Introduce Yourself...

[RandalB]

Charity Haunt in Cedar Lake Indiana

Hey All,

Randal Bogathy (RandalB get it?) here. I coordinate (and come up with ideas, build stuff, do wiring, recruit volunteers, etc,etc, etc) a 100% charity haunt in Cedar Lake, Indiana. We have been using local school gyms for the last 6 years for this program. Came to Haunt World forums because even though we are a small haunt, we are always looking to be more creative and professional.

Our program has been steadily growing over the years and some new things we did for 2014:
1) 13 Rooms (10k sq ft of decorated space) with connecting hallways
2) Queue line entertainment
3) Low voltage lighting throughout
4) Independent Sound systems for individual rooms
5) Digital video effects
6) CC camera coverage
7) Photo op at exit (Selfie Station)
8) Comment Cards for self improvement and Ideas

We had a budget of $1500 and operated Four nights: 17,18,24 and 25 October from 7-9:30 PM. We had a net donation to our sponsoring charity of over $5000. We charge $5 per guest.

There are some real technological and logistical challenges we have using a school gym but we have a great time with it.

All that being said, I'm glad to have found this forum and hope to contribute some of my experience and learn from you guys.

See ya out there!
RandalB

[Lochness]

Hi

Hi, its nice to meet you. What is it like being a haunt actor? Ive always dreamed of working at a haunt. But in a couple years I'll be one.

[John Eibach]

Hey Everyone -

John here. Newer member to the forums .. well newly active, but currently a haunt actor and a huge fan of all things Halloween. Looking forward to scoping this place out and getting to know some of you.

[Lochness]

I am Ethan

My name is Ethan, I have been interested in haunted houses and scary stuff since as long as I can remember. When I was 8-10 I made small haunted houses down in my basement and I'd have my friends jump out at people and it was a lot of fun. I am currently 12 years old, next October I will be 13. In only four more long years, I'll be working at the Haunted Graveyard. In the meantime, me and my father will be building our own graveyard in the garage we are currently building. My first Haunted House was The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce and when I left I thought It was one of the greatest experiences I ever had. It was. I am a huge fan of Stephen King and right now Im reading It (Look at my profile picture!). My favorite Stephen King novel was Misery. Every year at my house I throw a huge Halloween party and all my friends from school come and we buy and make props ever year. When I was 7 my dad made some huge 12 foot tall hanging skeleton. Don't ask me where he got the materials to build it, but it looks awesome. It has a huge skull and a black robe and creepy fingers. When I was eight we just bought a bunch of props. When I was nine we made a Flying Crank Ghost and we bought black lights to go with it. When I was ten I got the jumping spider from Spirit Halloween. When I was eleven we got an inflatable haunted house archway. Now that I am twelve we got lasers for dance parties and a long tent. Now I don't want to have parties anymore. I want something bigger, better, and scarier. I want my own Haunted House. We have enough props, we have enough woods, and enough lights, and a perfect place to put it all.

[nativehaunt]

Greetings All!

Native Haunt is a small haunt in the making located in rural Middle Tennessee. The haunt will operate as a "haunted trail" located on 5 acres of mostly wooded land. Tennessee has scattered haunts throughout, being directly between Nashville and Knoxville though, the local haunt scene is scarce. This season the closest haunt is +/- 40 miles away.

We had the best of intentions to open this season but good not justify opening a partially completed haunt. Looking forward to the first screams in Fall of 2015!

Myself, I'm a Mechanical Engineer specializing in Automation, Mechanics, and System Dynamics. My wife-to-be is a creative genius, and a master with a paintbrush.
We're looking to apply our skills to create a unique haunt!

[BlackForest]

Hi! We are a haunted house that is in our 20th year of operation. Me, being the son of the family, is crazy about it (since I was 5, 15 now) and am pushing more and more in the haunt that my parents have not taken the steps to do. I constantly (year round) am on these types of forums and researching, drawing, brainstorming ideas for our rooms and things that can make us that much better.

Our 20th year introduced major air props and animations as well as more and more steps to get rid of the 'home haunt' feel and turn it into a over-the-top professional haunt. I can't wait to see what is in store for years to come.

Happy haunting!

[thescythian]

Hi!

Name is John.

Been going to haunts since I was about 10 years old (32 now).

Just recently started trying to break into the acting side of things.

Also toying with the idea of custom audio design for haunts. Been playing with synths and drum machines since I was about 14/15. Currently have an audio workstation that I've invested well over a few thousand dollars in over the past few years.

Been lurking here for a long time, but after posting in another thread just moments ago, thought it would be a good time for a quick intro!

[jayepmills]

Greetings Haunters!

Hello Hauntworld! My name is Jaye. I am new to these boards and to the haunting scene in general. I run a small performing arts center/theater in Ohio. This year, we are branching out to include a very experimental "haunt" and I am looking forward to collaborating with all of you. I thank you for all the insight and helpful material on these forums!

KEEP HAUNTING!
Jaye

[Grey Lady]

I've been lurking...

Hello!
I've been lurking on this website for about a year and recently became a member.
I have always loved all things Halloween so it was natural for me to start doing a yard haunt which I did for 7 years. This year I purchased a large house and will get to play/work/sweat 365 days a year. I guess I am now a professional haunter as I know the fire marshal by his first name and he is the 1st speed dial number on my phone.
I am here to learn, get better, and be scarier!
So glad to be here.
Jan/grey lady

[LabofNightmares]

Hello everybody!!

Hello everybody!!
New to this Forum.

I run a haunted house called "The Lab of Nightmares," located in New Palestine, Indiana. Currently we are located at our local Lions Club. Been there for about 4 years now. This coming season will be our 5th year at the Club.

We started as a yard haunt which then later grew into a haunted house. We had to move out of the house because the haunt literally went through our entry-way, basement, kitchen, laundry room, garage, backyard, and front yard. It was way too much for one house..

So we've been rocking it out at the Lions Club for the past 4 years! http://forum.hauntworld.com/images/icons/icon6.png

Hopefully this will be our last year at the club, as we plan on going fully pro in 2015.

Thanks for letting me introduce myself!

Can't wait to meet everyone!
Cameron

[lucillia]

Posting to say hello.

I work at a local haunt in Ohio, as a volunteer. (I have been working it since I was a kid.)
I love all things Halloween associated, and have taken costuming from it a bit further into a year long deal. (Not to mention I am always planning scenes, costumes, dialog, décor and such for the haunt I help with.)

My name is Amber, however I also go by Lucillia.
Anyways, I am looking forward to getting to know yall, and having conversations. (ask well as asking for help if needed, or suggestions.)

[ZombiesZoo]

Hello!!

I am the Director for Zombies at the Zoo a fundraising Haunted Trail/Hayride at the Plumpton Park Zoo in Maryland! We are currently gearing up for our third year of our highest-grossing fundraising efforts and of course it has to do with Zombies! I look forward to reading and talking to professional haunters as we expand into (hopefully) a better and more professional haunt ourselves!

[drfrightner]

Welcome and we look forward to seeing your comments, questions, and feedback on the forums. Larry

[kurtlamm]

Hi!

I am a young guy with an unhealthy obsession for scaring people. I have watched every video, read every document, basically learned as much as I can from the internet. I have put on a home haunt and want to make it my profession, I am here and ready to learn as much as I can.

[Jarring]

Obsessive Amateur

Hello All.

Obsessive Amateur whose free time is spent Collecting, Buying, Building, Designing, Creating, Planning, and Inventing mind bending, perspective shifting, and very scary haunts in his garage. The Haunt is my art for the world, and it is on display only 3 hours per year. Knowing that I've scarred .... er.... etched into the memory of people for the rest of their lives an experience unlike any other propels me from year to year... .that and all the cool stuff I get to buy and build! Animatronics, pneumatics, Water Systems, High Voltage, Lasers, whatever .... I'm always experimenting and tinkering to bring the art to life.

Professionally, I'm an IT Consultant who specializes in IT Strategy and Innovation for Competitive Advantage.

Thanks to everyone for sharing so freely here..... lots of wonderful ideas have percolated into the brain.

-Jarring
("Bill")

p.s. For the admin who emailed me, yes I can post a message .... the account creation seemed to work