Doing a haunted attraction

[Eireann]

This is something I've wanted to do for years. I think it's finally time for me to take it past the "I'd love to do it" phase. I know it's something big, and I don't plan to go into it with the idea of just doing it once. I also know that it's not going to happen this year, even if a huge amount of money fell into my lap.

I'm thinking of starting small - something outdoors, so that I don't have to deal with a sufficient amount of exits, extinguishers, smoke detectors, etc. I know some of you have worked in haunted attractions (I remember someone worked in a haunted cornfield attraction). So, what does it involve? What sort of costs are we talking about?

Eventually, I want to make it big enough to move inside, which will involve a whole new set of considerations. Feel free to list any and all things that must be dealt with. Oh, and, of course, suggestions for making it really scary!

[Rapscallion]

I'm not an aficionado of such things, nor am I a particularly active business owner. However, if I were to go to such a thing I'd expect more than a small show. What sort of size are you considering?

Rapscallion

[PizzaDrone]

Not sure if this is necessary, but maybe public liability insurance (or equivalent). Just thinking that essentially as any time in dealing with the public you would need to cover yourself.

I did watch The American Scream documentary and it seemed like most would start off small, with just a few things and then add one big attraction every year that they're able to put a lot of effort into meaning that there was something new each year, yet the bulk of work would already be done, aside from repairs and such.

[bhskittykatt]

My girl scout troop did one once in our troop leader's barn. It was a while ago and I don't recall everything involved, but the Fire Marshall did have to approve the site. They probably have ideas on what sort of insurance and stuff you would need as well.

[Eireann]

Okay, here are the advantages:

This city is perfect for it. There are torture museums everywhere, and there is even a ghost museum (good future partner for my enterprise).

The major film studio located here. I'm sure I can get all kinds of castoffs - costumes, dummies, possibly makeup, even technical equipment.

Tourists love this stuff.

The disadvantages:

Without a huge amount of startup capital, the event would have to be held outside, which rules out winter and early spring. Summer days here are very long, so unless we wanted a daylight event (which is possible, of course), it would have to be held pretty late.

Finding a suitable venue might be difficult.

If it's outside, it won't be in the city proper, which means people will have to travel a fair distance to get to it.

[Mytical]

Sometimes less is more. Especially with scary. Most go for the 'in your face' scary. IE people jumping out at the guests, etc. There is a alternative, however. A simple fog machine, some good atmosphere music, and such sets the mood to be scared. Maybe shadows running about. (IE people in the background dressed in black..not jumping out at people, but just running by in the fog)

[Eireann]

Yes, I agree. I'm not into the kind of attraction that has people with masks and chainsaws jumping out at the visitors. I like creepy scary.

[Rapscallion]

The question a bank manager looking at funding this would ask is, "What do your customers like?"

Rapscallion

[Eireann]

Good point. The thing to remember here, I think, is that it's important to be different. It's no use to offer the same thing that American visitors, in particular, have seen in attractions back home. Using local/regional myths and legends is one way to differentiate. Mix the familiar with the new.

[bhskittykatt]

Sometimes less is more. Especially with scary. Most go for the 'in your face' scary. IE people jumping out at the guests, etc. There is a alternative, however. A simple fog machine, some good atmosphere music, and such sets the mood to be scared. Maybe shadows running about. (IE people in the background dressed in black..not jumping out at people, but just running by in the fog)

One of the creepiest parts of the best haunted house I ever went to was a dead-end room with checkered walls and strobe lights (epileptics need not apply). There was an actor dressed to match the walls, and with the strobes you couldn't see him when he was up against the sides. As he stepped away though...with all the strobes it had an effect as though he was peeling away from the wall. And he got closer...and closer...and closer (walking all creepy and contorted, of course)...and suddenly a wall opened up and you were able to get out. Simple and yet so effective.

[HawaiianShirts]

I'm with the votes for creepiness over jump scares. I do recommend a general theme. It's not like it has to tell a story if you can't make it that elaborate, but something that allows the event to flow smoothly.

I don't know if there are corn fields near where you live, but corn mazes are very popular in the west (in Utah, where I'm from, there was at least one in every town with a big enough field, and there are several here in Oregon as well). They'll usually let it just be a maze in the daylight and then "haunt" it when the sun goes down. A farmer with straw bales to lend might let you build a few halls with those. Even a large parking lot with strategically positioned vehicles might work.

There was an actor dressed to match the walls, and with the strobes you couldn't see him when he was up against the sides. As he stepped away though...

My wife was one of those once. It was a long, narrow, black hallway, decorated with a variety of masks hanging from the walls--some creepy, some not, some attached to people who were otherwise dressed in black. The walls were cloth, so they rippled a bit, which gave the performers better concealment until they chose their moment to cross the hall or step into the path of the guests or otherwise move. No jump scares, but definitely an unexpected movement.

The year before that, I worked in the same attraction. My role was more of a gruesome oddity, though. I was in an electric chair and was electrocuted--not humanely--for every tour group. Make up effects made it look like my face was bubbling. I screamed and gurgled, freaking out most of the girls and sometimes even the "tough guys" who were there to "protect" them. Great fun.

[Fudgethatkay]

As someone who worked at a haunt for 4 years...

Do both creepy AND scary.

Find a group of like-minded people and backers and see what your city/state ordinances allow

Just a stronngggg hint. Don't call it "volunteer" and then ask for mandatory practices....(such a small thing ruined my haunt home :< )

[Eireann]

All good advice. I have a friend who is a lawyer, and I can ask him about the laws here. I can also ask my Czech friends if they know of suitable venues. And, of course, brainstorming for ideas on coming up with a suitably creepyscary attraction.