by Leonard Pickel
One day, long before computer aided drafting, I was staring at a blank sheet of drafting paper that would eventually become a detailed floor plan of my next Haunted Attraction. Debating over where to begin, I pondered over what it was exactly that I was trying to do with the dark amusement. It is easy to say that I want to scare the living breath out of everyone who goes through it, but just how was I going to accomplish that? What was the process required to elevate my patrons to that level of terror? I had the final goal well defined, but to reach that goal I needed a plan; a road map to keep me focused in the right direction. With a plan, I would be able to make the correct decision. Every time I came to a fork in the road this plan would dictate, without any doubt, which path I should take. I needed a written reasoning behind what I was doing. I needed a “Fright Theory!” With a theory behind what I was doing I could stay on path and get to my goal sooner with no side tracks. (read more)

Welcome to the newest installment of the Nightstand Librarian! In this issue, we will take a look at three great DVDs that I’m sure you’ll be adding to your collection! (read more)

by Cydney Neil
This article was first appeared in Haunted Attraction Magazine in 1999 but remains relevant and true today as it did then.

Producing a Halloween show that will attract repeat customers and increase profits year after year requires a continuous flow of new ideas. After nineteen years in business in the same area, one of the most effective techniques I’ve found for keeping my shows fresh and innovative is to choose a different annual theme for both of my houses and use those themes in my promotional materials.

(read more)

by Jim Kadel

Here’s an inexpensive, easy way to make a bubbling tower for the Lab or UFO scene your haunt It is built from those clear plastic sleeves used to protect eight foot fluorescent bulbs. Most home improvement stores sell these for around $4, and also stock all the PVC fittings and other hardware needed for this project.

Although the plastic sleeves are strong enough to support a column of water, for their total eight-foot length, I recommend cutting the m down to six feet or less. This makes them easier to handle and store. This bubbling tower is made to be disassembled and stored dry. This description assumed that those who undertake this project, have as a minimum, standard shop hand tools. For one bubbling tower an 18-inch square base of 5/8 inch plywood, particleboard, or flake board is sufficient to keep it upright. (read more)

Okay, these are some VERY basic tips, but I am surprised how many haunted houses don’t do these things on their website. I have been looking through tons of haunted house websites lately and have gotten frustrated with how hard it is to get info some times. So here are some tips that will be obvious to a lot of you but others have taken for granted. (read more)

by Bud Stross
When we took over the Haunt and gave it the new name and brought the story of The Dent SchoolHouse to life we knew we had to have a character that would encompass the haunt where ever he went.  Charlie McFree was the man in the story who killed all the kids so he was our man.  I designed him so he would be the Mickey Mouse of horror for the Cincinnati Tri-state.  Other haunts in the tri-state had stories and characters but no one brought one to life that could interact with the audience.  That’s what makes Charlie so unique. (read more)