by Dot Cannon
(Graphic courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
How much do you love Halloween?
If you said, “Passionately!”–and if you’re dependable, professional and have great people skills–some kind and loving monsters would like to talk to you.
They are the team at ScareLA, Los Angeles’ first Halloween convention, which celebrates its third year this August. And they need some excellent volunteers who’ll work hard, but have fun doing it.
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
Just in case you missed the first two ScareLA conventions–they are a complete blast! They feature exclusive previews of Southern California Halloween 2015 attractions, along with classes, workshops, interactive exhibits and performances. There are also all kinds of panels and a show floor of exhibits that’s frequently haunted by zombies, ghouls and other denizens of the dark.
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
Last year’s ScareLA events included a fantastic panel on the creation of the Disney Haunted Mansion, as well as the unveiling of Universal Studios’ and the Magic Castle’s newest Halloween attractions; film screenings; live theatre; workshops on everything from and “terror trucks” outside.
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
This year’s celebration should be even better. The new, larger venue will allow for “bigger scares, more monsters, and louder screams“, according to ScareLA’s Facebook page. And a ScareLA favorite is back: makeup artist Larry Bones, of Bone Yard effects, is bringing a new interactive exhibit, “Angels and Demons”, where he’ll transform convention goers into beautiful and terrifying creatures, head to toe. (His “scary mermaid” costume, last year, was a standout!)
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
Want to help them create the magic? Volunteers must commit to at least three work shifts, have a positive attitude, and be very knowledgeable about all the cool stuff happening at ScareLA in its 2015 incarnations, August 8th and 9th at the Pasadena Convention Center. There will be mandatory volunteer orientation sessions, both online and on the phone, a few weeks prior to the event. In addition,ScareLA co-founder Lora Ivanova has emailed that they will probably have an in-person orientation one week prior to the event, with the exact timing to be determined.
Volunteers must be at least 18 (“monsters” of all ages and backgrounds are welcome!), with a valid driver’s license or ID.
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
The ScareLA “monster community” will consider you a “treat” as a volunteer if you’re courteous, enjoy helping people and are curious to know all about ScareLA, so you can answer guests’ questions and make sure sure they have a Halloween experience to die for. Customer service can be “tricky”, but volunteers need to be professional, flexible and observe safe work practices. If you can represent the ScareLA community in the best light possible, with a minimum of supervision, they may just scream for your talents!
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
Now–this is gravely important. No “monster egos” or “gory divas” need apply. And “flakes” are deadly! When the “witching hours” arrive that you’re scheduled to work, be punctual, or even a little early. As Lora’s email warns, “commitment and follow-through are scary important”. She adds that team needs can change at any moment, so be prepared to be flexible and do whatever is needed. If you know someone who’s terrified of hard work, has a ghastly attitude, or whose favorite incantation is, “That’s not in my job description,” please don’t suggest that he or she apply.
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
And it goes without saying that anyone who misses their shift–barring dire emergency–is going to be viewed with horror, but not the fun kind! (Why would anyone want to miss getting to be a part of this, anyway?)
(Photograph courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission.)
ScareLA 2015 volunteer shifts are available: Friday, August 7th for setup (8 a.m. to 4 p.m); Saturday, August 8th (two event shifts are available: 9:30 pm to 3:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm); Sunday, August 9th (10 am to 4 pm) and Sunday, August 9th (for the event plus striking the “sets”, 3 pm to 9 pm). In addition, they have volunteer opportunities with the event production team, from now through August 9th. You can apply here. As you’ll see from the photographs, volunteers may come in costume–please check with the volunteer coordinator, as there are some restrictions.
(Graphic courtesy of ScareLA, and used with permission. Art by Bill Rude.)
Get your “scare” on–and have fun!
I would love to be able to volunteer and assist you guys with your convention unfortunately I am in Oklahoma and not in California. I’ve been to well over 200 horror conventions working with celebrities as well as conventions themselves. I’m a special effects artist doing makeup, props, set design as well as a haunted house designer I have been in the business well over 28 years. If I was able to be there to help I would for sure.
Thank you for reading, Raven! Hope you get a chance to come to a future one of these.