Thrift Shopping and Sneers

I decided to check out a few stores on my way home today, including Walgreens and a few thrift stores. Walgreens has a few new items and select overstock from the past year at 50% off. My wife and I are both hoping they'll get some of the four foot skeletons in, so we'll have a pair this year. The folks over at Halloweenforum.com have been keeping the community up to date and they shared some information regarding full-size, poseable skeletons at nice prices, so we may be looking at one of those instead. This weekend will be our first big trip out to peruse this year's haunted stock.

At one local thrift store, I came across what turned out to be a very nice bargain: an animated chainsaw with sound. The sound is very nice for being a replica and I think I made an enemy of the saleswoman when I activated it—but such things seem to be the norm. Perhaps those snide remarks, sneers, and the general disdain directed at home haunters should be expected, but I encounter it far more than I would like. Is it quite this bad in other areas or does living in the Bible-belt intensify things? After all, Walmart already has Christmas items out but that seems to be perfectly acceptable.

But I digress.

The chainsaw cost me a whopping $2.99. After I made it back home (with the saleswoman's reminder of, "you better be careful drivin' home with that toy" still fresh in my mind), a Google search showed the prop to be a Gemmy brand chain saw that retails for around $40.00.

A home haunter's thriftiness prevails, and if I frighten only one person this season with that chainsaw, I know it will bring a crooked grin to the Hermit's face.

A hearty thank you to Kelly for following along. May your pumpkins burn bright this season.

HaunTopic News and the Zombie Craze

The first Zombie Tag of 2011 in Johnson City, TN
©Johnson City Press

The Hollow has been...well, hollow for some time now. I've felt the pressures of getting a new semester started in college as well as other issues sorted out. Fortunately, most things have been set into motion once again and I hope to contribute more frequently to the blog. Another issue I've run across is the discovery that there are so many wonderful resources already in existence for the Halloween and haunted attraction industries, that I feel lacking in providing something that hasn't already been covered. I'm working on trying to come up with something unique. I think more often than not, Facebook, Twitter, and podcasts are the main source for news and information.

Speaking of podcasts, I have been asked by the crew from HaunTopic Radio to assist in gathering news and information for the show and I'm excited to be doing so. I hope that some of you might remember my article on HaunTopic Radio from June and for those that do not, feel free to check it out here.

If any blog followers are "haunters" and would like to share any exciting news and information from the world of haunting (whether it be pro or home) or Halloween, please drop me a line and we can see about having your news featured on the show.

Also, one of the classes I am taking this semester is a course on collective behavior and I'm considering writing my paper on the zombie craze (*edit* after consulting my professor, the "zombie movement" is considered a fad, not a craze) that has been sweeping the world the past several years. I am most interested in people participating in group events such as zombie walks/run, zombie tag, etc. If you have participated in such events and would like to share your experiences, I'd love to read or hear them (by Skype etc..) In addition to including the information in my paper and presentation, I would like be glad to feature these stories on the blog. 

As always email any information or news to hallowdean@gmail.com.

It's been too long for thanks and so I'd like to give a shout out to r_l_anger_jr, rickyelvikingodark, Haunted Lawns, wickEd, and Jason Nickols for taking the time to follow this little blog.

Haunted Attraction Spotlight: Haunted Appalachian Caverns

My yearly Halloween experience is not complete without visiting some great haunted attractions. The past several years I've been out of state visiting some great attractions that are rarely accessible, but this year we've decided to stay local and make a circuit of our area attractions. Our goal is to visit as many attractions within a two-hour drive as possible.  I thought I would begin highlighting some of the attractions that we plan to visit and I've started with the Haunted Appalachian Caverns in Blountville, Tennessee. I've recently had the pleasure of corresponding with the owner of Metcalfe Studios, Rob Metcalfe who is contracted to be the director of haunted operations at Appalachian Caverns.

The Interrogation 

•Rob, first I want to thank you taking the time to do this interview and sharing more about Haunted Appalachian Caverns. Would you mind sharing a little history of the attraction?


Haunted Appalachian Caverns has been in business for last 7 years.

(Take directly from the attraction's website)

Haunted Appalachian Caverns has a long history of getting the screams whether that be from the real ghosts that lurk on the property even before the caverns were opened as an attraction, or the haunted cave put on every October. In the past we've done themed events like Pirates, our Silent Hill inspired : The Abyss , the CarnEvil Klowns / The FUNHOUSE, or the NEW Cave Hill Asylum. The New director of the H.A.C. Rob Metcalfe is bringing a one of a kind haunted attraction to the Tri-Cities area. Metcalfe has had many years’ experience in the haunt industry. So Join him as he turns Haunted Appalachian Caverns into the scariest haunted attraction in the Tri-Cities Area.


• Tell us about your new theme for this year.


The theme for this year is Cave Hill Asylum and here is it's story:

                                                    

In early spring of 1968, Dr. Homes with his wife Karen and his 9 year old daughter Emma were camping on the land he had acquired from his parents. Every spring they camped here. Emma decided to go exploring in the woods this time and as she ventured into the woods she discovered a cave entrance. Excited about her discovery Emma ran back to the camp to tell her parents what she had found. Dr. Homes and his wife followed their daughter back into the woods to see this cave for themselves. He cleared away enough of the overgrown weeds and vines to get into the cave. After venturing a few feet, he determined it safe for his family to enter. As they continued to trek through the passages they discovered the many chambers hidden within the cave. Emma splashed around in the pool of water located the bottom of the cave. Dr. Homes was fascinated by the cave and realized that it provided him with a perfect natural layout that could easily be transformed into an asylum but not just any asylum a secluded asylum that he would be free to work on his experiments.

With the help of his old colleague Dr. Josef Heither, construction began on the asylum. Steadily the chambers were transformed into cells, laboratories, and offices. After months of work, the construction was finished and in October 1969 Cave Hill Asylum was founded and soon grew to become the forerunner of modern asylums.

Many patients were inmates transferred to the facility for treatment. Having arrived in orange jumpsuits, traditional inmate attire, both doctors agreed the bright orange was appropriate for the dark zones of the cave where the inmates were to be kept. Distancing themselves from the patients the staff referred to them only as Inmate followed by their assigned number.

Before his life at Cave Hill Asylum, Inmate 1 was a prominent man in a small town who owned his own carnival, Jabbo’s Fun House. He was a comical clown that children and parents loved. Jabbo the clown captured the smiles of all the children and spread the laughter with his acts. His carnival was always bustling with people so at first his behind the scenes act went unnoticed until he could no longer contain his urge to kill and he turned his Fun House into a House of Blood. Dr. Homes worked personally with Inmate 1 helping him bury they evil clown within him. The therapy showed promising results for the once comical clown and after several months of treatment sessions Dr. Homes thought it would do Inmate 1 good to perform his clown act for Emma. Once a week Emma watched the acts from outside Jabbo’s locked cell. Inmate 1 and Emma seemed to have formed a bond so she visited him every day as he continued to improve.
The asylums newest inmate was a challenge for the doctors, they worked for months with varying treatments yet nothing worked. Inmate 83 was mute. Neither doctor could determine the source of his silence. Dr. Homes was not going to let this patient be his first failure. He spent most of his days in his personal lab in the deepest chamber of the cave, trying to discover a treatment for 83.

In February of 1970, Dr. Homes started noticing behavioral changes in his wife Karen. These changes were all too familiar having witnessed the very same as a boy. She began experiencing periods of withdrawal. Dr. Homes would often find her huddled in a dark corner mumbling, to no one. At times she had violent outbursts toward her daughter. Dr. Homes kept Emma away for her own safety. He feared that yet another of his loved ones would fall into the grips of insanity. He and Dr. Heither stopped concentrating on Inmate 83 and worked night and day to find a cure for Karen. Nothing seemed to work and she continued to get worse. The two doctors tried everything they knew and still nothing succeeded.

Then on Halloween of 1970 while Dr. Homes was in his personal laboratory he realized that in order to cure her he would have to remove the evil but when he did that he would need to replace what he took from her. He needed access to normal humans so he could take their parts and place in his wife. The only way to do this was to take the organs and blood from already deceased people. The donated bodies provided him with the vital parts he needed.

He believed that with the use of a high voltage electric shock that he would be able to revive the sections of the dead brain he would place in his wife. He was going to test his newest theory on one of the inmates but decided that he would tell his wife the good news first. He went to his office to tell her and when he opened the door, there she was. Her delicate figure swayed from side to side, as she hung from the ceiling. In a fit of insanity she had her hung self with the braided tie back from the curtain. He was horrified by what he found. The grief stricken Dr. Homes rarely left his lab.

On Halloween 1973, the third anniversary of Mrs. Homes death, Dr. Heither came bursting into Dr. Home’s office shouting that he had found Home’s daughter Emma drowned in the pool of water. Inmate 1 had somehow gotten out of his cell during one of Emma’s visits to see his clown act and had snapped, the evil clown in him surfaced and he had forced the child under water until he felt the life leave her body. From that day forward Cave Hill Asylum was never the same. Both Doctors were devastated by these tragedies. Over the next few years they let their duties slide. The asylum fell rapidly into a state of chaos and disrepair. They stopped giving proper care to the inmates and left them with barley enough food and water. The Asylum became a breathing graveyard where the devastated Dr. Homes stayed locked in his laboratory creating unimaginable treatments that amounted to nothing more than extreme torture. No one in the asylum saw daylight for years. The inmate’s mental conditions worsened. They had heightened states of aggression and delusion. Many of the inmate’s swore they saw Emma wandering through the Asylum on the anniversary of her murder.

One day Dr. Homes and Dr. Heither noticed something different about Inmate 83. Inmate 83 was cowered down in the corner of his confinement mumbling to himself. The memories of seeing his wife do the same thing before she hung herself came flooding back to him. Dr. Homes saw the opportunity to cure Inmate 83 and save him from the same fate as his wife. The two doctors moved him into the experimental lab where they began working on him. His screams never reached the outside as they began sawing open his scull soon the noises subsided as they began to remove sections of his brain and reattached donated healthy sections of brain.

Are these two Doctors qualified to say that someone is insane or are they insane themselves? Cave Hill Asylum waits for your arrival to discover for yourself the fate of Inmate 83.


• How big is your haunt and what is the average time it takes a customer to go through the attraction?

The haunt takes you through the same path as the Walking Tour of Appalachian Caverns and then we will take you through another constructed haunt across the street. It should take someone anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour (not counting line time) depending on how fast you run when we scare you. 


• I've visited haunts that send customers through by groups consisting of strangers and haunts that send their customers through only in groups that came together, how does your haunt do it?

We put through groups of 8-10. If your group has that many people you go together and if not you will be with strangers who, hopefully, will be friends after this experience.


• Does the haunt offer concessions, souvenirs, etc?

We will have Concession, The Appalachian Caverns Gift Shop, green screen photographers, and the rock climb wall and during Press Night we will have the U.S Military and the Marsh Blood Bank blood drive. This will not be all that we have as we are still in talks with people.


• Does the haunt perform cue-line scares and/or how do you entertain your customers while they wait to get in?

Yes there will be occasional cue-line scares and we will have a video running before you go into the cavern that will show all of the Cave Haunters episode, talk about our sponsors, and the rules of the haunt. The rules will play every other video. Even though we will have them posted we are very safety minded and want to make sure everyone has a good safe time.


• What can customers expect when they brave the Haunted Appalachian Caverns?

We are striving for a quality theatrical production. We have the best make-up artists, sound designer, scenic artists, set designers, and actors from the local colleges. Customers can expect an awesome time where they will be scared by props, gore, distractions, actors, and a variety of other tools that have been refined over the years.


• Does the haunt have special policies not found in most haunts such as the actors being allowed to touch customers? 

Our policies are standard for the haunt industry, but we have a few special rules that deal with the cavern. These are not our rules, but Federal Law.


• Do you and the crew make your own props, by them, or a combination of both?

A combination of both. Our designers have come into this project with such enthusiasm and skill that we have moved from buying all of our props to making them. 


• Does building the haunt inside the caverns pose special problems?

We are not allowed any permanent structures in the cavern, nor are we allowed to modify the cavern walls in any way. With this in mind everything becomes a problem solvers dream. Also the damp conditions make safety and electrical items a constant concern.


• What are your plans for the growth of the attraction? Is there something that it’s missing you want to add in future?

 At this time our plans for this attraction is following the path we have laid out. Eventually we would like to build our attraction to one of the biggest scare parks in the nation. A scare park is multiple haunts in one location (similar to Netherworld).


• Our area is not very well known for our haunted attractions. What do you think it would take to put Northeast Tennessee on the “haunt map?”

I would love to put East Tennessee on the “haunt map” but it will take a cooperative effort between all of the haunts in this area to accomplish something that awesome. I would like to invite all the other haunts to contact me so that we can create a reputation that will help this area skyrocket onto that map.


• When I visit your attraction this year what would you like to be going through my mind as I’m leaving?

We would like for all our customers to be thinking that this was the scariest, toilet paper, inducing haunt that they have ever seen while at the same time thinking they need to come back, do it again, and bring all of their friends.


• What other haunts out there do you look to for inspiration?

Power House of Terror (Toronto, Canada), Frightmare Manor (Talbot, TN), Frightworks (Knoxville, TN), Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern (Chattanooga, TN), Netherworld Haunted House (Norcross, GA), Dead Man’s Farm (Lenore City, TN), The Dent School House (Cincinnati, OH), Knotts Scary Farm (Buena Park, CA), Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls (Philadelphia, PA), Halloween Horror Nights (Orlando, FL). This is a list that could have gone on and on so I just hit my top ten.


• Are the cast and crew comprised of paid employees, volunteers, or both?

 The cast and crew are all volunteers.


• How many actors are in the haunt and do they receive actor training of some kind?

We have yet to have auditions, but we are expecting a minimum of 100 actors. We do have an actor training program that all actors are required to attend and a rehearsal schedule. We know we have the best actors in the Tri-Cities and this is our way of helping them continue to stay at the top.


• Would you like to name certain cast and crew members as the backbone of your operation?

Adam Honeycutt – Sound Designer/Right Hand Man/Owner (Honeycutt Sound Designs): He has put me in touch with others who have turned out to be fantastic and has added to the haunt by coming up with awesome ideas. He has also competed in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival as a Sound Designer and a Stage Manager. He has won awards for his work in the theatre. He has won awards from Northeast State Community College for his work.

Derek Smithpeters – Make-Up Artist/Actor/Owner (Make-Up Madness with Derek Smithpeters) – His make-up skill is beyond compare and without him this haunt would look like someone smeared jelly on the actors. He has competed in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival as a Make-Up Artist and an Actor. He has won awards from Northeast State Community College for his work. He also introduced me to Adam Honeycutt.

ETSU Patchwork Players – These are top of the list actors in this area and without them this production would look like an elementary school performed it.

Richard Curtis – Scenic Artist/Actor/Owner (Curtis Custom Creations) – He is an award winning artist that has competed in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). He has won awards from Northeast State Community College for his work.
Hunter Roberts – Actor/Host of Cave Haunters – Graduate of Radford University, student at ETSU, former host of the Hunter Show, and former wrestler (The Fighting O’Malley’s).

Reagan Williams – Voice Actor/Actor – She called one day and offered her services. After speaking to her we put her in touch with Honeycutt Sound Designs and she has become one of their main voice actors.

We would like to thank:
a. The Staff of Appalachian Caverns for all of their help and cooperation.
b. The Michigan Girl Scout Troup that help during their camping trip to Appalachian Caverns
c. Allison Wallace for helping when she can and for her photography work.
d. The rest of the wonderful people who show up and help with the builds.
e. We would like to thank our sponsors for without them this would not be possible:
i. Pepsi
ii. Celebrate Studios
iii. Honeycutt Sound Designs
iv. Metcalfe Studios
v. Raze Props
vi. Curtis Custom Creations
vii. Crime Core Records
viii. Appalachian Caverns


• You’ve begun to upload build videos on You Tube of the haunt progress this year and even started a podcast (*note: podcast intended for a mature audience*). How did you come up with these ideas and what was the reason for doing so?

This is an excellent promotional tool that also provides people with the knowledge of how much effort really goes into a production of this kind. It also helps us to network with other haunts on a national level.


• How do you promote your attraction other than Facebook and You Tube? (radio, TV, newspapers?)

 Radio ads (94.9), Posters, Flyers, every newspaper in a 100 mile radius, and event pages on any website that will allow us.


• Is there a one haunted attraction responsible for your interest in professional haunting?

 Ruby Falls Haunted Caverns really opened my eyes to the professional haunting business.


• After working in the industry, does anything still scare you when you go through a haunt?

 Yes, a good startle scare will get me every time (especially when I am paying attention to the production and not where I’m going). 


• Can you share a favorite Halloween memory?

The first time I ever went through a haunted attraction (Myers Corn Maze in Greenville, TN) I was scared and excited all at the same time. I wanted to go through over and over just so I could figure out how they did their scares.


• If someone wanted more information on the attraction, pricing, etc., how would they contact you?

Our website has all our information (http://hauntedappalachiancaverns.com/). You can also call us at 423-323-2337.


• Are there any other links you would like to share in association with Haunted Appalachian Caverns or Metcalfe Studios? 

Hauntedappalachiancaverns.com

Appacaverns.com

Pepsi.com

Celebratestudios.com

Honeycuttsounddesign.wix.com/index

Facebook.com/CurtisCustomCreations

I want to thank Rob again for taking the time to do this interview. I'm really looking forward to making my way over to the caverns this year and will make sure and blog about my experiences there. 

I want to thank Colonel Shofer and Charmaine Clancy for being the newest trespassers in The Hollow. 

I also want to mention that I will be restricting blog posts to once a week (I had hoped to blog twice a week) since starting a new college session. 

Thank you to all my readers! 

Audio From the Attic: Underwood and Flinch

     The rhythmic rocking sound of the chair, see-sawed back and forth as the hermit gently pushed up with his "feet" and then allowed the momentum to carry him back down to the ancient porch. He seemed to be smiling beneath a long growth of beard—at least it appeared to be a beard. Something in the way the shadows played with light from the oil lamp as it flickered across his face, made the beard look like...moss. Yes, almost like a fine, Spanish moss. Regardless of what grew on his face, a smile danced beneath it. 

     All around the porch shuffling noises were heard, along with indistinguishable whispers of excitement. Attached to some of the whispers were glimpses of eyes of various shapes and sizes, eerily mirroring the lamp-light. It was an audience, and they were gathering for story time in The Hollow. The hermit ceased rocking for just a moment, closed his eyes, softly croaked, "Let's get started then," and resumed rocking. 

     From the attic, high above the porch, a pair of large shutters slowly swung outwards. The sound of a transistor radio humming to life was followed by jumbled speech as the dials sped forward. The sound came through the opening with a loudness and clarity that was out of character for such model radios. The garble hushed, and was replaced with the tune of a piano accompanied by a haunting violin. Then, a soothing voice followed the melody, "Hello listeners, and welcome to another episode of Underwood and Flinch, a novel written and performed for podcast by Mike Bennett...." 

     I did not grow up in an era of radio drama and have had very little exposure to it. Thanks to the popularity of podcasts, I've realized what I've been missing. Currently, I'm listening to a delightful novel/audio drama by Mike Bennett titled Underwood and Flinch. The novel is a vampire tale of one Daniel Underwood who retains a lineage of servants, the Flinches, and the drama that comes from the interactions between servants of a vampire master as a new generation comes to grips with Underwood's nature; not to mention the side plots which keep you yearning for their own outcomes. I will let you listen for yourself instead of giving any juicy tidbits away, but I don't mind saying that Mr. Bennett accomplishes something that really draws me in to a story—he makes the listener care about the characters. 

     Rather than make this a review and a synopsis of the podcast, I simply want to bring the novel to your attention in hopes that you will enjoy it as much as I have. Perhaps at a later date I could coax Mr. Bennett in to granting me a short interview. 

     I will say that when Mr. Bennett says he performs the novel for podcast, he truly performs. He skillfully delivers the role of each and every character, many of which have a variety of accents ranging from Russian to Spanish, Irish, and more. If you love vampires of the sparkly variety, this podcast novel may not be for you. If a vampire mythos in a style akin to that of Bram Stoker or Anne Rice—but unique in its own right—is more your cup of tea, then please give it a listen. I would like to note, as the author often does, that this podcast is intended for a mature audience. 

     Below is a link to the introduction of Underwood and Flinch which comes from one of Mike Bennett's other podcast series, Hall of Mirrors. I will be sampling Mr. Bennett's other works since finishing Underwood and Flinch (the ending left me very hungry for more) and I'll be happy to let you know what I think. Speaking of which, when you give it a listen, or if you have listened already, won't you let me know what you think in the comments below?

 The Underwood and Flinch Introduction: Night Crossing

Image © Mike Bennett 2012

     Thank you to my new followers Little Gothic Horrors, Mr. Macbre, Ray Lukard, Hook's Haunted Hollow (I do love hollows!), and Rania.

     *NOTE* Mr. Bennett has brought to my attention his indiegogo page where he is hoping to raise enough funds to produce this wonderful novel in print! I will be aiding his cause after my next paycheck and I hope you will consider doing the same. Click HERE to contribute. Thank you! 

Captured Scream Makers: Tristin From Flatline Radio

If you haven't heard yet, Flatline Radio is one of newest horror and haunted attraction podcasts to hit the airwaves. We were fortunate enough to have the host of this exciting new show, Tristin Pierce, wander a little too close to The Hollow. Join us in the "guest room," as Tristin finds himself interrogated about the show, his life, and the Code Blue Crew.

The hermit sat on a stump that poked up through the floor of the cabin, giving the impression that the home was built around the stump, but closer inspection showed the floor was an extension of it, as if the floor grew from the wooden stump. He was staring at the young man seated across from him. He scratched at his beard and grinned before speaking:


"So...Tristin, we've felt what you've been doing with your new podcast. Did you know that The Hollow changes and grows when someone spreads the Spirit of Halloween? Oh yes, and that's just what I mean by 'feeling' what you're doing with Flatline Radio. We're very pleased that you've decided to be out guest here." 

"Well I couldn't imagine turning down an offer such as this! Thank YOU for having me! You have such wonderful hospitality! Only—the fuzzy handcuffs were a little overboard...." Tristin said, wriggling his wrists. 

"You may be right," he chuckled. The hermit snapped his fingers and an elongated furry creature released it's small maw from it's own tail, freeing Tristin's wrists, crawling over them and down one leg of the chair. It traveled across the bark covered floor, up the hermit's leg, and into his lap. The hermit began petting it with one grey hand before continuing, "Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself before we talk about your show?" 

"My name is Tristin Pierce, or  you may know me better as Pierce, the host of Flatline Radio. My beginnings in the haunt industry were sparked from a very young age, when I became fascinated by the sheer idea of Halloween. The fact that one day out of the year, we can dress up as anything or anyone else, and not be frowned upon for doing so, it just excited me! As I physically matured, I mentally did as well, and so did my views of Halloween; the cute, happy costumes turned to dark, bloody sinister ones; candy corn turned into severed fingers; and the infamous fun line, 'Trick or Treat!' turned into agonizing screams of terror.

At the age of 13, I aspired to open my first attraction, and while it was never achieved, I still plan to open my own attraction one day. At 14, I began working at Arx Mortis Haunted Attraction, located in my quaint little hometown of Killen, Alabama. (Nice name huh)? Arx Mortis kick-started me into learning the bloody ropes of the haunt industry. When I was 15, I learned of a podcast that had the best name in the industry. It had everything—the best format, an amazing crew, and the most amazing fan-base. I contacted the owner and  revealed my idea of a segment featuring a younger haunter, and his views on the industry. Thus began my original segment that started me in the haunt podcasting industry—Fresh Meat: A younger View of the Horror and Haunted Attraction Industries.

Being part of this podcast, I visited many haunted attractions, ranging from my home-state of Alabama, an attraction in Tennessee, a haunted steamboat in Kentucky, and three different attractions in Ohio. Unfortunately, my enjoyment at this podcast was short-lived, as it seems to have met its demise just months after I came on board. But now, at 16, I own and operate Flatline Radio, which is still the haunt and horror industries' newest podcast; and to my knowledge, I am the youngest haunt podcaster to date." 

"An impressive list of achievements, especially for one so young." The thing on his lap made a noise somewhere between a purr and a growl. "The podcasting world is very lucky to have someone like you. So, on your new show, do you have a particular focus or format?"

"Flatline Radio aims to be one of the top haunt and horror podcasts on the market. We try our hardest to focus on events within the haunted attraction industry, as well as happenings and events in the horror industry—such as films, music, televsion, and what-not."  

"I see, and what about your audience? Do you cater to a particular age or focus group?"

"Our target audience has to be the children...of course I'm kidding..." Tristin said while moving a clinched fist to his mouth and  feigning a cough. "Anyway, we try to aim for any and all haunters and horror enthusiasts by offering segments that may reflect what the listeners enjoy themselves."

"A sense of humor! I like that...." The chair beneath Tristin shivered as the hermit laughed. "And what about the segments on Flatline radio?" 

"As for right now, we have six (I think) that come in every episode: Flatline News-myself, Haunted Meltdown-Robert Rage, Haunt Swap Shop LIVE-SFC Michael Freas, Random Haunt Facts-Raghead, SCARETours-Michael Bolton (who is our United Kingdom representative), and Rancid Reviews and Sinister Cinema-Jigsaw Jim." 

"Ah wonderful, a coterie of Halloween lovers! Can you tell us a little about your cohorts?" 

"Well, Robert Rage, (whom if you haven't guessed, is my dear friend Rob) is one of my dearest friends who has been with me through thick and thin, and has now found himself stuck in the podcast," Tristin said, while giving an evil laugh, of the mad scientist variety.  

"SFC Michael Freas also 'jumped ship' from the previous podcast and set sail with myself and Rob on the U.S.S. Flatline Radio. He formerly hosted the Haunted Europe segment on said podcast, but now hosts Haunt Swap Shop LIVE on Flatline.  

Raghead also works with me and Rob at Arx Mortis Haunted Attraction. We're not sure what he is, or why he is—just leave it at that. 

Michael Bolton just made his American debut on Flatline. Michael is from Somewhereinengland, England. Therefore, this makes us unique, in that we are the only podcast with knowledge of what is going on in the haunt industry overseas. 

Last but not least, is Jigsaw Jim. He coveres the cinematic scheme of Flatline. He is the only other survivor that boarded the U.S.S. Flatline, when the other podcast fell. He did the same segment, which is now being applied to Flatline Radio."

"Wonderful, we must 'invite' them to be our guests here in the future. I notice that you play various genres of music on your show, we love music in The Hollow, do you prefer certain musicians or genres?" 

"If you really pay attention, we use a slew of different music; we try to do something old and something new each week. For example, we may do a new 'Dubstep' song a the beginning of our show, and then a classic 'Stones' song later in the show."

"Do you release episodes often or do you like to keep us hungry for more?" At the mention of the word "hungry," a large crow caw sounded from the kitchen. "Oh quiet down girl!" the hermit said, "you'll get your fill soon." He glanced back over at Tristin, "I do apologize...she's so impatient! Now where were we? Oh yes—frequency of episode release." 

"At one time, we told ourselves that we would do the first and fifteenth of every month...but to that I said, 'Nay! We shall come out with a new episode every other week!' (that's not really how it happened, just how I envisoned it....) But yes, we had begun with a twice a month schedule, now we broadcast every other week." 

"I confess that, like Ellie there," he nodded towards the crow, "I'm a bit impatient as well, at least when it comes to waiting for my favorite podcasts to be released. 


I'm curious, how did you come up with the title of your show?"

"Any and all recognition for the basis for the logo and the idea for the name must go to my co-conspirator, Robert Rage. Honestly, all I did with the logo was design the graphic on my computer. I'm not entirely sure where the name came from, but it stuck, and I'm glad it did."

One of the hermit's eyebrows raised, his expression prompted by his feeling that Tristin was holding back some secrets concerning the origin of the name. "Oh I do love secrets!" he said—but decided to let the subject go. "So with all of the podcasts making a name for themselves, what sets Flatline apart from the others?" 

"The difference is that we play off our ages; we are younger haunters, as I am only 16 and Rob is 22, so we try to bring newer and fresher views to the table. The other podcasts are run by adults, and we've had the same views on the industry since the industry began. Being younger haunters, our minds tend to interpret things differently, therefore, this makes us unique. But let me assure you, although we may not be be as physically mature—mentally, we are. The show is professionally sewn together piece by piece, and while the show  may not be absolutely perfect, I do guarantee that you will have a quality product you will be proud to have taken an hour out of your day to listen to."

"Consider me assured!" he said, with twinkling eyes. "What about the future? Do you have plans for format changes or for the growth of Flatline Radio?" 

"Honestly, I believe that Flatline Radio has a good format. Basically, our format is this: intro, organized chaos, and outro. We also try to time our music for one song every 15-20 minutes. Now what I mean by 'organized chaos' is that we dont have a set time or schedule for segments, news, or music. We gather all or audio, pool it together, and just play 'eenie, meenie, miney, moe,' that way, you never know what's going to happen next; one week, news may be the first thing you hear, but on the next show, it may be on the last 15 minutes of the show, and the same applies for the rest of the show's segments. So I think, for now, the format will stay. But we are always looking for new segments and segment ideas. Right now, we're in desperate need for a home haunter/prop builder segment. If you have any other ideas for a segment, let me know!"

"'Organized chaos,' I like that....Speaking of the future, what are your personal aspirations in the haunt industry? 

"As I mentioned earlier, I plan to open my own attraction one day, but for the time being, I love being at Arx Mortis. Our crew is a tight-knit team family. I love each and every last one of them and I love being around them. Also, as far as plans for the future, I plan to grow Flatline Radio, and to–hopefully–make it into an award winning podcast that sets the example for everyone else." 

"Noble goals to have," the hermit said, as he stood up and walked to the back of the room, the creature on his lap scurrying up to his shoulder. He faced the back wall where two branches jutted through, one in each corner; they held  lanterns. He moved his hands in front of them and small flickering blazes came to life within the globes. He turned back to his guest. "I apologize for the interruption, it must be getting dark, to your eyes. Now...Just for fun, who would your 'dream interviewee' be for the show?" 

"My favorite contestant from SyFy's hit television show, Face Off, Matt Valentine. I loved his work and I was rooting for him until the very end. Unfortunately, he didn't win, but I still loved his work more than anyone else on the show." 

"Thank you. I'm sure you've gleaned some nuggets of wisdom from your experiences in podcasting, would you care to share any?" 

"Don't go into the podcasting realm looking for a fight; we all try to be friends with each other. Cross-promote, let them know when your new podcast is out, post on your podcast's Facebook when another podcast releases a new episode. Keep the peace, man...."

Tristin felt something twitch above his ear and he reached up to find a white daisy poking out from his hair. Laughter burst from the chest of the hermit, "I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself!" he said, while displaying the universal V-shaped peace sign with two long, grey fingers. The laughter became mild, "Ah... but you're right, peace among the community only helps it grow." After a moment he said, "What about your experiences outside podcasting and Arx Mortis? Do you have any to share?" 

"Well, when Arx Mortis isn't open, (some Sundays and Mondays) another local attraction opens its doors crops. Deadwood Hollow, which is a haunted corn maze and trail, are very good friends of mine. I have a redneck character, Doopert P. Jebidiah, and I push everything to the limit when they're open." 

"That sounds like fun! So you enjoy scaring people—a wonderful trait to have! Now tell me Tristin, what scares you when you go through a haunted attraction?" 

"Needles...." Tristin said cringing. "I'm extremely belenophobic, so if you know I'm coming to your attraction, prep your syringe, because as soon as I see it, chances are I'll 'flatline' myself!" 

"Oh, that's so good to know," he said grinning. "Decorating is an important part of the season for many, do you decorate your home for Halloween?" 

"My office, or the newly turned 'Flatline Studios,' is decorated for my favorite holiday 365 days a year, sometimes it's 366!" 

"I expect nothing less! And your family and friends, what do they think about your decorating madness and your passion for Halloween and haunting?"

"They find it odd that I have such an interesting hobby and often don't understand its importance to me. My father always asks, 'Now son, how can you make a lot of money doin' this here sorta thang?'" Tristin said, while affecting an exaggerated southern drawl. "I always reply, 'I can't. that's why you have to have a love for haunting. It's the same with your hunting and fishing, I just have a different hobby.'"

"They rarely understand us....Now for a question that is not only my favorite, but the answer has the potential to make this place 'grow' as I was telling you earlier; what is one of your favorite memories of Halloween?" the hermit asked, as he reached behind the stump and revealed an ordinary mason jar. He unscrewed the lid, and crouched in front of Tristin, then held the jar close to Tristin's heart as he waited for the answer. 

"It was the first time I went into a haunted house; I was twelve, and I was scared to death about going in. Luckily, my aunt forced me in. As soon as I got past the first two rooms, I was fine, and I was enjoying myself the whole way through. Not four months after my first haunt experience, I was working at Arx Mortis. I had the bug, and I still have it!" 

The hermit sighed while smiling, "Thank you very much," he said, as a mist flowed from Tristin and into the jar. The hermit screwed on the lid gently and placed it next to him as he sat back down on the stump. The blue-white glow flowed happily inside the container and illuminated the side of the stump, as well as one of the hermit's hooves and furry legs. 


"We're coming to the close of this little interrogation. If we decided to let you go, how would your fans get in contact with you?" 

You can visit us on our website, www.flatlineradio.com where you can send us an email from our homepage. You can also email us directly at news@flatlineradio.com. You can find and like our page on facebook and send us a message there. 

The hermit leaned forward and said, "Do you have anything you want to add before we terminate the interrogation?" 

"I would like to thank the Code Blue Crew for anything and everything they do for me and for Flatline Radio, so I think that pretty much sums it up! Thank you for having me kind sir! It has been a fun interview and I wouldn't mind doing it again sometime! In the meantime, we'll be keeping our fingers on the absent pulse of the horror and haunted attraction industries; so lean back and let your blood slow, to Flatline Radio! Thanks!"

"The pleasure has been all mine Tristin," the hermit said, as he picked up the glowing jar and lifted it to his face, the mist illuminating his human-like eyes. "All mine...." 







It's so wonderful to see the future generation of Halloween and haunt lovers making their marks in the industry. Please listen to their latest episode in the media bar above or go to their website and download it. I feel their newest episode is the best one they've produced so far. Thank you Tristin and the Code Blue Crew for your hard work and dedication to the industry. I'm looking forward to seeing your dreams come true.

I want to mention that Flatline Radio announced, shortly before the publication of this interview, that they are offering 100% free advertising on their podcast! Anyone involved in the haunted attraction industry: vendors, haunts, websites, other podcasts, etc., can receive a free, 30 second advertising spot on their show until October 2012. This has never been done before. Jump on this opportunity folks. I know that if I made money with a website or business, I would be the first to sign-up.

Thank you very much to new followers, Aylmer and Jenn's Brain. Don't forget to explore their blogs as well.

I'm constantly fiddling with the format of my posts and interviews to try and bring something a bit different to Halloween and haunt industry blogging. I certainly appreciate your feedback on these changes; what you like, don't like—let me have it. Thank you kindly for reading!

All images used in this post are © 2012 Tristin Pierce and used with written permission.