03-03-2007, 06:14 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-04-2007, 05:24 AM by princeofdarknessMikeW.)
Well another year in the books. How fast it came, how fast it went. By the time you read this you all should be snuggled home in your beds.
Transworld 2007 is almost gone. I sit here at 9am on a Sunday morning, hafe hung over, closing the hotel bar the night before, for the second time in just two nights.
I have returned, I guess I wasn\'t quite awake, to write this review, and I had to scurry in the SNOW once again to make a Sunday morning meeting, I was already late for...
First I have to say a special thanks to Aaron, for inviting me over the Day before the "BIG Game" that be Thursday JFYI. Seeing a "First Class" collection of monsters, enjoying a pizza, catching up on old times and of course getting my Phantom DP, which I shall cherish for life. I thank you for the hospitality, and I shall see you again before I leave Chicago. Kevin and the Gang finley showed up and thats always a treat because those guys always bring the Gems of thier collection, and thier company couldn\'t have been better. Plus I brought a "Date" Regan lol.
Friday I meet Mike Shumsky, to get him squared away. It didn\'t take us long to get seperated, as I got busy taking with people, clients and vendors. Mike I\'m sorry we didn\'t get a chance to talk more, or hang out I feel bad, I didn\'t even have a chance to talk to you at Dinner...But we will talk more and see each other again, like the BEARS theres always next year...Except theres no Chicago. It was off to Fang, with high hopes. I guess the only good thing was I could skip the long line to get in and it was long, I couldn\'t say the same for POOR Eric, and tried my best to shuddle him in without the wait. Didn\'t matter much, by the time he did get in the door I saw the whole show. Yeah it was that sorry, I expected more tables, and more stuff, but thats just me. to sum it up, it took me longer to get to the bathroom, than to see all the tables. If you didn\'t go you didn\'t miss much. The best thing about Fang was seeing Dread Central\'s and are own Sean Clark. It was great seeing Sean finley, and I enjoyed what little time I got to see him. I just wish I had more time to talk to him. But between my business with Transworld and his business with Fang we were always busy. I\'m just glad I got him to dinner ok, and the Limo ride back to the resturant was a blast. I\'m sure Sean will share the pictures with you. Like an Idiot and trying to rush to get him from Fang I left my camera, at the damn resturant. I never did get any Limo shots out of all the pictures I took in Chicago. Oh well the Texas show is coming and its going to be great, Sean put together a great line up, and if you guys can make it check it out. I\'m going to do my best to get there.
Hey its TCM! Thanks Sean for the great time, enjoyed it! Wish we had more time. Hope to see you in the BIG "D".
To add it was great seeing my great friend Ari Lehman. Ari lives in my home town of Chicago. After doing Jason, he now has his own band. We talked for a awhile caught up on old times and I was able to snatch his Friday Pam head from him lol, which was nice of him. He signed it for me, we snapped a few photos, and I was off. Before I left he invited me, Kristin, Mike, Chuck and Angela to see him play down town. Sean had invite to but went to Ken Foree party, hope it was fun Sean, I figured we all Limo it down town. But the weather turned real bad, and we ended up at the Crown. (Thanks for giving Ari the message Sean).
Saturday was even more busy, running late, my Limo drove off in the morning from my house, and I had to retrieve him. I was already dragging from the late night at the Crown, and already behind in my meetings. Never the less, all was well. Getting everyone together for dinner was no easy task, I felt like a director on a film. William Blatty to add to it. Poor Eric, I think I must have drove him nuts, and he probabaly wont talk to me for years. ("Can you do this? Can you do that? Can you find this person and that person). Poor Eric, I\'m so sorry bro! Bahh serves him good for leaving Funny Bones home haha LOL JK bud!
Trying to get everyone together, and down stairs, not to mention cut off the media, in Ed\'s tapeing. Never the less we got them all down there. The Rosemont cops weren\'t to happy either, as my Limo took up the whole damn driveway, backing up the shuddle busses, and taxi cabs haha...LMAO I just wanted to make sure everyone got there, even if I didn\'t. To add make sure Sean & (Damn forgive me I forgot his name) got picked up at 7 at Fang. It all went well except that Ami, Justin, and Rich had to drive there, and I still feel bad, sorry Eliot just me, because they should have came with us. Dinner was great, well at least for the guest however we had everyone there about 50+ and we ran out of room. The manager was going nuts...I gave him a seditive and he was fine lol. It would have been better to just close down the place and kick all the other people out haha. To add I missed Paul, not that I cared about my mask, but I really wanted to see him. I didn\'t get to really talk to anyone at the dinner, I barley ate food, and was going crazy. But the main thing is everyone got there and had a good time and got safely back to thier hotels in a blinding ice bizzard. Ahh so much for Chicago weather in February. No need to worry about that no more. should be about 60 - 65 degrees in LV in March. The weather got bad yet again we aborted seeing Ari which sucked because I wanted to go see him. I felt really bad, because we had a VIP invite.
However being in the company of a beautiful girl and
good friends watching the snowstorm come in couldn\'t damper anyone spirts, at least not this night. Yeah, the safest place for me was right outside the bar, drinking my vodka and cranberry juice, (they Ran Out of Orange Juice) talking with Kristin, and a few friends. I even gave (Ziggy) my limo driver the night off, as the weather turned bad. Best thing for him was to stay in that warm big white truck and go to sleep while I got drunk with Kristin, Mike, Nick, The Boys from Horror Dome, Chuck Angela and Brandy. lol (Besides someone had to keep an eye on Brandys purse, it seemed to go on tour around the bar LMAO) Sorry Chuck...
Besides I got to see Chuck Williams, and Chuck is a Crazy Guy. He also has one of the best mask collections out there. By the way Chuck (BITN) Chuck, Chuck Williams said my order be ready in 2 weeks any truth to that???? LMAO
"WHO IS CHUCK WILLIAMS?" if you got the button then you understand the joke. lol
Chucks a great guy and I spent a lot of time at the other Chucks booth with him, looking at my mask, and my photos books...
By the time I got to bed the sun seemed to be riseing. It was Sunday the day I usually sleep in an extra hour. I had a headache all day, my voice was gone and never did wake up 100%. But I got through it, finished up all my orders, saw my boys at Horror Dome, and did what most people did after another yet long night. Stagger through the show, like a zombie from a new George Romero movie.
After the show it was off to dinner with Kristin, Mike, Eric & Ami, Dan, Rich, Rusty and his Gang & a few friends...
I finley got to see my heads from Paul at Darkside, and they were beautiful, Paul went out his way for me, I cant say enough I love them. As you all see I love my clowns...After dinner we headed over to Crown once again. For yet another late night...A night that turned out pretty ugly...Well just some idiots.
I brought my books, and Regan for everyone to see and take pictures of...Having a run in with some idiot already at Transworld at the Horror Dome booth, wouldn\'t you know it he happened to be there drunk and well being stupid. And let me tell you (Drunk, Ugly and Stupid is no way to go through life son). LMAO LOL After he thought he would show his man hood to Kristin. he was set straight pretty quick, just the protective nature in me, and well he was drunk and a idiot...Didn\'t take long for us to get nose to nose..Anyway
I should take this time to thanks Rich, Rusty, Dan, Mike, Nick and of course Kristin all for keeping out of jail cause I was ready to lay him out with all those Wine coolers he kept trying to send to our table..Anyway Rich thanks for the good words, having my back, and well keeping me inline, esp after 8 White Russins lol. Dan for Freezing your ass off and going out with me for smokes, to calm my nerves that were already shot from all the business I did all weekend. Rusty for making me laugh, and keeping me calm, Mike for the friendship, and last but never least at least not in my book anyway Kristin for the understanding, and confindence and motivation.
With that we left no time for idiot childish drunks... Monday was good bye day, fast lunch, sorry I didn\'t get to say good bye to Eric & Ami had a lunch date..
Off to Ladys on Tuesday in Ohio, back to Chicago then off to Tampa on Wed to see Don...
Thats the week. It was fun, I enjoyed seeing everyone, and I will try not to leave anyone out but if I do, please forgive me...
Of course Eric and ami its always a pleasure...Dante and Evil my mentors, Aaron Lewis (Creeping Dead) for having me at his house, seeing his beautiful collection, Kevin Dobbs (Latex Creep),
Dead), Dave Katz (Bathound), Debs Laird (Maniac Cop 5), Mike Shumsky & his wife, Sean Clark, and his crew, Sean great seeing you wish we had more time, glad you made it to dinner though, glad you had a great fang Show. Nick Wolfe, a great guy and now my painter on the payroll lol. Paul Daniles and the beautiful mask, time was too short, sorry we missed each other at dinner, the mask are beautiful Sir.
Dwane and Fred always great to see you thanks for the head yeah yeah Wolfy I know..LOL Chuck Jarman, Angela, Brandy BITN crew always great to see Chuck nice hanging out even in the fashion show locker room. memeberships has its privileges...LOL
Has the music played yet haha...Dan the Man Drista, who became a great friend, and was a blast to hang out with, and put up with my crap on Sunday..You are the Man...We have to go to the Playboy Halloween Party lol. Rich Big Papa, a great artist and friend...Holy man theres alot ok ok I hear the music...Ummm Ed,Masha, Jim L, Scott Morris, Boys at Scarefactory, Bo and Brady unit 70, Justin, thanks bro your king,
Waittttttttt Theres more lol, Jordue, Eyes, Joe Lester Damn Joe did we talk even 4 words I\'ll call you bro, so sorry running like crazy, ummm Steve Smith although brief sorry missed the party, Mike Howling Wind and his Wife, The Horror Dome guys, who provides the life intertainemnt when thier drunk, haha luv you guys, it was a blast, Eyes, Eliot of course, Tom (Wampa) will talk bro soon, are time was short but I\'m glad you made it, Rich Corell of course, you think I shop haha, as the "JOKER" say wait till they get a look at me meaning Rich lol.
Ziggy my Limo driver for driving everyone around in a blinding ice storm, don Post Jr., Ari of course my great friend and not a bad Jason either haha, Chuck Williams??? Chuck Williams who the hell is Chuck Williams haha greatest guy to know and good friend, Mike Remlinger good meeting you bro, and last but not least ever Kristin the most beautiful girl in the world...David & Laura for having me in Ohio, Don in Florida, AND anyone I missed....I enjoyed seeing everyone lets do it again...THANKS EVERYONE!
Now to the review. I make it short because the opening was long...
TRANSWORLD 2007
To the new comers I\'m sure it was exciting, however being a vet at this thing for years and years, this was probabaly the worst TRANSWORLD I have been too. Yes I know your all in shock...
But with Pat, Loius, missing well it was a football team without two of thier defensive stars, (Thats hint Mike S). You can\'t win the "Big One" without them.
To add Little Spider was missing, not that they do much but it adds to the show, Exmortis which been gone for years, and the show was small over all.
While what they had was good it wasn\'t enough, and best part of the show, was seeing everyone there. Fang didn\'t make up for the downsize either. Good thing I didn\'t have to stand in that long long line and got in through VIP door because I covered the whole Fang show in about 20 min up-stairs and down stairs...Best thing at Fang was seeing Sean Clark and Dread Central, and Ari , other than that its wasn\'t much...
The Theme this year was London After Midnight there were alot of them, and Clowns, Clowns Clowns everywhere everysize.
While Lafond FX, and Pat were Missing in action I cant give them a grade, Movies take over shows in this business, and there booked solid! So No grade.
Morris No grade a Manf greats seeing Jim at Dinner and at the booth he is doing my Gremlin paint work...
Little Spider NO show Grade F
Rubies...I dont think I saw anything there I liked,or new...I didn\'t even bother getting a catalog this year..There two damn heavy.. Grade D
Haunted World...Down season, No Lizzie Borden, No Dancing Bride & Groome, No Box, no nothing just Haunt world mags & Videos..Subscriptions must be down... Grade D
Cin Secrets...At least they did a few new items this year but very very small
Grade C-
Mobid...Those slip knot mask are getting old, it will take more than buying one mold from an indepent artist to make the grade...At least the ice cream is good, now if the paint jobs & casting improves call me... Grade C-
Gag...Bobble heads are thier trade mark, and they had a few, I guess we can expect more and more..Like to see new props...The London was ummm
Bobbley. Grade C-
Don Post...Nothing too new except the Hellraiser costume, which was cool for what it was...Gota love Don Post though!...Grade C
GEP...The boys that share the darkzone with you know who. These boys really took it to thier limit and thats why they jumpped. I guess they were sick of being bullied around by the Scarefactory...while they will never reach Scarefactory status, they did improve, with two wolfs, and new Rotwiler Dog, and a knock off electric chair that had some punch and of course thier Vortex Tunnle. Grade C+
GHOS..These guys are from mexico, and well you guessed it so is thier mask. But the paint jobs were outstanding, and they promised and swore its same paint job you get when you order. I took no chances and bought 4 of them off the shelves the last day and fought with some old couple over a full female zombie, and lost the battle..For the price and the paint these guys are a winner..If anyone orders fromt hem let me know how they look...
Grade B
Zagone (Be Something)...My Neighbors who live 3 doors down from my Chicago home, and the only American mask company left, had great mask once again, the ape, and skinned creature were to die for...B+
Scareparts...Gets the most improved there a paint job away from an "A".
There animatronics got bigger alot bigger, the 3 headed dog I forgot what you call that thin Cerbas or whatever was very cool. The rock and roll zombies would turn the "Hard Rock" at Halloween into a nightmare. Thats an idea, for marketing...I have to make a call to the HR...Over all the boys at Scareparts did very well. More better paint jobs, and some realizim and they will have joined the elite group...Vegas is a year away boys lets see what you can do... Grade B+
Edge...Came out strong, with a small house that had the roof raise was very very cool, and thier giant rotisserie would make George Foreman Smile. still a bit small but not bad for what they had Grade B+
Prop Masters, always good seeing the boys, their Troll was very cool, I loved the clown the best and the London was to die for nice job guys...Yeah Yeah Wolfy i know lol. Grade A
Distortions...Got love Ed and he was the guest of honor so they get an A, I wish they brought those UFO\'s, ahh mabe in Vegas there close now..Grade A
Ghost Rider...Between caseys Clowns and Pats London the boys came through again Grade A
Bump in the Night...The clowns made thier enterance and looked great! There will be more dont worry..Chuck\'s bread and butter was his Rabbit again, this time animatronic when it worked not his fault the crazy people up stairs stole all the damn air..Kinda like bandwith thief..The spider head was to die for...Everything was top notch Grade A
Horror Dome, the boys of the boys, not only are these guys from NY making a splash int he world but the sculpts are better and better..With Chuck doing the work on them they are the best costumes at the show...An Alien, Dr. Jeckle Costume were really cool. The Gremlin was beautiful, and I bought one...They added 3 zombie props, which again very cool and I bought...A beautiful Wolf Plaque head, and a very tall Big Foot rounded iy up along with a few other things..Everything just Beautiful Grade A
Unit 70...Bo & Brady Great friends, Great clients and as always great stuff. The Creature was awsome, so was the big ummm creature dude. Witch was something to snarle about, and that Super Pig was awsome, it\'s the year of the Pig you know... had they done a Dragon LIKE I SAID Cough Cough 3 HEADED they would have had an A+ lol
Grade A
And last but not least good old Scarefactory...Still the head of the class.
Scarefactory booths were alot smaller this year and took up hafe of what they usually take up. The ZONE was cut almost in hafe, which was sad.
But they still are the cream of the crop, starting out with a Punkin King that rose a Towering 18 feet tall thier biggest to date. They had a few old things from last year thier bread and butter Exorcist bed (Thanks for the idea Mike) NP anytime guys, send the check to my manager haha...
The Headless horseman...A Skull castle complete with Corpse chamber and a few Giant ZOMBIE KINGKongs These were cool but looked fake, but its the first King Kong idea, and it was a good one, the face needs improved. The Giant Dragon, Idea they took from me and I guess beat Bo & Unit 70 to the punch, this thing was great its wings spread over 10 feet and flapped as he rose about 16 feet in the air..Very Very Cool. Last but not least the Drac car a first for anyone, was beautiful, and couldn\'t be passed up, i always buy one giant present at the show..Limit to 12 it sold out almost in 8 hours the first day...No Doubt Scarefactory will make a spash on Vegas Grade A+
Overall the show was ok, but for my standard not up to par not what I\'m use to anyway, maybe I\'m getting old...The Vegas buzz was mixed. people excited, others doubtful...Will see who makes an impact on Vegas..I know now that there will be at least two years there. If all goes well and its a hit, Good Bye Chicago for ever..Write your local Rosemont convention center for complaints...
Good thing its in middle of March and warm..That be nice..For Smokers like Eric no more freezing your ass off, and Vegas is a right to smoke state, you can smoke anywhere, and inside...Mostly lol.
Now if people can keep from Gambling all night, and staying out of the night life, and deal with Transworld then it should go over well. If not then its a loss for vendors, and Vegas will be a distraction from the consumer..Time will tell, only about 56 weeks to go till transworld 2008..
SEE YEAH IN VEGAS BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
I\'ll have pictures up soon, Good seeing everyone...
PoD
Transworld 2007 is almost gone. I sit here at 9am on a Sunday morning, hafe hung over, closing the hotel bar the night before, for the second time in just two nights.
I have returned, I guess I wasn\'t quite awake, to write this review, and I had to scurry in the SNOW once again to make a Sunday morning meeting, I was already late for...
First I have to say a special thanks to Aaron, for inviting me over the Day before the "BIG Game" that be Thursday JFYI. Seeing a "First Class" collection of monsters, enjoying a pizza, catching up on old times and of course getting my Phantom DP, which I shall cherish for life. I thank you for the hospitality, and I shall see you again before I leave Chicago. Kevin and the Gang finley showed up and thats always a treat because those guys always bring the Gems of thier collection, and thier company couldn\'t have been better. Plus I brought a "Date" Regan lol.
Friday I meet Mike Shumsky, to get him squared away. It didn\'t take us long to get seperated, as I got busy taking with people, clients and vendors. Mike I\'m sorry we didn\'t get a chance to talk more, or hang out I feel bad, I didn\'t even have a chance to talk to you at Dinner...But we will talk more and see each other again, like the BEARS theres always next year...Except theres no Chicago. It was off to Fang, with high hopes. I guess the only good thing was I could skip the long line to get in and it was long, I couldn\'t say the same for POOR Eric, and tried my best to shuddle him in without the wait. Didn\'t matter much, by the time he did get in the door I saw the whole show. Yeah it was that sorry, I expected more tables, and more stuff, but thats just me. to sum it up, it took me longer to get to the bathroom, than to see all the tables. If you didn\'t go you didn\'t miss much. The best thing about Fang was seeing Dread Central\'s and are own Sean Clark. It was great seeing Sean finley, and I enjoyed what little time I got to see him. I just wish I had more time to talk to him. But between my business with Transworld and his business with Fang we were always busy. I\'m just glad I got him to dinner ok, and the Limo ride back to the resturant was a blast. I\'m sure Sean will share the pictures with you. Like an Idiot and trying to rush to get him from Fang I left my camera, at the damn resturant. I never did get any Limo shots out of all the pictures I took in Chicago. Oh well the Texas show is coming and its going to be great, Sean put together a great line up, and if you guys can make it check it out. I\'m going to do my best to get there.
Hey its TCM! Thanks Sean for the great time, enjoyed it! Wish we had more time. Hope to see you in the BIG "D".
To add it was great seeing my great friend Ari Lehman. Ari lives in my home town of Chicago. After doing Jason, he now has his own band. We talked for a awhile caught up on old times and I was able to snatch his Friday Pam head from him lol, which was nice of him. He signed it for me, we snapped a few photos, and I was off. Before I left he invited me, Kristin, Mike, Chuck and Angela to see him play down town. Sean had invite to but went to Ken Foree party, hope it was fun Sean, I figured we all Limo it down town. But the weather turned real bad, and we ended up at the Crown. (Thanks for giving Ari the message Sean).
Saturday was even more busy, running late, my Limo drove off in the morning from my house, and I had to retrieve him. I was already dragging from the late night at the Crown, and already behind in my meetings. Never the less, all was well. Getting everyone together for dinner was no easy task, I felt like a director on a film. William Blatty to add to it. Poor Eric, I think I must have drove him nuts, and he probabaly wont talk to me for years. ("Can you do this? Can you do that? Can you find this person and that person). Poor Eric, I\'m so sorry bro! Bahh serves him good for leaving Funny Bones home haha LOL JK bud!
Trying to get everyone together, and down stairs, not to mention cut off the media, in Ed\'s tapeing. Never the less we got them all down there. The Rosemont cops weren\'t to happy either, as my Limo took up the whole damn driveway, backing up the shuddle busses, and taxi cabs haha...LMAO I just wanted to make sure everyone got there, even if I didn\'t. To add make sure Sean & (Damn forgive me I forgot his name) got picked up at 7 at Fang. It all went well except that Ami, Justin, and Rich had to drive there, and I still feel bad, sorry Eliot just me, because they should have came with us. Dinner was great, well at least for the guest however we had everyone there about 50+ and we ran out of room. The manager was going nuts...I gave him a seditive and he was fine lol. It would have been better to just close down the place and kick all the other people out haha. To add I missed Paul, not that I cared about my mask, but I really wanted to see him. I didn\'t get to really talk to anyone at the dinner, I barley ate food, and was going crazy. But the main thing is everyone got there and had a good time and got safely back to thier hotels in a blinding ice bizzard. Ahh so much for Chicago weather in February. No need to worry about that no more. should be about 60 - 65 degrees in LV in March. The weather got bad yet again we aborted seeing Ari which sucked because I wanted to go see him. I felt really bad, because we had a VIP invite.
However being in the company of a beautiful girl and
good friends watching the snowstorm come in couldn\'t damper anyone spirts, at least not this night. Yeah, the safest place for me was right outside the bar, drinking my vodka and cranberry juice, (they Ran Out of Orange Juice) talking with Kristin, and a few friends. I even gave (Ziggy) my limo driver the night off, as the weather turned bad. Best thing for him was to stay in that warm big white truck and go to sleep while I got drunk with Kristin, Mike, Nick, The Boys from Horror Dome, Chuck Angela and Brandy. lol (Besides someone had to keep an eye on Brandys purse, it seemed to go on tour around the bar LMAO) Sorry Chuck...
Besides I got to see Chuck Williams, and Chuck is a Crazy Guy. He also has one of the best mask collections out there. By the way Chuck (BITN) Chuck, Chuck Williams said my order be ready in 2 weeks any truth to that???? LMAO
"WHO IS CHUCK WILLIAMS?" if you got the button then you understand the joke. lol
Chucks a great guy and I spent a lot of time at the other Chucks booth with him, looking at my mask, and my photos books...
By the time I got to bed the sun seemed to be riseing. It was Sunday the day I usually sleep in an extra hour. I had a headache all day, my voice was gone and never did wake up 100%. But I got through it, finished up all my orders, saw my boys at Horror Dome, and did what most people did after another yet long night. Stagger through the show, like a zombie from a new George Romero movie.
After the show it was off to dinner with Kristin, Mike, Eric & Ami, Dan, Rich, Rusty and his Gang & a few friends...
I finley got to see my heads from Paul at Darkside, and they were beautiful, Paul went out his way for me, I cant say enough I love them. As you all see I love my clowns...After dinner we headed over to Crown once again. For yet another late night...A night that turned out pretty ugly...Well just some idiots.
I brought my books, and Regan for everyone to see and take pictures of...Having a run in with some idiot already at Transworld at the Horror Dome booth, wouldn\'t you know it he happened to be there drunk and well being stupid. And let me tell you (Drunk, Ugly and Stupid is no way to go through life son). LMAO LOL After he thought he would show his man hood to Kristin. he was set straight pretty quick, just the protective nature in me, and well he was drunk and a idiot...Didn\'t take long for us to get nose to nose..Anyway
I should take this time to thanks Rich, Rusty, Dan, Mike, Nick and of course Kristin all for keeping out of jail cause I was ready to lay him out with all those Wine coolers he kept trying to send to our table..Anyway Rich thanks for the good words, having my back, and well keeping me inline, esp after 8 White Russins lol. Dan for Freezing your ass off and going out with me for smokes, to calm my nerves that were already shot from all the business I did all weekend. Rusty for making me laugh, and keeping me calm, Mike for the friendship, and last but never least at least not in my book anyway Kristin for the understanding, and confindence and motivation.
With that we left no time for idiot childish drunks... Monday was good bye day, fast lunch, sorry I didn\'t get to say good bye to Eric & Ami had a lunch date..
Off to Ladys on Tuesday in Ohio, back to Chicago then off to Tampa on Wed to see Don...
Thats the week. It was fun, I enjoyed seeing everyone, and I will try not to leave anyone out but if I do, please forgive me...
Of course Eric and ami its always a pleasure...Dante and Evil my mentors, Aaron Lewis (Creeping Dead) for having me at his house, seeing his beautiful collection, Kevin Dobbs (Latex Creep),
Dead), Dave Katz (Bathound), Debs Laird (Maniac Cop 5), Mike Shumsky & his wife, Sean Clark, and his crew, Sean great seeing you wish we had more time, glad you made it to dinner though, glad you had a great fang Show. Nick Wolfe, a great guy and now my painter on the payroll lol. Paul Daniles and the beautiful mask, time was too short, sorry we missed each other at dinner, the mask are beautiful Sir.
Dwane and Fred always great to see you thanks for the head yeah yeah Wolfy I know..LOL Chuck Jarman, Angela, Brandy BITN crew always great to see Chuck nice hanging out even in the fashion show locker room. memeberships has its privileges...LOL
Has the music played yet haha...Dan the Man Drista, who became a great friend, and was a blast to hang out with, and put up with my crap on Sunday..You are the Man...We have to go to the Playboy Halloween Party lol. Rich Big Papa, a great artist and friend...Holy man theres alot ok ok I hear the music...Ummm Ed,Masha, Jim L, Scott Morris, Boys at Scarefactory, Bo and Brady unit 70, Justin, thanks bro your king,
Waittttttttt Theres more lol, Jordue, Eyes, Joe Lester Damn Joe did we talk even 4 words I\'ll call you bro, so sorry running like crazy, ummm Steve Smith although brief sorry missed the party, Mike Howling Wind and his Wife, The Horror Dome guys, who provides the life intertainemnt when thier drunk, haha luv you guys, it was a blast, Eyes, Eliot of course, Tom (Wampa) will talk bro soon, are time was short but I\'m glad you made it, Rich Corell of course, you think I shop haha, as the "JOKER" say wait till they get a look at me meaning Rich lol.
Ziggy my Limo driver for driving everyone around in a blinding ice storm, don Post Jr., Ari of course my great friend and not a bad Jason either haha, Chuck Williams??? Chuck Williams who the hell is Chuck Williams haha greatest guy to know and good friend, Mike Remlinger good meeting you bro, and last but not least ever Kristin the most beautiful girl in the world...David & Laura for having me in Ohio, Don in Florida, AND anyone I missed....I enjoyed seeing everyone lets do it again...THANKS EVERYONE!
Now to the review. I make it short because the opening was long...
TRANSWORLD 2007
To the new comers I\'m sure it was exciting, however being a vet at this thing for years and years, this was probabaly the worst TRANSWORLD I have been too. Yes I know your all in shock...
But with Pat, Loius, missing well it was a football team without two of thier defensive stars, (Thats hint Mike S). You can\'t win the "Big One" without them.
To add Little Spider was missing, not that they do much but it adds to the show, Exmortis which been gone for years, and the show was small over all.
While what they had was good it wasn\'t enough, and best part of the show, was seeing everyone there. Fang didn\'t make up for the downsize either. Good thing I didn\'t have to stand in that long long line and got in through VIP door because I covered the whole Fang show in about 20 min up-stairs and down stairs...Best thing at Fang was seeing Sean Clark and Dread Central, and Ari , other than that its wasn\'t much...
The Theme this year was London After Midnight there were alot of them, and Clowns, Clowns Clowns everywhere everysize.
While Lafond FX, and Pat were Missing in action I cant give them a grade, Movies take over shows in this business, and there booked solid! So No grade.
Morris No grade a Manf greats seeing Jim at Dinner and at the booth he is doing my Gremlin paint work...
Little Spider NO show Grade F
Rubies...I dont think I saw anything there I liked,or new...I didn\'t even bother getting a catalog this year..There two damn heavy.. Grade D
Haunted World...Down season, No Lizzie Borden, No Dancing Bride & Groome, No Box, no nothing just Haunt world mags & Videos..Subscriptions must be down... Grade D
Cin Secrets...At least they did a few new items this year but very very small
Grade C-
Mobid...Those slip knot mask are getting old, it will take more than buying one mold from an indepent artist to make the grade...At least the ice cream is good, now if the paint jobs & casting improves call me... Grade C-
Gag...Bobble heads are thier trade mark, and they had a few, I guess we can expect more and more..Like to see new props...The London was ummm
Bobbley. Grade C-
Don Post...Nothing too new except the Hellraiser costume, which was cool for what it was...Gota love Don Post though!...Grade C
GEP...The boys that share the darkzone with you know who. These boys really took it to thier limit and thats why they jumpped. I guess they were sick of being bullied around by the Scarefactory...while they will never reach Scarefactory status, they did improve, with two wolfs, and new Rotwiler Dog, and a knock off electric chair that had some punch and of course thier Vortex Tunnle. Grade C+
GHOS..These guys are from mexico, and well you guessed it so is thier mask. But the paint jobs were outstanding, and they promised and swore its same paint job you get when you order. I took no chances and bought 4 of them off the shelves the last day and fought with some old couple over a full female zombie, and lost the battle..For the price and the paint these guys are a winner..If anyone orders fromt hem let me know how they look...
Grade B
Zagone (Be Something)...My Neighbors who live 3 doors down from my Chicago home, and the only American mask company left, had great mask once again, the ape, and skinned creature were to die for...B+
Scareparts...Gets the most improved there a paint job away from an "A".
There animatronics got bigger alot bigger, the 3 headed dog I forgot what you call that thin Cerbas or whatever was very cool. The rock and roll zombies would turn the "Hard Rock" at Halloween into a nightmare. Thats an idea, for marketing...I have to make a call to the HR...Over all the boys at Scareparts did very well. More better paint jobs, and some realizim and they will have joined the elite group...Vegas is a year away boys lets see what you can do... Grade B+
Edge...Came out strong, with a small house that had the roof raise was very very cool, and thier giant rotisserie would make George Foreman Smile. still a bit small but not bad for what they had Grade B+
Prop Masters, always good seeing the boys, their Troll was very cool, I loved the clown the best and the London was to die for nice job guys...Yeah Yeah Wolfy i know lol. Grade A
Distortions...Got love Ed and he was the guest of honor so they get an A, I wish they brought those UFO\'s, ahh mabe in Vegas there close now..Grade A
Ghost Rider...Between caseys Clowns and Pats London the boys came through again Grade A
Bump in the Night...The clowns made thier enterance and looked great! There will be more dont worry..Chuck\'s bread and butter was his Rabbit again, this time animatronic when it worked not his fault the crazy people up stairs stole all the damn air..Kinda like bandwith thief..The spider head was to die for...Everything was top notch Grade A
Horror Dome, the boys of the boys, not only are these guys from NY making a splash int he world but the sculpts are better and better..With Chuck doing the work on them they are the best costumes at the show...An Alien, Dr. Jeckle Costume were really cool. The Gremlin was beautiful, and I bought one...They added 3 zombie props, which again very cool and I bought...A beautiful Wolf Plaque head, and a very tall Big Foot rounded iy up along with a few other things..Everything just Beautiful Grade A
Unit 70...Bo & Brady Great friends, Great clients and as always great stuff. The Creature was awsome, so was the big ummm creature dude. Witch was something to snarle about, and that Super Pig was awsome, it\'s the year of the Pig you know... had they done a Dragon LIKE I SAID Cough Cough 3 HEADED they would have had an A+ lol
Grade A
And last but not least good old Scarefactory...Still the head of the class.
Scarefactory booths were alot smaller this year and took up hafe of what they usually take up. The ZONE was cut almost in hafe, which was sad.
But they still are the cream of the crop, starting out with a Punkin King that rose a Towering 18 feet tall thier biggest to date. They had a few old things from last year thier bread and butter Exorcist bed (Thanks for the idea Mike) NP anytime guys, send the check to my manager haha...
The Headless horseman...A Skull castle complete with Corpse chamber and a few Giant ZOMBIE KINGKongs These were cool but looked fake, but its the first King Kong idea, and it was a good one, the face needs improved. The Giant Dragon, Idea they took from me and I guess beat Bo & Unit 70 to the punch, this thing was great its wings spread over 10 feet and flapped as he rose about 16 feet in the air..Very Very Cool. Last but not least the Drac car a first for anyone, was beautiful, and couldn\'t be passed up, i always buy one giant present at the show..Limit to 12 it sold out almost in 8 hours the first day...No Doubt Scarefactory will make a spash on Vegas Grade A+
Overall the show was ok, but for my standard not up to par not what I\'m use to anyway, maybe I\'m getting old...The Vegas buzz was mixed. people excited, others doubtful...Will see who makes an impact on Vegas..I know now that there will be at least two years there. If all goes well and its a hit, Good Bye Chicago for ever..Write your local Rosemont convention center for complaints...
Good thing its in middle of March and warm..That be nice..For Smokers like Eric no more freezing your ass off, and Vegas is a right to smoke state, you can smoke anywhere, and inside...Mostly lol.
Now if people can keep from Gambling all night, and staying out of the night life, and deal with Transworld then it should go over well. If not then its a loss for vendors, and Vegas will be a distraction from the consumer..Time will tell, only about 56 weeks to go till transworld 2008..
SEE YEAH IN VEGAS BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
I\'ll have pictures up soon, Good seeing everyone...
PoD
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