Fiendish Friday Interview - Jonathan of Rotting Flesh Radio

A few years back I joined a Wisconsin Haunt called “Terror On Rural Street” and the team in charge really helped me grow even more as an individual and a haunter in this Industry. They help elaborate more on ideas I learned from previous Pro and Semi Pro Haunts I worked for. They showed me different techniques and such than I had been previously used to and it helped me grow as a haunter on the production end. At this Haunt I was part of the Production Team, Actor and a Newer role in the Industry, setting up promotions, advertising and design. This was a great time because I am an Art Director/Graphic Designer by trade and work at a top Advertising Agency in Wisconsin and now I got to put my knowledge of my day to day work and apply it to the Industry I have grown to love.

What job do you do right now? Is the Haunted House/Horror Job your full time gig?
When it comes to my jobs right now. I work in Advertising as an Art Director / Graphic Designer at an Advertising Agency. That is my full time job. I also am the force behind ROTTING FLESH RADIO, the Haunt Industry’s First and Only Weekly Podcast.

ROTTING FLESH RADIO is now my sole project from Haunting. I created R.F.R. because the Industry has alot of News, Ideas, Conventions and more always happening. There are so many interesting people in the industry with their story to tell. How they got started, why they make products, haunt, act and so on. What gave them the idea for the costumes, props and equipment they create. I wanted to share those stories with everyone. Also, Haunting has to be an all year love. Sometimes we all have gotten into the rut on no motivation and I wanted to bring the essence of the Haunt Industry to everyone using an ALL-NEW MEDIA that hasn’t been conquered before in the Haunt Industry. This was a way for us to hear peoples voices, the current news that is going on each week and be on top of everything within the Industry. With Music, Interviews, Classic Clips, Humor, DVDs Reviews and more, it is hard not to stay motivated to create all year. It is also a way for those who cannot attend Transworld, MHC, Hauntcon, Haunt X and more to hear what happened at those conventions, to introduce new products, ideas to haunters who are new or those who didn’t know it was out there. And also a way to keep the Haunt Community Involved EACH AND EVERY WEEK as to what is going on in the Industry.

How long have you been in the business?
I have been in the Haunt Industry for almost 8.5 years now.

How did you start?
As I mentioned earlier I started in a variety of Haunts and grew from there.

What’s the scariest Haunted House you ever attended?
That is a tough one. There are so many in a given year. I would say my top picks for Haunts are based on many levels. Not necessarily on being scared but on Technical aspects, details, the actors, the FX, Advertising and the whole package.

With that in mind I would say my top two Haunts would be Terror On The Fox and Terror On Rural Street. Although many other haunts in the area are excellent candidates as well. It is hard to narrow it down. Splatter Haus, The Darkness, Shawano Manor and such are all top quality attractions as well.

Do you still find time to attend Haunted Houses?
ALWAYS!!!!! No matter how busy I am in the season…I always attend Haunts.

What inspires you to create?
The thing that inspires me most is that my imagination never stops. I am thinking and creating all the time. I have a note pad in my pocket most of the time and I jot down notes as they come to me. Also my goal to create the best show I can each week.

Are you married?
Yes. I have been married for almost two years now. We have been together for seven total and I have a baby girl on the way in July.

How is your wife involved in the business?
She attends Haunts during the season and is my biggesat critic when it comes to recording my voice and how fluent I speak. It helps that she is an elementary school teacher. But as for the Industry news, information and such, she sits back and lets me enjoy my hobby and love for the Industry.

Do you ever get scared anymore?
Not really. Most of the time it is a good startle that will get me but nothing overall will frighten me to death anymore. I believe it is the nature of the business. After a while, I think we all can say it is hard to scare anyone of us.

What does scare you?
The thing that most scares me is life. Never knowing where you are going to end up. There is a thrill in that and also the fear. Also, I was scared about launching R.F.R. the first time. Would everyone take to it, like it and embrace it? But the Haunt Community has proven that to be obsolete. They have embraced R.F.R., add their news, conventions and discuss R.F.R. often. I appreciate that welcome from so many I respect in the Industry too. If it wasn’t for all of you, I wouldn’t have been involved in Haunts which moved me forward to R.F.R.

Do you believe in real Haunted Houses? Ghosts? Etc.
Yes. I am a believer in Ghosts. But I do believe that may things people believe to be ghosts are also small things overlooked. Like Pipes banging, a creak in the house and so on. I do think Ghosts exist, but they do not make themselves known as often as people would like to believe.

What is Fear?
Fear is the moment you do not know what to expect. Be it in a Haunt, Life or our daily activities.

Who’s your average customer?
I have no average customers. ROTTING FLESH RADIO is for ALL to enjoy. From Prop Makers, Pro Haunters, Home Haunters, Haunt Enthusiasts, Horror Fans and more.

What are your 5 year goals?
My 5 year goals are to bring R.F.R. to become a staple in Haunt Industry News and a Way for all of us in the Industry to communicate weekly. I also want to make R.F.R. a way to advertise and get your products, haunts and information out to the public. R.F.R. will also become a full show in the next 5 years on XM or FM Satelite Radio.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ROTTING FLESH RADIO. IT COULDN’T BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS IT IS WITHOUT YOU, THE HAUNT COMMUNITY, THE PROP BUILDERS, PRO/SEMI/HOME HAUNTERS, ACTORS and EVERYONE ELSE I DIDN’T MENTION.

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CASKET FROM MYSELF & THE R.F.R. CREW.