Our Museletter contributor this month is Scott SteelFyre, Media Manager and Technical Director for the Magic & Mystery School. Appropriately to kick off the month of October, Scott takes us on a journey through some of his most successful haunted houses and shares what scares him the most. But first there is a surprise message from the Magic & Mystery School about an exclusive upcoming experience you won’t want to miss!
An Evening to Be Remembered Forever!
Would you attend an Immersive Magic Show and Seance that celebrates the life legacy and spirit theater of one of the world’s most beloved and celebrated magicians Eugene Burger? An evening at the Mansion of Mystery is more than a magic show. It is a rare theatrical experience that explores the heart and the art of magic…but there are ONLY 13 seats!
Step into a world where magic comes to life! Jeff McBride’s transcendent show is not just a magic act; it’s an immersive, theatrical adventure that will take you on a spellbinding journey through the heart and art of magic. Join us as we celebrate the enduring legacy and mystical spirit of the one and only Eugene Burger – a true legend in the world of magic!
Dive into Seven Mysterious Encounters
1 – The Welcoming
Enter the enigmatic MANSION OF MYSTERY, where Jeff and Abigail McBride will warmly invite you into a captivating evening of conjuring the spirits. The night kicks off with a mesmerizing magic show and a glimpse into the life and wisdom of the legendary Eugene Burger, one of the world’s most revered Magicians, philosophers, and Spirit Theatre masters.
2 – Ritual of the Trickster
Embark on an initiation into the mysteries of the element of Air. Discover the secrets of the Mystery School under the guidance of our master teacher, Eugene Burger. Unleash your inner magician and unlock the magic within!
3 – The Great Mystery Magic Show
Prepare to be astounded as Jeff McBride presents his most beloved magic routines. Witness the extraordinary with mind-bending tricks, Tarot readings, captivating storytelling, and mesmerizing conjuring in the Great Room. You’ll see things you’ve never imagined!
4 – Ritual of the Sorcerer & Oracle
Immerse yourself in the power of elemental fire and the subtle magic of water during this hands-on encounter with the miraculous. Discover the patience and power behind the elements.
5 – The Museum of Wonders
Embark on a guided tour through one of the world’s greatest magic museums and libraries. You can even touch and peruse books that are over 500 years old! Behold arcane objects from Jeff and Abigail’s global travels and experience jaw-dropping close-up magic right before your eyes. Plus, savor delicious snacks during a brief intermission.
6 – The Seance of the Spirits
Enter the Grand Seance Parlor and be part of a mystical ritual that will leave you awestruck.
7 – The Ritual of the Sage: The Eugene Burger Spirit Theater Experience
Embark on a guided journey and experience a seance like no other, guided by the ethereal presence of Eugene Burger himself. And to top it all off, join us for a closing gifting ceremony where you’ll receive gifts of wisdom from the Wise Ones.
This isn’t just a magic show; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime, enchanting adventure that will leave you spellbound. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of magic? For more information go to https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/events or contact Abigail at 702-450-0021.
What Are YOU Afraid Of?
One of my talents is Haunted Houses. I started at age 13 by making a maze in our side yard with wood stakes in the ground and refrigerator boxes stapled to them and painted to taste. Well, painted to my taste. At two points in the maze were sliding glass windows where I could set up a couple of displays – one of them being an illusion where my sister’s head would visibly change to a skull and back again.
Oh, my taste! Growing up on the Addams Family, the Munsters and Dark Shadows, you probably know my taste – classic dark, creepy fun! Today I am still part of the Haunt Industry, making a high tech “Casket Simulator Ride to the Grave,” with over 300 around the world. So to my point: “What are YOU afraid of?”
I have pondered a good part of my life about what people’s fears are. That is what I get paid for, to find and display what scares you, in a clever arrangement of rooms and mazes. It’s amazing to me that people will stand in line for hours and pay to get that thrill and adrenaline rush. I discovered that people are fun when they are scared…and sometimes dangerous!
One night I was at the back exit of a haunted attraction when a teenage girl came flying out of the exit followed by several others. The lead girl was screaming, and with tears in her eyes she dropped to the ground and covered her head with her jacket. I asked her if she was ok. She peeked out and could see I was normal (well, mostly) and she relaxed and started getting up. I told her that I worked at the haunt and asked her “So what scares you?” She said “Everything!” I asked if she got her money’s worth, and like it was planned out, the whole group screamed “Yes, yes, yes! It was awesome!” This is why I love what I do.
I have had the opportunity to work on several fun and interesting seasonal haunts. I was working with Randy Grigg at hauntedenterprises.com (you can find the Casket Ride there), when Randy got a contract to do a Halloween attraction for a party in a high-profile California billionaire’s mansion. It was amazing!
In just one night, we had pro makeup, pro lighting, and pro sound. And, oh darn, I had to work the casket ride (so much fun!). I wish I could tell you the names that I helped into the casket and closed the lid upon – but I can’t! The big payoff from this was they paid for everything we built and kept just a few things for memory of the event. We were able to haul the rest back to home base in Las Vegas, put it all into storage, packaged to be moved and set up again if they wanted a repeat event.
Later, a possible event popped up in Wichita Kansas. It looked like a go, so I got to work in my 3D programs where the California mansion walls and sets were designed. I got plans for the bar with outside access in the corner of a good sized shopping mall. I laid out the sets from the California job into a model of the bar, added a few things, and the next thing I know I’m heading out to Wichita with two 48 foot semi-trucks packed full of scary stuff, mostly of my design.
I took up residence in the back of the bar’s freezer (the freezer was off) – a nice, quiet spot, even if work was going on in the main area. I inflated a mattress and I was set. Outside of that was my office, with a fridge, microwave and computer. Dreams do come true – I was living at the haunt! I was working with local crew and actors, and as always, drama and other issues needed to be dealt with, but we survived.
Being that close to the project was great! I could oversee everything. I set up a camera so I could watch the doors from the back room. It was a bit weird when the local S.W.A.T. used the mall for training. We were warned, so we just kept clear from where they were working. A few weeks later we opened for Thursday through Sunday performances. That gave me and the crew time for repairs and upgrades. It took two hours to do all of the make-up, mostly done by me.
A fun time was had by all! The run went well and we had some of the S.W.A.T. team members and firefighters from the area come through. I have to give thanks to all that helped out that season both in Wichita and in Las Vegas.
The only thing left was to take it down and pack it up. And that is what really scares me! And is always sad.
Scott SteelFyre
aka Professor FrightMare