so this year i plan to be IN the haunt, instead of a group leader (i previously led, carried and dragged groups of kids through the haunted trail!) i could use any and all tips on effectively scaring people... PLEASE! i will probably be in the circus tent area, as a clown.

thanks in advance, susan

Timing is definately the key.
It would be best to change things up & move around to different positions & say of do different things. If you say & do the same thing in the same position, you'll be bored to tears. Then no one is happy either way. Moving around also has another advantage... repeat patrons will be ready for your response, keep them on their toes. Remember that you are trying to project an era of mystery, suspense, & a startles. You can show up late & let them think it's only a set, then bingo!

 Note- I always encourage my Minons to move around in my Haunted maze. Get them to try & startle scare them as many times as they can. If patrons have been through a couple of times, they will be expecting that character around the next corner. When they aren't there, it gets them to wonder where are they? Just that example builds suspense & decreases the safe feeling.

I've found that most people don't like clowns at all.  Another thing they freak about is thig that come up at them, I work from a position alot of times where I can start down low and pop up at various speeds towards their face.  And it is so true that stareing works.  Above all the best trick is to play around and find what works for you.  Good Luck!!

My son was totally freaked when an actor just began following him and didn't say anything.  The guy actually followed him for the entire haunt.  When we were getting to the end and my son began feeling safe, they guy followed him OUT of the haunt! Good times, good times...

Just screaming is bad, you get desensitized to that really fast.

I always think movement is key for a good character.  Clowns have a lot of freedom with the type of movements they can do, but I'm a big fan of a waddling type walk whichcan then break into a quick dash to shock the custmers.  Creeping down low and then moving to your full height is also a great affect.

A great prop for a clown is a cheap horn (like what kids put on bikes).  Sneak up behind people and honk it as a great startle scare.  Its also a nice mix of being seemingly a "cute clown" with a sinister side.

You said you will probably be a clown...well I fully agree with everything posted earlier, but remember, being a clown requires some of the most energy out of any character that can be a haunt, so be prepared for that.

I am currently designing a clown character for a haunt I help run, and one thing that I found freaks people out is to have a really good clown laugh, and occasionally I will switch up the pitch of my voice from low to high, or vice versa.

I try to make sure the colors match for the character, but that is just me, and a horn is a great idea. I do have another idea for a weapon prop, but be creative.

The key is what I just mentioned, be creative, make the character your own, and have FUN.

One of my favorite scares when I'm in a house is to find a way to neak in behind someone as they are leaving my room, and whisper in their ear. They've usually already seen my main scare, and are so intent on what is coming ahead of them.

Staring can be effective if you have time for that type of scare (particularly in the streets). I found years ago when working at Disney's Haunted Mansion that it's more effective if you don't position yourself directly facing your victim, but be slightly off angle (about 4-6 degrees, similar to my avatar pic), lock your eyes on them until they get a little uncomfotrable, and then slowly rotate your head to be face on.