HalloweenAlbert LamAugust 02, 2016Long Beach Convention CenterLong Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, Midsummer Scream, panel, Knott's Scary Farm, Knott's Berry FarmComment

Midsummer Scream 2016: Knott's Scary Farm Panel

HalloweenAlbert LamAugust 02, 2016Long Beach Convention CenterLong Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, Midsummer Scream, panel, Knott's Scary Farm, Knott's Berry FarmComment

Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA

Last but not least, we take a look at Knott's Scary Farm's Midsummer Scream panel, which closed out the event on Sunday. Interestingly, similar to Saturday's headlining Halloween Horror Nights panel, the Knott's Scary Farm presentation was a little light on major surprises. Although there was an announcement on a new offering--four standalone Skeleton Key rooms that would no longer be integrated with any maze but instead offer their own interactive experience utilizing various forms of radio controlled and augmented reality technology--there were no maze announcements or the reveal of what is probably the worst kept secret about this year's Halloween Haunt (which I won't reveal either, but suffice to say that if you know someone working Knott's Scary Farm this year, you probably know the secret).

Instead, Jeff Tucker, Adam Hankinson, Jon Cooke, and Ian Barnette discussed the evolution of Scary Farm technology, from the old days where everything was pretty much on par with basic homemade quality products to today's use of sophisticated, movie studio level systems. Of particular humorous note was Adam's discussion on the fascinating (that's mostly sarcasm) world of audio--a highly important role of any maze or scare zone, no doubt, but not necessarily one that required twenty minutes of rambling (by his own words) and a dozen slides showing various audio media, playback screens, and other information. Although at least it was a highly entertaining segment--a testament to Adams's charismatic, self-depreciating humor and voice. On the other hand, an audio nerd like Jim (and probably some of our readers) probably would have been genuinely enraptured.

Jon Cooke followed by discussing how interactive mazes have come along, from primitive days of Dark Realm: Laser Rage to the laser tag of Alien Annihilation to the Infected series of the past few years. Jeff Tucker pitched in with his offerings on Trapped--interactivity on a participation scale. And Ian... poor Ian literally never got to say a thing during the entire presentation--a fact that a fan actually pointed out during the Q&A session, much to everyone's amusement.

The final panel of Midsummer Scream 2016 began with the head team coming out for one last exchange of thanks.

Then it was the Knott's team to come out for their presentation--which was much more educational in nature than previous years (which were more publicity).

Jeff Tucker ran through the history of Knott's, from its early beginnings as a three day run in 1973 to today's five week run spanning 4 days per week on average.

Early effects sometimes literally involved hooks and wires and basic motors--nothing more than what you'd find at a rudimentary home haunt today.

But technology has come a long way, a reality that Adam Hankinson illustrated through his discussion of the sweeing changes in maze, scare zone, and show audio since even the year 2000.

What once was played on cassettes or midi discs or CD's is now fully digital, on fully computerized audio panels and richly multi-layered soundtracks.

Knott's also confirmed that Paranormal Inc. would be returning for 2016 (no surprise, since it was brand new last year and the best maze). Furthermore, the Skeleton Key rooms would be removed from the mazes and situated in standalone locations. Four rooms--Visions, Zozo, Slasher, and Prey, put guests in various scenarios that involve the use of accessories that make the horror experience more real. Visions uses augmented reality, ala Pokemon Go technology. Prey features an accessory that can control the light level at targeted points in the maze, illuminating monsters at a dead end or revealing them.

As for any other news... we'll have to find out at Scare L.A. and/or the passholder preview event on August 25. The Knott's team remained tightlipped during the Q&A when pressed for any detail of any other significant news, repeatedly deferring to the phrase, "STAY TUNED!!" It got to be so predictable that the crowd ended up answering for the presenters whenever someone asked any sort of loaded question.

Here are all the slides displayed during the Haunt presentation: