When I was designing the first phase of my haunt I had a pretty clear idea of what kind of norms I wanted for the display. I have never been a fan of gore. I don’t like bloody movies. I also do not like being scared. I think the representations of people in humiliating situations or in pain go beyond entertainment and become desensitizing. With all these peccadilloes I created the six rules of Spooky Acres. I might go back and revise them from time-to-time, but I think that they are pretty good.
1. No blood or gore.
2. Never represent a human being:
a. in a humiliating position.
b. in the throws of agony or pain.
3. Any depiction of the human form should be as unrealistic as possible (i.e. cartoonish).
4. No active frights. (By this I mean there will be nothing jumping out at the audience. No compressed air cannons. No haunt actors grabbing at people, etc.)
5. Never put the audience in harm’s way. (An extension of #4)
6. When given the choice between macabre and humor, choose humor.
Even with all these rules in place you can still have a yard haunt that has quite a bit of atmosphere. Halloween can be fun and just a little spooky.
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