INTERVIEW: ‘Nightmare’ ready to terrify NYC again

Justin Haskell isn’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, mostly because he creates those bumps himself.

As co-director of the art department for Nightmare, one of New York City’s premier haunted houses, Haskell is in control of adding realistic props to the terrifying scenes of the 13-room fright fest. This year’s Halloween incarnation, which begins Sept. 27 and runs through Nov. 2 at 107 Suffolk St., is called Killers2, and it recreates the stories of several infamous serial killers. Scaredy cats beware.

“I come up with the design of the props and the execution of the props,” Haskell said recently during a phone interview. “Generally everything is brand new because we come up with a theme each year, a different theme each year.”

Haskell said that the haunted house team doesn’t buy props. Instead, they make everything in house, many of the objects beginning as a concept in his private studio.

To put on such a high-profile haunted house (a tradition that has continued for several years), the creative team needs to work months in advance.

“It’s in [the] back of our heads all year,” Haskell said. “Generally around April we all come together, the different departments, and go over what the story is and what the theme is, so we can kind of mull over it and think about it. And then generally around like June or July we go to more serious work into it. And as of load-in, it’s a full-time job, beginning of September or at the end of August. Around August, it gets really intense, up until opening.”

When the show finally opens for the public, Haskell is able to take a breath. He will address any problems and perhaps offer some add-ons, but his work is largely complete.

During the brainstorming process, members of the creative team, which includes Haskell’s brother Timothy who created the haunted house, feeds off one another for ideas. They deal in the business of fright, and that means they need to be thinking of scares all the time.

“This year the theme is based in realism, so it’s more trying to find realistic aspects,” Haskell said. “Maybe somebody is better at mold making or something like that, and we’ll exploit that, or somebody is really good at special effects. … We all work together doing this.”

Those who brave these hallways will need to set aside 20-30 minutes for the full walk-through of 13 rooms (although expect some lines during the popular nights near Halloween). Further details are kept a secret. “I don’t want to give away any scares,” Haskell said, adding that there’s a “wow” element in this year’s haunted house.

For Haskell, helping out with the annual haunted house is a highlight of his year, something that fits nicely with his love for his favorite holiday. “I love Halloween,” he said. “I think I like it more than Christmas.”

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Click here for more information on Nightmare: Killers2.