Steve Biggs, The Big Cheeze

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Books

Books

Feaured Books: (scroll down for regular books)

B194

Animatronics: Guide to Holiday Displays, 1st ED

Edward Wise

Finally, a book that covers the basics of amateur animatronics! Electronic hobbyists and Home Haunters, take note! This hands-on, project oriented book on animated holiday display covers simple, classic projects and advanced motion animation used in professional mechatronic systems. It includes tips and tricks for sculpting and decorating all of your self-operated mechanisms along the way. Author Edwin Wise takes the reader inside his world of robotics in an innovative guide to designing, developing, and building animated displays centered around the holidays of Halloween and Christmas. Covers four broad categories including: electrical animations, pneumatic animations, servo animations, and control systems. Also covered are "background" projects that include stationary systems such as fog chillers and how to make water glow under black light. This book guides you through the project of building and shows how to control it with AC motors and pneumatics systems inside your animated props. This does overlap a little with his other volume, "Applied Robotics" (see below).

CAT # Description Price
B194 270 pages, paperback, B&W photos, illustrations, 2000 $59.95 Add

B848

Applied Robotics

Edward Wise

A hands-on introduction to the field of robotics, this book will guide the hobbyist through the issues and challenges of building a working robot. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, extending a core robot project throughout the book. Examples of chapters include: mechanical platforms, power supplies, adding sense, microcontrollers, insect robots, pneumatics, more behavior and intelligence, programming projects, robot behaviors, and much more.

CAT # Description Price
B848 300 pages, paperback, B&W photos, illustrations, 1999 $59.95 Add

B453

Electronic Surveillance Devices

Carl Bergquist

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing how to set up and maintain an effective surveillance system! Perfect for do-it-yourselfers, Electronic Surveillance Devices contains all of the information needed to enhance the safety and security of a home or office from safeguarding against theft to monitoring employee performance and preventing illegal activities from occurring on site. This how-to and reference manual begins by introducing the latest in video and audio surveillance system technology, including both surveillance and counter-surveillance equipment. Subsequent chapters guide readers in selecting the best surveillance devices for home or office security while encouraging them to take into account important system design issues, such as: power supply considerations, camera locations and disguises, use of telephone lines, VCRs and computer network systems, and more! Unique requirements for surveillance in remote locations are explored fully.

CAT # Description Price
B543 260 pages, paperback, B&W photos, illustrations, glossary, 2002 $32.95 Add

Now on to our regular Books!

Book Categories:

 

Special Makeup Effects Books:

B613

Techniques of Three-Dimensional Makeup

Lee Baygan

The most complete book on makeup prosthetics available. Contents include:

  • Making a Life Mask
  • Breakdown of the Life Mask
  • The Three-Piece Mold
  • Casting Hands
  • Modeling and Modeling Tools
  • Modeling and Casting Large Pieces
  • Foam Latex
  • Making Teeth
  • Making Ears
  • Casting a Full Head
  • Plus much more

Highly Recommended

CAT # Description Price
B613 180 pages, paperback, color photos, 1988 $29.95 Add
B990

Special Makeup Effects

Vincent J-R Kehoe


This book concentrates on the genre of horror characters and other special creations (fantasy, sci-fi, etc.), giving tips about materials, techniques, and "tricks of the trade". This focused volume is a scaled-down version of Vincent Kehoe's encyclopedic reference for professional makeup artists.
One of our Top Ten.

CAT # Description Price
B990 144 pages, paper, illus., b/w photos Currently Unavailable

Grande Illusions

Grande Illusions

Tom Savini


A make-up book that has best been described as the foremost gore makeup text. Written by Tom Savini, who has worked on films such as Friday the 13th and Creep Show.

ISBN: 0-911137-00-9

CAT # Description Price
B009 135 pages, paper, 1987. $17.00 Add

B121

More Grande Illusions

Tom Savini


At last the long awaited sequel to the academy award winner's best-selling book. Features many of the author's later film projects. Also known as Grande Illusions Book II.

CAT # Description Price
B121 Apx. 80 pages, soft cover, color photos, 1996 $19.95 Add

Stage Makeup Step-By-Step

Rosemarie Swinfield


A unique step-by-step guide to planning and creating professional-looking makeup for theatre, film and TV. Practical guidance on adding and reducing age, character studies, period work, fantasy and special effects. Includes prosthetics, burns, cuts, stitches and scars. Makeup for men, women, children and ethnic groups. Broad range of makeup from intimate theatre to cabaret, opera, ballet, or ice dance. Advice on wigs, facial hair and making your own beards and moustaches. Each step illustrated with a color photo.

CAT # Description Price
B390 125 pages, hard cover, color photos, 1994 Currently Unavailable

Books on How to Make Stuff:

B086

Do It Yourself Vacuum Forming

Douglas E. Walsh

This is the only book that covers all the basics of low-cost vacuum forming, including: molds, materials, heat sources, vacuum sources and suppliers. Offers many excellent ideas for people who want to get set up on a limited budget. Well worth the investment. One of our Top Ten Books.

CAT # Description Price
B086 129 pages, b/w photos, illus. $14.00 Add
B281

Molding & Casting Handbook

Thurston James


A comprehensive guide to the use of more than thirty molding and casting materials in the design and construction of theater properties and scenic elements. Includes a section on vacuum forming. Materials covered include: plaster, polyester resins, latex, neoprene, silicone, urethanes, breakaway resins, hot melt, fiberglass and many others.

CAT # Description Price
B281 230 pages, paper, 450 photos, 1989 $19.95 Add
B042

Mold Making and Casting Guides:

Castcraft Co.

Set includes the following four books:

  • MOLDMAKING GUIDE
  • CASTING GUIDE
  • SOURCE GUIDE
  • BONUS GUIDE

Moldmaking Guide is 63 pages. Casting Guide is 77 pages. Source Guide for 186 sources of 210 materials is 28 pages. There is also a Bonus Guide with charts and other valuable information. The covers are plain and are stapled together, but they contain the best collection of practical information ever seen in an easy-to-read format. Covers procedures used extensively in special effects and other industries.

CAT # Description Price
B042 4 BOOK SET, 8.5"x11", stapled, illus. $36.00 Add
B129

Monster Makers Mask Maker's Handbook

Arnold Goldman


This is really a photo-documentary of the step-by-step process of creating a Halloween type latex mask. A very good place to start if you've never done a mask before. The author has done an excellent job of showing you important details including the tools needed for each step in the process. If you're looking for a big thick book on the subject, this won't be it. This is just a ton of photos in a thin guidebook. Includes a color single-sheet that details the mask painting steps. Contains many valuable tips and tricks learned by hard experience.

CAT # Description Price
B129 43 pages, soft cover, color insert, 1994 Check availability

Special Effects and Related:

B885

Behind the Mask

Mark Salisbury and Alan Hedgcock


Take a close look at the men and their monsters: Dick Smith, Stan Winston, Rick Baker, Bob Bottin, Steve Johnson. Highlights film's greatest monsters from The Exorcist to Jurassic Park. Sure to be a classic.

CAT # Description Price
B885 125 pages, paper, b/w and color photos throughout, 1994 $23.95 Add

Books for Haunted Houses:

B212

Fifty Frights and More

50 Great Room and Ride Ideas for Hayrides and Haunted Houses

Steve Biggs and Doug Erekson


A fresh collection of stories and room ideas written specifically for haunted hayrides and narrated haunted houses. Includes clever twists to old ideas and many new ones. Also includes five stories that can be turned into local legends. Each idea is broken down into its own three-act story structure; set-up, development and payoff. Save yourself production costs by creating the "Theater of the mind."

CAT # Description Price
B212 Pages 80, illustrations, loose-leaf bound, 1998 $29.95 Add
B006

How to Operate a Financially Successful Haunted House

Philip Morris and Dennis Phillips


Very basic and thorough treatment of haunted house operation. Starts with locations, staffing, floor plans, legal and safety precautions. Covers advertising and promotion. Several pages of useful clip art. Press releases and examples of press photos. Chapters on: room designs, humor, costume guide, rubber masks, makeup. Sources and reference guide in the back.

CAT # Description Price
B006 160 pages, soft Currently Unavailable
B301

Field of Screams

How To Promote Halloween and Haunted Attractions

Michael M. Cruz

Written by one of the most respected Haunted House Marketers. Covers some very essential marketing basics. Contents include: The "Eventive" Concept, 7 Steps to a Successful Marketing Campaign, packaging, identity enhancement strategies, spin-off activities, charity, hospitality, income, selling clientele, advertising, publicity, promotions, sponsorship and much more.

CAT # Description Price
B301 160 pages, paper, drawings $29.95 Add

Film and Stage Books:

B558

Scare Tactics

John Russo


The insider's guide to making your first horror movie. The art, craft and trade secrets of writing, producing, and directing chillers and thrillers. With expert advice from Clive Barker, Wes Craven, John Landis, Joe Dante and Rick Baker.
ISBN: 0-440-50355-8

CAT # Description Price
B558 240 pages, soft cover, photos, 1992 $14.95 Add

Recomended books, but no longer available from S.E.S. Corp. Please use other source.

Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects, by Robert E. McCarthy
Special Effects with Fire and Smoke, by Theatre Effects
Creating Special Effects for TV & Video, 3rd ED, by Bernard Wilkie
Professional Lighting Handbook, 2nd Edition, by Verne Carlson and Sylvia E. Carlson, ISBN: 0-240-80020-6
Motion Picture & Video LightingRevised Edition, by Blain Brown
Set Lighting Technician's Handbook, 2nd ED, Harry C. Box, ISBN: 0-240-80257-8
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This page originally posted: 02/01/1999
This page last updated: 02/24/2010