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Operating an Outdoor Haunted Attraction with Eric Lowther (A Haunter’s Hangout Exclusive)

haunted overload Lee NH

Have you always wondered what it takes to run a successful Outdoor Haunted Attraction? Through the snow, rainy days,competing with larger Haunted Houses, and still make enough progress to open up the next year?

In this episode of HaunTopic Radio, we have permission from The Haunter’s Hangout (Live Hangouts on YouTube) to rebroadcast their entire interview with Eric Lowther from The Haunted Overload! Eric opens up about the troubles he has had over the years keeping his Haunt open. He gives some sound advice you need to know about keeping your Haunted Attraction successful. And Eric lets you in on the new massive wood sculpture he is working on….

Haunted Overload New HampshireThe crew from The Haunter’s Hangout and guest Haunters all get together on Thursday evenings to chat about all things Halloween, Haunted Houses, and Home/Yard Haunts. Most hangouts are 2 hours long. I tried editing it down to less than 2 hours but the humor and information in this audio is priceless! You can watch this video on YouTube by clicking here.

Haunt Links:

Special thanks to the crew at The Haunter’s Hangout for sharing this with us and you. And to Eric Lowther for inspiring us Haunters to Think BIG when it comes to building our next prop. You guys rock!

 

haunted overload new hampshire

 

 

Thanks again to our sponsors for June!

Listen to our podcast to hear the 4 winners who won….

(3) Rust Out Your Props with a kit from Brutal Rust.com

How To Rust Your Props

A 2-Pack Cd from SinfulAudio.com. 1-Sound Effects/1-Creepy Atmosphere Tracks

Haunted Atmosphere

For a chance to win next time you must be a member of The Haunter’s Toolbox.

Subscribe Here (it’s free)!

How To Run A Multi-Seasonal Haunted House with Kim’s Krypt

Kims Krypt-Essex, MarylandDo multi-seasonal Haunted Attractions work? Can you actually open the doors of your Haunted House for Friday the 13th, Independence Day, St.Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas…and get people to show up? Kim Yates from Kim’s Krypt in Essex, Maryland does it. In this interview, you might just pick up a few ideas on how to incorporate your attraction into different holidays and learn something new about operating a successful Scare Attraction.

Kim’s Krypt is a 21 year old unique Haunted Attraction operated by the passionate Kim Yates. If her Haunt doesn’t make your hair stand up… her infectious energy will! Not only is she dedicated to Halloween and Haunting; she plays in a popular band, rents hearses, works a full-time job, collects horror stuff, and keeps Kim’s Krypt running smoothly all year long.

Once a Home Haunter, Kim knows all about the difficult transitions between decorating your house for Halloween and starting your own Pro-Haunt. We dive into topics such as Things You Need To Know Before You Start Your Own Haunt, Why She Would Still Be a Home Haunter If She Could, and How To Find Passionate Halloween Fans to Help With Your Haunt.

We also announce the prizes for the month of June (Enter Here), Rich Christensen tells you How To Build a Hot Wire Foam Carving Table, and we play some atmospheric tunes from Sinful Audio.com.

We hope you enjoy this episode and go visit our crazy friend Kim Yates at Kim’s Krypt Haunted Attraction!

 

Here are the links we chat about:

 

What do you think about seasonal Haunted Attractions? Leave a comment below.

 

Win One Of These 4 Prizes!

(3) Rust Out Your Props with a kit from Brutal Rust.com

How To Rust Your Props

A 2-Pack Cd from SinfulAudio.com. 1-Sound Effects/1-Creepy Atmosphere Tracks

Haunted Atmosphere

+To Enter+ You must a member of our Haunter’s Toolbox. It’s FREE. Subscribe Here!

Recruiting Scare Actors for Your Haunt with Allen Hopps

Haunted Attraction Scare Acting TrainingSo…you’ve spent numerous hours designing the Haunt. Gathered all of your construction friends to help you build the Haunt. Now it’s time to make your Haunted House come to life!

How do you find and persuade strangers and non-halloween friends into becoming an actor in your Haunt?

Allen Hopps, Founder of StiltBeast Studios and Show Director for Dark Hour Haunted House, shows you how to find and recruit scare actors for your Haunted House in this episode of HaunTopic Radio. Whether you’re a Home Haunter or Haunted Attraction owner, finding reliable warm bodies to pump energy through your Haunted Event can be a daunting task.

  • Where do you find people that want to be there every weekend through October?
  • What types of personalities do you look for when recruiting?
  • How do you know who to keep and who to let go?

We will answer these questions in this podcast episode and help guide you through the process of recruiting scare actors for your scare attraction or home haunt.

On a different topic, We would also like your feedback on the future of our Online Training for Haunters. Currently, we host online training classes for Haunt Owners and future Haunt Owners and want to know what topics you would like to learn about?

  • When it comes to being a Haunter (Home Haunter or Haunted Attraction Owner), what is your biggest struggle?

We also feel that there is a gap in the Haunt Community when it comes to finding information on The Haunted Attraction Business.

  • Would you benefit from an Online Community that was dedicated to making you a better Haunt Owner?

Please leave a comment below or CONTACT US with your suggestions and feedback.

 

Find Allen Hopps Here:

 

 

Thanks to our sponsors through the month of May! The winners are:

Ricky Heavner Wins…

A 10 second animated logo from High Tower Entertainment

 

high tower

The 5 Winners of

Copies of Sam Haynes New CD “Ghost Stories”-Listen Here

are

Paul Lancer Thomas

Btweezy414

Ducky66026

Charles Dustin Aurand

Ellen Lemberger

Sam Haynes Ghost Stories

You must be a member of our Haunter’s Toolbox Newsletter to qualify to win next month.

Subscribe for FREE here.

Whats New at the Midwest Haunters Convention with Jen Braverman

 

midwest haunters convention 2014

Updates for the Midwest Haunters Convention 2014

The Midwest Haunters Convention is the largest Halloween show of its kind in the United States serving haunted attraction industry professionals, home haunters, and enthusiasts. Open to the public the Midwest Haunters Convention (MHC) features a trade show, education, chartered bus tours and entertainment; and it returns to Columbus, Ohio June 6-8, 2014 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel for its 11th year.

We interview Jennifer Braverman, the mastermind behind The Midwest Haunter’s Convention, about how the show has changed for 2014 and what is new since she bought the show a few months ago. Jen doesn’t plan to change that many things that the past MHC has brought to the loyal Haunters and she wants your feedback on how the show can be improved. Here is her email address [email protected] . Let her know how your experience was at Midwest Haunter’s Convention this year.

We play 3 twisted tunes from Sam Haynes (Halloween & Horror Musician) and include another segment of the Haunter’s Toolbox “How To Get Sponsorships for Your Haunt”.If you are searching for ways to save more money on your haunted attraction or home haunt this year, then you’ll want to here this information.

We also remind you to join the monthly giveaway where you have a chance to win 1 of 6 prizes this month. The prizes are listed below and how to submit your entry.

We’ll Scare Ya Later! Let us know how you enjoyed The Midwest Haunter’s Convention!!

Resources/Haunt Topics:

 

Win One Of These Prizes! You Must be a Member of The Haunter’s Toolbox. Deadline is May 24th.

Subscribe here for FREE & Be Entered Automatically.

A 10 second animated logo from High Tower Entertainment

 

high tower

1 of 5 Copies of Sam Haynes New CD “Ghost Stories”-Listen Here

Sam Haynes Ghost Stories

 

Great Lakes FrightFest: More Than a Camping Retreat for Haunters

Great Lakes FrightfestCamping. Haunted House. Haunt Gathering. Make and Takes. A weekend full of scary fun! These are just a few things you might discover on your weekend at the Great Lakes FrightFest in Petersburg, Michigan on May 30-June 1st.

Great Lakes FrightFest is an annual haunters get-together for home and pro haunters alike. Located at a campground in South East Michigan for the last 14 years. Events include activities such as show and tells, demos, make and takes, a pot luck dinner, raffle and door prizes, and events for the kids.

We interview Kkrazy Kkaren Taylor from the Great Lakes Frightfest and find out that this event isn’t any normal Camp-Out. For example, this Haunt Gathering is not open to the public. Just you and other Halloween and Haunted Attraction junkies just like you! It is also a family friendly function which means you can bring the kids with you. There are children activities too! Also, most profits go into helping many charities Karen has set up. Your money is going into supporting great causes and helping others that are not as fortunate. For a complete list of charities make sure to check out their website.

Here are a few of the charities that the Great Lakes FrightFest help every year: Gleaners Food Bank, Monroe Humane Society, Kotumes 4 Kids, Kostumes 4 Kritters, and this years special charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer research.

 

Great Lakes FrightFest Schedule Summary: (Click here to visit their website)

Thursday

  • Set Up Camp.
  • Start on your Haunted House Room

Friday

  • Breakfast and Lunch “on your own”
  • Finish campsite assembly
  • Set Up individual sites
  • Campfire Social
  • Dinner provided

Saturday

  • Haunt Related Demos
  • Children’s activities all day
  • Pot Luck Dinner
  • Raffle & Door Prizes
  • Children’s Hayride
  • Haunter’s Against Hunger Haunted House
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided

Sunday

  • Haunt Related Demos
  • Children’s activities throughout the day
  • Tear Down
  • Breakfast & Lunch provided

 

Win One Of These Prizes! You Must be a Member of HaunTopic. Deadline is May 24th.

Subscribe here for FREE & Be Entered Automatically.

A 30 second animated logo (for video and multimedia use) from High Tower Entertainment

 

high tower

1 of 5 Copies of Sam Haynes New CD “Ghost Stories”-Listen Here

Sam Haynes Ghost Stories