The Haunt Sound Design

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!

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

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.

Red, White and Boo!

God Bless America! and Rot on Deadites!!

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.

The Real Wavery Hills Sanitarium

The Real Wavery Hills Sanitarium Patients

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

The Unknown Scare Grand-Spawn Acteress

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…

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

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

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

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

Enjoy the 5th Annual Rotting Flesh Radio Party Mix. This year we keep it spooky and rocking away with tradition, with some special guests stopping in. This year we have the additions of the Woods of Terror, The Beast and Shrine of Horrors Haunted Attractions joining us.

So Sit Back, Relax and Rot Away to the 5th Annual Halloween Party Mix.

LISTEN NOW:
RIGHT CLICK, SAVE LINK/TARGET AS: RFR_10_31_2009.mp3 Party Mix