Ever since the first Chicago Transworld
Haunted Attraction Seminars over six years ago, Cydney Neil, owner
and creator of the Rocky Point Haunted House in Salt Lake City, Utah, has
been a regular speaker, willing to share with others what she has spent sixteen
years learning about the industry. Focusing on the “business” side of Haunting,
Cydney’s sessions are well attended, but she has always felt that there had to
be a better way for a haunter to learn the tricks of this unique trade. Looking
at photos and videotape, and listening to industry “experts” spouting how they
do what they do only goes so far. What was needed was a hands-on workshop in an
actual attraction while in operation. Cydney owns one of the largest and most
successful haunts in this industry, but the logistics of bringing the show to
Chicago, in full operation in March, was out of the question. Not able to bring
her show to the Haunters, Cydney decided she would host her own workshop and
invite the industry to come to her.
October of 2000 kicked off the First Annual Fright Nights
Event At Rocky Point, with a Monday night social including drinks, dinner,
entertainment, and both a live and silent auction of rare movie props. On
Tuesday the group was treated to a full day of workshops, lights-on
walkthroughs, photo sessions, back-stage, and behind the scenes tours to
demonstrate how the cast and crew of Rocky Point prepare for opening. Special
tours and all night passes allowed the guests to see Cydney’s incredible Haunt
in full operation several times. At the end of the event, guests were
absolutely “blown away” by how much they gained from only two days. “This Haunt
is so impressive, from the set design to the cast,” describes Debra
L’Heureux of Hobbs Grove, Reedley, California “I learned more in one
day than I have all year visiting haunts!”
“Cydney Neil has this business
down to a science.”
Patrick Konopelski of
Shocktoberfest, Reading, PA
“I do not plan to Haunt forever,” explains Cydney, “And I want to
pass on as much information as possible to those people who want to be in the
business and are interested in learning.” Unlike Chicago, there are no secrets
or information withheld at this event. The doors are opened wide to every area
of her event, from her amazing cast program to the design and construction of
the house and every other aspect of its production and operation.
This year, Haunted Attraction Magazine and Cydney
Neil are teamed up this year for the Second Annual Fright Nights
Event At Rocky Point. “We plan on pulling out all the stops and take this
event to yet another level,” explains Leonard Pickel, sponsor of the event.
Scheduled for October 8th and 9th, 2001, this jam-packed event will
be the most valuable two days a haunter can spend all year. The event is
limited to the first 50 people who sign up, so be sure to your reservations
early. For further information, e-mail Cydney Neil directly at cydneyneil@aol.com, or go to www.rockypointhauntedhouse.com
at the 2001 Happenings section to fill out your application. References
from attendees from the 2000 event are available upon request.
