If you watched the A&E Ghost Hunters reboot with Grant Wilson from 2019-2020, Brandon Alvis and Mustafa Gatollari were among the paranormal investigators Wilson handpicked to join his team. But then discovery+ rebooted the series again in 2021, this time with Jason Hawes, Steve Gonsalves, and Dave Tango back helming the ship.
So what have Alvis and Gatollari been up to since the shift? Well, they co-authored a book, Elements of a Haunting, which was released at the beginning of 2022. And they’ve also developed their own new show, the forthcoming Haunted Discoveries, which may prove a refreshing change of pace for folks weary of the same old paranormal TV shows.
But what I didn’t appreciate until I had a chat with them (embedded below) is that their book influenced their series and vice versa. Haunted Discoveries sprung up from Elements of a Haunting but they also apply theories they pose in the book to the investigations they conduct in the series.
Speaking of the series, they still couldn’t say where we can watch it or when. (I’ve been bugging them about it, and I gently hinted about it during the interview too.) But at least we know it’s getting closer and we have some visuals in the form of the recently released trailer.
Even though I wasn’t able to finesse out any spoilers about the show, they did drop a couple of teasers. Including that the hunt for ghosts wasn’t the only hunt they were on.
Haunted Discoveries and APRA
Gatollari explained that Alvis was looking for a permanent home for the American Paranormal Research Association (APRA). All of their research sort of led them to one place. However, they couldn’t say where that is. Yet.
“Can’t reveal whether or not we found a forever home. That’s part of the show,” Mustafa said, as he animatedly danced around in his chair.
Alvis clarified he had long wanted to find a building that’s not only allegedly haunted but basically proven to be so. His intent is to not only use it as a research facility but also live in it.
However, he admitted that comes with considerations and complications of its own, particularly when it comes to his family. He acknowledged it’s asking a lot of his family, not only to relocate but he’s aware of the impacts it could have on them.
That reminded me a lot of what Tim Wood from The Ghost Town Terror said about his haunted house ownership experience. Except in Wood’s case, it turned out not to be a positive experience. None of which I mentioned at the time, but I’m hoping it’ll be different for Alvis.
But he also added, “Haunted Discoveries is a show basically that’s documenting that process of trying to find and acquire a haunted facility, a research facility, for myself, Mustafa and the rest of APRA to conduct year-round research to really try and find answers to the possibility of life after death.”
Sounds like a pretty interesting and “fresh,” to use a word Gatollari invoked, concept for a show.
Docuseries vs Reality TV
Another thing Gatollari emphasized was that transparency of research is really important to them and something they pride themselves on.
“Once the show’s debuted, we have no problems with showing people the raw files. A lot of times on paranormal shows, you know, stuff will get edited and like cut together, and what’s cool about Haunted Discoveries, which is like so awesome, is that we’ll get stuff in the moment and activity in the moment on investigations and it’s all in one…a lot of times it’s all in just one take. Like you see it all happen in real-time. There’s not like clever editing and cutaways. It really is a docuseries,” he said.
As opposed to a reality TV show, which, as he pointed out, is a similar but different creature. There’s a clear distinction and that’s one they made with Haunted Discoveries.
Watch the Chat
For More Info
This link lists all the places you can find and follow Brandon Alvis: https://drum.io/brandonalvis
This link lists all the places you can find and follow Mustafa Gatollari: https://linktr.ee/mgatollari
Follow Haunted Discoveries on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haunteddisc…
You can buy Elements of a Haunting: Connecting History with Science to Uncover the Greatest Ghost Stories Ever Told wherever books are sold, including Amazon.
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Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as 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. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.