With getting accepted as press for SDCC, I get several invites to various things happening in and around the convention center. When I got the invite to do round robin interviews with the crew of Ghost Adventures, I replied and accepted it. I never actually expect to get approved and was thrilled when I got confirmation.
We had planned to get into the panel, but didn’t get in. Instead we spent some last bit of time on the con floor before going back to the Hilton for the press event.
We got into the room at 2:50 and checked in. The women informed us that instead of round robin interviews, they would be doing everything press conference style. After everyone was checked in and settled, one of women told us that Zak wasn’t feeling well and would not be joining the conference.
Shortly after that, Aaron, Billy, and Jay came in to do a couple of minutes of photos before questions started.
Fair warning: I couldn’t hear a lot of the people who were asking questions. I tried to reconstruct the questions from the snippets I heard and the answers given. Also, I was typing this as it was happening {like I do with all of my recaps}, so this is about 85-90% of what was said.
How did you get into this?
A: I filed with the Nevada Film Commission. I was a PA and then worked my way up. I did everything. It was a good 10-15 years of hard work.
How do you protect yourself?
A: I tried protection once and it got worse. I don’t do anything now.
B: I do sage and prayer. It’s not needed every episode.
J: I don’t do cleansing. I try to submerge myself in positivity. Go out in nature, pet my dog.
What’s your favorite piece of equipment?
A: I like to say my body. If we’re talking equipment, I’d say the spirit box.
B: We get so many pieces of new tech, but the SLS for me.
J: Your body first, but you bring out the equipment to validate what you’re feeling.
Where’s the scariest place you’ve been put in by yourself?
A: My house? I guess probably Zak’s museum. He has the worst stuff. It’s always a bad two weeks after.
In the panel, you talked about HH Holmes for the mini series?
J: The house is the most famous, but it’s not there any longer. We found a place where he rented a house in Joliet and killed a boy. We’re going to focus on that.
Can you talk about the Conjuring house?
A: We’re one of the first people to be allowed in a long time. If we’re alive in the next couple of months, you’ll know it went okay.
How do you deal when nothing’s working and there are no results?
A: It’s gotten to the point where spirits will react right away.
So they know you’re coming?
J: We’ve had people say that as soon as it’s known we’re coming, activity will really heighten.
B: We film for 3 days and have about 40 hours to go through. What you see for the episode is like a highlights reel. I’ll go through and then take the shots to Zak.
For the average person, where do you go if you want to get started?
A: If you’re willing to open that door, nothing will ever be the same. It’s important to know that. You can go to places where you live that have scary backgrounds. Make sure you go place that are open to the public. And know if you call them up, to get permission.
Where do you want to investigate the most?
A: Disneyland and the Haunted Mansion.
What’s the process of getting equipment from place to place?
J: Once we get there, it’s a live investigation. We travel with everything. We have 40+ cases with us at all times. TSA must hate us.
B: Different locations require different things.
What do you think is the key to your longevity?
B: Chemistry. We’re all so different.
A: Me working for this show happened on accident.
B: I was a Las Vegas DJ who saw the documentary and messaged Zak through MySpace and we met up.
J: I think it’s special because it is us. We go and we film it. It’s raw and real.
B: It’s not cookie cutter. There’s not a script. We do have a few interviews planned, but it’s sort of whatever.
J: I’ve worked in tv and film for a long time and I was just the sound guy. I remember when I finally saw the episode and I thought “yeah, that’s exactly what happened.” Nothing was twisted.
B: If nothing happens, we stay longer.
A: We try to debunk everything.
How do you protect yourself physically?
A: You just go in and just hope that you don’t fall through the floor. There’s no prepping.
B: Zak wears masks because of his respiratory issues. If we’re wearing masks, it means there’s black mold.
What cameras you use?
J: Canon C-300. It’s a work horse. They get dusty and dirty and dropped. They’re great.
How do you suggest support?
J: people are sharing stories now. It’s not until you have your own experience that you’ll believe. We still approach things as a skeptic.
B: I was a skeptic until Zak sent me somewhere and I had my experience. It changed me.
J: There’s a community out there.
B: My brother doesn’t believe and we have the conversation all the time.
A: I think eventually we’ll have a way to go through something and see your loved ones.
Have you ever questioned continuing?
A: Every single lock down. I always think that I’m going to quit.
J: There’s always something that will always shock us.
Scariest moment?
B: In 230 episodes, there’s a lot.
Besides ghosts, what gets you up in the morning?
A: Coffee
J: Music and art. I have a passion to be creative. I’m always trying to keep my brain going.
B: My family and my pets.
A: I paint and I go to Disneyland for a few days.
Scariest thing in Zak’s museum?
J: The dybbuk box and Ed Gein’s cauldron.
A: I look at all of it as one thing. It’s tough to go in there because they all live together.
Locations you’re excited for?
B: The Pasadena location we just filmed.
A: I did something dumb that I shouldn’t have done and I’ll never do it again. You’ll see.
B: The guy we met with can summon spirits and we did a seance and used a Ouija board.
Does it bother you to see what other people are doing?
A: I don’t ever watch ever the shows. I’m just concentrating on what we’re doing. I do watch horror movies and laugh.
J: It can be frustrating at times. We go through these personal experiences and we’ll think something is going to change the world, but now it’s just a personal journey.
B: It’s not about even trying to prove anything.
A: If you don’t want to believe, it’s probably better.
How do you wind down?
J: We call it the lock down hangover. It lasts about 3 days. Just do whatever positivity grounds you and brings you back down.
Are you ever off the clock?
A: No, because nightmares.
J: And family members will share their stories.
B: I’m always watching it too.
J: It’s not a job, it’s actually our life now.
Photo credit: Billy Evans
From there, the guys stood for a few more photos before thanking us for being there and leaving.
Huge thanks to the Travel Channel for the invite and to Aaron, Billy, and Jay for taking the time to do press. I’m super excited to see the upcoming episodes on serial killers and the Halloween special in the Conjuring house.
Wow, thanks for doing this post! I used to be a ghost hunting reality show fanatic before I got rid of our cable TV service. I used to watch Zak and the guys all the time. We have a couple of local paranormal investigation groups I watch on Youtube, but I really miss the national shows, though. I should see where else I can watch them. I call myself a very sceptical believer. I’ve had too much happen that other people experienced at the same time to deny there is something out there. ?
We’ve watched them since the beginning and can’t get enough. I’m also a skeptical believer. I’ve had things happen throughout my life, but for some reason I’m still not 100%
Thanks for reading and commenting!
What a cool opportunity.
Thanks! It was pretty cool.
This is so interesting!! I’m so happy you got such an awesome opportunity, I love that you recapped everything for us, great post!! ??
Thank you!!