Scare Attractions

What are Scare Attractions?

Scare attractions, also known in the USA as haunted attractions are live theatrical experiences in which an audience moves through a themed environment populated by sets, props, special effects and, usually, live scareactors. A narrative drives the audience through the experience as they encounter visual, tactile and sound effects intended to scare them.

AtmosFEAR! was the first UK production company set up to primarily produce scare attractions. Our scare attractions fall into one of two categories, custom scare attractions and overlay scare attractions.

Custom Scare Attractions
Production of brand new scare attractions

Custom scare attractions are immersive live action experiences during which groups of guests explore a themed environment encountering three kinds of effects;

Visual Effects
Smoke, sets, propping, illusions, animatronics,darkness, theatrical lighting, strobe lighting, costume and makeup.
Sound Effects
Narration, music and ambient sound effects.
Tactile Effects
Water spray, air gusts, physical contact, temperature fluctuation and scent.

A narrative storyline leads the audience through the experience which, like a film or book, has a beginning (preshow), middle (main show) and end (culmination). These attractions are installed permanently, seasonally or temporarily. The ‘scare factor’ can be modified for the audience, even during operation. Some of these attractions are ‘free flow’ (the audience walk forwards by themselves in groups), others are ‘guided’ (the audience is lead through the attraction by a scareactor acting as host). Some attractions operate a single audience batching system (one group is inside the attraction at any one time), while other attractions operate double, treble etc. batching systems – this is largely dependent on the layout of the attraction and its overall size. A third type of attraction is a ‘true maze’ in that there is no pre-defined route through the attraction and multiple exploration options are available to the audience.

AtmosFEAR! have over a decade of experience designing attractions and will suggest the best options for your host venue, target audience, throughput and budget. AtmosFEAR! can produce an entirely new themed attraction for your host venue, whether this is intended as a permanent or temporary attraction. By applying our expertise to your specific theme, audience and demographic, we can develop a solution that will exceed your audiences expectations. Whether the concept is yours or ours, we will work to create a tailor made solution that will bring any idea vividly to life.

Overlay Scare Attractions
Re-invention of existing attractions

We can breathe new life into an existing attraction by offering a complete overlay solution to re-develop, redesign or rehabilitate. We can imagineer a new theme and storyline to make your attraction appeal to a new audience. This service can be applied to theme park rides, themed visitor attractions, heritage properties, restaurants and museums.

Overlay scare attractions include the same features as custom scare attractions, with the difference that they are an overlay of an existing attraction, building or site. During a re-invention a new theme, storyline, or route might be incorporated into an existing space, or a previously unused area might be adapted and opened to the public for the first time.

Publicity, Footfall & Revenue

Scare attractions are a relatively new form of entertainment in the UK, and offer host venues the opportunity to attract new editorial publicity, increase footfall and introduce new revenue streams with the option of further 'upsells' including scareactor photography, merchandise and themed catering. Scare attractions require relatively low investment and offer high ROI for leisure operators.

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Contact us now to find out how we can make your SCREAMS come true!