Dark gothic haunt versus traditional

[HauntedPaws]

Curious why it doesn't seem there's more dark gothic haunts like House of torment?? Does disturbing not sell as well as just scaring?

[Frightener]

Well around here, compared to most of what I've seen on the forums here, we've got all low-key setups. Basically a few rooms with spray painted colors, clowns and maybe an electric chair, chainsaws etc. We don't have a lot of places that have real "Themes" I think this is only because the haunts are more or less fund raising / money makers and reap the rewards and rest till next year kinda thing. I don't think hardly anyone puts time and effort into the haunts locally.

Now with that said, we are about a 45 minute drive from Horror in the Hollow, which is a GREAT place. Theater quality sets and rooms with great actors. This is the only exception around here.

So, I think if you're having issues seeing that sort of theme, maybe it's just easier to do the classics? Cheaper? Money can have a LOT to do with the style of haunt.

You know, now that I think of it, some of the haunts had a few rooms decked out with old furniture and such, but nothing real major, nothing theme changing, ya know. Lots of the haunts have various rooms that don't have anything to do with one another. I'm aiming to have a similar haunt, but will be VERY themed / tied into one another.

When I get my sketches / started building going, I'll make a post on my theme and how I'm tying it all together. And it'll be more DARK than traditional. Sure, some rooms will be classic in styling but majority will be all fear evoking. (hopefully)

Dewayne

[freak 'n' stein]

Good question!! This past season I elected for a voodoo theme, which we did well. It wasn't OUTRIGHT dark, but it did bother some people to the point where they left for what I think was religious reasoning. Our first room was a full blown seance and we had customers turn around after that...I enjoy the Gothic themes but this coming season I'm letting my kids choose and a lot of votes are toward a toy store/factory...not overtly scary, but definitely creepy!!

[HauntedPaws]

I would think Texas would be the worst for religious issues when it comes to a haunt.?

[terrormasue]

I agree about Texas. We have to be a bit careful not to offend anyone. No overtly religious scenes. You don't want to be seen ripping apart the three wise men in a Christmas Parade. Just saying.

Sue

[Jim Warfield]

Each Generation Defines "Classic".

Some of my generation saw the whole gamit of horror/Sci-fy movies going way back to the silent movies up through the new stuff of the entertaining, controlled fare of the 1950's-60's.
A "Haunted House" then was a creepy old mansion filled or once filled by people rich enough so as not to care what the rest of the town really thought of them as they did what they wanted to do, in direct opposition to the small, crowded together houses of the little wage- workers who could only cut loose and then have to have alcohol fumes on their breath as an excuse when the "Law" finally caught up to them and jailed them.
Those smarter? More Terrible? Rich people might be worshiping Another god!? Or no god at all? (Besides Money?) "Terrible!" ??
Scientific, Cult or demented sexually-themed experiments must be taking place inside that big old house! Criminally bent!?

Of course having various themes , one after another can be mentally stimulating as having variations of food all on one plate.
Maybe enjoying such a feast at one sitting is a rare feat.. because flavors don't always compliment one another well?
OR would it be our unexperienced "Palet"? Confusion could follow, alienating the customer's enjoyment of it all.
But then "confusion" can be any scary person's ally, sucking rightfull, protective attentions away from noticing important little things as danger begins to surround.....then culminates in the masterfully, orchestrated Scare!

[steven11788]

i am sucker for black roses, after seeing a few gothic-victorian type rooms in this one haunt. it didn't have a scare but it added to the rest

[Darkangel]

Would you really consider House of Torment gothic? Looks more industrial, they have that new cool costume of a robotic guy with the skull face it seems more like a post-apocalyptical Mad Max with monsters theme.


DA

[Jim Warfield]

"Mad Max" Was Fun!

Siskel & Ebert were beside themselves watching the first one because they couldn't figure out how the death/stunts were done.
Too quick! Too real! (Where they real?) Who knows what goes on in the Down-under countrty so far away?
Any Mad Max Haunts out there?