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National Haunters Con: Seminar Speaker Recruitment

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  • National Haunters Con: Seminar Speaker Recruitment

    Greetings,

    The National Haunters Convention is now accepting applications for speakers as well as demonstrators.

    The convention will be held April 29th - May 2nd, 2010.

    All seminar speakers are compensated for their time, (amount to be negotiated because some external fees may be required, for example "Everyone needs their own private bucky skull WITH a calvarium cut...")

    Please include seminar subject, seminar description (a couple of sentences to a paragraph) and a bio (a paragraph) as well as a publicity photo suitable for the Conventions web site.

    All applications are subject to review.

    Information will be posted on our Halloween University website
    http://www.halloweenuniversity.com

    If interested, please email me at mike@nationalhauntersconvention.com

    Thank You
    Michael Bruner
    National Haunters Convention
    www.nationalhauntersconvention.com
    Attached Files
    Michael Bruner

    The National Haunters Convention - OVER 100 vendor booths!
    Valley Forge, PA
    http://www.nationalhauntersconvention.com

    The Cadavers Cotillion
    http://www.cadaverscotillion.com

    Get behind the scenes tours to the best haunted attractions!
    http://www.haunttour.com

    `

  • #2
    Is there anything you are looking for specifically in a speaker? I do lectures for my Day Job and cross that over in the Haunt Industry pretty often for speaking.

    I do Marketing, Advertising and Design for a living.

    "The Original Haunt Industry, Halloween and Horror Podcast"
    http://rfrpodcast.com

    COSTUMES FOR KIDS
    "Bringing Halloween to Disabled and Less Fortunate Children"
    http://www.costumesforkids.net

    Comment


    • #3
      What makes a good seminar speaker?

      >>Is there anything you are looking for specifically in a speaker?

      Good question!
      (unfortunately, that's one of those questions where it requires quite a lengthy answer.)

      The best instructors would be anyone who:

      *Is knowledgeable on a given subject

      *Comfortable speaking in public.

      *Ability to manage a classroom to include
      -Fielding questions
      -Redirecting conversation to stay on topic
      -Assisting all levels of learners from beginners to advanced

      *Time management-to be fair to all other seminar presenters - must adhere to schedule.

      *Any style presentation is acceptable
      -Lecture
      -Demonstration
      -Make and take

      *Any topic from specific to general, as long as it can help to improve the haunted attraction industry including but not limited to: Best business practices, innovations, and safety improvements.

      * If possible, try to prevent having seminars where the information overlaps.

      --------------------------

      Truthfully, I'd give anyone a chance to teach on a given subject. Worst case scenario is that people would ask for their money back and after that seminar speaker will be noted as "not being popular with attendees with this particular subject matter."

      However, thanks to forums like this, most haunters have reputations for a given subject matter.

      In a perfect world, you only want the most experienced seminar speakers giving classes that were proven to be popular.

      However, that's neither realistic nor practical. Because you'd never experiment with a new and controversial subject matter. You'd never get a new speaker willing to offer new and different ideas, etc. etc. etc. Heck, even baseball has "farm teams" to look for new talent, you gotta give people a chance to prove themselves.

      After organizing seminars for 10 years (all the way from the PA Gathering of Haunters to the Eastern Haunters Convention and now the National Haunters Convention.) I found out that people are quick to decide who they're comfortable learning from, and what subjects they're interested in and comfortable learning about. People will ask certain presenters to come back.

      I'm sure you're dying to ask, "Why experiment with unknown people about unknown subject matters?" Because every once in a while, there are pleasant surprises. I once attended a Ricky Dick of Castle Blood seminar on "FABRIC" I know, not exactly the most spellbinding of subject matters as I say it here on the forums, but trust me when I say that the class was absolutely, freaking *BRILLIANT* I found out that you could do more with a $100 shopping spree at JoAnns Fabrics that a team of professional artists and costumers couldn't pull off if you paid them thousands. Unfortunately, I don't *think* he teaches that particular subject anymore, which is a shame because everyone here could really benefit from that class and turn a rather drab area into something spectacular.

      John Burton, the guy that invented 3D haunting using Chromodepth, was so knowledgeable that every single one of his seminars was jam packed, often with standing room only. If you've never heard him speak, go out of your way to track him down, buy his books and learn as much as you can! People talk. They will track down organizers and demand those presenters return next year, and those people will bring their friends.

      Really, it's all about giving people what they want.

      Michael Bruner
      National Haunters Convention
      Michael Bruner

      The National Haunters Convention - OVER 100 vendor booths!
      Valley Forge, PA
      http://www.nationalhauntersconvention.com

      The Cadavers Cotillion
      http://www.cadaverscotillion.com

      Get behind the scenes tours to the best haunted attractions!
      http://www.haunttour.com

      `

      Comment


      • #4
        I teach what Mr Kocher tells me I'm teaching LOL.
        with all the other duities I have at NHC he limits me.
        But I am very pleased you enjoyed the fabric lecture back in North Carolina.
        It was nerve wracking for me, because, as you say, it is an odd topic. but we had a nice crowd as I remember, and I would be happy to reprise it again sometime.

        I do recall to prove my point about no special stuff needed, all my supplies were bought at wal mart and joanne fabric, the day before the lecture.

        but to everyone else, yes, it's these kind of panels that we are looking for at NHC, to augment the standard, makeup and joint compound, and rock painting, that we always need to include.
        Gravely MacCabre
        aka Ricky Dick
        Castle Blood Haunted Adventure Tour
        and
        Midnight Monster Hop
        Horror Host Show

        Beallsville, PA 15313
        www.castleblood.com
        www.midnightmonsterhop.com
        www.myspace.com/midnightmonsterhop.com

        Media Director for National Halloween Convention

        http://www.halloweenshow.com
        Lifetime achievement award winner
        International Costumers Guild

        Comment


        • #5
          Well... now that we broached the subject...

          Well... now that we broached the subject...

          Are there any suggestions from the people on the forums ?

          Any unique seminar topics that you would love discussed ?

          Any seminar speakers who you simply *MUST* hear ?

          Let us know!

          Michael Bruner
          National Haunters Convention
          www.nationalhauntersconvention.com
          Michael Bruner

          The National Haunters Convention - OVER 100 vendor booths!
          Valley Forge, PA
          http://www.nationalhauntersconvention.com

          The Cadavers Cotillion
          http://www.cadaverscotillion.com

          Get behind the scenes tours to the best haunted attractions!
          http://www.haunttour.com

          `

          Comment


          • #6
            Here's a few suggestions:

            Make up seminar and FX detail (airbrushing would be good);

            A successful haunt owner to give suggestions on how they have recruited good actors and kept them coming back year after year;

            Set design ideas on how to for less money with average type materials;

            Slider training for actors;

            Marketing on the internet and other ideas to market your haunt to get the biggest bang for your buck;

            Animatronics class with setup on controllers from one of these major companies; and

            A two day class on working with silicone/latex to make props.

            Just a few suggestions we have.

            Comment


            • #7
              Beginner's makeup

              I've taught beginners makeup classes at both MHC and huantcon, and they seemed to be well received (full classes) - I'll get some info and the things you requested and get them to you. Would love to teach with you guys!
              Question - how long would the seminars be? That would help me get the timing for what i could include. Thanks!
              Do Vegan Zombies eat heads of lettuce?

              Comment


              • #8
                To answer your question...

                Katie,

                Seminar duration tend to be 45 minutes to 55 minutes, trying not to over-run 1 full hour (as that would run into the following classes time slot.)

                If your seminar requires a longer duration, please specify in advance.
                (Although we do like the whole "any given seminar starts on the hour" though, as it makes scheduling so much easier.)

                Looking forward to seeing a write up of your seminar!
                Michael Bruner
                Co-owner National Haunters Convention
                April 29th - May 2nd, 2010
                www.nationalhauntersconvention.com
                Michael Bruner

                The National Haunters Convention - OVER 100 vendor booths!
                Valley Forge, PA
                http://www.nationalhauntersconvention.com

                The Cadavers Cotillion
                http://www.cadaverscotillion.com

                Get behind the scenes tours to the best haunted attractions!
                http://www.haunttour.com

                `

                Comment

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