Haunted Attractions Podcast

Coming up, we’re on-location at the WCHC. After two years away, the West Coast Halloween Convention returned May 13th - 15th, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. From home haunters to pros, attendees enjoyed the Halloween Marketplace, three days of education, haunt tour at The FearPDX, Halfway to Halloween Costume Ball, charity auction, and the Nightmare After WCHC movie night. But what makes this event unique is that it’s a 501(c)3 organization that gives grants to professionals who work with children with hearing impairments and/or autism. Today, we’ll hear from Roman Marino, Roger Hayes, and Jeremiah from the Calvarium. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/wchc-2022

The Midwest Haunters Convention has announced their list of exhibitors featuring Haunted House Chicago Row 2022, a collaboration with HauntedHouseChicago.com to showcase some of Chicago's top haunts; Sign Up Form now available for Midwest Haunters Convention Stage Entertainment; Tickets are now on sale for SeaWorld San Diego's Howl-O-Scream; The Chamber of Haunters will host a Facebook Live interview with Zagone Studios on Thursday, May 19th; Haunter's Toolbox Haunt Master Class presents "Haunt Insurance: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" on Tuesday, May 17th at 5:30 p.m. PDT; Three suspects have been arrested in connection to a break-in at ScreamDreams Haunted Attraction; Escape the Asylum - from the creators of Eloise Asylum - is now open; The Ohio State Reformatory, home of Blood Prison haunted attraction, will be featured in upcoming Shawshank Redemption bus tours; SugarMynt Gallery's "Spooky Kids Club" exhibition special events for May 20th -22nd; Scare USA hosted a successful Slasher Weekend. Read the st

This week Scott and Philip argue quite a bit over the Six Flags Q1 Earnings and Meow Wolf’s 2 new locations. Plus, are teens convinced about the Metaverse? Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-make-your-position-known

Coming up, we’re discussing how affordable ways you can do media outreach for your haunt. You don’t need a large budget, but you need a focus on building allies. It may seem early, but now is the time to lay the groundwork for our season. This episode features John Singh from J2 Communications. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/affordable-haunt-media

Coming up, we’re visiting the Spooky Kids Club exhibit at SugarMynt Gallery. Open now through June 19th, this exhibit focuses on the Halloween-loving child in all of us. We’ll hear from the co-creators, 2 of the artists, some guests, and even get a guided tour and hear about some of the easter eggs. Featured in this episode: Jeff Depaoli, SaraRose Orlandini, Jimi Martinez, Victor Acuña, The Creepy Cool Kid, and Ted Dougherty. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/spooky-kids-club

The West Coast Halloween Convention returns this weekend, May 13th - 15th, in Portland, Oregon; ScareCON comes to Thorpe Park May 9th - 11th; The Haunted Attraction Association will host their next virtual Monthly Mixer on May 23rd at 8:00 p.m. EDT; The Midwest Haunters Convention announces their complete seminar lineup; The Scare Factor is now accepting haunted attraction review requests; Nethercraft Founder Tom Baksik passes away at the age of 51. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-may-09

Attractions are doing everything they can to mitigate the upcoming rush. This week: The new queueless experience from Disney, SeaWorld and Cedar Fair are seeing financial recovery (despite still losing millions), Universal staffs up, and performer safety.

Scare USA in Two Rivers Wisconsin is opening this weekend, May 13th and 14th, for Slasher weekend – an experience where guests use flashlights to follow arrows and find PRIZES! We’ll hear all about it. Today, we’re talking with John Schwarz. He’s the owner of Scare USA. Notes: https://www.haunt.news/scare-usa-slasher-weekend-2022

In the wake of recent violence against live performers, Scott discusses the importance of performer safety. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/haunt-performer-safety

The Scare Factor is a nationwide haunted house review website and directory. Today, we’ll learn about an opportunity for free and paid advertising for your haunt on The Scare Factor. And if you don’t have a haunt, you’ll learn where to find the best ones. This interview features Tyler and Nora, who reported for us at this year’s Transworld. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/the-scare-factor-haunt-directory

VFX offers a full line of interactive and wearable puppets to help you promote, entertain, and scare your haunt’s guests. Today, we’ll hear from Patrick Voss about the company history and their 2022 products. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/vfx-puppets-haunt-2022

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return to The Magic Kingdom select nights August 12th - October 31st; The Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party will return to Disney California Adventure this Fall; The Disney Cruise Line will debut all-new Halloween experiences with "Halloween on the High Seas"; Nightmare on Chicago Street is back from the dead as the Elgin Council reverses their previous decision to cancel the event; Netflix & Fever present a new immersive Stranger Things Experience in Brooklyn, New York; Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group Presents "The Boogeyman" Sundays & Mondays May 15th - 30th; SugarMynt Gallery's newest exhibition, "Spooky Kids Club" opens May 7th. Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-may-02

It’s Halfway to Halloween and we’re breaking down what you can learn from how other attractions are celebrating! Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-halfway-to-halloween

It’s officially Halfway to Halloween and we’re celebrating with a trip to year 2 of the Spooky Swap Meet at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles. This episode features: Claire Dunlap and Sarah Cooke from Spooky Swap Meet, Greg and Tim from Bones Gulch Haunted Attraction, Rix from Fear Farm, Monte Revolta from Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Adam Dollins from AdamJessFX, Art’s Sideshow, Samhain Cemetery, Desirae from Rags to Witches, and Tiffany Dawn Silver. Links to everyone mentioned are in the show notes: https://www.haunt.news/spooky-swap-meet-2022

We’ve all seen them, and maybe you’re thinking of adding one to your haunt. Today we’ll learn all about them from GEP productions (including pricing), so you can decide if it works for you.

Rust, mold, slag, water damage, ooze – Brutal Rust provides faux finishes for your haunt. Established by haunters in 2011, Brutal Rust has grown its customer base and catalog tremendously over the years. Today, we’ll learn more their best sellers and new product lines. This interview was conducted by Maximus Bryant at Transworld and features Shayne Torrans. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/brutal-rust-2022

Do you have your haunt insurance for this season? Today, we’ll hear from some vendors offering coverage for your haunt. if you have specific questions about haunt insurance – let me know (philip@hauntedattractionnetwork.com)! Featured in this episode is Leavitt Insurance and Donat Insurance. A third option is Granite Insurance, and we interviewed them back on our Feb 19th show. Links to everything in the show notes: https://www.haunt.news/haunt-insurance-2022

Founder of Fright Night Studios, Michael Burnett, got his start in movies. And his angle is bringing movie-quality pieces to your haunt. Today, we’ll learn about his studio and their ability to customize props. Brian Foreman from HaunTopic Radio conducted this interview and he’s interviewing Michael Burnett from Fright Night Studios on the Transworld show floor. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/fright-night-studios-2022

Celebrate Halfway to Halloween this weekend at the Spooky Swap Meet; The Texas Haunters Convention & Los Bastardos present an interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show; RWS Entertainment Group acquires The Experience Department; A Hollywood Wax Museum Haunted House scareactor shot after scaring attendee; 10/31 Consortium announces their Halloween parade will go beadless; Ashles' Tales of Terror plans pop-up Club Carnage immersive experience; Blackout night at NecroManor Haunted House; Graveyard productions plans new Middlefield, CT haunt, "The Haunting at the Ridge” Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-april-25

Scott discusses how he has handled quotes and contracts for goods and services within the Haunt industry. NOTE: Scott is not a lawyer nor is he an expert in contract law. This episode is designed to share thoughts on what can or should be in a quote or a contract. " Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/asitd-haunt-quotes-contracts