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Category: Haunter Interviews

Interviews with the people behind Haunted Attractions.

Steve Reeves: The Man Behind Steve’s Haunted Yard

I have never met Steve in person but I feel that I have known him my entire haunting journey. His YouTube channel is one of the first places that I checked out when entering this dark realm of horror and creativity. He has produced over 100 videos and keeps them informative and entertaining! He is the creator of Steve’s Haunted Yard (aka The Forgotten Cemetery) and 3rd place winner at the Home Haunter’s Association for Best Home Haunt in 2010. Whether you want to learn how to build a drop panel or see one of his kids being zapped by an electric chair prop (not real of course), go check out his channel and leave a comment, share it with a fellow haunter, or ask to be his friend. He’s that type of guy! He just got back from a visit with The Bloodshed Brothers but you’ll have to wait until next time to hear about them. That post will be coming soon. So subscribe to my spam-free posts which you’ll receive each time I write something new.

But you’re not here to read about them or me, your here to learn more about Steve Reeves and what makes him tick! So here is my interview with Steve.

What keeps you motivated for doing your Haunt every year?

I’m crazy and geek-ed out for building props. It’s as simple as that. My local haunt group TXFX also keeps me going along with the forums and of course the Garage Of Evil and Hauntcast.

What do you do when you’re not Haunting? Work/hobbies?

I am a full-time Soldier with the Texas Army National Guard. I am the Marketing Manager for the state Recruiting and Retention Command. The job is very demanding but very fun. As for hobbies well Youtube has really taken over as something I really enjoy doing. I have a Youtube channel called Yardhaunter5. I do not do a daily vlog but I would if I had the time. It is really fun and it seems to be growing in the haunt community. There are a few haunters that do a daily vlog. The Bloodshedbrothers and HalloweenHellmouth do a daily and recently Dionicia from Noble Manor has started a vlog. Hauntoween is another haunter that does a vlog at least once a week. If you are looking for prop building ideas Youtube has become a really good source.

How does your family participate in your Halloween obsession?

My wife lets me do it. I’m happy with that much. She could really give me a hard time but she lets me have my fun with my obsession “Thanks honey”. The wife does like to dress up in costume…oh yeah….. My daughters enjoy it and now that my oldest has more friends they helped in the haunt last year. She had about 5 friends as scare actors for 2010. My two little ones ask all the time “Dad, is it Halloween yet?” Just yesterday we went to Michaels to get some sculpting tools and clay and my middle one said “Is this the scary store Dad? Can we go to the scary store?” My kids are awesome!

How much time do you spend preparing/designing/constructing?

I plan all year-long. I put everything in my little haunt book. As I think of ideas I write them down. I don’t build anything until around January but once I get started I can’t stop. Last year was the biggest build year for me so far. This year I will be focused on reworking current props and adding more details. I have pretty much ran out of room for any new big props. Just like most haunters out there I am never done. I am pretty much building something up until opening night.

How many volunteers do you need to run your haunt?

For it to be really good about 10 would be great! But I have never had that many. I had a total of 13 last year but not all on the same night. I need to be more persistent this year on getting volunteers. I had business cards made this year to pass out so I hope that will help.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtrrmFzHsbQ]

What does winning the HHA 3rd place spot mean to you?

You know, I still can’t even believe I won! It is very unbelievable to me. I really owe it to the whole haunt community for sharing all their ideas with me. Everything I make was inspired by another haunter out there. I guess thanks to everyone and it also means there is room to make it better. And I am sure going to have fun trying.

One useful home haunting tip?

Garage sales are the best place to find props. Use your imagination and try to see how you can use something and make it into a prop. And I know you said only one tip but lighting is probably the very most important aspect along with sound.

One detail most people do not know about you?

I love Brussels sprouts with bacon

Words of wisdom for the aspiring home haunter?

Go to make and takes and get involved on the forums and subscribe to Hauntcast LOL! Don’t be afraid to try something new.

Email me YOUR questions to ask Steve and I’ll set up another interview with your questions. [email protected]

Thanks Steve for taking the time to answer a few questions. We’ll set up another interview soon! Congrats on your haunting success!

 

No excuses for not finding Steve:

Website:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/YARDHAUNTER5

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/yardhaunter5

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1227283772

Garage of Evil: http://www.garageofevilnetwork.com/group/deadtexans

       

Jimmy Talkington: The Mind Behind the Design

 

When you hear the name Thorn Web Designs you think: innovation, creativity, and DNA. Let me explain:  DNA is a long-term storage of information and is often compared to a set of blueprints, like a recipe or a code… Jimmy Talkington’s creations are just that! Original and each web design is its unique code or blueprint where valuable and long-term storage is needed! If you’re a Haunt Owner, Horror Junkie, or you just need a kick ass website- this is it! Each one of his realms of darkness is individual and designed around your particular needs. He is quick, knows exactly what you need, and easy to work with. I’m not sure I can squeeze everything I want to say about  Jimmy without writing a novel, but I’ll try.

My first encounter with Jimmy was on FaceBook. I saw his name on Chat and decided to shoot him a message. He responded and we exchanged a few words. Before I knew it, he was sending me a new logo for my website! I didn’t really tell him much about what I wanted and what he sent me was amazing! All in less than 60 minutes!

This is exactly what I had pictured in my head. I tried to make something like this myself a few months ago but failed. I believe he has a sort of sixth sense when it comes to the universal force of imagination. If there is such a force he knows how to tap into it! Just check out some of his other masterpieces.

http://www.wellstownshiphauntedhouse.com

http://www.jerryvayne.com

http://www.forestoffright.org

http://www.nightmarezone.com

http://www.daleacherie.com

Here are some true testimonials from customers:

Probably one of the easiest companies I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Professional, timely and most importantly… DELIVERS! I Definitely will recommend THORN WEB DESIGNS to others!

Jerry Vayne
The Haunt Rocker

Thorn Web Design did a great job with our site! Jimmy was professional, easy to get along with, and took the time to get to know what we were really looking for. He designed our logo and site from several simple ideas we had and it was completed in a few short weeks. It looks awesome and works the way it should, and has received many compliments. Jimmy is very knowledgeable and familiar with the genre and will make your haunted house themed web site come alive. I highly recommend working with Thorn Web Designs!

Jeremy Warner
Nightmare Zone Haunted House

And he creates more than just websites. Flyers, business cards, tickets, or just about anything you want for your business. He was born a natural when it comes to Halloween and Horror related stuff, as he explained in our interview. “As a young child I have always had a spot for horror movies. When I got a little older I started getting into haunted attractions and volunteering in them. I have always been a fan of Halloween and have continued to have a passion for it. Once I realized that the haunt industry was such a huge family and business I knew I had to go further into this to help keep this industry alive. I wanted to help them out by making haunted attractions look good online and in print and by helping them succeed year to year by good marketing. I figured if the haunted attractions are doing good and looking good, then the overall industry would do the same.” This passion for the industry explains what sets him apart from other website developers. I also found out that he is just a normal guy who loves to spend time with his family. He also likes to hunt, fish, play his guitar, and work at his day job at Ball Corporation. He lives in Ohio and admires everyone in the Haunt industry, especially those who are into design and dark art. His main principle as a designer is to keep his customers happy by providing the best product and being there beside them afterwards…every step of the way. This trusted method has earned him recognition with top Haunt vendors, sponsorship on Rotting Flesh Radio, and as a top well-known website developer in the horror industry. 

I believe Jimmy is a man of honesty and dedicated to nuturing the skills he was born with. He has received many compliments from top dogs in the industry and he has definitely earned my respect. And we all know respect in this community goes along way. And I’m not just putting him up on a tombstone because he is a sponsor of Rotting Flesh Radio. I’m usually a good judge of character and all of the voices in my head have told me to trust him…and I always listen to what they have to say.

And if you don’t want to listen to me then take Jimmy’s advice: “If you have a dream of doing something, DO IT, and don’t let anything stop you from getting it.”

 

Simple ways to contact Jimmy and Thorn Web Designs:

[email protected]

www.thornwebdesigns.com

twitter.com/ThornWebDesigns

www.facebook.com/thornwebdesigns

thornwebdesigns.blogspot.com

       

Dr. Phobia’s Madness

In 1991, when Dr.Phobia began to conduct extensive research and unorthodox experiments in his lab, he was known for his intelligence and dedication to the human body. As the years passed by he slowly dissappeared from the social scene and withdrew from typical medical research. Collegues and other medical professionals labeled him an outcast because of his non-typical experiments and techniques.  Every October he reopens his laboratory to the general public to find new volunteers for his latest inventions. Many people have entered his lab, those who have managed to escape have told stories of horror and insanities. These stories have affected many people and they feel compelled to go see his lab and experience the madness for themselves.

Who really is Dr. Phobia? What does he want with so many people? When will his madness end?

 Travel to 7 Fairsite Dr, Mexico,MO to find out for yourself, between the doctor’s research time of 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm on Halloween night only. This is the only time when the doctor’s shock security system is disabled. I believe he might have kidnapped my wife and I need to find her. If you see Mary, tell her to stay there because I’m on my way to save her.

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