Welcome back guest blogger Lindsey Lewis! Lindsey is a Web Contest Specialist at Mr. Costumes and Christmas Lights Etc.

It’s almost here, shuffling in the streets and leaving loose limbs behind. October 16th marks the premiere of The Walking Dead Season 2, and the excitement is rising like the dead bodies.

Many people have taken an interest in the AMC original show based on a comic book of the same name. The story follows Rick Grimes, played by British actor Andrew Lincoln, as he and his family try to survive the apocalypse filled with the animated corpses of his previous society. What many people don’t know, however, is that The Walking Dead was actually filmed in the city in which it was set: Atlanta, GA.

A year and a half ago, I was looking for a summer job in between college semesters. I had worked at Netherworld Haunted House part time the year before, but they weren’t open during the summer to regular haunters and I needed some work. One of my Netherworld coworkers mentioned they were applying to be a zombie on a television show and gave me the name of the casting company. I sent in my headshot and bodyshot (taken outside in my yard that very day, so it was not at all professional), my height and weight, and my clothing sizes and waited for an answer.

I was one of the few hundred called in for what the AMC was calling “Zombie School,” a nifty little training session where choreographers literally taught us how zombies moved. Initially we watched movies filled with zombies and took notes on their movements, then we went through obstacle courses meant to determine our skill. All the while, directors, including makeup pro Greg Nicotero, were standing by and making notes on their favorite potential zombies. Greg pulled me aside that day when I said my favorite zombie movie was the Spanish “Rec” and told me he wanted me for a featured zombie role. I wasn’t quite sure what that meant, but I was excited nonetheless. continue reading this entry »

Many people still do not have DVR’s and the current trend is to watch TV shows and specials online like on Hulu and Netflix. It can also be frustrating when you can’t find something on DVD or the movie/special airs only once during the whole month of October. I do find that it is very easy to watch TV while on the computer, especially if you have a great monitor.

Each year I like to list the movies and specials that can be found online, they can be easy to find if you know where to look. The following are the specials and movies available on Youtube: Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Halloweentown II, Halloween Town High, Return to Halloweentown, Don’t Look Under the Bed, The Haunted Mask, Scary Godmother, Scary Godmother Revenge of Jimmy, The Good Witch, Garfield’s Halloween Adventure, Mom’s Got a Date With a Vampire, Under Wraps, The Halloween Tree, Young Frankenstein, History of Halloween. Get some popcorn, press the full screen button and enjoy! If you happen to find other movies and specials online, feel free to share via comment below! Also updated is the TV Guide, more updates coming soon.

The day Halloween fans have been waiting for all year long is finally here, October first! Halloween can never come fast enough, but once it’s here, I go into full Halloween mode. October first marks the beginning of the Halloween season. I like to start the festivities right with spooky music, scented candles, movies and decorations. The days finally begin to cool, the leaves change to beautiful colors and night comes early.

The Halloween TV Guide has been extensively updated through October 8th and you can find all the Halloween movies and specials airing. Additional updates include: Witching Hour Cutouts, Cheesecake Brownies, Candy Corn Cookies, Mulled Cider, Goblins Hot Chocolate, Slow Cooker Witch’s Cider, Ghostini, Candy Corn Smoothies, New Halloween Invitations, Floral Pumpkin Centerpiece and Boo! Mantel idea.

Guest Blogger: Lindsey Lewis, Web Contest Specialist at Mr. Costumes and Christmas Lights Etc.

Every year since I was a child, I looked forward to Halloween. What wasn’t to love? Costumes, free candy, time to play with your friends, and colder weather as fall turned to winter. There were no complaints from this kid when October rolled around. Of course, that had a lot to do with my favorite holiday, Halloween, and, whether I dressed as one of the numerous Disney princesses or one of my mother’s homemade black cats, I loved Halloween costumes so much that they left a lasting impression on me.

Years later, when I was much “too old” for Halloween (as they say) and I was trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life, I went right back into trick-or-treating. At first it was merely a college job; I worked for two different haunted houses, one at the Children’s Museum in Macon and the other the world famous Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta, Georgia. “Professional zombie” just had a nice ring to it.

Meanwhile, I was trying to obtain an English degree. I certainly didn’t think my English degree would end up with my working in the Halloween industry–or working anywhere else for that matter. However, my love for Halloween didn’t diminish in college as much as I worked and scared and dressed like a dead girl. Instead, it increased, and I found myself traveling around the United States to costuming conventions and making my own outfits as a seamstress.

Upon the dreaded graduation, I started my job search. I had an impressive resume under my belt so long as I could find some Halloween-related work. Whether by chance or Halloween luck, a local Halloween costume company, Mr. Costumes, was hiring writers. Not only would I utilize my degree but also I would work with the holiday I was most passionate about. Since graduating, I have been a writer at Mr. Costumes focusing on web content, blogging, and the social media campaign. To say Halloween is every day for me now would be an understatement. I work closely with the costumes I love and spend a good portion of my day dreaming up grand Halloween parties.

If you want to work like it’s Halloween all year round, open yourself up to some new experiences. Here are some jobs that will have you working closely with the industry:

- Get a job at a Halloween store and become familiar with the products.
- Work as a haunter at a haunted house. Make sure you keep your eyes open and your hands ready to work. Learning to make Halloween props and costumes can be a lucrative business.
- Offer to be an extra on horror themed movies and television shows. Getting experience in the industry is key. (Remember ‘professional zombie’? It wasn’t so much a joke.)
- Visit industry conventions like HauntCon to learn more about a life in the Halloween industry.
- Watch out for awesome opportunities. You never know what’s out there!

Halloween has become the second biggest holiday in the United States, second only to Christmas. With a business this big and lucrative, there are jobs out there. If you dream of working in the Halloween industry, never give up. There is a place for you, too.