Ask the Haunt Expert: Leonard Pickel

Ask the Haunt Expert: Leonard Pickel

Author: Brian Foreman & Darryl Plunkie: Haunters, Scare Actors, Haunt Owners January 29, 2025 Duration: 1:38:44

Start, grow, and scale your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

In this episode, we discuss many things like Scare Actors, Safety, Timed Ticketing, Wall panels, Haunt Construction, Tent Haunts, Outdoor Trails, International Haunts, and more!

Leonard Pickel has over 50 years of themed attraction design and operations experience in year-round and seasonal installations, museums, and dark rides. Creating more than 300 original and innovative dark-themed attractions for major venues worldwide.

 A few of Leonard's accomplishments:

-1987: created the industry's first turn-key Haunted House "˜kits" and the first adaptation of the "Field Theory" for Haunted Attractions (The Triangular Grid System)

-1993 to 2000: Applied his October seasonal experience toward a summer seasonal haunted house with Mayhem Manor® in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

-1994 to 2009: Co-founded Haunted Attraction Magazine, the premier publication for the dark amusement industry.

-1997: Formed the Haunted Industry's first trade association, the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA).

-2004 to 2017: Launched the first national convention devoted solely to the Haunted Attraction Industry. The Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention (HAuNTcon®)

-2009: Awarded a lifetime achievement award from the International Association of Haunted Attractions and was honored with a question using his name in the Millennium Edition of Trivial Pursuit.

-2009: Appeared as an industry expert in several television programs including the Travel Channel special about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and America's Best Haunted Houses.

-1976 to present: Constantly searching for new challenges and striving for new heights in his Haunting career, Leonard has 40-plus years of experience designing all types of commercial Attractions.

Contact Leonard Pickel at Hauntrepreneurs.com


Ever wondered how the chilling atmosphere of a professional haunted house is really built, or what it takes to make a scare actor’s performance truly unforgettable? HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters pulls back the heavy black curtain on the world of professional scares. Hosts Brian Foreman and Darryl Plunkie aren’t just commentators; they’re working haunters, scare actors, and haunt owners who live this passion year-round. In each episode, they sit down with the artists, builders, and visionaries who create the terrifying events we love, capturing their personal stories and hard-won expertise. This podcast is built on practical, real-world advice, focusing on how you can design effective scares and build compelling attractions without relying on a massive budget. It’s a deep, conversational dive into the craft, from makeup techniques and set design to the psychology of fear and the business of Halloween. You’ll hear the triumphs, the creative problem-solving, and the dedicated community that brings the haunting season to life. Tune in for an authentic look behind the screams, where passion for the art form is always the main topic.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Podcast Episodes
Scare Acting 101: Hiring, Training, and Firing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:51
In this Master Class we get Allen Hopps from Dark Hour Haunted House and Drew Badger from The Big Scary Show to discuss Scare Actor tips and tricks. Where to find them, how to hire them, ways to train them, and when to l…
Not Afraid To Slay: Women of the Haunt Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:12
In this BONUS episode we talk to Jan Knuth, the author of Not Afraid To Slay, about her journey writing the book and what she learned in the process. We also talk about her Haunt, Grayhouse Haunts. Buy her book here. Bec…
The Psychology of Fear: How to Make Your Haunt Scarier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:21
Matt Scott breaks down the psychology of fear and how you can create scarier sets and creepier characters inside your Haunted Attraction. To attend these LIVE Master Classes become a member at HauntersToolbox.com
The Future of the Haunted Attraction Association [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:27
Changes are coming to the Haunted Attraction Association. The new president, Spencer Terry, explains the future of the HAA and how BIG changes are coming. Are you a member? This original podcast episode was recorded by h…
Part 2: Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:19
Part 2 of our Transworld Halloween & Attraction Show interviews. Go support the people heard in this podcast. :) Graphitti FX: https://graffitifx.com Psychotic Circus of Savannah: https://youtube.com/c/ThePsychoticCircus…
9 Interviews from the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:52
Maximus Bryant does all the work on this one! Max gets some of the show vendors, actors, and creators on this podcast from the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show. He chats with: John Moran from Brimstone Haunt Creat…
Haunted Attraction Design Do's and Don'ts with Leonard Pickel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:40
Designing and building your Haunt will be one of the most time-consuming tasks that you'll do. That's why it must be done right or you'll spend valuable time doing things over. Leaonard Pickel, from Hauntrepreneurs.com,…
Do It Yourself Animatronics with Steve Koci (Replay) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:24
Steve Koci is having some medical complications currently, so we decided to dust this Master Class off and let you listen to the words of an Animatronic Master! Steve gives great advice on building your own animated prop…