This page lasted updated: