What should come and go for Halloweekends?

RockStar21 said:
skiboi007 and others thinking about being a Screamster,

I strongly encourage you to at least try being a Screamster. Just like Wiggum and CP/PKIdude said, there are many Screamsters that are there half the time. Its better to be there every weekend, but some people cant do that. They are in the same situation that you are in. Its an experience that you will want to keep doing year after year, and once Halloweekends is done for the season, you're gonna want more every weekend. But that just builds the excitement and thrill for the next season! :) I've always wanted to be a Screamster since I was a little kid, and then I finally turned 18 and was out and about scaring people. Not many people can go around bragging about being a Screamster and scaring the s*** out of people as their job. It is by far the best job on the planet!!! I wish it went on 24/7 and not only a few weekends per year though. But go online to CP's website and apply. You wont regret it!

I agree. Last year was my first year being a Screamster and I am definitely coming back. It was most likely the best job that I've ever had. Plus it is a great workout.

Im new on here and this is my first post yeah. I am planning on becoming a screamster this year and had a few questions.1. Will they take me if im only 4'10 and wear hearing aids?2. Will you be able to ride any rides before you go into makeup?3 Can you chose where u want to scare people at such as fright zone etc.4 I like going through the haunts myself is there days were the haunts stay open after closing time.5 Do people usually hit you because i wouldnt take much of that it! what do you do then?6 is everyone friendly because i would like someone to teach me what to do lolThanks looking foward to be scaring you this fall hahahahahahaha yeah

1. They most likely will!
2. Depending on your make-up time. If its a Friday and your time is at 5, then no. Saturdays you'll be fine. The lines are usually outrageous though!
3. You do have a choice, but since you're a "rookie" if you will, you will be placed where the most help is needed. I wanted to be in Fright Zone but it was filled, so I went to Terror Island and loved it there and am going back on it this year. So I plan.
4. Last year there were employee nights where you can go through them, but it got cancelled half way through Halloweekends.
5. You usually get hit if you scare somebody really bad. Most of the time it is on accident, others can be totally on purpose. If they hit you on purpose for no absolute reason you blow your whistle (thats provided) and the cops will be there to see whats going on.
6. You will get along with many, if not all the Screamsters. Sure we can be mean/cruel while working, but we're friendly outside of the mask. You'll get the hang of getting good scares once you get out there and start. It'll take time, but it'll happen. You just need a little patience.

thank man for the reply i hope that i will do it. it sounds like alot of fun i been wanting to do it for quite some time.

RockStar pretty much covered everything, but I'll elaborate a little bit.

1. Definitely. As long as you're 18 or older we take people of all shapes and sizes.

2. As stated above, yes you can. You also usually have the option of working somewhere in the park during the day if you're interested and there's a need, or work in the parade, but that's entirely optional (at least as of last season).

3. When you do your phone interview with Peggy, you can let her know if you have a preference, but it does depend on where the space is available. Returners get first choice, and Fright Zone is always the most popular and first zone to fill up. The earlier you apply the better your chances would be to get in a particular zone.

4. There's not much of a chance to go through the zones unless you've scheduled a night off or something. Of course, we'd much rather have you working than taking nights off to play in the park. On very rare occasions, your TL may allow you to spend an hour or so in another zone, but it's not something you should count on.

5. Like RockStar said, 90% of the time when you get hit it's a genuine reaction to getting scared, and it's usually just a push or a flailing arm. You'll get pretty good at judging how people are going to react to getting scared just by looking at them, and you'll figure out how to avoid getting hit. The other 10% of the time it is somebody just being flat out stupid. They are more prone to doing things like trying to rip off your mask/costume or grab you than just throwing punches, although that does happen. I know it sounds intimidating to some people, but it's really not that big of a deal. If you keep your whistle handy, the cops and other Screamsters will have your back and the punks will get dealt with.

6. The Screamsters are definitely the most interesting and diverse group of people I've ever worked with, but they are all very friendly, at least when out of character. Myself and the two other team leaders, along with the rest of the retuners, are more than happy to do whatever it takes to make sure new Screamsters get the hang of things. During training we'll go into the zones and go over all the basic types of scares and talk a lot about character development. I'd say less than 25% of people are totally awesome and natural at it their first night out. The rest pick up pretty fast. Your TLs and veterans are always available to help with character development, placement in the zone, and what type of scare works best for you. You just have to be willing to work with us and put forth the effort.

One last thing that I'll mention, just sort of as a general guideline. This job is physical physical physical. Every year we get a few people who think they can just stand (or even worse, sit) around and stare at somebody and have that be creepy. A good Screamster will spend their night either running, jumping, screaming, crawling, staggering, climbing, darting, sliding, yelling or doing any or all of the above. Pretty much constant movement of some form or another for 4 hours straight. There's a saying some of us have that "if you don't feel like hell at the end of the night, you aren't working hard enough." But believe me, it's totally worth it. :)

^ It definitely is! I was completely sore the first two weekends, but as the weekends went on, I got into better shape.

Tell me about it. Last year I ran a half-marathon in 

Akron and went to work in Terror Island the same night. 

Bad idea! When midnight came, I didn't want to move. 

Im sorry for asking alot of questions but I have a few more. By the way you guys had helped alot so thanks again.1 When should i apply for the job?2 when do you go into training and what do u learn there? 3 Im form toledo so where do you stay at overnight.4 During the first couple of nights are you partnered up with a vertran. I really want to do this and will give 100% every night only problem is that I have asthma. Funny story on how I wanted to become a screamster. Last halloween at school before class. I have brought a mask to school. It was a evil clown mask. So i went up a down the hallways scaring the crap out of everyone im so short that no one notice me until they are 10 feet in front of me lol. So anyway there was this girl that i didnt know she had great fear of clowns boy did she freak out and ran all the way down the hallway it was so loud that everyone looked at me and i yelled booo and some of the girls screamed. I knew this is what I wanted to do one day. Lame story lol.

1. You have to email a lady named Peggy. You'll have to find her email address on the Cedar Point website. She'll then put you on her list but tell you to wait to apply until she tells you on further notice.
2. Training is the weekend before Halloweekends kicks off! You get your costume assigned and watch a few videos about scaring and all sorts of things like that.
3. Since you live in Toldeo, you'll have the option of staying in the Cedar Point dorms. I live nearby, so I just go home, so I cant tell you anything about that. Hopefully one of the other Screamsters will help you out with this one.
4. When I started last year, I was with another "rookie." We learned on our own and had a blast (hes actually a really good friend of mine now!) You might get paired with a verteran, but then again maybe you wont. Asthma could get in the way of you wearing a mask. When you have the phone interview you will be asked if you have any medical issues. You will have to tell them everything to make sure that nothing will happen to you while you're working. If they dont put a mask on you, your face will get painted. Its not a big deal... you'll still look evil! But Im glad to hear that you're interested and that you're willing to go 100%!

We def are the most interesting group. I wont mention names but we have people from all walks of life. One of the best parts about this job is just sitting around and learning from some of the other peoples experiences. Iv met people who have been just having a really bad time in there life's to people who have stuff they have designed and built on mars. We are all here to help anyone that needs for it. The single biggest piece of advice I can tell anyone is when you put that mask on you become someone else. Your no longer bob or sue your whoever you believe your character is. When you go to scare try new things, don't be afraid to be laughed at. the best screamsters out there will tell you they have tried countless things that don't work, that's the only for them to find out what works. I'm here to help anyone I can, if you have a question you don't want to ask us on here, just pm us. if you need me you can reach me on aim at tothie08 When you IM me tell me who you are and Ill help you anyway I can or find someone who can help you.

chris cp freak said:
3 Im form toledo so where do you stay at overnight.4 During the first couple of nights are you partnered up with a vertran.

If you live out of the area (Toledo) you can stay at the dorms. It's free during Halloweekends, so that's a big plus. The only issue my wife and I had with the dorms is.......well it's typical dorm life. After an exhausting night, the constant slamming of doors can become annoying when trying to sleep. However I was often so tired by the time we finally got in, I fell asleep after a few minutes.

Last year was my first year and I also wondered how I would learn what to do. I anticipated being partnered up, and never really was. I worked in Fear Faire and found out that most of our zone was also there for their first years. As many have said in other posts, you just pick up on certain techniques. Everyone is extremely nice and willing to help. This is a real teamwork kind of job, and how well your team works is what makes a zone successful. The best tip I can give is character development. You really do develop a whole new persona when the makeup is on. You just have to make sure you can keep that persona at bay when appropriate. I've caught myself many times walking through the park during the day time looking at people a potential targets for later on that night.

yea the target thing still hasnt gone away for me yet haha its getting worse by the day now.

^ ha ha me too. The way I was moving and dodging around people at work in the cafeteria brought back memories. Not to mention this thread is making me more and more excited with each new post.

^ You're welcome for starting it! haha.

Man all this information is getting me pumped up I cant find peggy email dont u apply sometime in Augest. Im not even going to worry about my ashtma. I will have to much fun lol. So anyone have any funny stories about being a screamster.

Your going to want to tell them about your asthma, otherwise your just filling out a false application. Screamsters sometimes have to work in extreme fog, like especially at fear fair. The fog become incredible thick, like to the point to were I couldn't see my own elbow. I'm sure you can try it and if you cant handle the fog they could put you someplace to were the fog isn't bad but that would be your Tl's decision on were you go.

Yes around July august is when they hire. remember we start in September so if your working somewhere else and want to do this you'll have to get the days off and its best to do that with as much notice at possible.

oh and yes If your going to be a screamster your going to need some clothes, aka black clothes. Its prob a good idea to get some beforehand than last minute. One of the biggest things your going to want to get is a really comfortable pair of black shoes. also remember we work in all weather conditions so your going to want a full shoes like a basketball or work shoe.

well the fog does not bugs me so that not what im worried about it cool im ready

Don't worry about finding Peggy's email. Around the middle to end of July they will start advertising on the CP website. That is where you will apply and then worry about emailing Peggy (if she is still the one who will hire).

^ She still should be. I've recruited some of my friends to be Screamsters this year and they sent her emails. She wrote back and told them not to apply yet! So Im assuming she is still hiring.

Wait till July.. do NOT try to apply right now because you can get lost in the system. They will announce when the job code goes active.