Haunted Attractions Podcast

Transworld's Halloween & Attractions Show takes place this week March 17th - 20th; Visit the Haunted Attractions Network at TransWorld Booth #1903; Promotions & New Product Announcements from CFX, Creature Corps LLC, Froggy's Fog, Gore Galore, Haunt Shirts, Haunters Against Hate, Henry Monster Designs, ProAiir Body, RCFX, Scareit Badges, Strega Moon Productions, and Zombie Skin FX; Rip City FX Rebrands to RCFX; HauntX offers free home haunter photo op exhibit spaces; West Coast Halloween Convention seeks donations for their annual charity auction; Read the full news: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-march-14

Coming up, Hudson Haunted House in Hudson Ohio is opening this weekend March 18 and 19th for St Patrick’s Revenge (https://www.hudsonhauntedhouse.org/). Hudson Haunted House is one offshoot of the Hudson Jaycees, established in 1972. They’re looking to engage the community year-round, and St Patrick’s Revenge is just a first step in that family entertainment plan. This interview features Jeremiah Greathouse. Subscribe: https://www.haunt.news/

RIP City has rebranded to RCFX after seeing demand for their makeup grow in the mainstream market. In this episode, we’ll learn about the rebranding and why all that extra sanitizing might be here to stay in makeup rooms. This episode features Shalee Mudgett. This is our vendor showcase series in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association leading up to this year’s Transworld. Subscribe: https://www.haunt.news/

Today’s show is all about the impact of policies on the attractions industry. From Chapek’s latest debacle to the Russian Oil Ban, Tokyo Disney’s new passes, and the cancellation of IAAPA Expo Asia – it’s a policy week on Green Tagged. Subscribe: https://www.haunt.news/

Today we’re previewing the new products from Gore Galore and learning a tip for engaging your actors (https://gore-galore.com/). Now in their 24th season, Gore Galore is known in the industry for pioneering ‘actormatronics.’ Here’s owner and Creative Director Kevin Alvey to explain what exactly that is. This is our vendor showcase series in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association leading up to this year’s Transworld. Visit Gore Galore in booth 1103. Subscribe: https://www.haunt.news/

Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group Kicks-Off Their 30th Season with BLOOD ALLEY HAUNT – this weekend only – and we went on-location to find out more (http://www.zombiejoes.com/). This weekend - Dare to Wind-Your-Way through a Forgotten Passage...Haunted by the Unspeakable Spirits of Its Diabolical Past! Blood Alley is showing March 11-13, 2022 and is only $10 in advance. Featured in this episode: Norman Gidney from Horrorbuzz, Zombie Joe, Jorge Lozano, Charlotte Cocker, and Joe Filippone. Subscribe: https://www.haunt.news/

Field of Screams is open this Saturday, March 12th, for their 3rd annual St. Paddy’s Day event – and we’ll hear all about it (https://fieldofscreams.com/). The single-day event features uniquely themed building décor, scenes, evil leprechauns, and sinister trolls. If that seems like a lot of work for a one-day event, we’ll get into that as well. This interview features co-owner Jim Schopf. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

This week's news: The Haunted Attraction Association announces their TransWorld events; Tickets now on sale for Midsummer Scream; Exhibit sales begin for West Coast Halloween Convention; Halloween Club Costume Superstore's 9th Annual Spookshow announces date change; Fear Expo announces location and dates for 2023 event; CalHauntS hosts March Zoom meeting and April In-Person Make and Take workshop; Haunt Comp returns for their 3rd annual competition; the next Fear Expo Haunt Master Class takes place Thursday at 5:00 p.m. PST; Hershy Park in the Dark teases "all-new frightening experiences"; Dark Castle discusses creating unique off-season immersive events; Garner Holt Productions inspires the next generation of potential attraction industry members with hands-on workshops; Granite Insurance is hiring two Business Insurance Account Managers; Sir Henry's Haunted Trail selected as location for new indie film; Disney's new Haunted Mansion film to be released March 10th, 2023. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/haunteda

Rotten Apple 907 in Burbank CA celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2021 with the theme ‘Evil in the London Fog’ (https://www.rottenapple907.com/). They welcomed over 4000 guests for a 6-night run that raised over $6000 to Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter. The home haunt is a local legend and known for their attention to detail and outstanding sets. I visited during Haunter’s Night, which happened in November after the haunt had officially closed to the public. I grabbed Diane Meyer to ask her how it felt to be back with a full walkthrough after having only a display for 2020. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

From free seminars to the auction, CHAOS, and the annual OSCARES awards – the Haunted Attraction Association has a ton of events planned for Transworld. Several events are free and available for both members and nonmembers to participate. Today, association president Spencer Terry previews each event for you. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

This week we discuss the latest SeaWorld earnings, takeaways from the PLASA survey on live events, and why two cedar fair parks are discontinuing scary Halloween events.

Cynthia MacDonald from Zombie Farms in Athens, Georgia shares her experience from start to finish on how she started their outdoor trail and how you can start one too. To get access to this entire Master Class, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com Some tips in this podcast: The pros and cons of outdoor haunts How actor management is different in the woods Where to find cheap & free materials to build ohh...and sooo much more....

With 19 seasons under their belt, Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach Florida is preparing for their 20th year this coming Halloween season. Today, we'll hear about their 2021 season and what they have planned for their 20th year. I recorded this interview on the closing night of the 2021 season and we've been holding onto it for a little bit. With Transworld looming next month, I figured it's the perfect time to release it. Follow Fright Nights (http://www.myfrightnights.com/). Subscribe to our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

How do you manage your haunt’s team? Recently we’ve discussed team empowerment and incentive programs for your haunt, but nothing about management software. So today, Sarah and Matthew, co-owners of Haunt Scheduler, will walk us through specific examples of using software for your haunt’s personnel management. While there’s other scheduling software out there, this is the only product designed by and for haunters. Matt began developing Haunt Scheduler in 2009 while working at a haunt, and it premiered in 2014 at Transworld. It started off as a simple text messaging system, but has grown to touch every aspect of personnel. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls; See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

If your customers have the same masks as your actors, does that change anything? CFX masks (https://www.compositeeffects.com/) started 17 years ago in haunted houses but have since expanded into other markets. And with that perspective, they’re noticing a few things. More people are aware of silicon masks now because of social media and, due to the expansion in eCommerce, they have access to the same materials as haunts. In fact, CFX is extending their annual Transworld sale this year online to give everyone access. Overall, that’s lowering the barriers for people to create characters. And they certainly are. But what does that mean for haunts? We’ll find out. This interview features Tabitha and Josh from CFX masks. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls; See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Here is a summary of this week's news: California's Great America & ValleyFair are transitioning away from scary for Halloween into family-friendly events; Halloween Club's 9th Annual Spook Show returns to La Mirada, CA September 24th; ScareCon will take place May 9th - 11th at Thorpe Park Resort; Tickets are still available for TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show's City Museum Party and The Vampire Circus events; The next TransWorld Live takes place March 4th at 8:00 p.m. CST and features Distortions Unlimited, Midnight Mayhem, and Acme Solutions Group; This Thursday's 5:00 p.m. PST Fear Expo Haunt Master Class is a Vendor Spotlight with Emily Bloom of Bloom FX; Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group kicks off their 30th season March 11th - 13th with Blood Alley Haunt; Scream Dreams Haunted Attraction comes to Thomasville, NC for the 2022 Halloween season; Fear on the Farm hosted a successful Zombie Prom event; The creators of Hush Haunted Attraction are set to open "The Legendary Axe" axe throwing bar

Coming up, why should you consider opening for an off-season event? Christmas, Valentine's Day, and even Halfway to Halloween – more and more haunts are opening outside of the traditional Halloween Season. We’ve heard plenty of examples here on the show. Today, Scott Swenson will walk us through his list of 4 reasons: additional revenue, utilizing assets, expanding your audience, and building loyalty. This is a preview of the first part of Scott’s upcoming seminar at Transworld “Turning the Page from Halloween to Christmas” (https://registration.haashow.com/events/show/hs17). Subscribe our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today, we’re discussing ways the industry will change from the Russia Invasion, the Galactic Starcruiser, the Harry Potter Exhibition, Peppa the Pig, and the new Attack on Titan Exhibition. Subscribe our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

From mini-golf props to animatronic characters, and special effects to roller coaster theming Creative Visions (https://creativevisionsonline.com/) has been providing theming to a wide range of clients for nearly 30 years. Coming up, Mark McDonough, President of Creative Visions, joins us to discuss two topics: ordering timelines under the current supply chain issues and the future of smaller entertainment facilities. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls; See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Coming up, will latex cost more this season? Plus - Why creating icon characters might be worth the cost. Today, Joe Glenn owner of Zombie Skin FX (https://zombie-skin.com/) gives his take on trends in latex Makeup. Zombie-Skin is the only cosmetic-grade ammonia-free latex on the market. This is our vendor showcase series in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork