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Troiandan

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Posts posted by Troiandan

    Popularity and greed ruining HHN (and other events)?

    in General Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando

    Posted

    Several terrific posts here, thanks to all for contributing so many ideas to the discourse.

    I do frequently see the comment made, “If you don’t like it, don’t go.” However, the event itself is complex, as is the variety of unique individuals that make up the fan community. Different aspects of the event are of primary importance to different folks. For instance, I myself don’t have a major issue with either a lack of specific overarching theme or icon. I think it’s nifty when we get it – I’m not overly unhappy when we don’t. However, I understand that is an important part of the event for others, so expressing that desire and disappointment is valid and valuable.

    Another comment that gets thrown in periodically is that “we” don’t like change. Jeramy hit it on the head when he said “it gets frustrating when you see things that you love change, AND, FROM ONE’S OWN STANDPOINT, FOR THE WORSE.” I suspect the issue is not always change itself; it’s change that is perceived as ultimately decreasing enjoyment and value for oneself.

    Beside the other issues that I have mentioned before that I find disappointing, I do also have concern about prices continuing to rise, and the feeling that I continue to get less for my dollar than I have in previous years. That fuels a financial decision on a personal level. For instance, I came very close to not renewing my Disney annual pass this past year, mostly based on not believing I’m getting sufficient value for my dollars. This time the tipping point for keeping it, and spending that money, was the individuals with whom I would be interacting, and wanting that option available for another year. From a non-haunt standpoint, though, I will say that Universal gets far more of my meager earnings than Disney does, and that based on the value I perceive I receive for my money.

    And then we have the aforementioned competition, or perhaps lack thereof in the Orlando area. Whether HOS is considered competition is probably different for each of us, based primarily on distance. While I haven’t attended the events in Cali, I do get the sense that HHN has to contend with other significant haunts. Does this affect the event for the better? I’d have to ask those on the other coast. But market forces being what they are, I really would like to see some type of significant competition to HHN in our area. Not saying I have any ideas how to go about that – but that might color the offerings when choices have to be made by consumers.

    So it IS a business, and most aspects of how marketing and finance work are pretty close to set in stone. But I believe the discussion is still valid. If there is something we want to see change – do we try to work the existing system from within to hopefully steer change we would like to see? Do we go outside the structure and try to encourage something new? Those ideas might be well considered when attempting to foment change to situations much more significant than an admittedly delightful entertainment event.

    Finally, I agree again with Jeramy that we should be able to play nice. As one of my best friends is wont to say – “Be Excellent to Each Other.” The individuals in this community are amazing and fantastic, and I believe we can interact, disagree, and exchange ideas without being Mr. or Ms. Poopy-Pants to each other. Thanks again to everyone for providing an interesting variety of ideas and discussion points.

    • Like 4

    Halloween Horror Nights 23 Speculation

    in Halloween Horror Nights 23

    Posted

    Streets spec? While it looks like most of our construction will have been completed by the event (Potter 2.0 notwithstanding), we still have the same issue as last year vis a vis the SuperStar parade. Some of the most fun zones I've experienced over the years have tended to be in New York and Hollywood, which is prime parade territory. On the other hand, we still have San Fran, Central Park, and parts of Kids Zone as good places for fully themed scarezones. (Shrek Alley too, maybe?) And I think that acceptable theming can be done along the parade route using props moved in/out after park close.

    While I did enjoy last year's street experience interactions, I really do hope they do not use truly "roaming" hordes again. As many have stated, it was a bear to try to keep track of where everyone was at any given time (although the occasional overlap of multiple hordes was quite the blast). But, whoever at UO is reading this - PLEASE PLEASE keep the "no safe zones" in place. That was one of the biggest losses for me as the event grew, and I genuinely loved knowing I could be accosted just about anywhere this past year.

    I like Jeramy's idea of the RFID tech being used as a trigger of sorts in the houses and streets. I suspect there will be bugs the first couple of weeks with whatever they try, but that is the nature of the beast, and I'm willing to be patient while all is ironed out. And I really do hope some of our tests and trials will include street scareactor interaction - never know who's hiding that scanner under their cape!

    • Like 5

    Halloween Horror Nights 23 Speculation

    in Halloween Horror Nights 23

    Posted

    yeah, sorry about that, this was a weird week for me. That being said since Balloons is about Front Boobs and Flashback is about Back Boobs - this means they will get ya coming and going!!! THE BREAST IS YET TO COME!

    And now I'm having my own flashback to Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* again.

    *But were afraid to ask.

    • Like 1

    Popularity and greed ruining HHN (and other events)?

    in General Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando

    Posted

    In terms of whether to make a special trip to see both coasts' events, you would probably need to check with someone who has experienced both, possibly on multiple occasions. I did feel that the significant marketing of TWD had a huge impact on the crowd levels, though.

    While I'm far from "HHN can do no wrong," I do tend to feel that, when it sucks, it's still pretty flippin' good. But that is how I choose what to do with my finances, which in turns creates the economic impact, however slight, that has been referenced in this thread. Since my focus has always tended to be on our performers - as long as the event continues to provide that level of interaction year after year, I'm there, regardless of how painful or difficult to deal with the financial implications.

    However, when the safety of the performers is in jeopardy, or the actors are no longer in a position to work this gig strictly for the love of it - and face it, love don't keep the rain off your head at night - then that's my own breaking point. I have no issues with IP's per se; but when money goes to licensing and away from the people who actually do the hard work night after night, and the Intellectual Property holders put straightjackets on both creative's and performers' ability to bring us the best of what we love - that's when my knickers get in a bunch.

    So should you make a special trip to see Orlando? While I would vote yes, it comes back to your own economics to make your decision. And asking these questions is a great way to gather the information you need to make that choice.

    Now to go re-watch The Corporation, so I can get all ate up again about the tendency to bolster the bottom line to the detriment of quality and elimination of pride in company and product.

    ETA: 700 posts? Holy merde.

    • Like 6

    Halloween Horror Nights 23 Speculation

    in Halloween Horror Nights 23

    Posted

    And if you think THAT'S one of the worst horror films ever, you should spend an afternoon watching stuff on Netflix. You'll come out think H3 wasn't actually all that bad. :)

    Thankskilling...

    And I myself have high hopes for CiTW, IP or no. A Whedon inspiration + our own creative's inspiration = something I'm interested in, regardless.

    • Like 2

    Halloween Horror Nights 23 Speculation

    in Halloween Horror Nights 23

    Posted

    Except that they've already taken this approach with another IP. Unless I'm mistaken, wasn't the first Thing house a sequel, and took place after the events of the film? This house, as described above, would essentially be a prequel.

    As I was unable to go that year, I had to look it up to be certain, but yes - The Thing: Assimilation appears to have taken place subsequent to the events of the Carpenter film. Our 2011 Thing house was based on the film released that year, which I believe was a prequel (still haven't mustered up the interest to view that one). So prequel houses for IP's are def not unheard of.

    Halloween Horror Nights 23 Speculation

    in Halloween Horror Nights 23

    Posted

    That is just f*****g amazing. All I can say is if we do get this I hope some scareactors do that backwards crab walk like that one girl did. ;)

    I think we had at least one Warrior doing that walk last year, so I think it could definitely happen.

    I'm another that thinks surname is Walker for TWD. From all I've been reading, it really seems that a second TWD house is as close to a sure thing as we're going to get this time of year. If this does happen, I agree with those who say that Uni should do what they need to *cough* money *cough* to ease up the restrictions AMC put on last year's house. Using the prison could work beautifully, but I would really like to see the non-biter characters this year, plus not put so many restrictions on allowing our performers to scare as they do best. The talent most assuredly is there, both in creative and performance. Here's hoping the handcuffs will be off this year.

    • Like 2
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