Castle Dracula's Home Made Effect Light.

[1992]

Inspired from my last post via my own ramblings I decided to make a not to scale diagram of the home made Castle Dracula effect light which I saw in the dungeon. If your familiar with the flickering fireplace which you were told to look into, then your already familiar with the effect produced by this light.



WARNING: do not try to make this out of the parts suggested! This is mainly for historical reference only. If one did want to build this it would be wise to use materials that wouldn't present a fire hazard (ex: wood boards). You'll probably also need a diamond head drill bit to get a hole through a glass baby food jar or simmilar glass object. A glass jar thats lite in weight would be best otherwise there would be an unnessessary strain on the motor drive shaft. I didn't have such a tool when I tried to make my own version when I had gotten home from that trip (1990?) so I used an Oregano plastic jar. Since an Oregano jar isn't exactly translucent, it didn't work well at all. To add to that a plastic jar could easily melt and start a fire.

This effect: Mania DC1 can be purchased ready made and produces a simmilar effect however in many ways the Castle Dracula light was better in that it can be placed in tight spots for close range back lit projection.

[Crippled Visions]

and later this month, Robert's house burns down...

[clnancy50]

OMG, don't give Robert these ideas! But then again, maybe it COULD work?

[1992]

This prop did work and was in use in many parts of the castle as I stated. Thanks for reminding me of the fire hazard. That is a very obvious concern yet some how it slipped my mind. I changed the original post a bit.

[robert]

If they tried to build a new castle I bet the fire marshals would say no real quick to this stunt. There were so many fire hazards in that castle like the foam walls that I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. I think everyone's too afraid to build a new haunt in NJ because of all the tough fire laws because of the May 1984 SFGA Haunted Castle fire. Right after that fire or a year later several haunts in NJ closed their doors including Brigantine Castle, most of the haunts in Ocean City, NJ, Morey's Pier Haunted House, Gates of Hell, Seaside, etc. Curse of the Mummy, Zombie World, and Haunted Manor were among the few "new" haunts to open although Haunted Manor was a traveling seasonal haunt since the 80's I believe. The problem with building a new haunt is that you would have to meet new building codes and ADA requirements that didn't exist in the 70's when the old haunts were built. ADA started 1990 I believe. You would need an elevator or ramp without steps to accommodate wheelchairs.

[clnancy50]

Since so many accidents; ALOT has been changed and revized to protect the public. You certainly wouldn't want to go on or into anything that was considered unsafe. And these businesses have to pay ALOT of money for insurance, permits, etc. Alot don't want to be bothered, probably.

[lorenzothegeek]

1992 said:

This prop did work and was in use in many parts of the castle as I stated. Thanks for reminding me of the fire hazard. That is a very obvious concern yet some how it slipped my mind. I changed the original post a bit.

If this was used I'm so friggin glad it was after me because the lovelys that worked for me would have cut and burned them selves all the time

[shark]

(Quote from Clnancy50) Since so many accidents; ALOT has been changed and revized to protect the public

The "Public" gets stupider every second. They always find a way to get hurt. Even the safest of something has a way to hurt someone.

[mclunatic4evr]

The public sucks they talk crap on my amusement park and then they use my dark ride as a toilet, losers! I am thinking of starting my own hallowween company that woiuld build dark rides inside people's homes for a fee!! That way I could ride on my dungeon boat thru the wild displays thine has builtith!