Here is the Haunted Attraction Industry News for July, 12th.
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U.S. Haunts & Events
Paranormal Cirque II is a 2-hour experience that is currently touring the U.S. In a recent Haunted Attraction Network interview, Social Media Director / Publicity Director Steve Copeland and Artistic Director Ryan Combs discussed the show’s unique blend of horror, acrobatics, and comedy. Steve believes, “Horror and comedy are very similar because they’re both about the buildup of tension and then the release… In comedy, the laugh is a release, and in horror, the scream is a release.” Their writing for the show consists of strong moments for horror fans but also leaves room for improvisation, which helps the actors connect to local audiences as they tour the country. Learn more about Paranormal Cirque and purchase tickets on their official website.
Starting July 7th, the Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, CA) is now offering the all-new Walk With Spirits Tour. Guests will explore the paranormal as explained through the Spiritualism movement – with the opportunity to not just learn, but to experience for themselves what happens when the veil between this life and the next is lifted. Guests will attend the wake for a departed soul in the parlor of the home, ascend to the third floor to experience a Victorian-era séance, and end in the dark and foreboding basement, home to the famous “Wheelbarrow Ghost”. In a recent press release, Winchester Mystery House representatives wrote, “This year will mark 100 years since Sarah Winchester passed away and the world’s fascination with her story and her home has only grown. What we seek to do with the Walk with Spirits Tour is focus on the Victorian traditions around death, mourning, and the American Spiritualism movement. We are also excited to share stories from the hundreds of mediums, investigators, guests, and caretakers who swear that they have experienced something they cannot explain while walking our hallowed halls.” The Walk With Spirits Tour is offered daily. Tickets can be purchased online a the Winchester Mystery House’s official website starting at $41.99 per adult, $19.99 per child, and $34.99 per senior.
Thrillvania Haunted House Park (Terrell, TX) will open for a special “Mid Summer Night’s Scream” event on Saturday, July 16th. All three haunted houses will be open for this summer off-season event. Tickets start at $29.95 for a General Admission timed ticket and $39.95 for Speedpass Admission.
From Sam Kellman, creator of The Opechee Haunt, comes Within Our Walls, an intimate, highly-immersive experiential theatre show that opens July 14th in Glendale, California. This unnerving, immersive, psychological horror experience allows the audience to voyeuristically eye traumatic events confronted by a suburban home’s inhabitants– and maybe a little too much so– through cracks in their walls. Groups of 10-12 guests will traverse the insides of the Pierce house at a time, freely moving about the space throughout the experience, choosing what rooms of the house to observe and when, allowing each guest their own unique set of visuals accompanying the story. The 20-minute-long immersive play will completely envelop audiences within its world utilizing highly detailed sets, incredible live performers, eerie lighting/special effects work, and head-turning dimensional sound design. Tickets are now available for Thursdays – Sundays July 14th – 30th, starting at $30 – $35 for General Admission, and $40 – $45 for VIP Admission.
Tickets are now on sale for the Tunnel of Terror haunted car wash in Anaheim, California. Starting at $30 per car, experience a one-of-a-kind Halloween thrill, filled with chills and terror to delight the entire group. The Tunnel of Terror is a carefully curated experience, with scary and creepy performers popping up throughout the wash, and special effects providing a terrifying ambiance.
The Hunt A Killer: Investigate Live events which were set to begin on July 29th in San Francisco, California have been postponed until the Spring of 2023. In a statement on its website, the company has cited “supply chain issues, overall inflationary pressures, and the risk of not getting [their] live event elements on-site in time” as the reasons for the postponement. Current ticket holders can request a refund or hold onto their tickets, which will be redeemable for a future Hunt A Killer: Investigate Live event. Need to keep your sleuthing skills sharp until the Spring? Try Hunt a Killer’s premium at-home immersive, story-driven board games that can be played alone or cooperatively. Their newest release is Dead on the Vine.
Conventions & Mixers
The Texas Haunters Convention takes place this upcoming weekend – July 16th & 17th – at the Mesquite Convention Center in Mesquite, Texas. The event will feature over 44,000 square feet of family-friendly vendors, events, demonstrations, and classes targeting Halloween and cosplay enthusiasts. The fun begins the night before the convention with a Haunt Tour of both Dark Hour Haunted House and Hatch & Kraven’s Slaughterhouse hosted by some of the key designers. Weekend Programming Highlights include: Haunt Audio For Beginners (Saturday @ 12:00 p.m.) presented by Jake Farmer of Dark Hour Haunted House; Mask Painting Techniques (Saturday @ 2:00 p.m.) presented by Shane Metheny of Dark Illusions Studios; Growing Your Haunt Related Youtube Channel (Sunday @ 11:00 a.m.) presented by Eduardo Talbert of Monster Tutorials Youtube Channel; and G.H.O.S.T. – Global Haunters Optimal Safety Training (Sunday @ 12:00 p.m.) presented by The Chamber of Haunters & Dustin Freeman of Dark Hour Haunted House. The annual Costume Ball will take place Saturday night, featuring a live DJ, Rocky Horror Picture Show Screening, Costume Contest, Prizes, Giveaways, Cash Bar, and more. Texas Haunters Convention Center partner, the Chamber of Haunters will have various events over the weekend as well – including their annual Charity Auction (benefitting the Chamber and Haunters Against Hate) and the Annual Chamber Awards Ceremony (C.A.C.), which will be presented during the Chamber Meeting on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are still available online, with Weekend Show Floor Passes starting at $25 per adult, $10 per child.
Son of Monsterpalooza is returning to The Marriott Burbank Convention Center (Burbank, CA) October 14th – 16th, 2022. This offshoot of the flagship Monsterpalooza event (which takes place each Spring) will feature over 150 monstrous vendors, makeup demos, celebrity guests, special exhibits, and more. Usher in the Halloween season with fellow fans and professionals of film, makeup, special effects, collectible toys, art, and monsters. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance, as they regularly sell out year after year. Tickets start at $30 for Friday or Sunday 1-Day Admission, $35 for Saturday 1-Day Admission, or $70 for Weekend 3-Day Admission. The exhibitor list, celebrity lineup, programming schedule, and more will be announced in the coming weeks.
The next Haunted Attraction Association Zoom Mixer will take place July 28th at 8:00 p.m. EDT and will be hosted by HAA Board Member Travis Rhoad. This month they will visit with many of their valued vendor members that supply the haunt industry and donate to their annual auctions. The vendors will discuss how their orders are progressing and if they have any new products or props to announce or tease. The link to the Zoom will be posted on the HAA Members-Only Facebook page.
Top Haunts
Each year the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA) certifies haunts across the country as official “Top Haunted Attractions.” To be certified, attractions must be a member of HAA and meet a list of 10 criteria relating back to the mission of HAA – to protect customers, promote haunted attractions, and educate industry professionals. Winners will have their logo displayed on the HAA website for national media attention, and press releases will be sent out on the national press wire, as well as emailed to each haunt’s local media that the haunt designates. Additionally, winners get plenty of bragging rights as an operator! Member companies who would like to apply to be a 2022 Top Haunt can submit their online application today.
Theme Parks
Disneyland Resort’s Oogie Boogie Bash tickets sold out in under a week. The separately ticketed event at Disney California Adventure (Anaheim, CA) runs select nights from September 6th – October 31st. Tickets went on sale to the general public on June 30th with presale tickets available to Magic Key Annual Passholders starting on June 28th. In less than a week, all dates were listed as sold out. Despite a $10 – $15 price increase from 2021, Oogie Boogie Bash saw the quickest sell-out for a Disney after-hours Halloween event to date. Disney has not announced any plans to add additional tickets or dates. Guests who missed out on tickets can still celebrate the spooky season at Disneyland during regular park hours as Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resport runs September 2nd – October 31st, with attraction overlays, themed decor, seasonal treats, and more.
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream (Tampa Bay, FL) announced their first returning maze: Witch of the Woods. Something wicked this way haunts…an ominous legend summons you with her inescapable curse. Curiosity has brought many travelers into this dark forest, but only bone-chilling stories and dying screams make their way out. With each step deeper into the woods, the prospect of survival quickly fades as demonic disciples hunt wandering intruders through their abandoned village. Human sacrifices are chased to the witch’s altar, where dark fates are sealed with more than spells. Howl-O-Scream will take place on select nights from September 9th – October 31st. Tickets are now available on the event’s official website.
International Haunts & Events
Tim Burton’s Labyrinth, the immersive experience that leads people through the creative universe of the iconic artist & filmmaker, starts worldwide on September 29th at Espacio Ibercaja Delicias (Madrid, Spain). The immersive exhibit will bring guests into the mind of Tim Burton, discovering his creative process through his original artwork. Visitors will go through the gloomy yet magical forest of The Corpse Bride, and discover Tragic Toys or the story of Oyster Boy, while trying not to lose their heads with the Queen of Hearts. Each room will transport guests to a different experience, and they will decide their path. The experience will open to the public on September 29th, weekly from Thursday – Sunday with 30-minute entry intervals. Tickets are now on sale.
Auditions / Casting Calls
Red Vein (Ashland, VA) has scheduled four upcoming interest meetings to fill positions as Haunt Actors, Escape Room Managers, Gift Shop Assistants, and Box Office Assistants. Interested candidates must be available for 5/6 weekends throughout September & October. During the meetings, candidates will fill out an informational sheet, share their availability, and discuss relevant experiences. Potential scareactors will run through a few quick acting exercises to audition. Meetings on July 22nd and August 26th will be held at Red Vein Escape from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Meetings on August 10th & 17th will be held at Hanover Vegetable Farm from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. E-mail [email protected] for more information.
Fear Factory SLC (Salt Lake City, UT) is seeking awesome monsters, event specialists, and more to join its team. Available positions include Scareactors, Security, Ticketing, Retail Store & Concessions Staff, and more. Interviews and Scare Actor Auditions will take place from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. July 30th, August 20th & 27th, September 3rd, and September 24th (Scareactor Auditions Only). Interested parties should fill out the online form to begin the process.
Deadmonton Haunted House (Edmonton, AB, Canada) is now hiring for the 2022 Halloween season. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Available positions include scareactors, makeup artists, customer service staff, concession staff, parking lot attendants, and custodial staff. Scareactors should fill out an online form. Auditions will be held in person on July 23rd, 24th, and August 6th, 2022. Video auditions will be accepted until midnight on August 14th, 2022. Makeup artists can send in their portfolio to [email protected]. Applicants for all other positions can fill out the online form here and e-mail their resumes to [email protected].
Creatures of the Night (Canby, OR) is now casting acting, tech, artist, and management roles for their 2022 haunt. Interested applicants should fill out the online application form.
Lighting Design
Looking for tips & tricks to make effective lighting designs with what you already have at your haunt? In this panel, 4 themed entertainment lighting designers break down lighting terms & concepts. Using real-world examples, they describe ways to elevate your haunt experience.
This week Julia from Gantom Lighting & Controls shared two lighting tips on Lighting Texture and Lighting Transition Effects for your haunt. For added texture, she suggests using scenic props or set dressings to create shadows with your lighting – just be sure there are no fire hazards depending on the types of light you are using. Transitions are needed to ease your guests’ eyes into and out of the experience and between scenes. Gradually dim lights as guests progress throughout the experience – this trick eases the guest’s eyes into darker spaces, which can also make later strobe or bright light effects, much more impactful.
Film & TV
Acclaimed FX artist Tom Devlin has finished production on his feature directorial debut Teddy Told Me To, which is currently in post-production. The horror-comedy was filmed on location at his celebrated Boulder City, Nevada roadside attraction Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum. Revolving around the plight of a pair of haunters who set out to resurrect a shuttered Halloween haunt with a bloody past, “Teddy Told Me To” brings to the screen one of Devlin’s fan-favorite character makeup creations: the titular slasher “Teddy” (which he originated in 2011 in SyFy’s popular special effects makeup reality series “Face Off”.) Topher Hansson and Kamarra Cole star as the beleaguered haunter duo, along with genre notables Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Trent Hagga (68 Kill), Warrington Gillette (Friday the 13th Part 2), CJ Graham (Friday the 13th Part VI), and Lisa Wilcox (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master). Michael Shields portrays Teddy. John Massari (Killer Klowns from Outer Space) provides the film’s score. “As a lifelong fan of horror films – slasher flicks, in particular – I felt it was time to tell my own story that’s a throwback to the fun slasher flicks of my youth,” says Devlin. “I wanted to make a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously but plays well on a spooky October night or a fun summer sleepover. We filled it with gory effects[and] colorful characters… It’s a love letter to not only the films that have inspired me – and their punk rock ethos, but also to the haunters of the world, and we hope it’s a hell of a good time!” For updates and exclusive “Teddy Told Me To” content, visit Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum, like Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum on Facebook, and follow @TomDevlinsMonsterMuseum on Instagram.
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Auditions / Casting Calls
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream (Tampa, FL) – Various Dates
Creatures of the Night (Canby, OR) – Various Dates
Cutting Edge Haunted House (Fort Worth, TX) – Various Dates Starting July 16
Deadmonton Haunted House (Edmonton, AB) – July 23, 24, August 6
Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia, PA) – Various Dates July 11 – August 25
Fear Factory SLC (Salt Lake City, UT) – July 30, August 20, 27, September 3, 24
The Haunted Forests (Newfane, NY) – Various Dates
The Haunted Harvest (Chino, CA) – August 6 – 7
Lake Hickory Haunts (Hickory, NC) – Ongoing
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (Los Angeles, CA) – Various Dates
A Petrified Forest (Altamonte Springs, FL) – July 16
Red Vein (Ashland, VA) – July 22, August 10, 17, 26
Thrillvania Haunted House Park (Terrell, TX) – Various Dates Starting July 16
Undead in the Water (Tampa, Florida) – July 23, August 13
Upcoming Haunt Events
Summer Haunts
Carnage Haunted House (Columbus, OH) – July 29 – 30
Thrillvania Haunted House Park (Terrell, TX) – July 16
Valley Fright Nights (Woodland Hills, CA) – July 21 – 24, 28 – 31, August 4 – 7, 11 – 14, 18 – 21, 25 – 28
Vegas Fright Nights (Las Vegas, NV) – July 15 – 16
Podcast Episodes You Might Be Interested In
How To: Lighting Texture and Lighting Transition Effects For Your Haunt
Today, we have two lighting tips for you from Julia at Gantom Lighting. The first is how to add texture using what you already have; Texture gives your scenes depth and makes them look more natural. The second is lighting transitions. Transitions are needed to ease your guest’s eyes into and out of the experience. Signup for a 30-minutes free haunt lighting consultation with Julia.
Scare Actor Training: The Essential Guide
Coming up, a step-by-step process to prepare your scare actors for this season. No matter your haunt’s size, there’s something for everyone in this guide. This episode is from one of our Partner Stations – Hauntopic Radio – hosted by Brian and Darryl. Today’s episode is a recording from Brian’s Haunt Master classes.
Making Paranormal Cirque II, the Scariest & Funniest Circus Around
Today, we’re going on-location to Paranormal Cirque II. Paranormal Cirque combines horror, acrobatics, and comedy to create a 2-hour experience that’s currently touring the US. We’ll learn about the creation and specifically about the scripting of this unique show.
Haunted Attraction Industry News for July 5th
Read more here.
Chapek’s Extension, California’s Great America To Close, Pride Day
Coming up, we’ll discuss Bob Chapek’s extension, the closing of California’s Great America, and Pride Day celebrates inclusion at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
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