The Night Shift: Ouija Worries

The Night Shift is the on-set diary of Fighting Owl Film's new independent supernatural-adventure-comedy of the same name currently in pre-production in Mobile, AL. Over the course of the next several weeks and months, you'll get an insider's peek at what it's like for filmmakers to craft a new entry of paranormal pop culture from Erin Lilley, a producer and actress on the film.

Ouija Worries

I am officially obsessed with Haunted Homes on the Travel Channel. I DVR the episodes, then watch them while I work on movie stuff (props, costumes, duct-taping Thomas to make dummies, etc.). Ever since my first ghostly encounter, I've been a sucker for haunted houses. Heck, I've lived in two. Unfortunately, I think that interest is coming back to bite me.

For those of you unfamiliar with the show, it's a British reality series where a psychic, paranormal investigator and skeptic walk into a bar (I'm sorry, I couldn't help it.  They only did that once). Actually, they investigate a supposedly haunted home and help the family cope with the findings. It's hit or miss as to if they actually catch anything on film, but interesting either way.

Anyway, this one episode, the team investigated a house where a spirit was invited in through a Ouija board.  The team basically told the family that was probably not the smartest thing they could have done, and after a very long and arduous battle, rid the house of the spirit.

I had just put the finishing touches on our Ouija board prop. I mean just.

It doesn't have a planchett, but it's a real board. I only made it because we couldn't find a store-bought board with the right look. The board is currently residing, along with a lot of other occult-ish props, in a steamer trunk in my guest room. The trunk will be our lead character - Rue's - arsenal against evil. Basically, the board's just for show and will never be used, but it still makes me nervous. We've had, let's call them "friends," in our apartment before (and no, they weren't really friendly, unless that shadow that chased me around my bedroom just wanted a hug).

So, moving on, we have finished up the rehearsal process (save for some fight choreography), and have one more make-up workshop scheduled to fit prosthetic appliances. Building materials have been dropped off at the interior set location, and the finishing touches are being put on costumes and props. FYI, spray insulation foam is possibly the greatest invention ever. It can be used to simulate stone, can fill up anything that needs to stay inflated, work as make-shift florist foam, and as an added bonus, the residue makes your hands stick to the wall like Spider-Man.

Things are moving along. It's still stressful, but I'm starting to be able to sleep at night. Of course, I have a rosary and a spray bottle of Holy Water on the nightstand. You know, just in case.