The Dark Side of Scare Acting at Halloween Horror Nights

[Jerroddragon]

A fun video showing how the event has evolved and at the end gets into what can happen with some guests

 

[pumpkinbot343]

Again, I feel the need to point out that Hollywood apparently had it easier with the Art the Clown roaming scareactors as opposed to Orlando where there were issues behind the scenes.

 

[Legacy]

Of course Jake would mention the Spoon Game!!!

I do want to say that the violence against scareactors is not “new.” Fans are more aware of it because of social media now, but “Boo and Skidoo” was part of my training in 2002. One my friends in Screamhouse got punched three times in one night and I had to interrupt a planned ambush on another scareactor.

I think if anything is making it “worst” in the last few years, it’s more the cultural shift that made everyone think they’re entitled to MC energy.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Of course Jake would mention the Spoon Game!!!

I do want to say that the violence against scareactors is not “new.” Fans are more aware of it because of social media now, but “Boo and Skidoo” was part of my training in 2002. One my friends in Screamhouse got punched three times in one night and I had to interrupt a planned ambush on another scareactor.

I think if anything is making it “worst” in the last few years, it’s more the cultural shift that made everyone think they’re entitled to MC energy.

I wish the Spoon game could come back, that sounds so much fun, lol

Yeah, I don't think they were trying to say its new just that now with people trying to go viral its just another reason actors can be attacked

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Another great video from Ryan - his content is always great and highly recommend watching his other stuff.

I was a scareactor at a very popular haunt here in PA - obviously not HHN level, but it's one of the most visited haunts in the country. And yeah.. it's an issue everywhere. Some people do it by reflex and they feel bad about it afterwards, but there are definitely others who just want to be a douche.

 

[Kichkinet85]

This video was a good watch. I have been lucky and have never seen any of this violence firsthand, but I have definitely heard of it or seen videos of it. It's sad the actors have to go through that. I am glad there is more security for it now.

 

[Legacy]

I wish the Spoon game could come back, that sounds so much fun, lol

Yeah, I don't think they were trying to say its new just that now with people trying to go viral its just another reason actors can be attacked

Spoon games couldn’t happen now. Fans and influencers would ruin it, for one. Two, performers aren’t able to talk and directly engage guests like they used to. Almost every scare has a trigger. You scare to the trigger now. Handing guests anything, and then asking for it back later, can now get you fired.

Spoon game was fun for the cast, but part of the enjoyment was playing the game without guests knowing it was happening at all. It was like the clothespin game (which we played in Screamhouse). The secrecy is the point.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

Spoon games couldn’t happen now. Fans and influencers would ruin it, for one. Two, performers aren’t able to talk and directly engage guests like they used to. Almost every scare has a trigger. You scare to the trigger now. Handing guests anything, and then asking for it back later, can now get you fired.

Spoon game was fun for the cast, but part of the enjoyment was playing the game without guests knowing it was happening at all. It was like the clothespin game (which we played in Screamhouse). The secrecy is the point.

I presume you’re talking about the use of “voice clips”, either from the movies or original voicework? When did that start and was it because of safety?

 

[Legacy]

I presume you’re talking about the use of “voice clips”, either from the movies or original voicework? When did that start and was it because of safety?

A “trigger” (or “e-prom”) is a button or foot pedal that activates a sound, light, or effect that accompanies a scare. Some fan-favorite lines from houses were triggers. It’s not necessary a sound bite from an IP. They’ve used them for YEARS. Screamhouse had some, but it was largely for specific sounds (Baby Pooey’s burp, for example). But back then, maybe a quarter of the scares had them. By 2010, at least half the scares would have them and they started integrating lights with them. Now, nearly every scare has them. Some scares have multiple.

The point is to create as uniform an experience as possible in the houses.

 

[bdubsCEO]

Spoon games couldn’t happen now. Fans and influencers would ruin it, for one. Two, performers aren’t able to talk and directly engage guests like they used to. Almost every scare has a trigger. You scare to the trigger now. Handing guests anything, and then asking for it back later, can now get you fired.

Spoon game was fun for the cast, but part of the enjoyment was playing the game without guests knowing it was happening at all. It was like the clothespin game (which we played in Screamhouse). The secrecy is the point.

Damn, there was a time when performers were allowed to engage with guests like that? I get why things are different now, but that would’ve been so fun. I recall hearing second or third hand about a WWE actor who was told off for subtly fist bumping a kid holding a figure of their character holding out their first. No idea if that’s true but the culture has changed a ton

 

[Legacy]

Damn, there was a time when performers were allowed to engage with guests like that? I get why things are different now, but that would’ve been so fun. I recall hearing second or third hand about a WWE actor who was told off for subtly fist bumping a kid holding a figure of their character holding out their first. No idea if that’s true but the culture has changed a ton

Oh, yeah. Twenty-five years ago , HHN was more like a local haunt where direct interaction was common (if not required). Hellgate Prison - notoriously - had scareactors taunting guests with incredibly vulgar and sexual things (because it was a prison in 2003).

We also had a show director livid at the Catacombs cast because of the Cats & Combs thing because it implicitly rewarded fans and impacted the show for other guests. The direction of houses is very much “same experience for every guest” now. So, yeah, a scareactor fist-bumping a guest in a house could absolutely get someone in trouble.

The final set is the only time that sort of stuff is kinda “acceptable” (within reason), and that’s because the ramifications are somewhat less.

 

[April]

Oh, yeah. Twenty-five years ago , HHN was more like a local haunt where direct interaction was common (if not required). Hellgate Prison - notoriously - had scareactors taunting guests with incredibly vulgar and sexual things (because it was a prison in 2003).

We also had a show director livid at the Catacombs cast because of the Cats & Combs thing because it implicitly rewarded fans and impacted the show for other guests. The direction of houses is very much “same experience for every guest” now. So, yeah, a scareactor fist-bumping a guest in a house could absolutely get someone in trouble.

The final set is the only time that sort of stuff is kinda “acceptable” (within reason), and that’s because the ramifications are somewhat less.

It was the Wild West back in the day. 10 years ago, I was “choked” by friends in houses. One friend took me off the main path in 2012 and I had to find my way back into the walking path. Now I’m lucky if I even get a wave from someone that recognizes me.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

It's interesting, because obviously the scare zone actors have MUCH more freedom for individualized interactions with guests. I assume?? lol

 

[Captain Spaulding]

So, yeah, a scareactor fist-bumping a guest in a house could absolutely get someone in trouble.

For Ghostbusters at HHN29, Venkman would occasionally fist bump, high five guests. I did twice. Only interaction like that I ever had in a house.

 

[Kichkinet85]

For Ghostbusters at HHN29, Venkman would occasionally fist bump, high five guests. I did twice. Only interaction like that I ever had in a house.

I think in that instance that was part of his role.

 

[Touchdown]

Damn, there was a time when performers were allowed to engage with guests like that? I get why things are different now, but that would’ve been so fun. I recall hearing second or third hand about a WWE actor who was told off for subtly fist bumping a kid holding a figure of their character holding out their first. No idea if that’s true but the culture has changed a ton

That’s strictly an HHN thing, other haunts are far less scripted, but I’m sure it’s due to safety and because HHN houses do conga lines. If you want to see scare actors riff and do unexpected things highly suggest trying to go to Knotts Scary Farm in California. Their actors are top notch at this stuff, particularly in their legendary scare zones. Production quality is a step down from HHN, and houses do repeat for a few years but it’s the only other haunt I’ve been to that matches the quality of HHN (considering each events strength.)

 

[Jerroddragon]

It's interesting, because obviously the scare zone actors have MUCH more freedom for individualized interactions with guests. I assume?? lol

At least at Hollywood yes, I've had interactions with many of the scareactors outside

Last year Art the Clown had the most freedom inside a house in a while, like many rooms where they would leave a post to mess with one person or a grouo more then many other houses where the actors have to be like live animatronics

 

[Jake S]

Yes, and the scare actors who perform in the streets are typically much more experienced than those who staff the houses. That's why at a place like Knott's Scary Farm you can really see the gulf in talent / experience between those who get stuck in the houses and those who work the streets every year.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Yes, and the scare actors who perform in the streets are typically much more experienced than those who staff the houses. That's why at a place like Knott's Scary Farm you can really see the gulf in talent / experience between those who get stuck in the houses and those who work the streets every year.

I don't want to derail this too much

But didn't Knotts push for Scare actors in zones to stop more personal interactions last year or just a fake rumor?

HHN is pretty free from what I saw last year and Six Flags MM is like at a local level of how personal characters can get (in the best way possible)

 

[Jake S]

But didn't Knotts push for Scare actors in zones to stop more personal interactions last year or just a fake rumor?

I didn't hear anything about that, but that sounds plausible. I'd want to know more about what exactly they were cautioned away from doing. I'd be surprised if it was a blanket, "stop talking to guests off script" ... but much less surprised if they were told to chill out.