Monsters, Assemble!

Do you know the phrase, "Out of sight, out of mind."? It's the belief that if you do not see something or someone regularly, they begin to leave your thoughts. I believe it is a very true concept. Once haunt season is over, most people fall back into their regular lives and their regular routines. Unless you go to school or work with your fellow haunters in 'Normalville' the memory of your haunt family will begin to fade. Nothing is wrong with this happening, but there are ways in which we, as a haunt community, can stay connected and remain the strong, tight-knit family we are.

Of course, it's not fully a haunt's responsibility to keep everyone connected throughout the year. Like any relationship, it's a 50/50 deal, but because a haunt is a business, it's partially their responsibility to ensure a decent amount of returning members. To do this, it's essential to keep tabs on everyone and make sure that they feel loved, appreciated, and included. There are many ways to do this, from Facebook group pages all the way to hosting events in the off season. 

The easiest way to stay in contact during the off season is by utilizing a magical little place called Facebook. If your haunt doesn't already have a 'Crew Page' I highly recommend you make one. It's a great way to keep your cast and crew separate from your customers on social media and ensures that no trade secrets or inside jokes that might not reflect well on your haunt are leaked. (Kinda how you don't go to school and tell everyone about mommy and daddy's crippling debt or how daddy has a pretty friend that comes over when mommy's at the book club. There are just some things you have to keep strictly in the family.) I also advise that somebody should keep an eye on this page, keeping it active and engaging during the off season. Encourage your cast and crew to have conversation. Post updates about any changes or construction going on at the haunt. Inclusion is key. I can't stress that enough. 

Another fun idea, which I'm thrilled to actually be taking part in pretty soon, are field days. These can consist of many different ativities: dodgeball, kickball, flag football, nerf wars, anything that involves teamwork and fun are on the table. Too often do cast and crew form the impression that some people are more important than them or that they may be scary and intimidating (I'm looking at you, Cain and Marked Ones). By getting the managers and creative team involved in the fun rather than barking orders and walking around completely stressed, we can tear down the "big, scary, boss people" wall and help promote a laid back, family vibe. Unlike any training courses or bootcamps, this is NOT the time to judge and critique people based on their performance. This is strictly a fun activity to get the whole gang together.

Speaking of training courses and bootcamps, that is another great way to keep your cast and crew involved. This could also be a great way to feel out new talent. Creating a small, 2-4 hour event that's open to veteran cast memebers as well as the public where you give a basic rundown of haunt, play a few acting games, and get a chance to meet and greet with everyone is an awesome way to keep everyone on their toes, update any haunt training, network and recruit, and scratch a few haunt itches that people may be feeling come Summer time. It would be more informative than any old field day, but it would still be a fun activity to keep morale high.

"Family Nights" would by far be my favorite way to get everyone together. Having random movie nights, cookouts, pool parties, etc. where everyone brings food and drinks and it just feels like a family gathering without the stress of it being a formal event is the ideal way to promote and strengthen the idea that every haunt is a family. Sure, you can always have more "business and learning" events, but what you really want to do is make a memory. People live and thrive off of the memories they have and the bonds and friendships they have made.

Now, some of you might be wondering, "How do I get in contact with my entire cast and crew to put on these events if I don't have them all on Facebook?" Well, this is where organization comes into play. During haunt season, most haunts should have some sort of system to help log people in and out each night of the haunt. Ravenwood Manor uses HauntScheduler (which I recomend partially because I lived on that site during my coordinating days), which lets administrators put in all of their employees contact information for future reference and allows them to send out mass texts and emails (for a fee when you subscribe for the service, of course). Another way of getting everyone's contact information is by asking them on their audition forms if they would like to be added to the Facebook page, so you may have to wait until next haunt season comes around to get EVERYBODY'S information. Until then, work with what you have and ask the people you DO keep in contct with for help.

Another thing you may be thinking is, "Jaz, what if I don't have enough time as an owner to plan and host these events?" Well, you are in luck, because I have an answer to that. Do you remember how I mentioned Training Teams, Zone Leaders, Area Captains, or whatever other title you may have given to your little helpers in a few of my previous posts? This is a wonderful opportunity to give them a bit of the responsibility and get their feet wet in the management/coordinating department. Have your Training Team help with any classes or bootcamps. Have your Zone Leaders host fun get togethers with their own zones or multiple zones. Have Area Captains plan the field days. Interchange any of these options and you will have an amazing team of dedicated people behind you to help. (Because if they aren't dedicated to the haunt, why else would they be in their position?) This will also make those that you've put in small leader positions feel more included and like a vital part to the team.

The whole point of all of this is to keep the idea of the "Haunt Family" strong and alive. If it turns into all work and no play because we have to show up or we are penalized, it loses its charm. Nothing I've mentioned should be mandetory. If you and your team created that fun, family atmosphere during the season, you should have no issue outside of season (unless you plan events during Mid-Terms, Finals, or major holidays...then you're just dumb).

In all seriousness, though, I highly recomend staying in touch with your cast and crew after haunt season. It really proves that you are more than just a bussiness. You are a home, and that is how a large handful of haunters view their haunt. A haunt family is a special thing to have, so take the time out of your schedule and enjoy it. If any of y'all need any ideas or inspiration, I'll probably post a few fun activity ideas on the Facebok page for your viewing pleasure. So, enjoy those litle treats in the next few days.

Until next time, stay scary and happy hauntings!

-Jaz

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