Adventure Landing’s All New Haunt Nights Features the only 3D Attraction in Jacksonville

 

It is an All New Year of Fear!

V.I.P. Press Night on October 5th – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm- Includes a “sneak peek,” V.I.P tour of Apocalyptia 3D and the opportunity to be turned into one of our haunt characters- You get to be the monster!

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL – September 6, 2012 – Adventure Landing’s Haunt Nights makes a deadly return in 2012 with two all new haunts: Apocalyptia 3D and Dark Fables. Apocalyptia will be the only 3D haunted attraction in Jacksonville.

 V.I.P Press Night- The press corps can arrive at 6:00 pm on Friday, October 5, with media badges and enjoy pizza and preview scares and tour on us! A few members of the media will be made up like one of our featured monsters and scare the general public! “This year, we really wanted to raise the fear factor and become the premiere haunted attraction on the First Coast. We hired leading industry expert, Dan Faupel to create the only 3D haunt in Jacksonville. “We will use all of these amazing 3D elements to build a new laser tag attraction after Haunt Nights is over,” says owner and founder, Hank Woodburn. “We are very committed to making this year the best Haunt Nights in our history!” Adds expert Dan Faupel, “It’s really nice to see Adventure Landing invest so much in their haunts this year. With the addition of dozens of scare specialists I brought with me, we will have over 100 years of combined, professional experience. Be prepared to be scared!”

SUMMARY OF HAUNTS

This Halloween, we are raising our scare factor to intense heights. Start inside Apocalyptia, Jacksonville’s only 3D haunted attraction! See this post-apocalyptic future with mind-blowing visual effects and scares.

Haunt Nights runs from September 28 to October 31 on select dates. A complete operating schedule can be found online by visiting:

www.hauntnights.com/schedule.html




APOCALYPTIA 3D PRESENTED BY TACO BELL (Opens Friday, September 28)

The Only 3D Attraction and Haunt in Jacksonville. Awaken from a stasis sleep into a post-apocalyptic future infested with zombies, giants and mutants. Come face-to-face with epic figures like DOOM and DR. TRAUMA. You will navigate through a doomed city full of glowing radiation using your protective glasses.

 

 



 

DARK FABLES (Opens Friday, October 12)

 

You will never sleep soundly again! Bedtime stories become your worst nightmares when you step into the evil shadows of Dark Fables. Childhood fairy tales turn into gruesome realities as you encounter our twisted, wicked characters ready to send you into a Happily Never After!

 

 

COST

Tickets start at just $11.99 per person. Visit

www.hauntnights.com/tickets.html for all ticket information.

NOT-SO-SCARY ALTERNATIVES

Although Haunt Nights is not intended for ages 12 and under, Adventure Landing will also be hosting a Hallo-WEE Party on Saturday, October 27 from 10am – 2pm for children 12 and under. The not-so-scary Hallo-WEE Party will feature crafts, games, face painting and a costume contest. More information can be found on http://www.adventurelanding.com/parks/jacksonville-beach/home/specials/upcoming-events/.

Adventure Landing and NRP Holdings is headquartered in Jacksonville Beach and consists of eighteen family entertainment centers around the country. The entertainment parks offer a combination of family fun attractions including waterpark, video games, go-karts, laser tag, miniature golf courses, batting cages, birthday parties, corporate team building and group events.

 

Visit Adventure Landing’s website for more details visit:

 www.adventurelanding.com.

Why I Love Horror and Why It’s Important to Me

                                                               By Marcus Davis

  

Ever since I was a child I’ve had a fascination with the horror genre. I was introduced to my first horror film by a baby sitter when I was about 5 or 6 years old. Every time I was dropped off at her house she would pull out a selection horror movies on VHS. The first one she made me watch was Tremors. While watching the film I couldn’t help but think of what I would do if these large worms that terrorized a small town were real. I kept thinking about what I would do differently. This fascination led me to become obsessed with the Sci-Fi channel, turning it on and tuning in every chance I had. It was on the Sci-Fi channel that I discovered movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13^th, and John Carpenter’s The Thing. There was something about these films that stuck with me. That something was the feeling of fear.

   As I grew older I started to recognize the importance of fear. Fear is a human emotion that triggers the release of adrenaline and endorphins in the body. This feeling is important to me because it reminds me that we are human and there are things that are out of our control.  I enjoyed the way I felt while watching horror films. I was addicted to that feeling. The way the score of John Carpenter’s Halloween added to the terror that is Michael Myers. The way corpses were reanimated and brought back to life in Fulci’s Zombi2. Even how the gritty lifestyle the Sawyer family embodied in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre made me want to shower immediately. All of these elements are important because they remind us that not all movies have to have a happy ending.

   The great thing about horror films is they allow us to use our imagination more than any other genre. It’s our imagination that allows us to think outside the box and think beyond the laws of reality. It’s in our imagination that our city can be overrun by zombies or we can save the damsel in distress from the clutches of a demonic killer. It’s these ideas that separate horror from drama, comedy, and romance films where the simple love story can be altered and reused over and over again.

   Aside from watching horror films another way I get my horror fix is by attending haunted houses. Haunted houses give you a unique opportunity to live out some of your favorite horror fantasies in real life. Whether it’s walking through scenes from the films or a completely original idea you’re always guaranteed a good scare with the use of the same elements of the films. Haunted houses have harnessed the senses of sight, sound, and sometimes smell to completely engulf you in an atmosphere of pure horror. Most haunts don’t open until the fall season so I always plan accordingly to be able to attend as many as possible.

   Not too long after I met my significant other, we discovered the phenomenons that are horror conventions. I couldn’t believe these conventions were taking place and I had no idea about them. I couldn’t help but notice how close to home I felt at these events. After attending my first horror convention I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I wanted to promote any and all things related to the horror community with the hope that there are others out there like me that love horror but didn’t have a proper outlet to get the enjoyment I was looking for.

   Now that I’m older I still watch horror films and in fact collect them. I collect autographs and memorabilia of the films that stuck with me ever since I was a child. While sometimes criticized by others around me about my interests, I still continue to pursue my dreams in the genre that has given me so much in return. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone reading this that feels like they are alone because of their interests in horror, speak up and do something to preserve what you love. Whether it’s holding an event or showing someone a horror film for the first time, get out there and do it and help keep horror alive.

Skull and Bones Entertainment goes behind the scenes at Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing

 

Recently, we had the opportunity to meet up with leading industry expert, Dan Faupel, to get a behind the scenes sneak peak at Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing. This year the event is undergoing a major transformation into a haunt like you’ve never seen. They will also be using all of the innovative 3D elements to build a new laser tag attraction after Haunt Nights is over. There will be 2 haunts, one held indoors, which will be Apocalyptia 3D. Also, Dark Fables, where your favorite bedtime stories aren’t what they used to be. Dark Fables will be an outdoor haunt and Apocalyptia will be the only 3D haunted attraction in Jacksonville.

 

We were able to check out Apocalyptia, the new 3D Haunt brought to you by Dan Faupel and his team of scare specialists. From what we were able to see, it looks like this year will be one of the best for the Halloween season at Adventure Landing. The 3D painting that has been done looks incredible and definitely makes you feel disoriented while walking through. We can only imagine the terror of walking through with the scare actors in place. Though we were unable to check out the Dark Fables, as it is still work in progress, we can only envision it will be just as spooky.

There are also not so scary activities for the younger crowd, including the Hallo-WEE Party on Saturday, October 27 from 10am – 2pm for children 12 and under. The not-so-scary Hallo-WEE Party will feature crafts, games, face painting and a costume contest. More information can be found on http://www.adventurelanding.com/parks/jacksonville-beach/home/specials/upcoming-events/.

Needless to say, we are now more than ever looking forward to Haunt Nights and experiencing the amazing haunts created by Dan and his team. We’re happy to see improvements being made to a haunt we all know and love, and can’t wait to see the finished product.

Haunt Nights runs from September 28 to October 31 on select dates. A complete operating schedule can be found online by visiting www.hauntnights.com/schedule.html.

 Tickets start at just $11.99 per person. Visit www.hauntnights.com/tickets.html for all ticket information. Stay tuned to our blog for more updates!

Thanks to Dan Faupel for allowing us this awesome behind the scenes sneak peak!

Skull and Bones' Convention Tips for First Time Attendees

The Basics

ü  If possible, try to attend the pre-party for the convention. Usually the pre-party will be held on a Thursday if it’s a weekend long convention. Some cons have live bands play and others show movie screenings. Either way it’s always a good opportunity to meet up with likeminded people and occasionally run into celebrities that have arrived at the con early. Be careful not to overdo yourself at the pre-party. Remember, the conventions are usually all weekend and have awesome after parties.

ü  Be prepared for cancellations; try to avoid buying tickets for a con based on one particular guest, in order to not end up disappointed if they end up cancelling.

 

Funds

ü  Try to bring as much cash as possible, in order to escape the unavoidable, and sometimes ridiculous, ATM charges. In some cases the onsite ATM’s will run out of cash before the weekend is over.

ü  Be prepared to spend around $20-$40 an autograph. Be cautious when budgeting for autographs. Some conventions don’t release larger named celebrities until close to the date of the convention. Just when you think you know all of the autographs you want, they’ll add someone you‘ve always wanted to meet. More recently, celebs like Jamie Lee Curtis have come into the convention circuit and they require a certain amount of money prior to the convention, almost like a down payment. Also, sometimes pictures with the celebrity will cost extra, though most will take a photo with you for free if you purchase an autograph.

ü  VIP tickets are more expensive but usually come with perks that make it worth every penny. Perks range from a free autograph to early convention admission to free limited edition t-shirts. Most conventions also offer VIP ticket holders the advantage of skipping to the front of the lines for autographs and Q&A panels.

ü  The vendor room is full of things for horror fans to drool over, but try to hold out until Sunday; usually vendors will lower their prices then in order to avoid having to bring merchandise back with them. If you see something you don’t quite have enough money for, try negotiating with the vendor, some are more flexible than others.

ü  Make sure you bring more than enough money for food throughout the duration of your stay at the con. Some hotels and convention centers have a small café or deli where you can purchase sandwiches or wraps. Almost all of the hotels will have a full service restaurant where you can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a higher price. If you’re lucky, your room will have a microwave or a refrigerator so ask the hotel staff when booking your room. If you do, make sure to pack food accordingly to save on costs.

ü  If you’re not flying to the convention, it’s a good idea to bring your own alcohol, as the drinks prices at conventions can be rather high.

 

 

Don’t Forget…

 

ü  Bring a backpack; this will help limit your trips between your room and the autographs/vendor rooms, which is very helpful if your room isn’t close to the convention center, especially if it rains.

ü  Make sure your camera is charged, and if possible bring extra batteries, nothing is worse than your camera dying before you were able to get a photo with your favorite celebrity.

ü  It’s a good idea to bring hand sanitizer, in order to avoid con crud. With so many people in a confined space, it’s not hard to end up getting sick.

Overall, the most important thing to remember is have fun and enjoy every minute you can, attending a convention can be one of the best investments you make as a horror fan and you will be sure to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Skull and Bones' Upcoming Events

November

 

November 24th ThanksKILLing

at

Phoenix Taproom

8PM -1AM

 

 

Now that you've had time to digest your Thanksgiving feasts, come burn off all those calories while watching some awesome local punk and metal bands. More details to come....

 

 

December

 

December 22nd 2nd Annual Black Christmas Party

at

Phoenix Taproom

9PM-2AM

 

 

Tired of all the hustle and bustle and holiday cheer? Come get your post-Halloween horror fix by seeing an art show with local horror and dark artists, along with spooky music and have a bloody good time. But watch out for Santa, he doesn't care if you've been naughty OR nice...

 

 

February

 

February 9th My Bloody Valentine Social Mixer

Mimi's Sports Bar and Grill

7PM-12AM

 

 

Single? Love horror? Then come take a chance at finding the person of your screams! There will be food, drinks, music and speed dating for the single boils and ghouls. More details to come.....

 

 

 

 



Get ready for James Balsamo's next film.....

DIRECTOR OF HACK JOB AND I SPILL YOUR GUTS PRESENTS NEW FILM "COOL AS HELL"

 

 

NEW YORK, NY – Acid Bath Productions, the makers of "Hack Job" and "I Spill Your Guts", has announced the official release date of December 01, 2012 for a brand new Horror Comedy, "Cool as Hell". Directed by James Balsamo, this intense demon-centric masterpiece is bound to get you excited.

Rich and Benny are having trouble with the ladies, until they befriend a demon named Az. It's a non-stop party until a soul hungry beast leaps through an open portal from the underworld and starts terrorizing the town. It's up to Az and the boys to send the creature back to the depths where it came from, and look good, while doing it in "Cool As Hell". "Cool As Hell" features horror legend Tom Savini, Carmine Capobianco, 3 Inches Of Blood, Municipal Waste, and lead singer of Suffocation, Frank Mullen. The film stars James Balsamo, Billy Walsh, and Lauren Adamkiewicz. "Cool as Hell" is slated for a December release.

Skull and Bones Entertainment Reviews: I Spill Your Guts

I Spill Your Guts

James Balsamo yet again, has brought us an original and unique horror film. I Spill Your Guts has a less comical yet darker vibe than his previous film, Hack Job. The good news is that just leaves room for more gore. This film follows a war hero, Dennis, who receives an almost fatal injury while fighting in Germany. When he awakens in the hospital he realizes as a result of his injury he can no longer speak. Doctors predict he will not survive the night, but when he discovers he has endured the ultimate betrayal at the hands of his “best friend”, he fights to live, and seek the ultimate revenge.

Dennis returns to the streets of New York, becoming “The American Executioner”, seeking vengeance on any and every one close to the friend who betrayed him, and stole his glory. The results are deadly. One by one Dennis gets closer to his target, killing those he loves on the way. He finally comes face to face with the man who betrayed him, and his former best friend, Joe Bava. What happens next is a fight to the death.

Skull and Bones invades Days of the Dead-Indianapolis

We, at Skull and Bones Entertainment, recently had the opportunity to experience our second Days of the Dead convention. This time we went back to where it all began, Indianapolis, Indiana. We began our trip early Thursday morning to catch our flight out of Orlando to Indianapolis. We haven’t been that far from Jacksonville, Florida in a very long time so it was a big deal for us. During the flight all we could think about was meeting people we grew up admiring like Lamberto Bava, Traci Lords, Dick Miller, and Tom Savini just to name a few. We couldn’t wait to arrive in Indy and be amongst the horror crowd and our convention family. Once we arrived at the airport in Indianapolis, Adolfo was an excellent promoter by having a ride waiting to take us to the hotel.  We always arrive to Days of the Dead on Thursday to make sure we attend the infamous pre-party. If you’ve ever been to a Days of the Dead pre-party, you know what we mean. It’s the perfect way to start an awesome weekend.

Skull and Bones Entertainment reviews David Atkins' Obituary

Obituary Review

Calling “Obituary” a page-turner is an understatement. To put it into perspective, I started reading it on a Friday morning, and was finished by Monday morning. As fast as I read, it still never seemed fast enough. Obituary gets into the suspense and thrill fairly quick and doesn’t seem to stop until the last page. I found myself constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next, which for me, is a sign of an excellent book.

Obituary tells the story of Jonathan Daniels, a writer living in Pennsylvania with his wife and children, whose life changes during a freak blizzard in November. Meanwhile, a copycat serial killer and legend in law enforcement are “lured to rural Pennsylvania by an evil that’s waited for its revenge for almost three decades.” This story will have your heart pounding right along with the characters in it, wondering what will happen next.

David is a truly talented writer; he is able to grab your attention almost instantaneously and keeps you hanging on to his every word until the very end. Even then you’re left thinking, “….wow….” There’s nothing worse than figuring out the ending to a story before you even reach the middle, with Obituary, this definitely was not the case. He has certainly found the balance between giving enough detail to allow you to visualize the scenes and characters he’s created, without giving so much detail that you end up bored. The characters he’s created in Obituary are both relatable, and at sometimes downright frightening. One such character was so creepy; he ended up in one of my dreams after a day of reading. Creating characters who stick with you is undoubtedly one of David’s talents. There were never any dull moments in the book, and just when you thought you might know what’s going on something else happened leaving you wondering how exactly this story was going to end. Once you reach the end, you will not be disappointed, trust me.

Overall, I truly enjoyed Obituary, and highly recommend it. I can be a somewhat picky reader, but David truly impressed me from the first page right on through to the last one. It’s refreshing to know there are still original and talented writers coming up in the horror genre, and I look forward to reading the next book David writes, I’m sure it will be just as good, if not better.

By: Ashley Maxey of Skull and Bones Entertainment

Skull and Bones Entertainment Partners with Warehouse 31

.............to bring a new nightlife experience to the Jacksonville horror scene

This September, Halloween comes early. Don't you hate waiting all year for October to roll around? Don't you wish there was something spooky to do in the meantime? Well, Skull and Bones Entertainment and Warehouse 31 have got you covered!

If you're not familiar with Warehouse 31 here's some info:

Warehouse 31 is Northeast Florida's Scariest and Most Intense Haunted House

Prepare yourself for the most intense and frightening experience of your life as you run, twist and make your way through three different trails. Last year, trails included: Rigamortis, 3-D Clown Maze and the Eternal Abyss. Can you survive? Some did not make it out alive!

Visit Warehouse31.com for more information, directions, and a calender of this year's open days.

Keep an eye on our blog, Facebook and Warehouse 31's website for details as they are revealed......