One year ago, we showcased Mark H.’s massive Halloween display in Lindenhurst, Illinois, and thought we’d seen it all. Turns out, we’d only scratched the surface. A year later, we’re back to explore what really goes into creating a display with 90 props, 150 lights, and up to six projectors – and to learn why Mark’s electric bill actually drops during Halloween season.
When we first encountered Mark’s display on his Hegemony Productions website, we were blown away by the scale. But talking with him this year revealed something even more impressive: the method behind the madness. “Every year is different,” Mark tells us. “Now that I have a good stable of decor, each year, I add one to three pieces and may retire one or two that the Chicago weather finally beats down.”
For Mark, planning each year’s display starts with AtmosFX. “AtmosFX projections are my core to build around and I’m always watching what you have new coming out and use that as my guide for how I’ll start planning for the seasons,“ he explains. This year, his setup includes the Nightmares and Halloween Hosts decoration collections, both projected onto a large inflatable snow globe to create a crystal ball effect. (Spoiler: He’ll use it again during Christmas.) Elsewhere, you can spot the gabby gourds of the Jack-O’-Lantern Jamboree decorations displayed in Pumpkin Mode, and Night Stalkers Decoration Collection in the window.
We’re particularly fond of the inflatable globe projection – this has been an incredibly popular technique during the Christmas season. For Halloween, Madame Zolta from Halloween Hosts has been a popular choice, and Mark displays that to great effect. But the dark terrors from Nightmares? That’s a new one … that we love.
No surprise: Creating a spectacle like this is no small undertaking. Mark begins around September 1 and works daily until completion, usually finishing by the end of September for a full October 1 “turn on.” The process follows a specific order: AtmosFX projection props first, then the big stuff, smaller props, projectors, power, AV cabling, laptops, FM transmitters, and finally troubleshooting.
“I honestly could not do this anymore without the help from my sons and their friends,” Mark admits. And he means it – the crew manually pounds around 100 fence posts (ranging from 4 to 7 feet) into the ground for Halloween, then pulls and repositions them for Christmas. “I look like Vlad the Impaler for a month until all the posts come down,” he laughs.
Last year brought its own drama when high winds took down a few pieces. “One of my balls went bouncing down the street, we found that in a cornfield and put it back up,” Mark says with a laugh. He now uses snow fence U or T posts with zip ties and bungee cords to keep everything secure.
Despite the physical demands and the month-long setup, Mark keeps returning to it year after year. His approach is refreshingly honest: “There really isn’t a plan or a story I’m trying to tell, I’m really just filling up space,” he says. He moves his constellation of props and AtmosFX talking pumpkins around the yard each year to keep things fresh, with everything else landing where it naturally fits.
And the big question we know everyone is wondering?
“My electric bill drops as we get into the decorating seasons,” Mark answers before we can even ask. “This is due to all lighting being LED and we stop running the AC. People always ask.”
Mark heads straight into the Christmas season right after Halloween. He says the transition is intense, with his sons and their friends helping take down Halloween while simultaneously putting up Christmas. The goal: be fully operational for Christmas by the Thanksgiving holiday. It should be no surprise that his winter decorations look equally amazing, which you can see for yourself on Mark’s Hegemony Productions site.
And no, Mark isn’t in the video production business – Hegemony Productions is just another hobby that he self-learned to help amplify some of his favorite things. But given Mark’s efforts during the Halloween season, it’s clear that he doesn’t do anything half way. And, as the neighbors will likely attest, we’re all better for it!
Have you created your own showstopping display? We’d love to see your setups! With Halloween two days away, make sure to take plenty of photos and videos and send them to us using this simple online submission form. Every submission will earn you points redeemable at the AtmosFX online store. And if you are selected as a future AtmosFAN of the Week, not only will you inspire fellow decorators around the world – you’ll earn a free decoration collection, too. Let’s do it – show us how you bring Halloween to life!
