NETHERWORLD Monster of the Month: May 2012 Scarecrows!

“Listen to his body moan
make a wish and send us home
to spin the gold and silver stitches
we can turn his rags to riches…”

Scarecrow – Siouxsie and the Banshees

Alone, detached from the mortal realm, he stands faithful guard over a living field, ever diligent in his efforts to ward off harm. His sackcloth face is a mockery of man, mismatched buttons for eyes and crooked stitching for a mouth. He exhibits no temper, no lack of patience, no hunger or thirst or longing for companionship. He simply waits…

Scarecrows have long served us in our endeavor to keep vermin away from our crops. Hovering on a pole or perch, head and shoulders above us, they hang menacingly over the food they are charged with protecting, asking nothing in return. How effective they are is debatable – one wonders if they actually intimidate birds and rodents in the least. Yet there is something chilling about these silent sentinels, adorned (for lack of a better word) with cast-offs and hand-me-downs as they simply linger for our benefit. Stuffed full of dry straw, with inhuman proportions and random debris poking out at the seams, they almost seem to laugh at us, as if amused by the fact that this is how we see ourselves.

So, do these ragged non-men merely exist lifeless in the field, or is there something more sinister at work? Perhaps they do more than wear our discards -maybe they inhabit them, soaking in whatever life-force remains within the garments we toss aside? History is rife with tales of “living” scarecrows, animated in order to carry out some act of justice or revenge. Be they infused with a tortured soul, forever trapped in limbo, or resurrected by mystical means, the scarecrow has played a sizable role in the myths and legends of Americana.

As far back as 712 in Japan, the scarecrow has represented a silent watcher, knowing in the ways of the world around him yet unable to explore it himself. And while some accounts, such as the lovable protagonist of L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” stories, tell of scarecrows imbued with friendly human traits, more often than not this iconic character takes on a more diabolical role. Throughout the years, he has become a powerful vessel for exacting vengeance, his near-human appearance lending an air of dread as he carries out his sinister acts. Typically armed with a sickle or pitchfork he takes flight in the night to terrorize the object of his revenge. With no face to exhibit expression, he sets us on edge and it is nearly impossible to know his intentions until it is too late…

Such is the challenge as you wander throughout the halls of Netherworld Haunted House: is that lifeless face peering back at you truly devoid of life, or does it simply serve to disguise a more malevolent intent? Are those tattered clothes strewn over a human shape nothing but decoration, intended to chase away impending evil, or are they actually housing evil itself? How can one be sure what they are encountering is nothing more than a stuffed suit before it it’s altogether too late?

How indeed…

The Horror Returns with SLITHER on Mother’s Day!
Sunday May 13th – 8pm – Studio Movie Grill Holcomb Bridge
http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/BodyGraphic.aspx?ID=180

Meteorites have been delivering dreadful invaders to Earth almost as long as sci-fi and horror films have existed. Man’s fascination with what lies beyond the stars has conjured up some seriously disturbing possibilities, and there is no finer example of that than in the 2006 comedy/sci-fi/horror film “Slither”.

An unsettling-yet-hilariously entertaining love letter to 50′s science fiction B-movies, “Slither” spins a wild yarn about what happens in small-town middle America when an alien parasite transforms the innocent citizens of Wheelsy into zombie-like creatures with an insatiable hunger for meat. Featuring a stellar cast of cult-favorite character actors and hold-your-stomach effects, mixed with an ample dose of dark humor and memorable one-liners, this movie is pure joy for fans of the creepy and bizarre.

Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Gregg Henry, Jenna Fischer (wife of writer/director James Gunn) and Michael Rooker head up this engaging ensemble, delivering steady chills and solid laughs with equal enthusiasm. Shot over 47 days in British Columbia, “Slither” is one of those gems of a movie that slip under the blockbuster radar yet deserve a wider audience. Die-hard genre fans will especially enjoy subtle tips of the hat to Stephen King and “Basket Case” writer/director Frank Henenlotter, references to a slew of classic monster movies, and an unseen cameo by none other than more-human-than-human Rob Zombie.

(*note of interest: Netherworld co-owner Billy Messina worked on the Special Effects crew for Henenlotter on Basket Case 2 & 3 as well as on the unforgettable Frankenhooker)

“Slither is totally retro from several eras…”, says Netherworld Haunted House co-owner Ben Armstrong. “It just seems out of place and I love that about it…! Start with a taste of “I Married a Monster From Outer Space” fun wacky sci-fi from 1958, add over the top gore a la 1982′s ‘The Thing’, add in some dark comedy and stir…you get a film from another era that is lots of fun and lots of disturbing!”

Take the time to soak in this gross-out fun-fest, and allow yourself a little time afterward to enjoy a thick, juicy ribeye. Or eight. Naw… ten. Uhm, no, no. You know what? Gimme fourteen.

You’ll get that one later…

Enjoy Slither and Netherworld Trivia with great prizes before the movie starts plus Studio movie grill has great grub & tasty beverages of the adult variety delivered right to your seat…check it out at:
http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/BodyGraphic.aspx?ID=180

Hope to see you on Mother’s Day!

“I think their predominant color was a grayish-green, though they had white bellies. They were mostly shiny and slippery, but the ridges of their backs were scaly. Their forms vaguely suggested the anthropoid, while their heads were the heads of fish, with prodigious bulging eyes that never closed. At the sides of their necks were palpitating gills, and their long paws were webbed. They hopped irregularly, sometimes on two legs and sometimes on four. I was somehow glad that they had no more than four limbs. Their croaking, baying voices, clearly used for articulate speech, held all the dark shades of expression which their staring faces lacked … They were the blasphemous fish-frogs of the nameless design – living and horrible.” – The Shadow Over Innsmouth

With this chilling passage, H.P. Lovecraft drew attention to the Deep Ones, horrific creatures spawned from the depths of the ocean. Prone to a desire to mate with humans, these sea-dwelling humanoids are said to be immortal, none dying by natural causes. They exist in servitude to Father Dagon and Mother Hydra, and the malevolent entity known as Cthulhu. Primarily living a marine life, Deep Ones are able to survive on land for periods of time.

Long ago, a bargain of sorts was made between the Deep Ones and humankind. The Deep Ones would provide abundant fishing and lavish riches in the form of gold jewelry in exchange for human sacrifices and a vow of mating between the Deep Ones and mortal beings. These hybrid offspring would begin life in human form, transforming later in life and attaining immortality.

This bargain was a dark secret of the seaside town of Innsmouth, where citizens undergoing the transformation were hidden away from the public until the physical changes were finished. Much of the town’s population exhibited what became known as the “Innsmouth look” – fish-like qualities such as bulbous eyes, scaly skin and the development of gills on the sides of the neck. Eventually, the transformation complete, these children of an unholy union would retire to the sea and live the remainder of their lives in underwater cities, far removed from the world of man – awaiting the calling of their powerful gods.

For centuries man has reported sightings of humanoid sea creatures, with witnesses describing a myriad of lifeforms. Aside from the beautiful, fantastic mermaids sailors would spot, other amphibious beings have been noted in various parts of the world. Countless tales tell of marine-based entities with human characteristics, walking upright and wandering into human villages seeking mates among the unsuspecting population.

In 1840, on the heels of a loss in profitable trade due to shipwreck and war, Captain Obed Marsh is said to have initiated a cult known as The Esoteric Order of Dagon. He had heard of such a practice among islanders he encountered in his many travels, and soon the fishing industry of Innsmouth, Massachusetts felt a tremendous increase in profit. However, Marsh and his followers were incarcerated, and the human sacrifices they had promised the Deep Ones ceased. In 1846 a mysterious “sickness” overcame the citizens of Innsmouth, and a large majority of the population was lost. In truth, this unknown plague was actually the results of the Deep One’s vengeance, and once the cult began anew the fishing increased. As did the inbreeding of Innsmouth’s residents with the Deep Ones.

Soon, as dark rumors circulated about Innsmouth and its curious populace, the town became shunned and people avoided it for many years. It fell into a state of decay, worsening closer to the shoreline. In 1927, amid speculation of bootlegging, Federal authorities sent investigators to the crumbling burg. What was found has never been officially disclosed, but the following year officials detonated explosives in nearby Devil’s Reef and the townspeople were arrested – although no record has ever been discovered in any jail of the surrounding areas. For all intents and purposes, the residents of Innsmouth, Massachusetts simply…disappeared. Sightings of the Deep Ones, however, did not.

Stalking the moody corridors of NETHERWORLD Haunted House, these diabolical Cthulhu worshippers have been spotted darting in and out of the light, constantly seeking mates to continue and expand their bloodline. Awaiting the return of their dreaded master, human-fish hybrids lie in wait as the very battle for control of the mortal Earthly realm wages around them. Knowing all too well that they will live eternally, they simply bide their time as events unfold that will determine their place in the future of this planet…

NETHERWORLD Haunted House Presents THE HORROR!! Cult Classic Horror Films on the Big Screen For Just A Buck!

First movie up: From Beyond
When: April 8th (Easter) – 8:00pm
Where: Studio Movie Grill – 2880 Holcomb Bridge Road – Alpharetta, GA 30022

More Details Here

It’s no secret that one of the biggest inspirations to the crew of NETHERWORLD Haunted House is the work of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of weird tales…so when the line-up for the new film series The Horror was selected, the choice for the first presentation seemed obvious.

Strange things are underway at 666 Benevolent Street, in Stuart Gordon’s creepy, kinky adaptation of Lovecraft’s “From Beyond”. Here, inside the home of brilliant Dr. Edward Pretorious, a device known as The Resonator stimulates the brain’s pineal gland (or sixth sense) and open’s up the mind to creatures from another dimension – leading to the unfortunate demise of the good doctor. Seeking to determine exactly what happened to Pretorious and clear the name of his partner Crawford Tillinghast, Dr. Katherine McMichaels and Detective Bubba Brownlee return to The Resonator…with horrific results.

Starring the always-entertaining Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, as well as Ken Foree and Ted Sorel, Gordon’s loose retelling of the Lovecraft short story features everything a sci-fi/horror fan could wish for. Quirky characters, grotesque monsters, and a generous dose of squirm-inducing violence add to the trippy atmosphere of this 1986 cult classic. Produced for just 2.5 million dollars, “From Beyond” holds it’s own as a unique and engaging venture into the consequences of man’s continuing desire to unleash the mysteries of the human psyche. The slow decent of our protagonists into their own individual madnesses is what drives this film. Watching Combs and Crampton transform under the influence of The Resonator’s pineal awakening is pure horror movie genius, as these two do what they do best: Combs making the onset of insanity entertaining and Crampton managing to add real sex appeal amid all the gore.

The creature designs are an added treat. Billy Messina, co-owner of Netherworld Haunted House (and once and sometimes still a make-up effects artist himself), credits From Beyond with more than being just a fun horror romp. From Beyond was an inspiration for many kids aspiring to work in the make-up effects field in the late 80s and early 90s for such a low budget movie, it helped kick-start the careers of many a great talent in the fx industry and inspired many more to enter the field. This era was a glory days of sorts for make-up effects artists because what you created was what was seen on the screen…this was before the advent of cgi, and post production embellishment was limited at best. So although the fx may seem a bit dated, you have to admire that everything seen on screen was real, you could pretty much touch it all…there was a crew of f/x guys just out of frame puppetteering; pumping slime and wrangling push/pull cables to control early day animatronics. This makes those floating serpents with a taste for human flesh, deformed former humans, and that snakelike third eye all the more impressive.

Disturbing, yet with a deliciously dark sense of humor, “From Beyond” has stood the test of time and surpassed much of its horror genre competition with solid performances and effects that weave an eerie cautionary tale.

Plus, you can get great food and beverages delivered right to your table at Studio Movie Grill…check out their menu here: http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/Menu.aspx?s=60&m=1

So come out and enjoy a new cult classic with NETHERWORLD HAUNTED HOUSE on The Second Sunday of each month at Studio Movie Grill!

Happy St. Patricks Day from NETHERWORLD Haunted House!

NETHERWORLD Haunted House Hissing Roach Colony!

Vampires – for the most part – begin life as mortals, vulnerable to the same weaknesses as all human beings: aging, disease, bodily harm, and eventually death. Yet after their terrifying transformation into the undead, they are reborn as immortal creatures of the night, albeit with a brand new set of weaknesses. It is commonly believed that this change comes as the result of having been fed upon – and feeding from – a vampire, forcing a short death and resurrection as nosferatu. From that point forward, it’s a life of drinking blood, avoiding sunlight and dodging wooden stakes and beheadings.

However popular this theory is, there have been many beliefs regarding the creation of vampires. According to Slavic legend, if a cat or dog jumped over a corpse it was at risk of becoming a vamp. Russian folklore blames a former life as a witch with causing the change. Chinese tales indicate that a wound not treated with boiling water could trigger an unearthly bloodlust. There have also been a variety of methods for preventing vampirism over the ages, such as burying a corpse upside down to prevent it from rising again. Greek folklore tells of the vrykolakas, in which a wax cross and piece of pottery with the inscription “Jesus Christ conquers” were buried atop the corpse as a preventative measure. A common European practice was to sever the tendons at a corpse’s knees, and place seeds or rice around the grave, as it was believed a vampire would have to count the individual grains before moving on. Obsessive-compulsive disorder apparently goes hand-in-hand with bloodlust!

Although the legend of vampiric activity dates back as far as prehistoric times, it wasn’t until the early eighteenth century that the traditionally recognized term “vampire” came to be, as vampire superstition grew in Western Europe. This fear of the undead eventually gave way to mass hysteria, leading to suspected individuals being accused of vampirism and executed, and corpses being exhumed and staked to prevent any possible transformation to the dark side. And while imagery of the creature varied from human-like to the ghastly, it was John Polidori’s 1819 novella “The Vampyre” that established the archetype of charismatic and sophisticated vampire. This is believed to be a huge influence on Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, released in 1897 and considered by many to be the quintessential vampire tome. Soon, the hideous bloodsucking fiend became a suave, seductive tortured soul – more a figure of sympathy than dread.

Since then, the portrayal of the undead has taken on many varied forms. From Anne Rice’s sexy, tormented immortals to the teen angst of the “Twilight” series and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to the elusive, hunger-mad creatures of “30 Days of Night”, there seems to be a style of vamp for every taste – a true testament to the longevity and popularity of this intriguing legend. With popular television series like “The Vampire Diaries” and “True Blood” captivating audiences, there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight for the unlife of the vampire, at least as far as the media is concerned.

Atlanta’s Netherworld Haunted House is also keeping the legend of the nosferatu alive – or undead, as the case may be. Commanded by Lord Ghoulich, the vampires of Netherworld rally against the forces of the Netherspawn, hoping to end the Blood Night and forever repay a past betrayal at the hands of the gargoyles – which led to the destruction of many of his kind. Cunning and powerful, he stalks the chambers of Netherworld with his deadly, beautiful Brides, dead set on restoring the balance of power and eliminating the gargoyle race forever. As seductive as they are lethal, the vampires you find here will take your breath away.

And a bit of your blood, as well, if you’re not careful…

NETHERWORLD Haunted House in Atlanta GA has been named one of the most influential haunted houses of all time by Hauntworld Magazine!
Read about it Below!

…From www.Hauntworld.com

There have been many things which have influenced how haunted houses are built today including Phil Morris book, Hauntworld Videos, Kevin McCurdy videos, plus the unforgettable John Denley and Rich Hanf Doing Fright Right. However, theres simply nothing more influential than visiting other haunted houses. After you visit a good one, you walk out the door with a truly lasting impression. Over the years, Ive known many haunted houses and haunt attractions that have come to shape and form our industry as we know it today. Below is a list of such haunts. Some of the haunted houses on this list are no longer in operation. However, they created such a huge influence over the industry that their mark remains today.

So which haunted houses and attractions have made the biggest, most lasting impression on our industry today? Here is a list of the top 20 most influential haunted houses in the history of our industry and why

Click Here

Rethinking The Haunted House Guest Experience!

Ben Armstrong NETHERWORLD Haunted House
www.Fearworld.com

　
The Process of Design:

When you design your haunt what shapes your choices? Usually it is very straightforward things like the building you are in, the theme, the budget, what your crew (or you) can do, movies or other Haunted Houses you like, even what sort of props you have access to. Many haunts have tons of space and the big question is “how to fill it”. Some have more junk than space and the question is the opposite, “where can I cram all this junk?”. In general most of us just “do” and don’t really think about why we are building the way we are, the reason is just because it feels right. I think the two biggest things that drive us are A) making it detailed or cool and B) making it scary. I know in general that is what I think about. But perhaps an examination of what your GUESTS want is an even more important focus to have, after all they are paying to be there. But then that begs the question: what do they want?

What Do They Want?

Ask ten Haunters what their guests want and seven will say “to be scared” and three will say “to be entertained”. Both very worthy and related answers, but first needing a deeper examination of exactly WHO your guests are. After a great deal of thought I have a new answer to this eternal question that perhaps has even more relevance: TO HAVE A MEMORABLE GROUP EXPERIENCE.

Think about it, does anyone come to a haunted house by themselves, that is of course except for a haunter sneaking out during the season? Almost everyone comes to have an experience, an adventure, with their family or friends. So we are NOT dealing with individuals, we are dealing with a GROUP. It is ultimately the group experience that shapes how successful your event is and what they are going to tell their friends.

How Many are in a Group?

So how many are in your average group? My best guess is anywhere from 2-6 based on how many can fit in one car. Certainly there are larger groups of all shapes and sizes, but I think this is the most common size. How do I know? I asked the box office manager (my wife) and that’s what she told me. You guys do the same and see what you find out! It only makes sense, after all with a fair amount of travel to get to a haunt, the cost and/or difficulty in finding parking, and the intimacy of the group dynamic that this would be the magic number. Think about when you go out to eat dinner with a large group…often you can only actually talk to the 5 or 6 people closest to you . It is the same in a haunt – the dark and twisting path eliminates interaction beyond a few people in front of you or behind you anyway. So even if a huge group comes to a haunt in multiple vehicles, the guests will only experience it with the few ahead of and behind them. Let’s assume for the sake of the argument that I am right, what can we do with this knowledge? We can craft the experience to best work for this group size – EVEN while a conga line is running.

So What Does The Group Want?

Now is when it gets complicated…and interesting! In each group of guests there are many different motivations. Let’s look at some of the most common types of guests one finds in a group:

1) The Offering: Usually terrified, they are pushed out in front often by a boyfriend or husband and offered to the monsters. They sometimes relish playing the role, screaming and smiling all the while. Sometimes however they really are terrified and want nothing more than to GET OUT!

2) The Offerer: What they want most is to see what the Offering does. They are more interested in the reaction of this person than they are in what is going on around them. Sometimes they are actually very scared themselves and are using the Offering as a shield. Sometimes there are many Offerers in a group and they constantly tell the monsters to “ get her!” and tell the name of the Offering to any actor they see.

3) The Brave One: Occasionally this person is in the front, and they plunge on bravely to attain more status from their friends. Sometimes they really want to get scared but have a high tolerance level and it just doesn’t happen very often. They are often very happy if someone actually gets them to flinch. Sometimes what they want is NOT to be scared. They are trying to prove something to themselves and the group about how much they can take. The funny thing about the Brave One is that they often spend so much time worrying about how they are reacting and what the group will think about that reaction that they miss most of the show!

4) The Punk: Very similar in many ways to the Brave One, The Punk is defined more by how they externalize the experience, to both the actors and their friends. They are totally fixated on performing to the group, acting tough, etc. But deep inside they either crave the thought of actually getting freaked out or they deeply dread it!

5) The Thrill Seeker: Unlike many of the others discussed this person is totally open to the experience. The most delightful type of patron, they scream and laugh at all the right times and are a joy for the actors. Like the Offering this sort of person is fixated on by the group, as group members get huge delight in every gasp and scream. Often you can get entire groups of Thrill Seekers that barrel through the halls of the haunt having a great time and not remembering anything about what actually happened inside.

6) The Detail Seeker: More entranced by the sets and props, this person loves haunted houses, but is often annoyed by the actors. Unless the actor is very unusual or has stellar make-up and costuming, they tend to ignore your monsters to study every detail and prop in the room. Once in a while this allows them to be really shocked as they are so distracted by the details. Group members often continually ask this person what they think about this or that because the Detail Seeker is usually the haunt “expert” in the group.

7) The 5th Wheel: Usually a lone male this person is the one most outside the group dynamic, and usually trails at the end. They almost always miss most of the scares triggered by Offerings and Thrill Seekers, placing themselves in a spot to watch the group they wish they were in the middle of from behind. If the 5th Wheel actually gets nailed by a few actors they often will really start enjoying the Haunt, but if they don’t they will be even more bitter as they watch all of their friends have all the fun.

As you can see we could probably describe fifty more types of patrons, but the intriguing thing that has been occurring to me lately is how much they are often more interested in EACH OTHER. I think the reactions that folks in the group have to the haunt stimulus is often more exciting to them than the Haunt itself! When tales are told in the car on the way home they will talk about what they saw but more commonly about WHO go scared by what or WHO was the bravest. But there is one more type of guest that we haven’t discussed yet, in my opinion the most important one!

The Ringleader

The Ringleader is the guest who is most responsible for the group going to the haunt. Often they have already been that year or in other years, and they want to see how the group they choose will respond to the various scares and scenes. Sometimes they are a Detail Seeker or a Thrill Seeker drawn in by your marketing and want the personal excitement they can get at your event. But most often they are there for the group, enjoying the position of organizer, relishing the thought of watching their group experience the horrors to come. Often the Ringleader will go to great lengths to convince or bribe chickens to come with the group for everyone else’s entertainment. Sometimes they plan to bring a Punk or a Brave One to see if they will crack.

If you as a marketer can draw the interest of the Ringleader your job is done as THEY will do the rest of the work to round up the group, pick a night and get them to your event. If you are able to give your guests what they want – a memorable experience with their friends, then you will create MORE Ringleaders who may return with groups of their own… the most direct form of “word of mouth”.

Rethinking The GROUP Experience

These are not really new ideas, but if you hold them in your mind during the design process what could you do with them? Identify members of the group and give them what they want? Find ways to reward the Ringleader if they make return visits? Train your actors to watch out for the 5th Wheel and give them a special scare? Engage the Detail Seeker more deeply or just get out of the way? Or more importantly realize that you are dealing with a GROUP not a bunch of individuals, and train your actors, especially your lot actors to engage them as such. I am eager to hear your ideas on the topic – lets get on the forums and discuss them. After all what matters more than how your guests experience your event? It doesn’t matter how great your scenes are if groups leave disappointed.