In this episode, we remember our friend and fellow Haunter, Jan Knuth.

Join the guys behind Midnight Syndicate, Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka!  We ask them questions like: How to create your own haunt music? What inspires them to make music? Sound tips and tricks? Plus, we play the first 3 tracks from their NEW album Darkened Corners.

Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo known for creating dark, atmospheric, and gothic-themed instrumental music. Their tunes and ambient sounds are used in themed attractions worldwide.

Since 1997, composers Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka have produced what they call "soundtracks for the imagination," blending orchestral scores with sound effects to evoke a sense of horror, mystery, and fantasy. 

Find their music: https://www.midnightsyndicate.com/

Start or grow your haunted attraction: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/

Get Haunt Badges for your crew: https://scareitbadges.com

Join the Haunter's Toolbox Facebook group to attend events like these: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox/

Scott and Jewel Simonson answer all of your questions about creating killer videos and photos at your haunt, marketing on a budget, retaining your actors, haunt technology, and other questions you have about Haunted Attractions.

"Haunting Media was founded by experienced haunted attraction owners, who, much like you, understand the intricacies and importance of delivering a truly detailed and immersive experience. As we carefully crafted our own haunted attraction, it became apparent that our photos and videos should mirror this attention to detail.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Haunting Media ensures that our content creation services cater to your specific needs. Each member of our team is not only highly experienced in the haunting industry but also exceptionally creative. We understand that no two attractions are alike; therefore, we take great pride in tailoring our offerings to suit your unique vision." -HauntingMedia.com

Start or grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

Alright Haunters...I'm going to make this a quick post and just include a list and description of WHO we recorded during our trip to the Transworld Haunt, Halloween, and Escape Room Show in St.Louis, MO. (haashow.com) This is Part Two. Go here to listen to part one: http://hauntopic.com/transworld-2017

But first, I must thank my team of media partners once again that help record some great guests and brought a new perspective to these interviews!

• Haunted Attractions Network: Phillip Hernandez
• Gantom Lighting and Controls: Quan Gan
• Flatline Radio: Tristin Pierce
• Haunt Collective: Dan Doble
• Haunt Collective: Kyle Krueger
• Haunt Collective: Liz Mistele

• Haunt House Tour: Finding your target market for your themed event.
• Fear Worm Haunt-vertising: Advertise your Haunt on SnapChat and other social platforms.
• Scareview Gradeschool: Great ideas and themes for your Haunted House.
• Gantom: Using Z-tag to add profit to your Haunt Business.
• Ticket Leap: Online ticketing for your haunted attraction or home haunt.
• Allen Hopps/Haunt Dawgs: Scare acting resources and supplies for your haunt actors.
• Madness Haunted House: Going from Home Haunter to Pro Haunter.
• Immortal Masks: Silicone masks and accessories for Haunted House Actors.
• Shadows Haunted House: How to operate a adult themed haunted attraction.
• Fog It Up: Why it's important to use the right FOG in your haunt.
• Poor Man's Props: Building props for your Haunt or Halloween event.
• Gantom: The magic and value of Color Piano Lights.

Chris and Jeff Davis of the Davis Graveyard in Milwaukie, Oregon are directors behind the West Coast Haunters Convention (WCHC) and teachers in front of eager Haunters that are willing to learn. They explain how the WCHC is a unique Haunt/Halloween show that does things a little differently with a more relaxed atmosphere and a kick-ass costume ball. Dan Doble from Haunt Collective asks questions that Phillip Hernandez (Haunted Attractions Network) and I didn't cover.  

• It's for a great cause. The WCHC is a 501(c)3 organization that gives grants to professionals who work with children with hearing impairments and/or autism.
• It's affordable. You can get in for one day starting at $40. If you want the all access pass for the entire weekend plus costume ball ticket, daily buffet, Haunt Tour, and T-shirt for just $176.
• You'll learn a lot! In person seminars hosted by specialists like Leonard Pickel and Jon Cooke from Knotts Berry Farm. Plus experts from all areas of the Halloween and Haunt Industry.
• Free Beer. Go to the Meet-and-Creep on Thursday from 6:30 pm-9 pm to meet up with friends and enjoy beer on the house!
• Stay the weekend on the 13th Floor. Yes...the Doubletree hotel has a 13th Floor. The WCHC reserves the entire 13th floor and has a decoration contest by judging those who wish to participate. There's also a bar just for this floor.

• All about the West Coast Haunter's Convention and the Nightmare Factory
• The main website for the WCHC
• The Nightmare Factory Haunted House

Alright Haunters...I'm going to make this a quick post and just include a list and description of WHO we recorded during our trip to the Transworld Haunt, Halloween, and Escape Room Show in St.Louis, MO. (haashow.com) But first, I must thank my team of media partners that help record some great guests and brought a new perspective to these interviews!

• Haunted Attractions Network: Phillip Hernandez
• Gantom Lighting and Controls: Quan Gan
• Flatline Radio: Tristin Pierce
• Dan Doble
• Kyle Krueger
• Liz Mistele

• Haunt Shirts: Shirts tailored for Haunters
• Gantom: How Z-Tag and Piano Color Wheel can improve your Haunt
• Find-a-Haunt: Get more customers to your Attraction or Event
• Dan's Haunted House: A unique theme can make your Haunt stand out
• Haunt on Williams St: Home Haunting Tips and Tricks
• Crossroads Escape Games: Think outside the box when creating your escape game
• Hammer Brothers Haunted Circus: A different way to shoot zombies
• I Love FX Makeup: Innovations in the Special FX world
• Voice from Hell: Taking care of your acting voice
• Dare to Scare: An interactive app to entertain your customers
• Mad Haunter Haunted House: Matching your Marketing with your Throughput
• VFX Creates: Scare actor controlled props and puppets

• Venom VFX: Innovations with Haunt Lighting and Controls

  Haunt Shirts with Tristin Pierce, Kyle Krueger, and Dan Doble

We are hosting special audio spotlights, recorded video sessions, & LIVE streaming straight from the TransWorld show floor. All in one spot so you don't have to track us down.  

These brief interviews will be shared across these popular Haunt Networks:

-Haunted Attraction Network

-HaunTopic Radio

-Inside the Haunt Industry

-Flatline Radio

-The Haunt Journal  

Book your spot now before space runs out: http://hauntopic.com/interview

This will secure your session & help us streamline our days. Interview sessions will be no longer than 30 minutes. We will also be hovering around Booth 623 all day, but interview spots will be first come first serve. Stop by and say HI anyway!  

-Book your interview now: http://hauntopic.com/interview  

-PreShow LIVE Facebook stream hosted each morning before the show opens.

Go to the Haunters Toolbox Facebook Page at 9:30am CST on Fri, Sat, Sun. to hear our instant updates! http://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox  

-FREE Haunt Journal subscriptions & magazines.  

-Flatline Radio LIVE on Friday 3-4:30pm.  

-Home Haunting Tips by Dr.Terror Eyes on Saturday at 1-3pm.  

-Daily free media opportunities to be seen & heard by Haunters across the globe & in your state.  

Hope to See you there!!

A premier silicone mask company that has been vending at the trade show for many years and believes in the magic that happens on the show floor. Jarred Alcala, the founder and owner, explains some great vending ideas for Haunters and How to survive a Halloween Convention. Plus, he explains the benefits between different types of silicone masks...just in case you want to buy one. Check them out at Shattered FX.  

Bill Bornder, the mastermind of both of these companies, describes his reactions when he stepped on the trade show floor for the first time at the TransWorld Haunt Show. He also dives into the making of his Haunted Attraction Mind Trap and how he plans on spending his time for year two at the show. Find Bill's Haunt Mind Trap Here.

• A larger Escape Room floor area and training classes for Escape Games.
• An airbrush makeup class by Allen Hopps.
• A Voodoo themed buffet and party
• Midnight Syndicate workshops and anniversary.
• Check out and register at HAASHOW.com

If you're wanting to start or improve your own Haunted Attraction Business, Escape Room, Themed Attraction, Halloween Event, Haunted House...then Transworld is the place to get a good grasp on what the Haunt Industry has to offer. Transworld has the most Haunt vendors of any of the Haunted Attraction Trade Shows in the world. Take advantage of the after-parties, community events, and free dinners. You'll gain so much knowledge from talking to other people and just listening. Now's the time to be a learner. Soak it all up. Take notes and LOTS of PICS!  

Special training and meet up with Ed and Gavin on Saturday! We play their music in this podcast.

The Transworld Haunt Show is located inside the America's Center Convention Complex in downtown St.Louis, Missouri. Address: 701 Convention Plaza. For 2017 the dates are March 23th through March 26th. There are plenty of restaurants, grocery store, bars, and hotels (book now) close to the convention center.  

• There is a Schnuck's grocery store 3 blocks from the America's Center. Great place to grab snacks and beverages.
• Try to stay as close to the show as possible. This allows you to come and go with ease. Maybe a short afternoon nap? If you need to travel, use Uber or the transit.
• Hang out in the lobbies and bars with other Haunters. This is a great place to find opportunities and friends. Just remember that classes start early. ;)

Darryl Plunkie, co-host of HaunTopic Radio and Haunted House Scare Actor at Deadmonton House-Canada, knows his way around a Haunted Attraction. Passionate about Horror and Halloween most of his life, he has helped many themed events prepare before the big show by decorating and filling the rooms with a warm body whenever Scare Acting duty calls.

Darryl believes in not just scaring the patron walking through the Haunt but to ENTERTAIN the patron. "People are either paying with their money or their time....sometimes making them laugh can get them off guard just enough and sets them up for the next scare. If you can't scare them, make them at least remember you."

Darryl also throws in Things to Say as a Scare Actor, What to do in an Emergency, and Scare Tactics You Can Try.  

I have been doing this thing called 'Haunting' since I was a teenager but didn't really know it was a thing until around 2004. I started out as a volunteer Scare Actor helping my brother at a local area Haunted House. When that place closed down, we decided to build an outdoor haunt behind my brother's property called Backwoods Terror.

That lasted a few years until circumstances led for us to shut the doors on that haunt venture. I moved on to decorating my garage for trick-or-treaters (called Home Haunting) and practiced my decorating and scaring techniques for a few more years. This all led up to The Dead Factory in Mexico, Missouri. This is where I am Co-owner, manager, decorator, and wear many other hats as a Hauntrepreneur.

I go over Staying Flexible as a Haunt Manager, Where we are spending our budget next year, and a peek behind the doors of my Haunted Attraction- The Dead Factory.  

• Marketing ideas from Tyler Barnett and Phillip Hernandez (Marketing Monday-Haunted Attraction Network)
• A sample soundtrack from inside The Dead Factory Haunted House.
• 3 NEW Haunt Happenings from within the Haunted Attraction Industry

    In this podcast episode, we chat with HAuNTcon Speakers Scott Swenson (Scott Swenson Creative Dev.) and Todd Patton (Fear Connection) about their personal experiences at HAuNTcon conventions in the past and how HAuNTcon is a different show than many other haunt conventions.   Plus, we deep dive into creative ideas around Scare Acting, Haunt Marketing, and Local Competition.  

• Where: In Nashville, Tennessee on January 26th through January 30th, 2017. At the Sheraton Music City Hotel and Conference Center.
• Haunt Tours: Haunted Hell, Nashville Nightmare, Slaughter House, The Haunted Hospital, Raven's Cross Haunted Village, Skeleton's Lair Scream Park, Devil's Dungeon, Clarksville Zombie Hunters.
• Educational Tracks: Actor Training, Haunt Business, Creative, Escape Rooms, and Live Demonstrations
• Other Events: Costume Ball, Garage Sale, Trade Show, Networking

• Why local Haunted Attraction competition is a good thing for your business.
• What benefits can be gained from attending Haunt Conventions and Shows.
• Marketing ideas for your Haunted House or Halloween Event.

• Scott Swenson: Writer/Director/Producer at Scott Swenson Creative Development LLC

• Todd Patton: Director/Designer/Manager at Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern & Fear Connection

  If you can't make it to HAuNTcon, search your area for local gatherings and meet-ups. There may be a local Haunter Group in your area. There may also be another Haunt Convention near by. Just get out of your Haunt, go take some educational classes to improve your Haunted Attraction, and meet other like-minded individuals like yourself. We're sure you'll find something great. We always have a great time at each convention we attend.  

Man!! What a crazy Haunt Season! How was your October?? I had planned to release more podcast episodes in September and October but the Dead Factory grabbed a hold of me and didn't let go. What started as a few small additions to our Haunt grew into over another 1,000 square feet of spiders and cemetery. We built more wall panels, added an effective spider area, and turned our small cemetery scene into a small indoor corn maze.

Now the Dead Factory is over 7,000 square feet! What originally started out as an idea quickly grew into a huge addition to our 20 minute walk-through. But we will have more episodes on that coming soon. As well as stories and highlights from our co-host Darryl Plunkie's adventures up there in Canada. Stay tuned for those podcast episodes coming soon.  

  Audio Episodes focused on starting and growing your Haunt:  Whether you're a Pro Level Attraction searching for new ideas to take your Haunt to the next level or a Home Haunt that would love to be a bigger Haunted Attraction one day; you'll find some nuggets of wisdom inside our podcasts.  

A NEW website focused on Starting and Growing a Haunted Attraction:  I started HauntersToolbox.com last year and realized building this vision in my head was going to take a lot longer than I thought. This vision will be complete in 2017! This website will include a free membership for you if you want access to our Haunt Video Library and include a free Haunter Dashboard. This website will also have a paid membership feature that will grant you instant access to all of our Haunt Video Training Seminars, Live Training Seminars, and discounts on Haunt supplies and events. (Coming Soon)  

An update to our email newsletter:  Well...it's a bit more than just a newsletter. Once you sign up for our free newsletter, you get some of our favorite articles and podcasts that we have hand selected for you. You also get all of the new podcast episodes we release. We will also be adding newer articles, more helpful resources, and revamping most of our material. We are trying to add the most value to you- the Haunter that wants to instant results and guidance along the way. Email me at any time by replying to any of these emails. I will respond. You can subscribe for free here.   We are looking forward to helping you be the best Haunter that you can be. And we thank you for sticking with us through the years and being a loyal listener to over 100 podcast episodes! You rock!!  

  We all want our customers and attendees to experience an immersive environment when they walk through the mazes and rooms in our attractions and haunted houses but getting the atmospheres from blending together is a skill. We either use one soundtrack through the entire haunt and use smaller noises within each room or we try to create unique sounds for each area without blending the noises.

Ken Webster, from Sinful Audio (a sound design studio for haunts), explains that with a few simple design principles you can improve the sound experience in each of your rooms. And not spend much money doing it.

• Position your speakers up high and pointed down toward the center of your area. This helps shoot the noise to the center away from your exits.
• Design your haunted attraction with angled walls. 90 degree angle walls are the worst for sound bouncing off of them. If possible, design walls or just one wall at an angle to deflect sound.
• Hang pictures and add furniture. The more soft objects to absorb the sound the better.
• Create sound absorbing panels with a fireproof insulation like Roxul or other sound deadening materials.
• Add solid ceilings where possible. Without blocking sprinkler systems and still staying code compliant.

Listen to this episode where Ken explains ways to help soundproof your haunt.

You can also use audio in your attraction that is such a low frequency that it can be felt and give your customers an eerie experience that they won't forget. This is called "Infrasound": which is sometimes categorized as low-frequency sound or signals that are lower than 20Hz in frequency. This also means that it is below the standard threshold of human hearing which is 20Hz – 20kHz. Read Ken's article on Infrasound here.  

Experiment with different layouts with your rooms and areas. Set up your speakers, add furniture and sound panels, and test. Reposition walls if you need to. Set up your speakers a different way. Add more soundproofing panels. Maybe just turn down the volume while leaving the sound still effective.

We're pretty sure your attendees will still have a great show.

Start, grow, and scale your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

In this episode, we discuss many things like Scare Actors, Safety, Timed Ticketing, Wall panels, Haunt Construction, Tent Haunts, Outdoor Trails, International Haunts, and more!

Leonard Pickel has over 50 years of themed attraction design and operations experience in year-round and seasonal installations, museums, and dark rides. Creating more than 300 original and innovative dark-themed attractions for major venues worldwide.

 A few of Leonard's accomplishments:

-1987: created the industry's first turn-key Haunted House "˜kits" and the first adaptation of the "Field Theory" for Haunted Attractions (The Triangular Grid System)

-1993 to 2000: Applied his October seasonal experience toward a summer seasonal haunted house with Mayhem Manor® in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

-1994 to 2009: Co-founded Haunted Attraction Magazine, the premier publication for the dark amusement industry.

-1997: Formed the Haunted Industry's first trade association, the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA).

-2004 to 2017: Launched the first national convention devoted solely to the Haunted Attraction Industry. The Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention (HAuNTcon®)

-2009: Awarded a lifetime achievement award from the International Association of Haunted Attractions and was honored with a question using his name in the Millennium Edition of Trivial Pursuit.

-2009: Appeared as an industry expert in several television programs including the Travel Channel special about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and America's Best Haunted Houses.

-1976 to present: Constantly searching for new challenges and striving for new heights in his Haunting career, Leonard has 40-plus years of experience designing all types of commercial Attractions.

Contact Leonard Pickel at Hauntrepreneurs.com

We made it to EPISODE 100! Thanks for being a loyal listener! In this podcast episode, we discuss our four years as podcasts hosts, what we have learned, and how you can use our past episodes as an extensive learning library.

We interview Philip Hernandez from the Haunted Attractions Network & Haunt Journal about how his free monthly digital Haunted Attraction magazine provides value to Haunters from beginners to experts. Including new phone apps, a new website, more podcasts, and the purchase of Haunt Nation Magazine. In Issue #5, Philip includes the article he wrote about my Haunted House the Dead Factory and what went wrong and what went right in my 2015 haunt season. A must read! Philip is lifting up the haunted attraction industry through all types of media..and it's all FREE. Learn more at HauntJournal.com

We also interview Jennifer Braverman from the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show on whats new at the trade show in 2016. More vendors, a larger haunt trade show floor, escape room training, and a few more rooms opened up if you need one! Transworld is the industry's largest trade show for Halloween & Haunted Attractions. Learn more at HAAShow.com We play some more tunes from The Night Keep and include Scene 3 of his dark story of Heretica. Daniel's cryptic tunes will definitely get you in the mood to scare. Learn more at NightKeep.bandcamp.com

Thank you for hanging out with us for 100 episodes and we look forward to the next 100!

Subscribe on iTunes here.

Get our email updates here.

We just got back from HAuNTcon 2016, the Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow & Convention, and grabbed some great audio interviews from the show. We also discuss the highlights that we felt were the best parts of the convention for us. Plus, some new updates from the people and events surrounding the trade show.

Tips and tricks to take your scare acting to a whole new level

Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

Get Merit Badges and Name badges for your crew at ScareItBadges.com

2024 is over! What's in store for 2025??

We discuss many subjects in this episode. Topics like:

• Should you sell alcohol at your haunt?
• How to get free marketing
• Campfire rentals and selling S'Mores
• Concessions and merchandise sales
• Corn Maze Haunts
• Transworld Show preparations
• and a crap ton more Haunt Talk!

Don't be a scrooge...turn up that volume and share us with your entire crew! But don't wake the ghosts...

It stinks that we don't get to travel during October to visit haunted attractions because most of us are busy with our haunt businesses and projects. 

Nick and Beverly Pappas have traveled thousands of miles yearly as Haunt customers and have seen things we haven't. Listen to their stories and get a peek at how Haunts are changing. 

What are the trends coming for the industry? How do Haunts compare between now and then? Are you doing everything at your attraction to maximize your guest experience?

Become a Haunter's Toolbox member at HauntersToolbox.com

HauntPay created the annual Haunt Industry Survey because they needed reliable, recent data about the haunt industry. This is the
fourth annual report and haunters revealed some surprising insights for the coming season!

Marketing efforts got more sophisticated and more robust this year, with haunters using digital and offline platforms to promote their attractions. Crowd sizes are growing modestly, but haunts remain an affordable activity compared with rising costs for other
entertainment. And Haunters are using new strategies to manage the crowds on busy nights.

In this podcast, you'll find insights like: how small or large is the average haunted attraction these days? How much are they
charging for admission? Which social media apps are most popular? What are the biggest challenges haunt owners face?

Thank you to all of you who responded to the 2024 survey! We quite literally couldn't do this without your help.

Visit HauntPay.com for all of your ticketing needs.
Visit HauntersToolbox.com for help starting & growing your haunt.