For the past two years I have had the privilege of photographing the X-Scream Halloween Show for the G-Star School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, even though no cameras are allowed. Last year the photos included my niece, Heaven, portraying one of the ZOMBIES who jump out from behind the school busses outside the show.
This year she has been working tirelessly behind the scenes with a crew of dedicated volunteers, helping the director, George Colavecchio, produce the most successful show in the event's history.
The 2009 show has broken all past records for box office, number of student volunteers and SCARINESS. The show was highly creative, based on six copyrighted themes developed by the students.
Seen on the website: http://www.xscreamhalloween.com/haunts.htm
On your way into the show Zombies were inescapable, coming at you from all directions.
But apparently they were told not to touch anyone, so no brains were eaten in the production of this show.
Dead people never looked so alive ...
... or threatening, especially carrying guns.
Mysterious dancers performed for us as we waited in line for the show.
We had a manic harlequin greeter. I had to remind myself that these were student actors with makeup by student volunteers. Brilliant.
Through a deep fog which occasionally lifted, we saw waifs lost in disturbed childhood....
or stuck in a no-exit hotel and up to no good....
or puppets made from human remains, following you from room to room.
The following video from the Travel Channel about my niece's extraordinary school will give you a brief tour through the 2008 event, one of the "13 Scariest Haunted Attractions in America".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82hKc_4iNsk
Tip for the day: Volunteering is a great basis for creative thinking.
Enjoy, Leora
All rights reserved © 2009 Leora Long
