From Makeup Artist Magazine, Dec. 1997 / January 1998

Universal Studios Halloween Haunt

Universal City, California

Risen from the grave! Last year Universal had the most disappointing event we visited. [Issue #4, Dec ´96/Jan ´97]. This year Michael Burnett and his crew have created a truly spectacular haunt, almost nudging out Knott´s Scary Farm for first place. Burnett did a stellar job as make-up director. Not only did his company design and create great make-ups, but he ran the best and most organized operation we visited. All the make-up artists had adequate lights, mirrors, table and chairs. 320 performers are made up each night by Michael and his crew of 28 make-up artists.

"A third of them work for me full-time at the shop. The rest come in from the various schools--Joe Blasco, Westmore, the classes that I teach at UCLA. Some of them are makeup artists who heard about the event and sent their resumes into Universal, who passed them on to me" said Burnett. There are three mazes, an Area 51 alien abduction maze, a Classic Monsters maze (Frankenstein, Wolf Man, etc.), and a Creature From the Black Lagoon / Waterworld maze, all of which are well thought out and entertaining. Knott´s Scary Farm is still king, but with the great first showing of Michael Burnett and the folks at Universal, their reign could be toppled.

Visit Make-Up Artist Magazine's website!

---

Reprinted with permission from Make-Up Artist Magazine # 10, Dec/Jan 1997, "Happenin' Haunts" pp. 16-17. ©1997.