Q&A time! Remember I won’t speak to this years content. I’m not spilling until the time is right! I’ll answer a couple of the best ones.
— HHN – Orlando (@HorrorNightsORL) March 20, 2014
Mike Aiello, Creative Director of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, recently took to Twitter with a few more bits of information about this year’s upcoming event. We’ve summarized his comments below:
March 14:
Just confirmed one of the mazes just two hours ago. This one.. Oh yes this one… Unbelievable. This is one of those dream properties. The characters involved are epic! Very excited for the team.. And of course the fans! This is one of those “Man, wouldn’t it be cool if…nah there’s no way… What? We got it?” moments. Then the elation of the “we got it” moment turns into pure terror of now having to live up to it. Same emotion we had with AWIL.
Today (March 19):
Q&A time! Remember I won’t speak to this years content. I’m not spilling until the time is right! I’ll answer a couple of the best ones:
Q: Do you guys already have planning done for future events?
A: In a way, yes. Definitely have ideas for HHN 25.
Q: What was your favorite year and what house stood out???
A: [HHN 17] Carnival of Carnage was my favorite to work on.
Q: Did John Landis want any changes made to ‘An American Werewolf In London’ after his walkthrough? If so what were they?
A: No, not after the walk thru. Maybe more blood on the teeth. He was with us every step of the way.
Subquestion: 3? One of which being a hat in the projection room? My memory serving me correctly?
A: Yes, correct. And white gloves in the Lamb.
Q: Can you talk numbers? If so, is there a final house count?
A: I’m not a numbers guy . . . 😉
Q: What would you say was your favorite house you’ve done so far?
A: Every one [of them] has [had] great qualities. Honestly scenically my fav in a while was [HHN 21’s] Nightingales. The trenches really worked.
Q: How do you create suspense in a haunted house with a continuous “conga line?”
A: It’s the most challenging aspect. A different set of rules. Misdirection vs scare plays key role.
Q: When designing ‘An American Werewolf in London,’ what was the hardest part in bringing the werewolf to life?
A: The fluid movement and that it could be designed to withstand the run [of the event].
Q: What are your thoughts on going back to using original Icons & back stories instead of film properties?
A: Time and place.
Q: What has been one of the best house ideas that never came to fruition?
A: That’s a tough question without giving something away. Those ideas are never discarded just held back.
Q: What was your favorite part of working on the Bill & Ted show?
A: The rehearsal process. So many changes, so many versions. Very challenging.
Q: What is your all-time favorite house that you’ve helped create? Your favorite original house?
A: [2013’s] An American Werewolf in London and [2011’s] H. R. Bloodengutz presents Holidays of Horror.
Q: Can we expect Legendary Truth to be starting back up again soon? As a seasonal thing or a year long thing?
A: That’s TJ [Mannarino] and Rick’s [Spencer] realm. I’m a fan.
Q: What is your favorite part of designing haunts?
A: The graph paper stage. We literally graph the house on paper in a “plan” (above looking down) view.
Q: What about past scare zones? Have a favorite?
A: I enjoyed [2011’s] 7 a lot.. [2008’s] The Skoolhouse. [2002’s] Treaks and Foons foam party haha!
Q: Which do you like better in the design process — coming up with the concepts or pitching them to IPs and higher-ups?
A: Both, but the pitch is especially fun ’cause you are on your toes the entire time. Waiting to shift and change on a dime.
Q: What are some things you look for in a prospective maze?
A: Variety in environment & character. #1
Q: What is your opinion of the way the event has changed over the years, and where it is going in the future?
A: The event [has] evolved every year. Recently, in my humble opinion, the icon has been HHN itself. A kind of Pandora’s box.
Q: Would you ever consider a sequel to The Forsaken? One of my favorites.
A: The Forsaken was a blast !
Q: [Art & Design Team Member] Kim Gromoll will sadly be missed at future HHN events. His legacy will never die, nor will his nightmares. [Editor’s Note: Mr. Gromoll recently announced that he will be leaving Universal Orlando for an opportunity elsewhere.]
A: Man, you said it. We currently have him tied to his desk until he leaves.
Q: Was it equally as exciting when you were able to nail down Cabin in the Woods and An American Werewolf in London last year?
A: Cabin was one of those underdog mazes that no one I pitched to had any idea what I was talking about. It blew the doors down!
Q: The work you guys have put into every year is amazing. I’ve been going since Fright Nights and every year is amazing.
A: Thanks so much! The team is amazing. Humbled to be a part of it!It blew the doors down!
Alright that’s all for now! Thanks gang! Again can never say enough, your support is amazing- the HHN fan is second to none. More to come.