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Teens Preview Tricks Of Trade

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By MICHELE SAGER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

Updated: 09/24/2007 08:55 pm

NORTH TAMPA - Surrounded by blood-splattered walls and dead bodies, these newshounds were startled even in the light of day.

Some gasped, others screamed, but all trekked forward through the mysterious maze that resembled a haunted gas station. They were here to get the story, and no bloody prop trick or dressed-up ghoul would stand in their way.

Dozens of high school students recently attended Busch Gardens' annual High School Journalism Day, at which they got a peek behind the scenes at the theme park's Howl-O-Scream.

Students toured the park's newest haunted house, Catch Your Breath 13, a gas station where something goes terribly wrong. They walked through the entire house with the lights on, learning how tricks such as smoke and sound turn an empty set into a frightening experience.

Dressed as his alter ego, Cutter, Busch Gardens representative Scott Swenson took questions from the media pack, and the group didn't miss an opportunity to pepper him.

When do you start planning? February.

How many times do you walk through the house? About 30 to 40 times.

Do the houses get damaged? Sometimes.

How much do the houses cost? Busch Gardens doesn't release cost figures.

Minutes after exiting the house, Wharton High senior George Prieto was formulating his story. Classmate Ryan Nester had some ideas of his own.

'I am definitely mentioning how they have a truck in the middle of the house,' Nester said. 'I think that people will think that is really cool.'

Students also got a chance to learn about costumes and makeup before going through the audition process.

Tampa Bay Technical High student Emily Boyce said she was glad she attended the journalism preview.

'I'm surprised by how much access they give you,' she said. 'I think a lot of students will want to come.'

Students can submit their newspaper and television stories in a contest for a chance to win free Busch Gardens tickets. Howl-O-Scream opens Friday.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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