Another VFX Success Story

Home haunt goes from 200-300 patrons to THOUSANDS!

“People just couldn’t believe it, they’ve never seen anything like it.”

Author Patrick Voss | Januray 9 2023 | Interviews

This is awesome!

We were vending TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis this past March, when a customer, Larry Prisock walked up and introduced himself to me.

Larry proceeded to tell me how he and his wife were home haunters and had purchased one of our Haunt Business Bundles the past Halloween.

This surprised me since our bundles include something like 3 puppets, a crate creature, a lunging box, 2 bungee heads and a Puppet Master Sound System loaded with chainsaw SFX…not cheap.

We put these bundles together to be able to offer a 20% quantity discount to attractions. I never thought home haunters would make this kind of investment…unless they have plans?

Here’s Larry’s story from the video…

“We bought a haunt business bundle from VFXcreates. We’re a home haunt. We don’t charge. It’s a free haunted house. It was a big leap for us to buy that bundle.

We got it and the very next day, one town over was having a street fair. So, I took one of the puppets and went to the street fair and literally, I just took a flyer and put it on the back of the puppet and on my back. And then, within 10 minutes, I had a giant crowd around me. People just couldn’t believe it, they’ve never seen anything like it.

See our video on how to increase your ROI and use VFX products as powerful marketing tools

Click here to learn more about this Haunt Business Bundle

So, fast forward 6 weeks later was our actual haunt, and like I said, we’re just a home haunt, we usually have two or three hundred people the three nights we’re open.

The first night we were open we had over a thousand people.

We’ve never had anything like that before. People were lined up almost around the block.

My wife, she was asking the people, ‘Hey, how did you hear about us?’

The first night they said, ‘Oh, we saw you at the street fair, we saw you at the street fair!’

The next night, before we even opened, before it even got dark, we had a line halfway down the street and she’s out there asking again, ‘Hey, how did you hear about us?’

People were saying, ‘We had a friend that saw you at the street fair and posted about it on Facebook.’

On the third night, we had people saying, ‘We saw you on Stockton Police 911 Facebook page.  They had videos of your puppet on there and we had to see it in person.’ …and really, it completely turned around our home haunt.

Now we’re here at TransWorld and we’re actually going to lease a building and make it a business now, and it really started off because of the puppets of all things.”

Click here to learn more about VFX Pro Haunt Business Bundle

This is such a great success story, and just one of many I hear from customers at the shows. It was so nice of Larry and his wife to stop by our booth and tell me this story.

I hope the success has continued for them with their pro haunt, and wish them the best of luck!

NOTE: We will be doing a follow-up with Larry to see how their haunt is doing, and maybe get more awesome stories.

VFX offers a complete line to help your business Promote, Scare and Entertain!

Shop VFX Online Store

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What a crazy year this has been! We normally do 5-8 tradeshows and conventions through the year to generate around 95% of our orders. This year we had one show in January…that’s it. We were preparing for the March TransWorld Halloween and Attractions Show with new and expanded catalogs, new products, a killer booth, relaunching the Minion FX System, as well as launching the new, cutting edge Voice Shifter by SFX Mods. Everything was lining up for an incredible year. And then, one by one the shows all cancelled due to Covid-19.

We started trying different things to generate online sales, from virtual shows to our own web show, Pro Haunt Show.

We even mailed out catalogs to hundreds of customers and potential customers, the first time ever. Resulting in a trickle of orders to just get by, month to month. It got to where I had to lay off Doug and Sandy…no orders…no income. That was not fun.

Then, the first week of September, the stars aligned! A woman in Florida posted a video of me with our Rob the Zombie puppet from last year’s IAAPA show…and it went viral!

Plus, since it was now September, everyone was thinking about Halloween. Orders started coming in daily. We could barely keep up with this unforscene wave of sales through our website. We did make it through and actually got to the point where we had to say “SOLD OUT!” For the 2020 Halloween season.

People were calling, texting, emailing, sending messages through our website chat system, asking questions about our products. There were numerous people who told me they saw the video and were like, “I have to have that!” Asking people how they found us and what key words they searched for us with brought some interesting feedback, like… 

• Hugging Puppet
• Zombie Doll Prop
• Wrap-around Zombie
• Zombie Doll
• Halloween Zombie Puppet
• Life-size Zombie
• Zombie Grabber
• Realistic Zombie Puppet
• Zombie Animatronic
• Clinging Zombie Puppet

…and so many more!

This was the boost we needed to get through the rest of 2020, and hopefully to the biggest and best haunt show of them all in March, 2021…TransWorld’s Halloween and Attractions Show in St. Louis, MO.

Take care, stay safe, wear a mask, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, keep your distance and keep your fingers crossed for 2021 to be the most awesome year for Halloween ever! Heck, start NOW to make it the most awesome Halloween ever!

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Ambrose “The Immortal” Vampire Puppet by VFX

VFX introduces their newest Attack Line Puppet – Ambrose “The Immortal”. This vampire puppet was sculpted by artist, Kent Kidwell and painted by VFX artist, Doug Schaefer. He is now available in the VFXcreates.com web store.

I’ve been wanting to do a vampire Attack Line Puppet for a few years now and am happy to say we’ve got a good one. Ambrose made his debut at the Midwest Haunter’s Convention in Chicago and has gotten some great compliments.

I’ve been following Kent Kidwell on Facebook for awhile and finally contacted him about doing some custom sculpts for VFX. Kent did a great job capturing a fierce expression for Ambrose the vampire puppet. Next up from Kent is a new werewolf sculpt for VFX. We are already in the works putting that one together. The new werewolf Attack Line Puppet will be debuting at the MidSummer Scream Show in Long Beach, CA in August.

Ambrose “The Immortal” Vampire Puppet weighs around eight pounds and comes with a Puppet Master Sound System™ loaded with creepy, guttural audio clips and a bit of horror music by Midnight Syndicate. Also included is the vampire hunter shirt with built-in harness that Ambrose hands snap to to make it look like he just jumped on you and is attacking you, just like real vampires do.

Here’s a look at the clay sculpture by Kent Kidwell in progress. Kent is a world-renowned artist and VFX was very lucky to be able to work with him on this new vampire.

VFX artist, Doug Schaefer at work fleshing out Ambrose “The Immortal” vampire puppet head. Doug is a multi-talented artist and designer. Here Doug is air-brushing layers of colors into the Ambrose face, giving it an undead, fleshy look.

The completed Ambrose “The Immortal” Vampire Puppet by VFX. Dressed in a period shirt with black pants and boots, he’s ready to roam the countryside looking for his next victim…or maybe roaming a haunted house or theme park entertaining and scaring customers.

As all of the VFX Attack Line Puppets are designed to be light-weight and easy to use, anyone can put Ambrose the vampire puppet on and quickly learn how to operate him. This vampire puppet would be a great addition to any haunt for queue line entertainment as well as using him at other events to attract attention and promote your attraction or event.

Search for:

Categories

• Events
• Humor
• Images
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• Interviews & Success Stories
• New Products
• News
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Recent Posts

• A VFX Customer’s Amazing Success Story
• Winners Stan Winston School of Character Arts Contest
• VFX at Fear Expo Live 2022
• WIN a subscription to the Stan Winston School of Character Arts!
• Pro Haunt Show – Season 1 – Episode 6 – Featured Products

Recent Comments

• Nelson Reyes on Desmodus Vampire Bat Puppet – 3 Versions
• James Frye on Green Ghoul – Bungee Head Prop
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The post Ambrose “The Immortal” Vampire Puppet by VFX appeared first on VFX International Sales.

We definitely stood out from all the other vendors at the St. Louis Business Expo this past week! This event is put on twice a year by the St. Louis Small Business Journal usually in April and October.

We decided to let the St. Louis area businesses know we are in the area and all the products and services we have to offer. The result was a ton of contacts and new ideas on potential revenue streams for our products. The expo was an array of local businesses – photographers, jewelry, travel, business consultants, web/SEO businesses, magazines, and so much more. So, yeah,…we stood out a little.

I walked around with Sally Zombie and creeped out most of the people there. It was pretty interesting to see all the reactions… Some folks gasped while others laughed. Many compliments on Sally and our static Billy the Silly Zombie at the booth. We also showed off our commissioned artwork – a bust of Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, which people were very impressed with.

All in all a good day making new connections and re-connecting with some old ones. We are already planning something really out of the ordinary for the October expo! (Insert evil laughter here!)

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Step One: Have a Zombie Plan

If you’ve ever heard of your friends or those geeky guys at work talking about their Zombie Plan then you should seriously consider making them your new best friends. Having a Zombie Plan is the first and most important step of Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, because you are taking the mind set that survival is a possibility and that a Zombie Apocalypse is inevitable. If you really want to be prepared here are a list of things to consider while establishing your Zombie Plan:

• Invest in Shooting lessons and guns.
• Invest in Machetes, Knives or other Melee Weapons.
• Map out your Retreat location
  • Needs to be in a rural area, sparsely populated.
  • Needs to have supply run locations nearby for the following necessities
    • Medical Supplies
    • Canned Food
    • Gasoline
    • Water
  • A location near a water source is great. Remember to boil your water first.
• Join the boy scouts, 4H or some similar group now.
  • Knowing how to start a fire with branches, tie knots, etc are skills that will come in handy.
• Go Hunting. Learn how to clean your kill
  • If you want fresh protein you’re going to need to know how to hunt for it.
  • While hunting keep in mind that you may not have the luxury to sit in a tree for hours when there is the potential for a zombie attack at anytime.
• Learn how to weld
  • Being able to reinforce your defenses, vehicles, etc will greatly increase your chances of survival.
• Stockpile nonperishable food supplies near your retreat spot.

If you’re really prepared and are wealthy you’ll know that no amount of wealth is going to help you once the end begins. So you’ll make wise investments with your financial gains, like building a fortress that is zombie proof. Here’s an example:

This zombie fortress transforms from a steel enclosed box into a sophisticated glass retreat.

Zombie Proof Fortress of Concrete and Steel

Step Two: Watch for Signs of the Zombie Apocalypse

If you’re one of us then you’re intimately familiar with the various Zombie movies, television shows, books and graphic novels that dive deep into the Zombie Apocalypse. If that is the case then you have already been given all the training that you need to know when to put your Zombie Plan into action. If you aren’t familiar with Zombie Apocalypse movies, however, you may find yourself in the dark – and without knowledge we are surely lost. The beginning of a Zombie Apocalypse will happen quietly.

Bite Wounds aren’t always this noticeable, be careful! artist: stageartisan @ deviantart

One theme is true for every type of Zombie: if you get bit, you will turn into one of them. The way that this happens is different in every story. Either the bite contains a virus or infection that literally invades the nervous system and extinguishes life, turning a once normal human into a Zombie within hours of being bit, or the bite simply passes the infection and when death occurs the change is made from corpse to the Living Dead. In some instances the infection is airborne and all that is required to become a Zombie is to die. This is why its a Zombie Apocalypse and not just a Zombie Bad Day. The amount of the infected quickly grows – especially in large cities.

The first moments after the Zombie Apocalypse begins will be quiet. No one will be prepared for their friends, neighbors, loved ones of acquaintances to be hungry for human meat. It is because of this shock and unpreparedness that the Zombie condition is spread rapidly. At first the signs will be so faint only the trained (and probably paranoid) would notice. An increase in bite wounds admitted to hospitals in densely populated areas is the first sign. The bite victim might not even go to the hospital they may use phrases like “I got mugged, and the crazy guy bit me” to describe their exciting morning – but their day is about to take a turn for the worse.

Its at this point that news reports will start to trickle in on television radio about the outbreak. At this point you should already have your Zombie Plan swinging into full effect!

Step Three: Get Out of Major Cities

AMC’s The Walking Dead. There’s a reason there’s no inbound traffic.

At this point in the Zombie Apocalypse the military has been involved and have been sent to the major cities to help take them back from the dead. If you’ve invested wisely you’ll have a CB radio and you may get a broadcast that <Insert Random Major City Here> is safe from Zombies. In 1% of cases that may actually be true, but the rest of the times it is either a trap designed to lure people in or the city is only temporarily safe. The more densely populated areas are going to be riddled with Zombies so the intelligent move to make is to get to the countryside where people are fewer and further in between. Most major Zombie Plans involve this strategy and I highly recommend that you take heed of this warning.

As far as where to go once you get out of the city, there really isn’t any one place that is any safer than the next. You will also need to keep in mind that Zombies aren’t your only concern. With the collapse of government comes a new, lawless state of existence and your fellow man may not be as willing to help as you’d think. As you find a place to call home (for now) make sure that the people that surround you are of high moral fiber otherwise you will need to watch your back even when Zombies are not present.

Step Four: Prepare for the Long Haul

So, you’ve found a place that you want to make home for the zombie apocalypse. Great. Don’t get comfortable. If you get lazy and develop a false sense of security in your new found hideaway, you will inevitably be unprepared when the dead find you – and they will find you. If you have the fortune to be in a location away from the undead you’ll need to start the process of fortification. You’ve most likely found a rural location away from major cities but not too far away from some smaller suburbs or towns so that there are supplies nearby. You’ll want to invest in defenses that will help protect your from those zombies.

Build a Fence to Separate your from the Zombie Horde

The Walking Dead Crew uses a fence. You should too.

If there already is a fence at your chosen hideout, then its time to fortify it. If you don’t have one don’t underestimate its ability to deter the mindless undead. Zombies don’t see very far past their own nose, and if you get creative you can really protect yourself. Of course the fence will also lead to a false sense of security – no matter how strong your fence is it won’t hold up against lots of undead. Consider spreading a little dead zombie gore over the sides of your fence to deter zombies who have a strong olfactory sense for living flesh. If you’ve got welding skills really go to town on that fence. Add metal reinforcements, spikes, the whole nine – this is your first line of defense.

Create an Early Warning System

If the dead manage to break your defenses you’ll want to know as soon as possible so you can quickly deal with the problem before you are overrun. Trip wire with explosives would do the trick but risk attracting more zombies to you. If you’ve got a supply of batteries you could use a trip wire that causes a walkie talkie to be activated. The sudden crackle of your walkie talkie would signal danger. However it might be worth it to consider more archaic systems that are sustainable. Homemade fireworks, miniature catapults with rocks aimed at a metal siding of your home. Anything could suffice – the point is without a early warning system the rest of your days will be spent constantly keeping your eyes on the fence separating you from the zombie apocalypse.

Be Wary of Strangers who come to your Door

As mentioned the lawless state of the world now will lead to all sorts of dangerous types of people being prominent. If someone shows up at your door don’t be thankful for companions just yet. First you’ll need to check them for bites – the number one killer of survivors in the Zombie Apocalypse is letting in a stranger with a bite. Think of it like the Trojan Horse of the zombie apocalypse. Even if they are not bitten you can’t know what kind of person they are. Its best to keep your gun on them at all times until you really feel like you can trust them. At the same time having an extra pair of hands and eyes that you can honestly trust is invaluable in this new world. Just be sure to vet your companions as best as you can.

Make a Map of your Surroundings

You’re going to have to leave the safety of your fortress eventually for supplies. The best thing you can do is scout ahead, map out your surroundings including known Zombie masses or hot zones, and choke points where you can make a defensive stand if you’ve hit a rough spot during a run. You’ll want to know where the supply depots are at – look for supermarkets, hospitals, pharmacies, gas stations, etc. If you go on a supply run you’re going to need a way to transport goods. Vehicles are great but they require gasoline and you will eventually run out. Be prepared for all situations, consider a horse or beast of burden and custom made saddle bags to store supplies. Unless of course you happen to be an engineer and can come up with a way to build a engine that runs on zombie parts. You’ll never run out of those.

What’s Your Zombie Plan?

There’s much more to surviving the Zombie Apocalypse. In fact we plan on bringing you quick tips throughout the life of this blog to help you be a better survivor. This post is just an introduction to the series. To get started with we want to hear what your Zombie Plan is! Just leave a comment in the section below with the details that you’re willing to share about your plan (remember not to give away locations, addresses, etc…you risk copycats!).  Thanks for reading!

The post How To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse appeared first on VFX International Sales.

My name is Brad Decker and I have had the privilege in helping VFX Creative Studios bring their vision for this site to fruition. As a web developer I get to make creations like a VFX Artist, but nothing as cool as an Attack Zombie. I do a lot of behind the scenes stuff for the website, like making sure the new VFX Store is in tip top condition and working as intended. I also get to add cool bits of functionality like automatic product updates, best sellers tracking and coupon codes (that may become available in the future). I also get to help the VFX team with making sure their products are optimized for the new VFX store.

What The New VFX Store Means to You

Now that the VFX store is live you have immediate and direct access to some of the most incredible products that the entertainment industry has available to it. The Attack Line of puppets are amazing and I can honestly say that of all the sites i’ve worked on in the past, this one was the most entertaining! Who doesn’t love stocking a VFX store with life like zombies, werewolves and scarecrows?

On the old VFX site the products were all listed but it wasn’t painless to order. Now all you have to do is click that “add to cart” button and you’ll see a icon pop up on the upper right portion of your screen. This link will take you to your cart so you can see what you’ve added. When it comes to products that have multiple versions, like Standard Sally, Hoe Down Sally and Psych Ward Sally of the Attack Zombie persuasion, you’ll have the ability to view these items separately or as one and choose the variations you’d like to purchase.

Paying on The VFX Store

We try to make it as easy as possible for you and for the team! PayPal is our preferred method of payment but we don’t want you to think that that means you have to have a PayPal account! When you choose to pay with PayPal you can use any credit or debit card you wish, and PayPal will securely handle the transaction on their own servers. This means your card numbers, identity and etc are protected by a industry leading payment processor, and not by us.

If all of that still sounds like too much for you we will accept a payment by check just print out the invoice you receive automatically after placing your order and mail the payment to the address shown on the invoice. Once the payment clears we will ship out your product to you as quickly as possible!

Enjoy the new VFX store and all of the great new features the site has to offer!

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Visit the VFX Store now to look at the awesome Products!
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Freaking at the TransWorld Halloween and Attractions Show

I was a little freaked out at the TransWorld show in March when we got so many orders for our Attack Line puppets that we had to start a waiting list. Our goals are to maintain a high level of quality and satisfied customers, and having too many orders could jeopardize that. Luckily we had a great group of people (artists, seamstresses, fabricators, etc.) and we were able to fulfill all our orders including our waiting lists. (Thank you VFX team – you guys are awesome!!!)

The Puppet Master Sound System 1.0 is created!

In the middle of everything we decided to upgrade the sound systems on the puppets. It was a crazy time since we were figuring out the best ways to take the puppet prototypes from the show to finished, quality products. We were working with our friends at SG Labs, LLC (http://www.sg-labs.com/) to take the sound system we had and make it easier to operate. They suggested creating custom sound systems with the features we wanted. It was a no-brainer and would just take our puppets up a notch. The Puppet Master Sound System was created and everyone loves it.

Tell us your Attack Line Puppet stories…

It’s been awesome to hear stories from our customers too! Check out the testimonials on the home page. Lots more coming!

– Patrick

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WE ARE GETTING THINGS CRANKED UP.

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