Wilmington, North Carolina, often referred to as “Hollywood East,” is a place where Bearded Skulls Makeup FX Group has left a lasting mark through their exceptional skills in makeup and special effects for renowned horror films such as “The Black Phone,” “The Conjuring,” and “Scream.”
In a fascinating partnership, Bearded Skulls MUFX Group, LLC – consisting of Rick Pour, Jason Willis, Jeff Goodwin, Tony Rosen, and Matt Barrett – joined forces with Justin Smith, the owner of Opera House Theater Company, to birth Port City Fear Factory, the city’s newest haven for chills and thrills.
This whole journey began in the spring of 2023 when Justin Smith, an actor and entrepreneur, was sitting in the makeup chair, getting makeup prosthetics applied for an upcoming horror film. During this session, the special effects team mentioned their interest in creating a haunted house should a writers’ strike disrupt the film industry. This casual conversation kindled Justin’s long-held fascination with the idea of a haunted house, a concept he had toyed with for two decades among friends and colleagues. After a series of phone calls and emails and the strike became a reality not long after, it resulted in a partnership that combined over a century of experience in the film and special effects arena.
In a whirlwind three months, this talented ensemble rallied their connections, pulling together a cast of 30 actors to give birth to “The Port City Fear Factory: Chapel of Horrors.” For a first-year haunt, their achievement exceeded our expectations.
The Story:
The Cape Fear region of North Carolina is shrouded in dark tales and eerie histories, attracting visitors hoping for ghostly encounters and legends of pirates. One of these stories stands out, starting at an old cursed church on Princess Street. Construction began in 1923, marked by strange sickness among the workers. The newborn church, First Light Chapel, had an eerie influence on its occupants, causing abnormal behaviors. In 1953, Reverend Edmond Meares took over, preaching a vengeful God. His congregation dwindled, but a devoted following formed. Rumors of bizarre rituals and deviant doctrines spread. Meares’ sinister intent became clear when he announced he was “building an army.” On February 11th, 1956, an inexplicable explosion demolished the church, revealing Meares’ macabre activities. In 1984, the ruins were resurrected as Cape Fear Church & Studio by Henry Galloway, an aspiring artist and horror enthusiast. Despite a troubled start and mishaps, Galloway became obsessed with the church’s potential and spiraled into madness. In 1989, Galloway committed a gruesome murder, turning the church into a house of horror. He ended his own life, leaving a disturbing legacy. In 2019, Green Hope Church moved in, hoping to bring light to the dark history. Tragedy struck in 2022 when a girl was killed by a truck on the church’s property. Strange occurrences followed, with whispers and eerie visions plaguing the congregation. Pastor John fought to protect his flock in the face of malevolent forces. The church itself seemed hungry, demanding to be fed, and a battle against an insidious presence began.
