Working the Fright Shift

Ken Parks - Part 2

As we bring Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift to a close, we return to our conversation with Ken Parks, the current Vice President of Creative Development for Corporate Planning & Design at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, whose creative fingerprints are etched into the very soul of Knott’s Scary Farm. In this second chapter, we shift from stages to the legendary attractions he helped shape — the kind of work that didn’t just entertain guests but redefined what a Halloween theme park event could be. For this edition of The Horror Blueprint, we confront one of the scariest horror creations ever publicized. And in Echoes of the Past, we tackle one of the most pivotal questions in Halloween theme park history, tracing how its answers continue to steer my own creative compass today. Close the gates behind you as we clock out...of Season 2 of Working the Fright Shift.

Ken Parks

In this week's Working the Fright Shift, we sit down with Ken Parks, the current Vice President of Creative Development for Corporate Planning & Design at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, whose creative DNA is forever intertwined with the legacy of Knott’s Scary Farm. From his early days performing and writing shows to helping shape the groundbreaking world of Ghost Town Alive, Ken’s career is a masterclass in storytelling, character, and theme park innovation. In this edition of The Horror Blueprint, we wade into a long‑running horror debate.  And in Echoes of the Past, we follow the guides who led thousands into the dark and helped carve the path toward the Halloween entertainment I create today. Step into the story — the fog has plenty to say inside The Fright Shift.

Haunt Comp

Haunt Comp takes center stage this week as we shine a light on the annual haunted house design competition that’s become a launchpad for rising haunt creators and a celebration of the craft behind immersive fear. Joining us as this episode’s Fear Architects are Xochilt Khoury, Executive Producer and Co‑Founder, and Taylor Scott, Executive Producer — two driving forces who’ve helped transform Haunt Comp into a creative arena where innovation, artistry, and Halloween passion collide. In The Horror Blueprint, we pull inspiration from one of horror’s legendary trailblazers.   Then, in Echoes of the Past, we revisit a foundational form of horror entertainment that paved the way for modern haunts and shaped my own path into this world of shadows and storytelling. Strap in — it’s time to clock in to Working the Fright Shift.

Cupcakes & Coasters

Joining Working the Fright Shift is Jordan of Cupcakes and Coasters, the sharp‑witted creator whose blend of theme park insight, humor, and honesty has made her one of the most recognizable voices in the UK coaster and attractions community. From deep‑dive essays to spirited critiques, she brings a perspective that’s equal parts fan passion and industry savvy. In this edition of The Horror Blueprint, we tune our ears to the sonic textures that make fear vibrate.   In Echoes of the Past, we wander back to the places where graves line the fog‑filled hillside, tracing how those early encounters with atmosphere continue to shape the Halloween worlds I work on today. Follow the fog — it always knows the way into The Fright Shift.

Jamie Weisgerber

This week on Working the Fright Shift, I shine a spotlight on Jamie Weisgerber, the creative force behind Samhain’s Lot, one of Southern California’s most beloved and meticulously crafted home haunts. Jamie’s passion for Halloween, his cinematic eye for detail, and his ability to transform a neighborhood yard into a fully realized world have earned him admiration from fans, fellow haunters, and industry pros alike. In this episode’s The Horror Blueprint, we explore the lighter side of fear — those playful, mischievous horrors that remind us Halloween can be just as fun as it is frightening. And in Echoes of the Past, we revisit a few iconic haunt experiences that shaped my own journey in Halloween entertainment. Mind the pumpkins — they tend to lead you places inside The Fright Shift…