Any other Ghost Hunters fans? (1 Viewer)

[Sean Bryan]

Thanks Gerry.

Yeah, I would be tempted to do some investigating of my own as well. Setting up a camera in the attic is a good idea.

It might be interesting to place several "test objects" up there in view of the camera as well (like coins stacked in a specific manner, a deck of cards, a pencil, a glass, some marbles, the drum set, etc....)

Have you ever considered actually spending a night in the attic? It may be too uncomfortable just based on the fact that it is an attic (hot/cold). But if you did, that would definitely be a time that you'd want some video and audio going up there the whole night. You'd also want someone to stay up there with you.

I suppose that is a tricky call though. On the one hand, out of a curiosity to understand what is happening in your house (and just the nature of human existence in general) it is the kind of thing that would be tempting to do and an experience you'd want to "provoke". On the other hand, if disturbing the attic seems to be associated with "setting it off", then I could see wanting to just leave it be. You have to live there after all. I guess it depends on how comfortable you feel about things "picking up" for a while.


Thanks, that's what I suspected, but it's nice to get confirmation on that. It helps us understand what we see (and don't see) in other investigations they feature. As the most relevant example, it helps us realize that they very likely did look into that toy in the other investigation, and it just didn't make the final cut of the episode.

 

[Jordan_E]

The thing is when you're actually in that situation (granted, I was only 14-16 when it happened to me, a LONG time ago) bravado goes out the window. Hell, when my dog growls when we're home alone I still get the creeps.

 

[Dave Mack]

Gerry, spooky stuff going on!
How goes it now?




I totally agree, Jordan. That was one of my earlier complaints about the show (though as pointed out, I went overboard describing it earlier...)
That coming into the Taps office scene was ridiculous. So obviously rehearsed, staged, directed (3 camera angles) and the 2 of them could barely get their "lines" out.
Looked like a really badly acted scene from a porn film.
I know these are real people and it shows. When you try to get real people to "act" nomal, it's usually dreadful. Just turn on your camcorder and say "be yourself" or "act natural" to most people to see something similar.
I really hope GH drops these clearly overly staged sequences. It doesn't need it and they make the whole show look cheesy and bogus.
If the cameras weren't there when this woman just happened to come knocking on the door then don't fake it later and pass it off as real. It's supposed to be a reality show, so either really have it be real or indicate when something is being re-enacted or just describe the event.
When the people on the show are truly doing their thing, it's natural and real. When they have to do these little "Scenes", it's very obvious as they all visibly stiffen, look totally awkward and stumble over their "lines".

Just my 2 cents. I'm not saying the guys are phonies or they are staging the evidence but to many, the show is starting to look really staged in parts. Look what happened to Most Haunted.

But anyways, hope all is well Gerry!

d

 

[gerrymac48]

Dave,
Things are much better here now. Thanks for asking. Having said that, OMG, I couldn't agree with you more about the 1st house. I can't believe they did that. I am actually saddened that was put in the same hour as my house.
Gerry

 

[Jordan_E]

I'm wondering if it's pressure from Sci Fi Channel to add those intros. Or maybe they actually have a producer (albeit from that footage a BAD producer) now as the show has seemingly grown in popularity. But, I agree, it needs to be dropped before it gets any more embarrassing.

 

[gerrymac48]

Just my opinion here but I think the film company has the final say on everything. I hope it does not continue in that direction.

 

[TwoKings]

damn, I had not heard this before, but it looks like TAPS lost 3 members this year who were seen alot on TV.

Although she continues to be seen in reruns of Ghost Hunters episodes, cast member and TAPS Case Manager Donna LaCroix resigned from the group in January 2007. According to LaCroix, she plans to pursue a writing career, independent research projects, and possible relocation out of state.[7] Other cast member departures in January 2007 include former Director Lisa Dowaliby and former R&D Manager Paula Donovan.[8]

I got it from wikipedia and they had links to articles that would not work. I wonder if it is true or just more wiki crap.

 

[Dave Mack]

agreed. It's happening more and more often and pretty soon there won't be any "reality" in this reality show left.

When it started it seemed funkier, more low budget and looked much more convincing. Once the director starts thinking he's filming a movie instead of just documenting the events, it's all downhill....
Also, I think this week's show was a record for saying, "we are plumbers for Roto-Rooter..." Once per show is plenty...

I am only being critical because I DO really like the show and don't want it to become Most Haunted... That European member of the Taps family was dangerously veering into Derek Acorah territory with his feeling the vibes. I hope GH doesn't feel pressured to start adding "psychics" to their crew.

Anyways, so Gerry, so you guys staying or moving?

 

[gerrymac48]

We are still hoping to move but right now my wife's son has another year of school left. Dave, I think you being critical on this forum is important. It's always better to read a post and go, hmmmmmmm and in reading your last post I hope the show doesn't grow out of what made it good in the first place too.

 

[Dave Mack]

Glad to hear you're all ok, Gerry.
And yes, I'm only being critical just because the show does seem to be changing and not for the better.
They really need to drop these little scenes as they totally blow the mood because they just scream fake and really take away some credibilty from the production.

 

[Abby_B]

Gerry, I finally got the chance to watch the latest episode, and wow, your house was creeeeeeepy! Thanks for all this info about your experience. Y'all were so much calmer than I would have been. Did they show or tell you anything more than what aired on the show?

I was also really freaked out by the on/off dragon in the first segment. I mean, I know there are probably a lot of things that are reasons the dragon could have come on and all, but the three times on command thing got my attention!

 

[gerrymac48]

Abby,
We looked calm but I really think it was more of being drained than anything else. The amount of time spent that you don't see is amazing. There were a few things that ended up on the cutting room floor and some that should of. LOL A box with a doll in it moved across the room but I don't think it aired because it was not caught on film. Also the information that a 7 year old girl suddenly dropped dead off a horse on our property many years ago didn't make the cut. I have also found posts from Lisa Tedeschi (the 1st homeowner) and she explains in detail that it was actually a toy lion that was roaring. She posted on the scifi forum. There are a ton of questions, answers and comments from me on the TAPS main forum if you are interested. I am not promoting it but merely letting you know there are 38 pages of it over there. You are more than welcome to any info I can give you.
Thanks, Gerry

 

[Bob_S.]

Gerry, just watched your episode today and I must admit, your investigation was one of the best so far. Your wife seemed REALLY unsettled during the analysis, I hope she is doing alright. Why do ghosts like the attic so much? There is no way you'd get me to go up there! Whenever I see someone investigate an attic I always remember that one investigation (unrelated to ghost hunters) where an investigator went into an attic and had a cord wrap around his neck by an unseen force. Don't know if it was staged or not but that always creeped me out. Hopefully TAPS will include some of the deleted scenes in their season 3 dvd set. Thanks for posting here, it's been great hearing from you.

 

[Sean Bryan]

No question that the staged aspects of the "office life" should be toned down or dropped entirely.

But I have the impression that this "produced stuff" was always part of the show (to some degree) and I have no difficulty whatsoever separating that from the actual TAPS investigations. For me, it is easy to separate those aspects of the show. And I often just find these bits amusing (reminds me of my days of making amateur movies, bad acting and all). But I agree it would be better if that stuff was dropped.

I wonder if Jay and Grant even have a choice? I wonder if it is something they are just contractually obligated to do as part of their arrangement with SciFi.

 

[gerrymac48]

Bob,
She was really frazzled at that point but that was 8 months ago. She is doing much better now thank you very much. I actually have no idea why the attic. Before the show (and after) the only thing we ever heard from the attic was noises. We never really explored it before the show. We are going to set up a camcorder with night vision up there for several nights to see if we can catch anything. Wouldn't that be cool ? I feel like i need to be thanking all of you for listening to me here and all the support.
Thanks, Gerry
ps, Bob, from what I understand the store version will show a lot more. I hope so because many important aspects of the show did not air.

 

[gerrymac48]

Sean,
It is my understanding from conversation with Jason they have no control of editing once they submit it to "Pilgram films". I know I had no say ! LOL
Gerry

 

[Dave Mack]

Thanks again for all the feedback, Gerry!

 

[Bob_S.]

Gerry, be sure to let us know what you find on the camcorder, that would be awesome! Also, maybe you could use a tape recorder and get some evp's?

Also, thanks for the sci-fi.com recommendation, I read alot of Lynn's posts, she seems like a very nice lady and mentions alot of things that happened before and after TAPS left. I really wish they had looked for that lion toy. The skeptic side of me says that it was a little too good to be true but who knows. Gerry, have you communicated to Lynn at all through email/forums and talked about each others stories?

 

[gerrymac48]

Is that all it takes to get evp's is a regular tape recorder ? If I get anything I would love to share it.

 

[Bob_S.]

I think so, I'm not an expert on it but I believe a digital voice recorder is the best thing to use since it won't have any tape hiss. What I have seen done is the investigator walks around asking questions to the spirits (why are you here?, do you have anything to say?) with the recorder on. After your done asking questions play it back and see if you ncan here any responses. You can also download it on to a computer and with the proper software clean it all up to get a better sound. Someone else might be able to explain it better than me.