The next bloodsucking installment of HOS Behind-the-Screams will feature another one of this year’s new houses, Vampire Casino – Ultimate Gamble. Scott Swenson, HOS Creative Director, dishes on what satisfies the fanged fiends’ insatiable hunger deep in the haunted Revivara Casino.
1. What is the storyline/theme behind Vampire Casino – Ultimate Gamble?
One of the oldest zombies, Dorian Sangemorti, created a casino to lure unsuspecting humans into his clutches in order to keep his vampire clan well-fed. As guests proceed through the house, they get deeper and deeper into the back areas of the casino and eventually end up as the main course on the “all-you-can-drink” buffet.
2. What was your inspiration behind this house?
I found a really cool photo online of a bunch of vampires standing in front of a casino in Biloxi. My imagination went wild trying to figure out why they were all there…the result was Ultimate Gamble.
3. Where do you get the props for houses? Do you build them? Or do people donate unwanted items?
We work with outside companies who build the houses to our design specifications. They find most of the big pieces, such as the many slot machines in the house. The art director for the past few years, Keith Kaminski, finds or builds a bunch of the cool, crazy, sick props as well. For this house, I even donated a shirt of my own for one of the “guests” at the Blackjack table. During Howl-O-scream, I tend to wear shirts with skulls and flames all over them. I had one with flaming dice, so I thought, “this would be PERFECT.”
4. Are there any fresh scare-tactics you’ve added to the new houses this year?
We are firm believers that the human quality of scare-actors is far more effective than any animation or special effect. We have added some projections and some hi-tech gimmicks to help distract the guests so that our actors can “come out of nowhere” and get a great scare!
5. Who or what influences you during the process of creating a new house?
The HOS fans are the biggest influence. We listen to their comments and pay close attention to their favorite elements each year. We also look at what pop culture will be offering in the near future. Let’s face it; zombies are HOT this year and vampires are still very popular, so I’m really glad we were able to capitalize on it.
6. Can you tell us a fun fact about Vampire Casino?
If you pay attention you may see a special cameo appearance by “The King” (and I don’t mean Michael Jackson).
7. Is there anything else you would like to share with fans about this house?
For the big “Haunt Geeks” out there (like me), the most difficult element to install in the house was the moving wardrobe rack in the storage room. We ended up installing a real one, which revolves through the performers’ break area behind-the-scenes.
Be sure to check out last week’s post, Behind-the-Screams: Zombie Mortuary.
