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Incident on The Smiler 02/06/2015

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Rick said:
Alton isn't a corner shop emptying the tills at 5pm and running to the cash and carry!
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The scarefest budget used to be decided based to some degree on how well the park performed early in the season.

This year is a bit different.

And yes they need a long term strategy but when public opinion is what for fighting against you have to be quickly adaptable.
 
I have a "must be this tall to ride" T shirt. It goes down very well with the ride ops at fairs and thrill parks.
For obvious reasons, I avoid wearing it at places like Legoland though... :/
 
DiogoJ42 said:
I have a "must be this tall to ride" T shirt. It goes down very well with the ride ops at fairs and thrill parks.
For obvious reasons, I avoid wearing it at places like Legoland though... :/
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At least that's a bit less risqué than "ride me" anyway the parents should be deciding what's appropriate for their kids to wear not the kids themselves!
 
I've seen some people elsewhere defending the t-shirt, saying that it's regarding the rides that people have been on and anyone who thinks differently is dirty minded. It clearly isn't and it's really tacky but it doesn't deserve a newspaper article.
 
Dave said:
The scarefest budget used to be decided based to some degree on how well the park performed early in the season.

This year is a bit different.

And yes they need a long term strategy but when public opinion is what for fighting against you have to be quickly adaptable.
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I think that's the perception of enthusiasts, but I don't think it's true. The timescales don't work.

Everything required for Scarefest, not least the staff/equipment associated with the Scare Mazes has to be in place/committed to way before the end of the Summer - most of it is under construction by then.

In terms of regular staffing, hours are pretty much set and have been for a number of years. I know there are slightly less days now, but that was announced at the beginning on the season, right?

Edit - just noticed you said early in the season, that makes even less sense!
 
Rick said:
Everything required for Scarefest, not least the staff/equipment associated with the Scare Mazes has to be in place/committed to way before the end of the Summer - most of it is under construction by then.
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You'd like to think that yes. However it really is not always the case, last year being a perfect example.

:)
 
Rick said:
I think that's the perception of enthusiasts, but I don't think it's true. The timescales don't work.

Everything required for Scarefest, not least the staff/equipment associated with the Scare Mazes has to be in place/committed to way before the end of the Summer - most of it is under construction by then.
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I was actually told this is how it works by someone senior at Alton Towers. If the park has a poor season then there isnt the budget for a big scarefest and things get cut, i.e. lighting around the park!
 
DiogoJ42 said:
Most things built at Alton are only finished a half hour or so before they open. Or sometimes a few months after the day they were supposed to open.

Or in the case of Air... never.
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Aww come on, we got the blue lights in the Air tunnel...... eventually!!
 
Things that Alton Towers do, and the subsequent budget have absolutely nothing to do with how the park performs, the park does not keep or recycle it's profits internally, they go to the parent company, publically traded Merlin Entertainments. This money is added to all the profit internationally from all Merlin operated attractions, and then each site will be allocated a budget. If Alton Towers perform poorly this year, the parent company will likely be considering a LARGER spending budget either for the latter part of this season, almost certainly for next season. To get bodies back through the gates and the park performing well again.

I really wouldn't be worried about anything anymore, the media are clutching at straws trying to find reasons to remind us of what happened, that is clearly backfiring, Scarefest will not be scaled back at all, all scare actors are hired and contracted in February so the only direction they will go with that is up. I know they are hired in Feb as when me and my wife had our recruitment afternoon they were being auditioned in the next room to us, the week before Feb half term.

When the parent company feel this has died down enough, expect a larger advertising campaign than usual and some form of special offer or event to draw people in.

We may even see a rushed new ride installed for next season to deflect people's attention and create an advertising campaign around.

As originally stated, don't worry about their budgets, they don't keep their or recycle their own money.
 
Well, regardless of what will now likely be a poor mid season following the accident, the park will surely know, they will have to try and win back the GP this year the best they can, so I'm sure they will put as much effort in to planning and advertising for this year's Scarefest.

Also in terms of next year, we know we will at least be getting Food Loop in Forbidden Valley (real name TBC) plus the beginning advertisements for SW8 (on the assumption it's still opening in 2017). I'm not sure we will see an actual new ride opening yet, but only time will tell.
 
Rick said:
I think that's the perception of enthusiasts, but I don't think it's true. The timescales don't work.

Everything required for Scarefest, not least the staff/equipment associated with the Scare Mazes has to be in place/committed to way before the end of the Summer - most of it is under construction by then.

In terms of regular staffing, hours are pretty much set and have been for a number of years. I know there are slightly less days now, but that was announced at the beginning on the season, right?

Edit - just noticed you said early in the season, that makes even less sense!
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It might not make sense but trust me it was always a factor in scarefest budget allocation. Scarefest staff are auditioned/ interviewed in August September and the park build their own sets so the turn around is pretty quick.
 
Scarefest staff are auditioned in february, i have been in the room next to them auditioning.
 
There is an open casting call every year in december on the merlin jobs website, they audition in february, you literally let them know you are coming, they give you your time slot, you turn up and take part in a group workshop, individual audition and an interview.

When me and the wife were there, people were literally turning up without even letting merlin know they were coming and they were letting them Audition, they take place in the rooms above the restaurant on Towers street.
 
Wow this is definitely something I'm interested in if I can fit it around work somehow. I always think 'I'd make a better zombie/ monster than you' at scarefest :p
 
They're looking for people to join ents right now.

If you keep an eye on the jobs website or their Facebook page they seem to do open auditions every few months.

www.altontowersjobs.com/resort-entertainment/latest-audition-dates-and-information

www.facebook.com/altontowersjobs

11535929_10153308647481826_6667626099263125200_n.jpg
 
AliceHL91 said:
How do you go about it? I'd love to do that! Do they use agencies or do people just apply?
http://www.altontowersjobs.com/resort-entertainment/scarefest-actors

Scarefest Actors[/QUOTE said:
[B said:
About Scarefest
Scarefest is the Alton Towers Resort’s award-winning* Halloween event. Established in 2007, the event has gone on to become one of the UK’s biggest and best Halloween Events!

The Role:
If you are a Scare Actor, you will be placed in one of our terrifying attractions. From twisted clowns to the living-dead, our roles offer you the chance to shock and disturb any guest who dares step into your sight. That’s right, you get the chance to make people’s Nightmares come true!

View more information about Scarefest by clicking here.

Quick Job Facts:
As a Scarefest Actor, you can expect to:

  • Perform in a terrifying scare maze.
  • Work in a variety of environments including strobes, smoke and darkness.
  • Wear masks, prosthetics, theatrical make-up and more.
  • Work both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather and temperatures.
  • Work long hours whilst performing a physically demanding, high-energy role.
The Requirements:
Scare Actors: You will need to be a talented, versatile and enthusiastic actor with previous experience and/or ability in improvisational theatre. Scare mazes are very demanding, so you will need to be physically fit with good stamina and endurance. Previous scare maze experience is a bonus but not essential, as training will be given.

Considerations:
Before you decide to step into the spotlight as a Scarefest Actor, think seriously about the job requirements. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Are you willing to work in dark, smoky and potentially claustrophobic conditions?
  • Are you open to the possibility of wearing prosthetics, masks, contact lenses etc?
  • Are you fit enough to work in a physically challenging role for long periods of time?
  • Are you willing to work in a high-pressure Entertainment environment where schedules, times and requirements are ever changing?
If the answer to all of those questions is ‘YES’ then you could be the perfect Cast Member for us!
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Sorry had some problems with the quotes but this is from the website.
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