June update for Mansion of Terror haunted house
It's now June 13th. Too bad it's not Friday also. Last night we had our final meeting before buildout begins 30 days from now. All new theming is finished. All rooms are finished. The pneumatics crew is on schedule for the pneumatics we're building for this year. We purchased 8 new pneumatics also that will be tested by the pneumatics crew before we start. Our static props crew is working on all non-pneumatic props or large set pieces for this year. They're on schedule too so that's great.
They had a large 4 x 8 vacuform table added to their "To-Do" list. That will be exciting to get to use. They've actually already started welding the frame for it. We're starting on getting permits, utilities, insurance and the works for our lease space. On the marketing front, the website and Myspace pages are under a complete redesign as we speak. We're also securing media sources for all of our other marketing events and starting to speak with sponsors. Our new pneumatic props have been arriving on schedule so far. That's a good thing. We're doing some custom work with Grave Robber Studios also. What an amazing company. I'm glad we plan ahead on everything. It really pays off when it comes to buildout time. It lets everyone breath a little easier and enjoy the buildout more, rather than running around like headless chickens. One thing that amazes me. Each year we say that our goal is to top the year before.
Also each year, at the end of the season, we tell ourselves how in the world are we going to top that. Here we are again and we have so many new, fresh ideas added to the show that we will definitely top last year. I have the entire crew to thank for that!!! I'm really fortunate to work with such a variety of talented and creative men and women. I love our planning meetings where I can pose a problem to the group... Maybe it's a new idea or new prop... And I lay down the gauntlet and say, "Can we do that?". I love it because I never get just one answer back. I get several and all are usually equally as creative but from different approaches. It's those little moments that fuel my passion for haunted houses!
- Norm
May 14, 2007
Mansion of Terror roadtrip to Hauntcon...
After a 23 hour drive from Austin to Detroit, we made it to HauntCon. Actors, managers, and myself headed up in two vehicles to attend the Hauntcon seminars and get some props for this year. We took a pickup truck specifcally so we could buy stuff at the show and haul it back.
We had a great time at Hauntcon! I keep saying to myself that it's good to take a long road trip every couple of years. Then again, now that I'm back in Austin, I'm saying I don't ever want to take another road trip. The trip was fine, but driving more than 46 hours over 5 days sucks. I'm really glad Hauntcon 2008 is in Houston.
For the seminars, honestly, I was dissappointed. I went to Hauntcon two years ago in Dallas and it seemed like there was much better material for pro haunters. It could be that we are maturing as a professional haunted house in our 4th year so we already do or know most of what's taught. I'm not sure what the answer is there. Don't shoot me..... it's just a critique.
My crew opted out of the costume ball. We were just too worn out from the drive and the daily events. I think we really missed out because it looked like a lot of fun. We are definitely going to go to the costume ball in Houston.
The HauntCON 2007 show floor was great! We spent around $4,000 on new props while there. We pretty much knew what we wanted to pick up at the show and what we already ordered before going to the show. We picked up set dressing items like rot cloth from Oak Island Productions, an SPFX mask, some lighting effects, cases of anatomical bones, some great ABS plastic crypt and cathedral facade pieces. My favorite company from the show was definitely Grave Robber Studios. They have some spectacular full size zombies and busts. The attention to detail and paint jobs on these things was just amazing. We spent quite a bit at their booth. Some we took home with us and some they're shipping our way. We also picked up some new scares that I'm going to keep to myself that are really going to enhance our haunt. There's some great new stuff out there.
Now I'm definitely fired up for the season to get up to full speed and underway.
Norm
April 28, 2007
New Feature :: Follow a Pro Haunter for a Year
We have a new feature here at "The Haunted Report". Norm Glenn of theMansion of Terror has decided to join our little crew and chronicle his 2007 haunted attraction season. From buying props, speaking at HauntCON to finding a location you will get to see how the industry works from the inside. So stay tuned as we hear more and more from Norm throughout his 2007 season. You can check out his posts in this category and catch up on what he has written so far here.
April 22, 2007
The Mansion of Terror 2007 Season is in full swing...
Usually around July I get a few emails from haunters who want to start a professional haunted house and they ask for advice on what they can do in July to prepare for the coming October season. The answer is really you're too late and you need to start planning for the next year. By July we need to have all of our legwork done and begin our buildout process. A haunted house is definitely a year-round part-time labor of love. When our 2006 season ended, we were already planning for the 2007 season in how we stored our props, information we gathered from the season wrap up and exit polling, and how the workshop would be reconfigured for the next year.
Here we are at April 19th. In the off-season (From November until now) the managers have been meeting at least once a month to brainstorm new themes, new marketing strategies, new prop construction, and new prop purchases. One thing we do to stay fresh is to rebuild our haunted house from the ground up each year. We try to reuse existing props but in new ways with new theming and always adding in new elements to the production. Our customers definitely appreciate this and they always know they're not going to see the same haunted house over and over again.
So at this point in the year, we have our new themes for each haunted house. For anyone not familiar with Mansion of Terror, we run two haunted houses at the same location. Each haunted house has a completely different theme. It's more work to do this, but it's also a powerful market advantage and our exceptional growth year over year tells us it's a good thing.
Along with themes, we have our room designs and the major elements for those rooms. This lets us know early on what props need to be constructed and which need to be purchased. Our sound and lighting plans are finished. Phase I of the website overhaul will happen over the next couple of weeks.
We are gearing up for a road trip to HauntCon. Looks like we'll have a caravan of two vehicles to take 7 of us to Detroit for the show. I'll be presenting on Friday about our infrared flashlight haunted house from 2006. We'll also be purchasing some of our 2007 props at the show. Normally our managers and actors will split up at Hauntcon. Some will take in all the actor classes with the intent to imploy some of what was learned with actor training in September. The other managers attend the classes on haunted house operations, scares, and marketing.
It's going to be an exciting year...
- Norm
April 2, 2007
Damn sweet animatronics....
Nice little video from CBS about "modern" Haunted Attractions. The owner of Netherworld makes a good point about "Animatronics" never replacing "flesh and blood" and boy does he have some bad-ass animatronics..
May 8, 2006
Transworld Buys
Ok, Awhile back I had someone ask for pics of what we bought from TW. I'm taking some tonight!
For me the best bargains/buys and quality is a key to my purchasing. (Of course - it's the same on everyone)
So who I bought from:
Unit 70
Spookyprops
HauntedVentures
Screamland
Sinister Scents
Distortions
Hauntmaster
Little Spider
Bump In The Night Productions
I know I'm forgetting a couple more... but those are the main core people we bought from to add to our Haunts for 2006. I'll see if I can figure out how to get the pictures uploaded for you to see the things I actually bought and took pics of...
View image Spookyprops Chainsaw ($600 ea. - We have 2)
Continue reading "Transworld Buys" »
May 4, 2006
Before You Start Building A Haunt
Most of you that are involved in haunts are already planning for this years haunt, or soon will be. One thing that you need to do is check with local officials to see what type of permits, if any, will be required. Permits and codes vary from place to place; some places require a permit and have ordinances that have to be followed even for home haunts.
Here is one such ordinance from Topeka Kansas http://www.topeka.org/pdfs/codebook/CH014-AMUSEMENTS-AND-ENTERTAINMENTS.pdf.
It's under Article VI Haunted Houses starting on page 8 and applies to haunts whether an admission fee is collected or not. It’s also a good idea to check with the local Fire Marshal to see what type codes you will need to follow and if you’ll have to submit plans for review. It would be bad to spend all that time and money to set up a haunt and then told it can’t be opened or has to be shut down because of code or ordinance violations.
One thing major haunt operators may want to look into are clean agent fire extinguishers for your haunt, clean agent is different from the old halon extinguishers. Clean agent extinguishers are safe for electronics, props, humans and environment. The agent is in liquid state while stored under pressure in the extinguisher, it’s released as a gas. I have seen several clean agent demonstrations done on a laptop that was on without any harm done to the laptop. There are also clean agent fire suppression systems for those of you who may be interested in a full system.
-Psychoterror
April 12, 2006
Making a List and Checking it twice
:: Editor's note : This is part of a series we are doing having a pro haunter Blog for a year. This has never been done before on the Web. Stay tuned for more of his updates::
http://www.hauntedweb.com
Ok - Sorry for the long delay in posts!
We have been busy - After Transworld I had a lot of buying, negotiating and thinking to do! We made several purchases at Transworld and a few more left to do - Supplying new props for Memphis, Chattanooga and some other items in the mix - We are spending more than we would want to admit to!
Transworld is hard to express how important and great it is for a Haunter to attend. All the Haunter Conventions have something for everyone - So if you want to break into this market - ATTEND Conventions put on by or for Haunters.
Continue reading "Making a List and Checking it twice" »
March 3, 2006
And The Story Goes On
Disregard the date. I forgot to reset the date when I replaced the batteries. This was taken in 2006.
So we are still doing storyboards and developing our final names and designs for Ruby Falls.
We also met a little regarding the Memphis Haunt. Depending on our location - we may have some major changes - or simply maintain the same design as last year but w/ a few minor tweaks and changes. So that will all play out as we work w/ landlords on leases.
Spirit Store - I'm in negotiations on several locations. I'm securing billboards and working w/ a local radio station for advertising. I'm also looking at doing a coupon book to promote the Store and all Local Haunted Attractions within the Chattanooga Market. So time and effort is spread amongst all three projects - but Ruby Falls will jump back as primary for the rest of this month.
Continue reading "And The Story Goes On" »
February 23, 2006
Day One (On Site)
:: Editors Note: This is the first in a feature series of posts by Mr. Nightmarez as he Blogs his whole year of running a pro Huanted House. Anytime you want to read any of his entries just click on Pro Haunts::
Hey Mr. Nightmarez here. Just wanted to start this journey. We have been working toward 2006 since the close of the haunt and store last season. I've already been to New Jersey (Spencer's Corporate HQ) for a meeting regarding changes and new products for Spirit Halloween in 2006. My partner in fear, Patrick French and I started negotiations w/ Ruby Falls to design and manage their huge attraction in 2006 also. I also own a Haunted House in Memphis and it will retain a similar layout to last year, with a few minor changes. I have asked a local haunt enthusiast, Tim Green to assist me with the Ruby Falls venture and managing during the season. I will still work the Spirit Halloween store some days - but let my wife manage it. My primary focus is to make Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern a premier event for Chattanooga and East Tennessee.
February 17th through 19th - 2006
Not even an Ice Storm can prevent a die hard haunter from getting the job done! My partner, Pat drove in from Memphis Friday night slipping and sliding all the way to Chattanooga. We have an 8am appointment to begin planning, designing and inspecting the Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern...continue reading.....
Continue reading "Day One (On Site)" »