Ghost Adventures
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| Ghost Adventures | |
|---|---|
 Series title card |
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| Genre | Paranormal |
| Format | Live-action |
| Created by | Zak Bagans Nick Groff |
| Written by | Zak Bagans |
| Starring | Zak Bagans Nick Groff Aaron Goodwin |
| No. of seasons | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 88 (plus the 24 special ones not included in list) (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Daniel A. Schwartz Joe Townley Michael Yudin Nick Groff Zak Bagans |
| Editor(s) | Zak Bagans Nick Groff |
| Location(s) | United States United Kingdom (6 episodes) Italy (1 episode) Canada (1 episode) Jamaica (1 episode) |
| Cinematography | Zak Bagans Nick Groff Aaron Goodwin |
| Camera setup | Multiple |
| Running time | 42 minutes (excluding commercials) |
| Production company(s) | MY Tupelo Entertainment |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Travel Channel |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) 720p (HDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Original run | October 17, 2008 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Paranormal Challenge Ghost Adventures Live (2009) |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Ghost Adventures is an American paranormal television series that premiered on October 17, 2008, on the Travel Channel. Produced by MY-Tupelo Entertainment, (a merger of MY Entertainment and Tupelo-Honey Productions),[1] the program follows ghost hunters Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin, as they investigate locations that are reported to be haunted. The show is introduced and narrated by Bagans.
Origin
Ghost Adventures began as an independent film, produced in a documentary style. It was filmed in 2004 and produced by 4Reel Productions in 2006. The Sci-Fi Channel premiered 4Reel's Ghost Adventures on July 25, 2007. The documentary centred on the trio's investigation of alleged paranormal activity in and around Virginia City, Nevada. The crew returned there during the series' fifth season.[2] The film also featured Goldfield, Nevada, where the crew later returned to the Goldfield Hotel.
Summary
Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin investigate reportedly haunted locations, hoping to collect visual or auditory evidence of paranormal activity. Each episode begins with the trio touring the investigation site with its owners or caretakers. These introductions typically include Zak's voice-overs of the site's history as well as interviews with people who claim to have witnessed paranormal phenomena there. On the basis of these interviews, the crew place X's with black or gray tape at the sites of alleged activity. They later return to these spots in order to set up static night-vision cameras.
After completing the walk-through they discuss their strategy, then lock themselves in the location overnight, which they believe will prevent "audio contamination". They use a variety of equipment, including digital thermometers, electromagnetic field (EMF) meters, handheld digital video cameras, audio recorders, the Ovilus device, and infrared night-vision cameras in an effort to capture evidence of ghosts. The members sometimes place objects and shout verbal taunts they believe ghosts might move or respond to.
At the end of the episode, they analyze their audio, photographs, and video footage, often with the assistance of alleged paranormal experts, and present anything they feel is "unexplained phenomena" to the audience.
During the series, the crew claims to have captured and experienced various Fortean phenomena, which they say include simultaneous equipment malfunctions such as battery drain, voltage spikes, fluctuations in electromagnetic fields, sudden changes in temperature (such as cold spots), unexplained noises, electronic voice phenomena (EVP), and apparitions.
The crew also claim to have recorded spirit possessions on video. Bagans believes that he was possessed at the Preston School of Industry and at Poveglia Island in Italy. Groff claims that he was overtaken by a "dark energy" at the Moon River Brewing Company. Goodwin claims he was "under the influence of a dark spirit" at Bobby Mackey's Music World and Winchester Mystery House.[citation needed]
Cast and crew
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This section is too long. Consider splitting it into new pages, adding subheadings, or condensing it. (December 2012) |
The permanent[3] members of the cast and crew are Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin.
Zachary Bagans
Zachary Alexander Bagans; born on April 5, 1977,[4] known professionally as Zak Bagans, is an American executive producer, director, writer, musician and lead investigator/co-founder of the Ghost Adventures Crew (G.A.C.) organization. G.A.C. is currently one of the largest worldwide network of professional paranormal investigators. He is also the executive producer and editor of the Travel Channel American paranormal television series, Ghost Adventures.
Early life
Zak Bagans was born in Washington D.C and states he grew up in Las Vegas.[4] Bagans attended the Motion Picture Institute in Michigan.[5] Following graduation from MPI, he moved to Las Vegas, aspiring to film documentaries. After arriving in Las Vegas, he found work as a wedding disc jockey and eventually met his future Ghost Adventures co-hosts, Groff and Goodwin.[6] A former skeptic, Bagans says that his passion for investigating the paranormal resulted from what he describes as "a face-to-face encounter with the spirit of a suicidal woman", which he says haunted his former apartment building in Trenton, Michigan.
Career and Ghost Adventures
Bagans has been criticized by some paranormal enthusiasts for the aggressive and confrontational methods he uses during investigations. In response, he maintains he respects the afterlife and only provokes "evil entities" in order to elicit responses. In a June 2009 interview with Paranormal Underground magazine, he stated, "I don't want the public perceiving us as the taunting, provocative ghost hunters. We do that only to the bad spirits who we know are attacking the living."[7] Bagans mentions this concept multiple times during the series, as well as during interviews.
Bagans opened each episode of Ghost Adventures with the following voice introduction until Season 7:
| “ | My name is Zak Bagans. I never believed in ghosts until I came face to face with one. So I set out on a quest to capture what I once saw onto video. With no big camera crews following us around, I am joined only by my fellow investigator Nick Groff and our equipment tech Aaron Goodwin. The three of us will travel to some of the most highly active paranormal locations, where we will spend an entire night being locked down... from dusk until dawn. Raw; extreme; these are our Ghost Adventures. | ” |
After Season 7, a slightly different introduction was used:
| “ | My name is Zak Bagans, Lead Investigator of the Ghost Adventures Crew. I never believed in ghosts until I came face to face with one. So I set out on a quest to capture what I once saw onto video. With no big camera crews following us around, I am joined only by my fellow investigators, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin. The three of us will travel to some of the most highly active paranormal locations, where we will spend an entire night being locked down... from dusk until dawn. Raw; extreme; these are our Ghost Adventures. | ” |
In season 3, Bagans summarized his greatest fears while climbing an old staircase inside a shot tower at the Remington Arms factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut: "Heights, snakes, and creepy-looking dolls... those are on Zak's top three I-don't-like list." Bagans encountered situations involving these fears in the episodes at Sloss Furnaces, Idaho State Penitentiary, and the Riddle House, respectively.[4]
For one season in 2011, Bagans hosted Paranormal Challenge, a concurrent spin-off program also on the Travel Channel. He narrated a 2011 Travel Channel special called Ultimate Travel: Legends of the Parks, about paranormal activities in America's National Parks.[8][specify][better source needed]
On March 2011, Bagans expressed an interest in going to Washington, D.C. and "investigating the places where history is made. — particularly Congress and the White House." He petitioned the fans for the White House visit.[9] Bagans wrote a book with author Kelly Crigger titled Dark World: Into the Shadows with the Lead Investigator of the Ghost Adventures Crew (Victory Belt, 2011). On September 23, the book debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list at number 18.[10]
In 2012, Bagans planned to continue the series, launch his private clothes line called DungeonWear, and appear in two music collaborations: one with Lords of Acid on the song "Paranormal Energy" and on an album called "Necrofusion" with Praga Khan.[11] Bagans produced Paranormal Paparazzi, a reality show that premiered on September 28.[12]
Nick Groff
Nicholas "Nick" Groff (born April 19, 1980) is a co-investigator and executive producer of Ghost Adventures, as well as an editor and cameraman for the show. He is a co-founder of GAC, the Ghost Adventures Crew. Groff was Executive Producer for a show on the Travel Channel called Vegas Stripped, a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, NV.
Born in San Jose, California, Groff grew up in New England. He graduated from Pelham High School and later studied film at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he met Aaron Goodwin. After graduation, his interest in the paranormal led him to become a ghost hunter. His fascination in the field, however, began much earlier in life. At the age of eight he fell out of a tree in the yard of his family's home in Salem, New Hampshire. Groff describes it as "a near-death experience," though he underwent none of the events traditionally associated with a near-death experience, such as seeing deceased relatives or being drawn toward a tunnel of light. Two years later, while at home alone, he says he saw a ghostly black figure. In a 2012 interview, Groff said he wondered: "Was it my imagination? Or was it something from my accident that made me more open to that world?"[13]
After Groff met and befriended Bagans during Groff's wedding in Las Vegas, the two joined forces.[14][15]
Groff claims he was possessed by an entity at the Moon River Brewing Company in Savannah, Georgia and says it was one of his "most life-changing experiences".[16] According to Groff, an encounter with a female spirit at the Linda Vista Community Hospital in East Los Angeles, California gave him insights into life after death. Groff uses the term "Energy Doesn't Die," and says he is "searching every day" to experience "the other side". Groff was once again allegedly possessed in Natchez, Mississippi during the investigation of King's Tavern.
Groff released a music CD entitled The Other Side. He wrote, produced, and sang all the tracks. The lyrics recall Groff's spiritual journey.[17] He also has a clothing line named "Phantom Collection".[18] As of 2012, he and his wife Veronique reside in New Hampshire and Massachusetts with their daughter, Annabelle.[17]
Aaron Goodwin
Aaron Goodwin (born April 1, 1976) is an equipment technician, camera operator and co-investigator of Ghost Adventures.
Before joining Bagans and Groff, Goodwin had worked as a camera operator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and several behind-the-scenes film premieres in Las Vegas.[19] Goodwin says that prior to his experiences in Virginia City, Nevada,[14] he "never really thought twice about ghosts." Goodwin reportedly appears perpetually terrified on the show and considers himself "a hundred percent – no, a thousand percent – believer."[15] Goodwin is often left alone in the alleged "hotspots" during lockdowns to act as bait for supposed paranormal "entities".[20][21]
At Preston Castle, the crew claimed that marks which appeared on Goodwin's left leg were similar to those that appeared on Bagans' back during the first Bobby Mackey nightclub investigation.
The crew set up an experiment at the Winchester Mystery House where they hoped to communicate with "demonic entities" at Bobby Mackey's Music World and Washoe Club, claiming that very low frequencies, coil antennae, and satellite communication would facilitate it. Goodwin was thought by the crew to be the prime target of "demonic attacks" due to nausea, fatigue, and feelings of dread. According to the crew, Goodwin became "possessed" during the investigation.
Goodwin sells a line of clothing bearing the label "Big Steppin".[22]
Originally from Portland, Oregon, as of 2012 he resides in Las Vegas.
Recurring
The following people have regularly appeared in the show as part of the GAC:
- Jay Wasley - Audio technician for the GAC: Recurring
- Billy Tolley – Audio/Video analyst for the GAC and a founding member of the Paranormal Investigations of Mysterious Phenomena Squad: recurring
- Mark and Debby Constantino – EVP experts and analysts: recurring
Notable guests
Ghost Adventures has involved celebrities who have participated in the investigations or appeared in the episodes as eyewitnesses:
- The Real Hollywood Ghost Hunters – Paranormal Investigating Group: "Pico House" episode, including Kane Hodder, R.A. Mihailoff, and Rick McCallum
- Brendan Schaub – UFC Fighter: "Peabody-Whitehead Mansion" episode.
- Chad Lindberg – Actor: "Return to Linda Vista Hospital" episode. Chad allegedly received three scratch marks on his back similar to Zak at Bobby Mackey's and Aaron at Preston Castle
- Vince Neil – Front man of Mötley Crüe: "The Riviera Hotel" episode.
- Jamie Gold – Professional Poker player: "The Riviera Hotel" episode.
- Bruce Westcott – Frank Sinatra's former pianist: "The Riviera Hotel" episode.
- Loretta Lynn – Country singer-songwriter: "Loretta Lynn's Plantation House" episode.
- Brit Morgan - Actress: "Glen Tavern Inn" episode
- Mimi Page - Musician: "Glen Tavern Inn" episode
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | DVD and Blu-ray release date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season premiere | Season finale | Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | |||
| 1 | 8 | October 17, 2008 | December 5, 2008 | August 18, 2009 | N/A | N/A | |
| 2 | 8 | June 5, 2009 | July 24, 2009 | September 14, 2010 | N/A | N/A | |
| 3 | 10 | November 6, 2009 | January 8, 2010 | September 6, 2011 | N/A | N/A | |
| 4 | 27 | September 17, 2010 | June 10, 2011 | September 4, 2012 | N/A | N/A | |
| 5 | 10 | September 23, 2011 | December 16, 2011 | TBA | N/A | N/A | |
| 6 | 7 | March 9, 2012 | April 27, 2012 | TBA | N/A | N/A | |
| 7 | 18 | September 14, 2012 | April 19, 2013 | TBA | N/A | N/A | |
| 8 | TBA | August 16, 2013 | TBA | TBA | N/A | N/A | |
Reception
The 2004 documentary film Ghost Adventures received several awards, including the 2006 Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF).[23] Seasons 1 and 2 were released on DVD on August 18, 2009.
Occasionally conducting public investigations with fans and paranormal enthusiasts, the trio has appeared on Maury, Fox 19 News, NBC's Today, and TV Guide Network's Hollywood 411.[24]
In 2009, the series won three International Paranormal Acknowledgement (IPA) Awards.[25]
In 2010, the program won two Spooktalkular Parawards.[26]
Controversy
In the October 30, 2009 Halloween special Ghost Adventures Live at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, controversy arose when Robert Bess, inventor of the so-called Parabot Containment Chamber (said to attract and empower spirits using energy, giving them form), claims to have had an EMF meter knocked violently out of his hand. However, upon investigation of the video, it was found that he had actually thrown it.[27] On the November 6, 2009 follow-up Ghost Adventures Live: Post Mortem, hosts Bagans and Groff reviewed the video and concluded they couldn't claim any paranormal explanation for the incident.[27]
International broadcasts
| Country/Region | Channel |
|---|---|
 Australia |
A&E Australia |
 Canada |
Travel + Escape |
 Denmark |
Canal 9 |
 Finland |
MTV3 Fakta and Sub |
 France |
Syfy Universal and Planète+ No Limit |
 Hong Kong |
BeTV |
 India |
AXN India |
 Israel |
EGO |
 Italy |
Sky Italia |
 Malaysia |
Ntv7 and BeTV |
 Netherlands |
Travel Channel |
 Norway |
TV4 Fakta |
 Pakistan |
AXN Pakistan |
 Philippines |
BeTV |
 Romania |
AXN Sci Fi |
 Spain |
Xplora |
 Sweden |
TV4 Fakta |
 Thailand |
BeTV and True X-Zyte |
 United Kingdom |
Sky Living and Really (TV Channel) |
Footnotes
- ^ Weisman, Jon (March 24, 2010). "MY-Tupelo scores orders". Variety. Reed Business Information.
- ^ "Old Washoe Club & Chollar Mine". Ghost Adventures. Season 3. Episode 6. December 4, 2009. Travel Channel.
- ^ White, Bryan (June 13, 2008). "Interview with Ghost Adventures' Zak Bagans!". Cinema Suicide Entertainment.
- ^ a b c ZakBagans.com
- ^ "Ghost Adventurers Zak Bagans Salutes MPI for Igniting His Career". Motion Picture Institute. June 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
- ^ Bagans, Zak. "Zak Bagans Official Website". Retrieved 3 April 2012.
- ^ Mannen, Scott. "Fear No Evil".
- ^ Twitter.com/Zak_Bagans
- ^ Leach, Robin (March 9, 2011). "Strip Scribbles: Ghost hunter Zak Bagans wants to investigate The White House". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-10-02/hardcover-nonfiction/list.html
- ^ "host of "Ghost Adventures" and "Paranormal Challenge" on the Travel Channel. Author of Dark World". Zak Bagans. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
- ^ "Zak Bagans (@Zak_Bagans) op Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
- ^ Copley, Rich (September 27, 2012). "Scarefest 2012: 'Ghost Adventures' host fell into his career". Lexington Herald-Leader (The McClatchy Company).
- ^ a b Lawrence, Christopher (October 10, 2010). "Life on the Couch: Paranormal encounters spook 'Ghost Adventures' trio". Las Vegas Review-Journal (Stephens Media).
- ^ a b Meighan, Patrick (October 17, 2010). "Former Nashuan has successful TV series hunting ghosts". Nashua Telegraph (Nashua, New Hampshire: Telegraph Publishing Company). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
- ^ "Ghostly encounters from Moon River". Travel Channel. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ a b BG (2012). "Nick Groff". Bryan's World – My Life and the GAC. Bryan's World – My Life and the GAC. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ phantomcollectionclothing.com
- ^ Olsen, Eric (January 8, 2010). "Interview with Ghost Adventures' Zak Bagans". Blogcritics Video. Eric Olsen. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ Moye, David (July 26, 2010). "Haunted Hotel Spooks 'Ghost Adventures' Stars". AOL News (AOL).
- ^ Harris, Franklin (January 28, 2010). "Be a paranormal investigator". TimesDaily and the Decatur Daily (Alabama: Tennessee Valley Printing Co.). Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ http://agoodwincollections.com/2011/07/big-steppin/
- ^ "Los Angeles 2006 Awards: Grand Jury Prize". New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. September 2006.
- ^ "Ghost Adventures Crew: GAC in the Media". Ghost Adventures Crew.
- ^ "Winners for the IPAA Awards 2009". International Paranormal Acknowledgment Awards 2009. December 28, 2009.
- ^ "Parawards". Spooktalkular. March 5, 2010.
- ^ a b WarriorLeonardo (6). "Ghost Adventures- Cowboy Bob debunked". YouTube. Google. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
References
- Mannen, Scott; Karen Frazier (June 2009). "Fear No Evil". Paranormal Underground. Ghost Knight Media.
- Dempsey, John (March 30, 2008). "Yudin, Travel team on 'Ghost'". Variety. Reed Business Information.
External links
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Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Ghost Adventures |
- Official website of Ghost Adventures
- Official website of Ghost Adventures Live
- Official website of the Ghost Adventures Crew (GAC)
- The Paranormal Society (officially authorized online content provider)
- Ghost Adventures at the Internet Movie Database
- Ghost Adventures at TV.com
- Ghost Adventures at thetvdb.com
- Ghost Adventures's channel on YouTube
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