Simi Valley, CA, USA (September 6, 2016) — Hollow Studios, immersive-based media production company, announces the opening of FEARVR, a 4D virtual reality horror experience debuting during the Halloween 2016 season at three Cedar Fair Entertainment locations:
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA (Knott’s Scary Farm),
Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario, Canada (Halloween Haunt)
California’s Great America, Santa Clara, CA (Halloween Haunt)
Each of the three parks will offer their own version of real-life scare elements for FEARVR, creating variety between each venue.
A first for Cedar Fair, this groundbreaking 4D immersive experience is guaranteed to up the fright factor as guests find themselves trapped inside a real horror movie! Greeted by ominous nurses at the Meadowbrook Institute, visitors become the latest occupants inside the mysterious facility. Once checked-in, the new patients are warned of a dangerous, telekinetic female inmate known as “Katie,” who has just gone missing. Strapped to a specialized wheelchair, patients’ senses are bombarded while the facility walls unravel with horrific evil (FEARVR requires an additional fee and not included in Fright Lane or Skeleton Key).
Using Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus, the FEARVR high level production of quality creates a terrifying blend between true reality and the claustrophobic entrapment of virtual reality.
The entire production and presentation of FEARVR was a collaboration and partnership between Cedar Fair and Hollow Studios. Outside the virtual reality component of FEARVR, all the 4D effects and thematic theatrical practical settings were designed by Knott’s Berry Farm’s Jon Cooke and produced by technicians and artists from Knott’s Berry Farm.
FEARVR was directed by Ted Dougherty, who for nearly 20-years has worked as an expert in both the haunted attraction and Halloween theme park industries as a writer, actor, producer and creative director. The virtual reality media was shot in live action and produced in-house by Hollow Studios’ Chief Creative Executive, David Love and Ted Dougherty. Both worked closely throughout the process with Art Director for the project, Jon Cooke. All virtual reality film set decorations, specialized properties, makeup and lighting were provided by several skilled artists andtechnicians from Knott’s Berry Farm. Stitching, visual effects, editing and post effects were completed by Hollow Studios.
FEARVR was written by Ted Dougherty, Jon Cooke and David Love.Sound design by David Love, Ted Dougherty and Dan Bieranowski from Knott’s Berry Farm. Executive Producers are Brent Barr and Christian Dieckmann of Cedar Fair.