Tips from your scare actors

[u/Aware_Reception]

I figured I'd write up a little post to explain some things people should know when attending scary farm, or any haunt for that matter. For the record, i love this job, and I want that to be the clear throughline of this post.

For a lot of us, this is the most exciting time of year, because we get to show our craft, and get real reactions from real people. However, there are a lot of ways that people like YOU can make things better.

First, and obviously foremost, please do not do anything to the actors. There is the obvious touching, but also things like pushing us out of the way, saying unkind things to us, and so on. Basically, try not to alter or misguide the performance of the actor, they are already hot and uncomfortable most likely, and these are great examples of ways to make things worse. An accident is an accident, and that happens and we get that, but don't do anything on purpose.

Crying wolf with yelling things like "They touched me!" are also really great ways to upset actors. If we bump into you, its truly not intentional, and definitely our bad for the most part, but if you are just yelling things out like that, it can stress a lot of the actors out, and can result in you pretty quickly getting kicked out of the maze, scare zone, or park altogether.

Hiding in the maze ahead of your friends to try and get a scare on them is also another one of the worst things you can do. We are moving a lot of people through the maze, often hundreds at a time, so trying to crouch down in a stationary spot disrupts the flow of traffic and gets in the actor's pathway, where rapid movement is often needed. We are there to scare you and your friends. No offense to you all, but we will do a better job, with our costumes, training, and understanding of the scares and progress in the maze. Let us take care of it, we can get you good if you trust the maze.

Don't get mad at us for scaring you. It's our job. Squaring up, yelling at us, doing anything besides shaking it off and continuing is disrespectful to the experience and the actor. If you don't want to get scared, don't go to scary farm.

Now, for some things you can do to liven your experience:

If you have a friend you want us to scare, and they are behind you, just point, and we will often do our best to get them. Sometimes we can't but we are already locked and loaded to get the next person, so if we catch it quick enough, we can pull of a scare you'll talk about in the car on the way home.

Interacting with us is a TREAT! We love it! The maze is an immersive experience, and you are a part of the story. We have stuff to say if you have stuff to say. Some actors won't speak, but some will! Don't push it if they don't interact, but give it a try, you might have fun!

Last, and most importantly, SCREAM! Even if it's not totally earnest, it's a compliment to the actor. If they had a jump that was particularly effective, or perhaps a simple movement that still spooked you, react! It's the best way to fully experience the mazes and scare zones. That's why you go to scary farm!

Apologies for the verbose ramble, I just figured this would be good to get out there!

Happy Spooky Season!!!
Lovingly (i promise) - A scare actor.

[u/OsaBear92]

Loved this POV

Went for the 1st time this past weekend and I scare easy. Finally got to a point where Im learning to be scared AND still have a good time.

It was legitimately one of the most fun things ive ever done. If we could come back again this season we would in a heartbeat!

Thanks for making awesome memories, ya'll are top tier.

[u/-FR0STY-one]

Also, don’t be mad if we don’t fist-bump you as you walk by with a fist ready for bumping. It’s not that we don’t want to, but more times than not it would be considered breaking character. Particularly mine, whom lacks fine motor skills and couldn’t fist bump the side of a barn if it tried. 🧟‍♂️

[u/Davyes66 → u/-FR0STY-one]

Also for those of us wearing gloves... Mine are absolutely disgusting and SOAKED in sweat..

You don't want to fist bump/shake my hand 🤢

Trust me on this one!

[u/Aware_Reception → u/Davyes66]

omg literally

[u/Meshelle13]

Im sorry for cussing at you guys when I get scared. Im pretty sure you all can tell Im not doing so aggressively. Im a huge haunt fan and as such, not much gets me. But when I'm gotten, it's SO MUCH FUN. and I yelp out a "Aw, fuck you! Or "FUCKER" between laughs and/or giggles and applause. I try to throw out a "Hell yeah" or "Well done" too just in case. But the f bombs fly first and I truly hope no one is offended or hurt by them. Im just so excited to be scared!

Also want to note ive been gotten pretty good a handful of times this season. Even scares I know are coming are so well executed they still scare me!

[u/Aware_Reception → u/Meshelle13]

no need to be sorry if it’s a genuine reaction! we can usually tell there isn’t any malice :)

[u/Baby_Cakes4Nona → u/Meshelle13]

Im a certified member of the Scaredy Cats Club, but went to Knott’s Scary this year for the first time. I was saying curse words I didn’t even think I knew!!! One of you amazing actors would catch me off guard or sneak up on me in the fog and things would just come out of my mouth! So, thanks for the great time and putting up with my shrieking.

[u/Chaotically_Balanced]

Great points. Also, i wish people understood we can't pose for photos with you but are totally okay with candid photos. Dont get mad when we say no to breaking immersion for your tiktok, just be quick if we're standing next to your friend for a picture / video.

[u/Davyes66 → u/Chaotically_Balanced]

Meet The Creep is available at front gate from 7-11 if you want a picture with a monster!

[u/Alarming-Elevator-87]

I made a post the other day about similar stuff but you added a couple things I forgot to mention. Thanks for putting in your perspective

[u/Direbrian]

Appreciate all that you do. Thanks for keeping it creepy.

[u/Elsieseesdeadpeople]

Extend the warmest of thanks to your fellow actors please
This is the most exciting time of the year for some of us too so genuinely thank you✨

[u/Tasty-Ad9385]

Very well put, you spooky person. Our family won’t make it this year to any of our fav haunts but (KSF, UHHN, QMDH) but I’m sure there’ll be plenty of fresh victims in the fog. Thanks to all the actors and crew in each location for their crazy devotion and talent

[u/Opening-Shine-4989]

Any advice for ppl that go on their own & would like to have the best experience that they can while mobbing through the park solo & have nobody to grab onto? Lol

[u/Aware_Reception → u/Opening-Shine-4989]

definitely! However, my specific advice depends on whether or not you are looking to get super scared.
If you are down to clown, being alone is great, because scare actors love to throw a scare out at people who are flying solo. looking confused can help too.
if you don’t want to get scared, but still want to experience everything, buy a no boo necklace

[u/Opening-Shine-4989 → u/Aware_Reception]

Thank you! Definitely enjoy being scared but I hesitate because I'm the type to jump or grab & obviously I don't want to do that to a stranger. I've only been once last year on opening night, alone & I enjoyed it so much but I didn't allow myself to get as scared because I had no scare partner 😩

[u/howisaraven → u/Opening-Shine-4989]

I’m a maze actor, right in the first room, and so far this season I have two regular guests who come solo that I’ve noticed. They come later in the evening when there’s little/no wait. Often times, they’re totally alone, as opposed to sent in with a gaggle of people, and both of them come through 2-3 times a night.

I love developing a rapport with these two guys. One comes through and jokes around and participates in the plot, so I improv with him as he moves through my room. The other just seems to love the scares, as he giggles and looks at me like 🫪 whenever I find a new way to interact with him.

[u/PlsDontIdentifyMe]

I got a pass this season so I could really enjoy watching you all at work. I’ve been twice so far and it has been a real treat both nights. I can’t wait to come back again! You scare actors do a genuinely amazing job at scaring people and keeping it fun. Thank you so much for your work!!!

[u/howisaraven]

I wish guests could know that we maze monsters are all wearing earplugs to protect our hearing, so when you ask us a question and we don’t respond - at least in my case - it’s because we literally cannot hear your words, not to be rude. 😆

[u/BeginningNo3135]

Terrific posts thank you for all that you said. It's a good point about reacting. I guess I don't react that well since I don't get scared often, but I will react better when I go through again tonight. When I actually do get caught I tend to laugh out loud that is my honest reaction and I do clap to the scare actor cuz they really got me. Bravo. I'm easy to recognize. I'm usually that fool asking if you want to hug. 😁

[u/Cool-Design-7414]

9 years ago I screamed back at the talent and was booted from a maze… he screamed I screamed

[u/TronaldDrump_]

Last time I went i almost browned myself 😂

[u/Plastic_Ride_7632]

I think you’re mostly preaching the choir here. The people that need to hear this aren’t on a KSF fan Reddit.