FIND SCARY HAUNTED HOUSES!
posted by Larry at
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Saturday, October 24, 2009
Halloween Haunts a 'Boo' -ming Business
The haunted attraction business is now nearly a $1 billion-a-year industry.
By Lauren Folino | Oct 30, 2009
Twenty years ago, haunted attractions were usually limited to charitable organizations throwing some red paint on the wall, yelling 'Boo!' at unsuspecting patrons, and asking a small fee for the exchange. Now, the haunted attractions industry is worth about $1 billion, taking in nearly $500 million in ticket sales alone each year for haunted houses, in addition to the multi-millions being spent on special effects, state of the art sound systems, and frighteningly realistic costumes. Needless to say, for an industry that relies on about 30 days of the year to turn a profit, business is booming.
According to Larry Kirchner, board member of the Haunted House Association (HHA), and editor-in-chief of Hauntworld magazine, the explosion of the haunted-attractions business can mostly be attributed to the changing perception of haunted houses –in part due to media attention and the technological evolution of special effects.
Kirchner highlighted TV shows on the Travel Channel that film in 'haunted' locations, and competition between big-budget Hollywood horror films as examples of what helped spark recent attention to haunted attractions. "Today, haunted houses have been taken over by very creative entrepreneurs who seek to carve out their own unique storylines and their own unique creations. Instead of copying Hollywood or simply providing cheap entertainment, they've turned into these live, theatrical, Broadway-style productions."
One haunted house that has enjoyed the influx of patrons lining up to be spooked is the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride, located in southeastern Pennsylvania. Owner Randy Bates started up his haunted hayride business in 1991, after witnessing a neighbor's tremendous financial success with a similar venture.
Bates said that his business usually spends between $250,000 to $300,000 a year on improvements, which includes special effects, redesigning and building new sets, and general maintenance. Although this year has been a bit tougher, in 2008 his haunt brought in more than $1 million for 23 nights of operation.
For this season, Bates said his favorite scare is a 12-foot tall animatronics Venus Fly Trap, which sits in the middle of a new greenhouse set – specifically built for this prop – at a cost of about $25,000. On his passion for scaring people, Bates said: "When you see people run out holding their chest, breathing heavily, with wobbling knees, we know we've really nailed it. It's a really fun industry."
The haunted attraction business is now nearly a $1 billion-a-year industry.
By Lauren Folino | Oct 30, 2009
Twenty years ago, haunted attractions were usually limited to charitable organizations throwing some red paint on the wall, yelling 'Boo!' at unsuspecting patrons, and asking a small fee for the exchange. Now, the haunted attractions industry is worth about $1 billion, taking in nearly $500 million in ticket sales alone each year for haunted houses, in addition to the multi-millions being spent on special effects, state of the art sound systems, and frighteningly realistic costumes. Needless to say, for an industry that relies on about 30 days of the year to turn a profit, business is booming.
According to Larry Kirchner, board member of the Haunted House Association (HHA), and editor-in-chief of Hauntworld magazine, the explosion of the haunted-attractions business can mostly be attributed to the changing perception of haunted houses –in part due to media attention and the technological evolution of special effects.
Kirchner highlighted TV shows on the Travel Channel that film in 'haunted' locations, and competition between big-budget Hollywood horror films as examples of what helped spark recent attention to haunted attractions. "Today, haunted houses have been taken over by very creative entrepreneurs who seek to carve out their own unique storylines and their own unique creations. Instead of copying Hollywood or simply providing cheap entertainment, they've turned into these live, theatrical, Broadway-style productions."
One haunted house that has enjoyed the influx of patrons lining up to be spooked is the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride, located in southeastern Pennsylvania. Owner Randy Bates started up his haunted hayride business in 1991, after witnessing a neighbor's tremendous financial success with a similar venture.
Bates said that his business usually spends between $250,000 to $300,000 a year on improvements, which includes special effects, redesigning and building new sets, and general maintenance. Although this year has been a bit tougher, in 2008 his haunt brought in more than $1 million for 23 nights of operation.
For this season, Bates said his favorite scare is a 12-foot tall animatronics Venus Fly Trap, which sits in the middle of a new greenhouse set – specifically built for this prop – at a cost of about $25,000. On his passion for scaring people, Bates said: "When you see people run out holding their chest, breathing heavily, with wobbling knees, we know we've really nailed it. It's a really fun industry."
posted by Larry at
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Haunted Attractions become a screaming hot industry
Haunted attractions become a screaming hot industry
By Belinda Goldsmith
SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - If horror movies no longer give you nightmares, there's a growing industry waiting to scare you out of your wits -- haunted attractions which have benefitted from live talent leaving Hollywood as computers take their roles.
Haunted attractions have become high tech venues which do everything possible to make a scary scenario seem real, which includes hiring professional actors to jump out at you and using theatrical sets with sounds, lighting and animatronics.
Larry Kirchner, editor-in-chief of Hauntworld Magazine and a board member of The Haunted House Association, said haunted houses began on U.S. amusement piers in the 1920s then were run by charities before some went commercial in the 1980s.
But he said they have soared in scale and popularity in recent years, in the United States and increasingly overseas, at the hands of specialists pushed out of the movie industry by computer-generated effects.
No longer hokey, a first class fright attraction will cost $1 million to set up with The Haunted House Association estimating the industry is now worth about $1 billion a year with ticket sales in the U.S. alone generating more than $500 million.
"There is now a whole industry of vendors and skills to create special effects or sell products to haunted attractions which have let them get a lot better," Kirchner told Reuters.
"Some of these places are more sophisticated than the top Broadway plays in New York but, unlike a movie or Broadway show, you are part of the show. That interactivity has really made haunted houses popular."
In the United States this year, 81 percent of amusement parks will hold Halloween or fall-themed events this year, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Fewer than half offered Halloween attractions 15 years ago, and this trend is spreading internationally.
Kirchner said haunted attractions tended to be restricted to Halloween in the United States but have become year-round in some other countries, citing Turkey, South Korea, Chile, Japan, Germany, Belgium and England as countries enjoying a fright.
Frankenstein in Germany, Dracula in Romania and Britain's Jack the Ripper have all generated haunted attractions.
"This has been great for the fright industry as they come here to buy everything and hire someone to build it," he said.
"The biggest growth for vendors to the haunted industry is now overseas where haunted houses are opening at a record pace."
INTERACTIVE TERROR
Rob Weiner, who lectures on the history of horror cinema at Texas Tech University Libraries, said these attractions provided something movies can't -- an in-your-face experience.
"Audiences today have seen it all it seems. With transgressive material all over the Internet and the many exorcist, zombie, vampire, torture porn sequels, nothing is scary anymore," he said.
Dwayne Sanburn who owns and operates 13th Gate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has become an expert in terrifying people with attraction topping Hauntworld's list of the most scary attractions in the United States for two consecutive years.
The 13th Gate offers 13 themed experiences to make every nightmare seem real from crawling through a crematory oven and an old hearse to being lost in dark underground tunnels or finding yourself standing on a rickety bridge over a bed of live snakes.
It is only open for a couple of months a year but during the off-season the haunt employs a year-round movie industry construction crew of scenic artists, carpenters, lighting and sound technicians, and special effects artists.
During Halloween, over 100 professional actors, 12 special effects makeup and airbrush artists and several costume specialist work together to terrify customers every night.
"Haunted Houses are just like the movies except you are in the movie with the ghouls jumping out at you. You will get scared but in the end it's all fun and you'll come out screaming, but you and your friends will laugh about it," said Sanburn.
"We have a "no touch" policy," assured Sanburn, adding that none of the live rats, cockroaches, snakes or other critters will touch customers. "Our monsters will not grab or maul you."
(Editing by Belinda Goldsmith)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
By Belinda Goldsmith
SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - If horror movies no longer give you nightmares, there's a growing industry waiting to scare you out of your wits -- haunted attractions which have benefitted from live talent leaving Hollywood as computers take their roles.
Haunted attractions have become high tech venues which do everything possible to make a scary scenario seem real, which includes hiring professional actors to jump out at you and using theatrical sets with sounds, lighting and animatronics.
Larry Kirchner, editor-in-chief of Hauntworld Magazine and a board member of The Haunted House Association, said haunted houses began on U.S. amusement piers in the 1920s then were run by charities before some went commercial in the 1980s.
But he said they have soared in scale and popularity in recent years, in the United States and increasingly overseas, at the hands of specialists pushed out of the movie industry by computer-generated effects.
No longer hokey, a first class fright attraction will cost $1 million to set up with The Haunted House Association estimating the industry is now worth about $1 billion a year with ticket sales in the U.S. alone generating more than $500 million.
"There is now a whole industry of vendors and skills to create special effects or sell products to haunted attractions which have let them get a lot better," Kirchner told Reuters.
"Some of these places are more sophisticated than the top Broadway plays in New York but, unlike a movie or Broadway show, you are part of the show. That interactivity has really made haunted houses popular."
In the United States this year, 81 percent of amusement parks will hold Halloween or fall-themed events this year, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Fewer than half offered Halloween attractions 15 years ago, and this trend is spreading internationally.
Kirchner said haunted attractions tended to be restricted to Halloween in the United States but have become year-round in some other countries, citing Turkey, South Korea, Chile, Japan, Germany, Belgium and England as countries enjoying a fright.
Frankenstein in Germany, Dracula in Romania and Britain's Jack the Ripper have all generated haunted attractions.
"This has been great for the fright industry as they come here to buy everything and hire someone to build it," he said.
"The biggest growth for vendors to the haunted industry is now overseas where haunted houses are opening at a record pace."
INTERACTIVE TERROR
Rob Weiner, who lectures on the history of horror cinema at Texas Tech University Libraries, said these attractions provided something movies can't -- an in-your-face experience.
"Audiences today have seen it all it seems. With transgressive material all over the Internet and the many exorcist, zombie, vampire, torture porn sequels, nothing is scary anymore," he said.
Dwayne Sanburn who owns and operates 13th Gate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has become an expert in terrifying people with attraction topping Hauntworld's list of the most scary attractions in the United States for two consecutive years.
The 13th Gate offers 13 themed experiences to make every nightmare seem real from crawling through a crematory oven and an old hearse to being lost in dark underground tunnels or finding yourself standing on a rickety bridge over a bed of live snakes.
It is only open for a couple of months a year but during the off-season the haunt employs a year-round movie industry construction crew of scenic artists, carpenters, lighting and sound technicians, and special effects artists.
During Halloween, over 100 professional actors, 12 special effects makeup and airbrush artists and several costume specialist work together to terrify customers every night.
"Haunted Houses are just like the movies except you are in the movie with the ghouls jumping out at you. You will get scared but in the end it's all fun and you'll come out screaming, but you and your friends will laugh about it," said Sanburn.
"We have a "no touch" policy," assured Sanburn, adding that none of the live rats, cockroaches, snakes or other critters will touch customers. "Our monsters will not grab or maul you."
(Editing by Belinda Goldsmith)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
posted by Larry at
8:01 AM
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13 Tips to Slash Halloween Costs
Published October 14, 2009
SMART MONEY HALLOWEEN STORY
Deal of the Day by Kelli B. Grant
For many consumers, the scariest thing about Halloween this year is the economy. Nearly a third of consumers say economic woes have affected their Halloween plans, and of that group, 88% say they intend to spend less, according to the National Retail Federation. The industry group expects an average tab of $56 — 15% less than last year — for candy, decorations, greeting cards and a costume.
But there is good news for trick-or-treaters who would rather not advertise their cutbacks by dressing as a hobo or Bernie Madoff. Retailers are offering more sales and discounts this year to lure in consumers — and avoid an excess of holiday items to be marked down on Nov. 1, says Sok Verdery, the chief executive of deal site CouponShack.com.
In fact, some of the best deals can be found during the week of Oct. 14-20, says Dan de Grandpre, the chief executive of sale tracker Dealnews.com. Expect discounts of up to 65% on costumes, with ample choices available, he says.
Here’s how to save on all the trappings for a spooky Halloween:
Costumes
Purchase last year’s model. Designers reinvent classic costumes each year, offering new takes on princesses, clowns and other popular themes, says Verdery. But aside from the price, there’s rarely much difference. At BuyCostumes.com, a child’s pirate captain costume is on clearance for $18 — less than half the “New for 2009” version’s $40 price.
Scour for coupons. Sites like CouponShack.com, RetailMeNot.com and Savings.com offer codes for free shipping or additional discounts that can often be paired with retailer’s sales. For example, use code EERIE99 at CostumeExpress.com and save 15% on an order of $70 or more.
Search your closet. “Oftentimes, the better costumes are the ones people put their personal creativity into,” says Ben Armstrong, the president of the Haunted House Association, an industry group. Here’s how to turn the contents of your closet into a free costume:
Re-use. Unearthing duds from another era makes for an easy costume, whether you’re going for flower child or '80s flash dancer. But even run-of-the-mill pieces can become costume-worthy, says Cindy Chapman, a spokeswoman for MomsLikeMe.com, a social networking site. An Easter dress is the perfect start for a princess costume, while cargo pants and a T-shirt could work for either a soldier or a fisherman, with the right accessories.
Re-purpose. Folded and stuffed into other items, T-shirts and other garb can give the appearance of muscles, fat or lumps, Armstrong says.
Recycle. Use a trick from haunted house cast members: Mix a little bleach and water in a spray bottle and apply liberally to clothing you don’t want anymore. The result is a mottled, aged look that works well for zombies and other monsters, Armstrong says. Rips and tears add to the effect.
Decorations
Focus on lighting. “You can change the whole appearance of your home very cheaply with the right lighting,” says Armstrong. Move your existing outdoor lights to cast spooky shadows instead of brightly-lit areas. Can’t shift a light’s direction? Place a tree branch in the light’s path to project the shape on a larger scale. Candles and white holiday lights can also add to the mood.
Download creepy sounds. Hunt for free soundtracks online to download or stream from your computer. Halloween-Sounds.com offers free tracks for home entertainment. Or you might set up scary movies on your TV.
Think seasonal, not Halloween. Don’t fork over cash for a giant latex spider or an inflatable coffin ($26 and $53, respectively, at HalloweenExpress.com). Bales of straw, uncut pumpkins and gourds can decorate your doorstep through Thanksgiving, Verdery says. They’re cheap, too. A bale of straw goes for $3.85 at Family Home & Garden in Raleigh, N.C. After the holidays, recycle it as garden or flower bed mulch to cut garden costs next year.
Shop around for pumpkins. A wet spring has farmers across the country reporting smaller harvests and wimpier pumpkins than in previous years. Before you buy, call around to compare prices and ask about selection. In the Washington, D.C., area, for example, Homestead Farms charges 59 cents a pound, while Crooked Run Orchard charges 45 cents a pound. For a 15-pound pumpkin, that’s a $2.10 difference.
Candy
Buy in bulk. Get friends, neighbors or family members together to purchase big bags from a warehouse club or discount online distributor, Verdery says. A one-pound bag of Tootsie Rolls will set you back about $5 at drugstores; on Amazon.com (AMZN: 94.83, +1.23, +1.31%), a five-pound bag is $15. That’s like getting two pounds free.
Eliminate chocolate. On a per-piece basis, hard candy is usually cheaper. At CandyWarehouse.com, 100 fun-sized M&M packs cost $29.50, or roughly 30 cents apiece. In comparison, 300 Smarties candy rolls are $15, or five cents each.
Skip candy. Many kids appreciate other treats buyable in bulk, like temporary tattoos, decorated pencils or stickers, says Todd Mark, the vice president of education for Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Dallas. OrientalTrading.com has 72-packs of Halloween tattoos for $2.99 to $4.99 each. You can also hang onto leftovers for next year without worrying about expiration dates.
Activities
Get scared on a weekday. Haunted houses and other attractions see fewer visitors during the week. “It’s incredibly creepy,” says Armstrong. “Sometimes you have the place to yourself.” Smaller crowds can yield price breaks, too. Fright Planet in Sacramento knocks $3 off its $20 price tag for weeknight visitors.
Seek out freebies. Churches, schools and local groups host plenty of free fall festivals, parades, haunted houses and costume contests, so check local news reports for what’s going on locally, Mark says.
Combine activities. Many farms with pumpkin patches and apple orchards also offer low-priced fall entertainment. Carleton Farm in Everett, Wash., offers free hayrides, a tube slide for kids and access to some of the farm’s animals. On the weekend, there’s a cannon that shoots pumpkins across the fields. They also have a four-acre corn maze, priced $6 for adults and $4 for kids.
SMART MONEY HALLOWEEN STORY
Deal of the Day by Kelli B. Grant
For many consumers, the scariest thing about Halloween this year is the economy. Nearly a third of consumers say economic woes have affected their Halloween plans, and of that group, 88% say they intend to spend less, according to the National Retail Federation. The industry group expects an average tab of $56 — 15% less than last year — for candy, decorations, greeting cards and a costume.
But there is good news for trick-or-treaters who would rather not advertise their cutbacks by dressing as a hobo or Bernie Madoff. Retailers are offering more sales and discounts this year to lure in consumers — and avoid an excess of holiday items to be marked down on Nov. 1, says Sok Verdery, the chief executive of deal site CouponShack.com.
In fact, some of the best deals can be found during the week of Oct. 14-20, says Dan de Grandpre, the chief executive of sale tracker Dealnews.com. Expect discounts of up to 65% on costumes, with ample choices available, he says.
Here’s how to save on all the trappings for a spooky Halloween:
Costumes
Purchase last year’s model. Designers reinvent classic costumes each year, offering new takes on princesses, clowns and other popular themes, says Verdery. But aside from the price, there’s rarely much difference. At BuyCostumes.com, a child’s pirate captain costume is on clearance for $18 — less than half the “New for 2009” version’s $40 price.
Scour for coupons. Sites like CouponShack.com, RetailMeNot.com and Savings.com offer codes for free shipping or additional discounts that can often be paired with retailer’s sales. For example, use code EERIE99 at CostumeExpress.com and save 15% on an order of $70 or more.
Search your closet. “Oftentimes, the better costumes are the ones people put their personal creativity into,” says Ben Armstrong, the president of the Haunted House Association, an industry group. Here’s how to turn the contents of your closet into a free costume:
Re-use. Unearthing duds from another era makes for an easy costume, whether you’re going for flower child or '80s flash dancer. But even run-of-the-mill pieces can become costume-worthy, says Cindy Chapman, a spokeswoman for MomsLikeMe.com, a social networking site. An Easter dress is the perfect start for a princess costume, while cargo pants and a T-shirt could work for either a soldier or a fisherman, with the right accessories.
Re-purpose. Folded and stuffed into other items, T-shirts and other garb can give the appearance of muscles, fat or lumps, Armstrong says.
Recycle. Use a trick from haunted house cast members: Mix a little bleach and water in a spray bottle and apply liberally to clothing you don’t want anymore. The result is a mottled, aged look that works well for zombies and other monsters, Armstrong says. Rips and tears add to the effect.
Decorations
Focus on lighting. “You can change the whole appearance of your home very cheaply with the right lighting,” says Armstrong. Move your existing outdoor lights to cast spooky shadows instead of brightly-lit areas. Can’t shift a light’s direction? Place a tree branch in the light’s path to project the shape on a larger scale. Candles and white holiday lights can also add to the mood.
Download creepy sounds. Hunt for free soundtracks online to download or stream from your computer. Halloween-Sounds.com offers free tracks for home entertainment. Or you might set up scary movies on your TV.
Think seasonal, not Halloween. Don’t fork over cash for a giant latex spider or an inflatable coffin ($26 and $53, respectively, at HalloweenExpress.com). Bales of straw, uncut pumpkins and gourds can decorate your doorstep through Thanksgiving, Verdery says. They’re cheap, too. A bale of straw goes for $3.85 at Family Home & Garden in Raleigh, N.C. After the holidays, recycle it as garden or flower bed mulch to cut garden costs next year.
Shop around for pumpkins. A wet spring has farmers across the country reporting smaller harvests and wimpier pumpkins than in previous years. Before you buy, call around to compare prices and ask about selection. In the Washington, D.C., area, for example, Homestead Farms charges 59 cents a pound, while Crooked Run Orchard charges 45 cents a pound. For a 15-pound pumpkin, that’s a $2.10 difference.
Candy
Buy in bulk. Get friends, neighbors or family members together to purchase big bags from a warehouse club or discount online distributor, Verdery says. A one-pound bag of Tootsie Rolls will set you back about $5 at drugstores; on Amazon.com (AMZN: 94.83, +1.23, +1.31%), a five-pound bag is $15. That’s like getting two pounds free.
Eliminate chocolate. On a per-piece basis, hard candy is usually cheaper. At CandyWarehouse.com, 100 fun-sized M&M packs cost $29.50, or roughly 30 cents apiece. In comparison, 300 Smarties candy rolls are $15, or five cents each.
Skip candy. Many kids appreciate other treats buyable in bulk, like temporary tattoos, decorated pencils or stickers, says Todd Mark, the vice president of education for Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Dallas. OrientalTrading.com has 72-packs of Halloween tattoos for $2.99 to $4.99 each. You can also hang onto leftovers for next year without worrying about expiration dates.
Activities
Get scared on a weekday. Haunted houses and other attractions see fewer visitors during the week. “It’s incredibly creepy,” says Armstrong. “Sometimes you have the place to yourself.” Smaller crowds can yield price breaks, too. Fright Planet in Sacramento knocks $3 off its $20 price tag for weeknight visitors.
Seek out freebies. Churches, schools and local groups host plenty of free fall festivals, parades, haunted houses and costume contests, so check local news reports for what’s going on locally, Mark says.
Combine activities. Many farms with pumpkin patches and apple orchards also offer low-priced fall entertainment. Carleton Farm in Everett, Wash., offers free hayrides, a tube slide for kids and access to some of the farm’s animals. On the weekend, there’s a cannon that shoots pumpkins across the fields. They also have a four-acre corn maze, priced $6 for adults and $4 for kids.
posted by Larry at
7:56 AM
0 Comments
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
13 Reasons to Visit Your Local Haunted House this Halloween Season
Spooky special effects, bone-chilling details and safe family fun make haunted
houses the perfect choice for getting into the Halloween spirit this year
ATLANTA, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Are you thinking of going to the same boring
costume party this year? Think again! The Haunted House Association
(www.hauntedhouseassociation.org), a collective of the most successful and
renowned haunted houses and attractions in the country, today announced 13
reasons that haunted houses will scare even the bravest of family members this
Halloween season.
Here are some reasons to check out one of the hundreds of haunted houses
located all across the country:
1. Screaming is good for you! - The surge of adrenaline in the terrifying but safe environment of a haunted house peps you up and really makes
you feel alive.
2. Horror movie madness - Modern haunted houses have special effects rivaling top Hollywood horror movies, only in this case, YOU are the star!
3. Get transported into another world - Haunted houses are completely
immersive worlds that let you journey through using all of your senses with each room hiding a new horror in the darkness just like your favorite survival horror video game.
4. Create lasting memories - Visiting a haunted house with friends and family creates memories you will never forget. For years you will laugh at how loud Uncle Pete screamed when the chainsaw started!
5. It's affordable - Haunted houses are extremely cost effective entertainment choices compared to expensive theme parks and they are easily located all over the country.
6. Help out the economy - Haunted houses contribute vastly to the economy, employing approximately 100,000 seasonal workers every October while pumping tons of money into the production of the event and boosting local businesses.
7. Not just your neighborhood decorations - The level of detail and
artistic skill in modern haunted houses is insane, with many serving as museums
of horror.
8. It's safe - Haunted houses are very safe, requiring rigorous inspection by local authorities before they open and often staffed by off-duty policemen and firefighters to ensure that extra level of security.
9. It's fun for the whole family - Haunted houses are great places for kids and young adults alike. They are controlled, drug and alcohol free events that still have a massive cool factor.
10. It's philanthropic - Haunted houses help charities by collectively raising huge amounts of money and contributing free tickets to scores of worthy causes across the nation.
11. Haunted houses help local businesses - Through sponsorships and local deals, haunted houses stimulate the economy for everyone and give a
push to start off holiday shopping season.
12. It sure beats costume parties - The details, costumes, music, actors
and overall experience of haunted houses SCREAMS Halloween.
13. Haunted houses just plain rock - Today's modern haunted houses are technological marvels, featuring skilled actors in great costumes and intense makeup.
To find your local haunted house, visit www.hauntedhouseassociation.org or try
some of these award winning haunted houses:
-- 13th Gate Haunted House, Baton Rouge, LA -
www.midnightproduction.com/the13thgate.htm
-- The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride, Philadelphia, PA -
www.thebatesmotel.com
-- Cutting Edge, Fort Worth, TX - www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse
-- The Darkness, St. Louis, MO - www.scarefest.com
-- Dreamreapers Haunted House, Chicago, IL - www.dreamreapers.com
-- Erebus Four Story Haunted Attraction, Pontiac, MI -
www.hauntedpontiac.com
-- Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses, Ulster Park, NY -
www.headlesshorseman.com
-- Kersey Valley SpookyWoods and Maize Adventure, Greensboro, NC -
www.spookywoods.com
-- NETHERWORLD Haunted House, Atlanta, GA - www.Fearworld.com
-- Nightmare on 13th, Salt Lake City, Utah - www.nightmareon13th.com
-- Nightmare on the Bayou, Houston, TX - www.nightmareonthebayou.com
Contact: Sean Carney
Dukas Public Relations
646-808-3610
sean@dukaspr.com
houses the perfect choice for getting into the Halloween spirit this year
ATLANTA, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Are you thinking of going to the same boring
costume party this year? Think again! The Haunted House Association
(www.hauntedhouseassociation.org), a collective of the most successful and
renowned haunted houses and attractions in the country, today announced 13
reasons that haunted houses will scare even the bravest of family members this
Halloween season.
Here are some reasons to check out one of the hundreds of haunted houses
located all across the country:
1. Screaming is good for you! - The surge of adrenaline in the terrifying but safe environment of a haunted house peps you up and really makes
you feel alive.
2. Horror movie madness - Modern haunted houses have special effects rivaling top Hollywood horror movies, only in this case, YOU are the star!
3. Get transported into another world - Haunted houses are completely
immersive worlds that let you journey through using all of your senses with each room hiding a new horror in the darkness just like your favorite survival horror video game.
4. Create lasting memories - Visiting a haunted house with friends and family creates memories you will never forget. For years you will laugh at how loud Uncle Pete screamed when the chainsaw started!
5. It's affordable - Haunted houses are extremely cost effective entertainment choices compared to expensive theme parks and they are easily located all over the country.
6. Help out the economy - Haunted houses contribute vastly to the economy, employing approximately 100,000 seasonal workers every October while pumping tons of money into the production of the event and boosting local businesses.
7. Not just your neighborhood decorations - The level of detail and
artistic skill in modern haunted houses is insane, with many serving as museums
of horror.
8. It's safe - Haunted houses are very safe, requiring rigorous inspection by local authorities before they open and often staffed by off-duty policemen and firefighters to ensure that extra level of security.
9. It's fun for the whole family - Haunted houses are great places for kids and young adults alike. They are controlled, drug and alcohol free events that still have a massive cool factor.
10. It's philanthropic - Haunted houses help charities by collectively raising huge amounts of money and contributing free tickets to scores of worthy causes across the nation.
11. Haunted houses help local businesses - Through sponsorships and local deals, haunted houses stimulate the economy for everyone and give a
push to start off holiday shopping season.
12. It sure beats costume parties - The details, costumes, music, actors
and overall experience of haunted houses SCREAMS Halloween.
13. Haunted houses just plain rock - Today's modern haunted houses are technological marvels, featuring skilled actors in great costumes and intense makeup.
To find your local haunted house, visit www.hauntedhouseassociation.org or try
some of these award winning haunted houses:
-- 13th Gate Haunted House, Baton Rouge, LA -
www.midnightproduction.com/the13thgate.htm
-- The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride, Philadelphia, PA -
www.thebatesmotel.com
-- Cutting Edge, Fort Worth, TX - www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse
-- The Darkness, St. Louis, MO - www.scarefest.com
-- Dreamreapers Haunted House, Chicago, IL - www.dreamreapers.com
-- Erebus Four Story Haunted Attraction, Pontiac, MI -
www.hauntedpontiac.com
-- Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses, Ulster Park, NY -
www.headlesshorseman.com
-- Kersey Valley SpookyWoods and Maize Adventure, Greensboro, NC -
www.spookywoods.com
-- NETHERWORLD Haunted House, Atlanta, GA - www.Fearworld.com
-- Nightmare on 13th, Salt Lake City, Utah - www.nightmareon13th.com
-- Nightmare on the Bayou, Houston, TX - www.nightmareonthebayou.com
Contact: Sean Carney
Dukas Public Relations
646-808-3610
sean@dukaspr.com
posted by Larry at
11:19 AM
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
Halloween People: Inside the Haunted House Association
HHA Promotes Haunts On Fangoria
Halloween People: Inside the Haunted House Association
Friday, October 09, 2009 02:50 PM Mike Watt Fearful Features
For people like Ben Armstrong, Scott Simmons and Randy Bates, Halloween starts around January and doesn’t end until mid-November. But then again, the season never really ends when you operate a haunted attraction.
Like everything else, a lot has changed over the last decade for the spooky-house industry. It’s no longer a matter of simply stringing up cotton webs and calling in friends and family to scream “Boo!” in a delightfully tacky manner. The new millennium’s modern haunt is a living spectacle of lighting and set design, labyrinths, mechanics, hydraulics, professional acting and sights designed to both scare and disturb. It’s big business now, and serious business. Haunts all across the country have reached for new heights, upgraded and modernized. So much so that the Haunted House Association was formed a few years back to, in their words, “Protect and promote the haunted house industry.”
Armstrong, who owns the sprawling Netherworld attraction in Atlanta, serves as president. Simmons is vice president and runs the acclaimed ScareHouse outside Pittsburgh. Bates’ namesake is the Bates Motel and Hayride in Philadelphia. And they are all part of the HHA to ensure that the market gets the attention and respect it deserves.
“This is definitely a much more complicated and challenging business than many people might first realize,” says Simmons, caught in a whirlwind of last-minute details prior to ScareHouse’s 2009 opening. “Creatively, there is the challenge of delivering an experience comparable to what customers can expect to see in Hollywood movies and theme parks. That means spending a tremendous amount of time and money on elaborate costumes, adult actors and elaborate sets and special effects. You can’t rely on the same tricks that Hollywood can use to create suspense or mood. There’s no editing, no second takes and no CGI. This is an opportunity to create a kind of real-life experience that relies on so much attention to detail. The elements that make it so challenging are also the very reason why I am so passionate and excited to be a part of the haunted-house industry.”
While genre fans and haunt owners live in that mindset all year round, Halloween people are once-a-year folks. The HHA caters to both groups, and each bring their own set of preconceptions to the show. Halloween people don’t usually expect much, but they’re also the more timid of the pair. Their scares only come during this season. Horror fans are jaded, looking for something new but not too unusual. Santa Claus jumping out at them is only scary if he has a sack full of heads. Haunted-attraction owners have to find that psychological line—what will freak out every person every time? And what will keep them coming back for more?
“How often can you create a completely different world?” Simmons asks. “With a movie, there is always an emotional disconnect between you and the screen. You’re watching it from the safety of a theater or your living room. You can always leave, or turn it off. A haunted house is completely immersive. I love that.”
But just as the scare game has evolved, so have rules, regulations and concerns for safety. It’s no longer appropriate to set up shop in your basement or garage. HHA members have to deal with battalions of fire and safety inspectors and archaic and intricate building codes, many more strict than those for grocery stores or restaurants. Everything has to be coated in fire retardant, exits clearly marked, actors can’t touch patrons or vice versa, wiring must be secured and floors leveled—and all of this must be taken into account before the lights can be turned down or out. The danger can be palpable, but owners work hard to make sure it is never imminent.
But that’s only part of it. Overcoming the notion that haunted houses are quaint or corny is just as important a part of the HHA’s mission statement. “New building codes and safety regulations are just a few things that the HHA addresses,” Bates says. “The main roles the HHA plays are creating awareness of our industry through a PR campaign, establishing safety tips and a help desk and obtaining discounts and benefits for members. It is a haunt association run by haunted-attraction owners. The challenges our industry faces are many. One of the most important things is to get information into the hands of all attractions, large and small, for profit or charity, and make them aware of the basic safety precautions that our industry needs to follow.”
Running a haunt in these complicated times seems like an exercise in extreme masochism. All the safety regulations and promotion aside, haunt operators face the monumental task of constant upkeep and improvement, often with only a very small staff of dedicated workers to assist them. “We only have 11 months of prep time to create, construct and produce a completely new experience every year,” Simmons notes. “Plus, most attractions are only open for about 25 to 30 days on average. An owner spends the majority of the year putting tons of time and money into their attraction, but only generates income for that short window.”
Bates agrees: “This business was not always complicated, but has definitely grown in that direction. With all the new technology, high-end props and sets and computer-controlled sound and lighting devices, this business has entered the 21st century with a bang. Our business requires change every year. If you are not updating your show by 25 percent each season, you will lose customers and your business will stagnate.”
And with that consideration in mind, we come to the first and foremost element that makes the Haunted House Association stand out from other business “unions”: They’re all in it together. While backbiting and squabbling among competing venues does exist—the Pittsburgh region alone has more than 20 high-tech and interactive attractions, all looking to pull in the same crowd—this kind of negativity is almost nonexistent compared to other industries. “I always encourage people to attend not just ScareHouse, but as many local haunted houses and hayrides as they can,” Simmons says. “These owners rely on the support of their customers to survive and grow.”
So try to keep all of that in mind while you’re waiting in line this season, supporting your local haunts. It’s not all about the “Boo!” and it’s not all about the flash. It’s about community. It’s about fright at a visceral and a psychological level. It’s about a business born out of love for the game. It’s about Halloween.
Halloween People: Inside the Haunted House Association
Friday, October 09, 2009 02:50 PM Mike Watt Fearful Features
For people like Ben Armstrong, Scott Simmons and Randy Bates, Halloween starts around January and doesn’t end until mid-November. But then again, the season never really ends when you operate a haunted attraction.
Like everything else, a lot has changed over the last decade for the spooky-house industry. It’s no longer a matter of simply stringing up cotton webs and calling in friends and family to scream “Boo!” in a delightfully tacky manner. The new millennium’s modern haunt is a living spectacle of lighting and set design, labyrinths, mechanics, hydraulics, professional acting and sights designed to both scare and disturb. It’s big business now, and serious business. Haunts all across the country have reached for new heights, upgraded and modernized. So much so that the Haunted House Association was formed a few years back to, in their words, “Protect and promote the haunted house industry.”
Armstrong, who owns the sprawling Netherworld attraction in Atlanta, serves as president. Simmons is vice president and runs the acclaimed ScareHouse outside Pittsburgh. Bates’ namesake is the Bates Motel and Hayride in Philadelphia. And they are all part of the HHA to ensure that the market gets the attention and respect it deserves.
“This is definitely a much more complicated and challenging business than many people might first realize,” says Simmons, caught in a whirlwind of last-minute details prior to ScareHouse’s 2009 opening. “Creatively, there is the challenge of delivering an experience comparable to what customers can expect to see in Hollywood movies and theme parks. That means spending a tremendous amount of time and money on elaborate costumes, adult actors and elaborate sets and special effects. You can’t rely on the same tricks that Hollywood can use to create suspense or mood. There’s no editing, no second takes and no CGI. This is an opportunity to create a kind of real-life experience that relies on so much attention to detail. The elements that make it so challenging are also the very reason why I am so passionate and excited to be a part of the haunted-house industry.”
While genre fans and haunt owners live in that mindset all year round, Halloween people are once-a-year folks. The HHA caters to both groups, and each bring their own set of preconceptions to the show. Halloween people don’t usually expect much, but they’re also the more timid of the pair. Their scares only come during this season. Horror fans are jaded, looking for something new but not too unusual. Santa Claus jumping out at them is only scary if he has a sack full of heads. Haunted-attraction owners have to find that psychological line—what will freak out every person every time? And what will keep them coming back for more?
“How often can you create a completely different world?” Simmons asks. “With a movie, there is always an emotional disconnect between you and the screen. You’re watching it from the safety of a theater or your living room. You can always leave, or turn it off. A haunted house is completely immersive. I love that.”
But just as the scare game has evolved, so have rules, regulations and concerns for safety. It’s no longer appropriate to set up shop in your basement or garage. HHA members have to deal with battalions of fire and safety inspectors and archaic and intricate building codes, many more strict than those for grocery stores or restaurants. Everything has to be coated in fire retardant, exits clearly marked, actors can’t touch patrons or vice versa, wiring must be secured and floors leveled—and all of this must be taken into account before the lights can be turned down or out. The danger can be palpable, but owners work hard to make sure it is never imminent.
But that’s only part of it. Overcoming the notion that haunted houses are quaint or corny is just as important a part of the HHA’s mission statement. “New building codes and safety regulations are just a few things that the HHA addresses,” Bates says. “The main roles the HHA plays are creating awareness of our industry through a PR campaign, establishing safety tips and a help desk and obtaining discounts and benefits for members. It is a haunt association run by haunted-attraction owners. The challenges our industry faces are many. One of the most important things is to get information into the hands of all attractions, large and small, for profit or charity, and make them aware of the basic safety precautions that our industry needs to follow.”
Running a haunt in these complicated times seems like an exercise in extreme masochism. All the safety regulations and promotion aside, haunt operators face the monumental task of constant upkeep and improvement, often with only a very small staff of dedicated workers to assist them. “We only have 11 months of prep time to create, construct and produce a completely new experience every year,” Simmons notes. “Plus, most attractions are only open for about 25 to 30 days on average. An owner spends the majority of the year putting tons of time and money into their attraction, but only generates income for that short window.”
Bates agrees: “This business was not always complicated, but has definitely grown in that direction. With all the new technology, high-end props and sets and computer-controlled sound and lighting devices, this business has entered the 21st century with a bang. Our business requires change every year. If you are not updating your show by 25 percent each season, you will lose customers and your business will stagnate.”
And with that consideration in mind, we come to the first and foremost element that makes the Haunted House Association stand out from other business “unions”: They’re all in it together. While backbiting and squabbling among competing venues does exist—the Pittsburgh region alone has more than 20 high-tech and interactive attractions, all looking to pull in the same crowd—this kind of negativity is almost nonexistent compared to other industries. “I always encourage people to attend not just ScareHouse, but as many local haunted houses and hayrides as they can,” Simmons says. “These owners rely on the support of their customers to survive and grow.”
So try to keep all of that in mind while you’re waiting in line this season, supporting your local haunts. It’s not all about the “Boo!” and it’s not all about the flash. It’s about community. It’s about fright at a visceral and a psychological level. It’s about a business born out of love for the game. It’s about Halloween.
posted by Larry at
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