FRIGHT NIGHTS
Craig McInnis
“I started in ‘02 as a scare actor and set painter. As years passed, positions were opening up and in ‘05 I was given the chance to create my own haunted house,” says Fright Nights Creative Director Craig McInnis. “This was a big challenge as it involves, concept, design, characters, set design, decoration, wardrobe, sound, props, and lighting just to name a few. After a successful ‘05 and ‘06 my haunt design partner Alex Rodriguez and I were given the chance to run all three haunted houses. This open door blossomed into my position and him being head of Operations.” Originally drawn to South Florida for schooling, McInnis holds a degree in Advertising Design and has been a freelance artist for the last 18 years.
Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds has been a fall staple for many years now, with each passing Halloween bringing newer and better scares from McInnis and crew. Unlike other holidays, Halloween’s pagan lore and otherworldly appeal has seduced thrill seekers and scare junkies for eons. Modern times however, call for modernized scares. No longer do witches and goblins and things that go bump in the night cut it for scare tactics. “There is so much imagery and media out there it can be daunting to try and cover new ground. First and foremost we are always striving to bring out the best in each other as a creative team,” explains McInnis. “We have a great group of designers that come to the table with fresh ideas every season. But, let it be said that we are also in the business of re-imagining existing elements that are tried and true.”
While the entire grounds are devoted to scaring attendees, it is the haunted houses that are the main focus of the four week event. With intricate designs, intricately-developed almost-theatrical plots populated with enthusiastic actors and a keen sense for timing and ambience, the creative team is behind some of the most fully-realized haunting experiences out there. This year they’ve upped the bar with the addition of a fourth house for a well-rounded fright. Gothic horror will be explored in “Memento Mori” while man and beast collide in “Animal Farm,” an acid-blotter take on the Island of Dr. Moreau. Purists will delight in the ghostly etherealness of “Beyond the Gates” and those looking for the horrors hidden in everyday life will enjoy the Lynchian overtones of an Umbrella Corporation-like environment in “Meadow Lakes.”
“Our houses attack all of your senses and you will feel like you do not know which way you are going a lot of the time,” says McInnis, clearly satisfied with his team’s work. “There is a frantic energy in the air from all of the adrenaline and fear that is being experienced by everyone simultaneously. We pay close attention to detail to immerse our fans in our sets. You will feel like you have stepped into another world.” And he does have something to be proud of. Though Halloween has become another commercialized ploy to sell stuff, McInnis has an honest fascination with it. “There is still something so raw about being scared and that is our main focus at Fright Nights. We care about the scare!”
Behind-the-Scenes Tour on Oct. 8, 2015 – get a glimpse of all 4 haunts before they open! Includes a promotional ticket for opening night. Haunts begin Oct. 9 and run Thursday thru Sunday during the month of October. Monster Bash takes place Oct. 25! More info: www.myfrightnights.com
~ Abel Folgar
