For the first time ever, makeup experts from four major California haunted attractions took the stage together – some having just met – to discuss their craft at last weekend’s ScareLA convention.
Representatives from Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, and Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest discussed how they create creatures on a nightly basis for their respective haunted attractions, sharing tips and insight into the organized chaos that makes it all come together.
Scheduled at the end of day one of the convention, this panel was under attended, leaving far too many empty seats for such an interesting, educational, and entertaining session. It’s presentations like this that ScareLA is all about, bringing the haunt industry together to showcase their talents and achievements while sharing the knowledge with fans (and each other).
Video: FULL Halloween makeup panel at ScareLA
Halloween Horror Nights
Knott’s Scary Farm
Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest
Queen Mary Dark Harbor
With these experts at the helm, makeup, prosthetics, and costuming happen quickly and efficiently, managing their many artists who apply hundreds of makeups each event evening in the hours leading up to the scares. Though the events are developed completely independently, it was interesting to hear how they share common challenges.
Each has limited space for their makeup departments to work in, exhausting hours and conditions, and getting creative to complete their nightly jobs. Ultimately it’s a passion for the position that drives each of these talents to assemble an incredible array of monsters throughout the Halloween season.
More photos from the Making Monsters panel at ScareLA 2014: