Welcome to the exhilarating world of Haunt Acting! Whether you’re a seasoned scare actor or just starting out, the Haunt Master Class “Actor Improvement” Schedule is your gateway to mastering the art of haunting. This comprehensive program/schedule is designed to elevate your skills, transform your performance, and immerse you in the heart-pounding world of horror entertainment. Let’s delve into what makes this schedule a must-attend for every haunt scare actor.
1. FRIDAY | ROOM #1 | 3:00 PM | SEMINAR | Louis Vallejos
TITLE: Becoming your character
Description:
Are you aspiring to be more than just someone in a costume? Do you desire to embody the characters you portray? Join us and delve into the intricacies that make your character unique and multi-dimensional! Gain insights, tips, and tricks on how to master the art of walking, talking, and even embodying the scent of your character!
2. FRIDAY | ROOM #3 | 3:00 PM | WORKSHOP | Ashley Levy
TITLE: How to Tell a Character’s Story Aesthetically
3. SATURDAY | ROOM #1 | 9:00 AM | SEMINAR | Leonard Pickel
TITLE: Psychological Scares: Fear is All in the Mind!
3. SATURDAY | ROOM #1 | 1:00 PM | SEMINAR | Kyle Thompson, Sarah Fritz & Jordu Schell
TITLE: Creature Suit ~ Character Design ~ Acting Techniques
Description:
We will be displaying a variety of custom full-body creature suits and explaining how we create concepts and designs for filmmakers and attractions. We will provide tips and techniques for utilizing our costumes in film settings.
4. SATURDAY | ROOM #1 | 3:00 PM | SEMINAR | Stacy Hawkins
TITLE: Dynamic Haunt Character Creation and Costuming
Description:
Creating unique, exciting haunt characters can be a struggle. Let’s talk through the creative process of building dynamic and functional costuming which helps tell the visual story of your characters!
5. SATURDAY | ROOM #3 | 12:00 PM | SEMINAR | Sylvia Vicchiullo, Bil Withonel & Jinx
TITLE: Nowhere to Hide: Performing as a Line or Roaming Character
Description:
Instead of “how to deal with troublesome guests” Our panel will cover different approaches to dealing with guests. Changing tactics and characters to adapt to working in different types of play areas.
How actors can create characters to use working queue lines. How to improv with guests, recognizing problem guests before they enter the attraction. Being safe and entertaining.
How to lead and train FOH/Midway/Que line actors. Setting the example as leaders.
Bil Withonel Has a show he’s developed as a queue line actor and can give perspective on that style of show.
6. SATURDAY | ROOM #3 | 2:00 PM | SEMINAR | Kelsey Livengood & Angel Bradford
TITLE: Intro to Indie Film Acting
Description:
We will cover how to get into the indie film industry, what you should include in your reel/resume, how to contact industry professionals, how to prepare for an audition, and so much more! This is geared towards those looking to get into indie film
7. SUNDAY | ROOM #1 | 8:00 AM | SEMINAR | Kenneth Leary
TITLE: Using your words to get the scare
Description:
One of the best parts of scare acting (besides scaring people senseless) is interacting with guests. Simply put, being able to improvise your lines and respond to guests in character is a challenge but can make for a great scare. But if you don’t do it well, it would be better if you don’t do it at all. This class will teach the tricks and techniques to get a great scare every time by using just your words.
8. SUNDAY | ROOM #1 | 10:00 AM | SEMINAR | Jonathan Seth (Glickman)
TITLE: Essential Scareactor Safety Training – Scareacting safely with Sammy
Guest interaction is the heart of the haunt experience. In no other art form do performers work to trigger guests’ fight or flight response from such close quarters and have to be aware of violent responses. Some techniques and considerations can make scaring safer for the actors and the guests, as well as protect the haunt. The best part is that good scaring safety techniques are also good basic scaring techniques.
Topics include: prevention, awareness, communication, distance/angles/levels, the buffer hand, safety with props, deflection and avoidance, and more.