Hello all. I've been lurking here for a while, soaking up all the great information available, but now I think it's finally time for me to seek some advice.
I've long wanted to open a commercial haunt, but it's seeming that it's unrealistic to expect to do this sort of thing full time and not have a day job. I've seen some recommendations for haunting full time and working part time, but my current job just doesn't allow me much free time, certainly not enough to work at a haunt during the busy season.
After considering that reality, I've set my sights on being a haunt vendors, making props and such for the commercial haunts. It might not be quite as thrilling as scaring the crap out of people, but it's still something I have a passion for.
So I'm in the process of writing the business plan, but I'm having some trouble figuring out how much money I should expect to make, since this isn't exactly a traditional business. So I thought I would post here asking for any advice anyone could offer.
I also have a few specific questions. For one, do you ever buy props from new or otherwise unknown vendors or does everyone stick with the well known companies?
What budget do you typically have to spend on new props every year?
Is there any interest or market for systems designed for haunts, but not necessarily props that will scare people. For example, a centralized haunt audio system, or haunt safety systems, or other such things. Do people ever buy these things or is the money typically spent on props?
Is there a specific type of prop people tend to buy more of? For example, do people trend towards buying the latest greatest high tech scares, or is there any interest in some of the more traditional items (like latex masks)?
Also, are there any resources you can point me towards on building haunt props? I've been checking out the product lines from other vendors, I've just ordered a couple books from Devious Concoctions, and I've soaked up a wealth of information around these forums.
A little background info on my business. I'm plan on starting out small making latex masks and work my way into a few advanced props, but I'd really like to push the envelope and start coming up with automated props with more degrees of movement, not just the typical pop-out-and-scare types that seem to be so common. Or would this be a waste and should I focus on that classic method of scaring instead of re-inventing the wheel?
Any advice anyone can offer will be much appreciated. I've seen first hand just how much knowledge you people have around here. Just don't try to talk me out of it, haha. If I only cared about money, I'd be a stock broker. I just want what everyone else wants, to get paid to scare people.
I've long wanted to open a commercial haunt, but it's seeming that it's unrealistic to expect to do this sort of thing full time and not have a day job. I've seen some recommendations for haunting full time and working part time, but my current job just doesn't allow me much free time, certainly not enough to work at a haunt during the busy season.
After considering that reality, I've set my sights on being a haunt vendors, making props and such for the commercial haunts. It might not be quite as thrilling as scaring the crap out of people, but it's still something I have a passion for.
So I'm in the process of writing the business plan, but I'm having some trouble figuring out how much money I should expect to make, since this isn't exactly a traditional business. So I thought I would post here asking for any advice anyone could offer.
I also have a few specific questions. For one, do you ever buy props from new or otherwise unknown vendors or does everyone stick with the well known companies?
What budget do you typically have to spend on new props every year?
Is there any interest or market for systems designed for haunts, but not necessarily props that will scare people. For example, a centralized haunt audio system, or haunt safety systems, or other such things. Do people ever buy these things or is the money typically spent on props?
Is there a specific type of prop people tend to buy more of? For example, do people trend towards buying the latest greatest high tech scares, or is there any interest in some of the more traditional items (like latex masks)?
Also, are there any resources you can point me towards on building haunt props? I've been checking out the product lines from other vendors, I've just ordered a couple books from Devious Concoctions, and I've soaked up a wealth of information around these forums.
A little background info on my business. I'm plan on starting out small making latex masks and work my way into a few advanced props, but I'd really like to push the envelope and start coming up with automated props with more degrees of movement, not just the typical pop-out-and-scare types that seem to be so common. Or would this be a waste and should I focus on that classic method of scaring instead of re-inventing the wheel?
Any advice anyone can offer will be much appreciated. I've seen first hand just how much knowledge you people have around here. Just don't try to talk me out of it, haha. If I only cared about money, I'd be a stock broker. I just want what everyone else wants, to get paid to scare people.
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