Brian, Author at HaunTopic: Haunted House & Attraction Podcast

Haunt Stories with Darryl & Brian (plus Christmas Midnight Syndicate Tunes)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:20 — 61.6MB)

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Where have we been??

Deep in Haunt madness and Halloween overload! With me (Brian Foreman) opening a new Haunted Attraction this year called The Dead Factory and Darryl Plunkie scare acting most of October…we kinda got locked into ‘Haunter Tunnel Vision’. But now we’re back. And we got some Haunt Stories to tell….

dead factory haunted house-haunt stories — (My New Haunt in Mexico, Missouri)

With many benefits to you as a HaunTopic Radio listener because we will share our experience and lessons learned along this podcast and throughout many more episodes. We even had to split this episode into two parts just to squeeze in our Haunt Stories from this Haunt Season!

In this episode, we discuss my journey on Starting a Haunted Attraction and what I learned this first year. We discuss Darryl’s Scare Acting Principles to Live By and How Not to Burn Out before October is over. And what we plan on doing at our Haunts for next Haunt season.

And we play some Christmas Tunes from Midnight Syndicate’s new CD: Christmas A Ghostly Gathering.

This new CD features the band’s unique twist on classic holiday carols blended with new and original material.

“Our goal was to treat each song in a way that would merge familiarity with originality,” said Gavin Goska. “There are definitely recognizable elements, but plenty of additional original material as well. It also incorporates the widest instrument palette we’ve used to date and represents what we consider to be the most varied collection of songs we’ve ever released. There are serenely beautiful moments along more intense, darker tracks, and the end result is a thoroughly compelling and involving listening experience.”

“With so many Christmas-themed albums out there, we wanted to make this collection uniquely our own,” added Edward Douglas. “I think we were able to do that.” (To buy this new CD go to MidnightSyndicate.com)

Listen to our podcast to hear 3 mystery tracks from Christmas A Ghostly Gathering! Listen Here.

deadmonton haunted house-haunt stories — (Darryl’s home during October. Deadmonton Haunted House.)

ScareLA: The West Coast’s Scariest Convention and the Masterminds Behind It

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:49 — 33.7MB)

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“ScareLA is the first SoCal convention dedicated to celebrating Halloween. Situated in the entertainment capital of the world, it combines the city’s top talent and unique cultural setting with a twist. Celebrate the West Coast’s scariest faire and indulge in hundreds of exclusive attraction unveils, DIY workshops, classes, industry panels, live haunt experiences, screenings and so much more.” ~ScareLA.com

Hey Haunters. Keeping it short and sweet this time. If you live out on the West Coast or can make a trip out to Pasadena, California on August 8 & 9 then this is one of those conventions where you’ll find an assortment of horror entertainment and haunt industry happenings. Plus, you’ll be in the movie capitol of the world…you’ll never know which famous person you’ll bump in to.

In this episode of HaunTopic Radio (episode 96), we chat with Lora Ivanova, David Markland, Rick West, and Johanna Atilano from Scare LosAngeles and get the behind-the-scene information that you’ll need to know before you go to the west coast’s scariest convention!

You will learn about some of the workshops, live entertainment, nightlife, showroom floor and vendors, and what makes these guys passionate about making this a better experience every year. If you like things scary…this is your place. And make sure to use that code below to get a discount on your tickets!

Use Discount Code ‘HaunTopic’ to SAVE 15% off your tickets for 2015! Register Here.

The Masterminds of ScareLA: Rick West, Lora Ivanova, Johanna Atilano, and David Markland.

Chicago Frights and Haunt Faire: Two New Haunt Gatherings You Need to Attend

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:10 — 68.8MB)

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It’s only a few months to Scare Season and you still need a few more props, you need some ideas for that gore set in your Haunt, and your actors need some more training before you set them loose.

Good news! There are still some Haunt Conventions/Haunt Faires right around the corner.

Chicago Frights, in Napersville, IL, is a Haunt and Halloween gathering of like minded people of every age and level of experience who love Haunted Houses, Halloween, Special Effects Makeup and scaring people. Chicago Frights is a fun-filled four days and nights of Haunt Tours, Haunter Education, a Dealer Room for all your supply needs, a Monster Costume Party, the Last Ride Car Show, Haunter networking and so much more! (July 16-19th)

We get Leonard Pickel, Founder at HAuNTcon and Chicago Frights, to fill us in on what his new haunt convention brings to the Chicago area and why you need to be there.

Haunt Faire, in Hauppauge, NY, is also a new convention this year that will have plenty of activities for Haunters, Horror Lovers, Paranormal Junkies, and Halloweenies. Makeup Wars, Classes to take your Haunted Attraction to the next level, industry vendors, and lots more entertainment! Two days of horrific fun, learning, and socializing. (August 1st & 2nd)

We also interview LC Macabre (Elsie Ginsberg), Founder of Haunt Faire, on why her convention is a bit different than your every day haunt gathering (including a job fair). And what the Haunt Faire is bringing to the east coast!

Both of these haunt gatherings are brand new for 2015 and are focused on Haunters. If you are needing supplies for your Haunt, learn some new tricks for your haunt business, or just want to meet your friends before the season officially starts…these are great events to attend.

We also include some creepy audio tracks from Sam Haynes, give you an update on the new Haunted Attraction ‘The Dead Factory’ in Mexico, Missouri (Brian’s project), and we throw some bonus content in there for you to chew on.

So…put your earbuds in. Think of something scary and twisted. Now go build it! The season is right around the corner. 🙂

and Share the Scare!

Create a Custom Video for Your Haunted House with Chris Conlon from Venom VFX

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:30 — 94.8MB)

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Using video for your Haunted House or Haunted Attraction is a priority with today’s electronic devices and social media channels. ‘Coming Soon’ trailers, Hi-Definition Videos for your marketing, and Documentary-style on location videos are popular with today’s top haunted attractions. Your customers want to see pictures and video of your attraction before they go. They want social proof that your show is the best one to spend money at. Having an updated professional looking website to put everything together is still a requirement.

We interview Chris Conlon from Venom VFX, a visual effects & prop controller company, about how to capture the best moments in your show and create a custom video for you to show off your Haunt. Venom VFX can make custom HD video trailers, television commercials, introduction videos, video documentaries, websites, logos, prop controllers, and much more. We also discuss Scare Acting, Ways To Improve Your Haunt, and some secret information on McKamey Manor!

If you are reading this before May 31, 2015…USE CODE ‘MHC’ TO GET 15% OFF at VenomVFX.COM

We also include a list of a few Haunt conventions/shows coming up, Me & Darryl discuss a few horror stories from the past, we play some twisted tunes from Sam Haynes new CD “The Incredible Dark Carnival”, and drop some more gory nuggets throughout the podcast.

So if you’re in need for a short introduction high definition video for your Haunt, a custom logo/website, or a prop controller….give Venom VFX a try.

But the real question…….Are YOU using video in your Haunt Marketing???

Haunt Topics in this Podcast Episode

We’ll Scare Ya Next Time!!!

Phobia13 Trailer by Venom VFX

How To Use Sound in Your Haunt with Ken Webster from Sinful Audio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:56 — 43.0MB)

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Creating an immersive environment for your Haunted House is very important. Using sound and audio effects within your attraction can make your attendees feel that they are actually somewhere else. Sound taps into one of your five senses and adds to the overall impact of your show. You wouldn’t operate your haunt without lighting….you shouldn’t open your show without having a believable audio atmosphere.

Sinful Audio creates audio sound effects and custom soundtracks for Haunted Attractions and horror movies. We interview Ken Webster from Sinful Audio and get some tips on adding an audible experience to your haunted house. You can also purchase Ken’s sound effects that he has listed on his website or hire Ken to create a custom soundtrack just for your haunted event. We also play a few samples from Ken’s audio library of creepiness….so make sure you tune in.

We also have an exclusive interview with Kelsey Meeks founder of Ween Dream straight from theTransworld Halloween & Attractions Show. Ween Dream is a non-profit organization that provides costumes to children who can’t afford to go out on Halloween or who are limited by their physical and mental abilities. Yes…there are children out there that have never trick-or-treated before. Take a few of your extra costumes and donate them to a great cause!

We also throw in some twisted tunes and sound effects from Sinful Audio. A few free creepy audible environments and sound bytes that you can use in your haunt this year. Still make sure you check out Ken’s website and purchase a few compilations of your own. He has new soundtracks coming out this year.

Haunt Topics in this podcast episode:

We hope you enjoy this audio podcast of HaunTopic Radio and take advantage of all the sound resources around you. Create a great audio atmosphere for your Haunted House this year and donate some of your costumes to children who need to experience Halloween for the first time.

…..and we’ll Scare Ya Next Time!