Dakota Laden’s first-ever documentary, Trail to Terror, debuted exclusively on discovery+ on Feb. 24, 2022. We were one of the stops on his media tour to promote his newly released documentary, but we only had a little bit of time to chat. So what did we ask him? Here’s a recap of the five main questions we got in before time was up.
1. What’s the story behind the Bobby Mackey song in Trail to Terror?
When the opening credits rolled, it was impossible not to notice Trail to Terror‘s distinct theme song, “Paranormal Trail,” and who had created it: Bobby Mackey. As in the owner of the infamously haunted Bobby Mackey’s in Kentucky.
But how did that happen? There had to be a story there, didn’t it? Turned out, there was.
Dakota stopped by Bobby Mackey’s on his way through Kentucky. He got a tour and ended up going out to eat at Applebee’s with Bobby. Dakota told him about the idea he was knocking around for a documentary and asked if Bobby might be interested in making a song for it.
As soon as Dakota had concrete footage to share with Bobby, he sent it to him. Other than thinking it would be great if the lyrics included a reference to the paranormal and a road trip, he let Bobby work his magic with creating the song, which he did in a matter of days really.
The only thing Dakota did was slow it down a little for the documentary to give it more of a Johnny Cash vibe. Mission accomplished.
I also wondered if the song was on iTunes or anything. Dakota said he didn’t know about that but that it was on YouTube. Found it!
2. Who is Coalin Smith and why didn’t he become a fixture of the Destination Fear team?
The Trail to Terror documentary shares many similarities with Destination Fear, but also some differences too. Coalin Smith is one of them. He joined Dakota, Chelsea, and Tanner on their maiden fear-seeking voyage as the cameraman.
He’s a hot topic on social media. After watching the documentary, everyone wants to know what happened to him? Why don’t we see more of Coalin in the series? After all, he fit right in with everybody.
I cheated and felt like I sort of knew the answer to this because I looked Coalin up ahead of my chat with Dakota. However, Dakota confirmed it: Coalin opted to pass on Destination Fear to pursue his own Hollywood career.
At the time the series was first greenlit, Coalin’s calendar was full of projects. As Dakota put it, Hollywood requires you to put in your dues and that’s what Coalin was doing. He’s been everything from a production assistant, production staff, and cameraman to associate producer and assistant director.
In fact, working on a set was how Dakota met Coalin, who ended up being Dakota’s boss. They ended up bonding over the paranormal because Coalin had worked on Paranormal State once upon a time. (As well as Ghostbait, for anyone who remembers that show.)
He’s since gone on to work on some major projects, both movies and TV shows. As a Second Unit Director or Assistant Director he’s worked on TV shows like True Detective, Stargirl, Them, and You, just to name a few.
He’s worked as additional crew on The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, The Divergent Series: Insurgent, Baby Driver, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Again, just to name a few.
So, yeah, Coalin’s been busting it and his hard work is clearly paying off because his career is humming along.
However, if it ever works out that he can make a special guest appearance on an episode or two of Destination Fear? Dakota’s all about it.
3. What route did they take for Trail to Terror?
They didn’t post mileage between the haunted locations in Trail to Terror like they do in Destination Fear episodes. I wondered if they took the fastest, most direct route, or did they try to avoid tolls and such?
Dakota said since they were operating on a budget and really only had 5 days in the camper and really filmed five consecutive nights in five of America’s most haunted places, they took the fastest route.
I did the math. They logged over 1,300 miles!
4. Since they were already in Pennsylvania when they investigated Hill View Manor, why didn’t they just head over to Pennhurst instead of dropping down to St. Albans?
Amazingly, even though the Pennhurst State School and Hospital is also in Pennsylvania, it’s just over five hours from Hill View Manor in New Castle, PA. St. Albans Sanatorium in Radford, Virginia was just an hour more away. Dakota’s instincts told him that due to its sheer size, Pennhurst would make the ultimate finale for his haunted road trip documentary.
Although, in hindsight, did he have any regrets about making that choice? If they’d saved St. Albans for last would Chelsea have lasted the whole trip?
He wasn’t sure. He was of course bummed that Chelsea couldn’t make it but as he put it, he understood after watching the footage. Also, this was her first haunted road trip. She hadn’t built up her fear immunity like she has now.
However, even knowing what he knows now, he thinks he probably would’ve made the same choice and saved Pennhurst for last.
5. Any plans for a Trail to Terror 2?
Kinda sorta yeah. He’s knocking around an idea that would take them back to some places from season 1 of Destination Fear.
The Chat Reveals More
Since it was a phone chat, it’s audio-only but we popped it up on YouTube.
A few other interesting things came up during our chat, such as the lack of sleep they truly were operating on (especially Dakota), how much it cost to make Trail to Terror, and he even noted a couple of similarities with Destination Fear that I failed to point out.
Check-In
What would you have asked Dakota about the Trail to Terror documentary?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I’d ask if “fear immunity” is a thing. Do you really start being less afraid, or do you just get better at telling yourself not to run/scream or generally freak out?
Dang it! Wish I’d thought to ask that as a follow-up question when it came up!!! I also really, really wanted to ask, “How’d you get Chelsea to agree to do the series? What did that conversation look like?” But time was up and there was only enough for 1 more question so I asked if there’d be a Trail to Terror 2 instead. But your question has me kicking myself for not thinking to ask that!!!!