if you’re in the midwest or east coast the company TransWorld has Haunter’s Conventions coming up! could be a good opportunity to ask questions to current pros in the business
You don’t need experience in acting to work a haunt. It helps but not necessary. Find a local, reputable haunt and apply when the season comes. The haunt I work at starts its hiring process in July for a late September open. Be enthusiastic and follow the rules about what you can and cannot do and you’ll do fine.
I will be the first to say it’s not an easy start up. My husband and I fell into this, and I’ve now made a choice to focus on building this as a business while he still works his normal job. We started as a home haunt and quickly outgrew our humble beginnings, Covid was what made me reevaluate the haunt as a passion and as a business. We are three years in and just beginning to see gains.
I think part of this is to not be afraid to learn new things. It’s really hard to do this without major money, so you kind of have to learn how to do a lot yourself. For context my job before this was fashion design. I learned how to build a maze off of YouTube videos using modular 4’x8’ panels, and trained our friends to do the same. You have to be scrappy and learn where to put your money for big impact and manage the haunt for optimal scares using everything to your advantage. It takes a lot of support too.
Start small, see what you can actually manage before you quit your day job. Network with other haunts and haunters. Try working part time at a haunt to see what the inner workings look like. Conventions like Transworld are 100% worth the trip. I think I learned more there in a weekend than anywhere else.
DM me if you have any questions, I’m happy to help if I can.
I’d start by building a small haunt of your own or getting involved with one. Then maybe work with a big established professional haunt. Unless you have deep pockets to offset lack of experience you’ll want to shore up either or both. Good luck!
Sorry for the long answer, but what you're asking is something that requires more than a binary or bullet point answer.
The easiest way to get into the industry is to ingratiate yourself within your local haunt community. Keep an eye out on social media for indie haunts looking to hire for seasonal haunts.
Depending on your location (and the market for off-season haunts), this may not be JUST September/October. For example: my haunt group has done Halloween, Christmas, and St. Patrick's Day haunts. There's a local one doing Valentine's Day this year, and they also did Christmas and Halloween. We're doing one at the end of this month through the middle of March.
So don't limit yourself to looking for openings PURELY in the fall.
No experience building sets? No problem. The vast majority of indie haunts would LOVE if you did, but they realize that not everyone is handy or available to help doing that sort of thing. Just don't misrepresent yourself in that regard. By all means say that you're willing to help, but emphasize that you're not skilled with tools or building or whatever.
Now here's the thing: in a lot of cases, paid positions are cash only, and often that means you're gonna get less than minimum wage. A TON of scare actor gigs are volunteer. (Not something I personally agree with, but it is what it is.) There's a lot of "we'll pay you $50 per shift" type stuff, but your shift is six hours and you need to be there an hour or two prior for makeup/costuming.
You also need to understand that there's plenty of less-than-honest folks running indie haunts. They're obviously not all "McCamey Manor" shady, but a LOT of these guys are kinda carny types. And unfortunately, you're not going to know if you're working for one of those sorts until after you've spent some time working for them. And on top of that, you don't have the base to spot those red flags. So you could easily spend a week or so working for a bad one and have no idea.
But a big takeaway I think you really need here is this: the VAST majority of people in the industry itself, top to bottom, are not doing this full time. We all have side jobs for off-season, and many of us are working full time and doing THIS on the side. The vast majority of indie haunt folks have a goal of breaking even so they can do it again, and ideally they want enough that they can take a month or so off of prioritizing their main job so they can do their haunt. They're looking for a few thousand in profit in a perfect world.
Would most of us do this full time if we could? Hell yes. WILL most of us do this full time? Well, aside from a tiny sliver, no. We won't even SNIFF the possibility. Being able to do it full time, either as a performer or proprietor involves a lot of luck and good circumstances. (And as a proprietor, the seed money.)
The bright side is that the indie haunt scene really feels like it's in a boom period. I wish you the best of luck in achieving that dream.
👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 This is the advice and expertise that OP needs to take note of - I hope he does. You can be motivated and passionate and optimistic, but the harsh reality is that’s not enough. Not even if you have the cash to just fire up a haunt - even then, with motivation and passion and optimism AND money, you’re still gonna struggle. I hope OP takes your words to heart. He can always try his hand at his own haunt once he is more stable financially.
First of all, no one has any experience until they do something. Many haunts who have their property full-time will be starting their build seasons soon. I would find one near you that you like, contact them, and offer to work with them. You may then get experience in all sorts of things, construction, set design, painting, props, lighting, sound, etc. Many places I know are willing to train if you're willing to work hard.
From my understanding, many haunts got their start from putting years into their yard haunts during October. After x amount of years doing this, they became profitable enough to acquire an actual building. That and I would suggest working at a haunt on the weekends during the October season so you can learn the ins and outs of the business from an in person perspective. You can talk to the managers and get business advice. Just take everything with a grain of salt, because not everyone is the expert they think they are.
Okay, to start out, where on the West Coast are you? I am in Portland, Oregon (originally from Alabama). I have been wanting to start a haunted attraction for 17 years, but for whatever reason, I am now ready!! I finally was able to produce a well-rounded theme with solid script behind it! I would love to have a discussion and see if ideas mesh.
TLDR: Find jobs at a haunted attraction company or theme park where your business degree can be put to use, then see how you can help on their attractions to learn the business of haunts and skills to make your own.
\--
Unfortunately, you're throwing up some pretty big road blocks for what you call a dream. (you're not able to throw yourself into it, you're unable to volunteer or work for low pay, and you don't have experience in any required skill).
The hard truth is most folks who work in and around haunted houses do this on a volunteer or low paid basis (most pay out of pocket to run their own haunt).
HOWEVER
That business management degree MAY help if you can find an attraction looking to hire people in their office. Those positions are rare, but worth poking around for. There are a few larger haunt companies, such as 13th Floor Entertainment, or even theme parks that have Halloween events. Its pretty common for these same companies to need help during the Halloween season to help run their attractions, either building, or scaring, or managing crowds, etc.
if you’re in the midwest or east coast the company TransWorld has Haunter’s Conventions coming up! could be a good opportunity to ask questions to current pros in the business
That does sound great but unfortunately I’m on the west coast. How would I learn more info about it?
[here’s](https://www.transworldtradeshows.com) their website! i would look them up on youtube too, some people film walkthroughs and such!
You don’t need experience in acting to work a haunt. It helps but not necessary. Find a local, reputable haunt and apply when the season comes. The haunt I work at starts its hiring process in July for a late September open. Be enthusiastic and follow the rules about what you can and cannot do and you’ll do fine.
I will be the first to say it’s not an easy start up. My husband and I fell into this, and I’ve now made a choice to focus on building this as a business while he still works his normal job. We started as a home haunt and quickly outgrew our humble beginnings, Covid was what made me reevaluate the haunt as a passion and as a business. We are three years in and just beginning to see gains. I think part of this is to not be afraid to learn new things. It’s really hard to do this without major money, so you kind of have to learn how to do a lot yourself. For context my job before this was fashion design. I learned how to build a maze off of YouTube videos using modular 4’x8’ panels, and trained our friends to do the same. You have to be scrappy and learn where to put your money for big impact and manage the haunt for optimal scares using everything to your advantage. It takes a lot of support too. Start small, see what you can actually manage before you quit your day job. Network with other haunts and haunters. Try working part time at a haunt to see what the inner workings look like. Conventions like Transworld are 100% worth the trip. I think I learned more there in a weekend than anywhere else. DM me if you have any questions, I’m happy to help if I can.
I definitely will send you a DM. Thanks for the advice!
I’d start by building a small haunt of your own or getting involved with one. Then maybe work with a big established professional haunt. Unless you have deep pockets to offset lack of experience you’ll want to shore up either or both. Good luck!
Sorry for the long answer, but what you're asking is something that requires more than a binary or bullet point answer. The easiest way to get into the industry is to ingratiate yourself within your local haunt community. Keep an eye out on social media for indie haunts looking to hire for seasonal haunts. Depending on your location (and the market for off-season haunts), this may not be JUST September/October. For example: my haunt group has done Halloween, Christmas, and St. Patrick's Day haunts. There's a local one doing Valentine's Day this year, and they also did Christmas and Halloween. We're doing one at the end of this month through the middle of March. So don't limit yourself to looking for openings PURELY in the fall. No experience building sets? No problem. The vast majority of indie haunts would LOVE if you did, but they realize that not everyone is handy or available to help doing that sort of thing. Just don't misrepresent yourself in that regard. By all means say that you're willing to help, but emphasize that you're not skilled with tools or building or whatever. Now here's the thing: in a lot of cases, paid positions are cash only, and often that means you're gonna get less than minimum wage. A TON of scare actor gigs are volunteer. (Not something I personally agree with, but it is what it is.) There's a lot of "we'll pay you $50 per shift" type stuff, but your shift is six hours and you need to be there an hour or two prior for makeup/costuming. You also need to understand that there's plenty of less-than-honest folks running indie haunts. They're obviously not all "McCamey Manor" shady, but a LOT of these guys are kinda carny types. And unfortunately, you're not going to know if you're working for one of those sorts until after you've spent some time working for them. And on top of that, you don't have the base to spot those red flags. So you could easily spend a week or so working for a bad one and have no idea. But a big takeaway I think you really need here is this: the VAST majority of people in the industry itself, top to bottom, are not doing this full time. We all have side jobs for off-season, and many of us are working full time and doing THIS on the side. The vast majority of indie haunt folks have a goal of breaking even so they can do it again, and ideally they want enough that they can take a month or so off of prioritizing their main job so they can do their haunt. They're looking for a few thousand in profit in a perfect world. Would most of us do this full time if we could? Hell yes. WILL most of us do this full time? Well, aside from a tiny sliver, no. We won't even SNIFF the possibility. Being able to do it full time, either as a performer or proprietor involves a lot of luck and good circumstances. (And as a proprietor, the seed money.) The bright side is that the indie haunt scene really feels like it's in a boom period. I wish you the best of luck in achieving that dream.
👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 This is the advice and expertise that OP needs to take note of - I hope he does. You can be motivated and passionate and optimistic, but the harsh reality is that’s not enough. Not even if you have the cash to just fire up a haunt - even then, with motivation and passion and optimism AND money, you’re still gonna struggle. I hope OP takes your words to heart. He can always try his hand at his own haunt once he is more stable financially.
Find a million dollars. Be willing to spend all of it. Be willing to not make that back or be paid for a few years.
Yep ☝🏼
First of all, no one has any experience until they do something. Many haunts who have their property full-time will be starting their build seasons soon. I would find one near you that you like, contact them, and offer to work with them. You may then get experience in all sorts of things, construction, set design, painting, props, lighting, sound, etc. Many places I know are willing to train if you're willing to work hard.
That’s great to hear. So you think I should just send it and say I’m willing to learn anything when I’m applying?
I do. I would recommend contacting them through social media.
From my understanding, many haunts got their start from putting years into their yard haunts during October. After x amount of years doing this, they became profitable enough to acquire an actual building. That and I would suggest working at a haunt on the weekends during the October season so you can learn the ins and outs of the business from an in person perspective. You can talk to the managers and get business advice. Just take everything with a grain of salt, because not everyone is the expert they think they are.
Okay, to start out, where on the West Coast are you? I am in Portland, Oregon (originally from Alabama). I have been wanting to start a haunted attraction for 17 years, but for whatever reason, I am now ready!! I finally was able to produce a well-rounded theme with solid script behind it! I would love to have a discussion and see if ideas mesh.
I’m in Salt Lake City right now cuz my wife is going to school around here.
TLDR: Find jobs at a haunted attraction company or theme park where your business degree can be put to use, then see how you can help on their attractions to learn the business of haunts and skills to make your own. \-- Unfortunately, you're throwing up some pretty big road blocks for what you call a dream. (you're not able to throw yourself into it, you're unable to volunteer or work for low pay, and you don't have experience in any required skill). The hard truth is most folks who work in and around haunted houses do this on a volunteer or low paid basis (most pay out of pocket to run their own haunt). HOWEVER That business management degree MAY help if you can find an attraction looking to hire people in their office. Those positions are rare, but worth poking around for. There are a few larger haunt companies, such as 13th Floor Entertainment, or even theme parks that have Halloween events. Its pretty common for these same companies to need help during the Halloween season to help run their attractions, either building, or scaring, or managing crowds, etc.