SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE: Scare tactics: Behind the scenes of a haunted house

Everyone is scared of something. But those fears rarely are flushed out in such an artful way that they become pure nightmare fuel.

Haunted houses became popularized in 1969, after Disneyland created the Haunted Mansion. Thousands of people flocked to the ride when it first opened, dying to see the 999 quirky spirits. After that, haunted attractions began popping up throughout America and expanded massively in the 1990s as technology began to grow.

Today, haunted houses are a classic contribution to the Halloween spirit. Theme parks jump in on the festivities, such as the notorious haunted houses, or haunts, at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream. There also are hundreds of private haunts around the country and even more for charity.

Like other forms of art and storytelling, haunted houses often begin with a basic idea. This can be a theme, such as aliens or ghosts, to characters and settings. From just an idea, haunt designers create a compelling story intended to terrify.

Actually crafting a haunted house takes time and effort. Not only do you need to physically build the house, but also it needs to look as realistic as possible. If the setting of a haunt is an old barn, designers can distress the wood of the building to make it look aged and eerie. There are multiple methods to this, but a common one is wetting the wood, then spraying it with a mixture of water and paint. Designers also try to fill up the space with items and decorations to make the viewer feel disoriented and tense.

Costume and makeup add another layer to a haunted house. The horrific costumes actors wear are layered, distressed and mangled. Costume designers work to sew, launder and accessorize actors’ outfits. The makeup is a unique combination of a traditional palette of paints and airbrush techniques. With an airbrush, actors can transform into monstrous beings more efficiently than a regular palette. Palette paints allow for an easy mixing of colors that help produce fake wounds and blood. Together, these elements help actors fully become their characters.

Scare actors themselves also are imperative for a haunt. While this niche part of acting often is overlooked, the job requires training and physical ability. Scare actors must handle layers of makeup and prosthetics in addition to being on their feet all night. Inside haunted houses, they are timed with motion sensors and sound cues to achieve a perfect scare. 

Of course, keeping these actors safe is another aspect. They can get overheated or dehydrated. An audience member could be startled enough to hit an actor instinctively. So, haunt managers must supply ways for an actor to take a break without breaking character. Water should be easily accessible, as well as fire extinguishers and AEDs, in case of emergencies. 

One of the most imperative parts of a haunted house actually is the audience. They contribute heavily by purchasing tickets and merchandise. However, the important thing is  they keep coming back. It shouldn’t make sense why people sign up, let alone pay money, to be scared senseless. But many value the opportunity to experience fear in a safe environment, without consequences. Being scared or on edge causes a major adrenaline boost, and haunted houses can give you that boost without being in any actual danger.

I’ve been interested in haunted houses since I first stepped inside one. I always loved Halloween and spooky things, but as a theater student, haunted houses fascinated me from a technical and acting standpoint. Now, they offer me a space to be completely absorbed in another world and an opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of ourselves and others, no matter how strange we may seem.

It is never too late to get involved. If theme park haunts are too expensive, there are plenty of nonprofit haunts throughout central Florida. And, if you’re into the odd and macabre, or carry a little Halloween spirit, you always can sign up as a scare actor or crew member. I’m sure a haunt is “dying” to have you.