Hauntopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters

To join these Master Classes live, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com   Have you ever opened your attraction for Christmas? What's it take to do it successfully? Do you have to change everything?   We learn how with Sir Henry's Haunted Trail, Asylum X Haunted House, and Insanity Haunted House. They've done it. Listen in...   Happy Holidays from us to you!

How did your Haunt Season go?? We had some ups & downs. And some BIG changes are in store for 2023. Some of our Haunt Master members share their experiences and give you a sneak peek behind their businesses.  In this podcast episode you'll learn: How marketing varies greatly depending on where you live How to overcome burnout and choices you can make to help Steps to set a goal for each new haunt season Ways to help reward actors & staff Clarifying your brand to help customers find you and LOTS more! Just click "PLAY" To join us in these monthly sessions, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com  Haunted Attractions mentioned in this episode: Terror Isle Deadmonton Haunted House Grey House Haunts Country Dream Farms Dead Factory Haunted Hallows To get new episodes and listen to our archives since 2012, subscribe to ANY podcast player or visit HaunTopic.com

Our 2022 Halloween Special with Lesley Bannatyne! She knows a lot about Halloween and shares some spooky tales about October traditions, the beginning of Halloween, and the evolution of haunted attractions. Plus, we throw in some tunes to get you in the Halloween mood. About Lesley: Lesley Bannatyne is an American author who writes extensively on Halloween, especially its history, literature, and contemporary celebration.  She also writes short stories, many of which are included in her debut collection Unaccustomed to Grace, released in March, 2022. One of the country's foremost authorities on Halloween, Bannatyne has shared her knowledge on television specials for the History Channel ("The Haunted History of Halloween," "The Real Story of Halloween"), with Time Magazine, Slate, National Geographic, and contributed the Halloween article to World Book Encyclopedia. In 2007, she and several compatriots set the Guinness World Record for Largest Halloween Gathering, a title they held until 2009.

Whether you're a Home Haunter or Haunted Attraction, we all need patrons to show up after the construction is done and the actors are in their spots. But how do we get customers while stretching our budget? Here are 13 different ideas to try this season.

To get access to our Haunt Master Class video library, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com  In this episode, Tyler Barnett from FearWorm discusses ways to increase your attraction's attendance, creative ways to use the space you already have, and things you can do today to improve your marketing.   

To get all of the bonuses that come along with this episode, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com Hiring & Training Actors – From Application to Opening Night You have advertised and recruited, and the actor applications are piling in. Now what? You’re wondering how to audition, hire, sort, train, cast, and schedule all of these applicants so that opening night isn’t a completely disorganized mess? In this seminar, Alyssa Schipani, will take you through a step-by-step process of hiring and preparing your actors with group auditions, actor training workshops, and orientation. She will not only discuss WHAT to do but HOW and WHY, lots of actor exercises included! Whether you are planning to open a haunt, are a small-staffed haunt, or are a large-staffed haunt with 150+ actors, this time-efficient and cost-effective process will have your actors excited, motivated, confident, and fully prepared for the season – making your job a lot less stressful and creating an overall better experience for your ac

Craig Watt, from Terror Isle in Texas City and a 20-year veteran as an insurance agent, explains Haunt Insurance in simple terms and reveals that the coverage you have may not be covering what you think it does.  To get this full episode, instant access to our class library, and monthly live exclusive masterclasses; become a Haunt Master member at HauntersToolbox.com   

One of the biggest hurdles that Haunters face is preparing your attraction for the fire marshal. This podcast episode will get you ready for your inspector and help make your Haunt safer, for your customers and staff.  To hear this full Master Class and get the video, become a member of The Haunter's Toolbox. Join here. Thanks to Guy Buck Burdick from Fear Asylum and Station 5 Productions.

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....

Things you'll find in this Haunt Master Class How to save money and time when designing your attraction. How to be more creative. Prepare your mindset for this next season. What do you really need to focus on? ...and lots more things on Haunt Mindset! To listen and view this entire Master Class, become a Haunt Master member at HauntersToolbox.com Scott Swenson is the Creative Director and Attraction Specialist at Scott Swenson Creative Development, LLC.  

We discuss the Haunt Industry trends of 2021 and what you need to focus on in 2022. Special Guests Philip Hernandez from Haunted Attraction Network and Alex Linebrink from Haunt Pay.  Where to focus your time & money in 2022 How customers are changing for the best and worst What happened to Haunted attractions in 2021 To sit in on these monthly Master Classes LIVE, join us at HauntersToolbox.com

We dive into Halloween with The Crawford School of Terror teaching you lessons in fear, Midnight Syndicate drops some new tracks, and Terror Isle stops in to share his experience as a brand new haunted attraction. 

In this Master Class we get Allen Hopps from Dark Hour Haunted House and Drew Badger from The Big Scary Show to discuss Scare Actor tips and tricks.  Where to find them, how to hire them, ways to train them, and when to let them go.  Get all of our master classes at HauntersToolbox.com

In this BONUS episode we talk to Jan Knuth, the author of Not Afraid To Slay, about her journey writing the book and what she learned in the process.  We also talk about her Haunt, Grayhouse Haunts.  Buy her book here.  Become a member of the HauntersToolbox here.  

Matt Scott breaks down the psychology of fear and how you can create scarier sets and creepier characters inside your Haunted Attraction.  To attend these LIVE Master Classes become a member at HauntersToolbox.com   

Changes are coming to the Haunted Attraction Association. The new president, Spencer Terry, explains the future of the HAA and how BIG changes are coming. Are you a member? This original podcast episode was recorded by https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/  

Part 2 of our Transworld Halloween & Attraction Show interviews. Go support the people heard in this podcast. :)  Graphitti FX: https://graffitifx.com Psychotic Circus of Savannah: https://youtube.com/c/ThePsychoticCircusofSavannah Demski Creations: http://www.demskicreations.com/ ScareIT Badges: https://www.scareitbadges.com/ Swag Smart: https://screamshirt.itemorder.com/sale

Maximus Bryant does all the work on this one! Max gets some of the show vendors, actors, and creators on this podcast from the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show. He chats with: John Moran from Brimstone Haunt Creature Corps Mask-R-Aid Polaris BreachFX Mia Demaree from Grim Trails Fred Hearn from Hell's Dungeon Franken Fab Paul Lerner from Haunter's Against Hate Dead Rabbit Studios Follow Max at the Dent Schoolhouse, The Ohio Haunter's Association, or Fright on Fountain.  Start and grow your Haunted House in our exclusive membership at HauntersToolbox.com

Designing and building your Haunt will be one of the most time-consuming tasks that you'll do. That's why it must be done right or you'll spend valuable time doing things over.  Leaonard Pickel, from Hauntrepreneurs.com, explains why designing it right is important and how to avoid those common mistakes many Haunters do.  To see this full Seminar become a member at HauntersToolbox.com

Steve Koci is having some medical complications currently, so we decided to dust this Master Class off and let you listen to the words of an Animatronic Master! Steve gives great advice on building your own animated props, doing stuff on the cheap, and simple projects you can do yourself. Make sure to check out his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKKBTwYyVYxkpa0_9pqQ13A His book The Ultimate Guide to DIY Animatronics: https://www.addicore.com/The-Ultimate-Guide-To-DIY-Animatronics-p/ad514.htm Get well soon Steve!