Dracula, The Wolfman, The Mummy, all of the classics came from Burbank—and eventually came into John Murdy’s ’89 living room. He fell in love with the monsters at an early age—he was four the first time he saw the black and white version of Frankenstein, and after years of successfully running Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights as creative director and executive producer, he’s finally bringing these classic monsters to life at the popular attraction.
Universal Monsters star as just one of the haunted mazes popping up around the theme park this Friday. Joining the roster is the highly anticipated debut of a Stranger Things maze, based on the hit Netflix series, as well as mazes based on Halloween 4, Blumhouse horror movies, the cult classic Trick ‘r Treat, The First Purge, and Poltergeist.
“There’s so many different ways to scare people,” Murdy said.
The well-rounded education he received at Whittier, where he majored in theater, helps him do just that. He pulls from history and theatre to create the sets; from science to create the visual effects; from all of the writing he honed when drafting the meticulously detailed, 100-page treatments for each maze; and from his acting classes when he preps his actors and records voice-over for the mazes. There’s a solid dose of psychology in the business, too, such as understanding how to prey on people’s innate fear of the unknown.
Horror Nights runs through Nov. 3.
Poets will have an opportunity to experience Murdy’s fright fest next month. The College is busing students to Universal Studios on Oct. 25. The trip is one of several excursions around Los Angeles during fall semester; the excursions are sponsored by ASWC Senate, First-Year Programs, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Office of Student Engagement, and Program Board.
