Buffalo, NY: Get ready for three days of Para Horror!

From Buffalo Rising : Get ready for three days of Para Horror!

 

The Buffalo Central Terminal is no longer the scary place that it used to be, and that's a good thing. But that doesn't mean that it can't 'act' scary for a day... or two. In fact, many people believe the terminal to be haunted. And who doesn't love a good ghost story? Most of us save the super scary scenarios for the actors that was see on TV and in the movies. Why take the risk when others can do it for us? All the same, we are fascinated by haunted houses and roaming psychos... just NIMBY.

On May 26, from noon to 7pm, The Central Terminal will get a chance to play haunted house, and you will get a chance to play the part of unsuspecting victim... or maybe even the part of a zombie or mass murderer. The Paranormal and Horror Convention is being billed as "a convention of all things horror, paranormal, and beyond!"

While many horror and paranormal events can sometimes come off as being slightly horrific, the insane lineup for WNY's biggest Paranormal and Horror Convention looks something like this:

Scheduled to appear at the Convention is Tyler Mane (Michael Myers from Rob Zombie's Halloween, Sabretooth from the blockbuster movie X-Men), Leah Gibson (Nettie from Twilight: Eclipse, and The Watchmen), James Winburn (Michael Myers stuntman from the original Halloween, David Hasselhoff stunt double in Knight Rider), Lloyd Kaufman (Troma Films), Suzi Lorraine (Rated top 5 horror scream queen), Brian Cano (SyFy Channel's Haunted Collector), Jane Riley (Ghost Hunters Academy), Rosalyn Bown (Ghost Hunters Academy), Karyn Reece (popular Psychic Medium), and the list goes on. Over 20 guests in all will be appearing for a meet & greet. Also making a special appearance is the cult icon Christine car from the movie Christine, and KITT from the popular TV series Knight Rider.

Join paranormal groups and horror celebs for movie screenings (including 'Slime City Massacre' by Greg Lamberson filmed at The Central Terminal Buffalo and 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead' - filmed in Buffalo - with Lloyd Kaufman!), sneak previews ('Ombis' from Deftone Pictures, and 'Banshee' from Buffalo Nickel Productions), a zombie walk, panel discussions ("Being Michael Myers" with Tyler Mane and James Winburn, "Scream Queens" panel, Q&A with Lloyd Kaufman, "Being a Ghost Hunters Academy recruit" panel, "Running SCARED! and the Haunted Collector" with Brian Cano)

*More information of the Para-Horror Convention at the Buffalo Central Terminal is available at: www.parahorror.com. Pre-sale ticket packages are on sale now and start at only $15! Children 6-12 are $10, and children under 6 are free.

If you think that sounds like fun, then just check out the line-up for the entire weekend. From our friends at Beyond Ghosts...

Friday, May 25th - Public Ghost Hunt (9pm-1am)

Join Beyond Ghosts for an exclusive ghost hunt of the Buffalo Central Terminal! Bring your investigation equipment, flashlights, and comfortable shoes for a journey in to some of the Terminal's dark hallways not normally accessed during regular events. We will have access to popular haunted areas like the baggage claim area, main concourse, Fedele's Apartment, the Trolley Lobby below the main concourse, and other locations. Get your tickets now and get ready to experience the Terminal as you never have before! Also scheduled to participate in the Ghost Hunt with Beyond Ghosts is Paranormal and Horror celebrities like Tyler Mane, Brian Cano, Chris Mancuso, Jane Riley, Rosalyn Bown, Tim Shaw, John Sabol, and many more. Guest ghost hunters list is subject to change depending on scheduling. Tickets are only $50 and are extremely limited. More information on the weekend ghost hunts is at beyondghosts.com, and tickets are available at: www.brownpapertickets.com.

Saturday, May 26th - VIP Ghost Hunt (9pm-1am)

Have you ever wanted to investigate the Central Terminal privately with your paranormal group? Here is your best opportunity to do so at our private VIP ghost hunt. This ghost hunt is limited to only 30 tickets and you will have the freedom to investigate without being forced to move with a group from area to area. And with only 30 tickets available in a building 500,000 square feet in size, you will be investigating with very limited interference from other people. You will have access to the main concourse, baggage area, cafeteria, trolley lobby, 1st office floor, 2nd office floor, Fedele's apartment, train control room, and the 4th tower floor. This night is for serious investigators only! We expect all participants to be courteous and quiet for the investigation. You will be able to bring paranormal investigating equipment as long as you are able to carry it with you. Also scheduled to participate in the VIP Ghost Hunt is Paranormal and Horror celebrities like Tyler Mane, Brian Cano, Chris Mancuso, Jane Riley, Rosalyn Bown, Tim Shaw, John Sabol, and many more. Guest ghost hunters list is subject to change depending on scheduling. Tickets are available now and VERY LIMITED for $100. More information on the weekend ghost hunts is at beyondghosts.com, and tickets are available at: www.brownpapertickets.com.

Sunday, May 27th - Candlelight Tours (Scheduled tours from 8pm to 11pm)

Back by popular demand are the Haunted Candlelight Tours of the Central Terminal. Take a tour like you never have before deep in to the dark hallways of the Buffalo Central Terminal! Hear all the ghost stories associated with the different areas of the Central Terminal like in the baggage area, and Fedele's Apartment! We take you throughout the Concourse, down in the Trolley Lobby, and up in to the office floors where you may possibly have your own paranormal experience! You will also be able to here some of the evidence captured in the exact location paranormal activity took place! Time permitting, we may even be able to conduct our own mini-investigation to see if we can get any proof of spirit activity. Make sure to where comfortable closed toe sneakers and also bring a flashlight. These popular tours sold out immediately when we first held them last fall and we expect them to fill up fast again. Tours last about an hour long and leave every half hour. Group sizes and tickets are limited for the tour, and reservations are a must. For more information on the Candlelight Tours go to: beyondghosts.com, and tickets reservations for the scheduled tour times are available at: www.brownpapertickets.com.

'Ghost Hunters': The Team Catches Knocking And A Scream On Camera

From Huffpost TV: 'Ghost Hunters': The Team Catches Knocking And A Scream On Camera

One week before Grant Wilson's final hunt, the "Ghost Hunters" (Wed., 9 p.m. ET on Syfy) headed back to Mount Washington Resort, where they had previously had some success reaching the other side during the fourth season.
The Resort was apparently once inhabited by a French princess. Her bedroom had been a hotbed of activity the last time they were there, so they tried again. One again, they got tremendous results, as well as one of the single most chilling responses in the history of the show.
After asking for a knock if the spirit wanted them to leave, they immediately got one. The spirit even finished up the classic "shave and a haircut" knock with a resounding "two bits." But it was a muffled scream that had the guys truly stunned and repeating, "Are you kidding me?" over and over again. Reality TV Magazine called that "the creepiest moment in the entire episode."
There are always plenty of creepy moments on "Ghost Hunters," Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.

Viral voices: Why one producer went digital

From imedia.com: Viral voices: Why one producer went digital
Zack Coffman is an experienced producer who has been making and distributing films since 2005. His latest project is LiveSciFi.tv, a live-streaming ghost hunt that saw 5 million views in just three days last month. He sat down with iMedia to discuss the state of digital video today as well as some of the insights he gained from his latest venture. iMedia Connection: Can you tell me about your experience with "LiveSciFi -- the Live Streaming Ghost Hunting Show"? Did you have any surprising demographic discoveries? Do you think the show would have worked as well on traditional TV? Zack Coffman: My business partner, Scott Di Lalla, had an opportunity to go on a ghost hunt with the team as cameraman, and when he got back he said the show really had something new and special so we partnered with the creator, Tim Wood, to produce and distribute the show. Tim had a nice following already, and we felt with the right push and grass roots marketing effort we could take it to a new level. Honestly we never expected the response it got -- 5 million views in one weekend. We knew that women liked this kind of content because a similar demographic had been responding well to our recently finished feature Ouija movie "I Am ZoZo." I guess the fact that it appealed so strongly with teens (male and female) and older women (for different reasons) is what excites and challenges us going forward. I think the live interactive nature of the show is what makes it so fun and creepy. People can text the team with evidence and screen caps of what they witnessed on any of the quad cams, and the team can go over it live on camera. Also there's the whole aspect of being there with the team as they canvass real haunted houses, which is probably not something easily achievable day-to-day for most people.

Zack Coffman is an experienced producer who has been making and distributing films since 2005. His latest project is LiveSciFi.tv, a live-streaming ghost hunt that saw 5 million views in just three days last month. He sat down with iMedia to discuss the state of digital video today as well as some of the insights he gained from his latest venture.

iMedia Connection: Can you tell me about your experience with "LiveSciFi -- the Live Streaming Ghost Hunting Show"? Did you have any surprising demographic discoveries? Do you think the show would have worked as well on traditional TV?

Zack Coffman: My business partner, Scott Di Lalla, had an opportunity to go on a ghost hunt with the team as cameraman, and when he got back he said the show really had something new and special so we partnered with the creator, Tim Wood, to produce and distribute the show. Tim had a nice following already, and we felt with the right push and grass roots marketing effort we could take it to a new level. Honestly we never expected the response it got -- 5 million views in one weekend. We knew that women liked this kind of content because a similar demographic had been responding well to our recently finished feature Ouija movie "I Am ZoZo." I guess the fact that it appealed so strongly with teens (male and female) and older women (for different reasons) is what excites and challenges us going forward. I think the live interactive nature of the show is what makes it so fun and creepy. People can text the team with evidence and screen caps of what they witnessed on any of the quad cams, and the team can go over it live on camera. Also there's the whole aspect of being there with the team as they canvass real haunted houses, which is probably not something easily achievable day-to-day for most people.

iMedia: Is there a viral catalyst for digital video?

Zack: I'd say the most important catalyst is content. With all the massive amounts of video content being created these days, in the end compelling content is still king.

iMedia: What are the prime digital audiences? Are niche audiences more valuable online than in traditional?

Coffman: It used to be a much younger crowd getting video online, but these days, older people are finding ways to view content as the barriers are becoming easier to surpass. My mother and father both watch content on YouTube or various homepages. They also stream content through their DVD/BD player. I would say that niche audiences are important everywhere, but it's easier for an independent filmmaker to reach them online since TV broadcast is basically a closed market. We believe very strongly in identifying the specific groups to which our content appeals.

iMedia: How do you make money with digital content?

Coffman: We generate revenue through advertising (as in YouTube, pre-roll, in-stream, etc.), through iTunes, Amazon, YouTube rental, traditional DVD sales, and our own online streaming site StreamTown.tv.

iMedia: What are the big breaks in digital? What can online video producers do to create "buzz"?

Coffman: Apart from scandalous or salacious content, which always generates its own buzz, we try to hit people right where they live. We always say that you should make content that appeals to the heart as opposed to the head; someone will always reach first for what appeals to their hearts. If your content really appeals to people, even in a very particular group, they will help you pass it along, which makes your social strategy that much more effective.

iMedia: Are there "tipping points" (a clip being featured somewhere, someone tweeting it out, etc.)?

Coffman: It always helps to have someone with a lot of engaged followers give a shout out, and that initial burst of energy is really important for a clip to gain ground. For instance, our film "I Am ZoZo" features young actor Caleb Courtney, the older brother of Joel Courtney (Super 8), and Joel tweeted the trailer for us, which helped give it some steam. Some big sites like DreadCentral and About.com also posted it, which helped greatly. It's very important to engage in active PR for any project to really take off. Almost nothing gets discovered completely on its own. "Planning" for your clip to be the next Honey Badger isn't really playing very good odds.

iMedia: With more big names entering the digital content arena daily, what's the digital landscape going to look like in the next six months? The next year?

Coffman: It's very exciting to be on the forefront of the digital scene. We've been actively exploring the space since 2005, so I think there's a skill set that develops -- a "feel" for it that gives us a competitive edge over the big boys coming in and throwing lots of money around. It's still the Wild West and with hard work, good independent content can still have a voice. People need to demand that the internet remain free and open.

Ghost hunt set for Sat. in Snow Hill

This is a day late - so put it on your calendar for next year as I'm sure it will be annual thing.

From Ocean City Today: Ghost hunt set for Sat. in Snow Hill

(May 4, 2012) Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum will welcome guests for a ghost hunt on Saturday, May 5, from 8 p.m. until midnight. The hunt is being conducted by the Peninsula Ghost Hunters Society of Salisbury, a nonprofit organization, founded in 2009, that offers private investigations throughout Delmarva.

Vicki Rohrer, society president, finds the atmosphere, the darkness and the quiet of Furnace Town ideal for a ghost hunt. She and other members of the organization have conducted several on site in the past.

“We prefer to limit the number of participants, and all who attend must be at least 18 years old,” she said.

For reservations, call 410-632-2032. Cost is $20 per person in advance, with a 30-person limit for the event.

UK: Braintree district: Ghost-hunt in our spooky newsroom

From Braintree and Witham Tmimes: Braintree district: Ghost-hunt in our spooky newsroom
It is nearly midnight on Friday 13th and I am sat cross legged on the floor of the Times newsroom.

Its not my usual way of spending a Friday night.

But I am hunting for ghosts with the Essex Ghost Hunting team.

Legend has it that 76 High Street, Braintree is haunted.

And even the most cynical of staff admits there is something weird about the 15th century grade II listed building after dark.

We decided to invite paranormal experts in to have a look around.

To read full story, see this week's Braintree and Witham Times. (at link given above)

June 22, Kentucky - GHost Hunt

Found this on Topix.com: http://www.topix.com/forum/city/richmond-ky/TC7GR8Q3450ATPIDS If you have ever wanted to investigate the paranormal!!We are having our 3rd annual Ghost Hunt Event at White Hall Richmond Ky Fri June 22nd @ 9pm.Hosted by KYParanormal tickets are $25 per person.For more info contact whitehallclermont@gmail.com

Kansas: Haunted Wellington?

Okay - this was for Saturday... but it will undoubtedly be repeated next year so mark it on your calendars!

From The Wellington Daily News: Haunted Wellington?
Wellington, Kan. — At over 140-years old, it can't be denied that Wellington has a lot of history. With that kind of age, the town is also a potential hot-bed for paranormal activity.

Over the past few years, paranormal investigators have visited the city to perform ghost hunts for local fundraising efforts. Several of those events have been conducted by Paranormal Investigations of Wichita (PIW). Saturday, April 28 the group will be back in Wellington.

This time PIW will be taking people through the Memorial Auditorium, along with the Smith, Bales and Buckman buildings downtown, followed by the Regent Theatre.

"We're going to do something that we've never done before," said PIW's Tom Tongue. "We're going to do a live ghost hunt, in a building we've never been in." That building used to house Blossoms by Bridgett.

"I'm going to do an orientation at the Memorial Auditorium before each of the ghost hunts," Tongue explained. "...We'll give people a chance to ask questions, see how we do it, and what kind of equipment we're using." PIW is also bringing in someone with "sixth sense abilities."

"And this will be her first time in the building, so we'll get an opportunity to watch her walk through the building and see what she picks up as well," Tongue continued. As previously stated, this isn't the first time for the paranormal group to visit Wellington.

"You've got to remember, your city was founded back in the 1870's..." Tongue said. "It had a tornado, you've had a rebuilding, and it's really a very cool downtown." He noted that a lot of the downtown has been restored and is easily navigable for the ghost-hunters.

Tongue's group has been on ghost hunts in the Chisholm Trail Museum, and the Old Junior High School Building in Wellington; along with the buildings scheduled for this upcoming hunt.

"We've investigated a lot of private homes, and some private businesses..." he said. "There's a hell of a lot more going on down there than just what you read about us." So Why Wellington?

"When you've got that much history in one location, and you've got people in town who are interested in what we have to say about it, it works out pretty well," Tongue said. With PIW's past experiences in the upcoming ghost hunt locations, Tongue said people's senses are going to get a workout.

"In the auditorium, they may be able to smell something, in the Buckman building they may be able to feel something, and hear something," he explained. "In the Smith building, there's a very good chance they're going to hear and possibly see something."

For a $20 donation, people can go on the 7:30 p.m. ghost hunt on April 28. There is a VIP session at 10 p.m., at the Regent that is for a minimum of a $30 donation. All money raised during the event will go towards the restoration of the Memorial Auditorium, and the Regent.

Tickets are still on sale, and can be purchased from Pam Hinman. Anyone interested in tickets can call her at 620-326-2162 or 316-650-3930. Event organizers are asking people to wear "sensible shoes," and to bring a flashlight. Ghost hunt participants "must be in good physical health, and 16 or older."

While the town may have a lot of history, Tongue said just because a building has been a round for a long time isn't the only factor when it comes to hauntings

"It doesn't necessarily have to be aged," Tongue said. "It just has to be a place where there's been some tragedy or a place where spirits feel comfortable to return to."