Have you ever wondered how a haunted attraction is made? You can get a glimpse inside the process thanks to a new documentary: SCARE: a look behind the shadows, an actor-based haunted attraction.
This documentary tells the story of Kelly Collins, a veteran who developed a taste for safely scaring people. After spending years learning the ins-and-outs of the haunted attraction industry, he opened the ScareAtorium.
Kelly and his haunt family share tales of fear and laughter while they create scenes that thrill the Halloween scare-seeker. On display are Kelly’s entrepreneurial spirit as well as the creativity, teamwork, and fun-loving nature of the haunt family. You will see the process from beginning to end – from building original sets to make-up and costumes; from auditions and rehearsals to show-time; from behind-the-scenes security to working the crowd in the queue line. This documentary shows and tells.
Step into Kelly’s world — the world of commercial haunted houses. You will see why Kelly put the word “Care” in “Scare.”
I learned about the film from a friend who was one of the haunt’s actors for years.
In fact, if you ever listened to my former radio show, he frequented the chat room as Devil’s Hitman and was even a guest one time. He shared what it was like to be a scare actor. (Fun fact: He’s also in the film’s trailer. He’s the one saying, “Is he real? He’s not real? Is he real?” around the 1:10 mark.)
The ScareAtorium has since been bought out by the company who does the 13th Floor haunts in other cities across the country. Which makes this documentary a preservation piece. A little of the ScareAtorium in Columbus, Ohio, will forever live on through this movie.
It’s not streaming anywhere –yet; that could still be a possibility– but it is available as a DVD on eBay for $13 plus shipping while supplies last.
Curiosity got the best of me and I bought a copy. I’m terrified of haunted houses, yet insanely intrigued by them, so this allows me to satisfy my curiosity from the safety of my home.
SCARE documentary eBay Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SCARE-a-look-behind-the-shadows-an-actor-based-haunted-attraction-documentary/113158256300?
Also, here’s a peek at the trailer:
I’ll be sure to share a review once my copy arrives and I’ve had a chance to watch it.
Do you visit haunted houses at Halloween?
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.