This is one in a series of interviews that we plan to do every Friday with someone or something that is changing the face of the Horror Movie or Haunted Attraction Industry.
This week's interview is with up and coming owner Norm Glenn. Ever since I went through "Pitch Dark" last year I knew I needed to talk to the man behind this Haunted Attraction.
Why did you first become interested in the Haunted House/Horror Business?
I grew up in Connecticut where Halloween and Haunted Houses were a big thing back in the 70s. They would take huge old tobacco barns in the wintertime and turn out some pretty elaborate haunted houses for their time. As a kid I was hooked on the creativity and loved getting scared. When Halloween was over I was already counting down to the next Halloween season. That’s what really sparked my passion.
What previous jobs have you had?
I started college on an art scholarship so I think I’ve always had a creative side. With haunted houses, I’ve done pretty much everything over the past 18 years from set design to acting, marketing - the works. Other odd jobs I’ve had over the years…I’m trying to think of the more interesting ones. Room service waiter, mall ecurity (yes, mall security; not sure I should own up to that one), banquet manager, a combat medic in the US Army, a technical support manager, and other technology roles.
What job do you do right now? Is the Haunted House/Horror Job your full time gig?
I’m a technology support services manager now. I’ve been with the same company for the past 10 years, developing and implementing software for the education market. The haunted house is a combination hobby and part-time labor of love. It’s also my creative outlet.
How long have you been in the business?
I’ve been a haunted house owner for the past 4 years. This is my 18th year working with other haunted houses off and on.
How did you start?
Before I became a haunted house owner, I had already been researching starting my own business. I had first planned to go back to school to get my MBA but thought I’d start a small business that I could grow and still have a day job on the side to see if I liked being an entrepreneur. I think most people do it the other way around.
I spent a year researching the family entertainment center (FEC) business. What I had found was that most of the owners of roller rinks, laser tag facilities, and multi-element FECs weren’t happy. Many were wanting out of the business. They all complained of the long hours and countless headaches. The most important aspect was that I found I really wasn’t passionate about FECs.
About the same time that this was happening I was creating a yard haunt each Halloween that was growing like crazy. The last year that I had the yard haunt, we had well over 500 people on Halloween. I was amazed at the carloads and pickup truck loads of kids that came down the street that year. That same year during October I went to two haunted houses in my town and was really disappointed at the quality of the show.
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