Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Dunlap
Hi Claire, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Los Angeles native who has lived in many different parts of California (and other states including Hawaii when I was very young) who calls Hollywood, CA home and has for the past 25+ years.
I graduated from UCSB majoring in Sociology with an unofficial minor in acting. A few years after graduation, moved back to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. I kept very active in theatre and got started producing live theatrical shows with various theater companies (Candle Fish, The Jewel Box and The Met) in order to get the roles I wanted. Our shows, I say our because it always takes a village, were successful critically and with audience attendance. With one of my proudest achievements being working as Associate Producer on the 60’s musical Hair with original Broadway Producer Michael Butler for which we won best musical of the year at the LA Weekly Theatre Awards.
While producing and acting in theater, I met the love of my life David Markland, who ultimately led me down the path I am currently on of event producer.
On our first date, David and I discovered we both had an on going love affair (aka obsession) with Halloween that began during childhood. It is a cement that has definitely bonded us and helped my pursuit of keeping my creative halloween love alive all year long.
After a previously long road of productions elsewhere, with me on the sidelines assisting with his project creations, David and I (with 3 other producers) started Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror Convention in 2016 in which I stepped in as a co-creator and full producer.
After producing Midsummer Scream successfully for a few years and developing relationships with many incredibly talented individuals, the opportunity arose to strike out on my own (with partner Sarah Cooke) and we created Spooky Swap Meet which has been going steadily since 2020 and has been an incredible gift.
Spooky Swap Meet was born out of the pandemic as Sarah and I were commiserating about an event we wouldn’t be able to attend in which myself and David would promote Midsummer Scream to sell passes as well as fun Halloween items we were ready to part with (we are Halloween decor hoarders to say the least). I said to Sarah, we should do a big Halloween garage sale and she said “like a Spooky Swap Meet” and the spell was cast. I immediately look for then acquired the available web domain, instagram, and facebook page. I then called Sarah and said, guess what we are doing…and Spooky Swap Meet was born! We brought on our partners, Jon Cooke, Sarah’s husband and David Markland as associate producers and the ball was rolling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly the biggest obstacle I face is always myself, my self doubt and negative self talk that continually creep in with compare and despair which can kill the creative process. The key I have learned is “feel the fear and do it anyway”. I am a big believer in doing the footwork, no matter how I’m “feeling” and letting the results be taken care of by the universe. If something doesn’t work out, I see it as a form of protection. When something does work out I am on the best path available at that time. Not always easy to do, but pushing forward even with the tiniest steps is useful.
Learning to listen to and trust my instincts has been key in all my life endeavors as well as understanding there are no true “mistakes”. Any circumstance no matter how seemingly awful, horrifying, or upsetting at the time will be put to good use at some point on my path whether personal or professional. Trusting that the universe is conspiring for me rather than against me is a daily pursuit. Seeing the roadblocks that arise as ultimately leading to gifts, that I simply can’t see while I’m in the muck or disappointment, is what helps me keep moving forward…albeit sometimes slowly. The more I choose to trust the process, the more historical reference I gain reminding me it works and ultimately helps me through the rough times while they are present. Which let’s face it, there will always be challenges, self doubt, and obstacles. But there also will be growth, healing and success along with those if we choose to see it and work for it with trust and willingness to believe all is for my ultimate benefit, the “good” and the “bad”.
I’d like to share an excellent example of an obstacle/challenge ultimately becoming a gift which is the story of the creation of Spooky Swap Meet. The idea itself was born out of disappointments that occurred as a result of the shut downs and quarantines due to Covid 19. Though we weren’t able to actually produce Spooky Swap Meet for more than a year after its inception by the time we could go live, the community was more that ready to get out, see their friends and get their fix of Halloween heaven. Therefore without it being our initial intent or even belief of possibility, we opened onto the scene in a very grand way thanks to the Halloween community embracing us in full force. Did I think SSM would be an overnight sensation? Of course not, I thought we might have a mild opening year and build from there, but due to the crud circumstances of quarantine and all live events being shuttered, we were boosted to an incredible success as one of the first on the scene once live events were allowed again, which was more than we dreamed for a first year. We unknowingly struck while the iron was hot and the Halloween community supported us by being so ready to be immersed with their spooky friends live and in person. Even our dates were chosen by the universe, I swear! We didn’t set out to start a Halfoween celebration but only noticed after we acquired our dates at Heritage Square in the time frame we were seeking and due to HS availability. We did the footwork of creating the event, and the universe took over the results which have proved to be a dream come true and a beautiful example of kismet!
We’ve been impressed with Scarlett Creative Inc. dba Spooky Swap Meet, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Upon beginning Spooky Swap Meet I proceeded to open my own artistic corporation, Scarlett Creative Inc in which I am sole owner making sure Spooky Swap meet is a 100% women owned business. I produce two Halloween events each year Midsummer Scream and Spooky Swap Meet. In the past I have also produced Season’s Screaming’s (Midsummer’s Holiday event in December) as well as Cemetery Lane Trick or Treat Experience over Halloween weekend. The latter events are currently on hold while David and I focus on Midsummer and Spooky Swap Meet which keep us plenty busy and knee deep in Halloween year round (which we love).
Spooky Swap Meet is the event in which I am at the helm creatively and administratively. Of course it takes a village to keep the success and synergy of any endeavor and I am eternally grateful for all of our vendors, haunters, co producers, volunteers, staff, entertainers, influencer friends and sponsors. Our biggest sponsors are 13th Floor Entertainment Group (who bring the annual events LA Haunted Hayride, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor 2024, Magic of the Jack o Lantern’s and Delusion to Los Angeles) and Tee No Evil, one of our most devoted and trusted vendors who we collaborate on a special tee shirt each year for Spooky Swap Meet as well as Midsummer Scream.
2025 marks the fifth year Sarah and I have been producing Spooky Swap Meet, the ultimate Halfway to Halloween Festival located at Heritage Square Museum Los Angeles. Haunters are recruited to decorate each of the vintage manors on site that the museum restores and maintains and hand out candy to trick or treaters of ALL ages. There are tons of incredible vendors all required to have 50 percent of their merchandise be gently used and or discounted in keeping with the idea of an actual swap meet. The vendors dive into their private collections and offer one of kind halloween props, decor and furniture to the public. We have vendors saving up items through the year which they plan to sell solely at the SSM which is such an honor! There is also ALL ages trick or treating at each of the decorated for the occasion haunted manors of HS, entertainment provided by theatrical groups, walk thru haunted experiences and many other immersive elements including too many photo ops to list. Each year we mix up various elements of event to keep it fresh while continuing to provide the familiar Halloween fun the community has come to expect and enjoy. There is so much to do, photos to take, candy and food to eat and friends to be seen at the Spooky Swap Meet, it truly is a Halloween haven for the community to come together after the post January and February doldrums. We do our best to provide an environment for the Halloween community to reconnect with friends, get our scare on, dive into the Halloween atmosphere and get those creative juices and excitement flowing by keeping Spooky Season alive year round! This year Spooky Swap Meet will take place Friday April 25 5pm-10pm, Saturday April 26 1pm-10pm and Sunday April 27 10am-5pm. All info, including ticket purchase links can be found at www.spookyswapmeet.com
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success looks like many things to me, but the most meaningful is being able to create an environment that people want to participate in again and again. From returning guests, to employees and volunteers, seeing people enjoying the opportunities we provide is humbling and fulfilling.
Our working environments become our families, and though families have difficult times, working through those with mutual respect while continuing to not walk away from the table is what I always aspire toward. Treating people with love and respect that all persons deserve is the goal, and learning how to improve in that way day by day.
I see success as creating an environment where people feel heard and valued at the end of the day, even if suggestions aren’t used, individuals will feel an integral part of the synergy rather than just like an employee and everyone’s participation is highly valued and important. I want to be the boss that I would feel good working for…though I am sure I miss the mark at times due to being human, I am always ready to take responsibility for my errors and do my best to remedy any hardships I have caused.
Growing with a team as a family is the ultimate success.
I must also mention the gift of being self-employed by our companies and the ability to support myself in an environment I love. The day I let go of my final day job (after years of working for “the man”) was a true sense of accomplishment and a dream come true.
Pricing:
- $22-$28
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spookyswapmeet.com
- Instagram: @spookyswapmeet
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/spookyswapmeet
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-dunlap-38a4132b/
