Haunt Weekly

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're kicking off interview month as we sit down with Matt Scott of Von Grimm Productions.Matt is a virtual wizard when it comes to masks and makeup effects for the haunt industry. He places an emphasis on creating high-quality looks that are both fast and affordable, meeting both of the needs that the industry has.In this interview, we talke a great deal about not only Scott's business but also his philosophy when it comes to creating makeup and mask designs. This philosophy focuses heavily on what the actor will be doing, how long they'll be visible and under what conditions.Basically, since money and time are two precious commodities when it comes to haunt makeup, it's important not to waste them on actors and spots that don't need them.But, don't take my word for that. Let Matt explain it to you much better in this interview!Check Out Von Grimm ProductionsWebsite - Facebook - Twitter - Instagram Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitt

This week on Haunt Weekly it's another episode divisible by four and that means it is time to do the news!And it's a busy month for haunted attraction news as we have the first haunt announced for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, an upcoming documentary about haunt life and several stories about haunts needing help to open their doors.So while it may be the deepest part of the off season, there is no off season for haunt news and this episode proves that point nicely!This Week's Episode Includes:Conference RemindersShout Out for Haunt Chat LiveUniversal Announces First Theme for Halloween Horror NightsGorillaz to Use Pop Up Haunts to Promote Latest AlbumSpookers is a Documentary About a New Zealand HauntReal Housewives of Sydney Visit a HauntKings Island Opens Up a Hybrid Haunt/Roller CoasterPlanned Albany Haunted House Faces Community PushbackIowa Haunt Needs Lumber and VolunteersKansas Haunt Launches Fundraiser to Reopen Its DoorsWorld Championship of Room Escapes Held in BudapestAll

The idea for this week's episode comes from one of our listeners and man is it a great one (Thank you Maximus Christian Bryant!). So good, it may well become a miniseries. Basically, as New Orleans residents, we've been to nearly every haunt along the gulf coast. However, due to time and geograpny, there are many, many haunts across the country we've not been able to go to even though we've heard a great deal about.So, we're making a list and checking it, well, just once once. But it's by no means a complete list. It's limited to U.S. haunts and, even then, it's only a fraction of the names that came up. So, take a trip with us as we sit down and go over the haunts we haven't been to but would really love to. (Note: This list is in absolutey no particular order than what came up in conversation. Definitely NOT a top 10 list or anything like that!)This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersRaven's Grin InnTerror Behind the WallsKnotts's Scary Fa

This week on Haunt Weekly we are back with Dwayne Sanburn of the 13th Gate Haunted House in Baton Rogue, Louisiana but this time we're not talking haunts, we're talking room escapes, specifically the 13th Gate Escape.That's right, this week is all about Dwayne's push into room escapes and both the lessons he learned in the process.The 13th Gate was one of the first haunted attractions to open a room escape agame and one of the first in the entire gulf coast region. Known for their intricate detail and complex storylines, the 13th Gate has long set a high bar for room escapes but, as Dwayne explains, it wasn't an easy road.So, if you're a haunter thinking about opening a room escape, this is a must-listen episode. Get a sneak peek at what's in store for you as you embark on your adventure!As we wrap up this episode, we talk about another venture the 13th Gate has become involved in, the Apocalypse World Tour, which brings some off-season revenue to his haunt. Thank you Dwayne

This week on Haunt Weekly, we sit down with a legend in the industry, Dwayne Sanburn of the 13th Gate Haunted House, Necropolis 13, 13th Gate Room Escapes and Midnight Productions.In this episode we sit down with Dwayne and discuss his haunt history including how he got started in the business, how he opened his first haunt and the path to having one fo the haunts that is consistently listed on top ten haunted attraction lists across the country.What we learn is that Dwayne's path to haunt success was not a linear one, it was a journey that involved a lot of hard work, more than a dash of inspiration and suffering through a few setbacks as well.So take a moment and spend the hour with us as we talk with Dwayne about his haunted attraction(s) and set the stage for our conversation next week about his room escape ventures. Hope you enjoy! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

Haunt Weekly is back with another news episode and boy do we have a doozy for you!Most of the news this week is actually really good with some excellent ideas on how to get some year-round business/attention for your attraction and some positive outcomes for really frustrating stories for haunted houses.Plus we get to profile two charities we missed last week (thank you all for the suggestions) and we have much, much more going on.So, sit a spell and join us as we cover the last four weeks of haunted attraction news!This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersCharity Profile: Don't Be a MonsterCharity Profile: Scares That CareSeveral Haunts Were Open for St. Patrick's DayAssault Case Dropped Against Haunted House WorkerAnother Man Pleaded Guilty to Assaulting Haunted Attraction WorkersReign of Terror Haunted House Opens for One Night for CharityDes Moines Haunted Attraction to Help with Renovating Abandoned Paint FactoryThe Haunted Sawmill to Reopen in 2017, Remain a Charity HauntMonte Cri

Charity has always been at the core of haunting. From the first haunted attractions that supported the Jaycees to modern megahaunts, the haunt community has always made giving back a priority.But while there are many great charities that you can support with an attraction, what about charities and charitable events that also support Halloween and haunting? We decided to do a roundup of charities that are Halloween-themed and offer ways that you and your haunt can support them.This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersSpirit of ChildrenTrick or Treat for UNICEF'Ween DreamHalloween Candy Buyback ProgramTeal Pumpkin ProjectOther PossibilitiesClosingAll of this make for one charitable episode of Haunt Weekly and an episde 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 taking a trip down embarassing memory lane.We've never claimed to be perfect here, heck, we never claim to be experts. Just passionate people who have been doing this for a lot longer than sanity should allow.And since we are mere mortals we've made a LOT of mistakes. We could probably fill half a dozen episodes like this one but we wanted to sit down and discuss some of our biggest screw ups, blunders and mistakes.So put on your headset and walk with us as we walk the halls of failures past. It should be fun, if not at least somewhat educational.This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersA Bit of Our HistorySwinging Head Gag of FailureThe Long, Straight Hallway of DoomThe Hairpin Turn of StupidityThe Pressure Pads of UselessnessThe Drop Ceiling of Not ScaringThe Hole in the Wall of SuckAll in all, this is an episode you don't want to miss, especially if you want a laugh at our expense! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @H

Haunts are like families but, sometimes, families have toxic memebrs and you have to deal with them.While this is an unfortuante part of the haunt business, it's a necessary part. Toxic actors can tear apart a haunt and sink even the best haunt seemingly overnight.So what are some of the ways an actor can be Toxic and what ways can you spot them and deal with them? That's exactly the topic of this week's episode.This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersQuick Shout Out to HauntScheduler.comWhy It's Important to Stop Toxic AtorsTypes of Toxic ActorsGeneral Tips for Reducing ToxicityAll in all, this is one episode you don't want to miss (unless you ARE a toxic actor...). Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

It's episode 64 and, since it's another episode divisble by four, it's time to do THE NEWS!It's admittedly knid of a slow month this go around. While we have a slew of haunts who have opened up for for Valentine's Day, the real news this month appears to come from the U.K., where a local haunted attraction really put its foot in its mouth on social media.But it doesn't just end there. We also have one haunt winning a marketing package from their local chamber of commerce and another passing on a location even though their fans are literally begging for it.We have all of that and much more on this episode of Haunt Weekly!Conference RemindersThe London Dungeon Angers on Social MediaNew Zealand Haunt Abandons Plans for Australian AttractionOhio Haunt Wins Marketing PackageMinnesota Haunt Under New OwnershipChristian Serratos Visits Walking Dead Attraction at Universal StudiosThe Bachelor Visits a Haunted House on a Group DateThe Massacre Haunted House in Bowling Green Gets Some Nati

The haunt industry, unfortunately, doesn't always have the best reputation witht he public at large. Though millions of consumers flock to haunts every year, many wonder if the danger is more than fantasy. While the truth is that we are one of the most regulated industries in terms of safety, many haunts have needled at that notion of the danger being more real, adding legends and myths to draw headlines and crowds.But what happens when a film tries it with the haunt industry at large. Pushing forth an image of an industry that's beset by criinals.Well, that happened in a a "found footage" fake documentary named The Houses October Built. In this episode, we take a look at the film, what it says about the haunt industry and how it represents us.This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersThe Houses October Built SynopsisWhat it Says About the Haunt IndustryWhat the Film Got WrongWhy We Should Be Worried About This PerceptionAll in all, if you care about how our industry is viewed

This is officially the cursed episode. We missed our recording date because we were both sick and coughing doesn't sound good on camera. Then, when we went to record on Monday an SD card error ate most of our first take. Then, when we went to edit and salvage the episode, tornadoes happened. Seriously. Tornadoes. New Orleans got hit by tornadoes. We are ok and none of us nor anyone we know directly was hurt, but one friend did have significant damage to their home and was forced to take shelter in the bathtub.Now, after editing, Podbean had problems and couldn't take uploads for a time. So, what is this controversial subject the Gods of health, weather and technology don't want you to hear? It's about your experiences with room escapes. Yeah, doesn't seem that exciting in that context but, nonetheless, here we are.So, on that note, here's what's in this week's episode:Conference Reminders (Partial as they were cut off by the card error)Our Experience at 13th Gate Room E

Every week on this show we open up with a quick rundown of upcoming conferences and conventions. While we, unfortunately, aren't planning to go to any in the near future due to job considerations, we believe that strong conferences help make our industry better.And conferences are something we have a LOT of experiences. Dozens of conferences in several different countries have given us way more experience than any sane person should have at working the conference circuit.So, as conference season kicks up, we decide to put some of that experience out there. Whether you're heading to your frist conference or your 100th, here are a series of tips that can help you make the most of your trips.Also, for those interested, here's a link to my HauntCon Presentation from 2016. This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersWhy This TopicTips for Attending A ConferenceTips for Presenting at a ConferenceCall to Action if You Want Help Putting on a ConferenceAll of that and much more makes this one

Well, it's episode 60 and you know what that means, it's time to do the news!It's January so we are pretty much out of the post-season news and getting news that is looking forward to this year's season. What that means for us is a lot of stories about haunts that are planning on opening or planning on closing if certain things do not change.Beyond that, we also have a lot of news about escape rooms as well as special haunted attraction event to promote Resident Evil 7. And that is just the half of it!This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersDisney Closes Tower of Terror in CaliforniaBartonville, IL Passes Tough Ordinances on HauntsHistoric VA Mill Gets Renovations, Will Open as HauntIN Man Accused of Impersonating Police Offers to Get Haunt JobCapcom Opens London Haunted Attrction to Promote Resident Evil 7Owners of China's "Most Haunted" House Say It's No Longer HauntedGhostbusters Escape Room Opens in D.C.Chris Evans Produces Viral Escape Room VideoDiscu

This week on Haunt Weekly, it's a bit of a different episode. We're catching up with our old friend and actor expert Japes Palles to learn how his season went and get his opinoin on some of the latest big stories in haunting.So, if you've missed Japes (we have) and want to hear what he's thinking about when it comes to haunting, this is your chance as the three of us get caught up on the season that was.In short, it's a great conersation with one of the great experts in the field. This is definitely an episode that you do NOT want to miss.This week's episode includes:Catching Up with Japes Knott's Berry Farm Closes Asylum THemed AttractionHaunt Visitor Hit by SUV"Full Contact" Haunt Accused of Assualting PatronActor Proposal Goes AwryAll in all, this is one jam-packed episode that you do not want to miss! Special Guest: Japes Palles.Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we are all about the shhhhhhhh.Secrecy is a big part of haunting as this is an industry that depends upon the element of surprise. However, how do you maintain that secrecy in our current sharing culture, especially when everyone has high quality cameras and cell phones in their pocket?We take a look at those questions including what you should have on your signs to truly discourage videotaping, why enforcement is important and what the rules are when you take your act on the road.If you want to keep your secrets, well, secret, this is the episode for you!This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersQuick Mention of FrightJobs.comWhy We're Doing This TopicWhy You Want to Protect Your SecretsProtecting Your Secrets At HomeProtecting Your Secrets As You TravelRealizing What You Can't ControlConclusionsAll in all, this is one packed episode that you do not want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: i

This week on Haunt Weekly we are going internationa! Well, the conversation is at least.There's a tendency in the U.S. to thnk that haunted attractions are a decidedly American anomaly. However, a quick bit of research or a few trips abroad shows otherwise. Haunting isn't just prominent elsewhere, it's a big and growing business.So in this episode we take a look at international haunted attractions, talking about haunts we've been to in other countries as well as research about what is going on aboard.All in all, this is an overseas episode and hopefully one that gets you're mind turning!Conference RemindersDubai Gets Its First HauntIndia's "Ghost Houses"Japan's Haunted Attraction TraditionUK's Rapidly Growing Haunt SceneMiscellaneous Other NationsHow International Attractions Are (Typically) DifferentWhat We Can Learn for International HauntsOh, and for those of you who want to see me (Jonathan) getting stranged by Hagrid. Merry late Christmas.  Get in Touch

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!It's that joyous time of year where people are spending time with their families, consuming way too much food and, generally not working.But that doesn't mean we get to take the week off. Not a chance. We're back again with the news as we cover what's happened in haunting over the past four weeks.Some of these stories we've talked about previously but are covering fully and with updates and we also have a slew of other news.And, in honor of the season, we even have several stories about local governments making peace with and even honoring haunt owners. It must be a Christmas miracle.So, grab your egg nog, settle down and get ready for a very special holiday news episode!This week's episode includes:Conference RemindersSeveral Haunts Hold Christmas-Themed EventsMysterious Mansion in Gatlinburg Spared in WildfireNJ Haunt Owner Dies Following FireNetherworld May Be MovingThe San Francisco Dungeon Adds New RideMuseum Cuts Ties with Colorado Springs

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're doing things a bit different.Rather than just talking about the haunted attraction industry, we wanted to do something special in honor of the holiday season. So we (and by we I mean Crystal) did a lot of research into various Christmas demons and other horror fables.So whether you're looking for a way to horror-ify your holiday festivities or seeking a great way to bring some Christmas into your haunt, we have some great horror demons, both well-known and obscure, for you to take a gander at.Happy Holidays and Good Scaring!Conference RemindersA Bit of Background on These DemonsKrampus - The Iconic OneZwarte Pete - The Offensive OneGryla - The Child-Eating GiantFrau Perchta - The DisembowlerHans Trapp - The Real PersonPere Fouttard - Saint Nick's AssistantThe Kallikantzaros - The Malevolent GoblinsAll of that an much more on this, a very special episode of Haunt Weekly! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEm

Handicap accessibility is one of the hot-button issues on pretty much every haunted attraction forum or group. Wheelchair access, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, the list of concerns and even complaints goes on.However, the ADA is the law and most haunts have to comply. Fortunately though, compliance isn't as big of an issue as many make it out to be, even if it may limit some of the scares and elements you can easily put into your haunt.But what about other types of disabilities? How can those with hearing impairment enjoy your haunt? What about the blind? We take a look at those questions and many more in this can't-miss episode of Haunt Weekly!This week's episode includes:Conference REmindersThe Importance of Handicap AcessibilityWheelchair AccessibilityAccessiblity for the Hearing ImpairedAccessibility for the VIsually ImpairedOther Potential IssuesSuggestiosn and Advice for Helping the DisabledAll in all, this is one packed episode that you do not want to miss! Get in Tou