Taylor Baum
Economics
Mr. Reuter
10/18/2017
Madness at McKamey Manor
McKamey Manor is an real life, extreme combination of a haunted house and the worst horror films that have been created. This haunted house is based around the participant's individual fears, and actors have the goal to put the participant into a real life, gruesome, horror film. According to The Guardian, as well as many others, “At McKamey Manor, people sign up to be kidnapped, bound, masked, slapped, stomped on and held under water” (The Guardian).
The manors are located in Huntsville Alabama, Nashville Tennessee, and the original in San Diego California where the manor is located in Russ McKamey’s backyard. Russ had been in the navy for 23 years, and has the ultimate goal of making people feel like they are living their own horror movie. 
This house is not for just any ordinary person. In order to enter you must complete 4-5 hours of physical and mental activities. This takes place at Holly’s Playhouse, and it is said that if one cannot survive this house they will have no chance in surviving the manor. They must also have no existing physical or mental conditions that could put them at any greater risk of danger. Participants also need to have a background check, pass a drug test, sign a detailed 40 page waiver, and bring a doctor’s note that states that they are physically capable of completing the experience (McKamey Manor). If you are able to check off all of these requirements you still may not be able to participate because there is a waiting list of over 27,000 people.
Each year the manor has a goal of making the experience scarier and scarier. Russ has spent over $500,000 on these houses so far, but that cost is necessary to keep up with the high demand of people who wish to attend the 8-10 hour extreme event. Russ had stated that, “Every year it’s got more crazy, more aggressive. We wouldn’t be infamous if we weren’t able to deliver the product” (The Guardian). There is one show per week, and it is free of charge for those who enter the house. In order to make a profit Russ accepts donations in the form of cash and dog food for his pet greyhound. Out of the thousands that have entered not one person has been able to complete the entire night, but if they were able to they would receive a $1,000 reward. The cost of attending this house is a strain on one’s physical and mental health, and the benefit is no more than the satisfaction that they had gone through it. There is no safe word, and you are not allowed to leave no matter how much you beg; the only way to get evicted is to return the contact to the actors (which is hard to do when they have you chained and duct taped together).
Overall, this show is beneficial to the local economy of Texas, Tennessee, and California. This event brings in a population from all around the world, because so many wish to partake in the experience. In turn this creates a heightened profile for the cities surrounding the houses as the people who attend also bring profit to the goods and services within the area.
Works Cited
Carroll, Rory, and Mae Ryan. “Extreme haunted house: inside the real life kingdom of masochists.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 30 Oct. 2015, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/30/extreme-haunted-house-masochists-mckamey-manor.
McKamey, Russ. “McKamey Manor.” mckameymanor. 10. 2017,
www.mckameymanor.com/
Very disturbing! After doing some research on McKamey Manor, I discovered that this nonprofit haunted house is known for its violence and cruelty towards its guests, who must sign a liability waiver to participate. The patrons can be given unwanted haircuts, drenched in fake blood, submerged in water, or forced to eat and drink unknown substances. The house permits just a handful of patrons every weekend, and nobody has made it all the way through, despite there being no ‘safe’ word. Lasting anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, the house is open year round, and there is a waiting list of over 24,000 people. As a result of the insane conditions, the opportunity costs must be heavily considered, as McKamey Manor has harmful (and possibly fatal) effects on a participant’s physical and mental health, thus promoting unhealthy thoughts and behaviors in today’s society.
ReplyDeleteThis is terrifying! I couldn't imagine going through this, I probably wouldn't last 20 minutes. It's really cool how you were able to take the topic of this grueling haunted house and turn it into something that relates to economics. It's super interesting to know that this haunted house is "free" but donations are appreciated, it's very surprising over how much revenue they continue to make and continue to increase in the "scares" every year.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you were able to transition the topic of the haunted house to the economic factors. I thought it was insane how so many people are on the waiting list despite the terrifying conditions of the house. In addition, it’s interesting to see that people donate money to the house to keep it running. Through their efforts, it seems that they are able to function with stable profits. Personally, I love haunted house but I don’t know if I would do it. In a way it seems like it would be really cool to try but at the same time, I would be terrified! Overall, you did a good job and this was a really interesting topic to cover.
ReplyDeleteI would never be able to stay in that house! You transitioned well to the economics of the haunted house. Although, it seems like the cost of this house is purely implicit. Does Russ receive enough money from the donations that it covers the extreme $500,000 cost of renovating the house? With such a high demand, I'm sure that quite a few people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to one day get into this house.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting topic and I enjoyed reading about this unique experience. Your writing was intriguing and informational at the same time. I'm really impressed as to how you took a topic like this and so strongly put it into terms of economics. It seems that with the waiting list, it would be a huge benefit to the owners to open up even more of these houses than the three that already exist, as their profits would just steadily flow in from those who have been waiting and waiting for this experience. Also, this experience has seasonal benefits. With it currently being around Halloween time, even more people will be wanting to participate, and a lot of people are probably willing to pay a large fee.
ReplyDeleteThis seems terrifying and to be honest I'm surprised they stay in business regardless of the waiver to partake in the haunted house. After reading some more articles, there are an overwhelming amount of complaints about the house and they publish footage of the people going through the house. What's most alarming to me is that they edit out some parts of the footage saying that part of the haunt cannot be shown - which in my opinion raises some ethical dilemmas. In regards to economics, I find it interesting that they don't charge people to go through the house but instead accept donations. I cannot fathom wanting to donate to a cause that would cause me mental and physical pain so I am curious as to who actually helps fund this. Though it does seems like there is a super high demand so they must have the money somewhere to produce a good scare.
ReplyDeleteI like how you related economic principles to a haunted house. While I personally would not want to go through it, I can see how the challenge may appeal to some. It seems crazy to me that there is no charge, especially as the haunted houses cost hundreds of thousands to create! I don't understand how Russ is able to make a living with only donations, however clearly he's doing alright enough to keep the houses running.
ReplyDeleteI find it worrying that there is a market for being scared. But limiting the ability to actually enter would drive up the demand, which can be seen with the MASSIVE waiting list of 27,000 people.
ReplyDeleteThis is super interesting (and horrifying) topic that I didn’t even know existed. I agree with you that this “haunted house” helps the local economy of Texas, Tennessee and California because of the high demand. When can you participate in the Haunted House? Is it year round or just in the fall? If it is only available in the fall, then the experience would also be scarce, meaning it is in demand but limited in supply. However, the opportunity cost of this experience seems like a lot. For instance, the money and spent time living this nightmare is time or money you will not get back or be able to use on something else. In addition, I feel like the negative externalities include these people losing sleep or their sanity after this.
ReplyDeleteI think that a topic that this idea brings up is the ethics behind profits. Sure people are voluntarily signing up for this, however no one can really prepare themselves for it. It is most likely somewhat damaging to the person mentally and the person running it is just seeking the profits, not really caring about the actual person experiencing it. While this may be true, people clearly want to experience it as it sounds like there is a large market for it, so it does make sense that the haunted house returns year after year.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very smart idea for profit. Millions of Americans love scary movies, roller coasters and other scary things that guarantee a rush. Haunted houses have been out there for years, with all kinds of levels of rush and fear, its about time someone took it to the next level for those weird creepy people. In you article, I love the use of your economic vocabulary words! they really fit into to place where they needed to and provide an example along with them. Over all very interesting, well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked that there is actually a high demand for this. However, people do enjoy being scared and experiencing life threatening situations without actually risking their lives. If McKamey Manor continues to make the haunted houses scarier, they could potentially lose people willing to participate and their profits.
ReplyDeleteTHIS EXISTS? Wow, to each their own I guess. I do like the connections of how there are people who cause a high demand to be scared out of their mind and how the place makes sure of the supply to make sure they can scare as many people as they can safely. I guess that this business is doing so well that its customers are helping to benefit nearby businesses as well. Great use of the vocabulary words! I wonder though that if the business pushes their scariness too far, it will actually make customers go away. Businesses like this always have to play a game of finding a balance of too scary vs needs a little more because there will be an opportunity cost if they were to go a bit far in their craziness.
ReplyDeleteWhile the cost of this haunted house seems very high, the marginal benefit it provides not only affects the haunted house, but the surrounding economy. The haunted house does not only generate revenue, but it generates tourism, creating a feedback loop where the both the haunted house and local stores generate tourism and attention for each other, which turns back into revenue.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article I am in shock. It seems unrealistic to myself that people volunteer themselves to experience and live through nightmares. Personally I am afraid of entering regular haunted houses; I can't imagine people wanting to live through tragedies. I am also surprised but the effect this haunted house has on the economy. The states which these houses are in benefit greatly with these houses. I understood that the greatest effect on the economy is the tourist population increase from all over the country wanting the kidnapping experience.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this idea is many different types of scary and questionable, this idea of having popular horror films come to life in a haunted house. It appeals to me, so I assume it would to other horror film lovers, which would make it a great deal of a profitable event. If they have a fine balance between terror and fun/relief, this haunted house could flourish, and possibly provoke influence for others ideas for a small business.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of a torturous, awful, and chilling experience within a house in which you can’t leave unless under specific directions/guidelines, is going to appeal to some people, and that number of some people is a very grand number as seen by the very large waiting list for such an event. This type of event is going to bring popularity towards the cities that the manors are in because of the free event nights and the masses wishing to join in on the manor. McKamey Manor is quite a prosperous business idea due to the love of horror and thriller-like situations. So this business will probably work out for a long while.
ReplyDeleteThis is crazy to me that such place exists because I’ve never heard of it until now. Personally, I hate being scared so the idea of signing up for this with no sort of incentive is crazy to me, but at the same time I know a lot of people enjoy scary movies and like being scared. The owners of McKamey Manor are doing a good job of keeping people coming back and keeping their industry at high demand.
ReplyDelete