Sound Design 101 Part 1: The Anatomy of a Room

by: RFR Casket Crew Maestro Macbre

I’m Baaaaaaaack!  I know it’s been a while since I reared my ugly head, but I was finishing up my new album to be released in April!

With the spring right around the corner, you are no doubt preparing for your design and set up of next years haunt.  What better time to go over the basic resources available to you to achieve a professional sounding haunt!  As I’ve touched before in my previous posts, sound is very important in a haunted attraction.  So I won’t spend as much time on that as I do basic information regarding equipment, set-up, sound creation and planning.  It’s actually easier than you would think to sound like a professional haunt.  If you are a professional haunt, there are always ways to improve your set up!

In this first part I will go over the process of laying out a sound system and location of speakers.

The first principle in laying out a haunt is flow and scares.  With my company we often sit down first and ask the designer to “walk” us through the haunt.  Although it may not be built we can still get a mental picture of space, props and feel.  Some good questions to ask yourself and fellow designers:

Picture the room and imagine the set up with me.

What kind of sounds would I hear in this type of area?

You are standing in the entrance to the room.  To the left you see bookshelves askew.  They would shake and cave in as you walked by.  The organ would then play blowing smoke and flashing lights as two “Statues” came to life and lunged at you.

What action or cue sounds are needed?

The action started with the organ blaring and vibrating.  This caused the book cases to vibrate and fall.

What will I need?

All of this only used two speakers and one prop controller and one sensor.

The “Bed” of a creaky cavernous room was the preset loop on the controller.  The Speaker Located at the top of the room, angled to hit the entire room with sound. As the props (the Organ and Shelves) would activate the controller hit the cue triggering both controllers.

Where are the sources?

The Cue played the Organ through a Large Powered speaker from behind the organ through the right channel and the book cases through the left. Creating two different sound sources from one controller.

This is just an example of how I broke down this room.  Some are simpler and others may take more thought.  The same questions should be asked though.  Let’s take a closer look at the break down.

What kind of sounds do I expect to hear in this area?  

This is what I like to call a “Bed”.  A bed is an ambient looped track that creates a general overall feeling. For instance:

A Chapel:  Wind howling through the corridors, large room reverb creates the illusion of size and depth.

A Crypt: Closer Cavernous reverb and echo, with dripping sounds.

You get the point, these are often called ambient albums.  For examples of these check out “Gothic Nightmares”.

The bed will often sound distant but the closer sounds should sound as if they are close and crisp, this is where high quality speakers help.  This itself is a little challenging.  Finding the proper space may jump out at you, but often takes adjusting to make sure sound fills the entire space. The best way to plan for this is to look at the room highlight the path of the patrons, and figure that you want to point the sound right at them.  Ideally this is directly above, however that’s not always possible.  But aim high and save a space to roughly work with dialing it in.  Put it on your blueprints.  While you are leaving that space figure out where the source is and leave space to easily access that.  It may be in a neighboring room, control room or other space, but make sure you are able to access it with little exposure to patrons.  I will cover this more in part 2.

What kind of Cue is needed? What will I need and what are the sources?

The Cue needs to surprise your patrons, but also needs to make sense and come from an unobstructed source.  The human ear is very keen, if your prop comes from the left and your sound from the right, it would calculate in the brain correctly, meaning that it will seem cheap and transparent.  Placing a speaker for a scare is even trickier than placing a speaker for a bed.  Small speakers, unless powerful and clear will not come off well, I like to use studio reference monitors for these (I prefer guitar center, because of the pro coverage replacement plan, ask me for more info).  They are clear and precise.

These key elements should be focused on each room and always present in construction and design.

Transient rooms or hallways rely heavily on sound.  The same careful planning should be taken for those as well.  But with on important difference, the volume.  The volume in these go between areas will not only create the illusion of transporting to another area, but it will also mask the sound from the previous and upcoming room, fighting sound with sound.  The sources can often be shared to save money on players.

The needs are typically two monitor speakers, a boobox or mp3 player and a sensor.  The placement of these will be discussed more in depth in the next segment, but spending a little more upfront on good equipment will save you money and frustration in the long run.  Plan early and keep sound in mind with visual effects and props.  With this in mind you can have a haunt that you do not need to turn on and off every night one mp3 player at a time!  More on this in the next segment!

Until then, Sit back, relax and rot away!

 

The Importance of Sound Design: The Sound of Silence

by: RFR Casket Crew Maestro Macbre

It’s Mid August, for the most part any of you building haunts are in the final planning or building stages.  Most frequently left till the end is putting in speakers and picking your sounds. Where to start!  What to use!  We don’t have budget! I present to you a brief guide to sound design!

Over the next few weeks, I will touch on the different techniques and examples. Lesson one: The sound of silence The truth is you can make a very stagnant room creepy, just by adding sound.

Not every room can have a scare, sometimes the a mediocre scare can be amplified by building suspense.  How do you do this?

Silence.  Not really silence, but the sound of silence.  Bare with me for a second!  Think of your favorite scary movie, what usually proceeds a scare?  Ambient noise.  This sound not only feels an empty space, but creates an uneasiness.  If you watch Ghost Hunters  as much as I do, they explain the effect of electromagnetic fields. Not only that, but it covers up your actor shifting around in a crawl space.  You can fight sound with sound using it correctly.  You can also achieve this with little resources (check out the last Ask the Maestro!)

In Layman’s terms, electromagnetic fields are produced by the presence of electrical objects emitting radiation.  This causes living creatures to feel the field causing paranoia and sometimes nausea.  This is often attributed to that “being followed/watched” feeling. What does this mean for you?  Using the right sound at the right time, will get your patrons paranoid before they even enter a room!  This is why a sound designer is important! (Shameless plug!)

Sound emits  electromagnetic radiation, but it can also effect people with the tempo, frequency and volume. The tempo of a piece can actually change the pace of a person’s heartbeat.

Think of how a song makes you feel.  Slow songs are often associated with love and fast with movement.  The human heart beats at 120 beats per minute, if you take a song that beats at about 140, you can raise a persons heart rate, making their breathing shallow and creating discomfort. Frequencies act the same way.  Sub bass tones relax you making you disarmed, where are high pitched can make you tense and uptight.

So what does this mean to you Mr. or Ms. Haunt designer?

Depending on how you use your sound, you can prepare someone for a scare.    Think about a transition room in your haunt.  What is the overall theme?  Is it a Carnival?  Industrial?  Outside?  Inside?

These are all factors. Once you do this, look for a great loopable track utilizing the atmosphere you are looking for.  Use droning pads with bass to cover up natural ambient noises.  The best will usually create a space using sound, to shrink or expand an area.  Use sounds that cover the spectrum, occasional mid range sounds matched with a low ambient noise.

Also think If there’s a specific character, maybe a clown for example.  Add elements of circus music, maybe some horn honks or giggling.  The use of pan can also add an air of uncertainty too.  If there is a large beast animatronic or ghost, use deep breathing or chilling sounds.  It’s ok to tip your hand as long as the scare can beat it.

Prolonged loud screeches and shrills, should be avoided.  You will not only drive your actors nuts, but you will also aggravate your customers.  The last thing you want is a high strung customer walking into a room with an actor about to aggravate them more.  But the intermittent loud shrill can catch a patron off guard.

The key is a lot of natural sound with unnatural effects.  All of this can be achieved without using music.  Leave the music outside.  Music should be used to create the atmosphere outside, while making the wait more pleasant and anticipated.  Great ambient music can be used inside.  For example a music box, piano, or other natural music sources.  But I will touch more on music in a later post.

The truth is, sound is a huge part to a haunt, and you need to treat it on the same level as set decorating, costumes and make-up.  You can mix your own or have someone mix them for you (Check out some free samples here).  Programs like Audacity make it free and easy!

In the next installment: Tempo and Frequency, Installing speakers, perfect scare sounds!

Until next time! Sit Back, Relax, and Rot Away!

The Haunted Mine’s Last Scare

by: RFR Casket Crew Maestro Macbre

I am sitting at my desk on a beautiful 90+ degree day reminiscing.  A day like this reminds me of great days working on my first haunt.  Unfortunately, today I received word that “The Haunted Mine” will be no more.

Just north of Pittsburgh off of Exit 14  on route 28 sits a tree lined hill side that hides one of the gems of the area.  UndAerneath the booming steel towns lies miles and miles of tunnels rich with coal.  The earliest records indicate the mine was active in 1850.  After almost a century of mining, ex-miner Ira Wood purchased purchased the mine for a unique purpose: to educate.  Wood, a charismatic man weathered by years in the tunnels loved mining and loved spooks.  A portion of the mine was turned into a tour into the hills of western PA.  This educational mine includes a full mining museum, a ride in on a “man trip” and acres of land.

In 2004, Wood along with ex-miner Bob Black toyed with an interesting idea.  To create income in the fall, why not spook it up!  Wood loved the thought and unfortunately didn’t see it’s first season.  Starting out as a modest haunt with your normal home haunt tricks and scares developed into a must see attraction including 3 separate haunts lasting over 20 minutes.  The final season boasted pneumatic props, miles of wire and a great crew that looked to the future.

Lead by Black he assemble one of the most passionate and talented group of amateurs devoted solely to creating a terrorizing haunt.  Nate Derringer, part of the crew from year one, devoted every waking minute to the haunt.  Bringing in Jason Shumaker as lead carpenter, and then  designer Larry Tempo, who joined in 2005.  With this trio the mine soon rocketed to the level of professional haunt.  In 2008, I joined the group to build and led the technical team.

Derringer, Shumaker and Tempo spent endless hours on the haunt.  As all of you know, it’s not cheap or easy.  It was a 2nd full time job.  Armed with a screw gun, luaun and paint brushes, they along with myself and countless others turned a real mine and museum into a terrifying subterranean nightmare.

Local News Coverage

The Mine itself is claimed to be haunted by several deaths that occurred while in operation.  The spirit of Ira Wood has also been noted to rear his head every once in a while!  A witness firsthand, one night while programming a boobox, I heard footsteps in the museum area, it is very distinct, as it was a raised airplane hanger style building.  It sat on braces and the floors had a unique squeak.  Figuring it was Larry, I worked away, even shouting to him at one point.  However I walked 200 or so feet up the path when I had finished several minutes later to find all 3 people accounted for, not moving since I went down.

In 2009, Hollywood invaded using the mine as the backdrop for the horror remake of  My Bloody Valentine.  This opened up a world of opportunity.

Hollywood Scouts On Location

The next 3 years were the best of my life, as I’m sure many of you look fondly back on your first haunt experiences.

I left the mine in 2010 to pursue my own music and dive deeper into the world of professional haunts.  It wasn’t easy.  The mine was perfect for a haunt and suffered with uncooperative owners.  Never getting the full support meant limited funds, little advertising and a constant struggle to stay open.

In the final year the haunt consisted of a 3-D haunt, a haunted mine, and post apocalyptic junkyard.  My brother, Jake Karan, took my spot and excelled in every area.

Larry Tempo, painstakingly hand painted the 3D haunt, which could compete with any professional haunt out there.  Not to mention decorating each previous year.  The amount of work is staggering!

Jason Shumaker, using the skills he acquired on the sets of feature films, led construction.  He’s professional skills creating some incredibly detailed work and with impeccable craftsmanship.

Nathan Derringer held it all together.  Even when tempers and ego’s flared, Nathan was the glue.  Always calm and cool.

Each deserves and will be associated with the haunt industry for years to come.

The Haunt would only go up from here, having it’s most successful season yet.  However, most of the burden fell directly on Bob Black.  He would purchase paint, lumber, booboxes and lunch every day out of his own pocket.  A great guy with a heart as big as his smile, often seen wearing a dress and a blonde wig, was the only board member of the mine that understood the scope of the haunt and the promise of the future.  It was Ira Wood’s dream, but due to a poorly written Will, the fate of the mine laid in the hands of three people.

The final nail in the toe pincher coffin was today, the Haunted Mine was put to rest when the two remaining votes denied the crew to return.

Speaking for myself as well as the other crew:  None of this would have been possible with the countless volunteers and sponsors.  With notable crew being Dan, Christine, Ashley and Marc; all volunteering many hours for the haunt.

Lastly, never ending thanks goes out to Bob Black, whose generosity and youthful love for Halloween and haunts kept the passion and love alive.  Hopefully, the mine will be resurrected one day again, just as Ira Wood did back in 1964.

 

R.I.P.  The Haunted Mine 2004-2010

The Red, White, and Boo!

by: RFR casket Crew Unknown Scare Actor

The 4th of July is upon us deadites. And as we are getting ready for our nation’s birthday, the Mortician is spinning show #240, and the Zombies are having a cookout without the grill. Most Pro haunts have started this season’s work. But we all need to enjoy the weekend, the fireworks, and the company of good friends and family.

And let’s not forget our founding fathers, the men who founded the country that gave us our haunt industry. And always honor the fallen men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. I , the Unknown Scare-Actor, take off my mask to all of these American Heroes, and say thank you for giving me and all us us in the haunt industry, the choice to do what we love.

God Bless America! and Rot on Deadites!!

Rotting Flesh Radio Tours: “The Real Waverly Hills Sanitorium” – Wow!

by: RFR Casket Crew Unknown Scare Actor

Good Morning Deadites,

I’m am up way too early this morning. Waverly Hills was, whats the word I’m looking for, INCREDIBLE.

This was my first trip to the infamous tuberculosis hospital, and I was not disappointed. I took the 2 hour paranormal tour with a couple of friends, and I would recommend this tour for anyone who has never been. We arrived about 35 minutes early, to a closed gate. During this time of year, you cannot see the building until you are almost upon it. Huge is the word I would use to describe it. 180,000 square feet of gothic structure, complete with gargoyles. We were led to the office areas were the tour was organized, and we watch a short video presentation.

Our tour guide, Mike, has many years experience at Waverly Hills. We started in the body chute, a long tunnel used to transport the corpses to waiting hearses at the bottom of the hill. Once on the first floor, we were a taken to some paranormal hotspots. Once we were taken to the 2nd floor we learned of a couple of mischievious spirits, named Timmy and Mary. Moving on the the 3rd floor, we learned about the solarium and it’s use for treating the patients, as will as “Mrs Higgs” an active spirit that has been seen numerous times, including by one of the televised ghost hunting teams. We viewed the terminal ward, the last stop a patient would go before the body chute. We skipped the 4th floor, and went up to the 5th, where we learned about the nurse who hanged herself by room 502, as well as another nurse who died under mysterious circumstances.

We then went down the the 4th floor. Mike, our guide, informed us he did not like this floor out all. A lot of activity, an not all of it nice. As he was telling the story of a couple of boys trapped on the floor, we all heard a scream come from behind the door, and there was no one else on the building at that time!! I also captured this scream on my audio recorder. Once inside, Mike told us about the shadow people on this floor and let me tell you..THEY ARE REAL. We sent one from our group down the hall, and the shadow people started to surround him!

I captured the reactions of the group on my recorder, and I know what I saw with my own eyes. After the amazing bit paranormal activity, sadly the tour was over. we headed down stairs, where they thanked us for coming and the group broke up. I spoke to a couple of people about their reactions and expectations, and finished the night with an interview with Brian, who heads up the haunted attraction they do every haunt season, and I could not think of a more appropriate place to run a haunt. all proceeds from their haunt go towards the restoration of the truly amazing, and in my opinion, very haunted building.

Well deadites that is the summary of my first trip to Waverly Hills. Next time I’m booking an overnight investigation and bringing all my equipment.

So until next time Sit Back, Relax and Rot Away and remember……Everyone…………….is afraid of something,
and at Waverly Hills you just might find that fear.

For more on the Wavery Hills visit: www.TheRealWaveryHills.com

When Should a Scare-Actor Start Scaring??

by: RFR Casket Crew’s Unknown Scare Actor

How old should a person be when they start scaring? This is a very subjective question.   A lot depends of the child and the parent.

My personal opinion is that a parent should allow this to develop, if the child shows an affinity for haunting.  I probably started scaring people around the age of 7.  The funny thing was, I couldn’t watch a horror movie without having nightmares. However, I had no problem with dressing like a monster, using make up  or masks to sneak up on people, especially my mother, and giving them a fright.

Of course, all of this may very well be contingent on the parents disposition.  Parents that are haunters are probably more inclined to teach and help their children, to the point of having them involved in some way, such as a home haunt.  I don’t feel that haunting should be forced on the child at all, but they can be encouraged.  At what age this should happen, I couldn’t say, it will vary from child to child, but I can tell you this….. I have a 15 year old junior Scare-Actor in training.

Until next time Deadites…Sit Back, Relax and Rot Away…

Fright Times Magazine Rises Again with a New Owner

So it seems rising from the grave that Fright Times Magazine is back with an all new owner. Read On RFR Deadites:

West Deptford, NJ, March 9, 2010: Fright Times Magazine will resume publication with an upcoming issue available for purchase in April. Fright Times will also have an official relaunch debut at the National Haunters Convention & Halloween show in King of Prussia, PA located in the Valley Forge Convention Center.

Now under the guidance of National Halloween & Haunters Convention Co-Owner Robert F. Kocher, the revitalized magazine will appear in full-color. The first new issue is aptly dubbed “Unearthed from the Grave” Fright Times focuses on the Haunted House Industry and fans of the Halloween season.

Issues 15 and 16 will have a distribution of 5,000, including visibility at haunted houses, conventions, horror clubs and Halloween events.

A yearly Fright Times mail subscription costs $20.00. The illustrious magazine will appear twice per year—once in the spring to help haunters prepare for the season and again around Halloween at the height of the holiday that makes it happen.

The relaunch includes a completely new Web site located at www.FrightTimes.com. On the site, readers can browse early-industry historical issues free of charge, subscribe instantly via PayPal, download exclusive Fright Times desktop wallpaper, submit articles, discuss industry news on the message board and retrieve information about the advertising specs and magazine staff.

The Web site also includes photos of celebrities who have enjoyed Fright Times over the years as well as multimedia selections.

About Fright Times:
Originating under the skillful direction of John Denley of Boneyard Productions in 1996, Fright Times Magazine enjoyed a six-year run with increased readership. Like the Halloween and haunting industry it represents, Fright Times originally grew out of the popularity of haunting as a hobby.

For more information about Fright Times Magazine, check out the Web site at http://www.FrightTimes.com

Midwest Haunters Convention: Workshops, Education, Contests Updated

The Midwest Haunters Convention is gearing up for the 2010 event and many things have been updated for the event.

The event itself is one of the most attended Haunt Events in the industry and everyone is gearing up for the event. And right now Registration is open for both the Miss Midwest Scary Pageant, The 7th annual competition to find the scariest female character in the Midwest. Eight contestants will be competing for this highly coveted title, along with cash and prizes. In addition the registration has opened as well for the Annual Monster Makeup Wars, this is where they offer contestants the chance to compete for the coveted title of creating the Scariest Monster! Five teams will compete (1 model and 2 make-up artists) with identical Bloody Mary make-up supplies. Teams will have 30 minutes to complete their monster from the neck up. There is also even more registration for the Scariest Character Contest, each year the panel of celebrity judges chooses the Scariest Character from those in attendance at the Saturday masquerade party. Ten invitations to participate are handed out during the party, then contestants are judges, and the winner is announce that night. The winner will receive free admission to the following year’s party as well as cash and prizes to be determined. Registration is closing in on these events. You have a little over a month and a half to get your registration in.

Now, MHC wouldn’t be complete without some Education to help your haunt or event. And the List of Seminar Speakers for the HauntBots Seminars has been updated.

HAUNTBOTS SEMINAR SPEAKERS:
MHC’s educational offerings are industry acclaimed and very affordable. We offer a variety of preconvention workshops, as well as 40+ hours of weekend seminars. Many haunt producers bring their actors and makeup artists for the reasonably priced training classes. Classes are targeted to haunt producers, scene/prop builders, makeup artists and actors. From the beginner to the professional; everyone can learn from our seasoned instructors. Stop back soon for a list of classes.

Some of the Speakers Include:
John Barrowman, Jana Beagley, Michael Davy, Virgil Franklin, Glen & Melissa Gilmore, Beth Biasella, Katie Lane, Allen Hopps, Katie “Bansheette Morningstar” Lane, George Maser, Scott Olson, Scott Schaffer, Matthew Seel, Jeff Simmons, Scott Sliger, Dick Terhune, Pam Trent, Robin Walters, MS, Brian “Gadget” Warner, Jon Williams

Now just when you thought you were done with some of the MHC Updates. The Saturday Night Activities has been announced as well. Our Saturday evening activities begin at 4:30 with Monster Makeup Wars. The infamous MHC Masquerade Party begins at 8:30. You have the following to get your Haunt On in June:
Midwest Haunters Convention Masquerade Party

Saturday June 5th 8:30 pm – 1:00 am

The party will be held in the 17,000sf Regency Ballroom at our host hotel: the Hyatt Regency Columbus.

$40 per person ($35 with weekend seminar registration).

Admission includes the following: Heavy Hors d’ ovres, DJ w/dance floor, entertainment, prizes and a place to party with hundreds of your costumed friends.

Everyone is invited; the Midwest Haunters Convention participants can showcase their favorite Halloween characters/costumes. We’ll invite the public to join us in costume too.

Listed below are approximate times for our events/contests on Saturday night:

8:30 Doors open with background music
9:00 Body Art Fashion show
9:30 Ms Midwest Scary Pageant
10:30 Costume contest
11:30 We’ll announce winners of the pageant and costume contest
Play music until 1:00 am

Midwest Haunters Convention is going to be a great time once again and we will have more information as the event draws near including the organizers stopping in on the show. For more information about the annual event visit: www.MidwestHaunters.com

C.H.A.O.S. Haunted House Safety Program 2010

Each year the International Association of Haunted Attractions launches a program to help Haunted Attractions better educate themselves on safety, procedure, fire codes and more. And in 2010, the next chapter in the C.H.A.O.S. program is set to launch.

In 2010 the C.H.A.O.S. Introduction to Haunted House Safety 1.0 (Fire & Panic In Haunted Houses / Code Compliance – Life Safety 101) will once again be brought to you by The International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) and TransWorld Exhibits. They have teamed up to bring you C.H.A.O.S, the associations’ safety course that is recommend to anyone running a haunted attraction. This 2 plus hour course will count towards your 8 hours required to receive your certification. Each year IAHA along with TransWorld will offer safety classes you can attend to fulfill your requirement for certification. When you complete the 8 hours, you will be given a certificate that can be used to show your fire marshal, insurance carrier, and local authority to impress upon them the your desire to run a safe haunted attraction. This introductory course will explore the historical origins of NFPA 101 “The Lifesaving Code” using actual case studies to underscore the importance of NFPA 1010 in an overall risk reduction strategy for haunted houses, mazes and other attractions that can be classified as “Special Amusement Buildings.”

The course will also explore how the codes and standards impact your overall risk reduction strategy for your haunted attraction. The presentation will focus on all aspects of NFPA 101 Lifesaving code, NFPA 701, NFPA 10, and other codes that impact the overall safety of your attraction. You cannot afford to miss this seminar. We as an industry must put safety first.

The program will run 2.5 hours, presented by Phil Slaggert. Note: All participants will be issued a certificate of completion. All for the price of $45.00 for Members and $65.00 for Non-Members.

for more information or to register visit: www.IAHAWeb.com

Merry Christmas to all our Deadites!!! Enjoy your Family, Friends and Loved Ones!

Merry Christmas to all of our Deadites! Enjoy this Holiday to enjoy your family, friends and loved ones. It is a day to take a few moments, turn off the computer, get off of Facebook, no Myspace, and forget about Twitter for just one day.

Turn off the cell phones and avoid texting. Just take these moments to spend that time with the ones you love. And if you have kids, then stop now and make those memories!

So until Monday Deadites, we will return then and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas,
Jonathan
Owner / Operator of Rotting Flesh Radio