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PREVIEW
2001 OF
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Brian and
I had the pleasure of visiting Aven Warren of Haunted Industries,
on the site of his current local project, The Fear Factory in
Philadelphia. It was a dark and raining night (what better weather
for a project like this) when we pulled into the parking lot
where Aven greeted us and began to explain all the work his
crew had put into this project thus far, beginning with the
plans for parking.
Honestly, I can say Aven was one of the most entertaining men
I’ve met in a long time, the kind of guy you’d like
to buy a few drinks and just listen to his stories for the next
few hours.
His passion for the business is evident even in his license
late, “Haunter.” A love of haunted attractions began
at age thirteen when he decorated his neighbor’s basement
with ketchup and sheets. By the following year, he was doing
make up for the cast of the Jaycee’s Haunted House. Aven
continued to pursue this interest, and by 18 was fully orchestrating
the house for the Jaycees.
His talent led him to do makeup for films, such as “Zombie
Holocaust,” “Sleepover Massacre,” and many more.
Aven had the pleasure of working with Kane Hodder (we all know
him as Jason Voorhees) in one film and the two hit it off. So
well in fact, that he amused us with a story of being out on
the town with Kane one night for drinks, when Kane said, wait;
let me call “Bobby.” Bobby turned out to be none other
than Robert Englund (or Freddy). Now Kane blends in with the
crowd, because you can imagine he leaves his hockey mask home
for a night out, but Freddy is Freddy.
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He
continued to be the consultant for many charity fundraisers. It
was after one of his projects for a local fire hall had grossed
$70,000 that Aven decided, this might be more than a hobby.
With business partner Phil Miller, they approached the Jaycees.
They offered to split the profits, if the Jaycees would put up their
location, allow them to use their insurance, and $10,000, which
the partners would mach. The Jaycees countered with an offer to
allow them to use “their name” in association with their
project. (Bad decision, wonder if someone’s butt is still in
a sling over that one….). The partners decided to do it on
their own, and Frightland was born. (Brian and I hope to make it
there very soon). Haunted Industries is still available for hire
as consultants on other jobs, and that is where the Fright Factory
comes in.
Now I have to tell you, the rain, the wind, and the nearly abandoned
warehouse were spooky enough for me, but we proceeded with the tour.
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nearly jumped out of my skin when Aven showed us the large area
that will be a holding area for arriving guests. It was completely
empty, which was no small feet in itself. (It had taken the
crew 6 weeks to clear away the debris that had accumulated).
From the corner of my eye, I saw a man tied up, one of the props,
but just not what I expected to see in the middle of all this
“nothing.” I didn’t feel bad after Aven told
me “The puking man” had startled one of the workmen,
and had been “punched out.”
-NEXT-
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