So who trains your actors?

[Badger]

As the owner of a Haunt Consulting business and certified "Hauntertainer"  (owner of the 'Boo Camp' training method), I'm curious as to how you go about training the actors at your respective haunts.  Do you follow a specific formula or do you slap a mask on them and tell them to go out and yell "BOO" at customers?   Do veteran actors do the training?  The owners?  Do you hire outside people?

Last year I was fortunate enough to assist in training novice actors at Woods of Terror and got to watch them in action later in the season.  Eddie has a world class operation and I felt like a proud papa watching those that I trained make person after person scream and run.

Since I'm always looking to expand my "Boo Camp" training methods,  I'd like to know what you do to get your actors in shape for the season.  Perhaps we can share ideas that would be beneficial to both parties...

[Dr. Jonas Hacker]

Man you just opened a new can of worms here. You are going to read many different thoughts. I can tell you that I have been to a few haunted houses and I see alot of actors that have there own creativity of acting and it realy gets the job done. Great post and keep up the great job.

[Badger]

Opening cans of worms makes for good discussion and hopefully mutually beneficial dialog. 

The one thing I have found in my years of acting is that there is no one way to do anything.  That;'s what makes it a great industry...

[PAwn thE CloWn]

Well, in my occasion, I worked with my section I worked at..
I also trained guides (somewhat) and other little characters.
But I am the veteran clown for my spot..

[slaughtermail]

I usally try to teach my "new" actors the concept of "social distances & space" . It's a pretty basic concept that is proven to work, the hard part is trying  to get them to understand who & when to invade on. We also try to pair  them with a veteran actor for their first few nights. Some people "get it" faster than others, but once they understand the concept it's easer to move on to things like scare timing,body & head movement,& dialog, or in some cases no dialog.

[Badger]

I usally try to teach my "new" actors the concept of "social distances & space" . It's a pretty basic concept that is proven to work, the hard part is trying  to get them to understand who & when to invade on. We also try to pair  them with a veteran actor for their first few nights. Some people "get it" faster than others, but once they understand the concept it's easer to move on to things like scare timing,body & head movement,& dialog, or in some cases no dialog.

All of those points are covered in my "Boo Camp" training seminar, plus a whole lot more...

[creepndeath]

WHERE IS THE BOO CAMP LOCATED ?AND DO U HAVE 2 BE TRAINED 2 BE AN ACTOR ESPECIALLY IF U HAVE PAST EXPERIANCE?

[Badger]

I come to whichever haunt hires me to teach Boo Camp. I've trained actors from NC to Pa.

It lasts a minimum of 4 hours and it a combination of lecture and practical experience.  

You obviously don't have to be trained to work in a house, but it's certainly better than just slapping a mask on and being stuck in a corner and being told to jump out at people.  I've been working in haunted houses for 30 years and I learn something every night.  The day you claim you've 'seen it all' and know how to 'do everything' is the day you should probably quit the business...

[Badger]

I'm down to just a couple available weekends in September so if your haunt needs someone to come in an train your staff, please drop me a line.  First come, first serve. 

I begin actor training this weekend up in PA and hope to have a full schedule in the next couple weeks...