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Author: Brian Foreman

Inside the West Coast Haunter’s Convention with Jeff and Chris Davis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:24 — 37.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple

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!

 

west coast haunters convention 2017

 

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 for 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, a kick-ass costume ball, and many other events that encourage meeting other Haunters.

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:

 

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Interviews from the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show (Part 1)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:24:12 — 132.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple

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.

 

Transworld halloween attractions show-haashow.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)

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.

 

Live from Transworlds Halloween & Attractions Show (haashow.com)
Haunt Shirts with Tristin Pierce, Kyle Krueger, and Dan Doble

 

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

Special Transworld Update: How YOU can be on our next podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:28 — 5.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple

*Special Announcement for Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show 2017*

Halloween-Haunt Show

 

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.

 

Transworld HAA Show

 

Hope to See you there!!

TransWorld Haunt Show 2017: Who, What, Why, When, & Where

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:29 — 56.3MB)

Subscribe: Apple

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.

shattered fx silicone mask

 

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.

mindtrap haunted house

 

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!

 

midnight syndicate 20 years
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. 😉

 

Click here to listen to this podcast about the Transworld Halloween Show.

 

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Scare Acting Stories and Managing The Dead Factory Haunted House

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:23:04 — 76.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple

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.

 

(This article appeared first at http://hauntopic.com/dead-factory )

 

Dead Factory Haunted House-Dedmonton House

 

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 Philip 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

 

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