Howl-O-Scream Unearthed will be the Halloween Horror event theme at three theme parks: Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and SeaWorld San Antonio. The story of Howl-O-Scream Unearthed was created by independent horror film producer Robin Cowie, best known for his 1999 film “The Blair Witch Project.” The separate ticketed event runs on select nights from September 25 - November 1 (dates vary depending on park). Continue reading for more details, photos, and video for Howl-O-Scream Unearthed.
Howl-O-Scream Unearthed Scarlett 2015© SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
From SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s Press Release
Legendary horror filmmaker Robin Cowie, who terrified movie-goers in 1999 with “The Blair Witch Project,” will lend the darkest corners of his mind to Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and SeaWorld San Antonio this year as producer and director of Howl-O-Scream “Unearthed.” A Halloween rite of passage since its inception 16 years ago, Howl-O-Scream is an after-dark event featuring over-the-top haunted houses, roaming creatures and live shows.
Rob Cowie directs Howl-O-Scream Unearthed 2015© SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Cowie and his team of storytellers crafted a dark new tale — “Unearthed” — that has become Howl-O-Scream’s 2015 theme and will further unfold in the parks’ signature haunted houses. Like “The Blair Witch Project,” “Unearthed” is rooted in dark magic, unexplained phenomena and a haunting, hair-raising story.
“I jumped at the chance to work on this project,” said Cowie, who began talking with the parks last summer. “As filmmakers, we rely on emotional and psychological elements to get audiences out of their seats. With Howl-O-Scream, we’re dealing with a crazy convergence of 360-degree storytelling, merging physical experiences and technologies to create a sort of hyper-virtual reality. It’s live, immersive terror and it can take your breath away.”
The collaboration between Cowie and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a first for both. It’s also the first time all three parks will have the same theme, the same house concept and the same villain: Scarlett. According to Cowie’s storyline, Scarlett was a village healer who turned to dark magic to avenge her husband’s killers. As her powers grew, she was hunted, trapped and buried alive deep beneath the park … but now has been “Unearthed” to summon death and destruction on unsuspecting guests.
Howl-O-Scream Unearthed Scarlett 2015© SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
“Scarlett is a tragic figure, but at the same time lethal and merciless,” said Cowie. “She’s very powerful, sort of the quintessentially strong female character, except she’s summoning demons and collecting body parts to reincarnate her dead husband. Scarlett will make your skin crawl.”
Critically acclaimed and described as an “extraordinarily effective horror film”, “The Blair Witch Project” debuted at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and went on to become one of the most profitable movies in history. Cowie was one of two original producers on the film.
“Working with Robin and his team has added a whole new level of horror to Howl-O-Scream,” said Janet Wagner, corporate director of entertainment/executive producer at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
Howl-O-Scream takes place on select nights September – October at Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and SeaWorld San Antonio. Dates and times vary by location; for specific details, pricing and tickets, go to Howl-O-Scream.com.
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