With October 31 less than six months away, it is time to start planning now how we're going to haunt it up! To get inspired, we are sorting through the many incredible AtmosFAN of the Week submissions we’ve received.
This week’s winner, complete with a behind-the-scenes video, comes from Troy Blosser, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Troy has been decorating for Halloween for more than a decade, but it was only in 2016 when he decided to put together a haunted house, which exists exclusively in his two-car garage and adjacent 10-by-20-foot tent.
As you can see in the video below, it's impressive how many scares Troy can fit in what he estimates is only about 450 square feet. "Most people are amazed that they don’t cross into the house itself," Troy says. "It took a lot of planning, but the layout really works well and adds to the overall disorientation!"
How does he create so many rooms in such a small space? Troy uses countless 1x1-inch pieces of wood near the ceiling and then hangs his "walls" from them. He says the materials make storage during the offseason much easier. As you can see from the video, each room is small but still packed with stuff: animatronics, AtmosFX Digital Decorations, other props, and as many as six people who help facilitate the scares. He says it takes about three weeks to set it all up and get everything perfect. As for planning? "It’s definitely a year-round endeavor," he says. "I love it."
Troy says he and his family get between 100 to 200 visitors on Halloween night depending on the weather in suburban Denver. He lets groups of three or four through at a time, adding another group when the first makes it halfway. Troy has also created a Facebook page dedicated to his haunt to help build anticipation and show his behind-the-scenes-video.
One thing Troy has been especially pleased with is the addition of the 10-by-20-foot tent outside his garage. Visitors queue there before they enter and exit. This year, he set up "Lady of the House" individual scene from Macabre Manor to engage the waiting audiences. "The Macabre Manor decoration really helps maintain the overall flow," Troy says, "and is a perfect pre-show for what’s to come."
Troy, we love what you've done and we can't wait to see what you'll be doing this year! For your year-round efforts, we name you our most recent AtmosFAN of the Week!
With the holiday season fast-approaching, we want to see photos and videos of your displays to help inspire others! Send your photos and YouTube links to community@atmosfx.com and you could be the next one honored!
