First Day

[coasterfreak63]

Hey guys, Im brand new to the forum as I just got hired at my first haunt, House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs in Buffalo, NY.

I was hired after an audition last week and they didnt tell me anything besides show up on October 4th (my first scheduled day).

Im just wondering what I should bring or wear and even what to do when I get there.

Im guessing that I should wear all black athletic shoes, but other than that Im clueless.

Anything would be helpful as I'm really pumped to get started, I've been waiting years to finailly work here.

[Allen H]

Ok here goes
Wear a long sleeve black tshirt with no logos
Black pants that are comfortable and easy to move in
black shoes and black socks
Bring a gallon of water to drink (yes a gallon)
Bug spray (in case you are outside)
throat losanges (you might yell yourself hoarse)
aspirin or Tylenol (your preference, you will be yelling and near loud sounds, better to have your
own then to leave your station and miss groups for a tiny pill or two)
baby wipes (to remove make up- I think it best to have your own)
IF YOU HAVE ASTHMA BRING YOUR INHALER
Bring those things in an unobtrusive gig bag and they will think you are a pro.

Here is a tip on what to do.
Report to your house manager, do not screw around during instructions, do not bring your phone to show (leave it in your car) Find out what they want you to do, and do it. Most haunted houses will allow some experimentation in order to find out what works and what fits best in the room your in.
Remember F.E.A.R.
F-frightening
E-energetic
A-aware
R-reliable
Be those things and they will love you, I know I would.
(most of this is on my actor training DVD, you may want to invest in one or two of those mine is good but I wont say its the best,be careful there are some stinkers out there that just give bad advice.)
Best of luck this season,
Allen H

[Allen H]

Oops,
forgot to mention a small LED flashlight, very helpful.

[Dr. Giggles]

Dont bring any weapons either.
I know it sounds silly but a lot of people I know bring pocket knives and stuff "for convinience".
Had an incident already, it fell out of someones pocket and a customer got it.
So dont do it.
And Allen pretty much covered the stuff you need to bring. It sounds like a lot, but its nice to have.
And don't be afraid to tell the rover you need to use the restroom or feel like you need to prove yourself by skipping all breaks.
Take your breaks and enjoy them, when the season picks up. You will miss them.
Lots of newer people are scared to approach a rover for a bathroom break and end up not being able to hold it and have to miss a group.
Thats what the rover is there for!

And yes, keep up the energy. Be friendly to your cast members, and pay attention when instructions are being given. Dont even take your phone into the haunt. Its my pet peeve when inbetween groups people whip out their phones and start texting.
Rawr!

[coasterfreak63]

Thanks for all the help guys, I already picked up everything besides the flashlight.

Im really starting to get everything into perspective as how to things work.

October 4th just cant get here any faster.

[Dr. Giggles]

Glad we could help, if you have any more questions. Feel free to ask them!

[coasterfreak63]

My haunt oddly enough doesnt do our own make up.

What kind should I get and wheres the best place to find some?

Im just looking for basic black and white.

[DarkTikiEntertainment]

If you're going to be directly under a sound system, or just cause a lot of high-pitched screaming, you might consider earplugs. This goes double if you're using a chainsaw.

[Allen H]

Personally I hate earplugs and do not allow them in my shows. They can miss far to much going on around them. Sound cues, another actor asking for help, fire alarms can all be missed or responded to much later than is necessary if the actor cannot hear them.
Allen H

[DarkTikiEntertainment]

Personally I hate earplugs and do not allow them in my shows. They can miss far to much going on around them. Sound cues, another actor asking for help, fire alarms can all be missed or responded to much later than is necessary if the actor cannot hear them.
Allen H

I totally understand where you're coming from, Allen. Maybe I get overly attentive to this issue, because at my full-time job I'm a Sound Designer, thus my hearing is very important to me. Truth be known, I own some fancy-schmanzy (ie expensive) earplugs that lower loud transient peaks, but allow me to hear 95% normally otherwise (with good clarity). I wouldn't miss an alarm or call for help in them. After thinking over your advice, I agree that perhaps it would not be wise to use a pair of off-the-shelf plugs, that significantly limit your audio awareness.

Though do give some thought, CosterFreak63, to protecting your hearing as you're moving around your haunt. Once levels of your hearing are gone, they're gone for good. Try not to stand directly in front of loud speakers for prolonged periods (same goes for having chainsaws up near your ears). And to protect your patrons too, by not shouting or screaming DIRECTLY into their ears.