This project was first presented to me as a rough concept and a 1 month deadline, which is quite unusual for a corporate entity such as Valleyfair and Cedar Fair Parks. Pulling from my notes, I was first told to create the following, in order, for this show:

1. A preshow wherein one has a "voice establishment";
2. a shepards tone/prophets enterance
3. A choir high tone/drone low tone & mid tone
4. Release of tension at the point the show begins
5. A secondary, more dramatic buildup during the prophet's monologue
6. Unleashing the power at the climactic end of the show.

As the concept developed, it was determined that the profit was a dangerous hermit, and so a director request to include "creepy banjo" came into being. Juxtaposing the solo, deliberate, and sometimes fragmented banjo playing with low droning tones give an overall expression of unease and creepiness.

The preshow is about half an hour long. At 20 minutes before show, a buildup track surreptitiously adds itself into the mix. This track by itself consists of more striking droning tones, and a choir in the background doing downward glissandos. The resulting mixture between "phase1" and "phase2" playing together is a more cacaphonic experience, a slow building of power and tension as guests gather for the show.

Phase 3 begins when the show is ready to go, the technician hits “GO!” and initiates a 3 minute countdown. During the countdown, the light droning from track 1 is crossfaded with a percussive and more actively sinster soundtrack (Danny Elfman – “Memory”). This soundtrack is played alongside the banjo soundtrack and choir from phase 2.

As phase 3 comes to a close, The Awakening begins.

The track hits a climactic point and sound dives deep down, cutting off the cacaphony and bringing up the tension. The menacing cello underneath the monologue begins the second buildup. The instrumentation underneath this monologue (full disclosure) is actually 4 different soundtracks, all cut up and jigsawed into what this show became [“Bad Moon Rising” – Danny Elfman, “You Must Go” – Danny Elfman. “Reflection” – Danny Elfman, “Dear Mr Talbot” – Danny Elfman.]

Have a listen to how the music evolves with the monologue. As we near the end of the monologue, the aforementioned shepherds tone is finally found, again raising tension toward it’s limit.

As the Prophet finishes up, and snuffs out the lantern, all of the monsters of ValleySCARE are released; they come out and rush the crowd. Sound effect choices of raucous laughter, from both the monsters and the Prophet, moaning ghosts, all wrapped up with a soundtrack bearing a rapid tempo, to pursuade the unfortunate onlookers to flee from the monsters come alive.