Dr. Blood's_® ScreamScapes!_™ : THE PLACE, THE PEOPLE AND THE FRIGHT

BYLINE: Drew Edward Hunter

The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is recognized world wide as one of the capitals of haunted attractions. There are dozens of Halloween walk-through fright entertainments every season. Each year new ones appear and the weak fall by the wayside. During the haunting season it's not unusual for car loads, van loads and even bus loads of folks to travel across the more than 70 mile width of the combined cities to visit their favorite dark amusements. Yep, Texans take their terror seriously. They don't mind driving from Terrell at the eastern edge all the way to Fort Worth at the western edge with several stops along the way -- just to get scared senseless! One of the newest and most successful attractions along their path will celebrate its third anniversary this season -- Dr. Blood's ScreamScapes! .

If you have ever opened a haunted attraction, you know it's not easy! Just to get the doors open, advertising out, the safety regulations met and performers in their scenes for the first night of the first year is an extremely exhausting enterprise. Then to continue the process and grow year to year takes constant diligence, persistence, faith -- and money. At ScreamScapes! we have learned to survive in an incredibly competitive market through mistakes, good fortune, the talents of hundreds of people and knowledge gained from years of prior experience.

Any attraction can be reduced to three important elements: The location or facility, the people who make the show go and the show itself. So here's the story of Dr. Blood's ScreamScapes! -- some facts, some background and some ideas and concepts which may enable you to scare the world a little bit better!

The Facility

Located deep in the heart of Dallas near the Design District, just northwest of downtown, ScreamScapes! stands on 3.5 acres fronting Irving Boulevard (or, preferably, Boo-levard). It is easily accessible from two major interstate highways, I-35 and I-30, which makes getting there from almost anywhere in the Metroplex a snap.

Two haunted attractions, themed and highly contrasting, are featured in the ScreamScapes! complex. The first of the two, The Terrortorium_™ opened in 1996. A field research facility for Dr. Blood _®, the Physician of Fright , and the host for the entire event. The show's style is hard-edged, high-tech, angular and stark, with a nightmarish Caligari-esque expressionism evident throughout. At the other end of the style spectrum is the second show, The Necrotorium , which premiered in 1997. It is a harrowing, fright filled journey through the rotting crypts, desecrated tombs and claustrophobic catacombs of a crumbling, fog-shrouded, classically Gothic graveyard. The hallmark of this show is its elaborately detailed scenic elements. One admission price gains entry to both attractions, which are seamlessly linked together.

ScreamScapes! is housed in a 67,500 square foot structure, the majority of which was once a truck loading dock. Of that space, approximately 30,000 square feet is used to terrify guests each October. The Terrortorium, The Necrotorium and the lobby (which includes a Gift Shop) are 10,000 square feet each, and the attractions are fully handicapped accessible.

Safety is first and foremost at ScreamScapes!, as it should be at any haunt facility, no matter how big or small. The attractions are fully sprinkled and fire alarmed. If activated, heat sensitive fire detectors automatically stop the show music and sound, turn on the overhead lights and notify the fire department. The entire attraction has emergency back-up lighting and illuminated emergency exit signs at numerous exits. Each scene has a fire extinguisher as well as a "trouble switch" which notifies the security team by means of a coded, lighted panel and a loud, unpleasant tone which can't be ignored. "Nearest exit" maps are posted throughout the backstage area.

The remaining building space is made up of a 5000 sq. ft. show office, a 3500 sq. ft. workshop, a 4000 sq. ft. storage shed and several other areas for lease, including plenty of room for future expansion. An awning 400 feet long and 14 feet wide runs the length of the attraction, providing ample space, in case of rain, to queue hundreds of guests as they wait to purchase tickets. Beneath the awning and at 4 feet above ground level are 13 bay doors, each 8 feet square, which allow guests to view the massive 300 foot long show facade on the inside as they park in the 230 space paved and secured parking lot.

The entire attraction is permanent. None of it is dismantle it after the season. Instead, we are able to build, rebuild, improve, add to and repair any element of the attraction during the remainder of the year. The facility is also available for hauntingly private functions in the off-season. 1999 will see the addition of a 2500 sq. ft. themed party area, which will be marketed to encourage more such events, thus creating a cash flow in the months when most haunted attractions are dark and empty.

The People

How did Dr. Blood's ScreamScapes! begin? It's the tale of a most unique assemblage of people, and as many creative ventures are, the happy result of chance meeting.

By the time Saturday rolled around at the 1995 Chicago Halloween Trade Show, my feet hurt, my eyes were tired and I was very hungry. I grabbed a sandwich in the food area and plopped down at the first vacant seat I found. Sitting across from me were a nicely dressed man and woman -- Gene and Betty Braden -- from San Antonio. Now Texas is a big place, but no matter where you live in the state, everybody's your neighbor. I lived in Dallas, so introductions and discussions promptly ensued and in twenty minutes we were friends.

I recall at that first meeting Gene being almost in shock. He and Betty had attended an early morning seminar about haunted attractions that Saturday. I'd been there, too, and was amazed at the standing room only crowd. Gene later said, "I had no idea there were so many other people doing haunts!" It was quite a revelation.

Gene and Betty ran two extremely popular attractions in the Alamo City, Screamers and Nightmare on Grayson_™. Gene's background was in physical education, history, teaching, competitive swimming and selling oil instrumentation equipment. Betty had been a medical illustrator, a bird keeper in a zoo and a free-lance artist specializing in logo design. When the oil boom died Gene decided to go into business for himself. He had some previous haunted house experience in St. Louis, and after extensive research into how to put together a haunted attraction, Gene decided there was money to be made in the boo business".

Gene and a friend, Jim Fetterly, now of The Haunted Hotel in Houston Texas, opened Nightmare on Fifth Street in downtown Austin in 1988. With Gene's brothers John and Don and his father Robert as partners he opened Nightmare on Grayson the following year. In need of a new logo for the San Antonio attraction Gene met Betty who was freelancing graphic designs at the time. In 1990 Gene sold his interests in the Austin show and built yet another attraction a half mile from the Grayson location. Betty segued from logo design to creature prop and mask making in no time, bought out brother Don as a show partner and became Gene's life partner as well.

Of course I didn't learn all of that first lunch!

When I first met the Bradens, my partner Charles Chapman and I ran a haunted attraction design and consultation company in Dallas called VORTA, Inc. Our company was the logical progression of our combined abilities and experience. Charles had been an architect for years, but had broadened his talents to include theatrical writing, show layouts, character development, logistics, costume design and construction. I specialized as a, scenic designer, muralist, artist, theater director, writer and performer.

Gene, Betty, Charles and I got to know one another well over the next few months. We came to realize several interesting thoughts that seemed to dovetail us all together rather nicely. The Bradens wanted to tackle the Dallas/Fort Worth market, and Charles and I needed a new home for dear Dr. Blood. The Bradens weren't familiar with the new market, but Charles and I had been deeply involved in haunted attractions throughout Dallas/Fort Worth for 11 years. The Bradens knew they had to establish an immediate identity for a show if it was to survive the stiff competition and Charles and I owned the Dr. Blood who enjoyed widespread recognition throughout the Metroplex.

It seemed so logical it was scary. A new team was formed and a new haunt would be built in Dallas.

After a long search for a desirable space that would be adaptable for years to come, the Braden's company, TRIBRA Enterprises II, bought the building on Irving Boo-levard in early 1996. After extensive renovation, a lot of fast planning, an entire new roof, buckets of blood, sweat and tears, we opened to the public that October.

"Before anything else, it's a business", states Gene Braden, the CEO of the venture, "We don't do these shows as a hobby. It is our life. We love scaring folks at Halloween, and it's also what we do for a living!" Betty manages the office and does payroll, bookkeeping and print advertising art. "It is interesting raising two children and running a fright experience at the same time", she says. "Well, at least our lives aren't dull."

As partners in the attraction Charles and I contribute design concepts and keep the host character Dr. Blood in the minds of the haunt loving public. Gene's brother John Braden is also a partner without whose labor and efforts the show may never have become a reality. But we would not have survived these three years without the essential core of any successful attraction: the people of the cast and crew.

"Whatever you do, train and treat your cast well, make schedules, communicate and run the show like a good stage production." advises Charles Chapman on crew relations, "Make sure your actors know when they've done a good job." Like a strong triangle. Angle One: The actors scare the guests. Angle Two: The guests scream. Angle Three: The guests' screams provoke the actors to get more scares. One angle leads to another, and so it continues. "We cultivate great pride in performance", says Actor Manager Lynn Mauldin, "and that translates into energetic and effective actors, and into a core cast that returns year after year."

For the ScreamScapes! cast we pull from a pool of over 100 performers. All of the actors are paid, and thus total professionalism and dedication is expected. A minimum of 60 actors is required to operate the show on any given night. The number is evenly split between The Terrortorium and The Necrotorium. Even thought the attractions are inside it can be hot, demanding work; the management crew tries to make the experience fun and rewarding.

No matter how fun we make it, sometimes actors just don't show up. To combat this, consider some kind of a bonus program -- it doesn't have to be money -- for the actor who maintains a perfect track record for the run of the show. Sometimes a "carrot" held out, as an extra treat at the end for excellent attendance will help insure that there is a full cast every night.

Another way we encourage the best from our performers is a Guest Exit Poll. We station a staff member at the show exit and ask guests what they consider to be the top scare. The show will be fresh in their memory and they will usually be very emphatic about what frightened them most. Then we tally up the responses nightly and announce to the cast in the dressing room afterwards the scare with the most comments. Soon the cast will be competing, in a positive fashion, for the top scare each night.

Our ScreamScapes! crew includes at least 10 security people in the shows, 3 parking lot attendants, 4 ticket sellers and 4 uniformed police officers. General Manager Ken Nelms says, "My job here is a dream come true. It's always challenging and keeps me on my toes. Plus, I get to be a vital part of scaring more people than I ever dreamed possible!" David Angelo, the Technical Director, states, "Our entire team loves what they do. We've built and painted and hung cheesecloth until our fingers bled, but we wouldn't have it any other way. It's simple -- it's our people -- that's what makes the show go!"

The Show

"It is all in the mind!" -- that's what Dr. Blood always says, and it's the prime theory behind both shows at ScreamScapes! You'll find little gore and witness no scenes of brutal violence or re-enacted mayhem. The results of horrendous goings-on are everywhere, and suspense is built by the notion that something equally as horrendous might just happen to you! What you will find at ScreamScapes! is a calculated combination of performances, scenics, sound, costuming and lighting, designed to achieve the maximum safe scare.

In some shows a simple BOO will do. But we feel that guests need to be creeped out as much as shocked. The big scares are there, to be sure. But through performance, rather than just startles, our guests can sense an underlying quality of weirdness and menace. Sometimes it's almost subliminal. Guests don't know why they feel nervous, but they certainly are. And when the big BOO comes, the victims are totally primed. We always make the guests think we are about to do far worse than we ever would really do.

The stage is set throughout the immense lobby as our guests enter. The fog, music, disorienting lighting and decorous Terrortorium mural facade and Necrotorium facade ruins create an immediate mindset. But it's the performances of the TerrorTechnicians _™ and the Associopaths _™ which really unnerve the guests. The actors move slowly -- deliberately -- definitely -- and always stare at the guests directly in their eyes. They NEVER touch the guests, but do follow them and lurk about them. Often two actors will gang up on a susceptible guest and point, whisper to one another, nod in agreement, then disappear into the depths of the show. It works every time. In our society, it's impolite to stare or point. The purposeful breaking of a guest's comfort zone can make them paranoid, vulnerable and ripe for the picking!

One fun effect that we have experimented with in The Terrortorium causes a stir at least several times a night. It is the "Help me! Help me!" actor. About halfway through the show, after numerous big scares, guests encounter a weeping, pitiful fellow "guest" cowering in a dimly lit corner. This can work with a male or female, but the performer has got to be a superb actor for it to succeed. As guests pass by, the whimpering guest cries "Help me -- help me" very softly. It's amazing how many kind-hearted souls help the actor up, take him to a nearby exit and hand him over to security. Or sometimes they forcibly take the actor into the safety of their group and protect him throughout the remainder of the show. And the actor MUST play along, or the illusion is ruined. This gag, placed where it is in the show, takes the guests' thoughts from the "Oh, this is all make-believe" into a new, unexpected, disturbing realm of doubt: "Is this real?" Once the doubt is implanted, everything from that point on in the show is doubly effective.

Sets

Effective show scenics help make the entire experience a visual treat for guests. Good sets are a sign, to the guests, of their money well spent. Like the performance issue, the sets can start in the lobby. Often show lobbies are bland and utilitarian. Why not use scenery to enhance the apprehension and excitement for the guests about to enter? The Terrortorium lobby facade depicts huge stylized skulls, while The Necrotorium facade depicts the broken walls of a massive City of the Dead. Not only do they create great visual atmosphere and mood, but they also give waiting guests something interesting to view when they are not being accosted by lobby performers.

We thoroughly design every aspect of the shows, often creating color design art to guide the construction crew and artists. It doesn't have to be great art, but as long as it communicates the proposed final effect, it will do the job. The Grand Entrance in The Necrotorium facade was built from a rendering I did, and the realization of the entrance is remarkably similar to the art -- thanks to understanding through art. Scenic designer/builder/artist Gordon Wise of San Antonio, creator of many ScreamScapes! sets, says, "In my opinion a show can't have too much set work. Good, well thought out sets, add a tremendous production value to any show. You don't have to spend a lot of money -- just a lot of imagination, resourcefulness and creativity. Above all, plan your sets well."

Sound

Amazingly, I've experienced a few haunted attractions, which obviously had given little thought to sound. What a mistake! A good soundtrack can enhance the effect of a show far beyond the combination of the other elements. At ScreamScapes! we bit the bullet and had a local composer produce original soundscapes to our specifications. But whether you use original sound or play a prerecorded Halloween effects CD, select the best soundtrack you can for your particular show. Here's a tip -- whenever possible include the sounds of humans in distress, humans crying or human babbling voices. Even if it's not the predominant noise in the track, guests will psychologically connect with the sound of humans. And it will make them very uneasy. An extension of this in The Terrortorium is the Video Wall du Mal (Video Wall of Evil). Multiple television monitors showing extreme close-ups of screaming faces always sets our guests on edge. Then the leap-out scare just beyond puts them on the floor!

Costumes

While our costumes for The Necrotorium are of the fairly traditional living dead, rotting and decomposing style, The Terrortorium costumes are most unique. Many are primarily white, a significant departure from black hooded robe of most other haunted attractions. Again, this plays with the guests' brains, and brings to mind the clean, white look of hospital gear, without being actual hospital wear. Glitzy blood red trim and fragmented mirror medallions accent the costumes to help strengthen the Dr. Blood theme. Don't be afraid to try something different! Be daring! Get away from those stereotypes and create a new look -- just for your show.

Lighting

If you're show is like our show, we strive for the best lighting effect that we can, with the minimal cost. Again, be creative with whatever you have to work with. Temporarily "blinding" the guests and simultaneously assaulting them with sound after a careful set-up can be truly heart stopping. In The Terrortorium we do it with FearScanners _™. These ominous, bazooka-like props are operated by masked TerrorTechnicians. As guests approach, the TerrorTechnician aims the FearScanner at the eyes of the group and follows them as they pass. At just the right moment, he lurches toward them, hitting a button which illuminates a super bright red spot enclosed in the machine's snoot and starts an ear-blasting siren. This effect lasts but a second or two, but it makes the guests putty in the hands of the TerrorTechnician who continues his performance and attacks them until they've left the area.

Everything we have done at Dr. Blood's ScreamScapes! began with a vision. The building, the cast and crew and the shows themselves were dreams which, through hard work, have been realized. You too, may have a vision to begin a Haunted Attraction, or you may already have one or work with one. The key is to maintain your visions and dreams. Build upon them and never compromise on creativity or safety.

Drew Edward Hunter is the Design Director of Haunted Attractions at Sally Corporation in Jacksonville, Florida. Email him at drblood@drblood.com and visit Dr. Blood's ScreamScapes! on the web at www.drblood.com Dr. Blood_® is a Registered Trademark of Dr. Blood, Inc. All rights reserved.

FAST FACTS:

Dates of Operation: Fridays & Saturdays -- September 25 - October 3

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays October 8 - October 18

Nightly October 22 - October 31

Hours of Operation: Sunday - Thursday 7:30PM - 10PM

Friday & Saturday 7:30PM - Midnight

Admission: $15 per person

Number of scenes: The Terrortorium: 20

The Necrotorium: 13

NEW for 1998: "Dr. Blood's LaserFrights! _™" --

A Psycho-delic Lobby Light Show

ScreamScapes! Info line: (214) 744-6705

ScreamScapes! Office line: (214) 752-7995

Dr. Blood's ScreamScapes!

2001 Irving Boo-levard

Dallas, Texas 25207