Haunt Weekly

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're talking about everyone's favorit topic: RULES!Wait, wait, wait, before you leave. Hear us out. Rules are vitally important to your haunt but they are also something that none of us really pay much attention to. Heck, we haven't updated our rules in 12 years.However, now is a good time to start thinking about those rules and, maybe, getting some new banners printed. After all, haunt rules protect the haunt, its customers and it actors equally. It's important to have good, clear and concise rules.So let's spend an hour talking about these rules and how we can improve them, it's an hour that, hopefully won't be totally wasted.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersThe Common RulesThe Medical RulesThe Rules We'd Like to SeeThe Controversial RulesAll in all, if you have a rule banner (and you should), this is one episode you do NOT want to miss.  Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube

Sorry for the late podcast this week! We've been travelling and this week's episode is brought to you from a Super 8 motel near St. Louis. If we sound a bit different or seem a bit out of sorts, that's why.But, the show must go on and there is a lot of news to cover this week. We have a major announcement from both Halloween Horror Nights and VooDoo Fest, We also have some new examples of haunted attractions being used as either add ons or as promotions and much more news.So, sit back, relax and let us get you caught up on the industry news.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersHalloween Horror Nights Adds 10th AttractionVooDoo Fest Announces on-Festival Haunt"Murr" From Impractical Jokers Announces Book w/ Haunt PromoParanormal Cirque Uses a Haunt As Part of Its ShowWyandotte Jaycees Put Out Call for VolunteersMontgommery County Cultural Foundation Seeks to Open Competitive HauntIllinois Haunted House VandalizedPhotographer Releases Book of Haunt SceneesWhile it

When it comes to talking about spooky things, Crystal and I got our start reviewing "Garbage Horror" movies, low budget horror movies that were usually the brainchild of one or two people.We've seen hundreds, possibly thousands of these films. Many are unwatchable, most are forgettable, but some are actually very good and very memorable.So what can those GOOD budget horror movies teach us as haunters? That's exactly what this episode is about!This Week's Episode Includes: IntroConference RemindersOur Background with These FilmsPractical EffectsCheap, Effecient SetsCompellling Characters and StoriesCostumesActorsUse of LevityFocus on the UniuqueClosingAll in all, whether you're a fan of haunting or of budget horror, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're lightening things up a bit. After such a downeer last episode, we decided to talk about something everyone loves: Saving money.But here's the deal. Every article, podcast, forum, etc. covers the same tips and tricks. We all know to go dumpster diving, shop at thrift stores and troll through Craigslist. That's the easy stuff.So we wanted to cover some less-common ways we save money, in particular how we takea tiny budget and use it to build our haunt.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersThe More Common Suggestions We Hear10 Tips for Saving Money Designing/Building Your HauntConslusionsAll in all, if you like saving money, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

Last week, Crystal and I had some time off. So we decided to take something of a staycation and explore the French Quarter and do some spooky things. One of which was visit the Bloody Mary Museum and Tour. While the museum shop wass your fairly standard New Orleans French Quarter affair, it was the tour that stuck with us. Rather than being a generic tour of a "haunted" place, it was a detailed tour of the location of a 2006 murder-suicide that has both living survivors and still needles as an entire city wrangling with the aftermath of Katrina.I quickly posted about the tour on Facebook (being vague at first) and it was picked up by a friend of mine that brought it to the attention of The Advocate, a local paper, which published an article on it and quoted me in it. All in all, this is one heavy and personal espisode and not one directly related to the industry. So, if you want to skip it, we understand.Still, for those who are interested in haunted attraction ethics, this one is probably worth a l

This week on Haunt Weekly, it's an episode divisible by four and that means it's time to do the news! And what a busy news week it is! We have some major news about new haunts opening, haunts moving and one haunted attraction that's doing away with its ghostly theme.There's also some news about Disney's Haunted Mansion and a new documentary that focuses on home haunters.All in all, this is one jam-packed episode that you do not want to miss!This Week's Episode Includes: IntroConference RemindersNetherwold Cuts Ribbon on New LocationScout Island in New Orleans' City Park to Become a New HauntHalloween Horror Nights Announces Second AttractionLegoland UK to Open Haunted House RideKnott's Scary Farm Designer Opens "R Rated" Escape RoomKenhorst, PA Getting New Charity HauntAustralian Attraction Dropping Ghostly MarketingConcept Art for Disney's Haunted Mansion AuctionedTeaser Trailer Released for Epic Home Haunts DocumentaryReindeer Manor Hosts Haunt Garage S

It's that time of year where haunt building is in full swing so what happens if you have a prop, room or character that you need to push your haunt over the top but can't come up with the idea? Well you go to the internet!Our industry has gotten very good about swapping and sharing ideas and, if you're scratching your head looking for something to go in your haunt, there's tons of places you can go online to get inspiration.How many? We can't possibly list or even know them all so please share your places on our Facebook or Twitter, but in the meantime, enjoy our list of go-to places to get your haunt inspiration on...This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersGothic HomemakingInstructablesHaunters HaungoutHaunters ToolboxHalloween Props for Sale and DIYDamn Texaqs HauntersUnited HauntersHaunt ChatHallloween Prop BuildersEscape Room EnthusiastsHaunted Attraction IndustryReddit GroupsCosplay GroupsYouTubeClosingAll in all, this is one jam-packed episode filled with insp

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're talking about villains!Every haunt has a villain, the difference is that many haunts take the time to flesh their villains out into marketable characters that add to the scare while others put no real time and attention into them.However, that's pretty insane. Crafting a good villain is free and relatively easy to do. All you have to do is put some time and effort into creating a three-dimensional villain that your audience will connect with. Sound too good to be true? By the end of this podcast you should have a handle on how it's done. This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersThe Importance of a Villain to a StoryChoosing a Villain NameCrafting Your Villain's LookThe 6 Steps to Crafting a Villain's CharacterConclusionsAll in all, whether your haunt has a crafted villain or not, this is an episode you do not want to miss. After all, there's always something you might be able to improve.  Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @Hau

Haunt consolidation has been a big topic in the haunt community lately. With 13th Floor making major moves to acquire haunts all over the country, many are wondering what these purchases and further consolidation mean for the industry.However, consolidation in the industry goes well beyond the purchase of a few dozen large huants. There's other typeps consolidations to consider, especially considering their impact on customers.So, are we becoming too consolidated and is this trend counter to our creative spirit? We explore that and much more in this episode!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersThree Types of ConsolidationAdvantages of ConsolidationDisadvantages of ConsolidationHow Consolidated Are We?What'ss Driving the Consolidation?Should We Be Worried?All in all, if you're interested in the business side of the haunt industry, this is one episode you do not want to miss.  Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: i

This week on Haunt Weekly, it's another episode divisible by four and that means it's time to do the news!It's a surprisingly busy month for haunted attraction news, lots of legal cases going on and some general fallout from Transworld to discuss.On top of that you can watch our (previously recorded) appearance on Haunt Chat Live and we have the usual spate of conference reminders and other information.So, strap yourselves in, this one is a doozy!This Week's Episode Includes: IntroCheck us out on Haunt Chat LiveConference RemindersEven the Press is Talking About the Pennywise PropSecond Trial in Death of Constable Ends in Hung JurySchool District Must Pay Haunted Hoorah $229,000 for the PropertySharing of Haunt Footage Used as Evidence of DescriminationUniversal Studios Announces Stranger Things Attraction for HHNFormer Knott's Scary Farm Head Opens Spooky Bar/Restaurant in CaliforniaQueen Mary Renting Out 'Most Haunted' Room for $499 per NightIndiana Teen Builds Amazing Dra

How did this episode not happen before now? Just... how?My (Jonathan) day job is working in copyright and plagiarism matters. I run the site Plagiarism Today, I run a consulting firm at CopyByte. This is my non-haunt life. So how is it that we are 123 episodes in and we have not done this topic?Regardless, we're writing that wrong this week and going over the basics of copyright and haunting. Specifically, we're going to use the copyright-related slides from my talk Copyright & Trademark for Haunters that I've done at HAuNTcon as well as Halloween and Hauntfest. So, strap yourselves in and see what we have to say on this issue, it's been a long time coming.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersBasics of CopyrightHow Copyright Applies to HauntersAll in all, it's' an episode you definitely do not want to miss, even though we obviously did... Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.co

This week on Haunt Weekly it's a two for one sale as you're getting two guests for the price of one!This week we have Mike Ross, the owner/operator of Sinister Sidney and The Gravedigger Reverend Michael, the host of Sinister Sidney and the host of Haunt Chat Live. It's two very different people who are very much of the same mind.So, in this episode we not only get to talk a great deal with Ross about the challenges of operating a rural trail haunt but we get to talk to the Reverend Michael about his duties there and his work with Haunt Chat Live.Speaking of which, we are going to be on Haunt Chat Live this coming Saturday at 9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central. I hope you're able to show up as we are looking forward to answering both yours and the Reverend's questions.In the meantime, come spend an hour with us as we flip the micorphone on these two and talk to them about their projects and efforts. Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEma

Easter is almost upon us and, as we've been doing what we've been doing for other holidays, we're taking a look at traditions around the world and seeing which may work well in a haunted attraction.That's only understandable as more and more haunts are working to open year-round, either to cash in on various holidiays throught the year or simply to escape the limited six-week season most haunts work under.So, is Easter a good day for haunting? Probably not the best. But that doesn't mean that there aren't a few traditions that aren't worthy of discussion and a few things that haunts can play off of. That, in turn, is just what we discuss in this episode.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHaunt Chat Live Promo (Check it out here)Conference RemindersThis History of Some Common U.S. TraditionsInternational Traditions (Including the Terrifying Butter Lambs)Final Thoughts on Easter and HauntingAll in all, if you're thinking about opening for Easter, this is one episode y

This week on Haunt Weekly, it's an episode divisible by four and that means it's time to do THE NEWS!However, we have to be honest, this is one heavy and sad news episode. There's just a lot of bad news to go around. If haunt closings to community closings were not sad enough, the community has also lost one of its greatest members to cancer.But, bear with us. If you get through the sad news we promise you some uplifiting news at the end. Also, in this episode, we have a major announcement about our upcoming appearance on Haunt Chat Live. So sit down, grab a drink and let's get through this together.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHaunt Chat Live Announcement (Check Out the YouTube Video)Conference RemindersJim "JT Talent of Dream Reapers Passes AwayGarage of Evil is Closing Its DoorsVault of Souls Also ClosingDr. Slaughters Closing After 18 YearsRuss McKamey Back Up and Running"Camp Crystal Lake" Overs Overnight StaysRapid City Haunt Does First Show on Valentine&apos

Benjamin Selecky, along with his partner Alexis Abare, are already staples of the haunt community. As co-owners and co-CEOs of Haunted Farms of America, they've carved out a much-needed niche helping farms launch, operate and grow their haunted attractions. They've become highly sought after experts in agritainment and have assesmbled a broad number of outside experts (including myself) to help farm-based haunted attractions grow.But not content to rest on their laurels, the duo have made a recent expansion, purchasing the popular online store Vampfangs and expanding it. Best known in the haunt community for providing contact lenses and custom fangs, the site also features FX makeup, accessories and apparel. Best of all, if you see something you like, we've got a special coupon code for 50% off. Just use the code "hauntweekly" to get your deal. So, in this episode we sit down with Benjamin to discuss his efforts both with HFA and Vampfangs and what the future holds for their efforts.T

Here at Haunt Weekly we're always looking for ways to improve our podcast. So we finally figured out the best thing we can do is bring on some better podcasteers.And that's exactly whatt we're doing this week as we're joined by Brian Forman and Darryl Plunkie of HaunTopic Radio, Haunters's Toolbox and, most recently, ScareIt Badges.They spend the hour with us as we discuss their history in the business, all of the projects that they run and, most important, the huge abundance of free time that the two have.So strap yourselves in and get ready for the tour de force that is the minds behind HaunTopic Radio and so much more!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroThe History of the Two MenThe Launch of HaunTopic RadioThe Beginnings of Haunter's ToolboxThe Launch of the Professional SiteScareIt Badges and the Kickstarter CampaignConclusionsIn the end, if you love haunted attraction podcasts (which hopefully you do if you're listening to us) this is one episode that you do not wan

Haunt flyers. Every attraction has them. Most of the suck.However, it doesn't have to be this way. Haunted attractions can and should strive to do better here and, by doing better, we mean doing less.So, in this episode we put both of oour degrees to good use as we sit down to discuss the ins and outs of flyer design so you can get working on your next season's flyer and maybe jump on some of the juicy deals that will probably be coming up soon.So, on that note, let's sit down and dive right into the topic of haunt flyers.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersReasons for the TopicSize of the FlyerThickness and ColorDesignTools to Aid DesignWhere to Get Them PrintedWhere to Put Them OutAll in all, if your haunt has a flyer, which it probably does, this is an episode you do not want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly, it's another episode divisible by four so that means it's' time to do the news! It's a bit of a slow news cycle for us. We're in that strange time of year where there's not much post season going on but we're not yet ramping up for the new season. It's a time for conferences and planning, not for making news.But, that didn't stop several haunts from trying. So, without further ado, here's a look at what's going on in the haunted attraction indusutry this month!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersMany Haunts Open for Valentine's DayJoilet Prison to Become a Haunted HousePlano City Council Debates Restrictions on HauntsMark Cuban-Backed Haunt Sued Over InjuriesAmerican Horror Story Murder House Buyers Sue Previous OwnersMeow Wolf in New Mexico Provides Unique ExperienceSupport the Awesome People at Haunters Toolbox!Download Dead Space for Free (TURN VSYNC OFF!)All in all, there's a lot going on in

Haunting isn't just for Halloween anymore. More and more haunts are opening their doors for other holidays in a bid to make some more cash in the off-season.But, if you want to open up out of season, what holidays should you target? There are a LOT of great holidays between New Year's and Christmas but not all of them are suited for haunting. So which one(s) do you do?In this episode we take a look at some of the more common holidays haunts open on, look at the strengths and weaknesses of each and help you decide when you might want to open your doors.This Week's Episode Includes: IntroConference RemindersWhy Holidays Are ImportantMardi GrasValentine's DaySt. Patrick's DayFriday the 13thThanksgiving/Black FridayChristmasHolidays to Avoid (For Now)All in all, if you're considering opening up out of season, this is an episode you do not want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly, we have a very special guest as we sit down with Dr. Margee Kerr: The Sociologist Who Studies Fear. Dr. Kerr has been everywhere. Perhaps best known for her segment on Full Frontal with Samantatha Bee, she's also been in Time, The New York Times, The Washington Post and SyFyWire and so much more. She has so many credentials that it makes you wonder what she's doing here with us.But, spend an hour with us she did and we talked about about her, what she does, who she works with and, most importantly, the basics of fear and what haunted attractions can do to make the most of it.Oh, and of course to plug her excellent book, Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear. To call this a wonderful interview is an understatement. So while I say this every week: This is definitely an episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com