FS = FrightSearch
TOT = Trail of Terror

BACKGROUND OF TRAIL OF TERROR

FS - When did you start and how did you get started? Was it from a yard haunt and you worked your way up to the pros?
The Trail of Terror is in it's 12th year, three years prior to that I had a home haunt which started in the front yard then moved into the back. People lined up our street just to go through on Halloween night.


FS - What funding if any did you get to start your haunt, and how much did it take to start it up?
For many years the entire haunt was charged on my personal credit card.


FS - Is there a theme involved in your haunt?
No particular theme but we do have a story line.

FS - How long have you been a "pro" haunt?
12 years.

FS- How big is the target market you are in?
We are 1 1/2 from Boston and NYC.

THIS YEARS LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS

FS - How often do you change your layout?
We change over 75% each year.

FS - Do you stay in one central location? If not how do you choose your location and what advice might you give others when going about doing such a thing?
I looked at 64 properties before finding our location. What a nightmare.

FS - What is your favorite part of putting together these plans?
Taking an idea and making it reality. The screams are the payday.

FS - Do you hire people to do the construction or it is just yourself and accquired friends?
I do most of the construction but have lots of help with detailing, lighting and sound.

FS - What is a common problem you might share with others you tend to run into while constructing your layout?
Being an outdoor event over 70, 000 square feet the challenge we have is running power to all 27 scenes. We are in a private park so we need to design the scenes around the layout of the trees. Difficult but I love the location.

FS - How long does it take to do your construction each season?
We start as soon as the snow melts and finish on the final day.

DECORATING

FS - For everyone that dreams of being a pro haunter, what decorating tips can you give them that is both inexpensive and scary?
Tag sales and thrift stores.

FS - What tips for pro haunters do you have to keep your decorations both scary and unpredictable, without confusing your customer too much?
Think outside the coffin.

FS - What are your thoughts on haunts that run mostly expensive over the top props all throughout their haunt, compare to those that only use maybe one or two and rely mostly on the atmosphere?
I try to stay away from really expensive props, although I bought a few really cool things this year. I like to make our haunt as real as possible.

FS - Any tips for pro haunters that don't want the public to play with props too much?
Explain that people who touch props or actors will get tossed.

OPENING NIGHT

FS - On opening night just about how big is the crowd you draw?
Twice as big as last year.

FS - On an avg. night / year how big of crowd to you draw?
2-4 hour wait.

FS - Are there any special promo nights you run for college students, family specials, and just how much do these promos help your attraction?
No specials, no coupons.

FS - Are your nerves as stiff as a new corpse on opening night? or are you having so much fun everything just kind of goes by quick?
I never have fun anymore...too busy.

CUSTOMER REACTION / RESPONSE

FS - First name, Age?
Ashley, 17

FS - What is your favorite / scariest part about the haunted house?
"The girl in the well"

FS - What is your least favorite part of the haunted house?
"Long lines"

FS - Would you go through again or recommend it to others?
"Yes, every weekend"

FS - What would you like to see in the future?
"Shorter lines to get in"

FS - Reasonable Price?
"The cheapest and best around!"

ACTOR INTERVIEWS / FEATURED CREATURES

FS - Do you ever give out best scare awards, best costumes?
We have the Golden Ghouls awards each year.

FS - What are some of the things you tell your actors, do you have an actors workshop?
Stay in character.

FS - Explain some of the rules that you as an "actor" must follow...such as when approached by a volitile customer, or drunken customer?
Understand the difference between and reaction strike verses an intentional. Do not handle the situation yourself.

FS - If you could see more of one thing or another at Haunted Attractions, both as an actor, and spectator what would it be?
Originality.


SUMMARY & FOLLOW-UP

FS - Over all about how much net profit could I haunt expect in the first 1 - 5 years of their haunt (assuming they can stick it out that long)?
$0, you'll need to reinvest.

FS - Is there anyway...to project when there might be a bad year ahead of you? (unfortunately, the 9/11 situation =0( seem to damper the season somewhat at that time, for obvious reasons)?
We did great after 9-11, weather is the only drawback.

FS - What is your age group you tend to see the most of?
14-17 year old girls.

FS - When do preperations for next year begin? (if it ever ends)
They have already begun.

FS - In those preperations how would you suggest about getting sponsorships?
Do you go the route of trade offs, such as a snack bar setup from Pepsi in return to "Advertise" their product, or do you go straight for cash sponsorships whenever possible...or combo of both? Charities help, Also ask for an exchange for sign-age or product. We've never paid for advertisement.

FS - What is it about Haunted Attractions you love so much to make you want to put in all this hard work year after year?
I love to entertain people.