An article regarding Halloween Horror Nights: Islands of Fear written by Keeper from IOACentral:
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A Different Look at Halloween Horror Nights Islands of Fear
Greetings. You may call me Keeper, for I am the keeper of Islands of Adventure tales. Today's tale is an interview with a Halloween Horror Nights Scare Actor.
Keeper: Are you a regular employee, or were you just hired for Halloween Horror Nights?
Scare Actor: I am now an active seasonal employee, but before Halloween Horror Nights, I was an unemployed nobody. (Active Seasonal Employee = Unemployed Nobody)
Keeper: Can you tell us about the hiring process?
Scare Actor: The hiring procedure is very nerve-wracking. This year, I had to die for the audition - well, act like it. My tactic? Subtlety. All I did was fall out of the chair I was waiting in.
Keeper: What's the term for what you were doing?
Scare Actor: I would call myself a Scare Actor.
Keeper: What was your character? What zone did you work in?
Scare Actor: My character was called JP Victim #20b. There are two casts that alternate forty five minutes on and forty five minutes off.
Keeper: Can you go through your preperation backstage before going on duty? What time did you start? How long did it take to put on makeup, etc.?
Scare Actor: The call time is an hour before our first set. My first set was at 7:00 PM just before it got dark. Most nights my makeup was not finished but postponed until after my first set. Four guys doing makeup for eighty, sixty of them in the houses of Jurassic Park.
Keeper: How were shift changes handled? What would a typical night look like as far as on-stage vs. off-stage?
Scare Actor: Don't forget your watch, and remember what time you left the green room. Sometimes I was bumped out by my switch, sometimes I was rescued by my fear-cilitator, and other times I just went, "Wha? Okay, time to go in." Leaving, however, was more organized. Everyone gathered and waited for our Raptors and took them to their spot before continuing to our positions.
Keeper: About how many street performers were there in your island on any given night?
Scare Actor: Streets had anywhere from fifteen to thirty on any night.Keeper: Were there more scheduled on busier nights?
Scare Actor: No, we were allowed to roam more. Busier nights are safer for Scare Actors because all the guests are moving along. The slower nights lead to boredom and maiming for the guests.
Keeper: I've read reports of abusive and/or rowdy guests. Did you or anyone you work with have any major problems?
Scare Actor: I tasted a few drinks involuntarily, but that is the worst that happened to me. My colleagues had less than sociable guests. My secret: weave through the crowd and keep moving. Find guests with a sense of humor to hide behind. Some people like to be included, and when you included them in your scares, they will actually watch out for you until they leave.
Keeper: I saw a good representation from the Orlando Police Department. Were there officers assigned to your area? What kind of procedures were in place to deal with problematic guests without disrupting the show?
Scare Actor: I honestly do not know. I never really had a problem that required security or the OPD.
Keeper: Did you have a game plan when scaring? Did you target or avoid certain guests?
Scare Actor: I scare everyone but those who sit a mere six inches from the ground. Personally, I feel if you bring children to an event like Halloween Horror Nights, you deserve to have to console them when they wake up screaming, "He's coming to get me, the guy with the big hair and bloody face!"
Keeper: As a street performer, what was your best scare?
Scare Actor: My favorite are the guys who are taping the walk through the park. You aim for the camera, and you scare it out of their hands.
Keeper: Did you guys, in the heat of battle, ever scare each other?
Scare Actor: We stumble, scare, and bump into one another all the time. Fog isn't transparent.
Keeper: Did you get to experience Halloween Horror Nights as a guest? If so, what was your favorite part?
Scare Actor: It isn't the same. I like to be in the thick of it. But, it would have to be the Bill and Ted show. (I think it's time to bring someone else from the eighties, though. They aren't using the pop icons like they did.)
Keeper: Will we be seeing you at future Universal events? Would you do Halloween Horror Nights again if given the opportunity?
Scare Actor: Well, I'm looking to be a rabid bead tosser at Mardi Gras. Halloween Horror Nights is the only thing worth doing if you have to work at a theme park.
Keeper: Are there any other observations or stories we might be interested in?
Scare Actor: Have fun. Have lids for your drinks. This year's event may have some chilly nights.
Keeper: Thanks for answering our question and scaring the pants off of us!