Halloween season has arrived in the United States This curious celebration of the macabre has origins in ancient pagan Europe, but it has become a $6.5 billion US industry, mostly from candy and costume sales. As part of Halloween, "haunted house" attractions are set up every year in major cities, including Houston.
There is something in human psychology that makes people enjoy being scared.
During Halloween season for the past 26 years, thrill seekers in Houston have come to Screamworld and paid good money to be terrified.
Having things jump out at you in the dark does the trick.
Having a creepy setting also heightens the anticipation of what could come next.
Screamworld owner and operator Jim Fetterly designed every part of the attraction to frighten his customers.
"If you can catch a person off guard for a split second, you can get them (scare them) really good and people like that," Fetterly said.
Screamworld includes some mechanical devices, but Fetterly says humans can be much more frightening.
"You must have good actors. They are the ones who have the high-impact scares that the customers crave," Fetterly said.
For that, Screamworld employs dozens of people to play zombies, maniacs and monsters.
Most of the actors are either students or have other jobs during the day, so they have little time to get ready before the attraction opens.
Chris White, who works in IT by day, directs the make up team.
"We basically have about two hours to get 50 to 75 people made up," White said.
The transformation can be stunning. But the actors also employ skill and experience.
"If you ever took choir or singing, you are taught to use your diaphragm and not strain your vocal cords. (In character) You are already dead!," said one man dressed as a zombie.
"You have to put yourself in that mindset - my parents are dead, I probably killed them," said a girl with bloody face makeup.
Actor Tristan Baldwin says his wall-climbing zombie role has helped him land roles in horror movies.
"To develop a character every night actually helps me with my acting career, so I am building up something - 'Hey, I have been a zombie for five years,'" Baldwin said.
But the actors and owner Jim Fetterly have less than two months each year to cash in on Screamworld's seasonal appeal.
"I tell you it is crazy because you base your whole livelihood on what you can make in six weeks," Fetterly said.
But he and his cast are also in this business for the thrill of thrilling others.
体坛英语资讯:VAR headlined again in Premier League
国际英语资讯:UK PM moved out of intensive care
蝉发音的秘密
国内英语资讯:Xi says China ready to continue supporting Mexico in COVID-19 fight
国际英语资讯:Coronavirus cases reach 143,626 in Italy, pressure on hospitals decrease
华人漫画家记录中美疫情众生相,搞笑又让人心疼
继瑞幸咖啡之后,爱奇艺也爆出财务造假
国内英语资讯:China has never exported Chinese model to anyone: FM spokesperson
国际英语资讯:WHO warns against lifting restrictions too soon amid signs of slowing in COVID-19 infections
大学生只需在户外花10分钟,就能缓解压力
国内英语资讯:First batch of medical equipment donated by China arrives in BiH
美国疫情爆发后,一些公园的人流量竟然暴增,甚至翻倍
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice premier talks with British finance minister on bilateral cooperation
国内英语资讯:Slanders, accusations will not drive viruses away: Chinese FM spokesperson
体坛英语资讯:World Broadcaster Meeting for Beijing 2022 held in Madrid
国际英语资讯:Croatia expects up to 40 pct revenue drop over COVID-19: minister
国内英语资讯:Chinese mainland reports 42 new confirmed COVID-19 cases
Humble pie? 屈辱
国际英语资讯:WHO warns COVID-19 spreading to rural Africa amid weak health systems
研究表明:现任和前任往往属于同一类型
泰国新年临近 曼谷实施10天禁酒令
体坛英语资讯:Tsitsipas wraps back-to-back victory in Marseille
这十种方法让自己的大脑变得更聪明
国内英语资讯:Xi says China ready to continue helping Venezuela fight COVID-19
推特CEO要捐10亿美元对抗新冠,占他个人总财富的1/4
国际英语资讯:Italian PM extends national lockdown to May 3
体坛英语资讯:Kenyan Chumba eyes Tokyo marathon title
国际英语资讯:Trump, Putin speak over phone on COVID-19, global energy market
体坛英语资讯:Union Berlin stun Frankfurt 2-1 in Bundesliga
泰国新年临近 曼谷实施10天禁酒令
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |