Judges

Jon Asperin is a multi-talented “behind-the-scenes” force of the  Knott’s Berry Farm Entertainment Creative Studio team. From The Grimoire, Bloodline 1842, Special Ops: Infected. GORE-ing 20’s, to the reimagining and return of the long-time crowd favorite, The Gauntlet scare zone… Jon’s raw energy and creative ideas have helped shape a new era of creative design at Knott’s Scary Farm.  With past experience working with incredible clients from Activision’s Call of Duty franchise, Nickelodeon, AMC+ and Shudder to name a few… Jon enjoys  creating and designing unique and immersive experiences year around as well as creating and directing the monsters of the fog during the Haunt season.  Jon’s passion for design and his willingness to experiment with fresh and new innovative scares has helped Knott’s Scary Farm take their rich tradition to a new level.

Jamie Bartkowicz has worked within the art department across various entertainment mediums including: film, TV, live events, and theme parks. From 2015-2021, Jamie had the privilege of being a part of the Halloween Horror Nights production team at Universal Studios Hollywood. During her career there, she held a variety of roles, such as: Design Coordinator, Set Decorator, and Associate Production Designer. Now, Jamie has switched gears back to her original roots of film production and works at Walt Disney Studios managing all physical assets for live action films.

Pasta Berkey is a seasoned professional in the world of haunted attractions. Starting as a talent and scenic painter at Knott's Berry Farm, Pasta moved through the ranks throughout her 18-year career. She currently oversees the casting, training of talent, and development for Scary Farm. During other seasons at Knott’s Berry Farm, she's an Entertainment Project Specialist. Outside of her work at Knott’s, she's painted for Dark Harbor and LA's Haunted Hayride. She has also helped create or paint over 30 escape rooms across SoCal. She constantly works to inspire the future generation of haunted professionals with her creativity, innovation, inclusivity, and unwavering commitment to all things terrifying.

For over 27 years, Brandi Creason has solidified herself as a valued member of the art department team, striving to put her passion and her work ethic at the forefront of her career, she has had the privilege of working on some of the most amazing and experiential projects in the industry. She has held varied positions throughout her tenure within art departments in all genres of the entertainment industry: film, TV, commercials, theatre, theme parks, restaurant design, live exhibits and even more. Most of those years, Brandi has worked freelance and more permanently, by the side of Universal’s HHN Production Designer, Chris Williams. She has become an integral part of the HHN Design Team, helping to lead and guide the process that takes Chris’ designs, from the initial pen-to-paper, all the way through on-site and installations.

Ted Dougherty is a writer, producer, and director having worked in key creative capacities with Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Cedar Fair LLC, FX Networks, and several others. Through the years, Ted has not only worked closely on the creative for some of the largest Halloween attractions in the theme park industry, but he has also written and directed innovative theatrically driven escape rooms, live action 4D virtual reality horror experiences and cutting-edge experiential marketing events. Prior to authoring the award-winning book, The History of Knott's Scary Farm, the first comprehensive history of Knott’s Scary Farm, Ted scared thousands as a “slider” monster in Knott’s famous Ghost Town Scare Zone. A crazed aficionado of the macabre, Ted uncovers innovative ways to terrorize through themed entertainment.

Liz has worked at Knott’s Berry Farm for the last six years as an Area Manager for Ride Operations. When the fog rolls in, she is the Area Manager for Haunt Operations at Knott’s Scary Farm.

Bonnie has worked worldwide as a Creative Director, Show Director, Writer and Producer for companies including Mycotoo, Riva Creative USA, Opak Creative, Universal, D23, Discovery, Nickelodeon, WB, HBO, Lifetime, Hallmark, Bethesda, Newline, and National Geographic.  

Recent credits include: Lead Writer: Stranger Things The Experience International Tour, Creative Director: Universal Studios Hollywood Lunar New Year, Creative/Show Director: Jurassic World Walk-Around Dinosaurs, Show Director: WB’s Horror Made Here, Director: Queen Mary’s “Dark Harbor” Assistant Director: SXSW Westworld Activation, Writer/Assistant Director: E3 Fallout 76 Activation, Writer/Assistant Director: Comic Con BladeRunner 2049 Activation, Creative Director: MotionGate Theme Park, Show Director: Queen Mary’s “Chill” 

Bonnie also writes and directs for theater and film including credits with Hallmark, Lifetime, LMN, OWN, Launchpad Theater NYC, Actor’s Temple Theater NYC, and Inkwell Theater Company.

Danny Kahn is a veteran of the entertainment and tourism industry with over 30 years of studio experience.  As Vice President & General Manager of Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood, Kahn oversees the development, business operations, partnerships and marketing efforts the popular Los Angeles attraction.  Through Kahn’s design, guests of the renowned Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, are literally immersed in the inner workings of a thriving motion picture and television studio with a rare glimpse of the exceptional skills, technology, and talent behind Hollywood blockbusters.

Danny is a board member of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB) and takes an active role in the development of tourism and culture with the local community as the board chair of The Burbank Hospitality Association (dba Visit Burbank).

David Markland, executive director and co-founder of Midsummer Scream is a life-long Halloween fan. He has over 25 years experience working in live events in roles ranging from production manager to programming manager to sports planning director, for events including the ESPN Espys, the Special Olympics World Games, and Politicon. In 2013 he co-founded and produced ScareLA, and in 2016 co-founded Midsummer Scream. In 2021 he started his first Halloween attraction, Cemetery Lane, a trick-r-treat experience.

Paul's career with Knott's Berry Farm has spanned over two decades.  From haunting the streets of Ghost Town to constructing the world famous Hanging to Technical Director, his adventure has been nothing short of amazing.  His passion for for all things haunted and spooky drive his contributions to Knott's Scary Farm through innovation and a deep understanding of what makes you scream.

With over twenty five  years of experience designing theatrical shows, and themed environments for world class amusement parks, Daniel Miller has designed and created some of the most memorable nightmares in the SoCal haunt industry.  After graduating with a Masters of Fine Arts from New York University Tisch School for the Arts, Daniel has worked at several theme parks including Cedar Point, Knotts Berry Farm, Kings Island, Great America, and others.  From fan-favorite haunted experiences such as Toothfairy, Wax Works, Mesmer, and Pumpkin Eater to name a few… Daniel has created over 25 Halloween attractions and continues to create legendary nightmares for Knott’s Scary Farm.

Rob Tintoc is a highly accomplished themed entertainment designer with a passion for creating immersive and unforgettable experiences. With a diverse background in theatre, event design, and live entertainment, Rob excels in storytelling through innovative and immersive concepts. For the past decade, his primary focus has been in themed entertainment, overseeing art direction from initial ideas to final execution on numerous projects as a principle Production Designer in the Entertainment Department of Universal Studios Hollywood.

Rob's exceptional designs have brought to life various popular experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood, including Grinchmas, Lunar New Year, Transformers, Death Eaters, Halloween Horror Nights Shows and RIP Experiences, WaterWorld, and Universal’s Animal Actors, among many others. His creative vision and attention to detail have consistently delivered engaging and memorable experiences.In addition to his design work, Rob has also taught design-related courses, sharing his expertise and passion with aspiring artists.

Rob holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre and Dance Design from The University of California San Diego, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre Design and Technology from The University of Evansville.