Planning For my First Pro Haunt...

[halloweenroom]

Hello everyone, A friend and I are looking to "go pro" this year and I am wondering if there is some kind of package that would help with forms and the ins and outs with a haunted attraction.

We defiantly have the creativity down and the time to build for a haunt. But when it comes to finances and all the legal paperwork that comes along with it I have not a clue.

Is there a website that has a start up kit or someone that would be gracious enough to let us know what is all involved.

Thank you

[FablesStudios]

form your company...

I formed my LLC through Legal Zoom. thats a good place to start.
Peter T
FS

[chuck weber]

watch your wallet !!!!

good luck, man it's gonna take plenty of money.... being a new-bee, don't get ripped off !!!!!

[Moxley Manor]

Read this book. I have and it has great information on just about everything.

http://www.hauntbook.com/

[freak 'n' stein]

This is what you're looking for, I believe?!

The Painless Operations Manual
For Haunters

Everything you could ever want to know about starting and operating a haunted house. Comes complete with a CD Rom. $60.00

manuals, paperwork, the works!!



http://www.hauntedhousesupplies.com/...house_book.htm

[HELLRAZZORS]

i defintly recomend hauntbook .com....get the cd rom its great and has everything you need...

[FEAR ASYLUM]

Raycliff manor

contact Kelly Allen at raycliff manor. He also has a book called (so you think you want to be a haunt eantrpunear ) and it is awesome

[robos99]

Maybe there should be a sticky on this forum answering this exact question. Seems this question always pops up, and half the replys are to buy that book.

Well, add another recommendation for that book. From a business perspective, I have yet to find a single source that was more informative than that book. Definetly required reading.

[Raycliff Manor]

I just stumbled on this thread. Thanks for all the recommendations for my book! I really do appreciate it and the kind words! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at TW. I just wish there were more hours in the day and more days at TW so I could get quality visiting time in with EVERYONE! We are very fortunate to be part of an industry that is filled with so many awesome people!

Kel

[Boomtown House Of Terror]

selling stuff on ebay to buy ftom tw

selling stuff on ebay to buy ftom tw, going to buy book at tw , wow counting down, better then my Birthday this fry. cant wait , first time .

[Boomtown House Of Terror]

o and driving 700 mi to get there

going to have fun, cant wait to see the darkness, lights on , lights off, hey larry do i need to bring an extra pair of shorts? LOL

[The Nightmare Factory]

Attending TW is great place to learn, find people that have done this and if they have the time to share, let them talk...

We'd love to have you out here for our show too.

Ed Roberts
www.westcoasthauntersconvention.com

[screamforadream]

Hi! I don't know what your finances are, or what you've already planned. But one thing that has worked amazing for the first year of my haunt was to find a charity or local organization that has land you could use to put the haunt on. I was lucky to be able to get involved with a trolley museum, so we had a creepy old trolley bring in our customers and it would stop in the middle of nowhere and they got off and went through a fairly long trail in the woods, very spooky setting and best of all, it was free! Check with your local landtrusts, or if you are planning to use (and I HIGHLY suggest it) a charity as a "beneficiary" of the haunt proceeds (even if it's just a small percentage) get a letter from them saying you are legit, and see if any places for rent or on the market would let you use their location, and in exchange they could get a tax deduction for the dollar ammount that they would have made if you paid for it. I am assuming you cannot go "pro" at your house, so location is a big decision, besides, most fire codes won't let you have a commercialized haunt at your house. Also make sure you don't make any enemies with them, if it's outside the rules are much more lenient, indoors, EVERYTHING has to be fire-proofed.

I hope that helped! Keep asking questions, the people on these forums, myself included, love to help new guys out! (Heck, I'm still new myself, even though I've done a ton of home haunts and worked with other haunts in my area LOL)

[Panic Point]

I ordered the book a few days ago and I'm anxious to read it. We decided in September 2010 to target Halloween 2011 for our first haunted attraction. Anybody out there on your 2nd year? We are entering into a lease agreement with a land owner near by, and I'm looking for a sample lease. If you have one I'd greatly appreciate a PM so I can put something together without spending too much on an attorney. We are scrutinizing every penny, trying to get everything for free/cheap that we might otherwise pay for.

Brian
Haunted Forest at Panic Point