Working the Fright Shift

As we bring Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift to a close, we return to our conversation with Ken Parks, the current Vice President of Creative Development for Corporate Planning & Design at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, whose creative fingerprints are etched into the very soul of Knott’s Scary Farm. In this second chapter, we shift from stages to the legendary attractions he helped s...

In this week's Working the Fright Shift , we sit down with Ken Parks, the current Vice President of Creative Development for Corporate Planning & Design at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, whose creative DNA is forever intertwined with the legacy of Knott’s Scary Farm. From his early days performing and writing shows to helping shape the groundbreaking world of Ghost Town Alive, Ken’s...

Haunt Comp takes center stage this week as we shine a light on the annual haunted house design competition that’s become a launchpad for rising haunt creators and a celebration of the craft behind immersive fear. Joining us as this episode’s Fear Architects are Xochilt Khoury, Executive Producer and Co‑Founder, and Taylor Scott, Executive Producer — two driving forces who’ve helped transform Haunt...

Joining Working the Fright Shift is Jordan of Cupcakes and Coasters, the sharp‑witted creator whose blend of theme park insight, humor, and honesty has made her one of the most recognizable voices in the UK coaster and attractions community. From deep‑dive essays to spirited critiques, she brings a perspective that’s equal parts fan passion and industry savvy. In this edition of The Horror Bluepri...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , I shine a spotlight on Jamie Weisgerber, the creative force behind Samhain’s Lot, one of Southern California’s most beloved and meticulously crafted home haunts. Jamie’s passion for Halloween, his cinematic eye for detail, and his ability to transform a neighborhood yard into a fully realized world have earned him admiration from fans, fellow haunters, and i...

Stepping into Working the Fright Shift this week is Jonathan Casco, the talented creator behind The Hauntline, a series that provides exciting live streams as well as documentary‑style explorations to chronicle the artistry, history, and heartbeat of the haunt community. Jonathan’s eye for mood, his reverence for the craft, and his ability to elevate haunt and review storytelling have made him one...

We dive into the wonderfully twisted world of Adam and Jess Dollins of AdamJessFX, the creative duo turning imagination into creatures, characters, and uncanny practical effects that feel startlingly alive. We outline their journey from immersive performers to full‑blown makers - equal parts artistry and deep respect for the craft of Halloween fun and fear.  In this week’s Horror Blueprint , we ex...

Arriving with a force all his own, Karl O’Connor joins Working the Fright Shift to talk about The Nightmare Realm, the internationally acclaimed Irish scream park known for its cinematic worlds and boundary‑pushing approach to fear. As co‑founder and creative visionary, Karl has helped transform the haunt landscape in Ireland and beyond, crafting experiences that are as theatrical as they are terr...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , I sit down with Claire Dunlap, co‑creator of Midsummer Scream and Spooky Swap Meet, and one of the most influential producers shaping the modern Halloween fan experience. Claire has helped build some of the most beloved Halloween gatherings anywhere, blending community, artistry, and a deep love of Halloween into every project she touches. In this episode’s...

Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift launches with this week’s Fear Architects, who are none other than the legendary Midnight Syndicate — the duo whose dark, orchestral soundtracks have defined the atmosphere of Halloween for nearly three decades. We dive into their origins, their evolution, their groundbreaking live shows at Cedar Point Halloweekends, and the creative alchemy that made them the...

Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift continues its exploration of the people and ideas shaping Halloween themed entertainment. Hosted by Ted Dougherty—award‑winning author, writer, and director for Halloween themed experiences—the podcast returns with new conversations that highlight the creators, performers, historians, and innovators driving this unique industry forward. This season takes a clos...

This creepy holiday bonus is wrapped in shadows and delivered straight to your ears as a gift of terror filled with fun frights! In The Horror Blueprint, we chart a twisted subgenre where eerie spirits gather at your door, caroling with shrieking voices screaming through the winter night. With a variant on Fear Architects, we twist the spotlight toward one of the great horror architects in history...

In our Season 1 finale of Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by legendary scare actor and horror makeup artist Anthony Dalbis, our featured Fear Architect whose transformative characters and grotesque creations have stalked the fog for decades.  With a scream in his step and a brush in his hand, Anthony blurs the line between performer and creator—embodying terror while crafting the faces of...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by Salem and Sleepy Hollow historian Dani October, our featured Fear Architect whose deep dives into witch trials, folklore, and haunted heritage have cast a spell over scholars and scare fans alike.  With a passion for truth wrapped in mystery, Dani unearths the real stories behind the legends—revealing how history itself can be the most chilli...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by Shawn and Carmelle Marshall, the dynamic duo behind Parks and Cons, our featured Fear Architects whose tireless coverage of themed entertainment has become a lifeline for fans craving haunt news, park updates, and convention thrills.  With cameras rolling and mics hot, they’ve documented countless scare attractions from the front lines—captur...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by special effects technician Jacob Larson, our featured Fear Architect whose mechanical mayhem and gruesome ingenuity have powered some of the most unforgettable scares in the industry.  From home haunting to pneumatic terror, animatronic monstrosities, or blood rigs that erupt on cue, Jacob engineers the chaos that makes audiences scream, flin...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by media and haunt culture icon Hauntina, our featured Fear Architect whose digital presence has electrified the horror community with glam-gore tutorials, behind-the-scenes haunt tours, and unapologetic scary style. With a flair for the theatrical and a pulse on what fans crave, Hauntina bridges the gap between creator and audience—turning ever...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by sound designer Dan Bieranowski, our featured Fear Architect whose sonic sorcery has rattled walls and spines across haunted attractions and immersive experiences. From guttural growls to spectral whispers, Dan crafts the invisible architecture of dread—using frequency, distortion, and silence to summon fear from the shadows. In our Horror Blu...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by special effects horror artist Michael "Rib" Ribagin, our featured Fear Architect whose twisted creations have haunted stages, scream parks, and nightmares alike. As a master of blood, latex, and illusion, Rib brings monsters to life with a sculptor’s eye and a mad scientist’s flair—blurring the line between reality and terror. In ou...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by scare actor specialist and haunt industry legend Scott "Tater" Lynd, our featured Fear Architect with a scream resume that spans coast to coast. Known for his electrifying performances and uncanny ability to read a crowd, Tater has spent decades perfecting the art of the scare—whether he's lurking in the shadows or training the...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by travel and theme park connoisseur Carly Caramanna, our featured Fear Architect with a passport full of haunted thrills. As a respected journalist and expert in immersive entertainment, Carly has explored the globe’s most iconic scream destinations, offering insider insight into what makes a haunt truly unforgettable. In our Horror Blueprint s...

This week on Working the Fright Shift , we’re joined by Halloween scholar and scream-season sage Lisa Morton, our featured Fear Architect . As an acclaimed author and historian, Lisa has penned definitive works on the origins, evolution, and cultural impact of Halloween, making her one of the genre’s most trusted voices. In our Horror Blueprint segment, we explore how folklore and fear intertwine...

In this week’s Working the Fright Shift , we welcome legendary haunt visionary Jon Cooke as our featured Fear Architect —a creative force behind Plague Productions and a driving influence in the evolution of immersive horror. Known for crafting bone-chilling experiences that blend theatrical storytelling with visceral scares, Jon shares his journey from scare actor to industry trailblazer. In our...

Step into the shadowy world of Halloween-themed entertainment with Working the Fright Shiftwith Ted Dougherty , a captivating podcast that uncovers the artistry, history, and ingenuity behind the spine-tingling experiences that millions crave. Hosted by Ted Dougherty—renowned author, writer, and director in the themed entertainment industry—this show pulls back the cobwebbed curtain to reveal fasc...