Welcome to CSU: Cyber Shock University. Our goal is to become the most comprehensive educational venue in haunted entertainment.
OK, so we're not exactly high-tech yet. Give me a break--I hope you're here to learn something; not to be dazzled by fancy footwork. We'll roll out the Big Guns in due time. Our goal is sincere. We want to be the go-to site for haunt information and education.
How? By introducing teaching methods never before used in this industry. And by turning your input into product. The more e-mails we get telling us what you need to learn, the faster CSU will grow.
I invite you to become a Charter mailing list member now: jump to the head of the line for breaking news, discounts, and product availability. And there will be rewards later for those who support CSU now.
As long as we're talking, I need to ask: Are you a Planaphobic? CSU's flagship textbook "SHOCK THERAPY: PLANAPHOBIC" is an exciting how-to that transforms you from scared-y cat into monster business plan creator step by step. Its content targets start-up events but it's easily customized for shows that are up and running. For a limited time, I'm slashing the textbook price--SAVE $40 with the new price restructuring!!!
What else do I have up my sleeve?
As I mentioned, CSU's growth and content greatly depends upon the feedback we get from you: our students. At this time, we are working on:
* A state-of-the-art website that will deliver cutting-edge, trans warp haunt education. "G" style. LOG IN AND LEARN will take on a whole new meaning.
* CSU Live! The most exciting live educational experience a new haunter could wish for. GET ON CSU'S MAILING LIST for progress reports. Trust me, you'll want to be there.
* "SHOCK THERAPY: CHEAP THRILLS" In this book, I'll spill my guts about how to open your own house of horrors without breaking the bank. It's being written as you read this. Release date is targeted for late 2008.
* The "Rent-A-Fiend" program. Straight talk from experienced Haunters who really care about your success. I won't settle for less.
* Our 15-month "Frozen In Fear" calendar collection will showcase spook-tacular shots of your favorite haunted events. Nominate someone's show as "Miz July". See your own frightfully great creation in print. How? E-mail us at cybershots@haunteducation.com. We'll contact you with specifics.
I was once in your shoes. Had the talent and desire to put together a good quality haunt but absolutely no idea where to start. I knew, through years of business experience, there'd be more red tape involved than simply renting a space, building walls, slapping on paint, and sticking creeps inside of the dark recesses. Where on earth did a person turn to find out exactly what to expect and how to handle it?
Like most determined start-ups, I researched, found the Halloween and Party Show, and made the pilgrimage to the Transworld Exhibits event every March. Lo and behold, a series of classes relevant to haunted houses is offered.
A lot of great information is available, at no little expense. Still, the first two years had me walking out of those classes with a headache. Much of the info was over my head at that stage. We hadn't dipped a toe into bloody waters yet but ended up in classes about advanced maze design, becoming a multi-haunt venue, and what to do when your attendance leveled out. I needed BASICS presented in a logical, prioritized manner. If a class exists that thoroughly covers this, I apologize. Point I'm making is that I never found one--and certainly not everything in one room.
Many of the best haunts around started modestly, or as yard haunters. Grass roots haunting is an important basic to me. Studying guerilla tactics for creating something out of nothing and marketing it the same way is a great foundation on which to build an unforgettable show.
I built my first haunt, Halls of Bedlam (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), with quite a bit of my own money. Lost my space after the first season (that's a story in itself) and couldn't reload fast enough to make my investment back. However, I've subsequently designed and created two haunts for a municipal event on a budget that's less than some people spend on a single animatronic. If the circumstances are right, it can be done, and done right. By anyone.
This is why I launched CSU: to provide complete education for the start-up hauntrepreneur and teach you how to put all the pieces together. Again, much of this company's content is based upon your feedback. Go use the Shriek Out forum and tell us what you want to learn!
Eventually, CSU's expansion into intermediate and advanced haunter education will happen; but our primary focus will always be "newbies".
So please stick around. I promise it won't be boring!
OK, so we're not exactly high-tech yet. Give me a break--I hope you're here to learn something; not to be dazzled by fancy footwork. We'll roll out the Big Guns in due time. Our goal is sincere. We want to be the go-to site for haunt information and education.
How? By introducing teaching methods never before used in this industry. And by turning your input into product. The more e-mails we get telling us what you need to learn, the faster CSU will grow.
I invite you to become a Charter mailing list member now: jump to the head of the line for breaking news, discounts, and product availability. And there will be rewards later for those who support CSU now.
As long as we're talking, I need to ask: Are you a Planaphobic? CSU's flagship textbook "SHOCK THERAPY: PLANAPHOBIC" is an exciting how-to that transforms you from scared-y cat into monster business plan creator step by step. Its content targets start-up events but it's easily customized for shows that are up and running. For a limited time, I'm slashing the textbook price--SAVE $40 with the new price restructuring!!!
What else do I have up my sleeve?
As I mentioned, CSU's growth and content greatly depends upon the feedback we get from you: our students. At this time, we are working on:
* A state-of-the-art website that will deliver cutting-edge, trans warp haunt education. "G" style. LOG IN AND LEARN will take on a whole new meaning.
* CSU Live! The most exciting live educational experience a new haunter could wish for. GET ON CSU'S MAILING LIST for progress reports. Trust me, you'll want to be there.
* "SHOCK THERAPY: CHEAP THRILLS" In this book, I'll spill my guts about how to open your own house of horrors without breaking the bank. It's being written as you read this. Release date is targeted for late 2008.
* The "Rent-A-Fiend" program. Straight talk from experienced Haunters who really care about your success. I won't settle for less.
* Our 15-month "Frozen In Fear" calendar collection will showcase spook-tacular shots of your favorite haunted events. Nominate someone's show as "Miz July". See your own frightfully great creation in print. How? E-mail us at cybershots@haunteducation.com. We'll contact you with specifics.
I was once in your shoes. Had the talent and desire to put together a good quality haunt but absolutely no idea where to start. I knew, through years of business experience, there'd be more red tape involved than simply renting a space, building walls, slapping on paint, and sticking creeps inside of the dark recesses. Where on earth did a person turn to find out exactly what to expect and how to handle it?
Like most determined start-ups, I researched, found the Halloween and Party Show, and made the pilgrimage to the Transworld Exhibits event every March. Lo and behold, a series of classes relevant to haunted houses is offered.
A lot of great information is available, at no little expense. Still, the first two years had me walking out of those classes with a headache. Much of the info was over my head at that stage. We hadn't dipped a toe into bloody waters yet but ended up in classes about advanced maze design, becoming a multi-haunt venue, and what to do when your attendance leveled out. I needed BASICS presented in a logical, prioritized manner. If a class exists that thoroughly covers this, I apologize. Point I'm making is that I never found one--and certainly not everything in one room.
Many of the best haunts around started modestly, or as yard haunters. Grass roots haunting is an important basic to me. Studying guerilla tactics for creating something out of nothing and marketing it the same way is a great foundation on which to build an unforgettable show.
I built my first haunt, Halls of Bedlam (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), with quite a bit of my own money. Lost my space after the first season (that's a story in itself) and couldn't reload fast enough to make my investment back. However, I've subsequently designed and created two haunts for a municipal event on a budget that's less than some people spend on a single animatronic. If the circumstances are right, it can be done, and done right. By anyone.
This is why I launched CSU: to provide complete education for the start-up hauntrepreneur and teach you how to put all the pieces together. Again, much of this company's content is based upon your feedback. Go use the Shriek Out forum and tell us what you want to learn!
Eventually, CSU's expansion into intermediate and advanced haunter education will happen; but our primary focus will always be "newbies".
So please stick around. I promise it won't be boring!
join us!
join us!
join us!