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Just signed my lease, any tips for a first year pro haunt?
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cool theirs alot of new haunts in florida. I am trying to open one their as well. I hope we can be good competiton to universal. :-P
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Doing everything i can!
Im trying man! Spoke to the fire marshal yesterday about alarm specifics. Really i just need a location so I can get things moving. The haunt is pretty much fully conceptualized. Now im moving on graphics work and establishing a facebook presence, so things are in place for searching for volunteers.
Either way im setting up my corporation this month, and gonna start buying necessary equipment. Worst case scenario is we do a haunt at my parents house this year, and would then be able to spread some expense over two years instead; but that's only a contingency plan.
I've got a meeting with my landlord to discuss how to appeal to other landlords, and what types of deals I should propose. Im also hoping maybe I can get some other building owner names from him so I don't get ignored lol. Either way im going to call everybody and push push push!
Thanks for asking! Yeah we seem to be on the same page; if you'd like any ideas on how to make your maze really intense I've got a ton. I actually went to universal last year just to study their methods, and learned a TON of tricks regarding scare tactics and maze setup.
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Originally posted by scottylmt View PostFear for your life, I think you and I may be in the same boat. Im trying to make mine as intense as possible; two reasons 1) the kiddie market is being met and 2) I went to some and was so disappointed that it made me angry lol.
Imo its the SPECIALISTS who succeed in industries, while the generalists keep it alive. Keep in mind im coming from a service industry perspective tho not entertainment... but (and im hoping some pros can chime in here) wouldn't it make sense that he makes it as bold as possible because 1) that's what he's passionate about so he'll do better and 2) he will gain a reputation faster by having a "thing" for ppl to hear about, possibly even by generating shock publicity????
For everyone my age I've interviewed, 25-30, we seem to be starved for something legitimately shocking when it comes to haunted houses. This may also just be my area too...
Shock factor is what I want. I really think you and I are on the same wavelength on this. Are you opening this year too?
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Fear for your life, I think you and I may be in the same boat. Im trying to make mine as intense as possible; two reasons 1) the kiddie market is being met and 2) I went to some and was so disappointed that it made me angry lol.
Imo its the SPECIALISTS who succeed in industries, while the generalists keep it alive. Keep in mind im coming from a service industry perspective tho not entertainment... but (and im hoping some pros can chime in here) wouldn't it make sense that he makes it as bold as possible because 1) that's what he's passionate about so he'll do better and 2) he will gain a reputation faster by having a "thing" for ppl to hear about, possibly even by generating shock publicity????
For everyone my age I've interviewed, 25-30, we seem to be starved for something legitimately shocking when it comes to haunted houses. This may also just be my area too...
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Originally posted by Tom View PostYour already discriminating against age?
You need to have a mind set that every age has money. If it's kids or young teenagers, their parents will pay. Just post a sign at the ticket booth of the younger kids warning stuff and be done with it. Don't judge the age, just take their money. And as for toning it down for younger kids, I did that for 8 years and worked out great!!! But to each their own on that one.
You might want to expand your horizon being a beginner pro haunter. You're going to need every dollar you make for it to be a successful first year.
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Originally posted by fearforyourlife View PostI'm focusing on the 15+ age range. I'm more interested in the 18 and over crowd, but will allow older teenagers in, I will however warn on the website that younger kids should not be in the house without parental consent and if they do come in the parents have no one to blame but themselves if it is too gory. I'm tired of local haunts that tone things down for younger kids. It's about time that they older crowd that actually has money gets a chance to have something catered to them.
You need to have a mind set that every age has money. If it's kids or young teenagers, their parents will pay. Just post a sign at the ticket booth of the younger kids warning stuff and be done with it. Don't judge the age, just take their money. And as for toning it down for younger kids, I did that for 8 years and worked out great!!! But to each their own on that one.
You might want to expand your horizon being a beginner pro haunter. You're going to need every dollar you make for it to be a successful first year.
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Originally posted by BrotherMysterio View Post1. My brother-in-law owns one of the top Architectural firms in Boston, doing major commercial projects, and, believe it or not, they use Google Sketch-Up. It's easy, it's free, it's 3-D, and once they have the basic designs on a project, they can easily send it to clients for approval at various stages, without the clients themselves having to have any special, proprietory software.
2. There isn't, but there is one for time spent. General rule of thumb: $1 for 1 Minute.
3. How gory?
4. What age range?
C.
2. Makes sense.
3. I don't know how to define it other than I'm trying to make things as realistic as possible. Lots of blood, lots of mutilation etc.
4. I'm focusing on the 15+ age range. I'm more interested in the 18 and over crowd, but will allow older teenagers in, I will however warn on the website that younger kids should not be in the house without parental consent and if they do come in the parents have no one to blame but themselves if it is too gory. I'm tired of local haunts that tone things down for younger kids. It's about time that they older crowd that actually has money gets a chance to have something catered to them.
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Originally posted by fearforyourlife View PostYou're talking about the drawings that are supposed to be to spec right? If so I'll get working on them sooner rather than later then. I need to get some equipment as I've never drawn a to spec sheet. I wonder if they have computer programs that are easy to use that I could use?
Originally posted by mrfoos View PostI wasn't aware there was a national price formula based on the square footage of the haunt.
Originally posted by fearforyourlife View PostI plan on working on making this extremely realistic and gory.
Originally posted by fearforyourlife View PostI'm focusing on an older crowd.
C.
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Originally posted by Laughing Jack View PostWhat part of Florida??
I'm down in the southwest and I'm planning a maze about the same size +/-4000 SF.
I have partnered with a costume shop so I don't have to deal with biz license and the only only thing the
Local Gov. says I need is, well really nothing as long as I have under 500 people at a time there are no inspections required.
It sounds to good to be true but I can't find anyone to contridict this info.
THere is a permit required and proof of insurance and a seperate permit if I put up a tent over 10' sq.
LJ
Originally posted by Bradenton Haunted Trail View PostHey guys it is my second year and I am just outside of Sarasota Florida if you guys want any help just Private Message me and I will help both of you as much as I can. I am also a General Contractor so if you have any building questions I usualy can help with those as well. We did just under 8K in attendance our first year.
Good Luck
Shawn
http://www.twistedwoods.com
Originally posted by Scenic Art Productions View PostHello,
I just wanted to congratulate you on your new haunt. I had spoken with you last fall and you really seemed to enjoy building your home haunt. I am happy to hear you made the leap towards building a pro haunt. I look forward to seeing it.
Good Luck,
Robert Travis
Scenic Art Productions
ScenicArtProductions@Yahoo.COM
http://www.facebook.com/scenicartproductions
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Originally posted by Tom View PostCongrats on your contract.
I know you mentioned "talking" to the fire marshal but you really need them to come out and "physically see" the place. Walk thru the building with them and express your ideas of what your plans are. What looks good on paper can sometimes be a total surprise in person (this goes for any inspectors). Get aquainted with them and show you're there for them. You inviting them out before even getting started will show them you are serious AND concerned of doing it right and to their specs. Then after the build, reinvite them to come visit. Believe me, it will make a difference. Inspectors are the best friends to have
I owned a dark ride and had the "amusement inspectors" (Dept of Labor). If you do choose something in the amusement industry, keep all parties (inspectors) informed. For me, the amusement inspectors were easy to work with, if you get with them early, not just after you did something.
For the most part, if you keep the inspectors/marshalls involved with everything "from the start", you will be surprised how much easier life can be.
Good luck with your haunt.
Originally posted by screamforadream View PostClaustrophobia doesn't count as an amusement, or at least not here, and we have some pretty strict rules in CT.
But dont just do the squeeze walls, take the onadira way out and use half a claustrophobia wall and mount it on the top of your wall panels, your customers are more likely to react to that way of doing it because EVERYONE knows about the regular way...
Originally posted by Badger View PostMake sure your actors are hired well in advance and properly trained. they are the backbone of your haunt. All the permits, props, animatronics, and scenes won't matter if your actors are terrible or unmotivated...
Originally posted by Dark Scares View PostGet those plans into the city! Ours came back 3 times the first year with them wanting or needing different things. Haunts are not something they encounter everyday and it is a learning process for all. Be prepared for anything they might throw at you.
Best of luck to you!! It is the hardest, but definitely one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
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Congratulations on your new haunt
Hello,
I just wanted to congratulate you on your new haunt. I had spoken with you last fall and you really seemed to enjoy building your home haunt. I am happy to hear you made the leap towards building a pro haunt. I look forward to seeing it.
Good Luck,
Robert Travis
Scenic Art Productions
ScenicArtProductions@Yahoo.COM
http://www.facebook.com/scenicartproductions
Leave a comment:
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Florida?
Hey guys it is my second year and I am just outside of Sarasota Florida if you guys want any help just Private Message me and I will help both of you as much as I can. I am also a General Contractor so if you have any building questions I usualy can help with those as well. We did just under 8K in attendance our first year.
Good Luck
Shawn
http://www.twistedwoods.com
Leave a comment:
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Newbie in FLorida TOO!!
What part of Florida??
I'm down in the southwest and I'm planning a maze about the same size +/-4000 SF.
I have partnered with a costume shop so I don't have to deal with biz license and the only only thing the
Local Gov. says I need is, well really nothing as long as I have under 500 people at a time there are no inspections required.
It sounds to good to be true but I can't find anyone to contridict this info.
THere is a permit required and proof of insurance and a seperate permit if I put up a tent over 10' sq.
LJ
Leave a comment:
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Get those plans into the city! Ours came back 3 times the first year with them wanting or needing different things. Haunts are not something they encounter everyday and it is a learning process for all. Be prepared for anything they might throw at you.
Best of luck to you!! It is the hardest, but definitely one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
Leave a comment:
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Make sure your actors are hired well in advance and properly trained. they are the backbone of your haunt. All the permits, props, animatronics, and scenes won't matter if your actors are terrible or unmotivated...
Leave a comment:
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