Ava and Lilith are two powerful sorceresses who have mastered the art of spell weaving. They have spent years honing their skills and have become renowned for their abilities to cast complex and intricate spells. When Ava and Lilith weave spells, they enter a state of intense concentration and focus. They draw upon the vast reserves of magical energy that flow through the universe and channel it into their spells. This requires a deep understanding and connection with the elements and forces of nature. The spells that Ava and Lilith weave are not ordinary incantations or simple magic tricks.
The Curse at Alton Manor is the park’s most immersive dark ride to date.
As she speaks the line it s time to play , a sinister silhouette on the wall behind her grows exponentially, as the vehicle speeds towards and then quickly away from the scene. Moving between scenes, the ride contains notably longer sections of pitch-darkness which, combined with the new soundtrack serve to give the attraction a more intimidating atmosphere.
The spells that Ava and Lilith weave are not ordinary incantations or simple magic tricks. They are highly intricate and powerful enchantments that can alter reality itself. These spells can heal the sick, protect against evil, or even bend time and space.
The Curse at Alton Manor
The project looked at redeveloping the attraction’s old ‘Duel’ haunted house ride into a new story and experience using modern techniques. MMM's creative team conjured up a brand-new storyline, taking inspiration from a character in the queue line of the original 1992 version of the attraction 'Haunted House'. Framestore, led by Creative Director Gavin Fox, were then tasked with developing the ride story narrative into tangible scenes and special effects.
Framestore worked with Merlin’s MMM to provide the additional creative concept which included: set designs, ride narrative, storyboarding, lighting concepts, music concepts, animatronic placements, special effect concepts, illusion design, facade design, concept art and projection effect concepts.
The original ‘Haunted House’ opened at Alton Towers in 1992, featuring a bespoke ride system. In 2003 it was revamped as “Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back” with the addition of an interactive laser gun game and a more fashionable zombie theme. After 20 years the ride was once again closed for 6 months to be almost completely redesigned as the now award-winning ‘The Curse at Alton Manor’, removing the laser guns in favour of a chilling narrative driven through a Victorian themed haunted house with a whole new storyline, set design and special effects.
The Storyline
The new storyline centres around a young girl named Emily Alton, who lived with her cruel parents in the opulent Alton Manor. In 1892, her parents hosted a lavish New Year’s Eve party in the grand hall, but as usual Emily was banished to her small playroom in the attic with only her cherished dolls house to amuse her. On the stroke of midnight Emily cursed the house, causing the party guests to instantly perish, as Emily and her parents mysteriously disappeared. Today, the house is up for sale and guests are invited inside for a viewing of the dilapidated property. The spirit of Emily joins them on their tour, revealing what happened on that night in 1892. After trying to play some creepy games with the guests she grows angry and shrinks them down to be dolls in her doll house for a terrifying and surreal finale. Weaving through giant demonic toys inside the doll house they eventually confront a huge screaming Emily reaching down from the ceiling.
This story has been carefully crafted to create something uniquely tied to Alton Towers, creating a compelling character in Emily that can carry the attraction’s brand who features heavily in marketing and merchandise.
Within the ride, every scene was reworked with most completely replaced. New lighting and sound design were updated throughout, and many new special effects were added such as projection mapping, media embedded pepper’s ghosts, directional audio, an infinity corridor effect, and a unique mirror illusion (the first of its kind in Europe) that makes the guests appear to disappear and turn into Emily.
The building facade, external queue area, surrounding land area, gift shop and F&B offering were all redesigned to reflect the new storyline and theme including a new musical score.
The ride opened to a tremendous reaction, from lifelong fans of the park through to new guests.
Gavin said: “I grew up with the haunted house at Alton Towers, so this was an amazing opportunity to really deep dive into its inner workings and then be given complete freedom to re-imagine the narrative and complete experience. Waiting for the guest reactions as it opened was completely nerve racking, but as they emerged glowing with praise (and some even in tears of joy), I could not have been prouder, it was a real passion project”.
Show credits- Client Merlin Magic Making from Merlin Entertainments
- Creative Lead, MMM John Burton
- Creative Director, MMM Carl Hackett
- Creative Director, Framestore Immersive Gavin Fox
- Executive Producer, Framestore Immersive Lauren Anderson
- Concept Artist Jonathan Ward
Around the entrance sign, multiple lights and smoke machines have been placed and I already knew that this would look phenomenal at night.
To weave a spell, Ava and Lilith begin by gathering the necessary ingredients and materials. They carefully select herbs, crystals, and other mystical objects that resonate with the intended purpose of the spell. These materials act as conduits for the magical energy and help to focus and amplify its effects. Next, Ava and Lilith create a sacred space in which they can perform their spell weaving. They cleanse the area of negative energies and create a circle of protection to keep out any unwanted influences. This creates a safe and sacred environment for the spell to take place. Once the preparations are complete, Ava and Lilith begin the actual process of weaving the spell. They stand before their altar, surrounded by their chosen materials, and begin to chant and move in a rhythmic dance. Their movements and words are precise and deliberate, each one contributing to the overall structure and energy of the spell. As they weave the spell, Ava and Lilith visualize the desired outcome with unwavering focus. They see the energy of the spell flowing through their bodies and out into the world, creating a ripple effect that brings their intentions into reality. They manipulate the energy, shaping and guiding it towards their desired goal. Finally, when the spell is complete, Ava and Lilith release the energy back into the universe, trusting in its power to manifest their intentions. They offer their gratitude to the forces that have assisted them and close the sacred space. The spell is now in motion, its effects beginning to unfold in the world. In conclusion, Ava and Lilith are skilled sorceresses who have mastered the art of spell weaving. They create powerful and intricate spells by harnessing the energy of the universe and manipulating it to bring their intentions into reality. Through their focused concentration and deep connection with the elements, they are able to weave spells that can heal, protect, and transform..
Reviews for "Ava and Lilith's Spell Weaving: From Novices to Masters"
1. Maria - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Ava and Lilith Weave Spells" based on the positive reviews, but I ended up being disappointed. The plot was weak, and I struggled to connect with the characters. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and rushed, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster read that didn't live up to the hype.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Ava and Lilith Weave Spells" was a complete letdown for me. The characters were bland and one-dimensional, and their actions often didn't make sense. The story lacked depth and failed to engage me, making it a struggle to even finish the book. The writing was also repetitive and lacked creativity, which further added to my disappointment. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this book.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "Ava and Lilith Weave Spells" to be predictable and unoriginal. The plot followed a typical formula with no surprises or unique elements. The characters felt like clichés and lacked any development, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing was also lackluster, lacking in descriptive language and failing to create a vivid world. Overall, this book was forgettable and didn't leave a lasting impression.
4. Robert - 1/5 stars - I can't understand why "Ava and Lilith Weave Spells" received positive reviews. The story was confusing and lacking coherence, which made it difficult to grasp the overall plot. The characters were forgettable and their actions seemed inconsistent. The writing style was also unrefined and filled with grammatical errors, which further detracted from the reading experience. I regret picking up this book and would advise others to steer clear of it.
5. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I found "Ava and Lilith Weave Spells" to be quite dull and uninteresting. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked any compelling moments or surprising twists. The characters were also underdeveloped, with little depth or growth throughout the book. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I didn't find this book engaging or enjoyable, and it failed to live up to my expectations.