Internship/getting into the business

[SSP]

Two questions for everyone...

First, a friend of mine is an amazing artist, sculpter, make-up artist, and prop builder, and would like to get into the business somehow. What could she do to get noticed by major (or minor) haunt prop companies?

My other question...is there such a thing as an internship with a haunted attraction? I am a business marketing major at Central Connecticut State University, taking theatre set design and business management courses as well. Getting into the business world there are internship and work-group opportunities to go inside a company and learn, has anyone ever offered such an opportunity in this industry before? Does anyone know of someone I could talk to about this?

Everyone on here has always been kind, I appreciate all the advice. Thank you

[Jim Warfield]

I suggest staying right where you are for now, learn everything there that they offer, get your degree, then dabble into this gypsie-circus entertainment venue, if you still want to. As far as your talented friend, have her get her own web site and frequent the Mask makers web sites and forums, post her wares see what is out there.
A web site is the best way to allow the world to discover her talent while still allowing her the time to work on her craft. Self promotion is time consuming and detracts from the time and energy needed while focusing on accumulating a body of work

[SSP]

Well I mean I want to get into the industry with a degree under my belt, I just figured maybe there is a way to learn from the pros themselves along with my schooling?

[Nightgore]

SSP... As a Scenic Design major myself, I can tell you there is about NO way to do this... Or at least for college credit.

My suggestion too you is to get involved with a local theme park that has a Halloween event and get "in the door" there. You can certainly just go to a haunt and present a resume with a portfolio of work and try to get hired. But an internship? I don't think it would happen.

For most haunt companies you need to have a degree and experience... I am currently working for a theme park as a park dresser (decorate the park with all of it's 'spookiness') and am consulted for future properties and elements.

But keep working at it... try something; let us ALL know! Good luck. -Tyler

[SSP]

I guess you are right about the credits, I figured I'd ask

But, beyond acting, where can I get my experience? I'm not looking for pay, or credits really, I just want to see the truth behind a haunt, how it's run, managed, I'd love to be a part of such a thing but you're right, I'd need some credability. How do I work my way up?

[Infoamtek]

Volunteer at a charity haunt, like a JayCee's or something similar. If there are any still around in your area.

[Greg Chrise]

Actually, colleges here in Texas, as a prerequisite to graduating expect some level of hours spent doing a community service. Sort of a graduate seeing of the real world. Thus it is a form of college credit and some of the actors and set up at our haunt do infact get credit for up to 40 hours of such service being performed.

It is the haunt however, the charity that already had such official status and connections to do so. You might ask around?

This connection with the real world then justifies you including your experiences in reports, observations of sociology and so on. Understanding the applications of your particular development of skill and knoweledge and how it benefits the world at large.

Working in a charity haunt is certainly better than volunteering to clean up 2 miles of the highway with a garbage bag or planting bushes in a city park or hustling people door to door for some kind of community donation.

If you really wish glowing reports from your sponsors, be sure to show up when it is time to "tear down" and clean up the mess after the haunt season as well. Get the complete picture of how much work is involved.

If you are into make up and effects, that is much easier and ANY haunt needs such help at reasonable rates and would be glad to fill out a form.

The word intern escapes me though. This usually means gettting college credit to go get coffee and sandwitches for either sub standard pay or college credit? Advertised as hands on skill development like learning a surgical proceedure but, in fact you will be the coffee boy when ever that word is used. In some applications like being an intern to a radio station and then getting on the air, this might have some merrit. The general problem is that college councilers are not really too worldly or creative and you must go above and beyond their knoweledge and get them to go along with it to have some personal benefit for yourself.

[SSP]

Well, I don't necessarily want to bring haunting into my college education, but my education into haunting. Though, I'm only a freshman, I've barely explored my major yet, so I guess my question morphs away from the actual term "internship" to a possible work opportunity within a haunt beyond acting. Maybe acting is a gateway into larger opportunities?

[Greg Chrise]

Sometimes an acting position IS the larger opportunity that is right for someone but, certainly at worst case a way to look around at what is needed and find what the opportunities are in your region. Plus in some circumstances you are paid to be there.

Actually having a set design business is well, all the things that a business has problems with like how much work is there, who is willing to pay and what? How far and free to travel are you to make it happen? How many months can you actually perform work and provide equipment, materials and labor with out being compensated? are your skills a match for what is needed in the market? Or perhaps you will discover your abilities are more higher end? If you can't foot this bill yourself by getting a good start, who would employ a recent graduate? You might meet them by being out and about and waiting until the 11th hour might be a mistake.

[slash]

No, there is no formal internship. However, contact the pro-haunts around you. Tell them you're a theatre major, and ask if they sould need any help (make sure they don't throw you into an actor position, as that does nothing for scene design) I'm sure they would greatly appreciate any help with making scenes you can give them. And yes, they will show you pointers along the way.