2024 Seminars

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Saturday, April 27

How to Turn Your Haunted House or Hayride Into a Screaming Money Machine! BUY NOW
Speaker: John Denley, Boneyard Productions International
9:45am-10:45am, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Whether you’re just starting out or you are a seasoned, well-known attraction, let me show you how to increase your profits with additional revenue streams you may not have taken advantage of! I will share all my resources with you! At the same time, let’s get right down to what it takes to “Stay on top” in the Boo-Business! From image and advertising to staff maximization and scare execution, I promise to bombard you with FRIGHT-FILLED information with an exciting ‘tell it all” presentation! No mortal can afford to miss this class and every attendee will get a copy of our new Ultimate Audio Scream Tracks!

All Eyes on Queue: Crafting the Stage for Terrifying Performances BUY NOW
Speaker: Katie Lane
9:45am-10:45am, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Join Katie Lane, a seasoned actor, trainer, and manager, as she unravels the art of queue acting in her seminar, “All Eyes on the Queue.” This session delves into the essential components of queue performance, emphasizing safety, performer responsibilities, and the pivotal role of setting the stage as an “Amuse Bouche” for the main show! Discover how queue acting extends beyond mere aesthetics, serving as a critical element in ensuring the flow of the show, enhancing security, and priming guests for the main event. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned actor, Katie Lane’s insights will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this integral aspect of haunt performance!

From Trash to Terror: Unleashing the Art of Junk Haunting BUY NOW
Speaker: Ryan Visingard, Woods of Terror
11:00am-12:00pm, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Are you on a tight budget but still want to create spine-chilling haunted attractions? Look no further than ‘Use What You Got – The Art of Junk Haunting.’ This class will teach you how to turn ordinary household items and discarded junk into bone-chilling props and decor for your haunted scenes. Learn how to hunt down the perfect materials for your scenes, how to transform junk into gory special effects, and how to create a cohesive and terrifying atmosphere. You’ll leave with the skills and knowledge to create amazing and spooky haunted attractions without breaking the bank.

Freaky…FAST! Quick Detailed Makeups with High Impact BUY NOW
Speaker: Alejo Casalotti and Mandy Gibson, Laurels House of Horrors
11:00am-12:00pm, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Unlock the secrets to creating captivating makeups in record time! Join us for an exhilarating seminar where Alejo and Mandy are ready to share their top tips and tricks for creating freaky….FAST! This is the seminar to be in if you’re looking to learn how to achieve stunning results without sacrificing speed!

Crafting Worlds: The Art of Immersive Haunt Design BUY NOW
Speaker: Ben Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House), Allen Hopps (Dark Hour Haunted House), John LaFlamboy (HellsGate Haunted House)
1:00pm-2:00pm, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Join us for a panel on world-building for haunted attractions featuring three industry experts known for their impressive themes and immersive environments. Creating a world that is truly terrifying requires more than just jump scares and gory props. In this class, our panelists will discuss the art of creating a fully-realized world for your haunted attraction, from crafting a cohesive theme to designing detailed environments and characters. How to tell a story through your haunt and create a sense of immersion that will leave your guests screaming for more. You never know exactly where a panel will go, but I assure you that nuggets of wisdom gained will be well worth your time!

Immersive Impersonation: Mastering Character Transformation Shawn Fenner & Sam Herwood BUY NOW
Speaker: Shawn Fenner (Empire State Haunters Association), Sam Herwood (Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park)
1:00pm-2:00pm, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Step into the shoes of your most terrifying characters and bring them to life like never before. Unleash your inner monster and captivate your audience with unforgettable performances.

Introduction to Pneumatics for Haunters BUY NOW
Speaker: Jim Slanker, Chicago Haunt Builders
2:15pm-3:15pm, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Looking to make your home haunt or display go Bump in the Night using compressed air and pneumatics? Join the Haunt Master from award-winning Home Haunt, Canyon Trail Cemetery, to learn the basics of bringing your haunt to life with pneumatics. He will go through the components needed, what to use, and what not to use when creating props animated with pneumatics.

Monstrous Messaging: Leveraging Social Media for Your Haunt BUY NOW
Speaker: Nicole Ginsburg, Frightmare Farms Haunted Screampark
2:15pm-3:15pm, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Marketing is magic…well, if you have the right mix! Social Media has become the life line for most haunted attractions, but the formula is constantly changing. Every year there is something new, emerging from the shadows and captivating your audience. It’s time to reveal the secrets and reap the benefits!
In this seminar, Nicole will cover:

• Social Mediums – what’s relevant, what’s coming down the pike
• Spend and Trends – where should your limited dollars be spent and how to create a buzz with pocket change
• Content – creative, creepy and captivating…how do you do it all?
• When to take the time to DIY or when it’s time to invest in talent! Join Nicole for this fast paced seminar that is ready to arm you with your social media needs for 2024!

Animatronics Academy: History, Basics and Trends! BUY NOW
Speaker Panel: Max Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House), Tim Dunne (Fright Kingdom Haunted House), Moderated by: Ed Edmonds (Distortions Unlimited)
3:30pm-4:30pm, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)

Join us for a thrilling seminar on animatronics where industry experts will share their insights. Ed from Distortions Unlimited will provide a brief history, while Tim Dunne from Fright Kingdom explores animatronics’ diverse uses, and Max Armstrong from Netherworld Haunted House showcases the latest control systems. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your haunted attractions to new heights!

Devil in the Details: Mastering Set Designs and Theming Down To Every Detail BUY NOW
Speaker: Mike Krausert, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group; Christopher DeTroy
3:30pm- 4:30pm, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Take a journey into the heart of set design and theming with a seminar, led by Mike Krausert & Christopher DeTroy. Discover the art of mesmerizing your guests by delving into the devilish details of set design, where every aspect is meticulously crafted to evoke awe and wonder. From spine-tingling scenes to enchanting atmospheres, learn how to bring your haunted attraction to life with immersive environments that leave a lasting impression. Join Mike and Chris as they unravel the intricacies of set design and theming, and unleash the magic that will transport your guests to another world of terror and delight!

Sunday, April 28

Ultimate Control: What is DMX and How Can You Use It In Your Haunt! BUY NOW
Speaker: Matt Jacobs and Patrick Barberry, Legends of the Fog
10:00am-11:00am, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
At a glance, DMX looks expensive and complicated.  In reality, it is simple, affordable, and highly effective in your haunt!  We will dive into the details of integrating DMX with basic show controllers and affordable options for a quick and easy installation.  We will show you how to orchestrate entire scenes utilizing DMX to control lighting, timing, props, and all of your equipment to make the perfect scene in your attraction.

Basics to Beast: Unlock the Secrets to Mesmerizing Makeups! BUY NOW
Speaker: Casey Sandro, Brighton Asylum
10:00am-11:00am, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
This seminar offers tips and tricks of the trade to unleash your most monstrous creations whether you have a home haunt, are a makeup enthusiast or are a horror aficionado. Utilizing prosthetics & airbrushing we’ll explore a variety of horror makeup styles and effects. Come on a journey with us transforming from basic to “ Beastly .”

From Big Box to Big Buzz: Elevating Viral Halloween Decor from your Neighborhood Store BUY NOW
Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House
11:15am-12:15pm, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Learn how to elevate your Halloween display from mundane to mesmerizing. Unleash your creativity and bring your unique vision to life with tips and tricks from industry experts.

Where Should You Haunt? From the Inside Out: Pros and Cons of Every Environment! BUY NOW
Speaker: Jim Werner (Pennhurst Asylum), Randy Bates (The Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride), Todd Fedyshyn (Reapers Revenge)
11:15am-12:15pm, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)

Step into the world of heart-stopping entertainment as we delve into the realm of Haunted Attraction Environments! There are many options to create a haunted attraction. Indoor attractions typically have more regulations that you must adhere to such as building codes, life safety devices and much more. Outdoor attractions usually don’t have as many regulations, however, outdoor attractions are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Join us for a thrilling introduction to terrifying walkthroughs,  confusing mazes, eerie walking trails, hair-raising hayrides, and unexpected pop-up events.

CORPSIFICATION: How to create a cool skeletal corpse on a budget BUY NOW
Speaker: Michael Burnett, Fright Night Studios
12:30pm-1:30pm, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Creating a creepy custom skeletal corpse can be easily accomplished with common materials and tools, using the techniques demonstrated in this demonstration workshop by special makeup effects artist Michael Burnett (FrightNight Studios, Universal Halloween Horror Nights, Evil Dead 2). Michael will take you step by step through the materials and techniques needed to turn an ordinary plastic skeleton into a realistic, super creepy corpse prop. This workshop will give attendees a basic understanding of the various materials, tools, fabricating & finish techniques that can be used. Attendees will go home with an information handout covering everything discussed during the workshop, including supply sources. The creepy skeletal corpse you can create from what you will learn in this workshop will be a great scary addition to your escape room, large haunt, or scary yard.

Actor Training by Nature BUY NOW
Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House
1:45pm-2:45pm, Room 7
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
“Acting by Nature” leverages animalistic predator behaviors to instill fear in guests. Through dynamic exercises inspired by the natural world, participants will learn to enhance their scare tactics by embodying the essence of predators. Ideal for both new and experienced haunt actors, this class offers a blend of lecture-based learning and hands-on practice to refine your performance. Elevate your scare acting skills and discover new dimensions of fear with our unique approach.

Balancing Acts: Crafting Iconic Identities in the Entertainment Industry BUY NOW
Speaker: Pongo Joe, Lucy Lucifer ( Woods of Terror) Chucklestheclownn (Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory)
1:45pm-2:45pm, Room 5
$35 (Price increases to $45 after April 21, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST)
Balance is a part of life, and balancing the many identities we hold can be a challenge. In this panel, we will discuss how each of us balances our online personas, our personal lives, and our professional selves within the industry. We will discuss how each of us built our brand of becoming iconic characters while bringing something new to the table to catch our audience’s attention. Our panelists have a variety of experiences including being queue actors, makeup artists, and managers.

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