Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg 2021
- Thread starter Gavin
- Start date
‘‘Twas good and better prop and scenic work than I expected. Definitely not just a revamped Lumberhack. Very strong immersion actors at the entrance - not scary at all in daylight but, not surprising. Looking forward to seeing it at night!
Wow, that was disappointing. Felt like there was so much space just wasted, especially the ending, and the staffing just felt so off. The beginning felt understaffed, middle over staffed, and the end basically didn’t exist. You just exited through the eire entrance: so much wasted potential.
The diner room had about 12-13 people in it not sure why
Seriously! They should’ve opened on it instead of having it midway through! So odd how they paced it
It’s built in reverse. It makes much more narrative sense to go through it backwards. They just can’t have that because there’s no space for a queue then
Going through Dystopia, I found the same problem with the staffing, but not as harsh. And I just went though Circo, and despite the sunlight, it wasn’t bad. I do wish Killarney was built in reverse or just able to be ran through in reverse, as opposed to how it is now.
There seems to be a costume issue too, I’ve done all the indoor houses so far and I’ve seen scareactors dressed in just black tees or tanks and pants. No makeup. Very strange gonna chalk it up to opening night pains but it needs to be fixed this weekend
I totally feel you on this. I think it’s more COVID and time constraints but I also think it being first night plays a big portion in it and the rush that is happening.
Been through each house once and entering Killarney again for the probably past run though of the night. Will try to provide a full review either later tonight or in the morning.
Rankings - did all mazes once except for Dystopia which I did twice:
1) Dystopia - very well-staffed and continues to be such a rad concept for a house.
2) Witch - need to do this one at night, but I was pleasantly surprised! Lots of great immersion here and a perfect story to go with the location. To me this is equal to Lumberhack's first year.
3) Poe - I can understand @Gavin's tweet about this one feeling more museum than house, but I was really impressed with some of the set design work and I think that this is one house that could rise in the rankings with improved scareactors - all of the big Poe stories get a chance here.
4) Circo Sinistro - I miss the pre-show, but some of these scares really do still hit well (completely forget about the bungee scare and hauled ass lol)
5) Killarney Diner - amazing facade (possibly their best ever??? - certainly the best of this year), a couple REALLY cool rooms, and then... nothing... this house location, man... it's cursed... Also, I truly have no idea what the plot was here.
Zones looked good! Meat Market and Ripper Row are standouts here.
Didn't bother with the shows this evening - next time!
Miscellaneous - probably the best staffed event I've seen at HOSW; more kids than usual and continues to be a nuisance as the scareactors tend to play it easier; LOTS of SIF this year; not many masked walking through houses - maybe 20% of us were even though signs are plastered saying that masks are recommended indoors - I would say that if you are worried about COVID and aren't vaccinated, probably not the best idea.
1) Dystopia - very well-staffed and continues to be such a rad concept for a house.
2) Witch - need to do this one at night, but I was pleasantly surprised! Lots of great immersion here and a perfect story to go with the location. To me this is equal to Lumberhack's first year.
3) Poe - I can understand @Gavin's tweet about this one feeling more museum than house, but I was really impressed with some of the set design work and I think that this is one house that could rise in the rankings with improved scareactors - all of the big Poe stories get a chance here.
4) Circo Sinistro - I miss the pre-show, but some of these scares really do still hit well (completely forget about the bungee scare and hauled ass lol)
5) Killarney Diner - amazing facade (possibly their best ever??? - certainly the best of this year), a couple REALLY cool rooms, and then... nothing... this house location, man... it's cursed... Also, I truly have no idea what the plot was here.
Zones looked good! Meat Market and Ripper Row are standouts here.
Didn't bother with the shows this evening - next time!
Miscellaneous - probably the best staffed event I've seen at HOSW; more kids than usual and continues to be a nuisance as the scareactors tend to play it easier; LOTS of SIF this year; not many masked walking through houses - maybe 20% of us were even though signs are plastered saying that masks are recommended indoors - I would say that if you are worried about COVID and aren't vaccinated, probably not the best idea.
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Half of witch is building up to this (supposed) climactic moment, and then you get there, and it's like, oh is this the witch I'm supposed to be afraid of? Huh ok
Appearently it was a crazy night? Sheeeesh
