Author: John C. Fowler

Who are you?

Jonathan Ness, Vice President of Operations for AdventureMyths

Explain your Methodology?

AdventureMyths has a different approach to paranormal investigations from most groups, so our methodology is a bit different as well. Our mission is to help preserve a historic location’s haunted history on film. We only work with public, historic locations making us different in that we do not take on private residence cases. When we investigate a historic location, our goal is to preserve that location’s haunted history on film by creating a high quality documentary to either post on YouTube or create into a full DVD documentary. To date, we have created six DVD documentaries . With all of our DVD documentaries, we share rights with the featured historic location so they can reproduce the documentary and sell in their gift shop to help raise funds to preserve the location. This is a service we provide at no charge to the locations we work with. (More information and our documentaries are available on our website at www.Adventuremyths.com) Our documentaries include three parts; the history of the location, personal accounts from staff and/or visitors of paranormal experiences and our investigation. Like most groups, our methodology starts with researching the history of a location and conducting interviews but we also have to keep in mind how to translate our findings onto film. Typically, we spend a full day at a location filming interviews and b-roll footage. We then conduct our paranormal investigation that night or over the course of several nights. Our investigation methodology is much like most groups but we put a lot of effort into making sure everything is captured on film. For example, during our EVP sessions we try to make sure we have 2 or more cameras recording at different angles to film the entire room. With AdventureMyths, if we have four members on an investigation two will be focusing on just filming while the other two will be focusing on devices such as recorders, EMF meters, thermometers and the Ovilus. After the investigation, evidence review is only part of the work left. All footage has to be reviewed, a documentary story board is created and the huge task of creating a royalty free documentary is left.

Favorite Haunts?

AdventureMyths is not a regional or state investigation group, we are international so I always love locations outside the United States. Ross Castle in Ireland was not only where Frank Polievka, AdventureMyths Founder, shared his idea for AdventureMyths with me, it is also a fantastic location to investigate. To be able to stay in a location with such a long history and is in such a remote location; it makes for a life experience I will never forget. In the US, some of my favorite haunts are Iron Island Museum, in Buffalo NY, for the class A EVPs that are routinely recorded there and Historic Jordan Springs Resort, in Jordan Springs VA, for what appears to be a very strong spirit on the third floor. • Personal Experiences All of my personal experiences with the paranormal have been since I became involved in paranormal investigations. Over the years, I have heard footsteps above me where I could see through the cracks in the floor boards to verify no one was on the floor above, seen orbs with my own eyes (the only ones I believe in), heard voices when no one was there to make the voices and heard movement in rooms that were empty. Every investigation I go into, I am hopeful for that ultimate personal experience of being touched or to actually see an apparition. Unfortunately, I am starting to think seeing an apparition requires some level of psychic ability that I do not posses.

Why did you get into paranormal?

Unlike a lot of investigators, I did not have some sort of experience that compelled me to investigate the paranormal. I was just a kid that loved movies and shows like “Ghostbusters” and “X-Files”. My love of the Hollywood version of paranormal lead me to study real cases of the paranormal involving UFOs and/or hauntings. Once paranormal reality television came into existence, I was of course excited to see that it was possible to do more than just read about the paranormal. I joined a message board for a local Washington DC based investigation group and followed them as well as studied what they did. After about a year, they started looking for “contestants” to be on a show that they were filming a pilot episode for. They were looking for people to compete to see if they had what it took to be a paranormal investigator. While the pilot was never picked up, the group was impressed with me so they brought me in as a member. It was in this group that I met Frank Polievka and got to know him. In late 2006, Frank and I had a conversation about how we had lost interest in investigating private residences. It was at this time Frank shared his idea for what would become AdventureMyths with me. It is now five years later and we continue to only do bigger and better things!

What’s Next? We are currently in talks with a few locations that I will refrain from naming since we are still in the early stages of working with, but it looks like 2012 will have us working with a historic theater in Virginia as well as one of the most famous haunted hotels in the United States. We also plan on taking part in Phenomenology 104 in Gettysburg, PA as well as ScareFest in Lexington, KY.

Dream Case/Investigation?

In the US, I would love to investigate the City County Building in Salt Lake City, UT. I was able to film the exterior of this castle-like building and discuss its paranormal legend in one of AdventureMyths recent videos posted on our YouTube channel. Outside the US, I would love to investigate Bran Castle (“Dracula’s Castle”) in Romania.

Do you think that paranormal shows gives groups like you a bad reputation?

Not at all! I think the paranormal shows have made historic locations more willing to be open with any paranormal legends involving their location. Thanks to the paranormal shows there is a large public appetite for anything paranormal and this has helped historic locations tap into a source of funding that is needed now more than ever as state and federal funding become less.

Name some Random Facts about you?

I have been a police officer for over eight years now. I enjoy doing wood work. I am border line obsessed with stuff with a pirate theme…don’t know why, but it dates back to before the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. I love to get out and ride my motorcycle but don’t you dare call it a Harley!

Are you a skeptic or a believer?

I am a “skeptical believer”. I find myself being more skeptical of those making claims of paranormal, since becoming involved in paranormal investigations. This is probably a lot of the reason I lost interest in private residences. I think there are too many people out there that are just craving attention and create stories of paranormal activity to fill that need for attention. While I do believe in ghosts, I still want that definite proof like a touch or to see an apparition. Hopefully, one day (or night) I will get to experience this “proof” that I am looking for to confirm my beliefs.

Please follow us on our website www.AdventureMyths.com Facebook (AdventureMyths.com) and on YouTube.

Who are you?

Shannon Sylvia, from the Boston area, I appear in the first season of Ghost Hunters International and was a client on Paranormal State. I graduated from Fitchburg University with a degree in Communications and another in Fine Arts. I own and operate “Shancakes”, a cake and cupcake design business (ed – note: www.shancakes.com) as well as “By Design” where I create logos and websites. I have been self employed for 11 years. I am married and my two kids are white, furry Jack Russell terriers, Jacky and Meadow.

Explain your Methodology?

I am a big believer in finding every possible solution to a haunting before assuming something is haunted. On every investigation I conduct EMF readings near walls, floors, ceilings and appliances and note all windows, drafts, pipe situations, even possible mold and/or Radon in homes. Checking for weak spots in floors and on stairs as well as stability in every door is vital to be sure that we have covered every base when a client complains of symptoms of a possible haunting. I do not use K2 meters for questions and answers, I never had luck with the Ovilisk, getting it to communicate with the dead. I firmly believe the easiest way to gather evidence is the digital audio recorder and a good set of headphones.

Favorite Haunts?

The Harley House bed and breakfast in Lunenburg, MA and Luccedio Abbey in Turin, Italy. The Massachusetts B&B is very easy to get good EVP’s from, and the old monastery in Italy was successful with the touchy-feely ghosts all night long.

Personal Experiences

I grew up in a haunted house so the experiences are too many to list here. I have seen apparitions, I have seen spirits of dead animals, I have been touched, I hear disembodied voices and I have seen things move on their own. There’s not much I haven’t experienced in the paranormal world. I refrain from demonic cases as I simply have no interest in getting into spiritual warfare.

Why did you get into paranormal?

Since growing up in a haunted house was traumatic, I grew up wanting to learn as much as I could about my surroundings. We did not have the internet in the 80’s and the world relied on books. Once moving away from the haunted home I grew up in, I began a new life in yet another haunted home, a former schoolhouse from the 1800’s and before that, the city’s first fire house. Plenty of energy and spiritual activity here! I contacted TAPS members for an investigation and it led to a wonderful relationship where I was able to join the team.

What’s Next?

I begin my University tour performing lectures, I absolutely love this part of the job because I get to see the faces on the students as I explain about paranormal activity from around the world. They are very wide-eyed to the topic, have not been tainted by being directly involved with the field and it’s simple and pure fun. I look forward to my book that is co-authored with accomplished writer Katie Boyd, it will be out in the spring published by Schiffer. Having written my first book was absolutely amazing – and hard work – but it will be worth it to see it on book shelves. Also next year, the History Channel will air the 100th Anniversary of the Ouija board for Hasbro Co. and I was part of the documentary filming for having invented a Ouija board product.

Dream Case/Investigation?

I would love to investigate the Queen Mary and St.Augustine lighthouse. I can’t believe I haven’t yet…

Do you think that paranormal shows gives groups like you a bad reputation?

Absolutely. I hate being accused of faking evidence on television when its not true, other shows have given some of the honest ones a bad name.

Name some Random Facts about you?

I used to sing and play piano at three years old. I am related to Joe Pilato, horror film celebrity. I attended honors English classes and failed miserably at Algebra. My last wish is to have Micheal Crawford sing “Music of the Night” to me, if I were dying.

Are you a skeptic or a believer?

Both, and I think you have to be! No one wants a negative Nelly slamming down potentially good evidence. I am a believer because of my experiences growing up, no one will ever change that. However I have learned through experience that 99% of ‘ghosts’ can be explained with proper knowledge and simple common sense.

 

Who are you?

My name is Amanda I am 29 years old a full time student and have 2 beautiful children. In my free time I enjoy playing with my kids and doing research.

Favorite Haunts?

I have not been on an investigation I am more of the behind the scene person.

Personal Experiences

I can not say I have any personal experiences

Why did you get into paranormal?

I saw the passion of the founder of Midnight watchman John Fowler and listened to many of his stories and became intrigued by the paranormal, my interest keeps growing with each new story.

What’s Next?

I will be doing some of the initial research on future investigations

Do you think that paranormal shows gives groups a bad reputation?

I believe some of the “Hollywood” movies like paranormal activity give groups a difficult and bad name because people expect all paranormal experiences to be like Hollywood

Name some Random Facts about you?

I can spin my arm completely around

Are you a skeptic or a believer?

I am a bit of both I want proof but once I see it I don’t question.

Who are you?

I am a normal person, working part time during the day and an investigator with Private Paranormal Investigators whenever I get the chance. Some people think the latter is not normal, but, then again, who are they to say what is normal? Have they had experiences they can’t explain? I’m sure most of them have.

Explain your Methodology?

This varies on the place and the reason for the investigation. Base readings and pictures are always taken by someone in the group. After that, if it’s a “known haunt”, like the kind you pay for, i.e. Burlington County Prison, Fort Mifflin, etc., then during the investigation, I prefer to sit quietly, and, respectfully ask questions. If it is a client, then, I try to base my questions more on what was revealed by the client.

Favorite Haunts?

Fort Mifflin is my Disney World and Hillview Manor is my Disney Land. One is close, and the other takes a while to get there. Both are very much worth it.

Personal Experiences?

I’ll let someone else answer this one. Mine are ongoing. Even last
night. I am almost afraid to go to bed tonight.

Why was the group was formed?

I believe, of course, like most groups form, ours formed out of not only a common interest, but, of personal experiences. I pretty much never heard of the TV show “Ghost Hunters” until after I started investigating. One of my friends was in a group, and, when she told me about it, I had to find one that was closer to home.

What’s Next?

Fort Mifflin. After that? Some things are in the pipeline.

Strongest Evidence with link to it?

Some of these are private, so, cannot share a link. I’ll never forget that first disembodied voice though.

What’s your most asked Question by people?

Are you crazy?

Dream Case/Investigation?

Only those where I can actually help someone. I get the most gratification out of the client investigations. The others are just for shits and giggles, but, oh so fun!

Do you think that paranormal shows gives groups like you a bad reputation?

I believe no one can give your group a bad reputation other than your group. Our best quality is INTEGRITY. TV shows? I wish I had a nickel (dollar, times are tough) for every time I tell someone “you know, that’s MADE FOR TV, right?”

Tell us a strange but true fact bout you?

I’m afraid to listen to audio review at night by myself. Some of those things are just too creepy.