ASHLYEE HICKMAN
A&E Assistant Editor
Most would not volunteer to be in the infamous gruesome shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s horrifying masterpiece, “Psycho.” Running from a fleet of aliens bent on world obliteration as in “War of the Worlds” would not be considered a walk in the park either.
But for those who think they are willing to test the extent of their courage, or for those who can stomach the sight of the goo and guts, Universal Studios Hollywood has something for them that maybe have them think again.
Universal Studios has converted their park into a “living horror film” with Halloween Horror Nights.
Two of the main settings incorporated in Halloween Horror Nights are the Psycho House from Hitchcock’s 1960 thriller and the disaster scene featured in last year’s blockbuster “War of the Worlds.”
Halloween Horror Nights is a history-making event in itself because for the first time in Universal Studios’ 93-year existence passengers are able to get off of the studio tram and wander around the backlot — if they dare.
The entire lot is transformed into a frightful frenzy by “The Director,” a sinister sociopath who — after being banned from Universal after his over-the-top, gory production — returns, “stalking the sets and stages, orchestrating the grisly goings-on and awaiting his moment to pounce on the unwary and luckless Halloween guest,” according to a Universal Studios news release.
The Halloween Horror Nights experience is one where actors are seamlessly intertwined with the guests roaming the park.
The enveloping experience seeks to shatter the lackluster preconceptions of the typical Halloween maze.
Halloween Horror Nights achieves this with its intense and terrifyingly realistic “manifestation of mayhem.”
Even on the event’s Web site, Universal posts a disclaimer stating that the event is “very real, very graphic horror; so no kids, no costumes and no wusses.”
Panvel Pranevsky, who prefers to be known as “The Director,” was approached by Universal Studios to produce a film for their Hollywood Horror Nights.
When “The Director” showed the studio the direction he was going, “They got nervous,” he said in his video address, “They said it was too graphic, too real for their audience.”
Enraged after the movie-based theme park barred him from the premises, “The Director” now terrorizes the park guests with the intent of casting fresh meat for his unfinished horror masterpiece.
Throughout the event, visitors are warned to proceed with caution as the mad man is relentless. “I promise you this,” warns “The Director,” “I will settle the score with Universal Studios. There is nothing that will stop me from filming the most terrifying Halloween event that Hollywood has ever seen.”
Along with the horror in the backlot, “The Director” has also put his own evil touches of some of Universal Studios’ main attractions.
Water World, for example, is transformed into Slaughter World.
The movie-based theme park, which also functions as a working studio, will also feature a wide array of entertainment outside of the rides and the backlot.
The Mutaytor — trance music performance group formed by members of Danny Elfman’s Oingo Boingo — has an exciting explosive-riddled act that features tribal dancers and various stunts. The group performs nightly in the Back to the Future Plaza.
Halloween’s favorite demented doll Chucky will also be on hand to entertain guests with his own mischievous brand of humor in Chucky’s Insultorium.
Visitors will be able to witness the antics of sword swallowers, medieval torture artists, fire and glass eaters and many others in the Carnival of Carnage.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights opened on the unlucky but appropriately spooky date of Friday, Oct. 13 and has continued to frighten guests every weekend after. The madness begins at 7 p.m. each night and will close out the scary season at Universal Studios this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28. The final night for visitors to meet “The Director” will be on none other than Halloween.
Because it is The Director’s contention that, “It’s hard to scream on an empty stomach,” he has slashed the prices on the food served at the park.
Visitors can enjoy “Screamin’ Demon dogs,” chili cheese dogs and fries, “Psycho Sliders,” which are mini- cheeseburgers and fries, or anything else on the menu, for under $5.
Admission for the event is priced between $34 and $39 when purchased in advance.
Tickets are available online at www.halloweenhorrornights.com.Guests are urged to buy the tickets quickly because the bone-chilling event will sell out.
10-26-2006
