Conventions Episodes

June 22, 2023

LIVE from Midwest Haunters Convention 2023

We're in Chicago for the Midwest Haunters Convention, recapping learnings from the weekend. We're also looking at the upcoming Halloween announcements from Disneyland, Ocean Park in Hong Kong, and Knott's Scary Farm.

Listen to the Episode
May 18, 2023

Spooky Music in Visual Media

How do music supervisors choose the right spooky music for a soundtrack – and how can you do the same at your haunt? Today we’re continuing the music theme with another panel from last year’s Midsummer Scream. We’re playing the first 30 minutes of...

Listen to the Episode
April 7, 2023

From Boar Masks to Evil Candy Corn: Inferno Effects 2023

We tour the https://www.infernoeffects.com/ booth at https://haashow.com/. From Boar Masks to an expansion into Evil Candy Corn Props, we’ll learn about all the new products and trends.

Listen to the Episode
March 30, 2023

Fear Finishes: 916 Productions' Newest Finishes

Learn how to rust everything in your haunt with ease! Based in Kingwood, Texas, https://fearfinish.com/ specializes in faux finishes for your haunt. Today, we’ll learn about their Fear Finish line and new blacklight stain. Support for this episode...

Listen to the Episode
March 28, 2023

SPECIAL: Exploring Authentic Reality at the IAAPA North American Trad…

We recap the major takeaways from the First Annual IAAPA North American Trade Summit, specifically, the central theme of Authentic Reality. The IAAPA Trade Summits have replaced the former Leadership Summits, and each region will host a local trade...

Listen to the Episode
March 24, 2023

Rotting pumpkins? Toxic FX is making waves

https://www.toxicfxproductions.com/, founded in 2017, creates Halloween masks, props, and novelties. Their rotting pumpkins have become iconic in the industry and this year, they received the vendor excellence award from the Haunted Attraction...

Listen to the Episode
March 17, 2023

Creature Trends with Allen Hopps and Stilt Beast Studios

Allen Hopps owns https://stiltbeaststudios.com/ and is the Director of https://darkhourhauntedhouse.com/. During this year’s https://haashow.com/, Allen brought several new costumes with an anti-reality theme, and he’s also been experimenting with...

Listen to the Episode
March 8, 2023

Translucent Urethane Rubber: How to use it in your Haunt

https://www.ribfx.net/, who just celebrated their successful 2nd year at the show, specializes in creating static props with translucent urethane rubber. Today, we’ll learn more about why that matters. Support for this episode comes from Gantom...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 24, 2023

Fabrication Trends with Little Spider Creations

Little Spider Creations ihttps://littlespidercreations.com/ based in South Carolina. Since their founding in 1991, they’ve designed and fabricated for everyone, from haunted houses to theme parks, industrial spaces, and retail. Because they sit at the...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 23, 2023

Transworld Listenersode

At this year’s Transworld Show, quite a few listeners stopped by the booth to say hello. Today, we’re going to play messages from two of them. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 9, 2023

The 2023 State of the Industry from the Haunted Attraction Association

Today, we’re playing the FULL 2023 State of the Industry Presentation from the Haunted Attraction Association. This was recorded live Friday, February 3rd, at 9 AM during Transworld’s Halloween and Attractions Show. The video version is available...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 27, 2023

Trends in consumer-grade animatronics with Morris Costumes

Founded in 1960, https://www.morriscostumes.com/ is a wholesaler distributing tens of thousands of Halloween products. Over the years, they’ve become known for animatronics, and they debuted several new models at this year’s retail show. The...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 25, 2022

Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show adds Interactive Entertainm…

Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show is the largest gathering of haunters in the world, and the annual show has moved up its timeline this year to February 2-5, 2023, in St Louis. The show also added a new Interactive Entertainment section. While...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 23, 2022

The Haunted Hotel Dark Ride comes to Funtown Splashtown in Saco, Maine

Set to open in 2023, Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco, Maine, has partnered with Sally Dark Rides to add the Whispering Pines Hotel to their property (AKA the Haunted Hotel dark ride). Four-passenger ride cars will move guests through 14 scenes...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 15, 2022

Preparing for IAAPA Expo 2022

Scott and Philip outline their plan for the annual IAAPA expo in Orlando.

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 6, 2022

4 Hot & New Haunts Coming to SoCal

Today – 4 SoCal haunts will present their 2022 plans – Bones Gulch, Fright Nights at Alesmith, Castle Dark, and Fear Farm. This presentation was recorded live during Midsummer Scream. Follow along to our Hauntathon:...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 4, 2022

Reign of Terror Haunted House: A Retrospective

Reign of Terror Haunted House in Thousand Oaks CA is one the longest-running independent haunted attractions in Sothern California. Their journey has been anything but easy. In this presentation recorded during Midsummer Scream, founder Bruce Stanton...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 3, 2022

Shaqtoberfest, Delusion, & the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group has a large footprint in SoCal. This year, Delusion and the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride are returning, plus the team has a new event in Long Beach – SHAQTOBERFEST. We’ll learn all about in this panel presentation...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 2, 2022

Unhinged: Nightshade’s Curse at The Winchester Mystery House

Today, the Winchester Mystery House took to the stage during Midsummer Scream to discuss their 2022 Halloween plans, and we’re playing the presentation for you. After a two-year hiatus, Winchester Mystery House presents a new terrifying chapter,...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 1, 2022

Day 1: Previewing Halloween Horror Nights with John Murdy

This is day 1 of our 61-day Hauntathon! Today we’ll hear from John Murdy about the design process for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, live from Midsummer Scream. This is the full panel presentation, and includes...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 19, 2022

Talking Inflation, Staffing, and Supply Chain with the HAA Board

A LIVE discussion with three Haunted Attraction Association Board Members on the toughest challenges facing haunts this Halloween Season.

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 18, 2022

Year 2 of the Idaho Halloween & Horror Convention

The 2nd annual Idaho Halloween & Horror Convention was last weekend In Boise, Idaho, and we went to learn more.

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 18, 2022

What is the Chamber of Haunters?

The Chamber of Haunters held its annual member meeting last month during the Texas Haunters Convention – we’ll catch up with the president to learn about the organization’s future.

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 12, 2022

How CalHauntS Created Midsummer Estates

We’ll learn about how CalHaunts created “Midsummer Estates,” the immersive entryway experience for this year’s Hall of Shadows at Midsummer Scream. Midsummer Scream stands out from other conventions because of its Hall of Shadows. The ‘Hall of...

Listen to the Episode