Seminars
Seminar Super Pass $160
Any Seminar (You can NOT move from one seminar to another while the seminar is in session, doing this would disturb other attendees in the class.)
Saturday
FREE Early Bird Seminar: Fog Basics & Fog Machines
Speaker: Caitlin Hodges, Froggy’s Fog
8:30am-9:30am, Room 12
Basics of Fog and Fog Machines:
- Selecting a machine
- Differences in fog juices/which to use when
- Fog chillers
- Cleaning and storing fogger
Light & Shadow – The Art and Science of Haunt Lighting
Speaker: Rob Blohm, Chicago Haunt Builders
9:45am-10:45am, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Whether you’re a home haunter or a seasoned pro, the right lighting is critical for setting the mood. In this seminar we will cover all of the technical aspects of haunt lighting, from PAR cans to LEDs, and how everything works together. Then we will dive into the artistry of lighting, discussing how best to achieve the looks you are going for.
Costume Distressing
Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House
9:45am-10:45am, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Step into Allen’s style of costume distressing as this comprehensive class delves into the art of fabric distressing, offering insights into fabric selection, techniques for creating realistic wear and tear, and the strategic layering necessary to infuse depth and detail into haunted attraction costumes. Perfect for haunt designers, costumers, and actors, this course equips you with the skills to transform pristine garments into hauntingly authentic masterpieces, ensuring that your creations leave a lasting impression in the minds of your guests.
Dread Dispersed: A Hauntingly Helpful Guide to 3D Printing
Speaker: Joe Winkie, Chicago Haunt Builders
11:00am-12:00pm, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Embark on a thrilling journey into the world of 3D printing at our beginner’s guide session! We’ll demystify the process and guide you through the basics with a ghastly twist. From selecting the right printer to mastering basic design software, you’ll learn the tricks and treats of bringing your ghoulish creations to life. Want to design wickedly imaginative costumes or craft eerie decor? This class will ignite your creativity and banish any fears of 3D printing. Join us as we transform your Halloween visions into tangible horrors with the enchanting world of 3D printing!
Scenic Painting
Speaker: Ryan Visingard, Woods of Terror
11:00am-12:00pm, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Let’s get messy with the chaotic methods of scenic design! Prepare to roll up your sleeves and get mentally dirty as you travel through the chaotic mind of an artist and some of his elaborate and unconventional methods crafting worlds through scenic design. Using some of oldest and cheapest tricks from the entertainment industry, Ryan will have you learning how to paint, stain and splatter your way to elaborate set designs in no time.
Tip and Tricks for Creating Awesome Halloween Props and Sculptures
Speaker: Cheryl Callender, Chicago Haunt Builders
1:00pm-2:00pm, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Take your Halloween props and sculptures to the next level by paying attention to details! Cheryl reviews the artistic do’s-and-don’t’s to follow which will bring your creations to the next level and make even the most undead creature more lifelike!
An Actors Toolkit For Scaring Haunt Customers!
Speaker: Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House
1:00pm-2:00pm, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Learn some of the best tools and techniques to shock haunt patrons! We will focus on props, sound scares, phobias, twisted character techniques and take a dive into what happens in the brain when dealing with sudden terror!
Motion Mechanisms
Speaker: Jim Slanker, Chicago Haunt Builders
2:15pm-3:15pm, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Bring your home haunt and display to life! People love things that go bump in the night. Learn how to create and animate your props by using different motorized mechanisms. Jim will review different motorized mechanisms and the motions you can create.
Would You Like To Play A Game?
Speakers: Japes Palles, Katie “Bansheette” Lane
2:15pm-3:15pm, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Interested in developing your acting skills? Looking for ways to improve your actor training? During this completely interactive session, veteran haunt actors Katie and Japes will lead you through some of the games they use during trainings. These activities will help sharpen your dialogue, develop quick thinking, and celebrate the absurd things we can do to get a reaction. This session requires participation, so be ready to move!
Explore the Haunting Universe of DMX Control
Speaker: Michael Sweeney, Chicago Haunt Builders
3:30pm-4:30pm, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Michael Sweeney has spent years growing and developing the family haunt Bartlett Boneyard. Lighting is a critical element for all haunts. As simple as a strobe light and maybe some fog, DMX can greatly expand and enhance every haunt. DMX (Digital Multiplex) is a protocol used to control devices such as lights, fog machines and even multimedia elements of music and video. To understand what DMX consists of, you need to know how to make DMX work for you. From simple to over-the-top, DMX can take the haunt to another universe… even Multiple “Universes”.
Ask the Army…. A Q&A with Department Heads from HellsGate Haunted House
Moderator: Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House
Panel: John Laflamboy and the HellsGate Haunted House Management Team, Zombie Army Productions
3:30pm-4:30pm, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
This session will explore the critically-acclaimed HellsGate Haunted House. A panel of department heads and designers will discuss pre-production, production and post-production at this massive attraction. There will be a moderator to start the questions off, but this session is designed to get the audience involved and create a lively back-and-forth discussion between the class and the HellsGate staff. How did you make that? What tips do you have? Is Sharky really that cool? And any other questions you may have about the HellsGate production.
Sunday
FREE Early Bird Seminar: Learn How to Carve Large Scale Foam Displays for your Home Haunt or Attraction
Speaker: Sean Tulner, Morbid Monstrosities
9:00am-10:00am, Room 12
Create larger-than-life sculptures for your professional or home haunt. Learn the tools, materials, and tricks to creating large scale foam props and facades that will wow your guests!
How To Make Quality Air Cannons and Other Simple Scare Animations!
Speaker: Tyler Fermanich, Nightmare Forge
10:15am-11:15am, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Dive into the world of crafting top-tier air cannons and scare animations! Join us for a seminar where you’ll get insider tips and techniques for creating high-quality props guaranteed to terrify your audience. Elevate your haunted house experience and leave a lasting impression on visitors with expert guidance from Tyler of The Nightmare Forge.
Social Media for the Home Haunter
Speaker: Chris Wilkes, Chicago Haunt Builders
10:15am-11:15am, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Learn how to build a social media presence from the home haunt with the highest FaceBook following in the world. Session will cover how to grow a media presence, create content, postive strategies and dealing with trolls.
Pneumatics 101 – Powering the Muscles of Your Monsters
Speaker: Brian Warner, Evilusions
1130am-1230pm, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
This class will be covering all the basics of pneumatic systems and how to apply them to haunted attractions and animatronics. Brian will be covering everything from what fittings to use, types of cylinders and valves, distribution systems, and safety. You can make amazing monsters with pneumatics, but doing it correctly and safely is very important. With pneumatic props being available at your local big box store, it’s time to learn the ins and outs so that you can do it yourself, or just maintain your purchased animatronics correctly.
Makeup for the Home Haunter
Speaker: Laura Sasinka, Chicago Haunt Builders
11:30am-12:30pm, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Makeup tips and tricks for the home haunter. Learn a variety of types of makeup from a professional haunted makeup artist. Laura will cover everything from water-based makeup to special effects. You will learn some hands-on techniques to apply makeup if time allows.
Actor Training
Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House
12:45pm-1:45pm, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
10 Secrets to directing actors. Getting the most out of performers or even yourself can be tricky; Allen has been directing haunt actors for over 29 years at his haunts, other attractions and theme parks around the country. These 10 tips are what he uses to reach into the performers and pull monstrous performances out of them. It will be fast-paced and full of awesome info that you can internalize or give right back to your actors!
Make Your Home Haunt Stand Out From the Rest
Speaker: Jordon Jones, Ohio Haunters Association
12:45pm-1:45pm, Room 14
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Have you been to a home haunt before and felt like you have seen the same haunt elsewhere? In this seminar, Jordon Jones, part of the Ohio Haunters Association, will walk you through his process in making a home haunt feel separate from the rest. He will go over how you can change your branding, themes, scenic looks, lighting, audio, props and costumes to stand out!
Make Super Cool Costumes with Thrift Store Finds!
Speaker: Dani Panek, 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago
2:00pm-3:00pm, Room 12
Cost: $40 (Price increases after June 2nd (EXTENDED!) to $50) BUY NOW
Unleash your creativity and learn the secrets to making super cool costumes using thrift store finds. Join Dani as she shares her knowledge on how to transform ordinary items into extraordinary haunt masterpieces. Get ready to distress and impress with your unique and budget-friendly creations!
All Haunted Trade Shows Midwest Haunters Convention seminars are intended solely to provide information to the participants. Results derived by utilizing the information may vary and are not guaranteed. Neither TransWorld Trade Shows, nor the seminar presenters assumes any legal liability or responsibility regarding the content and examples presented.
All Seminars and Event Payments are Final at the Time of Purchase. Seminars and Events are non-refundable and non-transferrable. All kids under 12 years of age are admitted for free on the trade show floor only, but must be accompanied by an adult. All Seminars and Events are subject to change.
Absolutely NO recording devices permitted in any of our seminars!
