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Episode 139, my 3rd Halloween Special episode for this month and the 3rd season of doing these! I chat with Japes Palles of the Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tours in Chicago, IL. We talk horror, we talk movies, we talk haunted houses, we talk Halloween, we talk haunting acting, we talk about the haunted bus tours he does, as well as the Haunters Against Hate and the Takeover Weekend he was part of, as well as much more!!! The Opening Halloween theme music is used with permission from Freesounsd.org. You can visit Japes Palles' FB page at: Facebook and the Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tours in Chicago, IL FB page at: Facebook and their web page at: LOST SOULS BUS TOUR - Home
With Midwest Haunters Convention fast approaching, Mike gets the chance to sit down with Disturbia's very own Laney Shafer (AKA Spike). Laney also marks the first full-time stilts actor that has been on the podcast, so we get a deeper dive into what it takes & also what to expect at the Thursday Pre-Convention Bus Tour at MHC when the tour starts with Brunch at Disturbia! Mike also chats with, unbeknownst until now, friend of the family Japes Palles who has one of the most storied backgrounds in the haunting world & still dedicates his time now to the Lost Souls Chicago Bus Tour & even the Chicago Haunt Builders MHC Haunted House on the show floor in Rosemont this year!
This week on Haunt Weekly we're sitting down with Japes Palles to discuss not only how the Niles Scream Park event went, but also the upcoming event supporting Jim Warfield and Raven's Grin Inn.So, I'm going to skip the usual longer show notes and just encourage you to visit the event's page and get a ticket if you can go or donate if you cannot.https://app.hauntpay.com/events/Forev...Jim is an industry legend that needs to no introduction. However, that's not going to stop the three of us swapping memories about him and the house that he built.This Week's Episode Includes:1. Intro2. Interview with Japes Palles3. ConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com
In two weeks, Niles Scream Park (https://haunted.org/) will be hosting a haunter takeover as more than two dozen amazing actors will descend on the park to guest act and raise money for Haunters Against Hate (https://www.hauntersagainsthate.com/).To help us understand what's going on and how you can participate, even if you can't make it on the weekend of the 15th and 16th, we're sitting down with Japes Palles, Ross Ratliff and Roberta McCllen to discuss what is going on and how it came together.Oh, and Japes just dropped a bombshell on us at the very end like it ain't no thing.This Week's Episode Includes:1. Intro2. Interview with Japes Palles, Ross Ratliff and Roberta McCllen3. ConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Get your Haunt started at HauntersToolbox.com Japes Palles, a scare actor manager and scare actor, shares many tips and tactics to build a strong team and how to make your haunted attraction one to remember. We cover things like queue line acting, creating zones, actor safety, handling rude customers, how to scare someone using the word BOO! (yes, it's true), and lots more...because Japes loves to talk about acting! Find Japes at https://www.lostsoulschicago.info/
You might remember we sat down with Japes a few times in the past. For example, Episode 59, Episode 46 and Episode 43 if you're curious. You might also remember that, on Episode 65, we discussed toxic actors and repeatedly said we wish we could have Japes on this subject. Well, our Japes prayers have been answered as the actor guru sat down with us to discuss toxic actors and everything we said wrong.To that end, he started with correcting the term "toxic actors" saying he prefers "cancerous actors" for reasons he explains very convincingly. We also went through several stories where he was forced to deal with toxic actors, including the infamous "Star Trek Nerd!!!!" incident.Really, this is just one episode you have to listen to believe, and it's definitely one that you do not want to miss!For more on Japes, check out his Facebook page here, and definitely see about recruting him for your haunt!Special Guest: Japes Palles.Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com
This week on Haunt Weekly we are returning to our live format to bring on two amazing haunt actors, Japes Palles and Katie Lane, to talk about the ins and outs of being a traveling actor.So sit down as two expert actors, discuss the topic ahead of their face off at the Midwest Haunters Convention Next month.This Week's Episode Includes:1. Intro2. Interview with Japes Palles and Katie Lane3. ConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss:Note: We had an issue with the recorder. As a result, our timing was off and the podcast is a bit short, it's also why the audio may not be fully up to code...Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com
Mid-July! the heat is up and haunts are in full swing during build season, but we are going to talk about the important ( and sometimes overlooked) subject of actor training, which lead us to…..THE ROUNDTABLE OF TERROR!The freshly polished, Amish made table is surrounded by a trio of Chicago haunters, including Japes Palles, Brad “Doogie” Sauper, and Jillian Luce. It's a lively conversation, that covers many different aspects of haunt actor training.Badger brings us the latest Deadline News, Storm rants about build time and big happenings, in a Haunt Minute. Meathook Jim takes Between the Corpses to Iceland, while the Haunt-strumentalist spins a trio of spooky tunes. Rounding out the show is our new segment, Ask the Old Crone, with Jonna Summers.We hid the body, but you will become an accomplice, just by listening to…….The BIG SCARY SHOW!!Featured Music:Dr. Frankenfingers – An Unholy CitadelFirst Jason – Jason Never DiesThe Jimmy Psycho Experiment – Munsters Demo Lounge Version Theme
This week on Haunt Weekly, we're talking about conferences. As the world starts to open up from Coronavirus-forced lockdowns, that means new haunted attraction conferences, such as Transworld in May. So we're sitting down with Japes Palles to discuss haunted attraction conventions, what newcomers can expect and what rules one should abide by while on the tradeshow floors. It should be an interesting episode for any convention attendee, especially newbies making their first trip to a haunt convention. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Transworld COVID Updates COVID-Related Advice Guidelines for the Show Floor After Show Events Conclusions All in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!
Episode 217Here it is, the middle of August. Haunt season is just around corner, in spite of the global situation. Now is the time to start the audition and training process for a lot of haunts. The Roundtable of Terror offers up a trio of electric chairs to Japes Palles, Andy Arrasmith and Matt Clayton, as we discuss the training process, how it will possibly differ this year, and due to social distancing, the need for veteran actors to carry the season.Badger sits down to talk with fellow consultant Scott Swenson about a new project he is involved in called Undead in the Water, but you have to listen to find out more about this intriguing concept.Badger reads us the latest in Deadline News, Storm rants on about the mystery seeds from China, in a Haunt Minute. Meathook Jim's Between the Corpses is all about Funeral customs in Germany, and the Haunt-strumentalist Jerry Vayne spins us a trio of spooky tunes.We Hid The Body, but you will become an accomplice, just by listening to......THE BIG SCARY SHOWFeatured Music:Dr Frankenfingers - An Unholy CitadelVen Helsing's Curse - HalloweenWednesday 13 - What the Night Brings
Right now is the time of year many haunts are starting to think about actor recruitment, retention and training. It's the time we touch base with our crews, start recruiting replacements and training everyone up. However, this year presents a special set of challenges. The days of 100+ person cattle calls are gone for right now and there are LOT of new things you need to think about training. So how do you fix this? Well, we know the man who can help the most: Actor manager/trainer extroidonaire Japes Palles. So, this week we sit down with Japes to talk about the challenges of actor management during these unusual times and hopefully get some things to think about as well as some tips and tricks to make your actors more effective. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Check Out Our New COVID-19 Page (https://www.hauntweekly.com/covid19) Remembering Mike Krohn "Car Mike" (https://www.facebook.com/japes.palles/posts/10158296551033158) Understandings and Caveats Actor Recruiting & Retention Preparations for Your Actors Actor Training Conclusions All in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Note: This episode as beset by some technical issues caused by low bandwidth. As such, there's some breaking, especialy on our audio. Please be patient with us! Special Guest: Japes Palles.
Right now is the time of year many haunts are starting to think about actor recruitment, retention and training. It's the time we touch base with our crews, start recruiting replacements and training everyone up. However, this year presents a special set of challenges. The days of 100+ person cattle calls are gone for right now and there are LOT of new things you need to think about training. So how do you fix this? Well, we know the man who can help the most: Actor manager/trainer extroidonaire Japes Palles. So, this week we sit down with Japes to talk about the challenges of actor management during these unusual times and hopefully get some things to think about as well as some tips and tricks to make your actors more effective. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Check Out Our New COVID-19 Page: https://www.hauntweekly.com/covid19 Remembering Mike Krohn "Car Mike" Understandings and Caveats Actor Recruiting & Retention Preparations for Your Actors Actor Training Conclusions All in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Note: This episode as beset by some technical issues caused by low bandwidth. As such, there's some breaking, especialy on our audio. Please be patient with us!
This week's Haunt Weekly begins with something of a programming note. Originally, we had planned to have Japes Palles on to talk about actor recruitment and training while working remotely. However, some severe weather struck his area and he was not able to come on. So, we will have that conversation next week, same time, same channel. In the meantime, we wish Japes the best of luck with the cleanout of his basement. Good luck and please be safe! So, this week's episode was a bit hurriedly put together but we are talking about an equally important item, namely 10 COVID-19-related things that your haunt should be doing right now. Yes, it's only May but no matter when your haunt opens, it will be while COVID-19 is still a thing. So, it's best to start preparing right now and here are just a few places you can start. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Quarantine Resources Question for the Audience Intro to the Topic Setting Up Virtual Queueing/Timed Ticketing Investing in Hand Sanitizer Stations/PPE For Customers Eliminating Haunt Contact Points Disinfection Plan for Remaining Contact Points Rearranging/Reconfiguring Backstage Areas Planning on Reducing Actor Count Marketing and Merchandising New Business Plan Writing New Rules for Customers & Actors Checking in with Actors Conclusions All in all, no matter how hastily this episode came together, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!
This week's Haunt Weekly begins with something of a programming note. Originally, we had planned to have Japes Palles on to talk about actor recruitment and training while working remotely. However, some severe weather struck his area and he was not able to come on. So, we will have that conversation next week, same time, same channel. In the meantime, we wish Japes the best of luck with the cleanout of his basement. Good luck and please be safe! So, this week's episode was a bit hurriedly put together but we are talking about an equally important item, namely 10 COVID-19-related things that your haunt should be doing right now. Yes, it's only May but no matter when your haunt opens, it will be while COVID-19 is still a thing. So, it's best to start preparing right now and here are just a few places you can start. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Quarantine Resources Question for the Audience Intro to the Topic Setting Up Virtual Queueing/Timed Ticketing Investing in Hand Sanitizer Stations/PPE For Customers Eliminating Haunt Contact Points Disinfection Plan for Remaining Contact Points Rearranging/Reconfiguring Backstage Areas Planning on Reducing Actor Count Marketing and Merchandising New Business Plan Writing New Rules for Customers & Actors Checking in with Actors Conclusions All in all, no matter how hastily this episode came together, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!
Japes runs and operates Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tours in Chicago. His character, Brewster, is a staple of Chicago! He's one of the best educating forces in the industry today.
Joined again by good friend Japes Palles our boys talk about the MHC experience in Schaumburg!
It's the time of year when haunts are either ramping up their recruitment or are thinking about doing so. It's also the time of the year newbie actors are considering if they want to come on board and, if so, what haunt they want to work. So we've reached out to our resident actor expert, Japes Palles, to tell newbie actors what they can expect and to help haunt owners figure out how to make the process suck less. So prepare yourself for a jam-packed hour of talking about actor recruitment and actor onboarding. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Introduction to Japes Auditions mentioned on Haunted Attractions Network and Haunters' Hangout How Actors Can Prepare For Their First Audition Tips for Choosing Which Haunt to Apply At How Can Haunt Owners Make Actor Intake Better How to Find Out What Actors' Strengths Are Conclusions All in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!
It's the time of year when haunts are either ramping up their recruitment or are thinking about doing so. It's also the time of the year newbie actors are considering if they want to come on board and, if so, what haunt they want to work. So we've reached out to our resident actor expert, Japes Palles, to tell newbie actors what they can expect and to help haunt owners figure out how to make the process suck less. So prepare yourself for a jam-packed hour of talking about actor recruitment and actor onboarding. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Introduction to Japes Auditions mentioned on Haunted Attractions Network (http://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/auditions-and-how-to-survive-them/) and Haunters' Hangout (https://www.facebook.com/groups/hauntershangout/permalink/1255337504634207) How Actors Can Prepare For Their First Audition Tips for Choosing Which Haunt to Apply At How Can Haunt Owners Make Actor Intake Better How to Find Out What Actors' Strengths Are Conclusions All in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Special Guest: Japes Palles.
This month the dudes sit down with THE DUDE! We're joined by friend and Chicago haunt legend Japes Palles to talk about what makes a good haunt character and then they wander off and just talk about ...well...acting...just acting.
Japes Palles is one of the busiest men in haunting, and that's saying something. Not only is he a new father but, even as haunt season is ramping up, he is taking on not one but two new projects, both of them epic in their scale and what they can do for area haunts. The first is a new Facebook group that aims to help haunts and actors pair up. Haunts and actors alike sign up, haunts post what they need and actors step up to fill roles. Easy, but complex at the same time. The second is a three-night haunted attraction tour entitled the Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tour. This is not only the fastest way to see some of the Chicago area's haunts, but also the cheapest as it includes transportation and, most impotantly, beer. So join us as we sit down again with Japes to discuss these efforts and much more! This Week's Episode Includes: Introduction Freelance Haunters Group Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tour All in all, this is an episode you definitely do not want to miss! Special Guest: Japes Palles.
You might remember we sat down with Japes a few times in the past. For example Episode 59, Episode 46 and Episode 43 if you're curious. You migh also remember that, on Episode 65, we discussed toxic actors and repeatedly said we wishes we could have Japes on this subject. Well, our Japes prayers have been answered as the actor guru sat down with us to discuss toxic actors and everything we said wrong. To that end, he started with correcting the term "toxic actors" saying he prefers "cancerous actors" for reasons he explains very convincingly. We also went through several stories where he was forced to deal with toxic actors including the infamous "Star Trek Nerd!!!!" incident. Really, this is just one episode you have to listen to to believe and it's definitely one that you do not want to miss! For more on Japes, check out his Facebook page here and definitely see about recruting him for your haunt! Special Guest: Japes Palles.
This week on Haunt Weekly, it's a bit of a different episode. We're catching up with our old friend and actor expert Japes Palles to learn how his season went and get his opinoin on some of the latest big stories in haunting. So, if you've missed Japes (we have) and want to hear what he's thinking about when it comes to haunting, this is your chance as the three of us get caught up on the season that was. In short, it's a great conersation with one of the great experts in the field. This is definitely an episode that you do NOT want to miss. This week's episode includes: Catching Up with Japes Knott's Berry Farm Closes Asylum THemed Attraction Haunt Visitor Hit by SUV "Full Contact" Haunt Accused of Assualting Patron Actor Proposal Goes Awry All in all, this is one jam-packed episode that you do not want to miss! Special Guest: Japes Palles.
This week on Haunt Weekly, we're bringing back Japes Palles on the show to finish up his conversation about actors with a discussion about actor management. It's a crucial topic for a haunt of any size but doubly so for larger haunts. So how do you herd the cats on a haunted attraction? How do you make sure that the actors are doing their job? Most importantly, how does a small management team run dozens or hundreds of actors? Japes has the answers to those questions and many, many more! In addition to the interview, we also go over some of the news this week, including getting Japes' opinion on the "broken nose" incident in Minneapolis that has stirred controversy nationally as well as a discussion of opening weekend challenges at Hell's Gate. This week's episode includes: Revisiting the Incident in MinneapolisDiscussing the Challenges at Hell's GateHaunt HierarchyDefining RolesSetting ExpectationsContinuing Support Through the SeasonAssessing ActorsActor CommunicationAll in all, this is one jam-packed show with more than a few takeaways that may be able to help you finish out this season strong! Special Guest: Japes Palles.
When it comes to actors, every haunt wants to know three things: Where to find them, how to train them and why they stay or leave. Japes Palles may not be able to help much with the first item, but he has 14 years of experience with the other two. This includes finding their strengths, finding the best role for them and, most importantly, keeping them happy so they stay through the season and come back for the next. In this interview, we sit down with Japes and we talk all about training actors, finding the right role for them and helping them grow to fulfill their potential. We go over some of his key rules for making a scare work, including what to scream at customers, and the shocking truth about most haunt actors: That they aren't actors. Japes is also kind enough to share a story from his time as an actor that he never tells his students (because it violates his own rules). All This week's episode includes: Background on JapesBasics on Training ActorsWhat to Look for in ActorsHow to Find the Right Role for an ActorHow to Create a Culture That Keeps Actors LoyalAll in all, this is one episode of Haunt Weekly that you do not want to miss! Special Guest: Japes Palles.