Happy Anniversary PHANTOM HARBOR!

Hey Kids!

So, it was a short 4 years ago that the world was introduced to a spooky stretch of beach on a forgotten cove somewhere in limbo known as PHANTOM HARBOR.

With no money, limited technology, a lot of imagination and drive, we shot our first episode in two days in our one-car garage, here in Highland Park, California.  Not 100% sure of what I was hoping to do, the first episode was much more atmospheric and limited in terms of animation. At the time I had no idea of how much work it was going to be; thank God I didn't, because I might have given up before I tried!

I had a lot of great people helping me out including my wife, Tracy, who stepped in and directed my performance. She came into the garage and witnessed me doing a really bad Orson Wells impersonation as the Captain and helped me figure out who The Captain really was.  Mike Deak not only helped puppeteer the Goblin, but helped me figure out how to shoot him using no rods.  The compositing was sketchy, but a conversation with Everett Burrell helped guide me to new software that has greatly improved our composite shots.

However, for the first episode I do need to single out Derek Krout and Patricia Urias (Venuto) who ran the foam rubber in the Goblin mold for me.  They did an incredible job and four years later, I'm still using the same puppet:

Sculpting away!  Boy, look how skinny I was - time to lose some weight!

Every wanted to know what a naked Goblin looks like?

Molding in Ultracal 30.

And now, some videos that I don't think anyone in the world has seen besides me.  Here are Derek and Patricia opening the mold and checking out the puppet:

A little hair, a little paint and he was all done, ready to shoot!

Look how beautiful he is!

He was supposed to be a "Boo!" at the end of the first episode but was so iconic that he became the Cap'n's number 2, right-hand man...well, Goblin! 

And the episode?  If you haven't seen it (or haven't seen it in a long time) check it out here:
Phantom Harbor Pilot Episode (2008)

Thanks everyone for joining us on our voyage!  There is so much more to come so keep tuning in and checking the blog for updates and specials.

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor.

Shannon Shea

Halloween Treat #5 - Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman at the Alex Theater

Hey Kids,

So this Saturday, the historic Alex Theater in Glendale, California became a political stomping ground for two last-minute candidates for the presidency of the United States -

The Wolfman (Dan Roebuck) debated Frankenstein's Monster (Perry Shields)

The Wolfman is a "Lycancrat" and runs on the "Transform" platform, where Frankenstein's monster is running on the "Strength" platform as the Electrican candidate.  They had very different opinions on what to do about renewable energy (The Wolfman favored harnessing the power of the moon, while The Monster favored lightning strikes).  You can check out there platforms here:
It was a fantastic show AND a great opportunity to see FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN on film, on the big screen!

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!

Shannon Shea

HALLOWEEN TREAT #4 - Jasper Anderson's Animated TOMBSTONES!

Hey Kids!

The Cap'n received an e-mail the other day from young Jasper Anderson who has come up with something VERY cool!  If you have a small video projector and a store bought or homemade tombstone, then you can have an ANIMATED TOMBSTONE!

Check out his video:
So, what Jasper has done is animated some incredible effects that, when projected onto one of your
own tombstones, really make it come to life...if that's possible!  For a small fee, you can download
the animations - So you still have time to add that little "oomf" to your yard haunt!

For more information check out his blog at: Mr. Chicken's Haunt and THANKS JASPER for sharing this!

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!

Shannon Shea

HALLOWEEN TREAT #3 - Craftin' with the Cap'n

Hey Kids!

So, as you can see, the third treat from Phantom Harbor is a quick tutorial about making a papier mache mask!  Okay, so it isn't necessarily "quick" but follow the instructions and you, too, can have a groovy custom mask!  HURRY, there's still time:

PHANTOM HARBOR: Craftin' with the Cap'n - Episode 1 from Shannon Shea on Vimeo.

Grab some supplies and customize your own mask this weekend!
Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!

Shannon Shea

Announcing: CRAFTING WITH THE CAP'N

Hey Kids!

This evening we're all excited about a new feature here at the Harbor called: "Craftin' with the Cap'n" where our beloved Cap'n will demonstrate some spooky, creepy, creative crafts!

First up: Papier Mache Masks!  Now, don't be intimidated.  With a little money, a little time, and a lot of imagination, you STILL have time to make a cool mask for this Halloween!  So tune in this evening and check out the show.

The lesson is long, but shorter than a Bob Ross episode!

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!
Shannon Shea

NEW FAN ART!

Hey Kids!

So what do you think the Captain found in his email today?  Two NEW drawings by a young fan in Winter Garden, Florida.

They were drawn EXPERTLY by one, Jessica Roddy, 10 years old!  Check them out!

Love the bolts, love the scars, but I love the expression on the mouth and the saggy eyelids!

I don't know where to begin!  LOVE the striped shirt, the pink eyes, the lapel button, and the FANGS!

Jessica's drawings will become part of the PHANTOM HARBOR GALLERY next month when the site gets updated again!  We'd also like to extend special thanks to her parents for taking the time to send her art in and for raising such a wonderful talented young lady! 

The Captain sent Jessica a thank you email and encourages young artists, writers, and filmmakers to send MORE work to him. It's easier than falling off a log.  Just write: TheCaptain@PhantomHarbor.com, embed the images or links, or attach them.  We're all looking forward to seeing MORE!

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!

Shannon Shea

SPOOKY TIME Retrospective

Hey Kids!

Since it is Halloween and we've been hoping that Haunters will emerge from their graves, crypts, haunted houses, lairs, etc. to share their projects, we decided we'd give this a kick-start.

Years ago, while working at KNB EFX group, Brian Goerhing and Joe Giles began handing out DVD's to their co-workers of a Spook Show they had produced called "Spooky Time at the Wormwood Mortuary."
Utilizing purposefully crude effects, costumes and puppets, they created an out-of-control world with their friends that upon viewing, was beyond hilarious.

When you set out to produce something like this, whether you are cognoscente of it or not, you invent rules for your universe and the more outlandish, the bigger risk you take that the show won't work.  Goerhing and Giles, joined by Steve Hartman, Lino Stavole, Joe Gomez and others pulled out all of the stops and went for it.  The result works so well, you should see for yourself here:


I must admit, that when I saw it, I went a bit crazy with enthusiasm!  Even with the audio problems, I could not have enjoyed their show more!  I literally begged to be on their show in some capacity, I loved it so much.

What I discovered was that Spooky Time didn't have a "home" - it was a floating show.  The guys just waiting until someone donated a space for them to shoot and then they would appear with their props, makeup and costumes and do the show.  Had I had a bigger facility and if I hadn't been prepping for PHANTOM HARBOR, I probably would have suggested my garage.

In any case, the boys produced a few more episodes, but were having difficulty getting all of their personnel and resources together.  I suggested that they come to PHANTOM HARBOR as guests and they jumped at the chance.  Brian and Joe said that they were happy that someone else would think of the situations and dialogue and then take care of all of the editing and post work.  They would just be able to kick back and have fun.  And did we have fun!

The Spooky Time Guys visit PHANTOM HARBOR!

They were so incredibly generous with their time - they brought their "Spooky Time Bat" which was puppeteered by the incredible Mike Deak (Mike Deak's YouTube Channel).

Having the guys agree to come over, inspired our first true "Halloween Special" (okay, we've done two, we want to do more, but something always seems to prevent it now!). If you haven't seen it, watch it here:
Phantom Harbor Halloween Show from Shannon Shea on Vimeo.

We totally miss Brian and Joe (and now that Joe is a "star" from his experiences on THE WALKING DEAD, I don't think we'll be seeing Grimley back at the Harbor any time soon), we wish them continued luck and success, keep our fingers crossed for another Spooky Time episode.  Check out their videos here:
Spooky Time Videos.

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!

Shannon Shea