Start Your First Haunted Attraction | Imminent Doom

Start Your First Haunted Attraction | Imminent Doom

Author: Brian Foreman & Darryl Plunkie: Haunters, Scare Actors, Haunt Owners December 24, 2025 Duration: 1:41:32
What's it really like to open and operate a Haunted Attraction business? Can your dream really come true? Can you do it by yourself?

We answer all of your questions in this Master Class with Conner Beets from Imminent Doom Haunted House.

Conner, a lifetime Haunt enthusiast, started and operated his first commercial haunted attraction this year (2025). At the age of 20 years old!
 
Conner's 5 Top Tips for starting a brand-new haunt are…
 
1. Build outside city limits if possible! If you happen to be in the city limits… be in CONSTANT communication with your local Fire Marshall and don't try to fight them on codes. Believe me… You will not win that battle lol!
 
2. Invest Wisely! As cool as some of those massive props are at TransWorld… the quality often isn't what it is at the show when you receive your copy. When at a show, be sure to thoroughly inspect a prop to make sure it is built to last and will be a worthwhile investment for your show!
 
3. Train your actors!!! As cool as your sets and props may be, your guests only want one thing… to be terrified!!! You can have the most beautiful and high-tech animatronics known to man. Still, if you don't hold your actors to a standard and train them how to scare, develop characters, and pace themselves properly… your show will definitely suffer!
 
4. Work with and collaborate with your other local haunted attractions! We did a huge project this year called The Frightful Four of East Texas, featuring four local haunts, and it absolutely blew up into a huge deal! You can learn a lot from working with fellow industry experts from your area, and since you are all near each other… There is room for everyone to succeed by working together to drive more guests to your area around October!
 
5. Stay Humble! I cannot stress this one enough! Don't be a giant Douche for lack of a better word! Your show is not the best thing in the world, despite what you may think, and you will always have to work to improve your show year after year! Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. I haven't seen many haunts that absolutely one person builds, so I'm definitely willing to work with others!

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
Haunt Season Post-mortem: The Past, Present, & Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:36
How did your Haunt Season go?? We had some ups & downs. And some BIG changes are in store for 2023. Some of our Haunt Master members share their experiences and give you a sneak peek behind their businesses. In this podc…
Halloween Traditions (& Spooky Tunes) with Lesley Bannatyne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 thro…
13 Ways To Get More People To Your Haunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:44
Whether you're a Home Haunter or Haunted Attraction, we all need patrons to show up after the construction is done and the actors are in their spots. But how do we get customers while stretching our budget? Here are 13 d…
Haunted Attraction Marketing with FearWorm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:14
To get access to our Haunt Master Class video library, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com In this episode, Tyler Barnett from FearWorm discusses ways to increase your attraction's attendance, creative ways to u…
Hiring & Training Scare Actors: From Application to Opening Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:08
To get all of the bonuses that come along with this episode, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com Hiring & Training Actors – From Application to Opening Night You have advertised and recruited, and the actor appl…
Haunt Insurance: Are you really covered? You may not be. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:46
Craig Watt, from Terror Isle in Texas City and a 20-year veteran as an insurance agent, explains Haunt Insurance in simple terms and reveals that the coverage you have may not be covering what you think it does. To get t…
Fire Safety & Actor Safety with Fear Asylum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:07
One of the biggest hurdles that Haunters face is preparing your attraction for the fire marshal. This podcast episode will get you ready for your inspector and help make your Haunt safer, for your customers and staff. To…
The Growing Pains of an Outdoor Haunt with Zombie Farms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:39
Cynthia MacDonald from Zombie Farms in Athens, Georgia shares her experience from start to finish on how she started their outdoor trail and how you can start one too. To get access to this entire Master Class, become a…
Monsters & Mindset: Creative Planning for Your Attraction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
Things you'll find in this Haunt Master Class How to save money and time when designing your attraction. How to be more creative. Prepare your mindset for this next season. What do you really need to focus on? ...and lot…
Haunt Industry Trends & Preparing for Next Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:27
We discuss the Haunt Industry trends of 2021 and what you need to focus on in 2022. Special Guests Philip Hernandez from Haunted Attraction Network and Alex Linebrink from Haunt Pay. Where to focus your time & money in 2…