Halloween Traditions (& Spooky Tunes) with Lesley Bannatyne

Halloween Traditions (& Spooky Tunes) with Lesley Bannatyne

Author: Brian Foreman & Darryl Plunkie: Haunters, Scare Actors, Haunt Owners October 14, 2022 Duration: 1:29:09

Our 2022 Halloween Special with Lesley Bannatyne! She knows a lot about Halloween and shares some spooky tales about October traditions, the beginning of Halloween, and the evolution of haunted attractions. Plus, we throw in some tunes to get you in the Halloween mood.

About Lesley:

Lesley Bannatyne is an American author who writes extensively on Halloween, especially its history, literature, and contemporary celebration.  She also writes short stories, many of which are included in her debut collection Unaccustomed to Grace, released in March, 2022.

One of the country's foremost authorities on Halloween, Bannatyne has shared her knowledge on television specials for the History Channel ("The Haunted History of Halloween," "The Real Story of Halloween"), with Time MagazineSlateNational Geographic, and contributed the Halloween article to World Book Encyclopedia. In 2007, she and several compatriots set the Guinness World Record for Largest Halloween Gathering, a title they held until 2009.


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
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The Epic Home Haunts Documentary The Epic Home Haunts Documentary is a movie that shares the lives of four Home Haunter families and how they get ready for Halloween each year. Setting up realistic Haunted Attraction eve…
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Duration: 1:21:00
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5 Ways to Find Help for Your Haunted Attraction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:56
One of the most difficult things for a Haunted Attraction Owner is to find quality Scare Actors and Staff to help make the attraction come to life. Having your Scare Actors not show up is one of the biggest complaints we…