I didn't waste time after our successful haunt at my son's elementary school in 2013. Even during construction I was jotting down improvements and changes for next year's haunt. This year I am already working the basic layout, but seem to be running into similar problems as last year, rooms or hallways that have nothing associated with them...yet. So the first question, should I redesign the layout in order to accommodate fewer haunts? Currently I have 7 rooms/hallways planned and 1-2 of them are questionable (room 3 and 5) and 1 hallway (hallway 7) doesn't have anything associated with it. I was thinking mausoleum, but am looking for other options.
1. Hall of Faces
2. Drop Window Hallway
3. Torture Room (?)
4. Dot Room
5. Hanging Noodle Room
6.
7. Jason/Freddy/Michael Myers (not sure which)
1. Hall of Faces failed last year, as I was not able to buy enough plan white face masks to cover the walls, I ended up with glow in the dark hockey masks and it just did not come off as intended. I will retry this hallway again, thinking we can pull it off. Kids (labelled 'A') on the diagram will scare people walking through.
2. Drop Window Hallway, which I am really excited about this year will probably be the centerpiece for the haunt. I have never built one, but based on the videos I have seen and information I have collected, shouldn't be too difficult. Might use a shot of air for a misdirection.
3. Was planning an electric chair in here originally, but I think I have moved on from that idea and might make this a torture room. Using one actor (possibly) and a prop (model) on a table. Simple use of bloodied tools and utensils with an open body cavity.
4. Bringing back the Dot Room, which was the best part of our 2013 haunt. Going to repaint all the green dots, which failed somewhat (looked too yellow), also going to use a one piece black suit for the actor. Based on some reading making that room circular works better.
5. Was going to be a carnie hall. Saw a kick *** video with carnival prizes (stuffed animals on the walls) with 2 actors covered in clown paint with a light/noise maker. Thought this was a great addition, but not sure I am going to have the resources. With that said, I was thinking of hanging swimming noodles in this area
6. I don't have a clue right now, was planning a mausoleum, of sorts, but have decided to move in a different direction. This area is still in the planning stage.
7. The use of strobes and one of horror's main charaters, Freddy, Michael Myers or Jason in the hallway, which is accessible at both ends.
In a nutshell a much more involved haunt that last year, but I still have time to build the props I need. Last year was the best haunt the school had, which made the school the most money. That was a great feeling helping generate donations for the PTA and hearing the screams and seeing all the smiles on the kids/parents/teachers faces.
The layout is going to be a combination of plywood for the drop window and 3/4" PVC for the rest of the layout. Walls will be visqueen throughout, with the exception of the Dot Room, which are black, painted sheets (already done!). The Noodles might
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