HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters – Details, episodes & analysis

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

The Haunt world lost a good one. R.I.P. Jan Skaggs Knuth She was always a kind soul, loved Haunting, was an admin for this group, & even thought about me enough to include my opinion in her book "Not Afraid to Slay: Women of the Haunt Industry".   You will be missed…   Here is part of her obituary: "A memorial service for Janet L. Knuth will be held on November 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Darren Theesen officiating.   Janet Leigh "Jan" (Skaggs) Knuth, 60 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Jan was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, on January 14, 1965, the second of three children, born to Wes and Monica (Valentine) Skaggs. She received her education from Holdrege Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1983. She pursued higher education and received a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas.   Following her education for over 20 years, Jan worked as a Physical Therapy Assistant, starting in Holdrege at Holdrege Physical Therapy, and continued working across the state for Tabitha Home Health. Jan had a love for Halloween and scaring others since she was a little girl. She started a yard haunt at their residence, after a few years, it had grown so much that she bought a house to expand her vision and started Gray House Haunts. Jan also authored her own haunt book, Not Afraid to Slay, Women Of The Haunt Industry.   On November 12, 2005, Jan was united in marriage to Steven Knuth at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege. The couple made their home in Holdrege.   Jan enjoyed spending time at Johnson Lake and nurturing a beautiful garden. Her passion for animal welfare across the state, particularly for dogs, was inspiring. She was committed to providing a loving home to the most vulnerable dogs from shelters, and she was an asset on the board for the Holdrege Animal Rescue.   Jan's love and devotion to her family and friends were equally unwavering, and she consistently demonstrated kindness and generosity to those around her. Her laughter was infectious, and her kind-heartedness and loyalty were truly remarkable. Jan had no tolerance for injustice, and she was always a voice for the voiceless."

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

Did you miss the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show this year? Don't worry. We were there and recorded a bunch of audio with Haunt Owners, Scare Actors, Vendors, and Haunt Marketers...and we unearthed some amazing value for you! And this is just Part TWO. Stay tuned for Part THREE as well.      SUBSCRIBE HERE so you don't miss the next one.

   

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!

Thanks Media partners and other interviewers!

• 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

 

WHO and WHAT is inside this podcast??

• 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.

 

A peek at Scare Factory Props in the Dark Zone:

 

  Interested in Starting or Growing your Haunted Attraction? Start learning with our Online Training Videos instantly. Click Here to view our training library.

   

Miss TransWorld? Listen to this podcast episode to hear the latest innovations within the Haunt Industry.

 

The West Coast Haunter's Convention is a Charity Haunt Show with vendors and education located in Portland, Oregon focused around Haunters of all types. Home Haunts, Halloween Fans, Haunted Attractions, Special FX Artists, Scare Actors, and anyone with a spooky side. Ask about the NERF WARS and staying the weekend on the 13TH FLOOR!

 

 

Who is on this podcast?

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.  

5 Reasons to go to the West Coast Haunters Convention.

• 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.

 

More links and information about the West Coast Haunters Convention:

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

 

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Did you miss the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show this year? Don't worry. We were there and recorded a bunch of audio with Haunt Owners, Scare Actors, Vendors, and Haunt Marketers...and we unearthed some amazing value for you! And this is just Part One. Stay tuned for the next one. SUBSCRIBE HERE so you don't miss the next one.

   

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!

Thanks Media partners and other interviewers!

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

 

WHO and WHAT is inside this podcast??

• 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

 

A peek at Scare Factory Props in the Dark Zone:

 

  Interested in Starting or Growing your Haunted Attraction? Start learning with our Online Training Videos right now. Click Here to view our training library.

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

*Special Announcement for Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show 2017*

 

Would your Haunt Business or Haunted Attraction like to be heard & seen by 1,000s of Haunters from all over the world?

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!  

  Daily Events at Booth 623 (Gantom Lights/Media):

-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!!

 

The Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show is the world's largest trade show focused on Haunted Attractions and Escape Rooms. Place your orders for new Haunt Products, search out the new innovations for the industry, and meet up with like-minded people like you. Innovation within the Haunted Attraction Industry starts here!

 

Who is on this podcast talking about the Transworld Haunt Show?

 

Shattered FX

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.  

Mindtrap Creations/Mindtrap HauntedAttraction

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.

 

What is NEW at Transworld for 2017?

• 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

 

 

Why do you need to go?

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.

When and Where is the Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show?

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.  

Tips for making your TransWorld experience easier:

• 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. ;)

 

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In this one hour audio podcast episode, you will learn haunted house scare acting ideas from Darryl Plunkie (my co-host and scare actor at Dedmonton House) and pick up a few tips from (me) Brian Foreman on Managing the Dead Factory Haunted House in Mexico, Missouri.

 

 

Scare Acting Stories and Ideas from Deadmonton House

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.  

  Managing the Dead Factory Haunted House

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.  

  Bonus Material in this podcast

• 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

 

Start getting Tips to be a Better Haunter & our podcasts in your email. It's free!

 

HAuNTcon is a traveling Haunted House Convention that chooses a new city each year so that you have  a chance to attend and so that new Haunted Attractions can be explored. With it's Haunt Tours, Educational Tracks, and Networking possibilities; HAuNTcon is a valuable resource for any level of Haunter.

    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.  

HAuNTcon 2017: Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow & Convention (website)

• 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

   

 

Haunted Attraction Tips Inside this Podcast:

• 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.

 

More about our guests:

• 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.  

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