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is a DVD Review of the screener for GHOST HOUSE. Let us know what you
think and check out more at www.behindthebigscreen.com and
www.hauntedreport.com.
Continuing in the theme of "could they be real?" started with my Zombies article, and then my Vampires article, today I ask the question "Could Werewolves actually exist?" And if so, how?
This is an interesting topic to me because if you do research you will find a few differing opinions as to whether such creatures did exist and perhaps could again.
I say "did exist" because my research shows that ancient Greek's had a word for werewolves, as did Old English, Germanic and Old Norse.
Now, I'm not linguist, but to me you wouldn't think that you would find too many words for creatures, real or mythological, that span multiple cultures for many hundreds of years.
In other words, it is my belief that werewolves, or something similar, did roam the earth at one point. But do they continue to walk among us today?
If you read any modern horror stories, particularly those involving vampires, you may learn that the werewolf was actaully created as a "protector" for the vampires. They did the vampire's dirty work in addition to providing protection from various human threats.
Depending on what culture you are from, there are various ways to identify those afflicted with lycanthropy. Despite being termed a mental illness, there are traits which are supposedly common among werewolves in human form. From their physical appearance (low set ears, unibrows) to their mannerisms (the way they walk) to their apparent reaction to reverting back to human form.
Yet despite their appearance throughout the ages and cultures of the world, many still believe that Werewolves are mythical creatures that don't exist. But again I ask - if such a creature is mythological, why are there recorded sightings spanning multiple continents and hundreds of years?
Now you might say something like "werewolves are like UFOs and Sasquatch - just because they've been seen by a few questionable people doesn't make them real."
Well the same can be said for your typical religious deity. Just because you haven't seen God, doesn't mean you stop worshipping or questioning his/her existence does it?
Now I'm not pro or anti any religious belief, my point here is, just because you don't see it on a daily basis doesn't make it fantasy. It just means that Werewolves have done a good job of integrating into our society and hiding, perhaps waiting for when they can rule the world?
This is an interesting topic to me because if you do research you will find a few differing opinions as to whether such creatures did exist and perhaps could again.
I say "did exist" because my research shows that ancient Greek's had a word for werewolves, as did Old English, Germanic and Old Norse.
Now, I'm not linguist, but to me you wouldn't think that you would find too many words for creatures, real or mythological, that span multiple cultures for many hundreds of years.
In other words, it is my belief that werewolves, or something similar, did roam the earth at one point. But do they continue to walk among us today?
If you read any modern horror stories, particularly those involving vampires, you may learn that the werewolf was actaully created as a "protector" for the vampires. They did the vampire's dirty work in addition to providing protection from various human threats.
Depending on what culture you are from, there are various ways to identify those afflicted with lycanthropy. Despite being termed a mental illness, there are traits which are supposedly common among werewolves in human form. From their physical appearance (low set ears, unibrows) to their mannerisms (the way they walk) to their apparent reaction to reverting back to human form.
Yet despite their appearance throughout the ages and cultures of the world, many still believe that Werewolves are mythical creatures that don't exist. But again I ask - if such a creature is mythological, why are there recorded sightings spanning multiple continents and hundreds of years?
Now you might say something like "werewolves are like UFOs and Sasquatch - just because they've been seen by a few questionable people doesn't make them real."
Well the same can be said for your typical religious deity. Just because you haven't seen God, doesn't mean you stop worshipping or questioning his/her existence does it?
Now I'm not pro or anti any religious belief, my point here is, just because you don't see it on a daily basis doesn't make it fantasy. It just means that Werewolves have done a good job of integrating into our society and hiding, perhaps waiting for when they can rule the world?
It seems I've been rewatching a lot of Zombie movies lately. Not really sure why - perhaps my subconscious is telling me to get prepared!
Get prepared, you scoff. Get prepared for what? An idea that some guy dreamed up for some book or movie years ago? But I'm serious. Is it possible that we could see a zombie outbreak at some point in our future?
Well I've done a little poking around, not a lot mind you. But enough to see that yes it could happen, given the right set of circumstances. And those circumstances aren't that far fetched.
Now I'm no scientist. I don't have a degree or really any formal education in biology or chemistry, but to my mind this is a possibility. Especially in light of things like "Mad Cow" disease, the avian flu and more recently H1N1, also known as swine flu.
You see, what makes me think this could happen are just these types of diseases. That generally start out infecting animals, but somehow manage to infect humans. Just look at how fast swine flu is spreading now. Sure it doesn't seem to affect a lot of people, and most recover, but the fact that it spread so quickly is what concerns me.
Why am I concerned?
Because, in my research, I came across an article talking about a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This article talks about an interesting study where rats infected with this parasite have their brains altered, losing some, if not all, of their self control. The article goes on to say that human brains are very similar to rats brains in their makeup, and in fact some humans actually carry this parasite around, not even knowing it.
The article also talks about a few other parasites and virus which could cause similar symptoms in other animals.
So that got me thinking - if Swine flu is transferable to humans, and causes flu-like symptoms which can lead to death, wouldn't it make sense that at some point something like toxoplasma gondii could mutate and "jump" from it's animal host to humans, causing something akin to zombieism?
Granted a straight "jump" probably wouldn't result in a "classic" zombie - one who has died and come back to life, but what if such a parasite were to evolve, then jump to humans where it killed them, only to reanimate the body? Then you'd have a zombie!
What do you think? Are zombies a real possibility in our future? And if so, are you prepared?
Get prepared, you scoff. Get prepared for what? An idea that some guy dreamed up for some book or movie years ago? But I'm serious. Is it possible that we could see a zombie outbreak at some point in our future?
Well I've done a little poking around, not a lot mind you. But enough to see that yes it could happen, given the right set of circumstances. And those circumstances aren't that far fetched.
Now I'm no scientist. I don't have a degree or really any formal education in biology or chemistry, but to my mind this is a possibility. Especially in light of things like "Mad Cow" disease, the avian flu and more recently H1N1, also known as swine flu.
You see, what makes me think this could happen are just these types of diseases. That generally start out infecting animals, but somehow manage to infect humans. Just look at how fast swine flu is spreading now. Sure it doesn't seem to affect a lot of people, and most recover, but the fact that it spread so quickly is what concerns me.
Why am I concerned?
Because, in my research, I came across an article talking about a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This article talks about an interesting study where rats infected with this parasite have their brains altered, losing some, if not all, of their self control. The article goes on to say that human brains are very similar to rats brains in their makeup, and in fact some humans actually carry this parasite around, not even knowing it.
The article also talks about a few other parasites and virus which could cause similar symptoms in other animals.
So that got me thinking - if Swine flu is transferable to humans, and causes flu-like symptoms which can lead to death, wouldn't it make sense that at some point something like toxoplasma gondii could mutate and "jump" from it's animal host to humans, causing something akin to zombieism?
Granted a straight "jump" probably wouldn't result in a "classic" zombie - one who has died and come back to life, but what if such a parasite were to evolve, then jump to humans where it killed them, only to reanimate the body? Then you'd have a zombie!
What do you think? Are zombies a real possibility in our future? And if so, are you prepared?
Leave us your comments. This is an Editorial from Larry Kischner. Do you agree or disagree?
TRADESHOW REPORT HALLOWEEN RETAIL SHOWS ARE SCARY BUSINESS IN 2009
Well both of the major Halloween Retail shows are over and the results are in... Both shows are flops. Both Houston Halloween Tradeshow and the Transworld Halloween and Party Show bombed bringing in the buyers. Our sources report the Transworld show was worse but both shows more or less flopped. In the past there was only one MAJOR Spring Halloween retail show and that was the Transworld Halloween and Party Show.
As of this year many of the major retail players specifically Rubies, decided to start their own show in Houston. Basically both shows cannibalized each other to the point that neither are considered a success. A show that use to draw in over 8,000 buyers spanned across 400,000 square feet was reduced to a few hundred buyers and no more than 1/5th the footage.
Now considering both shows are considered flops, both shows may soon court the Haunt industry back or introduce them to their existing retail shows. What a funny turn of events I would say considering it was the retail industry that wanted the haunts out of the show. Only now do they realize the haunts brought in bodies, and excitement with all the incredible Hollywood over the top props and animations.
Reality is that both shows probably now think if they can get the haunters back to their shows maybe they can win out over the show. The truth is however that the haunts have nothing to do with the retail flops... retail buyers do not buy from haunted house vendors because their products cost more than they are willing to pay, and additionally take up a lot of floor space. No 5,000 square foot costume shop wants a giant animation in the store that doesn't generate income. Haunted house owners could attend a retail show but they won't buy anything... yes they are lookers not buyers. If you are a haunted house owner you have passion for Halloween so you enjoy looking but seldom do they buy.
Sooo... bringing haunted houses back into the fold of a retail show will NOT solve the problem. The real solution is one of the two shows must go its really that simple. Our prediction is that one of the shows will go and it will be the show that no longer has Rubies as an exhibitor. Yes we are sure there are many vendors who do not like the idea of Rubies running their own show, however vendors are also smart enough to realize that Rubies brings buyers with them. Without Rubies no Halloween retail show will survive, period with or without haunters involved.
When both shows come a calling asking haunts if they will co-locate the answer is NO! Period! WE DO NOT NOR DOES ANYONE want to go to Chicago in the winter. Everything from the hotels, food, unions, to the hall itself cost way to much money for the haunt industry. Additionally why would the haunt industry want to co-locate with a dying Halloween retail show in the cold months in Chicago and pay more for the privledge? We don't and won't.
Then comes to Houston...yes they have called, and yes they are now interested feeling how this could be the final dagger into Transworld and bring them more bodies on the show floor in addition to sell more booth space. HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM... for one you are charging $2500.00 per booth, that is double what vendors are paying in St. Louis, and you have no background, no knowledge, on how or who to promote a show to. Not to mention with Rubies running your show you will focus all of your marketing dollars on RETAIL! SO HOUSTON GO HOME... we wish you luck from afar. We wish the Transworld retail show luck from afar, and even hope they win out over Houston.
Either way the haunt industry must move on and leave once and for all no matter what any one of these tradeshow organizations ask of us... we don't need them nor do we want to co-locate with a retail show. We are ATTRACTIONS with specific needs, and we need to grow our business by bringing new vendors from the amusement industry.
We need to embrace our fellow corn maze, pumpkin patch and even Christmas light show brothers and sisters and grow the show into something even bigger and better than ever imagined. RETAIL SHOWS... good luck, but our haunted future lies within our own show, with the marketing dollars focused on our industry, our needs, wants, and desires not mixed up with two retail shows going south not north.
I wish to THANK TRANSWORLD for taking the leap and creating this 2009 Haunt Show, and we offer to help them grow this show into something bigger than they have ever imagined and we can get there within 3 years. But they must stay the course otherwise it will be time for the haunt industry to produce their own show for their own association that benefits our indutry not a greedy retail industry.
A few years ago someone high up and I won't mention his name said he had never seen an industry that couldn't agree or fought more than the haunt industry. Now with the show only days away and an expected crowd more than double of Vegas and Houston combined and with the retail industry squaring fighting like cats and dogs and ruining the small guys in the process... I wonder if this person would retract his statements and now point the light square on the retail side.
For haunts its time to be one, for your own industry, look out for ourselves, and support those who we can trust, who stand behind us, and who will lead us... So far Transworld has not let us down and I hope it stays that way.
Again I hope this show will be the start of something new for Transworld.
TRADESHOW REPORT HALLOWEEN RETAIL SHOWS ARE SCARY BUSINESS IN 2009
Well both of the major Halloween Retail shows are over and the results are in... Both shows are flops. Both Houston Halloween Tradeshow and the Transworld Halloween and Party Show bombed bringing in the buyers. Our sources report the Transworld show was worse but both shows more or less flopped. In the past there was only one MAJOR Spring Halloween retail show and that was the Transworld Halloween and Party Show.
As of this year many of the major retail players specifically Rubies, decided to start their own show in Houston. Basically both shows cannibalized each other to the point that neither are considered a success. A show that use to draw in over 8,000 buyers spanned across 400,000 square feet was reduced to a few hundred buyers and no more than 1/5th the footage.
Now considering both shows are considered flops, both shows may soon court the Haunt industry back or introduce them to their existing retail shows. What a funny turn of events I would say considering it was the retail industry that wanted the haunts out of the show. Only now do they realize the haunts brought in bodies, and excitement with all the incredible Hollywood over the top props and animations.
Reality is that both shows probably now think if they can get the haunters back to their shows maybe they can win out over the show. The truth is however that the haunts have nothing to do with the retail flops... retail buyers do not buy from haunted house vendors because their products cost more than they are willing to pay, and additionally take up a lot of floor space. No 5,000 square foot costume shop wants a giant animation in the store that doesn't generate income. Haunted house owners could attend a retail show but they won't buy anything... yes they are lookers not buyers. If you are a haunted house owner you have passion for Halloween so you enjoy looking but seldom do they buy.
Sooo... bringing haunted houses back into the fold of a retail show will NOT solve the problem. The real solution is one of the two shows must go its really that simple. Our prediction is that one of the shows will go and it will be the show that no longer has Rubies as an exhibitor. Yes we are sure there are many vendors who do not like the idea of Rubies running their own show, however vendors are also smart enough to realize that Rubies brings buyers with them. Without Rubies no Halloween retail show will survive, period with or without haunters involved.
When both shows come a calling asking haunts if they will co-locate the answer is NO! Period! WE DO NOT NOR DOES ANYONE want to go to Chicago in the winter. Everything from the hotels, food, unions, to the hall itself cost way to much money for the haunt industry. Additionally why would the haunt industry want to co-locate with a dying Halloween retail show in the cold months in Chicago and pay more for the privledge? We don't and won't.
Then comes to Houston...yes they have called, and yes they are now interested feeling how this could be the final dagger into Transworld and bring them more bodies on the show floor in addition to sell more booth space. HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM... for one you are charging $2500.00 per booth, that is double what vendors are paying in St. Louis, and you have no background, no knowledge, on how or who to promote a show to. Not to mention with Rubies running your show you will focus all of your marketing dollars on RETAIL! SO HOUSTON GO HOME... we wish you luck from afar. We wish the Transworld retail show luck from afar, and even hope they win out over Houston.
Either way the haunt industry must move on and leave once and for all no matter what any one of these tradeshow organizations ask of us... we don't need them nor do we want to co-locate with a retail show. We are ATTRACTIONS with specific needs, and we need to grow our business by bringing new vendors from the amusement industry.
We need to embrace our fellow corn maze, pumpkin patch and even Christmas light show brothers and sisters and grow the show into something even bigger and better than ever imagined. RETAIL SHOWS... good luck, but our haunted future lies within our own show, with the marketing dollars focused on our industry, our needs, wants, and desires not mixed up with two retail shows going south not north.
I wish to THANK TRANSWORLD for taking the leap and creating this 2009 Haunt Show, and we offer to help them grow this show into something bigger than they have ever imagined and we can get there within 3 years. But they must stay the course otherwise it will be time for the haunt industry to produce their own show for their own association that benefits our indutry not a greedy retail industry.
A few years ago someone high up and I won't mention his name said he had never seen an industry that couldn't agree or fought more than the haunt industry. Now with the show only days away and an expected crowd more than double of Vegas and Houston combined and with the retail industry squaring fighting like cats and dogs and ruining the small guys in the process... I wonder if this person would retract his statements and now point the light square on the retail side.
For haunts its time to be one, for your own industry, look out for ourselves, and support those who we can trust, who stand behind us, and who will lead us... So far Transworld has not let us down and I hope it stays that way.
Again I hope this show will be the start of something new for Transworld.
Leonard Pickel accepts his Lifetime Achievement Award at the IAHA Award Dinner. And gives a somewhat controversial speech.
Friends of HR
