Halloween park becomes studio

Associated Press

MIDDLETOWN

A Halloween attraction in southwestern Ohio has been turned into a studio for film, television and video production.

The new Land of Illusion Studios and Backlot is now in business on the grounds of the Land of Illusion Haunted Scream Park outside Middletown, the Hamilton-Middletown Journal-News reports.

Park owner Brett Oakley says the Halloween attraction runs only for a short time each year. Opening the 110-acre venue in the offseason to film crews is a way to grow business at the property and bring new jobs and investment to the community, Oakley said.

“We sit between New York and Beverly Hills, and we’re in a perfect spot for a lot of movies, and a lot of film artists, film producers to really save some money come here and facilitate them,” Oakley said.

He said the Land of Illusion Studios & Backlot business is working with the FilmDayton and Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission to promote the location’s availability.

Los Angeles-based Petri Entertainment started filming an independent horror movie at the Halloween attraction this week, said company President Andy Palmer.

The cast of “The Funhouse Massacre” includes actors Clint Howard and Robert Englund, who played the fictional serial killer Freddy Krueger in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” film series, said Palmer, who is directing the movie.

Palmer said he was attracted to Ohio because the script was written by Ohio natives and set in their home state.

Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau, said a movie production brings crew members to work on location and hires local extras and other suppliers who stay in the community for weeks, spending money on lodging and dining.

“The movie industry brings a huge economic impact to the community,” he said.

Ohio offers incentives that pay up to 25 percent of a film’s production costs and wages and up to 35 percent for Ohio resident wages.