Whose Idea Is This, Anyway?
Since I was about 7 or 8 years old, I have been in love with dark rides, in particular, Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.
I used to daydream about being able to create my very own dark ride, just like the HM, but somewhat more 'adult' in theme. As the original HM cost 7 million dollars to build back in 1969, one can only guess how ridiculously expensive such a venture would be today...but it occurred to me that creating such an attraction IN MINIATURE would be possible.
I would just need to create all the scenes from said 'attraction' as fully working mini sequences, film them with a DV video camera, and edit them together to create the illusion that you are 'on the ride'...so that is exactly what I am doing with 'Daark Valley Orphanage'...
By the way, the photo on the left is an homage to the great Yale Gracey, who designed my favorite illusions in the HM...the original photo it is based on can be seen here
Outside of this 'just for fun' project, I am a professional/freelance illustrator/cartoonist...you can see some my work and resume here and here.
Kevin Karstens
Behind The Scenes
Miniature set for the Forgotten Nursery, measures approx 2' x 3'...a glass sheet reflects the tablet and iPhone projected AVI footage of the ghosts 'into' the set, just like Disney's Haunted Mansion Grand Hall sequence... tablet and iPhone back sides can be seen in foreground set up in holding frames...the 'balcony' set piece sits on top of the tablet and iPhone.
Overhead shot of the Forgotten Nursery set, minus the 'balcony' top piece, which is set on top of the tablet and iPhone, bottom left in photo.
'Living Hallway of the Dead' set. As the camera moves along, we see haunted photos in frames (MP4 players and a digital tablet) and hands/faces that press out of the walls (skeleton puppets pressed in from the outside) against spandex fabric stretched tightly inside the model, complete with drawn on cracks and painted mold. Miniature table lamp is an upside down flickering pumpkin light superglued to a brass fixture base. Lightning flashes in far window (right side) created with another digital tablet.
Set for 'Miss Maple Soul Stealer' sequence. Large pane of glass, bottom left, reflects the animated model footage of Miss Maple spectre and 'soul' rising into the miniature set. Scene was 'mirrored' in final footage.
Miniature set for the 'Exit To Balcony' sequence. Orphan 'footprints' in the 'dust' leading to the balcony do not actually show in the final footage, it was too dark...a shame, I liked that creepy detail...
Miniature set for the Finale Sequence (Exit to Mortal World)...'TV' contains flat empty space in front that MP4 player fits in snuggly, to depict a broadcast that plays as visitors leave the Orphanage...final scene can be seen HERE
For more Behind the Scenes Photos and background, please visit this LINK