Haunted Attractions Podcast

We dive deep into Disney’s troubles in Florida, then hit takeaways from the dissolution of CNN+ and the latest RWS acquisition. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-parks-politics-purchases

Today Julia from Gantom lighting will give you some suggestions on DMX alternatives and simple uses for DMX. DMX is a is a protocol used to control lights in your haunt. DMX can be used for many more things such as fog machines and triggers, but we’re only focused on the lighting today. You need something that generates a signal, and then that signal travels to the light to tell it what to do. The signal can be pre-programmed or controlled live. So, DMX can be simple and run a few fixtures, or complicated to run a large show; it scales to the need. And that need is why we recommend you decide whether to get into DMX. Do you need them to perform a timed show or just a single effect over and over (like a heartbeat)? Would the guest notice lighting that’s in time with other effect? So you see how DMX is highly dependent on your haunt’s experience. If you want to setup a time to discuss your needs with Gantom’s Designers, they’re offering a free 30-minute demo at www.gantom.com/demo

Halfway to Halloween is just around the corner, and plenty of haunts are opening this year to celebrate. Here in Los Angeles, we have a unique event that involves multiple haunts called the Spooky Swap Meet (https://spookyswapmeet.com/). Today, I’m going to replay our episode from the Spooky Swap Meet last year so you can hear what it was like. Here’s the background: Guests can ‘shop among the spirits for Halloween treasures!’ The backdrop for the event is the Victorian era houses of the heritage square museum. There are plenty of vendors and food, but there’s also trick or treating. Local haunts will each decorate one of the Victorian manors and create mini trick or treat experiences for the guests. Spooky Swap Meet is next weekend April 30th and May 1st. This year the haunts involved are AdamJess FX, Fear Farm, Bones Gulch Haunted Attraction, LA Haunted Hayride, Samhain Cemetery, and Vamp and the Fiends! Get tickets to Spooky Swap Meet here: https://spookyswapmeet.com/

One of the biggest hurdles that Haunters face is preparing your attraction for the fire marshal. This podcast episode will get you ready for your inspector and help make your Haunt safer, for your customers and staff. To hear this full Master Class and get the video, become a member of The Haunter's Toolbox. Join here. Thanks to Guy Buck Burdick from Fear Asylum and Station 5 Productions.

Over the last 19 years, Fright Props has grown from smaller mechanics to distributing most anything you’d need for your haunt. Today, we’ll hear about the new products and cutoff times. Their animatronic division, poison props, also launched 15 new props this year. Tyler from The Scare Factor conducted this interview and he’s interviewing Doug from Fright Props on the Transworld show floor. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/frightprops-2022

Nightmare on Chicago Street cancelled for 2022; Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and Egan Escape Productions present the "Escape IT" experience in Las Vegas; Ghost Bus Hawaii offers year-round Japanese-themed horror; Book Your Hotel for TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show 2023; Celebrate Halfway to Halloween with the Idaho Halloween & Horror Convention's mini event on April 30th; Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-news-april-18

Fearworm is the first and largest full-service marketing agency dedicated to haunted houses; Today, we’ll learn about their firm and get a tip for managing your haunt’s social media. This interview was recorded during Transworld, conducted by Scott Swenson, and features Tyler Barnett. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/fearworm-2022

We’ll review the most important new attractions openings and break down why they’re all continuations of ongoing trends. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-trend-convergence

Wristband Resources is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of identification wristbands and accessories in the world – and for the past 16 years, Bonnie has been building relationships in the haunted house space. This interview was recorded during Transworld, conducted by Max, and features Bonnie Lewis. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/wristband-haunt-2022

We check in with Von Grimm Productions to hear about their 2022 products. The owner has worked in the haunted attraction and special makeup effects industry for over 14 years, in attractions large and small; Von Grimm settled into making masks and started with their signature burlap designs.This interview was recorded during Transworld by Darryl Plunkie and features Matt Scott from Von Grimm Productions. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/von-grimm-2022

Reaper’s Revenge, in Scranton Pennsylvania, started in 2006. A founding member, Travis oversees most of the things that involve the employees. With a staff of 240 every show night, there’s certainly a lot to keep track of. Over the years, Travis has developed a family philosophy to retain team members, and today, we’ll explore some concrete things you can do to retain you haunt team. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/haunt-retention-travis-rhoad-reapers-revenge

Since 2006, minispotlight has been providing LED lighting solutions for haunts. They have the standard stuff sure, but as you’ll hear, their real differentiation is in custom creations like the LED Warp Tunnel and Jacob’s Ladders. This interview was conducted by Scott Swenson during Transworld 2022 and features Bert Zelten; it’s part of our vendor showcase series in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/minispotlight-2022

Midsummer Scream announces the theme and participants for this year's Hall of Shadows - plus 40% off GA tickets; The Ohio Haunters Association welcomes their new Board of Directors; ScareCON announces their shortlisted nominees for their 2022 awards ceremony; The next FearWorm Wormhole virtual event will take place April 22nd and feature Abe Robinson of Blind7Photography; This Thursday's Fear Expo Live will feature Patrick Voss of VFX Creates; Halloween Haunt & Camp Spooky will return to Canada's Wonderland in 2022; Celebrate Halfway-to-Halloween alongside baby kangaroos at Cobb's Adventure Park; Stranger Stays AirBnB rentals are selling their Big Bear Lake properties. Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-april-11

For 19 years, Creepy Collection has been providing its unique style of static props to the industry. Today, Brian is discussing the 2022 line with Creepy Collection owner Jerry Dalessandro. This interview was recorded during Transworld. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/creepy-collection-bodies-2022

This week we explore stories of staffing, acquisition, diversification, and breaking the 4th wall. https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-the-staffing-balance

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Shattered FX debuted several new designs in 2022 including the popular necromancer. Beyond their designs, Shattered FX is also set apart by its lifetime warranty. Max interviewed Jared Alcala during Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2022 from the show floor. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/shatteredfx-2022-necromancer

Making Monsters since 1978 is a Distortions Unlimited, a Halloween manufacturing company and online Halloween store based in Greenly, Colorado. Distortions is prolific in the industry, having, as you’ll hear, their hands in nearly every piece of it. Darryl wedeled some time out of Ed Edmunds during Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions show 2022, primarily to discuss the new Mutant and jack lines. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/distortions-unlimited-2022

Jim Werner is the Operations Manager for both Pennhurst Asylum Haunted Attraction and Eloise Asylum, which debuted just last season. Today, we’ll hear from Jim on: his journey as a haunter, how both attractions create a fantastical experience while also maintaining the local history, and disaster preparedness. This is the 3rd episode in our mini-series introducing the new Haunted Attraction Association Board Members. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/jim-werner-pennhurst-training

Pittsburgh Poster is a large format printer and manufacturer of screen printing, digital and hybrid products. Their parent company Design Dynamics, Inc. is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. They’re known for their retro, vintage, and 3D Designs. Today, we’ll hear about their haunt division and its most popular products for haunters. This is part of our vendor showcase series, in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association; this interview was recorded by Scott Swenson and features Melanie Paul. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/pittsburgh-poster-2022

This week’s Haunt News: Attendee Registration now available for the Midwest Haunters Convention; Attendee Registration now available for Texas Haunters Convention; The HAA adds 5 new Board Members for 2022; Submissions are now open for The Book of Haunters Volume 8; Lake Hickory Haunts announces Halloween season schedule and special events; InPark Magazine features dozens of themed entertainment industry job posts; Scareactors wanted at The American Horrorplex; Home Depot's 2022 Halloween lineup leaked. Read the stories here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-april-05