DryRot

For many years, I only did what I called an "Ambience Haunt". No scares at all, just a setting to create a mood.

Whether it was a display in my front yard or a walk-through, it was really all set design. No pop-ups, no startling sound effects.

Maybe the sound of thunder in the distance, or the caw of crows in the background.

If I had someone as an actor, the role was one of telling a story, NOT setting people up for a scare.

I think I was aiming for something like the House of Restless Spirits, though I had not heard of them at that time.

I think Pumpkinrot does something similar. He creates a setting, a mood. He has frightening scarecrows and other hand made props, sure, but it's all about the ambiance. it's just something to create a spooky, autumnal feel, like the veil between worlds is thin. Nary a chainsaw or animatronic in sight.

When I do a haunt these days, I try to add some surprises and scares. I have had some great help to tell stories and make people jump. Still, the first thing I design is still the ambiance. I want it to feel right, to small right. In the daylight, I want it to look like a place your ten year old self would dare your friends to go in. At night, I ant the lighting and shadows to be full of intrigue.

Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I would just walk through the DryRot Gulch setup simply to be there. To feel surrounded by that Halloween feeling.

Maybe you do something similar?