Getting started 90 min

“How to Get Started in
the Haunted Attraction
Industry”
Presented by
Leonard Pickel
Hauntrepreneurs® Haunt Design and Consulting

Congratulations & Condolences

 A Haunting History

 Haunting is NOT for Everyone!

How Much Will It Cost?

“A haunted house is never
finished, you just have
to know when to stop!”
– Leonard Pickel

Set a budget, and stick to that
budget!

 Type of construction
 Build in place
 Panels
 Actors vs. Animatronics
 New vs. Used Attraction
 Taxes Fed/State/Local
 Insurance

Location, Location, Location
 What makes a good  Types of Facilities
location:  Buildings
 High visibility and  Tent
appearance of size  Outdoor
 Ample Parking  Haunted Hayride
 Available Facilities  Haunted Trail
 Open Maze
 Ghost Walk

Location, Location, Location
 What Locations to avoid:
 Existing Residence
 Inside Mall/Shopping
Center
 Historical Building

Haunt Design
 What makes a good
Haunt
 Consistent Theme
 Creativity
 Do the Unexpected
 Scare „um

Code Compliance
 Talk to the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector
NOW!
 Do Your Homework!
 Zoned for Entertainment
 Assembly Occupancy
 “A” Flame-spread Rating
 No Spray Foam
 No Visquene
 No Cardboard
 No Paper Meche‟


Code Compliance
 2 Means of Egress
 No flammable Liquids
 Chainsaw?
 Special Amusement Building
 Fire Suppression
 Fire Alarm System
 Smoke Detection
 Strobes
 Pull Stations

 “Confusing Lights and Sound”

Code Compliance
 Electrical Code
 Power Distribution
 No Extension Cords
 Emergency Lighting with
Battery Back up
 Licensed Electrician
 Perimeter egress corridor

The Permit Process
 Submit Complete Drawings
 Plan Review
 Building Permit
 Inspections
 Inspection Day Crew
 Certificate Of Occupancy

Terror By Design
 - Size of Attraction
 Mega-Show (stand alone)
 Multiple Element (total
event)

Multi-Element:
 2,000 SF Haunts
 3 Or More Attractions
 Side By Side
 More to Promote
 Greater Perceived Value
 Combo Ticket

Story Line
 - “A House Cannot Be
Haunted, Unless It Has a
History!”
Steven King
 Themed or Un-themed
 Licensed Characters
 Masks or. Makeup

Story Line
 - “A House Cannot Be Haunted, Unless It Has a
History!” Steven King

 Themed or Un-themed
 Masks or. Makeup

Theme
 Story Line
 Consistency is the Key
 Gothic
 House
 Castle
 Vampire
 Modern
 Sci-Fi
 Toxic Waste
 Slasher
 Create Your Own

Room Designs
 Do the unexpected
 Clichés to avoid:
 Boo Around the Corner  Autopsy/Operation/Butcher table
 Sheet Maze  Baked Potato Room
 Monster sits up in a  Mattress on the Floor
Coffin/ Grave  Chainsaw

Scares
 Visible Scare
 Invisible Scare
 Visible-Invisible Scare

How Much To Charge?
 Competition‟s Prices
 Theater Prices
 Discounts
 Be the Biggest, and Most Expensive

Advertising

 Web Page
 Social Media
 Radio
 Billboards
 Print
 Fliers

Operations
 Ticket Sales & Accounting
 Numbered Tickets

 Money Drops

 Where to Find
Actors/Production Staff
 Colleges

 High Schools

 Employee vs. Volunteer Crew
 Contract Labor

 Individual Employment
 Temporary Agencies

How Do We Scare?

 A cold Touch …
 In the mists on the familiar…
 Applied with a sudden
pressure…
Steven King

Make It Fun
 Enjoying what your doing
 Be wild and crazy

 Experience other shows

Conclusion - Haunting Smart

 Create a Budget through
a Workable Business
Plan
 Start Big, but Light
 Phase in Detail and
Reuse What You Have
 Advertise

Haunting Resources
Haunted Attraction Magazine – Trade Publication for the Industry
513-898-1569 www.hauntedattraction.com

Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention (HAuNTcon)
972-951-5100 www.hauntcon.com

Hauntrepreneurs® International - Brokerage for Used Haunts
972-951-5100 www.hauntrepreneurs.com

Find A Haunt.com - Nationwide listing service for Haunted Events
www.findahaunt.com

Sinister Visions - Haunting Web Design
312-952-1832 www.sinistervisions.com

Dana Martin Writing – Back Story Writing and Consulting
661-900-5036 www.danamartinwriting.com

Ticket Leap - Online Ticketing for attractions
850-345-6837www.ticketleap.com

Leonard Pickel’s D.O.A. - Haunt Design and Consulting Firm
972-951-5100 www.leonardpickel.com

Thank You For Listening
Leonard Pickel’s D.O.A.
Haunted Attraction Design and Halloween
Event Consulting Firm
972-951-5100
www.leonardpickel.com
hauntcon@gmail.com

Getting started 90 min

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