Manor from...hell? Ghost Manor in New Orleans
Ghost with the most
Report by Marielle Songy
Ghost Manor, the dazzling display of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls that has become a New Orleans Halloween tradition, is returning for a limited engagement this year. Owner David Gentry will run the display on October 7th and 8th and 12th to 15th from sunset to 10pm.
For over ten years, Ghost Manor has drawn large crowds to Gentry’s home to watch his animatronic skeletons and figures dance to songs like ‘Thriller’ and ‘This is Halloween’. Jack-o'-lanterns glow and keep time with the music as the house is transformed into something you are more likely to find in Halloweentown than the Irish Channel.
Gentry, who is self-taught in animation and sound editing, does the work for Ghost Manor himself. He estimates that he's spent nearly $100,000 on the project since its inception. “This year we are debuting a new control system for the Jack-o'-lanterns, so they have more special effects,” Gentry said. “We used to have sixty-one Jack-o'-lanterns, but now we have eighty-five.”
Ghost Manor constantly tops itself with the addition of new characters and fun but not too frightening displays at the sprawling mansion. Gentry explained that learning various types of animation and teaching himself how to bring his dreams for Ghost Manor to life is a part of the fun.
He said, “Every year I try to push the envelope and bring the display to the next level. I want to challenge myself and roll something out that has either never been done before or hasn’t been done on this level. Sometimes it involves learning different types of animation and creating my own characters.” Last year, he debuted a new ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ scene, complete with an animated skeleton playing fiddle and two additional skeletons dancing along with the song. Gentry achieved the fiddle-playing skeleton effect in a motion-capture suit.
This year, Gentry is working on introducing a more advanced emcee skeleton character that will have arm movement aided by motors in the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. “It can make a variety of gestures and it’s one of the most expressive things we’ve ever done. I think that it can rival anything on a home level and it’s as good as anything you might see at a theme park,” he said.
Due to recent crime in the Irish Channel neighborhood, Gentry will limit Ghost Manor's performance days. At a city council meeting, the NOPD told Gentry that when Ghost Manor runs, the police department will increase patrols in the area, but they won't pull resources from other parts of the city that need it. For additional security, Gentry hires police detail when he can, which can get expensive.
He’s running this year's Ghost Manor show early to lessen the demand on the police department later in the month when the city’s Halloween events kick into high gear. Gentry has also started a GoFundMe to raise funds for private security so that Ghost Manor can possibly operate on days closer to Halloween. He said, “I didn’t want to cancel it entirely because it’s become meaningful for a lot of people. I think it’s important to have something that brings people joy.”
See the video below for more information on how Ghost Manor operates.
The Ghost Manor website
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO HALLOWEEN EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS
MORE OCTOBER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS
Report by Marielle Songy
Ghost Manor, the dazzling display of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls that has become a New Orleans Halloween tradition, is returning for a limited engagement this year. Owner David Gentry will run the display on October 7th and 8th and 12th to 15th from sunset to 10pm.
For over ten years, Ghost Manor has drawn large crowds to Gentry’s home to watch his animatronic skeletons and figures dance to songs like ‘Thriller’ and ‘This is Halloween’. Jack-o'-lanterns glow and keep time with the music as the house is transformed into something you are more likely to find in Halloweentown than the Irish Channel.
Gentry, who is self-taught in animation and sound editing, does the work for Ghost Manor himself. He estimates that he's spent nearly $100,000 on the project since its inception. “This year we are debuting a new control system for the Jack-o'-lanterns, so they have more special effects,” Gentry said. “We used to have sixty-one Jack-o'-lanterns, but now we have eighty-five.”
Ghost Manor constantly tops itself with the addition of new characters and fun but not too frightening displays at the sprawling mansion. Gentry explained that learning various types of animation and teaching himself how to bring his dreams for Ghost Manor to life is a part of the fun.
He said, “Every year I try to push the envelope and bring the display to the next level. I want to challenge myself and roll something out that has either never been done before or hasn’t been done on this level. Sometimes it involves learning different types of animation and creating my own characters.” Last year, he debuted a new ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ scene, complete with an animated skeleton playing fiddle and two additional skeletons dancing along with the song. Gentry achieved the fiddle-playing skeleton effect in a motion-capture suit.
This year, Gentry is working on introducing a more advanced emcee skeleton character that will have arm movement aided by motors in the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. “It can make a variety of gestures and it’s one of the most expressive things we’ve ever done. I think that it can rival anything on a home level and it’s as good as anything you might see at a theme park,” he said.
Due to recent crime in the Irish Channel neighborhood, Gentry will limit Ghost Manor's performance days. At a city council meeting, the NOPD told Gentry that when Ghost Manor runs, the police department will increase patrols in the area, but they won't pull resources from other parts of the city that need it. For additional security, Gentry hires police detail when he can, which can get expensive.
He’s running this year's Ghost Manor show early to lessen the demand on the police department later in the month when the city’s Halloween events kick into high gear. Gentry has also started a GoFundMe to raise funds for private security so that Ghost Manor can possibly operate on days closer to Halloween. He said, “I didn’t want to cancel it entirely because it’s become meaningful for a lot of people. I think it’s important to have something that brings people joy.”
See the video below for more information on how Ghost Manor operates.
The Ghost Manor website
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO HALLOWEEN EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS
MORE OCTOBER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS