Hollowplex Theatre Interactive Set

Project Description

It’s showtime! This Halloween I wanted to do something big and create an experience in my house set within the universe of The Harbinger and Hallow Hollow I had established in a previous project. In thinking what other locations I wanted to explore in the fictional town, I landed on the local movie theatre. Seeing spooky movies in theatres has always been such a big part of my Halloween experience, as far back as when I was a kid. I really wanted to create my own theatre so I could feel that excitement every day of October.

Software Used:

SketchUp  //  Adobe Illustrator  //  Adobe Photoshop  //  My own hands

Date:

October 2024

Setting the Atmos-fear

It's Halloween night 1998 and you find yourself in the small town of Hallow Hollow. But you wouldn’t be able to tell because not a single decoration can be seen anywhere. When you ask about the lack of festivities, the townspeople tell you that celebrating “the holiday that shall not be named” is banned in Hallow Hollow. They mutter something about a malevolent spirit called “The Harbinger” before telling you to mind your business and stop asking questions.

Just when you’ve given up on finding anything spooky to do, a crumpled flyer blows at your feet. You pick it up and read the headline “Halloween Midnite Movie” at a local theatre called The Hollowplex. You gasp when you see they’ll be showing your favorite horror movie: A Nightmare on Elm Street. You check your watch: 11:33pm. You better hurry if you’re going to make it in time.

As you approach the theatre, it looks like it could be abandoned. Built in the 1920s, the once regal art deco exterior is now tarnished with decades of moss and vines creeping up the facade. You see “Closed for renovations” plastered on the front door. You walk around to the back of the building, as the flyer instructed you to, and knock on the rusty door. You hear a voice whisper “password.” You think for a minute and remember what was on the flyer. “Harbinger”, you say as the door swings open and you are quickly ushered inside by a lanky teenager with “Garth” on his name tag.

As you enter the lobby you see some of the outside decay has also seeped inside. While some pieces are original from the 1920s, there is a mismatch of different styles from the multiple renovations the theatre has had over the years. One thing every surface has in common is a thick layer of grease and dust. Some attempts have been made to keep the theatre modern, such as a large cardboard standee for an upcoming movie, merchandise, 3D glasses, and a display case of various movie “props” you have a hard time believing are authentic. Behind the snack bar counter you see another teen named Wayne and a weird popcorn mascot plastered on the wall. Something about the place makes you feel uneasy and you debate leaving.

But then the wonderful smell of popcorn hits your nose and all your hesitation disappears, like you’re under a buttery trance. You begin to notice all of the Halloween decorations adorning just about every inch of the theatre. You suddenly feel cozy and content like a warm hug from a holiday that has been forgotten by this town. Better get a snack and head to your seat; the show’s about to start.

(P.S. I don’t recommend trying the mystery eggs).

Theatre Tour

3D Mockups