I crave your indulgence

My mother's sister is visiting for three days.


My mom's deaf as a post, my dad can't be bothered to get out of his chair, so I will be doing the entertaining - the chauffeuring and the talking and the communicating - for the next three days.


So I'll be posting back here Thursday.


Thanks for your patience.

UK: Ghost Hunt At Fulford Manor, Devon With Simply Ghost Nights & Special Guest Most Haunted's Chris Conway, 12th May 2012

Okay, it's several days late, but it will doubtless be done again next year:

Ghost Hunt At Fulford Manor, Devon With Simply Ghost Nights & Special Guest Most Haunted's Chris Conway, 12th May 2012

DONCASTER, ENGLAND, May 08, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- One of Devon's most historic houses Great Fulford is a Domesday manor. The present house was mainly constructed in the early 16th century and is a semi fortified mansion built round a courtyard. It boasts a superb paneled Great Hall as well as a marvelous 17th century Great Staircase and other interesting 17th and 18th century rooms,

Great Fulford has been the home of the Fulford family since the reign of Richard 1 granted to William de Fulford. The manor originally belonged to the Priory of Canonsleigh until the Reformation when it was purchased by Sir John Fulford. Sir John Fulford was High Sherrif of Devon for the 26th and 32nd years of the reign of King Henry VIII. Sir John was the son and heir of Sir William Fulford and his wife Jane Bonville. Sir John was a descendant of King Edward I through his grandmother Philippa, who was wife of Sir Thomas Fulford and daughter of Sir Philip Courtenay of Powderham Castle in Devon.

During the Civil wars of the mid 17th century the family were Royalist. Initially the house was held for the king by Colonel Sir Francis Fulford's second son, Major Francis Fulford, but it was stormed by Parliamentarians in 1642, retaken by the royalists later when they besieged Exeter taken again by the roundheads in 1646 and garrisoned by them till the end of the war.

Many ghost stories are reported at the manor which has appeared on may TV programmes including the Filthy Fulfords and the F...ing Fulfords etc. Why not come along and join us for this fantastic event. The team are really looking forward to this one.

Simply Ghost Nights offers a unique event package, a ghost hunting event whether it's for a corporate function, or for individuals. Simply Ghost Nights is at the fore front of providing a wealth of experience and all the latest ghost hunting equipment for their ghost hunters to use. Join us if you dare!

Salem, MA: Salem Ghost Hunt Show (Murphy's, 300 Derby St, Salem)

From Salem Craigslist:

Begins new Season: Saturdays, May 26. Shows at 12noon, 12:45p, 1:30p and 2:15p at 30 Derby St, (Murphy's, Salem. $6 admission. Reservations by return email.

* Location: Murphy's, 300 Derby St, Salem

Buffalo, NY: Get ready for three days of Para Horror!

From Buffalo Rising : Get ready for three days of Para Horror!

 

The Buffalo Central Terminal is no longer the scary place that it used to be, and that's a good thing. But that doesn't mean that it can't 'act' scary for a day... or two. In fact, many people believe the terminal to be haunted. And who doesn't love a good ghost story? Most of us save the super scary scenarios for the actors that was see on TV and in the movies. Why take the risk when others can do it for us? All the same, we are fascinated by haunted houses and roaming psychos... just NIMBY.

On May 26, from noon to 7pm, The Central Terminal will get a chance to play haunted house, and you will get a chance to play the part of unsuspecting victim... or maybe even the part of a zombie or mass murderer. The Paranormal and Horror Convention is being billed as "a convention of all things horror, paranormal, and beyond!"

While many horror and paranormal events can sometimes come off as being slightly horrific, the insane lineup for WNY's biggest Paranormal and Horror Convention looks something like this:

Scheduled to appear at the Convention is Tyler Mane (Michael Myers from Rob Zombie's Halloween, Sabretooth from the blockbuster movie X-Men), Leah Gibson (Nettie from Twilight: Eclipse, and The Watchmen), James Winburn (Michael Myers stuntman from the original Halloween, David Hasselhoff stunt double in Knight Rider), Lloyd Kaufman (Troma Films), Suzi Lorraine (Rated top 5 horror scream queen), Brian Cano (SyFy Channel's Haunted Collector), Jane Riley (Ghost Hunters Academy), Rosalyn Bown (Ghost Hunters Academy), Karyn Reece (popular Psychic Medium), and the list goes on. Over 20 guests in all will be appearing for a meet & greet. Also making a special appearance is the cult icon Christine car from the movie Christine, and KITT from the popular TV series Knight Rider.

Join paranormal groups and horror celebs for movie screenings (including 'Slime City Massacre' by Greg Lamberson filmed at The Central Terminal Buffalo and 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead' - filmed in Buffalo - with Lloyd Kaufman!), sneak previews ('Ombis' from Deftone Pictures, and 'Banshee' from Buffalo Nickel Productions), a zombie walk, panel discussions ("Being Michael Myers" with Tyler Mane and James Winburn, "Scream Queens" panel, Q&A with Lloyd Kaufman, "Being a Ghost Hunters Academy recruit" panel, "Running SCARED! and the Haunted Collector" with Brian Cano)

*More information of the Para-Horror Convention at the Buffalo Central Terminal is available at: www.parahorror.com. Pre-sale ticket packages are on sale now and start at only $15! Children 6-12 are $10, and children under 6 are free.

If you think that sounds like fun, then just check out the line-up for the entire weekend. From our friends at Beyond Ghosts...

Friday, May 25th - Public Ghost Hunt (9pm-1am)

Join Beyond Ghosts for an exclusive ghost hunt of the Buffalo Central Terminal! Bring your investigation equipment, flashlights, and comfortable shoes for a journey in to some of the Terminal's dark hallways not normally accessed during regular events. We will have access to popular haunted areas like the baggage claim area, main concourse, Fedele's Apartment, the Trolley Lobby below the main concourse, and other locations. Get your tickets now and get ready to experience the Terminal as you never have before! Also scheduled to participate in the Ghost Hunt with Beyond Ghosts is Paranormal and Horror celebrities like Tyler Mane, Brian Cano, Chris Mancuso, Jane Riley, Rosalyn Bown, Tim Shaw, John Sabol, and many more. Guest ghost hunters list is subject to change depending on scheduling. Tickets are only $50 and are extremely limited. More information on the weekend ghost hunts is at beyondghosts.com, and tickets are available at: www.brownpapertickets.com.

Saturday, May 26th - VIP Ghost Hunt (9pm-1am)

Have you ever wanted to investigate the Central Terminal privately with your paranormal group? Here is your best opportunity to do so at our private VIP ghost hunt. This ghost hunt is limited to only 30 tickets and you will have the freedom to investigate without being forced to move with a group from area to area. And with only 30 tickets available in a building 500,000 square feet in size, you will be investigating with very limited interference from other people. You will have access to the main concourse, baggage area, cafeteria, trolley lobby, 1st office floor, 2nd office floor, Fedele's apartment, train control room, and the 4th tower floor. This night is for serious investigators only! We expect all participants to be courteous and quiet for the investigation. You will be able to bring paranormal investigating equipment as long as you are able to carry it with you. Also scheduled to participate in the VIP Ghost Hunt is Paranormal and Horror celebrities like Tyler Mane, Brian Cano, Chris Mancuso, Jane Riley, Rosalyn Bown, Tim Shaw, John Sabol, and many more. Guest ghost hunters list is subject to change depending on scheduling. Tickets are available now and VERY LIMITED for $100. More information on the weekend ghost hunts is at beyondghosts.com, and tickets are available at: www.brownpapertickets.com.

Sunday, May 27th - Candlelight Tours (Scheduled tours from 8pm to 11pm)

Back by popular demand are the Haunted Candlelight Tours of the Central Terminal. Take a tour like you never have before deep in to the dark hallways of the Buffalo Central Terminal! Hear all the ghost stories associated with the different areas of the Central Terminal like in the baggage area, and Fedele's Apartment! We take you throughout the Concourse, down in the Trolley Lobby, and up in to the office floors where you may possibly have your own paranormal experience! You will also be able to here some of the evidence captured in the exact location paranormal activity took place! Time permitting, we may even be able to conduct our own mini-investigation to see if we can get any proof of spirit activity. Make sure to where comfortable closed toe sneakers and also bring a flashlight. These popular tours sold out immediately when we first held them last fall and we expect them to fill up fast again. Tours last about an hour long and leave every half hour. Group sizes and tickets are limited for the tour, and reservations are a must. For more information on the Candlelight Tours go to: beyondghosts.com, and tickets reservations for the scheduled tour times are available at: www.brownpapertickets.com.

'Ghost Hunters': The Team Catches Knocking And A Scream On Camera

From Huffpost TV: 'Ghost Hunters': The Team Catches Knocking And A Scream On Camera

One week before Grant Wilson's final hunt, the "Ghost Hunters" (Wed., 9 p.m. ET on Syfy) headed back to Mount Washington Resort, where they had previously had some success reaching the other side during the fourth season.
The Resort was apparently once inhabited by a French princess. Her bedroom had been a hotbed of activity the last time they were there, so they tried again. One again, they got tremendous results, as well as one of the single most chilling responses in the history of the show.
After asking for a knock if the spirit wanted them to leave, they immediately got one. The spirit even finished up the classic "shave and a haircut" knock with a resounding "two bits." But it was a muffled scream that had the guys truly stunned and repeating, "Are you kidding me?" over and over again. Reality TV Magazine called that "the creepiest moment in the entire episode."
There are always plenty of creepy moments on "Ghost Hunters," Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.

Viral voices: Why one producer went digital

From imedia.com: Viral voices: Why one producer went digital
Zack Coffman is an experienced producer who has been making and distributing films since 2005. His latest project is LiveSciFi.tv, a live-streaming ghost hunt that saw 5 million views in just three days last month. He sat down with iMedia to discuss the state of digital video today as well as some of the insights he gained from his latest venture. iMedia Connection: Can you tell me about your experience with "LiveSciFi -- the Live Streaming Ghost Hunting Show"? Did you have any surprising demographic discoveries? Do you think the show would have worked as well on traditional TV? Zack Coffman: My business partner, Scott Di Lalla, had an opportunity to go on a ghost hunt with the team as cameraman, and when he got back he said the show really had something new and special so we partnered with the creator, Tim Wood, to produce and distribute the show. Tim had a nice following already, and we felt with the right push and grass roots marketing effort we could take it to a new level. Honestly we never expected the response it got -- 5 million views in one weekend. We knew that women liked this kind of content because a similar demographic had been responding well to our recently finished feature Ouija movie "I Am ZoZo." I guess the fact that it appealed so strongly with teens (male and female) and older women (for different reasons) is what excites and challenges us going forward. I think the live interactive nature of the show is what makes it so fun and creepy. People can text the team with evidence and screen caps of what they witnessed on any of the quad cams, and the team can go over it live on camera. Also there's the whole aspect of being there with the team as they canvass real haunted houses, which is probably not something easily achievable day-to-day for most people.

Zack Coffman is an experienced producer who has been making and distributing films since 2005. His latest project is LiveSciFi.tv, a live-streaming ghost hunt that saw 5 million views in just three days last month. He sat down with iMedia to discuss the state of digital video today as well as some of the insights he gained from his latest venture.

iMedia Connection: Can you tell me about your experience with "LiveSciFi -- the Live Streaming Ghost Hunting Show"? Did you have any surprising demographic discoveries? Do you think the show would have worked as well on traditional TV?

Zack Coffman: My business partner, Scott Di Lalla, had an opportunity to go on a ghost hunt with the team as cameraman, and when he got back he said the show really had something new and special so we partnered with the creator, Tim Wood, to produce and distribute the show. Tim had a nice following already, and we felt with the right push and grass roots marketing effort we could take it to a new level. Honestly we never expected the response it got -- 5 million views in one weekend. We knew that women liked this kind of content because a similar demographic had been responding well to our recently finished feature Ouija movie "I Am ZoZo." I guess the fact that it appealed so strongly with teens (male and female) and older women (for different reasons) is what excites and challenges us going forward. I think the live interactive nature of the show is what makes it so fun and creepy. People can text the team with evidence and screen caps of what they witnessed on any of the quad cams, and the team can go over it live on camera. Also there's the whole aspect of being there with the team as they canvass real haunted houses, which is probably not something easily achievable day-to-day for most people.

iMedia: Is there a viral catalyst for digital video?

Zack: I'd say the most important catalyst is content. With all the massive amounts of video content being created these days, in the end compelling content is still king.

iMedia: What are the prime digital audiences? Are niche audiences more valuable online than in traditional?

Coffman: It used to be a much younger crowd getting video online, but these days, older people are finding ways to view content as the barriers are becoming easier to surpass. My mother and father both watch content on YouTube or various homepages. They also stream content through their DVD/BD player. I would say that niche audiences are important everywhere, but it's easier for an independent filmmaker to reach them online since TV broadcast is basically a closed market. We believe very strongly in identifying the specific groups to which our content appeals.

iMedia: How do you make money with digital content?

Coffman: We generate revenue through advertising (as in YouTube, pre-roll, in-stream, etc.), through iTunes, Amazon, YouTube rental, traditional DVD sales, and our own online streaming site StreamTown.tv.

iMedia: What are the big breaks in digital? What can online video producers do to create "buzz"?

Coffman: Apart from scandalous or salacious content, which always generates its own buzz, we try to hit people right where they live. We always say that you should make content that appeals to the heart as opposed to the head; someone will always reach first for what appeals to their hearts. If your content really appeals to people, even in a very particular group, they will help you pass it along, which makes your social strategy that much more effective.

iMedia: Are there "tipping points" (a clip being featured somewhere, someone tweeting it out, etc.)?

Coffman: It always helps to have someone with a lot of engaged followers give a shout out, and that initial burst of energy is really important for a clip to gain ground. For instance, our film "I Am ZoZo" features young actor Caleb Courtney, the older brother of Joel Courtney (Super 8), and Joel tweeted the trailer for us, which helped give it some steam. Some big sites like DreadCentral and About.com also posted it, which helped greatly. It's very important to engage in active PR for any project to really take off. Almost nothing gets discovered completely on its own. "Planning" for your clip to be the next Honey Badger isn't really playing very good odds.

iMedia: With more big names entering the digital content arena daily, what's the digital landscape going to look like in the next six months? The next year?

Coffman: It's very exciting to be on the forefront of the digital scene. We've been actively exploring the space since 2005, so I think there's a skill set that develops -- a "feel" for it that gives us a competitive edge over the big boys coming in and throwing lots of money around. It's still the Wild West and with hard work, good independent content can still have a voice. People need to demand that the internet remain free and open.

Ghost hunt set for Sat. in Snow Hill

This is a day late - so put it on your calendar for next year as I'm sure it will be annual thing.

From Ocean City Today: Ghost hunt set for Sat. in Snow Hill

(May 4, 2012) Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum will welcome guests for a ghost hunt on Saturday, May 5, from 8 p.m. until midnight. The hunt is being conducted by the Peninsula Ghost Hunters Society of Salisbury, a nonprofit organization, founded in 2009, that offers private investigations throughout Delmarva.

Vicki Rohrer, society president, finds the atmosphere, the darkness and the quiet of Furnace Town ideal for a ghost hunt. She and other members of the organization have conducted several on site in the past.

“We prefer to limit the number of participants, and all who attend must be at least 18 years old,” she said.

For reservations, call 410-632-2032. Cost is $20 per person in advance, with a 30-person limit for the event.