[HHN XXI Auditions]

It actually seems very odd not to have chainsaws this year; more than just an iconic part of horror, they're an extremely effective way to scare people outdoors. I can't think of the last time a year didn't have street saws.

WHAT?!

When I get to HHN, my adrenaline doesn't even begin to start to flow until I hear a chainsaw, and when I smell that two stroke oil it begins to really pump hard. I dunno how I'll react without any chainsaws.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Wow C_D, didn't realize that that was you. I distinctly remember going through that house with my pregnant ex (not mine, long story, etc ) and the person at the bar (which may very well have been you!) making a comment about how she was knocked up or something...haha.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Yeah, it was worth going there just to meet people. I met someone else with a woot.com shirt for the first time ever...and like 5 other PC gamers. I don't think I've met another "pure" PC gamer in a very very long time. Ahh, I'm such a geek .

My only regret is not asking anyone else's name or getting numbers, so many awesome outgoing people there with similar interests. And they enjoyed listening to me blabber about this website and about all I knew of the impending audition.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Damn, didn't get in

I decided, to hell with everything else, and put full availability. I'll make my schedule work with whatever they decide to give me.

I was in the very last group tonight, which was about 50 or so people I think.

Out of us, like 3 or 4 got cast. We all were asked the same question: "What was your favorite Halloween Costume?" I answered a robot costume that i made from cardboard boxes, and I wrote on it "insert candy to activate." I wouldn't leave people's porches until they inserted candy (or money) and then I'd "activate" and walk off.

Now I'm regretting telling them about the cute one, and wondering if I should've told them about the shark-attack victim costume that I made for someone else haha.

Oh well, maybe I'll get a call. I certainly hope so.

Also, Aiello was one of the guys doing casting...I thought he retired from Universal? Or was that just from writing Bill and Ted?

[HHN XXI Auditions]

I know that Fire Crew is scheduled to work every night that they're available, but that question was based off of the assumption that some nights there just aren't any roles for them to work..something I heard from word of mouth. Didn't realize it was that uncommon.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Another dumb question for you all lol...

I finally learned the difference between ABU and Firecrew a few weeks ago...lol...but I was just thinking:

If I get Firecrew, and don't get cast for a particular night, then I'll be able to stay as a guest, right? On that note, I heard that requesting ABU makes it less likely to get a role. Well, what about requesting Firecrew? I didn't read anything saying that Firecrew made any difference.

One last thing: How often does one in Firecrew not get cast? I guess the question can be worded as, how often can I expect to have guest nights if I get cast as Firecrew?

I was worrying that i may not have the time to enjoy all of the houses this year because the two days that I have to request off I won't exactly be able to show up to the event...and I don't want to request ABU because I really want to get cast. But if I get Firecrew, it may be the answer to my prayers, IF it works the way I'm thinking it might work. Otherwise, I'll just try to get cast as a normal full time, and see later on in the event if getting a third night off for my enjoyment of the event would be doable.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Right. The biggest mistake people make is overthinking this whole process. Don't worry about what you wear and or/or what your gonna do. Be comfortable, be yourself, and stand out because it's obvious you wanna be there.

So on that note, I'm a bit worried about dress again. I was thinking I'd show up in my work clothes (business casual) but if I'm coming straight from class, I'll have to change when I get there...I'll be in my normal wear which is jeans, shin high motorcycle boots, random T-Shirt, and my armored jacket. I would think that that's something very unprofessional to wear to an interview, but I keep hearing people say that a type out audition != interview. So maybe I can save a bit of hassle keeping my stuff on and not changing. What do you guys think?

[HHN XXI Auditions]

I guess a few people were called back in the room and asked if they would mind shaving their facial hair for a role. It wasn't anyone in my group, but a few groups before.

As much as I love my mustache, I wouldn't mind shaving it. It grows so slowly that I probably wouldn't have to shave but once throughout the month, and then just let it start growing back halfway through . That is, if they requested it.

If you are coming from Sand Lake Road with I Drive behind you, turn right onto Turkey Lake Road. It'll be on your right about two miles down. I-4 West bound take the Universal exit (65 I believe, after the Kirkman exit) then make a left at the light. Then right onto Turkey Lake. It's right across the street from a Shell station and Papa John's.

Oh, wow, it's on Turkey Lake? This means I may be able to stay off of the interstate . Well, at least on the way back, I'm not going to slow myself down heading TO the audition.

To add to all of this, plan on leaving 15-20 minutes earlier than you normally would. The TM parking lot at Universal is always jam packed. It could take you a very long time to find parking.

The removal of the overflow lot was a dick move.

Hmm...it was established earlier that there's motorcycle specific parking in this particular lot, right? Does anyone know how badly it fills up, or if I should be golden finding a spot? My audition is at 8:50 PM anyhow, so even if motorcycle parking is filled up, I doubt that I'll have any issues finding a spot.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Well, I can do everything but Wednesdays, so hopefully it still works out...especially being in what I Think is the very last slot for open call.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

But not everyone was getting cast.

They also asked our group if anyone spoke semi-fluent Spanish (not just a few words here or there) and, unlike another group, we weren't asked anything else. They wanted only our role last year and didn't ask for name and another group was told to answer in 1 word with their previous role.

I, too, like the smoothness of the way it is done now. I also think that new people miss out on the "right of passage" you go through of waiting in line for hours in the heat and/or rain to get your number and then going inside to the large room with everyone else to fill out your paperwork and wait.

Reminds me of processing with the USAF.

I decided that since all auditions are on Tuesdays, I'll have to miss class regardless....and an 8:50 PM time opened up for the 12th .

A little bit nervous, but I think I'll do fine.

Another dumb question: I'm 20 years old, kinda skinny and wiry...and I have a mustache. Should I kill the 'stache, or will it even matter?

[Scary Puppets in Haunted Houses @ HHN]

It shouldn't be hard to automate them, though. I mean, not full on animatronic, but just something that would shoot them out of a wall or something, and then retract them. Or, better yet, give the puppeteer several different booholes to choose from in a particular area/hallway or something, and give them one that they can control with a rope that would drop from the ceiling or something. I can imagine now walking into a hallway and hearing some small demonic creature scurrying around, making some nasty breathing noises, and then hearing it follow me through the hallway from behind the wall or above me, and then it jumps out from a random hole.

I think it'd be epic, and wouldn't be very hard at all to pull off. Except maybe the one that'd be coming from the ceiling, but that wouldn't even be necessary to make it a great scare. Best part would be that if you go through the house multiple times, you'll never know where it'll pop out from to "get" you.

[HNN Singles Night (Meetup)]

I'm in if I don't get a role as a scareactor, and it doesn't turn into a sausage fest .

[HHN XXI Auditions]

I wish that the auditions that are left over weren't at 7-8 PM, I have class that night .

What is the earliest audition they do, or does anyone know? And it says plan 2-3 hours as everyone else says...if the earliest is only 4, and I do get it for the 19th, then that means I won't get out till 6 at the best, 7 most likely. I'll be late to class . Oh well, hopefully it'll work out a bit better...I'll be refreshing the crap outta the page on the 6th to make an appointment.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

The site says to wait until July 6th, I assume that we'll be able to sign up for future audition dates (19th and 26th) on the 6th. I hope this is the case, as being there at 7:30 PM on the 12th is not very conducive to my current schedule.

[HHN XXI Website Updates]

I think that it's a bit off that they'd update the FB page and then start redirecting the website. Now they're going to have an influx of general public fans who are going to visit the website after reading the status update and then see nothing.

Either way, I'm very excited to see things start happening, and can't wait for the teaser site.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Awesome! I already feel as if I have loads of respect for the scareactor team, and I also feel as if I don't startle that easily anymore ( I guess that riding a motorcycle in Florida traffic does that to you XD) so it sounds like if anything becoming a scareactor will help revitalize my love for the event.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Yeah, I'm worried that I might not get a chance again this year .

Oh well.

I thought up another interesting question.

How has becoming a scareactor affected the event for you? I enjoy this event a lot, and don't want to enjoy it any less than I do now by becoming a scareactor. It makes me wonder how differently I'll perceive everything, if I am able to get a role.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Scareactors get a break every 45 minutes.

Oh, then it'll be cake! But boots would still be best lol.

You can wear any type of footwear that is all black & close-toed. You can always get footwear in the wardrobe department that fits their requirements and they will take them out of your 1st paycheck. The footwear is very reasonably priced and quite comfortable.

Awesome on both counts. It's nice to get footwear provided by employers, it always tends to be priced around near what it's really worth.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Hey now, I loved being on the CDT. And we weren't just left over ABU. Mostly firecrew and some pulled from other roles. We worked very hard to create choreographed bits for the guests enjoyment.

Some roles actually provide you with shoes. We were given Boots last year for the Drill Team, though I had my own pair.

Key thing is being comfortable. Especially if knees are an issue. Working as a scareactor, you'll become sore in places you didn't know you could. Its highly recommended to attempt to condition yourself somewhat( if casted) before the opening of the event.

Chances are, you'll end up dropping some pounds by the end of the run.

After boot camp, that sounds like a walk in the park to me haha. That's why I'm better with boots...the only thing I can really do with tennis shoes is walk and run with breaks in between, standing around or pretty much anything without a break would be a no-go. With boots I can do pretty much everything without needing a break for hours.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

As for the footwear thing....am I required to have black sneakers, or is that a suggestion? Reason why I ask is that I do a lot better with boots, due to screwy knees. At the moment all I have are my desert tan combat boots, but black boots could be obtained.

They would go great if I were to somehow get on the CDT haha, but I'm a skinny guy, so that would never happen. I hope that if I do get a role that we have something military related again this year...and I hope that I get in on it. It'll be fun to call cadences and march again, even if it is only for a month.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

You guys are great.

I figure my PT gear would work wonders as good scaring clothes....or under clothes...or hey! Underscare. Haha. The stuff works wonders when I wear it under my riding gear on long (500+ mile) days. I could just whip off my gear, pack it up, and I'd be ready to hop into whatever costume they have for me.

Hmm, that makes me wonder. What would you suggest for footwear? Or is that just determinate on what I would be cast as if I got cast?

[HHN XXI Auditions]

You wouldn't park in the garages. You would park in employee parking backstage. Having a motorcycle does help since motorcycle parking is right by the employee entrance. Storage will be an issue since there's no lockers officially available for scareactors in the greenrooms.

I remember walking through the garages and seeing certain scareactor's vehicles...namely C_D/Brian's Bronco. That's a relief either way though.

Hmm, so with no official lockers, what do people do with their clothes when they go into costumes? I'm not afraid of anyone stealing my gear. I could lock my helmet and gloves to the bike itself...if someone stole my jacket, boots, pants, rain gear, whatever then I'd just ride home with my helmet and gloves. It'd just be nice to have somewhere to put those things rather than pile them on my bike.

Now, to the audition.

It's not unheard of to carry stuff with you to the audition, and business casual is fine. All it really is is a type-out audition. There's 30 people in a room, they ask everyone the same couple of questions and that's pretty much it. They are looking at your body-type and to get a read on your personality. Just have two forms of ID and know your Social.

Nice! Thank you so much for all of the help . As for knowing my social...the military ingrained it into my head long long ago lol.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Well if I head straight from home to Uni it's only about an hour. Parking may be an issue since employees and guests share the same garage. Does it help that I'm on a motorcycle? Lol. I recall some floors of the garage having a motorcycle parking area, and it usually isn't full. I could probably just park the bike and keep my gear on while I hoof it to wherever I'd need to go to sign in, and since I'd be changing clothes into a costume or something anyhow I don't think it'd be a problem. Gear comes off easily, storage is the only potential issue. I'm a very fast walker (prior military service) and wouldn't mind jogging if the rent-a-cops would stop yelling for me to slow down.

Oh, and I just did a bit of research. My job requires me to have 24 hours dedicated to them in shifts of 9-12 and 1-5. My nursing class will only be one day out of the week. Other classes will be two days out of the week, or can be one day depending on what the class is and when I take them. Or I could just take them online.

So, I can do my nursing class on Thursday from 6AM to 3PM. I can do it on other days too, but Thursday seems like the best. Leaves enough time to get home, get changed, and head to Uni. Other classes I could do like Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday at night, so I'd still have to request Wednesdays off. So those days are open for work, so if I kept M/T/W open for 9-5 that's my 24 hour requirement right there. Then on Fridays I could work 9-12 just for the extra hours. So I'd have way more than enough time to get home, upload my work, get dressed, and head out to Uni.

Skip to here if you don't feel like reading my wordiness lol Ok, so this is what it boils down to: How much would it hinder me from getting in if I put availability at, say, 5PM, and requested to have absolutely no Wednesdays? I'd also probably be able to do Halloween night on Monday just by skipping class once.

Now, as for the audition itself.... I'm sure I'm going to be able to pull a day off or something and show up early with some snacks and a bottle of water on hand. Would wearing my business casual outfit be too much? Black pants, button up shirt, and a tie. Should I find a way to leave my backpack full of gear, my helmet, and my jacket on my bike (not hard to do) or would it be ok to bring those in with me? I don't mind carrying it all around (used to it) but I mean how would it look to the people interviewing me carrying a bunch of stuff around?

And, as I've heard, basically the audition is just them asking a few questions or asking you to do some skits, and you have to use a ton of body language, and words to be the most likely to be picked. And I'm guessing that anything I need to bring will be listed on the website when auditions are officially announced.

Is that all correct?

[HHN XXI Auditions]

Thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for.

So, it looks like there were only two Wednesdays last year in the schedule, so I may be fine requesting just those off and possibly getting full time...and I'd be able to manage it in my schedule. I just realized that the fall semester is only two days of class out of the week, so if I have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then have work Monday Wednesday and Friday (9-5 but it's project based, so I won't have work every MWF and it won't always be 9-5. I just have to keep the time open.) I may be able to work Thursday through Sunday with no issues.

Now, this brings up another issue...when do we have to show up? If I'm working till 5 PM on a Friday, there may be an issue, unless maybe Cast B shows up later or something? The problem with my work is that I *have* to come home to upload my work for the day before midnight, and I'm about 1-1.5 hours from Universal. Unless I can find a hardwired internet connection at Universal to plug in my laptop and upload before getting dressed or whatever.

Thank you all so much for the help! It feels almost surreal that my dream may be coming true for once. It won't be easy to pull off, but the more I think of it, the more possible it sounds.

[HHN XXI Auditions]

So, let's talk scheduling.

I know that ABU isn't hard scheduled, and Firecrew has to show up every night...right? This means that Firecrew is working every night or just simply showing up every night? And ABU is only there when called?

I had some friends try to explain it to me in the past, but I kept confusing the two, so I figure now's the time to ask.

This will be my first time auditioning, and during October I'm going to be continuing my college courses (I'm in Nursing) and still working, though my job is never "hard scheduled" either. Only when there is work, and it can only be between 9AM-5PM Mon-Fri. No Holidays or Weekends. My classes will all be morning classes that start around 7 AM I believe, so I know that some nights I'm going to be only getting several hours of sleep. I'm ok with that, but I think that if it's not *every* night it'd be a lot easier on me, so I'm trying to figure out everything about Firecrew and ABU.

Then as for full time Scareactors, it's Thursday through Sunday nights, right? Then halfway through it adds on Wednesdays, if I'm not mistaken. Then one Monday which is Halloween.

I may even be able to do Full Time, as classes are all Monday through Thursday. I'll only be tired Monday mornings, until the Wednesdays are tacked on, unless I can somehow do full time without Wednesdays when they are tacked on.

Anyhow, sorry if this seems like I'm rambling...I'm putting tons of thought into this. I've wanted to do it since I was like 13. Last year was my first time being able to audition (I know I was 18 the year before, but I was in the military that summer) but I was on my 5000 mile motorcycle "journey" instead. I kicked myself for not trying to audition before leaving on my trip. Now this year I really have to worry about classes...and the extra money would be a ton of help, even though it's not *much*.

Just wondering if someone with such a persnickety schedule would be even considered by the hiring board, or if they deal with this all of the time. Hell, I don't care if I'm just "the guy in the box dropping the spider" I want to be a part of the event for once.