For those who plan to attend HOS this weekend… beware, “Zombies Live Here” – the scare is everywhere you turn in “The Dark Side of the Gardens.”
Attempt to make it out of Death Row Vengeance alive, for the house is not only overrun with inmates on death row, but a zombie plague infests Grey Echo Penitentiary this year causing inmates and HOS-goers to “fear the dead.” Scott Swenson, HOS Creative Director, prescribes how to steer clear of contracting the deadly zombie virus.
1. What is the storyline/theme behind Death Row Vengeance?
Death Row Vengeance has a new tagline this year – “Fear the Dead.” The original concept was that the Grey Echo Penitentiary was closing its doors for the final time, so all of the death row inmates were being killed off and then coming back to life for revenge. This year, the prison has been infected with the zombie virus and all of the guards are now members of the undead.
2. What was your inspiration behind this house?
I saw something about a haunted prison, which seemed pretty cool. I also like the idea that if people came back from the dead, would they be ticked at the people who killed them? These two ideas came together to create the basics for this house.
3. What is your favorite room?
I love the main cell block with the ghosts of executed inmates floating over your head. Using live actors and floating harnesses is a great effect. There is also a BUNCH of new detail in the cells below the performers... creeeeeepy!
4. What is unique about this house?
This house is one of only 2 that need to be set up and taken down each year. The location of this haunted house is used during the summer as a lunch location for many of our Zoo Education camps.
5. How old is Howl-O-Scream's eldest “scare-actor” and how do they maintain their “scare-ability?”
This year, our performers range in age from 18 to 72. The oldest performer works as a zombie in one of the roaming hordes and often scares circles around some of her younger counterparts.
6. Are there any other juicy details you would like to share with fans about Death Row Vengeance?
One of the cells houses a vomiting animation which actually spews liquid. I recorded the audio track that accompanies this animation by trying NOT to vomit during a 30-minute recording session.
7. This year’s theme is obviously “Zombies Live Here,” compared to previous years’ themes which were based on a detailed plot behind different icons. Why did you choose to go in this direction in 2011?
The theme for each year’s event is driven by what will resonate with our guests enough to make them want to come and experience Howl-O-Scream. I think zombies work well for several reasons: first, they are really hot in pop culture right now; second, they are clearly associated with Halloween; and third, they are really fun to interpret in the park. The undead have fascinated people for thousands of years, and zombies have meant so many different things to people, from spiritual beings to infected killers. To us, they were a natural fit for Howl-O-Scream 2011!
Gearing up for Halloween and your visit to Howl-O-Scream this weekend? Definitely check out the previous Behind-the-Screams blog posts for an inside look into HOS' horrifying haunted houses: Nightshade Toys, Nevermore, Vampire Casino, and Zombie Mortuary.
