Let's face it: some haunted attractions are shit compared to the others. You may go to a haunt where the only scary thing is the fact that the lights are off. You may go to another haunt where everything makes you feel like you're the star of a horror movie. Hell, you may even stumble upon a haunt that seems like a glorified, gore fueled strip show. Whatever the case may be, it's safe to assume that there are MANY different types of haunted attractions.
The first haunted house I ever technically "worked at" was my cousin's home made haunt in his garage. It was a rink-dink maze of black tarp, ripped up trash bags, dangling plastic spiders, and my cousin with a chainsaw at the end. It was truly a sad, pathetic display. There was nothing scary about it except the chainsaw (since my cousin was literally the only live person inside the trash bag maze until I couldn't take it anymore and jumped in to help with the scares). Now that I work in the industry, my standards for "haunted attractions" have gone through the roof, but I always have to remind myself that there are many different types of haunts and not all of them can be professional ones.
Most haunted attractions start off as "home haunts" in somebody's garage, basement, backyard, or in their actual house. I always hear the story of, "We threw a haunted house Halloween party one year and it just became a tradition," and sometimes I hear that it was created by pure passion for scaring people (no party needed for the grand epiphany). However it is created, a home haunt is a fun way to start. There are far less pressures when it comes to a home haunt. You don't have to worry about fire codes, insurance policies, or paying employees. You can simply recruit friends and family, put on some fun costumes with no pressure to look 100% accurate or polished, and you can basically do whatever you want because you're just having fun. That kind of freedom is awesome to get your feet wet with. You will get a chance to learn how to scare, what characters are right for your haunt, which scares need to be built and which can be thrown in at a moment's notice, and so much more to make your haunt the best it can be.
Another kind of haunt I've run across (which I don't particularly agree with) is a haunted attraction in an actual, historic, haunted location. This is where you mix historic tours with actors and props to retell an actual historic tragedy to try and boost sales. Of course, it is an interesting idea and makes sense to those who have never owned a haunt before, but to me, this is a sad and disrespectful cop out. (Can we all note the hint of disgust in my tone?) If you happen to own a place like this beforehand and simply don't wish to spend massive amounts of money on building or spend time creating a storyline for your haunt, this is probably a good option for you. (Just know I will silently judge you, because the dead deserves more respect.) Now, I ask that we do not confuse this with "haunted tours" at historic locations. One is a tour with no actors or gimmicks, the other is a planned out haunt and should be advertised as such.
On the more rural side of things, haunted hayrides and corn mazes are awesome! I'm not super familiar with haunted hayrides (though, I'm hoping to become more familiar with them after RISE Haunted House opens the first haunted hayride in Louisiana), but the idea of them intrigues me. With haunted hayrides, you can either go for a more family friendly route so the kiddies have something more mild to do than brave a haunted house...or you can go a more extreme route. I heard that there were a few haunted hayride tours at the Legendary Tour this year that were pretty intense and even included soft touch and kidnapping. (I'm completely ready for that if RISE is going that route. Crossing my fingers it won't be a G rated ride.) Corn mazes, on the other hand, I'm more familiar with. Typically, the first half has nothing scary in it, just so you can get used to the maze aspect. After a certain point, though, the scares come out. People pop out of the corn with knives and chainsaws. It's pretty fun, plus...you get to sell the corn from the maze after the season. (Extra profit right there.) I will admit, it does seem like more work since you have to take into account all the agriculture involved as well as having to cope with the outdoor elements, but there are companies that you can hire to help with all of that that are specific to the haunt world. (I'll add a few links on the Southern Spooks Facebook Page.)
The haunted attractions that I'm most accustom to are professional haunts. These are haunts that are actually a business and own trademarks, have a payroll for their actors and crew, and have to deal with all the insurance, fire code, taxes, and all that fun and exciting stuff. (Insert eye roll here.) Professional haunts take a lot of work, and I give the owners of them so much credit. It's a huge gamble to open a professional haunt and some people have to open them with the help of bigger companies. These kinds of haunts are insane, most having new things added every year, top of the line sets and makeup, amazing actors, and a more "theme park" feel to them.
I guess you can say I'm spoiled by the atmosphere that Ravenwood Manor has embedded into me since it's considered a professional haunt, but it actually started as a home haunt that grew into something bigger. So, there IS a way to transition from one of these attraction types to another. There are no set rules when it comes to haunting. There's so much wiggle room and chances to learn, evolve, and grow. You don't have to start your haunt journey with a big bang. It's always best to start where you feel comfortable.
There are many more types of haunts, but these are the few I've run across first hand. What other haunts could be out there? Ghost ships? Haunted amusement parks? Haunted hospitals? Who knows? Stay tuned for part two in the next few weeks.
Until next time, stay spooky and happy hauntings!
-Jaz☾
The first haunted house I ever technically "worked at" was my cousin's home made haunt in his garage. It was a rink-dink maze of black tarp, ripped up trash bags, dangling plastic spiders, and my cousin with a chainsaw at the end. It was truly a sad, pathetic display. There was nothing scary about it except the chainsaw (since my cousin was literally the only live person inside the trash bag maze until I couldn't take it anymore and jumped in to help with the scares). Now that I work in the industry, my standards for "haunted attractions" have gone through the roof, but I always have to remind myself that there are many different types of haunts and not all of them can be professional ones.
Most haunted attractions start off as "home haunts" in somebody's garage, basement, backyard, or in their actual house. I always hear the story of, "We threw a haunted house Halloween party one year and it just became a tradition," and sometimes I hear that it was created by pure passion for scaring people (no party needed for the grand epiphany). However it is created, a home haunt is a fun way to start. There are far less pressures when it comes to a home haunt. You don't have to worry about fire codes, insurance policies, or paying employees. You can simply recruit friends and family, put on some fun costumes with no pressure to look 100% accurate or polished, and you can basically do whatever you want because you're just having fun. That kind of freedom is awesome to get your feet wet with. You will get a chance to learn how to scare, what characters are right for your haunt, which scares need to be built and which can be thrown in at a moment's notice, and so much more to make your haunt the best it can be.
Another kind of haunt I've run across (which I don't particularly agree with) is a haunted attraction in an actual, historic, haunted location. This is where you mix historic tours with actors and props to retell an actual historic tragedy to try and boost sales. Of course, it is an interesting idea and makes sense to those who have never owned a haunt before, but to me, this is a sad and disrespectful cop out. (Can we all note the hint of disgust in my tone?) If you happen to own a place like this beforehand and simply don't wish to spend massive amounts of money on building or spend time creating a storyline for your haunt, this is probably a good option for you. (Just know I will silently judge you, because the dead deserves more respect.) Now, I ask that we do not confuse this with "haunted tours" at historic locations. One is a tour with no actors or gimmicks, the other is a planned out haunt and should be advertised as such.
On the more rural side of things, haunted hayrides and corn mazes are awesome! I'm not super familiar with haunted hayrides (though, I'm hoping to become more familiar with them after RISE Haunted House opens the first haunted hayride in Louisiana), but the idea of them intrigues me. With haunted hayrides, you can either go for a more family friendly route so the kiddies have something more mild to do than brave a haunted house...or you can go a more extreme route. I heard that there were a few haunted hayride tours at the Legendary Tour this year that were pretty intense and even included soft touch and kidnapping. (I'm completely ready for that if RISE is going that route. Crossing my fingers it won't be a G rated ride.) Corn mazes, on the other hand, I'm more familiar with. Typically, the first half has nothing scary in it, just so you can get used to the maze aspect. After a certain point, though, the scares come out. People pop out of the corn with knives and chainsaws. It's pretty fun, plus...you get to sell the corn from the maze after the season. (Extra profit right there.) I will admit, it does seem like more work since you have to take into account all the agriculture involved as well as having to cope with the outdoor elements, but there are companies that you can hire to help with all of that that are specific to the haunt world. (I'll add a few links on the Southern Spooks Facebook Page.)
The haunted attractions that I'm most accustom to are professional haunts. These are haunts that are actually a business and own trademarks, have a payroll for their actors and crew, and have to deal with all the insurance, fire code, taxes, and all that fun and exciting stuff. (Insert eye roll here.) Professional haunts take a lot of work, and I give the owners of them so much credit. It's a huge gamble to open a professional haunt and some people have to open them with the help of bigger companies. These kinds of haunts are insane, most having new things added every year, top of the line sets and makeup, amazing actors, and a more "theme park" feel to them.
I guess you can say I'm spoiled by the atmosphere that Ravenwood Manor has embedded into me since it's considered a professional haunt, but it actually started as a home haunt that grew into something bigger. So, there IS a way to transition from one of these attraction types to another. There are no set rules when it comes to haunting. There's so much wiggle room and chances to learn, evolve, and grow. You don't have to start your haunt journey with a big bang. It's always best to start where you feel comfortable.
There are many more types of haunts, but these are the few I've run across first hand. What other haunts could be out there? Ghost ships? Haunted amusement parks? Haunted hospitals? Who knows? Stay tuned for part two in the next few weeks.
Until next time, stay spooky and happy hauntings!
-Jaz☾
Comments
Post a Comment