Thread: Any ideas?

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Hello, I'm new here and figured since many of the fellow members here obviously enjoy the wicked yet exciting holiday known as Halloween & other scary things that maybe someone could give me a few pointers or suggestions of some things. The 1st thing is that i really want to create & run my own haunted house. The problem is, is that I am the only person that I know around here that really loves Halloween & enjoys haunted houses & other scary things. So if i was to create & run my own haunted house I'm afraid my help doing so would be very limited. So I am wondering if anyone would have any suggestions on what i could do to possibly make this passion of mine happen. If there is nothing i can do would someone suggest that I just create a haunt in my front yard of my house? Any ideas would be appreciated. thanks.

wAkethedeAd

Well, are you talking of making and running a for-profit haunted house?

First step in that would be getting ahold of the local authorities and seeing what kind of permits and liscences you need, then weighing whether or not you believe it to be profitable.

If you're going just your house, I'ld say build it for you. Others will talk, especially in a "small town". They'll either like it or hate it, but they'll talk, and that should get people looking.

Suggestions for going it alone.

I went it alone for a good 4 years, and only have my children (10 and 6) to "help" now. My best suggestion is to start slow, pick one idea/focus, and do it REALLY WELL.

Think LONG TERM. You're not going to get there this year. Maybe not next. Maybe not even the next... It took me a good 4 years to put our original plan fully together. This is our 6th year now. And next year we might be starting over, fully aware it'll take a year or two to get the second idea up and running.

Most important, HAVE FUN.

wAkethedeAd, define "Small Town, Kansas" if you wouldn't mind...I, too, am in Kansas, and I know a few other haunters in the area where I live just outside Kansas City...you may not be as alone as you think.

-EEric

If you want to 'test the waters' so-to-speak, I would spend my time on one impressive scare and see how it goes. This video is an excellent example. He set it up that he turned off the porch light, waited a few seconds and then WHAM! hit his coffin prop. He was waiting out in the yard or in the box at the bottom of the steps for a second scare. Worked EVERY time! LOL!

YouTube - Scaring Kids on Halloween

Ooops, Unorthdox beat me to it. Sorry Unortho!

To many props when your just beginning is overwhelming. If you want to do a haunted house theme start with basic things like a fog machine(s), spider webs, black lights , basic necessary props and audio. Once those are down take it slow and start filling up space with your props. The online community is very very useful. If you have questions ask here and you'll have plenty of helpful tips ideas and fixes.

(just suggestions)

I would have to agree with Terra and MLuther. Almost every successful and well-known haunter on the web started out small, with either a few lights and spider webs or one successful and well-remembered prop. Then, your fame will slowly spread. Each year, plan to add a little more to the haunt. After this year or next, you should get what we call "Obsessive Haunters Syndrome." it's a dangerous thing. All you will ever think about is halloween, and making props. Then, you can start your own free-standing haunted house, and by that time, maybe a few people will realize how cool this holiday can be, and be willing to help out.

y

Originally Posted by eanderso13

wAkethedeAd, define "Small Town, Kansas" if you wouldn't mind...I, too, am in Kansas, and I know a few other haunters in the area where I live just outside Kansas City...you may not be as alone as you think.

-EEric

Hey EEric,
i live in Iola, KS. small town in allen county about 1 hr & half from kansas city... where abouts are u from?

Originally Posted by UnOrthodOx

Well, are you talking of making and running a for-profit haunted house?

First step in that would be getting ahold of the local authorities and seeing what kind of permits and liscences you need, then weighing whether or not you believe it to be profitable.

If you're going just your house, I'ld say build it for you. Others will talk, especially in a "small town". They'll either like it or hate it, but they'll talk, and that should get people looking.

Suggestions for going it alone.

I went it alone for a good 4 years, and only have my children (10 and 6) to "help" now. My best suggestion is to start slow, pick one idea/focus, and do it REALLY WELL.

Think LONG TERM. You're not going to get there this year. Maybe not next. Maybe not even the next... It took me a good 4 years to put our original plan fully together. This is our 6th year now. And next year we might be starting over, fully aware it'll take a year or two to get the second idea up and running.

Most important, HAVE FUN.

Hey UnOrthodOx,
i'm thinking profitable sometime in the future. maybe start out as non-profitable for a couple years. I know i have a long road to get to where i want it to be, just trying to decide where to start is the hard thing. & i realize when i get started i need to start simple & easy. I really appreciate your time & ideas you've given me. Thanks alot.

wAkethedeAd

Thanks alot to everyone for all of your advice on everything. All of it really helps me on getting an idea on getting started. I really appreciate it and any other useful tips or advice will as well be helpful and appreciated. again thanks.

wAkethedeAd

Starting out, play to your strengths - if you're artistic, work on projects that use those skills like custom tombstones, paper maché or creepy facades. Electronics or mechanical whiz? Check out projects like grave poppers, flying crank ghosts or trashcan pop-ups...

Once you get the idea of how you want to proceed with your home haunt, you'll be able to see what works for you... and what works for your patrons.

Like the others said, if you build it, you'll probably find others that enjoy Halloween haunts and maybe get some volunteers...

Have fun and good luck.