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57 Ghosts

57 Ghosts

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes guests to the third-class dining hall where they will experience a classic séance. Apparitionist Michael Rangel will transport guests back in time with his storytelling and otherworldly rituals. It is the perfect outing for fans of the paranormal.

The Queen Mary has long been known as a haunted vessel, and since its reopening in 2023, paranormal activity has reportedly been on the rise.  “We’ve observed a notable uptick in paranormal phenomena over the last few months. I’ve hosted shows onboard the Queen Mary since my residency started in 2018, and there are definitely more unexplained happenings and mysterious occurrences,” shared Sinclair in a press release.

I had the chance to visit this past January and take part in 57 Ghosts. Walking through the deserted halls at night does perfectly lend itself to ghost stories and mysteries of the past. And this ship has its share of spooky occurrences!

The Queen Mary's History

The Queen Mary’s maiden voyage was on May 27th, 1936, when she departed from Southampton, England. For three years she was known as one of the grandest ocean liner’s in the world. From celebrities like Bob Hope and Clark Gable, to royalty like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, to dignitaries like Winston Churchill, quite a few notable individuals found there way aboard. 

Then in WWII, Queen Mary was recruited into duty, transporting as many as 16,000 troops. During this time she became known as the “Grey Ghost” because of her stealth and stark color. After the war, she returned as a cruise ship, operating from 1947 – 1967.

The Queen Mary ultimately saw 1,001 transatlantic crossings and 57 recorded deaths. You can learn more about the ship’s history on the venue’s official website. 

Rumors of hauntings have been whispered since I was a little girl. Even on my first trip in the 90’s a tour guide was happy to recount sightings of a little girl in the pool area and odd occurrences in room B340. The Queen Mary has since leaned heavily into paranormal tourism with their Haunted Encounters, Paranormal Ship Walk, The Grey Ghost Project, and now this new 57 Ghosts Séance.

Watch My Haunted Attraction Network Video

My Experience at 57 Ghosts

I love a good ghost story, and 57 Ghosts sets the perfect stage for a night of spookiness. The third-class dining hall was beautifully restored for this experience, and then furnished with an eclectic set of oddities and artifacts to make one feel like they are back in an age of séances and sea voyages. Apparitionist Michael Rangel drew me in with his personal stories and recounting of classic ghost stories from The Queen Mary. 

The actual séance was a real treat. Rangel utilized techniques from the 19th and early 20th century to put on an authentic experience. Now, if you go into this “immersive” experience expecting thrills, “boo”-scares, or high-tech theatrics, you are going to be disappointed. This is a subtle experience that has the charms of a bygone era. There is not a show-stopping “wow” moment, but rather a series of interesting techniques to “communicate with the spirits”. There is a showmanship in how each of the segments is crafted and presented to the audience, but it isn’t like what you would find at Shaqtoberfest. 

Ultimately, if you enjoy scary stories in a spooky atmosphere, or if you have an appreciation for the spiritualist movement of the late 19th / early 20th century, this is an interesting way to spend an evening. If you are seeking jump scares or if you want a real ghost hunting experience, then this isn’t the evening out for you. Luckily, The Queen Mary does offer both of those alternative experiences. For jump scares and a more traditional haunt experience, check out Shaqtoberfest. For ghost hunting aboard The Queen Mary, try The Grey Ghost Project experience. There is something for every taste!

Get Your Tickets for 57 Ghosts Today

Voyage to the other side with apparitionist Michael Rangel on select nights Friday – Sunday, starting at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $100 per person. Seating is reserved and extremely limited. Attendance is not recommended for those who are recently bereaved or under the age of 16 years old.

For a complete schedule, visit www.57ghosts.com/.

Want to see more of my adventures with The Haunted Attraction Network? Check them out below:

Springtopia 2023

Scream Break 2023

 

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
News

2024 – New Year, New Blog

2024 – New Year, New Blog

Happy 2024 – New Year, New Blog!

Each January 1st as the midnight bells toll and cheers echo through the air, I take time to reflect on the past year and look forward to what the new year will bring. 2023 was a wonderful and busy year for me personally – but I neglected this blog. For 2024, I am resolving to create more content and add more personal touches to this blog. There are dozens of horror news sites that can post press releases and news, but there is only one site that hosts this Emily’s unique humor and personality – TheHorrorOfBeingEmily.com! I still plan to update the events calendar with horror events from around the country and give occasional posts regarding events I have a hand in, but get ready for more personal posts and fun content. 

New Year Resolutions

Living the spooky life 365 days of the year is amazingly fulfilling, but it does require a lot of work. Every year I challenge myself to grow and strive towards my ideal Halloween lifestyle. I am actually pretty good at achieving most of the things I set out to do every year (except, apparently, staying on top of blog posts). How do I do this? Is it perhaps some innate magical power? Am I a witch?  Quite possibly so. Still, there are some ways to craft new year’s resolutions to make one more likely to achieve them:

1. Make Your Goals Quantifiable (i.e. “Carve 5 Pumpkins”, not just “Carve More Pumpkins”)

2. Make Your Goals Realistic (i.e. “Read 12 Spell Books”, not “Read 120 Spell Books” – unless of course that fits your lifestyle, then way to go!)

3. Keep Yourself Accountable (i.e. Track your progress, ask friends to check in on your goals, broadcast your resolutions on your blog so you would feel very embarrassed if you slack off)

Keeping those guidelines in mind, you can set yourself up to achieve all the ghastly goals you strive towards!

New Year, New Blog - Emily's Resolutions

Part of this “New Year, New Blog” makeover will be sharing more of my personal stories and journey with you. I have a lofty set of goals for this year and hope to post more about how I take these goals and implement them into my daily life in spooky ways. Upcoming blog posts will share ideas and inspiration for more ghoulishly delightful ways to make self-improvement fun!

Here are some of my main resolutions for 2024:

  1. Read 12 Books
  2. Write 24 Blog Posts
  3. Finish 24 Duo Lingo Japanese Lessons
  4. Post 300 Instagram Posts / Reels
  5. Watch 365 Films / TV Show Episodes / Short Film Blocks
  6. Complete 4 DIY Projects
  7. Finish My Family Cookbook
  8. Use up More Scrapbooking Supplies than I Buy
  9. Paint My Nails Once a Month
  10. Give Myself a Monthly At-Home Facial
  11. Average 8,000 Steps Daily Over the Course of the Year
  12. Exercise 156 Times (Ideally 3x’s Per Week)
  13. Finish 4 Video Games
  14. Act In / Direct 2 Films / Short Films / Youtube Videos
  15. Cook / Bake 12 New Recipies
  16. Host 4 Movie Nights
  17. See 2 Live Performances
  18. Write 52 Journal Entries

It seems like a lot, but at 12 days into the new year, I am already well on my way towards many of these goals. So step with me into the fog-laden corridors of self-improvement and prepare to confront the ghosts of procrastination and the haunting specters of past unfulfilled promises. Enter if you dare, and let the spooky journey begin!

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Emily Movies News

The Joe Haggerty Legacy Collection Box Set

The Joe Haggerty Legacy Collection Box Set

After 10 years of being in the vault, my feature film directorial debut, Who Was Buffalo Bill?,  has been released on DVD as part of The Joe Haggerty Legacy Collection Box Set. Do you like low-budget cult horror? Looking for a box set that has a little something for every horror fan on your list and that one guy who only wants to watch dramas? Do you want to see me play a porn star but not take off any clothes or do anything remotely sexy? (That last one is oddly specific but I am not going to judge). Well, if you have answered yes to any or all of those questions, The Joe Haggerty Legacy Collection Box Set is for you!

In addition to Who Was Buffalo Bill?, the collection features “Camp Blood” and “Camp Blood 2” (Blu-ray, presented in 2D & Blu-ray 3D), Grindhouse Double Feature with “Evil Unleashed” and “Zombie Chronicles” (Blu-ray, presented in 2D & Blu-ray 3D), “Dark Crimes” (DVD), and “Camp Blood 8“. More importantly, the collection has bonus features including a making-of discussion with yours truly and other Who Was Buffalo Bill? cast & crew. We share behind-the-scenes stories and reminisce on our favorite moments in the film. Of course I also ham it up for the camera – just a bit.

You can purchase your box set today through Makeflix for $89.99.

Who Was Buffalo Bill?

Who Was Buffalo Bill? is a “mumblecore” (Joe’s term) drama about a literary agent who receives poetry from a liquidator handling the estate of William F. Marquard III, aka “Buffalo Bill”, a porn actor who recently died from an OD. The poetry is superb, but did Buffalo Bill really write it? The agent teams with a documentary filmmaker to find out who this intriguing man really was, and in the process questions if we ever really know anyone.

The film was shot as a series of interviews with the various people in Buffalo Bill’s life. For a film with an ample array of porn star characters, we didn’t show anything racy – except for a little pan up on my legs at one point. We also didn’t have any cutaway shots – everything was just two cameras documentary style. It was quite the acting challenge to essentially monologue and know that the camera would be catching any imperfection in the performance, but our cast pulled it off wonderfully!

Although this was just my first feature film (and my inexperience certainly shows), I am immensely proud of my work. I managed to direct a large, diverse cast of SAG actors. Being a young woman in a director role, I had to overcome biases and assert myself in a very male-dominated field. On top of all that, I also acted in this film – playing porn star “Sandy Brown” – and having no time to change out of my costume before directing the next scene!

Get Your Joe Haggerty Legacy Collection Box Set Today!

I know 90 bucks is steep, but consider supporting indie filmmakers. It’s a great opportunity to own some fun cult horror in addition to a high brow drama. It’s your only chance to see my first feature film in the comfort of your home! Get yours before they are all gone!

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Emily News

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part II

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part II

In My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I, I discussed my childhood and the ways my family fostered my love for all things spooky. In Part II I want to give an overview of my professional background. I am more than just an enthusiast – my jobs have given me insight into the inner workings of the film, haunt, and Halloween industries. Amazingly, I have made a living doing what I love. As a result I have acquired a vast knowledge base to help my eerie endeavors. I am a Halloween/horror professional!

Using that USC Film Degree

I have always liked the phrase “movie magic”. There is something magical about sitting in a darkened room full of strangers, coming together through a shared experience. Films can transport you into a fantastic world that reflects the best and worst of society. They can help you to look through the eyes of someone whose life is drastically different from your own and grow in understanding. Being on a film set is also magical. A team of highly talented individuals come together for a shared goal of creating a unique world for others.  

Both Sides of the Filmmaking Process

Following film school, I spent a few years dabbling in post-production. I honed my editing skills with the very non-horror “Prune Like a Pro” Youtube series, editing over 180 plant and nature-related videos. I also worked for two professional post-production/marketing companies, where I learned about the process of creating trailers and other marketing materials for film & television. My favorite experiences were learning how professional editors created marketing materials for the remake of Carrie, Full Moon Features films, and other scary fare. Although editing felt satisfying – like solving a gigantic jigsaw puzzle – I realized that sitting alone in a dark room staring at a computer for hours upon hours was not the job for someone as social as me.

So, I switched to the opposite side of the filmmaking process. I worked with the BlueCat Screenplay Competition first as a reader, then Competition Coordinator, and finally as their Social Media Coordinator. Spending my days reading hundreds of screenplays and learning from a top-notch mentor gave me new perspectives on crafting a script. There are so many talented horror writers from around the world, and so many amazing horror stories just waiting to be produced! I, however, am decidedly not a writer, and I wanted something more hands-on and collaborative.

My History of Halloween & Horror: Filmography

You can’t get more hands-on and collaborative experience than on a film set. I love to be both in front of and behind the camera. Luckily, I have had ample opportunity for both! Check out some of my works:

 

Features:

Howard the Doc or: How I Learned to Start Quacking and Love the Bomb – Self

9 Ways to Hell (2022) – Director (“Gluttony”), Actress (“Gluttony”)

Who Was Buffalo Bill? (2016) – Director, Actress

Killer Party (2014) – Script Supervisor

Fable: Teeth of Beasts (2010) – Production Assistant

 

Shorts:

Not Pregnant (2016) – Actress

Safe & Sound (2015) – Actress, Writer, Producer

Under the Bed (2015) – Writer, Actress, Producer

Fade to Black (2013) – Actress

Goth Girl: Season 2, Episode 11 (2010) – Actress

My History of Halloween & Horror: An "Event-ful" Life

Growing up, my Dad and I drove up to 7 hours away to attend horror movie conventions. From Chiller Theater in New Jersey, to local Buffalo-area cons, we went to every one we could, speaking to filmmakers and celebrities (and collecting autographs for the movie room). Additionally, we attended non-horror fare: toy train shows, air shows, toy collectable conventions, etc. I had a lot of fun attending conventions and always thought of them as nice ways to spend a weekend. They were just fun little diversions, and I never gave them too much consideration outside of that.

I never thought to volunteer for one until my senior year of college, where I had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas for Fangoria’s Trinity of Terror convention. I skipped a day of classes and got the cheapest hotel room I could find so I could spend the weekend working the event. The experience was electrifying. During the show I worked with the event videographer and interviewed Malcolm McDowell, John Waters, my childhood idol Kritsy Swanson, George Romero, and more.  Unfortunately, the event is known in certain circles as “the best convention no one attended” so I never got the chance to work that event again. 

ScareLA: SoCal's Premiere Halloween Convention

Struggling to survive for a few years after college kept me from working for free again, but all that changed in 2013 when I stumbled across a Facebook page for a new upcoming Halloween convention right in LA (so no hotel room required). I sent them a Facebook message and a day later received a response. I didn’t know it then, but this opportunity would change the entire course of my life.

ScareLA was the “premiere Halloween convention in SoCal” (a tagline I championed from year-one) from 2013 – 2018. I started as an assistant to one of the event’s founders on the show floor. A month before the event I left my job at a post-production house so I had far too much time on my hands to prep for the event. My 50+ page event binder with every single detail about the event impressed management and the next year I was on payroll as the Exhibitor Coordinator. By year three I was a close assistant to both founders of the event – even working with them on projects outside of ScareLA. 

Starting in 2016, I became the Exhibition Producer for ScareLA’s final three years. In addition, I coordinated the event’s Screening Room, showcasing filmmakers from around the world.

Lifelong Lessons

My co-workers and mentors at ScareLA instilled in me many key lessons that I still hold in my heart:

  • The desire to showcase talented local artists & artisans
  • Bringing together creative individuals from a multitude of disciplines and utilizing their talents in new ways
  • Breaking down cliques and egos that often divide people in the horror/Halloween communities
  • Fostering emerging talent and empowering new creators
  • Identifying trends in the industry to better provide experiences that audiences are craving
A New Perspective

Until ScareLA, I had never even thought that the events industry could be a career path for me. I usually associated careers in events more along the lines of party planning, wedding planning, or catering. This event showed me that I could make a living creating interactive spooky experiences. After two years of ScareLA, I stopped looking for full-time film work in post houses or studios and decided that the flexibility and fun of the events world was the best fit for me.

ScareLA will forever hold a special place in my heart. I am very proud of the event we created and all the talented individuals we supported and highlighted during the years of the event. Our model has since inspired other events around the country. 

A Pro of Cons

Although one event may take an entire year’s worth of work to produce, to pay the bills, a person usually needs more than just one event. That variety is what makes the events industry so dynamic and exciting. It also allows me to constantly bring new techniques and ideas to all the events I work with. 

I have been involved in a number of events and trade shows in Southern California – specializing in horror, Halloween, and cinema. Highlights include:

  • Cine Gear Expo LA, NY, & ATL – Exhibitor Director (2015, 2017 – Present)
  • TD Events – Events Assistant (2017 – Present)
    • Oscars Governors Ball
    • Emmys Governors Ball 
    •  ADG Awards 
    • Politicon 
    • Disney DCPI Booth at D23 (2017)
  • Lightbox Expo – Exhibitor Floor Lead (2019), Discord Moderator (2020)
  • LA Times Festival of Books – Operations Bookworm (2016 – Present)
  • HauntX – Exhibitor Coordinator (2019)
  • WhedonCon/Hellmouth Con – Assistant to Vendor Manager (2019, 2022)
  • Politicon – Exhibitor Coordinator (2016)
  • Days of the Dead LA – Celebrity Handler / Show Floor Volunteer (2013, 205)
  • LA Horrorfest – Ticketing Volunteer (2012)

Screamfest is the largest and longest-running horror film festival in the U.S. I have been a proud volunteer with this festival since 2013. The event highlights horror filmmakers from around the world for 9 crazy days each October.  They also host monthly Fears & Beers movie nights with classic horror favorites.

Recently, I have also been their Volunteer Coordinator. I oversee a group of 20+ horror film fans who work together to support the fest. It is a joy to have worked with such kind and dedicated team members for all these years. Plus I get to meet new friends each year! 

Looking for something scary to watch? Check out their Youtube channel or read some of my past Film Friday posts:

My History of Halloween & Horror: Haunt Industry

Rounding out my experience in the horror/Halloween world is having worked in professional haunted attractions.

Delusion

I spent a season with Delusion for their production of “Masque of Mortality” in 2013. Over the summer I helped build/paint/set up the venue and then worked behind the scenes for the finale room for the haunt’s limited-time run. This was my first taste of the professional haunt industry. I loved how it blended a haunted house and theatrical production. Watching how each group and performance was timed to allow actors to weave from scene to scene was awe-inspiring. I have heard that I can briefly be seen at work in the behind-the-scenes footage of Delusion in the special features of the Haunters: The Movie DVD. Let me know if you spot me!

Universal Studios Hollywood: House of Horrors

In 2014 I was able to call Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein’s Monster colleagues while working at Universal Studios Hollywood as a House of Horrors Attraction Host. I enjoyed entering the lot every morning, donning a uniform with a Dracula or Frankenstein poster image on the back, and helping to scare the living daylights out of tourists. Adding little flourishes to the safety spiel was a highlight of my day: “Please remember to hold onto everything you do not want to lose while in the attraction – such as hats, glasses, loved ones…”

I also loved to tease the scaredy-cat of each group. They would typically cling onto someone at the back and as they entered the attraction, I would whisper, “Our monsters like the ones at the back the best”. 

Haunted Attraction Network

After working with Philip Hernandez at ScareLA, I admired his dedication to the haunt industry and the way he truly wanted to help haunters spread the word about their events. Philp’s Haunted Attraction Network is the leading news resource for haunted attractions. Reaching up to 100 million people, HAN informs, connects, and educates a wide global audience from enthusiasts to professionals. Since 2020 I have been a regular contributor to the website & weekly newsletter. You can also see me featured in a few of our videos (like Springtopia LA) and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the HAN weekly newsletter to read my weekly news updates. 

I Love My History of Halloween & Horror

My history of Halloween & horror has touched every aspect of my day-to-day life from family to friends to my career. I have experienced every facet of the industry – content creation, events, haunts themselves, and more. These experiences have given me unique insights into the industry, and help me to highlight the best of the best.This blog is an opportunity for me to share news, events, and more that promote horror and Halloween. I hope to bring together other like-minded fans and creators so we can become a unified community of the macabre and spooky. After all, I truly believe Halloween is not a holiday you celebrate alone. Stay spooky, and stay tuned for more on TheHorrorOfBeingEmily.com.

Want to know more about me?

Emily Louise Rua on IMDB

Read My Short Stories in Haunters Tale: Volume II

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Emily Events Theme Parks

Scream Break 2023

Scream Break 2023

Do you ever wonder what monsters do in the off-season? This year Six Flags Magic Mountain showed us how their terrifying Fright Fest monsters celebrate Spring Break with Scream Break 2023. Fridays – Sundays, March 18th – April 16th, park guests could add some vitamin SCREAM to their visit during this special, separately ticketed after-hours event. The event included two haunts, three scare zones, specialty food & beverages, and more. 

Scream Break with the Haunted Attraction Network

I was beyond excited to get to experience this event myself as part of the  Haunted Attraction Network. Philip let me out of my newsletter writing-only cage to get a little monster R&RIP at Scream Break 2023. 

I started the evening with some delicious BBQ Brisket Mac & Cheese. To drink, I had the event’s signature cocktail, “Skulls on the Beach” (but as a mocktail version for me). Then it was out into the night for mazes & scarezones!

We first walked through “Vault 666: The Initiation”. Through some clever negotiations on my part, we made it out alive and successfully joined Sigma Phi Mu Mu (Six Flags Magic Mountain). Then we were off to one hell of a frat party at “Condemned: House Party”. Afterwards we mixed and mingled with the spring break monsters. 

Next, we walked through a sinister soiree at Bloodborne Hollow. The area’s denizens were half-human, half-animal – but all terrifying! The chandeliers along the pathway indicated that we had made our way over to the  classy area of town. Much nicer than the dilapitated old house of the frat area.

Finally, we ended the evening with a [G]RAVE at the Dead Man’s Party area in the DC Universe. I had a blast busting out my best dance moves to the DJ’s rocking beats. Not too shabby of a night out for this ghoul!

Scream Break was a great twist on some classic Fright Fest attractions. It certainly satisfied my need for Halloween halfway through the year. I look forward to seeing how this event grows in future years.

Watch the Video

Thank you to Philp and the Haunted Attraction Network for the opportunity to experience this awesome event!

Want to see more of my haunt walkthroughs? Check out these links:

Scream Break with Sharp Productions

The Darkness Animatronics-Only Walkthrough

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Attractions Destinations

The Darkness Walkthrough: Animatronics-Only

The Darkness Walkthrough: Animatronics-Only

Get ready to come along with me on a walkthrough of The Darkness with animatronics-only (no actors)!

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, The Darkness Haunted House is one of the major players in the U.S. for a traditional walkthrough haunt. I remember first learning about it one summer when I was in junior high school. I saved all my money from my summer job to buy the entire HauntWorld DVD set and proceeded to spend hours upon hours watching and re-watching the series’ haunter tips, location walkthroughs, and hilarious skits from Dr. & Laura Lady of the Horror Hotel in Chatfield, Ohio. The videos were made by The Darkness owner Larry Kirschner and I vowed that I would one day travel to Missouri to see his creation first-hand. 

It took me a little over ten years, but when I finally made it out to TransWorld’s Halloween & Attraction Show, I immediately signed up to go on the behind-the-scenes tour – and boy did it live up to the hype! The team of haunters that create each room have top-notch skills in fabrication and design. They take guests from the deepest regions of the jungle to a yeti’s ice lair, from a cannibal’s kitchen to a sinister circus. I love going back every year to revisit my favorite areas and check out what’s new. (Maybe one year they will finally replace that horrifying spider room. A girl can dream!)

This year I had the opportunity to accompany Sharp Productions & The Haunted Attraction Network on a private walkthrough with full show lighting and animatronics. Of course, I jumped at the chance – and then jumped quite a few times from the scares within the haunt!

 

The Darkness Walkthrough Video

For those who do not have the full half-hour to marvel at the superb detail in this haunt, here are a few of my favorite moments:

  •  That Terrifying Spider Room (0:03:47)
  •  The Cthulhu Creature and his Crocodile Friend (0:05:30)
  • The Laser Swamp Room (0:08:25)
  • The 3 Jack o’ Lantern Rooms (0:10:47 – 0:11:50)
  • The Library (0:13:25) – NO TALKING IN THE LIBRARY!
  • The Corpse Ceiling (0:14:14)
  • Sheet Ghost Room (0:14:47)
  • The Doll Room (0:15:53)
  • The Man-Eating Plant (0:17:09) – Don’t worry, as a woman, I was safe
  • The Man-Eating Plant II (0:18:21) – This time with more carnivorous plant friends
  • Giant 3-D Clown (0:21:33) – With some high-brow audio humor

I want to hear from you! What where your favorite parts of the haunt? Let me know on Facebook or Instagram! 

Thank you to Philip of The Haunted Attraction Network and the Sharp Productions team for letting me be a part of this walkthrough! Thank you to Larry Kirschner and The Darkness team for letting us tour the haunt!

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Emily News

In Good Health Issue #84

In Good Health Issue #84

What drives the desire for a good scare? Reporter Amanda Jowsey reached out to me and asked my opinion on why horror and Halloween are so alluring. She included my thoughts in her piece for In Good Health Issue #84, Western New York’s Healthcare Newspaper. 

Read the Ful Article Here

While the article is short, I have quite a lot more to say on the subject! With my history in the Halloween & horror industries, I have gained a wealth of insight into the horror genre and both scary and spooky sides of the autumnal holiday. 

Horror and Halloween can be very beneficial to one’s mental health. Firstly, they are both about connecting with others – as I always say, “Halloween is not a holiday you celebrate alone”. With Halloween you connect with neighbors and the people in your community as you go out into your neighborhood or welcome trick or treaters into your yard. Horror connects audiences around the world. No matter where you are from or what your background is, everyone has felt fear; we all know that feeling of the hairs on the back of our neck standing up and the uncomfortable idea that something sinister may lurk in a dark corner. We go into the theater or haunt with a group, enounter all sorts of horrors, and then survive together (even if our onscreen counterparts do not). Trauma bonding.

Secondly, horror and Halloween allow us to face our fears and explore them. Whether you are dodging larger-than-life spiders in a haunted house or getting grossed out by a body-horror film, you get the chance to confront the things that scare you in a safe and controlled environment. Our minds can process our feelings and emotions through a fantastic lens – without having to actually put ourselves in peril.  We can learn to cope and maybe see things differently. 

Lastly, horror and Halloween give us a chace to play make-believe. Horror allows us to dabble in the fantastic and monsters of our youth. Halloween encourages dress-up and becoming whatever you want to be – if only for one night. We all accept these fun, playful activities and allow others to let loose and embrace their inner demons, princesses, or Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. 

There are so many other ways that horror and Halloween can positively impact your mental health. For an in-depth analysis of this science of fear, I highly recommend the works of Dr. Margee Kerr. Her book Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear is a fantastic read. 

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

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Emily News

Don’s World of Horror & Exploitation Interview with Emily Louise Rua

Don’s World of Horror & Exploitation Interview with Emily Louise Rua

In February we celebrated Women in Horror Month. Blogger Don Anelli reached out to dozens of female filmmakers to interview for his blog – including The Horror of Being Emily’s very own, Emily Louise Rua! Don’s World of Horror & Exploitation is a blog that features news and interviews relating to horror & exploitation films. It was an honor to be featured! Women In Horror Month Interview. In this interview I discuss how my love for horror began and many of my current horror & Halloween endeavors.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

An upcoming filmmaker and novelist, Emily Louise Rua is making a mark on the industry as she manages to work between the various fields of writing, directing or being involved in various genre-related projects. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about getting into the industry, the filming of 9 Ways to Hell and her other projects.
 
Don: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general?
 
Emily Louise Rua: I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love horror! My life has revolved around horror and Halloween from the start. My dad enjoyed the old Universal monster movies and he passed on that love to me pretty early on. I learned to read from Alvin Schwartz folklore books (initially Ghosts! and In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories and eventually the Scary Stories trilogy) then by third grade I was onto Stephen King. My poor teachers had to endure me injecting horror into every single school project (from English papers to science projects to essays on Amish economies), and I spent my free time writing horror stories, making short films, and doing Halloween craft projects. 
 
…..
Read the Full Article Here

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Emily News

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I

The Horror of Being Emily serves as a creative outlet for my love for all things scary and spooky. I hope that through sharing news, recommendations, and opinions I can spread awareness for talented artists and vendors, promote Halloween, and empower others to join the Halloween & horror community. There are many amazing blogs covering these topics already, so what makes my perspective different or suggestions credible? I am fortunate to have experienced the Halloween & horror industry as both a fan and a professional. I really do add spookiness to all aspects of my life! So to help you understand my perspective on this interesting world, here is my history of Halloween & Horror:

Homemade Halloween Costumes Sparked Creativity Early

Every child loves Halloween, but my parents went above and beyond to foster my love for the holiday and all the creativity that comes from it. From my first Halloween, my Mom created intricate handmade Halloween costumes and accessories. (She would later become a professional costumer & seamstress.)

Little Emily Godzilla on Her First Halloween in a Costume Made by Her Mom

She took inspiration from popular costumes and my interests over the years to craft unique costumes with attention to detail. When I was a witch as a toddler, she made a matching handmade doll for me to carry. When I couldn’t decide whether to be Daisy Duck or a princess, the Princess Daisy Duck costume was born.

Two images of "Princess Daisy Duck" and an image of my second Halloween costume, a witch with a matching doll.

The process to create these costumes took weeks, sometimes months. She would start with sketches, create a mock-up, and then use fabric, foam, and wire to make costumes that grew more elaborate each year. No idea was too silly or out of reach – although some took more planning and interpretations than others. Even peculiar requests like being our family’s black cat, Colette Uno Rua (a.k.a. “Pookie”), resulted in a fantastic giant cat costume.

A homemade black cat costume. Our black cat (right) for scale.

These early lessons not only gave me basic sewing skills that continue to assist me in my creative efforts, but also taught me how to look at things a different way. And come up with unique solutions on a budget!

Fated For Horror From the Start

My Dad is a life-long horror fan and couldn’t wait to pass along that love as soon as I could watch movies & tv. Very early on he introduced me to the best monster movies ever made: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, and Godzilla. I knew all their characteristics and weaknesses by heart in case I ever met one out in the field. My Dad and I watched horror movies on broadcast tv, VHS, and even old 8mm film prints on a dusty old projector.

By the time I was four, I had rented Chopper Chicks in Zombietown so many times from our local video rental shop, my Dad decided to just start buying movies to save money. Thus our horror, sci-fi, and fantasy film collection began. We bought all sorts of spooky films beginning with VHS tape and transitioning to DVDs and Blu-rays as technology progressed.

As of March 2021, our main collection is nearing 3,000 titles. I have my own, 600+ film collection (with many duplicates) as well, since it is hard to borrow films when I live across the country.

As I grew older my Dad and I started to go to every horror movie convention within 8 hours of Western New York and he introduced me to filmmakers, makeup artists, and actors. He encouraged me to make my own films, enroll in afterschool writing courses, and pursue art.

Lessons in Creating the Fantastic

When I was about six years old, I wanted a swing set – one of those rickety PVC pipe swings with a metal slide attached. So my dad went above and beyond to make something wonderful. He researched all the playgrounds in Western New York, had me describe my fantasy play area, and then built me a two-story castle. It contained swings, a curly slide, tunnels, a climbing net, a playhouse, puppet theater, and working drawbridge. Where others may have taken the easy route, my Dad created an extraordinary world for the imagination to thrive. That experience transformed my understanding of what was possible. It showed me that we can make the world a fantastic place through hard work and creativity.

My father also taught me about building fantastic places through my favorite part of the Halloween industry – haunted houses. I cut my teeth on haunted attractions with The Haunted Catacombs in Buffalo, New York and a variety of year-round horror wax museums in Niagara Falls, Canada. When available we also took lights-on tours to see how the monsters were made and the sets constructed. Then, each year I could choose one haunt within a 7-8 hour drive to visit. We traveled to the Eastern State Penitentiary, Spooky World (Foxboro, Massachusetts), haunted hayrides in Canada, and more. I am thankful we were able to see so many unique styles of haunts and now classic attractions. From professional to home haunts, there was always something to learn and inspiration for future projects.

Becoming a Horror Filmmaker

A post production supervisor in her natural habitat.

I am forever grateful for the help and guidance of my professors, and their patience as I turned in project after project with odd themes and characters – everything from monsters under the bed to a peculiarly possessed chair. Film school is not essential to becoming a filmmaker, but for me this opportunity helped me to refine my craft and give me the scholarly tools to add depth and meaning to my works.

Why My History of Halloween & Horror Matters

My history of Halloween & horror – especially these early years – has shaped my approach to the holiday & genre. I will always associate Halloween and horror with creativity, family, and endless possibilities. I create this blog to highlight news, events, and more that I find noteworthy. Having spent my entire life researching, enjoying, and participating in these areas, I strive to sift through the enormous amount of information and content out there so you can find some of the best in one place: TheHorrorOfBeingEmily.com.

Stay spooky!

 

Want to know more about me?

Emily Louise Rua on IMDB

Read My Short Stories in Haunters Tale: Volume II

Follow My Latest Film – 9 Ways to Hell

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »

About My Blog

Welcome to my home of all things horror & Halloween! The Horror of Being Emily showcases resources, creative projects, small businesses, and more related to my weird and wonderful Halloween & horror obsession.

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