Oct. 22, 2023
Fear Factory 2023 in Salt Lake City, UT
Now in its thirteenth season, fear factory in lake lake City has added a new storyline throughout their haunt - plus a new mocktail lounge. Spencer Terry explains what fear factory has planned for 2023.
Now in its thirteenth season, fear factory in lake lake City has added a new storyline throughout their haunt - plus a new mocktail lounge. Spencer Terry explains what fear factory has planned for 2023.
WEBVTT
1
00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:13.480
Now entering its thirteenth season. Fear
Factory in Saltlake City has made many renovations
2
00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:17.879
to its haunt and added a new
mocktail lounge to the midway. That's coming
3
00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:25.440
up on today's show from the Haunted
Atrastion Network. I'm Philip, and this
4
00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:28.280
is our sixty one day Haunted On, where we're counting down to folloween by
5
00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:33.840
celebrating haunted houses daily via videos,
podcasts, and in person experiences. Since
6
00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:36.840
this podcast is only one part of
our Haunt Upon and we're really focusing on
7
00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:40.399
video this year, the best way
to follow everything is by subscribing to our
8
00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:44.719
newsletter where we'll get weekly updates,
or checking our Haunted On page on our
9
00:00:44.759 --> 00:00:51.119
website that's Hantedattrastion network dot com.
Okay, today we're gonna hear from Spencer
10
00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:55.200
Terry, who is the GM at
Fear Factory in Salt Lake City where they
11
00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:59.920
just entered their thirteenth season. Here's
Spencer. My name is Spencer Terry.
12
00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:03.560
I'm the general manager and equity owner
at Fear Factory hundred House here in Salt
13
00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:08.000
Lake City, Utah. This is
our thirteenth year. Lucky thirteen. Fear
14
00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.159
Factory is an abandon c Meent Factory
downtown in Salt Lake City, Utah.
15
00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:19.000
It is made up of six different
buildings and two underground passages. It's about
16
00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:23.120
ninety thousand square feet of interactive scaring
space, so there's lots happening. There's
17
00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:30.319
eighteen flights of stairs, which makes
for a very eventful show but also a
18
00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:36.799
very operationally logistic show. We have
on average about one hundred staff here each
19
00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:40.400
night, one hundred actors and try
to make sure that we do a really
20
00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:45.480
great job. This year, you
changed a lot, There was a lot
21
00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:49.719
of renovations, and there's also story
talk to me about all of that.
22
00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:53.920
Yeah, for our thirteenth year,
we wanted to do something that we essentially
23
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.319
could ride that wave for the next
five years to a decade. And in
24
00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:04.359
doing that, some of our team
thankfully attended a trans world seminar from the
25
00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:07.360
one and only Alan Hopps, and
it got them thinking about how do we
26
00:02:07.479 --> 00:02:12.159
better tell the story? And so
after some time we spent with Alan,
27
00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:16.400
we decided to kind of unroll these
ideas that we've all kind of had in
28
00:02:16.439 --> 00:02:22.439
our head for the last couple of
years, and we went from idea to
29
00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:29.719
brainstorming to pen and paper to sketches
to pulling the trigger and hiring four extra
30
00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:35.319
people to help us build a lot
of new sets, new costumes. We
31
00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:42.360
have thirteen new very specific intellectual property
characters that help tell the storyline to essentially
32
00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:45.800
where the storyline is simple, which
is that the factory is alive. It's
33
00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:50.039
no longer this like just old abandonedment
factory. People used to always say it
34
00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:53.439
was abandoned for a reason. It
was empty for twenty years. Here in
35
00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:55.319
the sal Laic city, it's known
as like the bad Luck Factory. And
36
00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:59.840
so we're running with the storyline,
and the storyline is very simple, which
37
00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:05.599
is that in twenty twenty in Covid, Utah had an unprecedented earthquake. Those
38
00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:09.759
do not happen in Utah, and
that left a crack in our foundation of
39
00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:15.479
our tower, and we realized that
there was a small space behind that was
40
00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:20.879
covered underground. And when we finally
got back to that space, crazy enough,
41
00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:23.719
there's this massive heart that's back there
beating, and we realize the factory
42
00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:29.800
is alive and that the monsters and
the boogeymen who are here are really feeding
43
00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:35.400
and capturing people to where the factory
lures customers and lures people to come face
44
00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:38.479
their fears, and if they don't, if they don't succeed in facing their
45
00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:43.879
fear, they are consumed by the
factory to create more fear. And it's
46
00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.599
a really fun storyline. We're able
to not only spin our costumes and our
47
00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:52.400
characters, but certainly our merchandise as
well as a lot of really fun marketing
48
00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:57.919
to just immerse people into that experience
and give them a chance to really step
49
00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:04.400
outside of Salt Lake City and into
a very real entertainment space where we've now
50
00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:11.159
paired our monsters with our merchandise,
with our new venue that we're opening up
51
00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:16.600
a drink venue, to our show
itself, and everything in between. Basically,
52
00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:23.680
there are thirteen zones and the premise
is that the guests are trying to
53
00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:27.199
face their fears and each zone is
like a different fear exactly, okay,
54
00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:30.240
and then if they don't make it, then they get fed to the machine,
55
00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:32.600
the fear factory. Correct, Okay, So each fear literally, so
56
00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:36.920
you have a fear of being buried
alive, you have a fear of religion,
57
00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:41.079
you have a fear of hell,
we have a fear of clowns,
58
00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:46.000
a fear of death, a fear
of drowning, all of those different fears,
59
00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:49.319
and so each of those different fears
then have their own build out,
60
00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:53.600
their own characters, their own storyline, and everything from there. So I
61
00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:57.839
noticed, as you're going through you'll
see doors for each like a factory door
62
00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:01.240
number one through thirteen. Yes,
and then you have a little bit of
63
00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:05.199
a story that's being told around the
door that kind of challenges you to get
64
00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:09.759
through that area. Yeah, that
was one of the fun things is we
65
00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:14.079
wanted to take people from just walking
through a factory almost a feeling like you're
66
00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:17.240
walking through a ride. In fact, people tonight customers have said that they're
67
00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:20.160
coming here a year after year,
They're always here. They said it felt
68
00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:24.680
like they were on a ride.
Because the idea is that you're just immersed
69
00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:29.959
so much that along the way you've
got this character who's talking to you and
70
00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.480
tracking you through the entire facility,
which allows us to then tell a story
71
00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:38.000
in a really fun way, and
it really does make them feel it's personalized.
72
00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:42.759
Obviously it's recorded, but the fact
that people were leaving here on opening
73
00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:46.120
night just absolutely blown away, but
also feeling like it was a personalized show
74
00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:49.720
means that we feel like we did
a pretty good job, but there's always
75
00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:55.519
tweaks. I think it was I
think the hardest part about an opening night
76
00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:58.600
is there's always things to work out. So here we go for tomorrow.
77
00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:02.519
Yeah, speaking of things to work
out, it does seem like it's a
78
00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:08.519
little bit different than in previous years
because you have I guess you would call
79
00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:11.319
it, I don't know what the
term you're using, but there's basically like
80
00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:16.519
a character in each zone that they
talk to you or they have something to
81
00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:20.319
tell you about the fear. Yeah, right, so that's different because I
82
00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:24.319
don't think you really had that many
like face characters, is what we call
83
00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:27.680
them, true, Yeah, in
the past. Yeah, Traditionally we don't
84
00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:31.439
like monologues yeh, because everything exactly
and then the delivery can change, might
85
00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:33.759
miss the group and then yeah,
the story, there's all the things,
86
00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:36.480
so much to so many things that
we don't like about it, and so
87
00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:42.639
we've really been careful about who we
are selecting for that and how they are
88
00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:46.879
portraying that in a clear and concise
way that gets to the storyline but also
89
00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:50.879
doesn't mess up flow and everything else
can the entire group period. And we
90
00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:55.920
invested a lot into like microphones for
example, and wireless mics that are connected
91
00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:59.279
to speakers so that they can,
like the customers can hear some of those
92
00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:01.279
things a little bit more. But
yeah, there's definitely a little bit more
93
00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.079
of that compared to other years.
It also seems like you've added a little
94
00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:10.279
bit more effects. I think inside
for the actors, hundreds I would almost
95
00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:15.879
probably even say close to one thousand
new triggers, animatronics, lighting, audio,
96
00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:18.480
The entire property go on an audio
overhaul, which was really cool thanks
97
00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:24.639
to Gantum, because we also added
some really cool lighting effects that have helped
98
00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:28.160
us there. It's really easy to
just put a light and call it a
99
00:07:28.199 --> 00:07:30.800
day, right, But when you
can flicker it, when you can really
100
00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:34.879
cue that light into the exact color
that you need, that tells the story.
101
00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:38.600
And it's been really great to be
able to use those. And I
102
00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:42.040
think those are all those like just
tiny little things that really do add up.
103
00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:45.120
We had a staff member who has
been a leader with us for four
104
00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.279
years and she came through tonight with
her father and they were just absolutely there.
105
00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:53.000
All this feels like a very different, almost new attraction because so many
106
00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:58.160
new things have been added. Yeah, talk to me about that dichotomy.
107
00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:01.680
It's interesting that you're adding something from
both sides, right, you're adding really
108
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:07.199
what I would say, more jump
scares basically, or you know, maybe
109
00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.600
tools as what a better way to
say it, like tools to like you've
110
00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:15.879
always had actors, but now some
of the actors at least have tools either
111
00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:18.839
in the monologue with the equipment,
yeah, but then other ones have tools
112
00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:24.600
to trigger sound and lighting effects.
So it's just interesting, Like why it's
113
00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:28.959
interesting you've added on both angles.
Usually you have somebody go all story or
114
00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:31.879
they go yeah to one, yeah, one or the other. We really
115
00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:35.000
yeah, we really tried to make
you feel in the middle, like we
116
00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:39.200
didn't want to swing the pendulum one
way or the other. It was about
117
00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:41.639
getting the right thing the right way
and being able to give it to the
118
00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:46.759
customer in a way that helps them
hear the storyline, but also not bother
119
00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:50.799
them like they're coming to get scared, not go to a theater. It's
120
00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:52.120
it is theater. It's live theater, and we're very proud of it.
121
00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:56.399
But we don't want to deliver lines
that are so long that you're just like,
122
00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:58.519
wait, see it again. So
I didn't hear it the first time
123
00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:01.200
yet no that it didn't work,
so we just have to go back to
124
00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:05.759
the board. And the other thing
I thought going through it was interesting is
125
00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:11.240
you it took me a while to
pick up on that they were that you
126
00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:13.879
were trying to overcome your fears,
right, because I think I missed some
127
00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:16.080
of the audio cues or took me
a while. But really the doors really
128
00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:20.519
stand out, and I what's interesting
is they whereas before it was like you
129
00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:24.279
just wandered into the fear Factory and
you had no idea when you were going
130
00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:30.240
to escape. Yeah, this almost
gave it a timestamp. You're going through
131
00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.120
and you're like, oh, I'm
halfway through, versus before you had no
132
00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:37.720
idea true how long it is?
Do you think that changed? Does that
133
00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:41.200
change it at all? Because I'm
actually not sure. I personally preferred it
134
00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:46.360
to be to see the numbers,
because frequently I was like, we're only
135
00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:50.000
at this number. Yeah, it's
a place walking for a long time.
136
00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:52.240
Yeah, there's still like halfway.
I'm like, oh, I don't think
137
00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:54.639
i'll make it. And so I
think that was it, but it but
138
00:09:54.720 --> 00:10:00.360
also I felt it made it harder
to really define like a big getting the
139
00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:03.240
middle of an end there's not like
those big scene you know, like kind
140
00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:07.639
of get that's harder. So essentially
you're making thirteen stories instead of one big
141
00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:11.200
story. Yeah. No, that's
a really good point. I don't know
142
00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:13.279
the customers, and we don't tell
the customers how many areas there are,
143
00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:20.320
so that allows us to then be
able to me. I think as they're
144
00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:24.720
walking through, it's almost that preface
of oh, what's coming next. Okay,
145
00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:28.840
so I've already done like this,
and this's what's behind the next door.
146
00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:31.120
But yeah, that's a really interesting
point. And I think as part
147
00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:35.080
of the audio that we were talking
about earlier, we have one of our
148
00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:39.559
main key characters who's ore caretaker of
the property, Karl Mossman, who's definitely
149
00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:43.519
a sketchy character but has a lot
of fun, but he is is audio
150
00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:46.840
helps to tell that story. So
for example, okay, you're about right
151
00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:50.480
ahead to the tower, don't look
down, and those small little cues that
152
00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:54.799
just help people almost question like why
in the hell am I here? We
153
00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:56.759
want people to question while they're here. But I think keeping them on their
154
00:10:56.759 --> 00:11:01.559
toes also is fund They don't really
know how many doors, but they know
155
00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:05.240
that the more doors they're seeing they're
like, Okay, there's something else here.
156
00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:09.480
And also I like to how nothing
scares you by the doors, so
157
00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:11.960
that it's almost like a we talked
about palette cleansers, right, like,
158
00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:16.919
yeah, it's exactly it. You
don't want black holeways, but you want
159
00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:22.039
something that is scenic and everything.
They're all designed, you can tell they
160
00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:26.120
all match, but it's you know
that, it's like it gives you that
161
00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:30.559
moment to think and like you said, prepare yourself for what's coming. Yeah,
162
00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:33.720
versus versus being in a reactive mode
for to a time. Yeah,
163
00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:39.159
exactly, And I think we all
need as designers of attractions. The roller
164
00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:43.159
coaster theme is always like oh great
when you're gonna have really high dips and
165
00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:46.799
really scary components, but then you
also have fun twists and curves, but
166
00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:50.039
then you also have a holy crap, I almost fell out and now I'm
167
00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:52.879
scared again, And so I think
having all of those is great. And
168
00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:58.320
yeah, like the doors were essentially
made to tell a story reset almost transitionary.
169
00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:01.279
But palette is a really good word. Is a palate cleanser to say,
170
00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:03.279
Okay, cool, you just made
it through that fear. Great job.
171
00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:05.919
Heads up, we got nine more
for you. So here's what's coming
172
00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:13.000
next. Yeah, and you mentioned
also renovating some of the areas. Tell
173
00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:15.639
me about some of the big scenes. To me, the thing that stood
174
00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:18.360
out the most because it was just
crazy, was the like you mentioned earlier,
175
00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:22.039
the heart scene when you walk into
a giant beating heart and you see
176
00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:26.159
the gears and you have a character
there that is talking to you about what's
177
00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:31.279
going on briefly, right, giving
a brief introduction. That to me stood
178
00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:35.799
out a lot because that's a big
new scene. What else did you all
179
00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:39.000
work on? Yeah, so that
is one of our bigger I'm gonna call
180
00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:43.840
it a prop because that's ultimately it. It's an eight foot high hanging from
181
00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:46.639
a ceiling that's twenty feet high.
Massive and the best part is that is
182
00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:50.320
in the exact spot, so as
as customers are coming onto the property,
183
00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:56.120
they actually up above the ground.
They walk over that. So you're walking
184
00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.440
into the property and we can preface
it a little, they hear the heartbeat,
185
00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:01.960
they hear the screams underneath them,
and they're like, whoa, that's
186
00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:05.000
new, what's going on? And
that has been really key. In fact,
187
00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:09.360
when we hosted a worldwide EDM concert
here a two day music concert and
188
00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:13.679
we had that heart on and just
beating and that was it, and people
189
00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:16.320
that were our seasoned pass holders were
like, what is that? And it
190
00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:18.960
was just a fun way for us
to be like something's coming, which has
191
00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:22.759
been really cool. Other big sets
the doors we've talked about. All the
192
00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:28.879
door we had, we really tried
to create something that was unique that we
193
00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:31.600
do not have at the factory,
and this was one of the ways that
194
00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:35.720
we were able to do that.
We also rolled out a new photo area
195
00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:39.399
as well this year, which is
a really fun set. Tons of really
196
00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:43.440
they've our team that hiring four extra
staff was pretty impressive, and they have
197
00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:48.480
been working on just tons of small
little things, everything from the right way
198
00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:52.080
to peel wallpaper, like there is
an art to that, all the way
199
00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:56.480
down to how do you light?
Which are you lighting and making sure that
200
00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:58.840
the detractors are there and that you're
lighting the right thing the right way so
201
00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:03.360
the customers looking the right way to
let the right scare. So that's always
202
00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:05.639
been fun to do. Our bar
has been really great. So we're opening
203
00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:09.320
up a non alcoholic bar, which
is really exciting and that's allowing us to
204
00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:13.639
again tell our story even more,
which I'm sure we'll talk about later,
205
00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:16.879
but yeah, just lots of small
little things that are adding up. Very
206
00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:20.480
briefly. The other one I thought
was very visceral speaking of lighting, was
207
00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:24.600
the cemetery. And it's one of
those where I really like the projection of
208
00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:28.559
the ghosts. You have projected ghosts
that are voting around, but a lot
209
00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:33.360
of lighting to make it appear like
even though you're underground. There there's moonlight,
210
00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:39.000
and there's crypt light coming through and
lighting the tombstones, and light that
211
00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:41.720
will turn off and stuff will come
out of the graves. So I thought
212
00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:46.320
it was I think you can definitely
tell from a lighting standpoint that there's a
213
00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:50.320
lot more to see, but that
doesn't make it less scary. It's it's
214
00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:56.440
I think being able to see more
is it's scarier in that way. Yeah,
215
00:14:56.559 --> 00:15:00.720
and it's. And the cemetery is
an interesting space because we designed it
216
00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:03.559
to make you feel like you're outside. First off, you're completely indoors.
217
00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:09.080
The lighting is the different mausoleums and
the gates and everything is designed to make
218
00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:13.759
you feel like you're walking through a
New Orleans cemetery, right, But then
219
00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:18.320
the lighting is definitely key, and
I think the realism in there helps a
220
00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:22.960
lot. And then to add on
top of that the projections, Like we
221
00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:26.320
really try and utilize new technology wherever
we can, and sometimes we're behind and
222
00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:30.759
sometimes we're not. But when we
designed that entire area, that area is
223
00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:33.360
now I think three years old.
Yeah, it was really fun to think
224
00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:37.600
about what projections are out there,
what animations are out there, how do
225
00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:39.879
we use those and build those into
our scene so that we can make sure
226
00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:43.639
that they get the right focus when
people come through. It's fun. Yeah.
227
00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:50.320
Yeah, let's talk about the bar
that you're adding outside. We talked
228
00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:54.440
last year because we came here last
year and we talked a little bit about
229
00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:58.799
your extension in the Q line area. So I guess for those that haven't
230
00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:02.679
been here before, there is kind
of a massive midway as you walk from
231
00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:06.399
the entrance through to the queue line. Yeah, and then like at the
232
00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:08.000
an immersive que line that you were
going through, So there's a lot of
233
00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:11.559
build up before you even get into
physically inside the hunt. Yeah. Right,
234
00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:15.279
and then you still have the music
area where you know, where people
235
00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:18.879
can listen as they're walking by,
and there's a photo area. So there's
236
00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:22.519
a bar now that's right at the
entrance. Is that right at the entrance?
237
00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:26.960
Yeah, And it's pretty fun.
So we're not we're because of our
238
00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:30.679
local market and the demographic. We
decided not to call it a bar,
239
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.440
but we're going to call it a
lounge. It's lurid lounge. Lurid for
240
00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:38.039
folks that are listening, is essentially
really bright neon like cool colors, but
241
00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:42.080
also very lurid details, meaning it
can be gruesome, it can be horrific.
242
00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:45.799
So we decided to put the two
together. So we have a it's
243
00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:49.519
a walk in think of if you
were to think of some large theme parks
244
00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:56.039
that have created beverages. It's the
same thing. So you essentially come into
245
00:16:56.159 --> 00:17:00.720
the lounge, you order through a
QR system. We've partnered with a third
246
00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:03.759
party here in Utah, a really
great coffee shop that also does selters,
247
00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:07.960
and we essentially went to them and
said, here's the deal. We want
248
00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:11.960
to have really specific drinks that were
made by great mixologists to make sure that
249
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:15.799
we can tell our story in a
different way. So, for example,
250
00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:21.000
one of our first zones is catacombs, which is all about the fear of
251
00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:26.160
being buried alive, and so as
such, we have a drink that's literally
252
00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:30.319
called Buried Alive and it's a brown
drink. It's got green floating bubbles and
253
00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:33.960
moss to it. It's very fun, very earthy, but also sweet.
254
00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:37.200
You've got the electric chair e the
Electric Cherry, which is up in the
255
00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:41.599
tower to be able to again,
like that's an iconic component of our show.
256
00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:45.200
People always love it, and so
we decided to add that Midnight Raith,
257
00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:48.759
which is a queue to the Cemetery
that we talked about earlier. The
258
00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:52.440
Scarecrow, which is made with chai
and is essentially a pumpkin drink for our
259
00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:57.599
new farm area that's all about scarecrows. We integrated the drinks. Each drink
260
00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:03.839
represents a different zone and then folks
can also mix. We actually partnered with
261
00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:10.960
a Rockstar energy drink. We signed
a very large monetary sponsorship with them over
262
00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:15.599
three years that went all the way
to corporate to use them for naming rights
263
00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:18.079
as well as to get comp drinks
that we can then mix. And so
264
00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:22.160
now we're able to we have these
like base drinks and then you can add
265
00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:25.279
different flavors into it, like it
could be a Rockstar lemonade or a Rockstar
266
00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:29.200
grape or a silver ice or whatever
and do some really fun things from there.
267
00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:32.000
And then the fun part is that
we wanted it to also be a
268
00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:34.759
marketing opportunity. So all of these
lights or all of these drinks glow.
269
00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:38.440
They have led coasters on the bottom
of them, so everyone think, like
270
00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:41.599
when you go to the circus and
you like see everyone with their cool glow
271
00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:44.960
toys. Same thing they're gonna be
walking up and down the fire aisle or
272
00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:49.160
our area where this big midway to
have glowing drinks that are fun and flashy
273
00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:56.720
and different colors. And then we
created vignettes inside of our lounge that also
274
00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:02.480
are corresponding to the drink itself that
allows people to take fun pictures, sell
275
00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:06.680
it up, put it on ig
on Instagram, and essentially do the marketing
276
00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:10.279
for us, just to show that
they're having fun and it's all part of
277
00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:14.480
the experience in our drinks. We
decided some locations, some hundred houses are
278
00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:17.440
selling drinks for nine, ten,
eleven, twelve dollars even for alcohol.
279
00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.559
We said, screw it, We're
into it for eight bucks. And it's
280
00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:26.359
just it's essentially it's a marketing opportunity, a lot of fun, and so
281
00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:30.759
that our capacity of that. First
of all, I think people maybe if
282
00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:33.480
a chaperone's coming and dropping out their
kids, or if there's some parents that
283
00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.599
don't want to go through, if
they can sit in the lounge totally.
284
00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:37.000
It's open, like, you don't
need a ticket, it's before you get
285
00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:41.559
into the ticket area, right,
So you could just if you're hanging out
286
00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:44.319
for a while, you can be
in the lounge. Yeah, yep,
287
00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:47.279
you can hang out there. You
can be on the fire lane on our
288
00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:49.839
midway, you can hang out to
where the food truck areas are. There's
289
00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:56.599
a lot to do and capacity of
that lounge. Are you worried about a
290
00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:00.519
new thing? That sounds amazing.
It sounds like people are gonna want to
291
00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:03.359
hang out in there, but you
guys get really busy. Yeah, on
292
00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:06.240
weekend, we're actually not gonna let
them stay in there. Oh okay.
293
00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:10.640
We specifically turned it into a walk
in walk out. Okay, you're gonna
294
00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.559
walk in, you're gonna order it. You can hang out there. There's
295
00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:15.200
lots of fun things to do,
and we've really designed some just fun vignettes
296
00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:18.920
like to take you. You could
spend an hour in there just taking photos.
297
00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:22.599
The whole room is decorated it is
just decked to the t just to
298
00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:25.799
make sure that it's over the top, because we know it. It's the
299
00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:30.000
idea like, it's literally an entire
venue designed for cameras and we want people
300
00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:33.200
to do that, and it's we're
very clear about it upfront. Get your
301
00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.920
camera out, have some fun.
But the idea behind it then is that
302
00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:40.559
you also can do your thing inside
and then you come back outside to the
303
00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:44.039
midway and you're back into the factory, back into the characters, back into
304
00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:48.200
the monsters, and back into that
experience as well of being in an old,
305
00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:52.079
abandoned factory. Cool. Okay,
I think that's a lot to add
306
00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:56.240
for water, and talk to me
a little bit about I know this is
307
00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:59.680
when we're recording this on opening nights. You guys just opened, Yes,
308
00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:03.960
And is there are there any other
ticket options or things that you've changed for
309
00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:07.880
this year? No, all of
our ticketing options are the same. So
310
00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:11.279
a general emission starts at twenty nine
ninety nine, goes all the way to
311
00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.960
our rock Star passes, which are
two hundred and fifty dollars a person.
312
00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:18.519
We were surprised isn't the right word, but we were impressed that we had
313
00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:22.240
two folks from Orange County, California
that we're here tonight, that both bought
314
00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:27.359
a Rockstar pass and essentially wanted to
see what the factory was and what makes
315
00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:30.799
it so great. It's a really
fun opportunity, and we put the price
316
00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:36.599
very high because we really want it
to be special. Like they we haven't
317
00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:40.440
even ruled out the public sizzle reel
or any information about our lounge yet,
318
00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.640
and we gave them a little sneak
peak private tour ement and took some pictures
319
00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:45.960
inside. So it's a cool way
for us just to show like the people
320
00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:51.759
who really want to like they want
something really unique, and that allows us
321
00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:53.119
to do that. So yeah,
so our ticket ranges have stayed about the
322
00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:56.799
same. We have decided not to
raise prices just because we're keeping a really
323
00:21:56.799 --> 00:22:00.759
close eye on inflation a business model, our targets look great. We're above
324
00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.680
We're about eleven percent up where we
thought we would be, which is great,
325
00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:08.359
and I think we'll hopefully stay on
trend to continue through the waves of
326
00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:14.799
inflation. Right. So we are
recording this, of course, on opening
327
00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:18.720
night, so you haven't really had
a chance yet to see how this year
328
00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:22.920
is going to fold it up.
It's just beginning to unfold. Indeed,
329
00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:26.400
a few hours in a few hours
in right, But tell me so far,
330
00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:30.839
how was your attendance flicking And do
have any other things partnerships or whatnot
331
00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:33.920
that you're looking forward to. Yeah, attendance is great. With it.
332
00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:37.319
Back in March April, we were
very concerned about inflation. We decided not
333
00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:40.720
to raise ticket prices, and so
we just said, let's just go with
334
00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:44.359
it. We're very happy to see
that we're above, way beyond what we
335
00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:47.880
thought we would be even with inflation. We did keep prices the same.
336
00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:52.440
Our attendance is up easily eleven percent. Beyond that, to have a line
337
00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:57.519
at opening night and have hundreds of
people that are here on opening night for
338
00:22:57.640 --> 00:23:02.839
only a two hour window is pretty
unique. I've never seen that in my
339
00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:06.519
time here, so that's been really
great to see. Partnerships wise, we've
340
00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:08.240
brought on some really great new sponsors. One of the really cool things that
341
00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:14.240
we've done from a community perspective,
we've been talking about all the things that
342
00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:17.720
we've been doing on our property,
specifically all the new stuff that we've added,
343
00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:22.640
and so we extended that this year
to our community and I sit on
344
00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:27.000
our Grainery District Board, which is
essentially the neighborhood board here in this industrial
345
00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:33.400
area of Salt Lake. And we
partnered with hotels and coffee shops and the
346
00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:37.559
food hall across the street from us, and a mall that's not too far
347
00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:41.079
away where our zombie b bus picks
picks up. And so people when they
348
00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:44.799
come on property, part of their
admission is that they're given a wristband.
349
00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:48.960
So that wristband essentially lets them into
the attraction, but then they can also
350
00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:53.079
come back throughout the rest of the
season for fourteen bucks. Here's beend fifty
351
00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:56.119
dollars for a VIP and you can
come back for the same thing for fifteen
352
00:23:56.200 --> 00:24:00.640
dollars. It's a steal. So
people are able to them back to the
353
00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:03.680
property. And we thought, while
they're coming back to the property anyway,
354
00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:07.279
how do we stimulate the economy,
brings some economic development and like really help
355
00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:10.319
give back to the city because the
city is doing a lot for us as
356
00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:12.359
well. And so we did that
and we partnered with folks. So we
357
00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:15.200
reached out to the local businesses and
just said, hey, these people are
358
00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:18.680
going to be coming back to our
neighborhood anyway, would you be interested in
359
00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:22.960
giving them ten, fifteen to twenty
percent off and in return, we'll market
360
00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:27.279
that for you. And it has
been overwhelmingly successful. People are already using
361
00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:32.400
it our staff obviously that those partnerships
have opened doors. Now. We just
362
00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:34.400
gave away one hundred dollars in gift
cards tonight to our staff to a local
363
00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:38.240
food hall just to get people there
and it brings people in the door for
364
00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:42.319
them as well, So that's been
really fun to see. Because of that,
365
00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:48.359
we actually picked up a sponsor,
a ten thousand dollars sponsor of wanting
366
00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:51.559
to be part of the party.
They saw what we were doing and they
367
00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:56.000
saw how we were able to continue
developing the economy locally for our our neighborhood,
368
00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:59.319
and they were like, we want
in on that. How do we
369
00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:03.000
help do it? I think that's
been really fun and certainly surprising to see
370
00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:07.880
how the community has stepped up to
support us when sometimes where the spooky places
371
00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:11.440
it only opens for two months.
Let's really not talk to the people over
372
00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:15.880
there in the corner, and we're
a main staple and Salt Lake at this
373
00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:19.480
point and we're happy to do some
cool stuff. Today's episode was produced and
374
00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:26.039
edited by me Philip Hernandez with post
production by David Swape and original music composed
375
00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:30.160
by Chris Thomas. We're counting down
to Halloween with daily podcasts, videos,
376
00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:33.799
and events in our sixty one day
Hantathon. Follow along at the link in
377
00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:37.440
our show notes. Our Hantathon is
made possible through generous support from Gantum,
378
00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:41.519
Lighty and Controls. Gantum illuminates attractions
worldwide with the world's smallest intelligent spotlights.
379
00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:47.079
See what you're missing with a free
demo. Sign up at d'antum dot com
380
00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:52.480
slash demo. That's gantum dot com
slash demo. Our Hauntathon team includes Daryl
381
00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:59.160
Plunky, Emily Luis Rua, Megan
Spells, Gavin Burns and omni Adventures and
382
00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:03.160
our content part for this year include
Attractions Magazine, Creepy Kingdom, Freaks of
383
00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:10.200
Jgen, hont Topic Radio, Kevin
Heinbach News TV, omni Adventures, Scare
384
00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:14.599
Track, Sharp Productions, That Halloween
Podcast, The Horror of Being, Emily
385
00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:18.319
The Scare Factor, and This Weekend
with Nick Pealiochini. The best way you
386
00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:22.920
can support us this Halloween season is
by sharing our haunted on with someone you
387
00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:26.240
think we'll enjoy it, and to
follow along to our Haunted on sign up
388
00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:30.119
for our weekly newsletter at hant Attraction
Network dot com. We'll catch you back
389
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:36.680
here tomorrow and every day until Halloween. Until next time, say scary.
390
00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:41.000
This is a Haunted Attraction Network prod.
1
00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:13.480
Now entering its thirteenth season. Fear
Factory in Saltlake City has made many renovations
2
00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:17.879
to its haunt and added a new
mocktail lounge to the midway. That's coming
3
00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:25.440
up on today's show from the Haunted
Atrastion Network. I'm Philip, and this
4
00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:28.280
is our sixty one day Haunted On, where we're counting down to folloween by
5
00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:33.840
celebrating haunted houses daily via videos,
podcasts, and in person experiences. Since
6
00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:36.840
this podcast is only one part of
our Haunt Upon and we're really focusing on
7
00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:40.399
video this year, the best way
to follow everything is by subscribing to our
8
00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:44.719
newsletter where we'll get weekly updates,
or checking our Haunted On page on our
9
00:00:44.759 --> 00:00:51.119
website that's Hantedattrastion network dot com.
Okay, today we're gonna hear from Spencer
10
00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:55.200
Terry, who is the GM at
Fear Factory in Salt Lake City where they
11
00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:59.920
just entered their thirteenth season. Here's
Spencer. My name is Spencer Terry.
12
00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:03.560
I'm the general manager and equity owner
at Fear Factory hundred House here in Salt
13
00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:08.000
Lake City, Utah. This is
our thirteenth year. Lucky thirteen. Fear
14
00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.159
Factory is an abandon c Meent Factory
downtown in Salt Lake City, Utah.
15
00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:19.000
It is made up of six different
buildings and two underground passages. It's about
16
00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:23.120
ninety thousand square feet of interactive scaring
space, so there's lots happening. There's
17
00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:30.319
eighteen flights of stairs, which makes
for a very eventful show but also a
18
00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:36.799
very operationally logistic show. We have
on average about one hundred staff here each
19
00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:40.400
night, one hundred actors and try
to make sure that we do a really
20
00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:45.480
great job. This year, you
changed a lot, There was a lot
21
00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:49.719
of renovations, and there's also story
talk to me about all of that.
22
00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:53.920
Yeah, for our thirteenth year,
we wanted to do something that we essentially
23
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.319
could ride that wave for the next
five years to a decade. And in
24
00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:04.359
doing that, some of our team
thankfully attended a trans world seminar from the
25
00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:07.360
one and only Alan Hopps, and
it got them thinking about how do we
26
00:02:07.479 --> 00:02:12.159
better tell the story? And so
after some time we spent with Alan,
27
00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:16.400
we decided to kind of unroll these
ideas that we've all kind of had in
28
00:02:16.439 --> 00:02:22.439
our head for the last couple of
years, and we went from idea to
29
00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:29.719
brainstorming to pen and paper to sketches
to pulling the trigger and hiring four extra
30
00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:35.319
people to help us build a lot
of new sets, new costumes. We
31
00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:42.360
have thirteen new very specific intellectual property
characters that help tell the storyline to essentially
32
00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:45.800
where the storyline is simple, which
is that the factory is alive. It's
33
00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:50.039
no longer this like just old abandonedment
factory. People used to always say it
34
00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:53.439
was abandoned for a reason. It
was empty for twenty years. Here in
35
00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:55.319
the sal Laic city, it's known
as like the bad Luck Factory. And
36
00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:59.840
so we're running with the storyline,
and the storyline is very simple, which
37
00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:05.599
is that in twenty twenty in Covid, Utah had an unprecedented earthquake. Those
38
00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:09.759
do not happen in Utah, and
that left a crack in our foundation of
39
00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:15.479
our tower, and we realized that
there was a small space behind that was
40
00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:20.879
covered underground. And when we finally
got back to that space, crazy enough,
41
00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:23.719
there's this massive heart that's back there
beating, and we realize the factory
42
00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:29.800
is alive and that the monsters and
the boogeymen who are here are really feeding
43
00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:35.400
and capturing people to where the factory
lures customers and lures people to come face
44
00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:38.479
their fears, and if they don't, if they don't succeed in facing their
45
00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:43.879
fear, they are consumed by the
factory to create more fear. And it's
46
00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.599
a really fun storyline. We're able
to not only spin our costumes and our
47
00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:52.400
characters, but certainly our merchandise as
well as a lot of really fun marketing
48
00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:57.919
to just immerse people into that experience
and give them a chance to really step
49
00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:04.400
outside of Salt Lake City and into
a very real entertainment space where we've now
50
00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:11.159
paired our monsters with our merchandise,
with our new venue that we're opening up
51
00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:16.600
a drink venue, to our show
itself, and everything in between. Basically,
52
00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:23.680
there are thirteen zones and the premise
is that the guests are trying to
53
00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:27.199
face their fears and each zone is
like a different fear exactly, okay,
54
00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:30.240
and then if they don't make it, then they get fed to the machine,
55
00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:32.600
the fear factory. Correct, Okay, So each fear literally, so
56
00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:36.920
you have a fear of being buried
alive, you have a fear of religion,
57
00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:41.079
you have a fear of hell,
we have a fear of clowns,
58
00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:46.000
a fear of death, a fear
of drowning, all of those different fears,
59
00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:49.319
and so each of those different fears
then have their own build out,
60
00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:53.600
their own characters, their own storyline, and everything from there. So I
61
00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:57.839
noticed, as you're going through you'll
see doors for each like a factory door
62
00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:01.240
number one through thirteen. Yes,
and then you have a little bit of
63
00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:05.199
a story that's being told around the
door that kind of challenges you to get
64
00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:09.759
through that area. Yeah, that
was one of the fun things is we
65
00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:14.079
wanted to take people from just walking
through a factory almost a feeling like you're
66
00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:17.240
walking through a ride. In fact, people tonight customers have said that they're
67
00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:20.160
coming here a year after year,
They're always here. They said it felt
68
00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:24.680
like they were on a ride.
Because the idea is that you're just immersed
69
00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:29.959
so much that along the way you've
got this character who's talking to you and
70
00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.480
tracking you through the entire facility,
which allows us to then tell a story
71
00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:38.000
in a really fun way, and
it really does make them feel it's personalized.
72
00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:42.759
Obviously it's recorded, but the fact
that people were leaving here on opening
73
00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:46.120
night just absolutely blown away, but
also feeling like it was a personalized show
74
00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:49.720
means that we feel like we did
a pretty good job, but there's always
75
00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:55.519
tweaks. I think it was I
think the hardest part about an opening night
76
00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:58.600
is there's always things to work out. So here we go for tomorrow.
77
00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:02.519
Yeah, speaking of things to work
out, it does seem like it's a
78
00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:08.519
little bit different than in previous years
because you have I guess you would call
79
00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:11.319
it, I don't know what the
term you're using, but there's basically like
80
00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:16.519
a character in each zone that they
talk to you or they have something to
81
00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:20.319
tell you about the fear. Yeah, right, so that's different because I
82
00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:24.319
don't think you really had that many
like face characters, is what we call
83
00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:27.680
them, true, Yeah, in
the past. Yeah, Traditionally we don't
84
00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:31.439
like monologues yeh, because everything exactly
and then the delivery can change, might
85
00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:33.759
miss the group and then yeah,
the story, there's all the things,
86
00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:36.480
so much to so many things that
we don't like about it, and so
87
00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:42.639
we've really been careful about who we
are selecting for that and how they are
88
00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:46.879
portraying that in a clear and concise
way that gets to the storyline but also
89
00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:50.879
doesn't mess up flow and everything else
can the entire group period. And we
90
00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:55.920
invested a lot into like microphones for
example, and wireless mics that are connected
91
00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:59.279
to speakers so that they can,
like the customers can hear some of those
92
00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:01.279
things a little bit more. But
yeah, there's definitely a little bit more
93
00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.079
of that compared to other years.
It also seems like you've added a little
94
00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:10.279
bit more effects. I think inside
for the actors, hundreds I would almost
95
00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:15.879
probably even say close to one thousand
new triggers, animatronics, lighting, audio,
96
00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:18.480
The entire property go on an audio
overhaul, which was really cool thanks
97
00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:24.639
to Gantum, because we also added
some really cool lighting effects that have helped
98
00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:28.160
us there. It's really easy to
just put a light and call it a
99
00:07:28.199 --> 00:07:30.800
day, right, But when you
can flicker it, when you can really
100
00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:34.879
cue that light into the exact color
that you need, that tells the story.
101
00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:38.600
And it's been really great to be
able to use those. And I
102
00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:42.040
think those are all those like just
tiny little things that really do add up.
103
00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:45.120
We had a staff member who has
been a leader with us for four
104
00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.279
years and she came through tonight with
her father and they were just absolutely there.
105
00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:53.000
All this feels like a very different, almost new attraction because so many
106
00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:58.160
new things have been added. Yeah, talk to me about that dichotomy.
107
00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:01.680
It's interesting that you're adding something from
both sides, right, you're adding really
108
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:07.199
what I would say, more jump
scares basically, or you know, maybe
109
00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.600
tools as what a better way to
say it, like tools to like you've
110
00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:15.879
always had actors, but now some
of the actors at least have tools either
111
00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:18.839
in the monologue with the equipment,
yeah, but then other ones have tools
112
00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:24.600
to trigger sound and lighting effects.
So it's just interesting, Like why it's
113
00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:28.959
interesting you've added on both angles.
Usually you have somebody go all story or
114
00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:31.879
they go yeah to one, yeah, one or the other. We really
115
00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:35.000
yeah, we really tried to make
you feel in the middle, like we
116
00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:39.200
didn't want to swing the pendulum one
way or the other. It was about
117
00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:41.639
getting the right thing the right way
and being able to give it to the
118
00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:46.759
customer in a way that helps them
hear the storyline, but also not bother
119
00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:50.799
them like they're coming to get scared, not go to a theater. It's
120
00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:52.120
it is theater. It's live theater, and we're very proud of it.
121
00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:56.399
But we don't want to deliver lines
that are so long that you're just like,
122
00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:58.519
wait, see it again. So
I didn't hear it the first time
123
00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:01.200
yet no that it didn't work,
so we just have to go back to
124
00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:05.759
the board. And the other thing
I thought going through it was interesting is
125
00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:11.240
you it took me a while to
pick up on that they were that you
126
00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:13.879
were trying to overcome your fears,
right, because I think I missed some
127
00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:16.080
of the audio cues or took me
a while. But really the doors really
128
00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:20.519
stand out, and I what's interesting
is they whereas before it was like you
129
00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:24.279
just wandered into the fear Factory and
you had no idea when you were going
130
00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:30.240
to escape. Yeah, this almost
gave it a timestamp. You're going through
131
00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.120
and you're like, oh, I'm
halfway through, versus before you had no
132
00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:37.720
idea true how long it is?
Do you think that changed? Does that
133
00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:41.200
change it at all? Because I'm
actually not sure. I personally preferred it
134
00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:46.360
to be to see the numbers,
because frequently I was like, we're only
135
00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:50.000
at this number. Yeah, it's
a place walking for a long time.
136
00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:52.240
Yeah, there's still like halfway.
I'm like, oh, I don't think
137
00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:54.639
i'll make it. And so I
think that was it, but it but
138
00:09:54.720 --> 00:10:00.360
also I felt it made it harder
to really define like a big getting the
139
00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:03.240
middle of an end there's not like
those big scene you know, like kind
140
00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:07.639
of get that's harder. So essentially
you're making thirteen stories instead of one big
141
00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:11.200
story. Yeah. No, that's
a really good point. I don't know
142
00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:13.279
the customers, and we don't tell
the customers how many areas there are,
143
00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:20.320
so that allows us to then be
able to me. I think as they're
144
00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:24.720
walking through, it's almost that preface
of oh, what's coming next. Okay,
145
00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:28.840
so I've already done like this,
and this's what's behind the next door.
146
00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:31.120
But yeah, that's a really interesting
point. And I think as part
147
00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:35.080
of the audio that we were talking
about earlier, we have one of our
148
00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:39.559
main key characters who's ore caretaker of
the property, Karl Mossman, who's definitely
149
00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:43.519
a sketchy character but has a lot
of fun, but he is is audio
150
00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:46.840
helps to tell that story. So
for example, okay, you're about right
151
00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:50.480
ahead to the tower, don't look
down, and those small little cues that
152
00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:54.799
just help people almost question like why
in the hell am I here? We
153
00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:56.759
want people to question while they're here. But I think keeping them on their
154
00:10:56.759 --> 00:11:01.559
toes also is fund They don't really
know how many doors, but they know
155
00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:05.240
that the more doors they're seeing they're
like, Okay, there's something else here.
156
00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:09.480
And also I like to how nothing
scares you by the doors, so
157
00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:11.960
that it's almost like a we talked
about palette cleansers, right, like,
158
00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:16.919
yeah, it's exactly it. You
don't want black holeways, but you want
159
00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:22.039
something that is scenic and everything.
They're all designed, you can tell they
160
00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:26.120
all match, but it's you know
that, it's like it gives you that
161
00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:30.559
moment to think and like you said, prepare yourself for what's coming. Yeah,
162
00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:33.720
versus versus being in a reactive mode
for to a time. Yeah,
163
00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:39.159
exactly, And I think we all
need as designers of attractions. The roller
164
00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:43.159
coaster theme is always like oh great
when you're gonna have really high dips and
165
00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:46.799
really scary components, but then you
also have fun twists and curves, but
166
00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:50.039
then you also have a holy crap, I almost fell out and now I'm
167
00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:52.879
scared again, And so I think
having all of those is great. And
168
00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:58.320
yeah, like the doors were essentially
made to tell a story reset almost transitionary.
169
00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:01.279
But palette is a really good word. Is a palate cleanser to say,
170
00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:03.279
Okay, cool, you just made
it through that fear. Great job.
171
00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:05.919
Heads up, we got nine more
for you. So here's what's coming
172
00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:13.000
next. Yeah, and you mentioned
also renovating some of the areas. Tell
173
00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:15.639
me about some of the big scenes. To me, the thing that stood
174
00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:18.360
out the most because it was just
crazy, was the like you mentioned earlier,
175
00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:22.039
the heart scene when you walk into
a giant beating heart and you see
176
00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:26.159
the gears and you have a character
there that is talking to you about what's
177
00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:31.279
going on briefly, right, giving
a brief introduction. That to me stood
178
00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:35.799
out a lot because that's a big
new scene. What else did you all
179
00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:39.000
work on? Yeah, so that
is one of our bigger I'm gonna call
180
00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:43.840
it a prop because that's ultimately it. It's an eight foot high hanging from
181
00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:46.639
a ceiling that's twenty feet high.
Massive and the best part is that is
182
00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:50.320
in the exact spot, so as
as customers are coming onto the property,
183
00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:56.120
they actually up above the ground.
They walk over that. So you're walking
184
00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.440
into the property and we can preface
it a little, they hear the heartbeat,
185
00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:01.960
they hear the screams underneath them,
and they're like, whoa, that's
186
00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:05.000
new, what's going on? And
that has been really key. In fact,
187
00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:09.360
when we hosted a worldwide EDM concert
here a two day music concert and
188
00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:13.679
we had that heart on and just
beating and that was it, and people
189
00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:16.320
that were our seasoned pass holders were
like, what is that? And it
190
00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:18.960
was just a fun way for us
to be like something's coming, which has
191
00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:22.759
been really cool. Other big sets
the doors we've talked about. All the
192
00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:28.879
door we had, we really tried
to create something that was unique that we
193
00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:31.600
do not have at the factory,
and this was one of the ways that
194
00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:35.720
we were able to do that.
We also rolled out a new photo area
195
00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:39.399
as well this year, which is
a really fun set. Tons of really
196
00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:43.440
they've our team that hiring four extra
staff was pretty impressive, and they have
197
00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:48.480
been working on just tons of small
little things, everything from the right way
198
00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:52.080
to peel wallpaper, like there is
an art to that, all the way
199
00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:56.480
down to how do you light?
Which are you lighting and making sure that
200
00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:58.840
the detractors are there and that you're
lighting the right thing the right way so
201
00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:03.360
the customers looking the right way to
let the right scare. So that's always
202
00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:05.639
been fun to do. Our bar
has been really great. So we're opening
203
00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:09.320
up a non alcoholic bar, which
is really exciting and that's allowing us to
204
00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:13.639
again tell our story even more,
which I'm sure we'll talk about later,
205
00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:16.879
but yeah, just lots of small
little things that are adding up. Very
206
00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:20.480
briefly. The other one I thought
was very visceral speaking of lighting, was
207
00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:24.600
the cemetery. And it's one of
those where I really like the projection of
208
00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:28.559
the ghosts. You have projected ghosts
that are voting around, but a lot
209
00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:33.360
of lighting to make it appear like
even though you're underground. There there's moonlight,
210
00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:39.000
and there's crypt light coming through and
lighting the tombstones, and light that
211
00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:41.720
will turn off and stuff will come
out of the graves. So I thought
212
00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:46.320
it was I think you can definitely
tell from a lighting standpoint that there's a
213
00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:50.320
lot more to see, but that
doesn't make it less scary. It's it's
214
00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:56.440
I think being able to see more
is it's scarier in that way. Yeah,
215
00:14:56.559 --> 00:15:00.720
and it's. And the cemetery is
an interesting space because we designed it
216
00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:03.559
to make you feel like you're outside. First off, you're completely indoors.
217
00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:09.080
The lighting is the different mausoleums and
the gates and everything is designed to make
218
00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:13.759
you feel like you're walking through a
New Orleans cemetery, right, But then
219
00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:18.320
the lighting is definitely key, and
I think the realism in there helps a
220
00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:22.960
lot. And then to add on
top of that the projections, Like we
221
00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:26.320
really try and utilize new technology wherever
we can, and sometimes we're behind and
222
00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:30.759
sometimes we're not. But when we
designed that entire area, that area is
223
00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:33.360
now I think three years old.
Yeah, it was really fun to think
224
00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:37.600
about what projections are out there,
what animations are out there, how do
225
00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:39.879
we use those and build those into
our scene so that we can make sure
226
00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:43.639
that they get the right focus when
people come through. It's fun. Yeah.
227
00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:50.320
Yeah, let's talk about the bar
that you're adding outside. We talked
228
00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:54.440
last year because we came here last
year and we talked a little bit about
229
00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:58.799
your extension in the Q line area. So I guess for those that haven't
230
00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:02.679
been here before, there is kind
of a massive midway as you walk from
231
00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:06.399
the entrance through to the queue line. Yeah, and then like at the
232
00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:08.000
an immersive que line that you were
going through, So there's a lot of
233
00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:11.559
build up before you even get into
physically inside the hunt. Yeah. Right,
234
00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:15.279
and then you still have the music
area where you know, where people
235
00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:18.879
can listen as they're walking by,
and there's a photo area. So there's
236
00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:22.519
a bar now that's right at the
entrance. Is that right at the entrance?
237
00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:26.960
Yeah, And it's pretty fun.
So we're not we're because of our
238
00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:30.679
local market and the demographic. We
decided not to call it a bar,
239
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.440
but we're going to call it a
lounge. It's lurid lounge. Lurid for
240
00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:38.039
folks that are listening, is essentially
really bright neon like cool colors, but
241
00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:42.080
also very lurid details, meaning it
can be gruesome, it can be horrific.
242
00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:45.799
So we decided to put the two
together. So we have a it's
243
00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:49.519
a walk in think of if you
were to think of some large theme parks
244
00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:56.039
that have created beverages. It's the
same thing. So you essentially come into
245
00:16:56.159 --> 00:17:00.720
the lounge, you order through a
QR system. We've partnered with a third
246
00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:03.759
party here in Utah, a really
great coffee shop that also does selters,
247
00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:07.960
and we essentially went to them and
said, here's the deal. We want
248
00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:11.960
to have really specific drinks that were
made by great mixologists to make sure that
249
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:15.799
we can tell our story in a
different way. So, for example,
250
00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:21.000
one of our first zones is catacombs, which is all about the fear of
251
00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:26.160
being buried alive, and so as
such, we have a drink that's literally
252
00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:30.319
called Buried Alive and it's a brown
drink. It's got green floating bubbles and
253
00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:33.960
moss to it. It's very fun, very earthy, but also sweet.
254
00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:37.200
You've got the electric chair e the
Electric Cherry, which is up in the
255
00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:41.599
tower to be able to again,
like that's an iconic component of our show.
256
00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:45.200
People always love it, and so
we decided to add that Midnight Raith,
257
00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:48.759
which is a queue to the Cemetery
that we talked about earlier. The
258
00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:52.440
Scarecrow, which is made with chai
and is essentially a pumpkin drink for our
259
00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:57.599
new farm area that's all about scarecrows. We integrated the drinks. Each drink
260
00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:03.839
represents a different zone and then folks
can also mix. We actually partnered with
261
00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:10.960
a Rockstar energy drink. We signed
a very large monetary sponsorship with them over
262
00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:15.599
three years that went all the way
to corporate to use them for naming rights
263
00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:18.079
as well as to get comp drinks
that we can then mix. And so
264
00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:22.160
now we're able to we have these
like base drinks and then you can add
265
00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:25.279
different flavors into it, like it
could be a Rockstar lemonade or a Rockstar
266
00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:29.200
grape or a silver ice or whatever
and do some really fun things from there.
267
00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:32.000
And then the fun part is that
we wanted it to also be a
268
00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:34.759
marketing opportunity. So all of these
lights or all of these drinks glow.
269
00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:38.440
They have led coasters on the bottom
of them, so everyone think, like
270
00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:41.599
when you go to the circus and
you like see everyone with their cool glow
271
00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:44.960
toys. Same thing they're gonna be
walking up and down the fire aisle or
272
00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:49.160
our area where this big midway to
have glowing drinks that are fun and flashy
273
00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:56.720
and different colors. And then we
created vignettes inside of our lounge that also
274
00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:02.480
are corresponding to the drink itself that
allows people to take fun pictures, sell
275
00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:06.680
it up, put it on ig
on Instagram, and essentially do the marketing
276
00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:10.279
for us, just to show that
they're having fun and it's all part of
277
00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:14.480
the experience in our drinks. We
decided some locations, some hundred houses are
278
00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:17.440
selling drinks for nine, ten,
eleven, twelve dollars even for alcohol.
279
00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.559
We said, screw it, We're
into it for eight bucks. And it's
280
00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:26.359
just it's essentially it's a marketing opportunity, a lot of fun, and so
281
00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:30.759
that our capacity of that. First
of all, I think people maybe if
282
00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:33.480
a chaperone's coming and dropping out their
kids, or if there's some parents that
283
00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.599
don't want to go through, if
they can sit in the lounge totally.
284
00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:37.000
It's open, like, you don't
need a ticket, it's before you get
285
00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:41.559
into the ticket area, right,
So you could just if you're hanging out
286
00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:44.319
for a while, you can be
in the lounge. Yeah, yep,
287
00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:47.279
you can hang out there. You
can be on the fire lane on our
288
00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:49.839
midway, you can hang out to
where the food truck areas are. There's
289
00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:56.599
a lot to do and capacity of
that lounge. Are you worried about a
290
00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:00.519
new thing? That sounds amazing.
It sounds like people are gonna want to
291
00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:03.359
hang out in there, but you
guys get really busy. Yeah, on
292
00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:06.240
weekend, we're actually not gonna let
them stay in there. Oh okay.
293
00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:10.640
We specifically turned it into a walk
in walk out. Okay, you're gonna
294
00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.559
walk in, you're gonna order it. You can hang out there. There's
295
00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:15.200
lots of fun things to do,
and we've really designed some just fun vignettes
296
00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:18.920
like to take you. You could
spend an hour in there just taking photos.
297
00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:22.599
The whole room is decorated it is
just decked to the t just to
298
00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:25.799
make sure that it's over the top, because we know it. It's the
299
00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:30.000
idea like, it's literally an entire
venue designed for cameras and we want people
300
00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:33.200
to do that, and it's we're
very clear about it upfront. Get your
301
00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.920
camera out, have some fun.
But the idea behind it then is that
302
00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:40.559
you also can do your thing inside
and then you come back outside to the
303
00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:44.039
midway and you're back into the factory, back into the characters, back into
304
00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:48.200
the monsters, and back into that
experience as well of being in an old,
305
00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:52.079
abandoned factory. Cool. Okay,
I think that's a lot to add
306
00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:56.240
for water, and talk to me
a little bit about I know this is
307
00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:59.680
when we're recording this on opening nights. You guys just opened, Yes,
308
00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:03.960
And is there are there any other
ticket options or things that you've changed for
309
00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:07.880
this year? No, all of
our ticketing options are the same. So
310
00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:11.279
a general emission starts at twenty nine
ninety nine, goes all the way to
311
00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.960
our rock Star passes, which are
two hundred and fifty dollars a person.
312
00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:18.519
We were surprised isn't the right word, but we were impressed that we had
313
00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:22.240
two folks from Orange County, California
that we're here tonight, that both bought
314
00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:27.359
a Rockstar pass and essentially wanted to
see what the factory was and what makes
315
00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:30.799
it so great. It's a really
fun opportunity, and we put the price
316
00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:36.599
very high because we really want it
to be special. Like they we haven't
317
00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:40.440
even ruled out the public sizzle reel
or any information about our lounge yet,
318
00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.640
and we gave them a little sneak
peak private tour ement and took some pictures
319
00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:45.960
inside. So it's a cool way
for us just to show like the people
320
00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:51.759
who really want to like they want
something really unique, and that allows us
321
00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:53.119
to do that. So yeah,
so our ticket ranges have stayed about the
322
00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:56.799
same. We have decided not to
raise prices just because we're keeping a really
323
00:21:56.799 --> 00:22:00.759
close eye on inflation a business model, our targets look great. We're above
324
00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.680
We're about eleven percent up where we
thought we would be, which is great,
325
00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:08.359
and I think we'll hopefully stay on
trend to continue through the waves of
326
00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:14.799
inflation. Right. So we are
recording this, of course, on opening
327
00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:18.720
night, so you haven't really had
a chance yet to see how this year
328
00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:22.920
is going to fold it up.
It's just beginning to unfold. Indeed,
329
00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:26.400
a few hours in a few hours
in right, But tell me so far,
330
00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:30.839
how was your attendance flicking And do
have any other things partnerships or whatnot
331
00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:33.920
that you're looking forward to. Yeah, attendance is great. With it.
332
00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:37.319
Back in March April, we were
very concerned about inflation. We decided not
333
00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:40.720
to raise ticket prices, and so
we just said, let's just go with
334
00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:44.359
it. We're very happy to see
that we're above, way beyond what we
335
00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:47.880
thought we would be even with inflation. We did keep prices the same.
336
00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:52.440
Our attendance is up easily eleven percent. Beyond that, to have a line
337
00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:57.519
at opening night and have hundreds of
people that are here on opening night for
338
00:22:57.640 --> 00:23:02.839
only a two hour window is pretty
unique. I've never seen that in my
339
00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:06.519
time here, so that's been really
great to see. Partnerships wise, we've
340
00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:08.240
brought on some really great new sponsors. One of the really cool things that
341
00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:14.240
we've done from a community perspective,
we've been talking about all the things that
342
00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:17.720
we've been doing on our property,
specifically all the new stuff that we've added,
343
00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:22.640
and so we extended that this year
to our community and I sit on
344
00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:27.000
our Grainery District Board, which is
essentially the neighborhood board here in this industrial
345
00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:33.400
area of Salt Lake. And we
partnered with hotels and coffee shops and the
346
00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:37.559
food hall across the street from us, and a mall that's not too far
347
00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:41.079
away where our zombie b bus picks
picks up. And so people when they
348
00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:44.799
come on property, part of their
admission is that they're given a wristband.
349
00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:48.960
So that wristband essentially lets them into
the attraction, but then they can also
350
00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:53.079
come back throughout the rest of the
season for fourteen bucks. Here's beend fifty
351
00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:56.119
dollars for a VIP and you can
come back for the same thing for fifteen
352
00:23:56.200 --> 00:24:00.640
dollars. It's a steal. So
people are able to them back to the
353
00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:03.680
property. And we thought, while
they're coming back to the property anyway,
354
00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:07.279
how do we stimulate the economy,
brings some economic development and like really help
355
00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:10.319
give back to the city because the
city is doing a lot for us as
356
00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:12.359
well. And so we did that
and we partnered with folks. So we
357
00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:15.200
reached out to the local businesses and
just said, hey, these people are
358
00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:18.680
going to be coming back to our
neighborhood anyway, would you be interested in
359
00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:22.960
giving them ten, fifteen to twenty
percent off and in return, we'll market
360
00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:27.279
that for you. And it has
been overwhelmingly successful. People are already using
361
00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:32.400
it our staff obviously that those partnerships
have opened doors. Now. We just
362
00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:34.400
gave away one hundred dollars in gift
cards tonight to our staff to a local
363
00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:38.240
food hall just to get people there
and it brings people in the door for
364
00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:42.319
them as well, So that's been
really fun to see. Because of that,
365
00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:48.359
we actually picked up a sponsor,
a ten thousand dollars sponsor of wanting
366
00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:51.559
to be part of the party.
They saw what we were doing and they
367
00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:56.000
saw how we were able to continue
developing the economy locally for our our neighborhood,
368
00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:59.319
and they were like, we want
in on that. How do we
369
00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:03.000
help do it? I think that's
been really fun and certainly surprising to see
370
00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:07.880
how the community has stepped up to
support us when sometimes where the spooky places
371
00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:11.440
it only opens for two months.
Let's really not talk to the people over
372
00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:15.880
there in the corner, and we're
a main staple and Salt Lake at this
373
00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:19.480
point and we're happy to do some
cool stuff. Today's episode was produced and
374
00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:26.039
edited by me Philip Hernandez with post
production by David Swape and original music composed
375
00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:30.160
by Chris Thomas. We're counting down
to Halloween with daily podcasts, videos,
376
00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:33.799
and events in our sixty one day
Hantathon. Follow along at the link in
377
00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:37.440
our show notes. Our Hantathon is
made possible through generous support from Gantum,
378
00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:41.519
Lighty and Controls. Gantum illuminates attractions
worldwide with the world's smallest intelligent spotlights.
379
00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:47.079
See what you're missing with a free
demo. Sign up at d'antum dot com
380
00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:52.480
slash demo. That's gantum dot com
slash demo. Our Hauntathon team includes Daryl
381
00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:59.160
Plunky, Emily Luis Rua, Megan
Spells, Gavin Burns and omni Adventures and
382
00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:03.160
our content part for this year include
Attractions Magazine, Creepy Kingdom, Freaks of
383
00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:10.200
Jgen, hont Topic Radio, Kevin
Heinbach News TV, omni Adventures, Scare
384
00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:14.599
Track, Sharp Productions, That Halloween
Podcast, The Horror of Being, Emily
385
00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:18.319
The Scare Factor, and This Weekend
with Nick Pealiochini. The best way you
386
00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:22.920
can support us this Halloween season is
by sharing our haunted on with someone you
387
00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:26.240
think we'll enjoy it, and to
follow along to our Haunted on sign up
388
00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:30.119
for our weekly newsletter at hant Attraction
Network dot com. We'll catch you back
389
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:36.680
here tomorrow and every day until Halloween. Until next time, say scary.
390
00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:41.000
This is a Haunted Attraction Network prod.