Exploring Fear and Heritage: Crafting Hauntu’s Seri Panggung Academy

In the realm of immersive, interactive, theatrical horror experiences, a journey of creation and innovation is seldom unveiled. As a senior producer for Hauntu, I’ve had the privilege of co-creating, writing, and directing six enigmatic Hauntu immersive & interactive productions. In this article, I invite you to delve into the creative odyssey behind my latest endeavor, the creation of Hauntu Curve’s Seri Panggung Academy, a fusion of fear and tradition.

Picture a grand dance academy atop the mystical Mount Cintawangsa in Kelantan, adorned with echoes of Malay traditional performing arts – Mak Yong, Kuda Kepang, and Wayang Kulit. Only the finest dancers from Nusantara earn the privilege of joining this elite institution, where the mystical artistry of dance masters holds dominion. Here, dance masters wield power through their movements, and the academy’s leader, the Seri Panggung, holds the mightiest sway. This Academy isn’t just about dance; it’s a supernatural sanctum where gurus’ dance prowess transmutes into power.

My odyssey in crafting this tale emanated with enthusiasm. Hauntu’s maiden branch, a 1950s colonial hotel, was our first step; now, with Seri Panggung Academy, I aimed for a radical departure. Drawing from my love for ancient Malay stories, like Hikayat Hang Tuah, Hikayat Gul Bakawali, and others, I envisioned a setting that bridges the gap between horror and heritage.

Growing up in a theater-centric family infused me with a deep connection to traditional performances like Mek Mulung and Mak Yong. I felt a responsibility to preserve these traditions while engaging modern audiences. Hauntu’s platform, embraced by 1 million visitors in three years, proved an ideal platform to showcase Malaysia’s rich heritage. Thus, Hauntu Curve’s “Seri Panggung Academy ” emerged, introducing Mak Yong, Kuda Kepang, and Wayang Kulit to the immersive horror tapestry, unlocking uncharted potential, it aimed to redefine immersive horror by unveiling the splendor of Malaysia’s past.

Yet, innovation dances hand in hand with caution, especially when heritage is the muse. To respect and honor these traditions, I delved into their roots and partnered with experts from PUSAKA and practitioners of these disciplinaries. Our association with PUSAKA came to fruition, validating our endeavor to honor traditions. Inclusion of Mak Yong, Kuda Kepang, and Wayang Kulit demanded delicacy. These heritage forms, sadly demonized by extremist groups, required authenticity, not sensationalism. PUSAKA’s oversight aligned us, ensuring that the spirit of heritage endured, intertwined with the pulsating heartbeat of fear that defines Hauntu.

Horror is our essence, capturing the thrill-seeking Malaysian spirit that drew 1 million to us before. Horror’s allure is timeless; Malaysians relish the thrill. Yet, Seri Panggung Academy is more than horror; It extends beyond mere fear, beckoning audiences to step beyond the realm of spectators. Here, they traverse dimensions, escaping reality to embrace new personas. This is storytelling that unearths raw human emotions, ignites conversations, and leaves indelible marks on receptive hearts.

In unveiling Hauntu Curve’s “Seri Panggung Academy,” we aim to reshape perceptions. Our art transcends the realms, whisking audiences away from the mundane into a world where they become part of a larger tapestry. Emotions unravel, and fear intertwines with heritage, crafting an experience that challenges preconceptions and weaves an unforgettable narrative. The Seri Panggung Academy is more than a branch; it’s a revelation of the power of transformation. An embodiment of a fusion of heritage and horror, a testament to reimagining tradition. From the initial spark of an idea to the crescendo of an immersive experience, Hauntu Curve’s “Seri Panggung Academy” resonates as a paragon of innovation. An ode to tradition, an embrace of fear, and an invitation to transcend reality.

Contribute Author: Roshafiq Roslee, Senior Producer of Hauntu

Date: 26th Sept 2023

Role: Script writing, screenwriting, actors training

Why Every Experience Calls Itself ‘Immersive Experience’? Understand in a 5-Min Read

Immersive experiences! They’re taking the world by storm. There are many offerings out there that claim themselves as being an “immersive experience”. But how can an experience be “immersive”? In this article, we’ll give you some important information to help you understand what immersive experiences are.

What Makes An Experience “Immersive”?

An Immersive Experience can be described as an experience that brings you into a captivating world. An immersive experience helps to create an environment that is either virtual or real and surrounds you so that you feel you are inside that reality, feel REAL and you are part of it. There are two popular types of immersive experiences in the market that you can try.

1.Immersive Experience Utilizing Projection Mapping Technology

It’s a form of technology that overlaps videos or graphics onto any surface such as a building or a wall. There are a few experiences in the market today.

Credit: https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/van-gogh-alive

a) Van Gogh Alive Exhibition

This experience brings Van Gogh’s art to life by using projection mapping to overlap his artwork onto the wall and in the surrounding room. It creates a sensory feeling that you are looking and walking through the world of Van Gogh.cs onto any surface such as a building or a wall.

Credit: https://www.teamlab.art/e/borderless_odaiba/

b) TeamLab, Japan

TeamLab is available in Japan and makes use of projection mapping to create a sensory overload in their digital museum. By projecting visuals of flowers and moving fish onto walls and rooms, they create a 3D environment where you can sit in and fully immerse yourself.

Photo Credit: https://eatdrinkhilton.com/banquet-of-hoshena/#gallery

c) Banquet Of Hoshena

2. Storytelling or Performance-Based Immersive Experience

Storytelling or Performance-Based Immersive Experiences are immersive experiences that incorporate actors and performers to tell a story. They share similarities with theatrical performances, where the audience can witness a story unfold. Sometimes the audience becomes a part of the story, while other times they remain a witness of the story. Some escape games these days have even started integrating actors and storytelling into their rooms. Storytelling and performance based immersive experiences make use of space and acting to bring people into this world. With space, there is use of realistic props and set design to truly give off the vibe that it is an actual location and not just a set. Even the actor’s performance is different to conventional acting as there is improvisation where the actors respond to your questions during the experience.

Photo Credit: https://mckittrickhotel.com/sleep-no-more/#/

a) Sleep No More

This theatrical immersive experience is based on the story of Macbeth. In Sleep No More, you can take on the role of a third-person observer, exploring a hotel where actors perform at various levels of the building. The entire building is designed from the first floor to the last floor with hotel decorations, making it just like the real thing. While not directly involved in the story, you, as the audience, can become part of the immersive set design. You must wear a mask and remain silent throughout the 3 hours experience. This creates a mysterious atmosphere and makes the experience more engaging for you.

Photo Credit: https://www.klook.com/en-MY/activity/3583-london-dungeon-tickets-london/

b) London Dungeon

This is an immersive experience available in London that you can try and serves as a haunted attraction. It recreates all of the various gory and dark history of London in a more humorous style. Expect to see sets designed to mimic catacombs and dark halls as it combines a few elements such as special effects, rides and of course, live actors. It is also made up of different experiences one can choose and each has an actor or several that you can interact with.

c) Hauntu Malaysia

Hauntu offers an immersive experience that lasts one hour, combining live theater performance and a haunted house. However, unlike typical haunted houses that rely solely on jump scares and ghost chasing, Hauntu instead focuses on storytelling, actor-guided interactions and decision – making to deliver a horror story with you in it. There are two outlets at The Linc KL, based on a haunted hotel and The Curve, Damansara based on a mystical dance academy.

In conclusion, to be considered immersive, an experience must successfully transport the audience into the carefully created world, whether it’s delivered through technology or storytelling. If you’re fascinated by the idea of exploring immersive experiences in Malaysia, make sure to stay updated on upcoming pop-up events in the country. While many immersive experiences are temporary or pop-up in nature, Hauntu stands out as a rare gem, offering year-round availability as the first storytelling and performance-based immersive experience in Malaysia.

Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a journey into the world of immersive experiences with Hauntu.

Exploring Fear and Heritage: Crafting Hauntu’s Seri Panggung Academy

Why Every Experience Calls Itself ‘Immersive Experience’? Understand in a 5-Min Read

What Makes An Experience “Immersive”?

1.Immersive Experience Utilizing Projection Mapping Technology

2. Storytelling or Performance-Based Immersive Experience

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