Down dark hallways with bloodstained walls, tucked away in the shadows, there loom creatures of the dark: monsters, murderers and psychotic clowns. They snarl through bloodied fangs or swing chainsaws, letting out disturbed cackles with pale, painted faces. But underneath the facade of horror lies a neighbor, a classmate, a coworker or that stranger from the bus stop. 

Alex Buck, 21, is returning this year to the business of scaring people after a two-year hiatus from the World’s Scariest Haunted House, which opens Friday in Littleton. Buck has been in the scaring industry since high school, when he worked at Spider Mansion, a haunted house in Golden.

He was a theater buff in high school and also participated in choir, which Buck thinks led him to his interest in entertainment.

“I’ve just always had that acting plug, and that, mixed with my personality…being kind of an alternative person, a haunted house just sounded appealing,” Buck said.

Chris Stafford, co-owner and producer of multiple nationally acclaimed haunted houses such as the infamous 13th Floor Haunted House in Denver, noted how versatile haunted house actors have to be. The work differs from most other acting gigs, but the demand can be very rewarding for the variety of professionally trained, improvisation and born-to-scare actors.

“We have a lot of people who come here and they seem so timid,” Stafford said. “And then you go into the haunted house and you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh is that the same person?’”

People often overlook the danger of working in a haunted house. From being attacked by spooked customers to dangerous props, most actors are typically given strict instructions on how to handle less-than-ideal situations and the dangers that come with working these houses.

Stafford says most haunted houses work tirelessly to ensure the safety of their actors, but sometimes accidents happen.

“Natural reaction to fear is fight or flight, so I think the initial response is you might throw your hands up, and if someone gets in your personal bubble, there’s a chance you might hit them,” Stafford said. “We train our actors very well, and we train them to respect people’s bubble. If you get in someone’s bubble, you’re at risk.”

When it is the customer who inflicts the injury, be it a hit to the face or a slap at the chest — both of which Buck has experienced — actors of haunted houses must follow-up with customers.

“When that happens, there’s certain policy we have to go about: I have to break character, take off my mask,” Buck said. “I have to say, ‘Hey guys, I’m a person. You can’t hit me. You paid to get scared.”

Getting the customer to experience such a real level of fear requires talent. It’s a strategic blend of sensory manipulation and the ability to convince the audience the illusion is real.

“I think that there’s a difference between scaring someone and startling them,” Stafford said. “Being scared is more of an emotional reaction, scaring someone is anticipation.”

Haunted houses are dark to keep visitors on edge, Stafford said, which makes it easier to make their imaginations wonder and fear what’s lurking in the dark.

“In order to scare someone you need to take away one of their senses and mess with another,” he said.

Buck also believes the environment and mood tend to contribute the most to a successfully thrilling experience for the audience. He said he has worked with jungle sets, fog machines, plenty of eerie music and a clown role that let him to embrace his cackling and giggling side.

“It’s all about the immersion,” Buck said. “Really believing you’re the psychotic clown helps push it out onto the customer.”

The makeup and costuming process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to hours depending on the costume and intricacy or budget of the haunted house. Buck recalls spending just 30 minutes getting ready for nightly shows in the past, with the actors called at 6:30 p.m. and show time at 7 p.m.

After getting his character assignment, Buck said he is usually left to find his own way as a scarer.

“There was a huge amount of trust to perform your duty as a scarer,” Buck said. Paying customers and the adrenaline rush he gets when he steps inside the haunted house in costume push him into character.

Buck said he has not noticed any particular type of person who scares easiest. Big, buff boyfriends cling to their girlfriends just as much as girlfriends cling back, he said. It’s all about people letting themselves believe the haunted house is real.

“I think that when I can see some guy in a muscle shirt with buzz cut who’s really presenting himself as alpha male, and I can see him with that horror in his face — that’s the best,” Buck said. “It’s great to see that even they can allow themselves to be vulnerable.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

Consider these often-overlooked TV shows and movies when filling “My List” on Netflix.

6. Jeff, Who Lives at Home

This heartwarming movie is about a man (Jason Segel) who sees signs in everything and believes strongly in fate. His brother and polar opposite (Ed Helms) finds it all to be nonsensical and insane. It’s funny, sad and beautiful, with a fulfilling ending and a wholesome plot line occuring over the span of a single day. The only downside: the film is will be a bit dry for some tastes.

5. Our Idiot Brother

Though prone to making mistakes, the sweet and loving lead in “Our Idiot Brother”, Ned (Paul Rudd), will likely win you over within the first five minutes of the film and keep you on his side until the end. At times it’s hard to watch gullible Ned navigate parole in the wake of a recent break-up, but Rudd manages to ignite even the most sardonic, icy heart to become as open and accepting as his character. If only everyone was like Ned.

4. Dirty Girl

Juno Temple portrays, for the umpteenth time, a sometimes-abrasive and always-determined teen named Danielle in this coming-of-age flick about a girl and her friends searching for an absent father. “Dirty Girl” does not disappoint with excellent character development, good humor and depth.

3. Butter

Destiny (Yara Shahidi) is a young, black foster child who is placed in the care of a white, Southern family. After she discovers her talent for carving butter, she is pitted against the local butter-carving celebrity and his wife in a fierce competition. Though often frustrating, this funny movie will melt the heart of even the most decided skeptic.

2. United States of Tara

In three short seasons, this now-cancelled show focuses on wife and mother of two, Tara (Toni Collette), who struggles with Dissociative Identity Disorder, or multiple-personality syndrome. Tara struggles to keep her dysfunctional family sane as she delves into the true cause of her disorder. Don’t be fooled, though — this dramedy’s combo of huge laughs and interesting characters makes the show totally addicting.

1. Bob’s Burgers

Hilarious and unlike any other adult-oriented cartoon, Bob’s Burgers has succeeded in creating animated characters so relatable you’ll find yourself groaning like Tina after a week of watching the show. As Bob and his family struggle to keep the family restaurant afloat, viewers are introduced to some of the most outrageous humor to be found on Netflix.

Update: We’ve added one more for you — Butter.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

“The college experience” is a common expression, yet with today’s culture, the definition of the experience seems to have been drastically misconstrued. College has become the time people experiment with drinking, partying and doing drugs, and many students fall under the impression it’s a natural right of passage into adulthood.

And despite CU being labeled as a party school, there exists a subculture of students referred to as “straight edge,” or those who abstain from drinking or doing drugs.

Freshman economics major Nick Rice admitted to trying drugs in the past but eventually “straightening out.” (Nate Bruzdzinski/CU Independent)

“I don’t do drugs or alcohol simply because I don’t like the feeling of being buzzed or dazed,” Ashley Bornnschein, a sophomore molecular development cellular biology major said.  “While I know that a glass of wine may not hurt, the more you compromise on your morals and beliefs, the easier it becomes to push the limit a little further. One shot of vodka becomes two, and so on, especially as a tolerance builds. It’s definitely a dangerous path to choose, and I prefer to just avoid it completely.”

Drinking and drug use has become a social norm, with abstinence becoming an anomaly among today’s college crowd.

“Alcohol and drugs aren’t new, and I wager they’ve been changing how people socialize with each other since the beginning,” A.J. Kazlouski, a junior English major said. “Dependence on alcohol for the sake of social traction certainly seems to be a problem, since CU’s reputation seems so steeped in it.”

Kazlouski has never drank or done drugs.

Drinking has long been filed with other social stigmas, and its popularization results in an estimated 1,825 alcohol-related deaths each year in college-aged young adults. Far too often do ambulances pull up in front of dorms late at night, and cocaine addiction and alcoholism is all too common on many college campuses

“Lots of close friends of mine have lived their lives in fear because of parents who abuse the bottle, and I would be lying if I said I haven’t felt that same fear once or twice before,” Kazlouski said. “And with drugs, I find the world quite interesting enough as it is. I have no need to artificially enhance it.”

Most students agree, however, that little occurs from placing judgement on either platform, as the issue is complicated and there exist many gray areas.

Luis Olivas, a freshman computer science major, understands the variation between those who choose to drink or do drugs.

 “I don’t think I can honestly say that I find drugs and alcohol to be overrated,” Olivas said. “I think everybody kind of knows how they want to have a good time and everybody’s definition of a good time is a little different.”

Kazlouski also noted his understanding the right to one’s own opinion.

“I would never pass judgment on anyone who drinks safely and responsibly,” Kazlouski said. “I choose not to drink or take any drugs because that is what is right for me and my body, but I don’t think that choice is the ‘right’ one.”

Of course, dealing with issues of this nature, such as defying what is seen as a social norm, raises the question of peer pressure and its role in encouraging drinking or drug use.

“I do come across peer pressure, and I have lost friends because of it,” Bornschein said. “When people ask me to come to parties or let me know where all of the “fun” is at, I just don’t tag along. I would rather avoid the situation altogether then find myself tempted by substances and potentially dangerous situations.”

Freshman economics major Nick Rice admits to having tried drugs and drinking throughout high school, but stopped towards the end of his senior year when he decided to “straighten out”.

“I think a lot of people use alcohol as a bit of a crutch,” Rice said. “For me personally, I just have more fun things that I like to do than just drugs and drinking.”

Straight edge or not, addressing the dangers of over-drinking and drug use is not something to be overlooked. Abstaining from these substances may be the only cure-all, but because it’s naïve to think a majority of students won’t experiment, we’ll end on this note: be responsible and make good choices.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

The opinions represented in this article do not necessarily represent those of the staff of CU Independent nor any of its sponsors.

Days before marijuana enthusiasts around the world celebrate the drug, 4/20 has already seen its fair share of controversy. Students over the past week have come forth with their opinions on the subject, denoting excitement as well as wariness for the event.

It isn’t just students, however, that will be enduring the campus crackdown Saturday. Faculty at the university were willing to come forth with their thoughts on the seemingly canonized event.

“I think it’s a waste of all the resources on campus,” said Paula Dufour, program assistant for the linguistics department. ”It has nothing to do with campus. If they want to do it, I think they need to find another location not on campus, especially when a majority of the people aren’t from campus. It interrupts everything.”

Equally bothered by the influx of out of town visitors was Associate Professor and Director of Film Studies, Dr. Ernesto R. Acevedo-Muñoz.

“Unfortunately, this activity attracts people who are not affiliated with the university; people who don’t really care what’s going on here, people who just want to party and get drunk, and I don’t know, get rowdy,” Acevado-Muñoz said. ”I personally have nothing against freer marijuana policies, but the turning it into a holiday and then bringing it to the University of Colorado-Boulder is extremely disruptive.”

Other faculty members gave different takes on the celebration, considering it a natural part of growing up and seeing it as being far less deserving of the attention it receives from the media, educational establishments or law enforcement.

“I understand people want to have a good time, so it’s fine,” said Jennifer Peterson, assistant professor in the film studies department. ”Although, I understand they have to control crowds. They’re worried about people getting hurt.”

Most warrant the event as too complicated to establish the issue as being good or bad.

“I think it’s an expression of their freedom and their age, which is kind of an appropriate thing to do, rebellious acts like this,” Don Yannacito, executive assistant director in the film studies department, said.  ”We know that students are going to do things like this. It’s part of growing up and part of being in college, so why not work with them in an intelligent and adult way instead of condemning and vilifying it?”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

Residents of Williams Village and beyond are allowed the privilege of taking the Buff Bus. She is a beautiful sight on a frigid day waiting outside Muenzinger or a Friday night outside the UMC, but as many regulars know, it can also be a massive pain if fellow passengers behave unpleasantly.

A Buff Bus stops to pick up students. (Gary Sheer/CU Independent)

The first step is to swarm the bus when it comes into view like piranha descending on their prey. If you don’t shove at least three people out of your way to be first in line, you’re doing it wrong. Make sure the people exiting the bus have to awkwardly squeeze through the swarm to escape. Better yet, flood the bus with other Buff Bus-ers before anyone can even get off.

Once on the bus and you find yourself forced to stand, make sure you position yourself so your backpack and/or butt is directly in the face of a seated person, to reap revenge on them for getting a seat. It’s only fair. No matter how many times they try to keep your backpack or butt from slamming into their face when the bus comes to a violent stop, or yanks you out of existence when it goes to make a turn after being at a complete stop, ensure you make their ride as uncomfortable as possible by holding your ground.

If you are seated, put your backpack in any open seat next to you so that no one can sit there. Plug into your iPod or phone and ignore any requests for your things to be moved because your backpack has had a long day and it needs to rest.

The final step, one you must commit to before even ever stepping on the bus, is to never shower – stop bathing and don’t wash your clothes. That way, you can fill the bus with your essence  which is sure to not only make everyone else’s ride more enjoyable, but also make you more attractive. The Buff Bus is prime hunting ground when you’re oiled up with six days of grunge and sweat.

Follow these simple steps and you’re sure to become the the most well-liked and admired passenger.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

Once again, spring break has come and gone. Mixed reviews surround this year’s April hiatus: some pleased to be back after a week of being sick at home and others torn up over being dragged from the beach. And yet, despite a woeful or delightful break, no one looks forward to falling back into weeks of homework, tests and early classes – or class at all for that matter.

Students eat, socialize and study in the UMC on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. (Rachel Ramberg/CU Independent File)

Getting into the swing of things can be enjoyable the first couple days back, being reunited with friends and falling back into a standard routine. But it doesn’t take long for the lag of school to kick back in, with mornings of downing a Redbull to get through class, and nights spent trying to find time between homework and studying to relax for a bit.

The first and best way to get past the horror of getting back to school is to realize there are only five weeks left. This, if anything, should put your mind at ease in understanding that there isn’t long until a full three months free of studying – if you’re not taking summer classes, that is.

Committing yourself to attending all your classes the first week back will force you to return to the structure of school. Especially nearing the last round of exams, it’s important to stay focused so you can finish the year on a strong note.

Look forward to the fact that it is finally spring. Defrost in the newfound warm weather and rainy days and witness campus transform from the frosty tundras of winter into its fairer, greener state. Take to the abundance of fields campus has to offer, take in the sun, go on a bike ride or board all the trails Boulder has to offer. Take a hike or lounge out at a park with friends. Appreciate the advantages of the days growing longer and the influx of people drifting outside.

With so much to look forward to in such a brief period of time, it should be relatively easy to get through the purgatory that is the next five weeks of school. If anything, the post-spring break lag gives you five more weeks to let your skin see sun for the first time in months and get a little color before you’re forced into swim suits and shorts. Besides, at the rate this year is going, five weeks will fly by before you have time to wallow in misery at school.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

The blissful anonymity of confessionals has found its place at CU on Facebook. CU Boulder Confessions came to be at the end of January and already has upwards of 6,000 likes. Behind it is a sophomore business major known as the “Admin” who has chosen to remain anonymous.

“I’m already looking for people to recruit to be admin with me sometime in the future,” the Admin said.

CU Boulder Confessions is a Facebook page with more thank 6,000 Likes and counting. (Robert R. Denton/CU Independent)

Modeled after a similar page she’d seen at another school, CU Boulder Confessions has become a home to a myriad of confessions, a variety of them sexually charged, humorous, dark and sometimes disturbing disclosures.

“I feel like a significant number of the confessions are fake,”  said Jesse Call, a freshman political science major, “but regardless, some of them are funny. I think the page proves that we’re all a little more bisexual than some of us would care to admit.”

The page has acted as a coming-out platform for the nameless and curious. Many common confessions are based around bi-curiosity,  and people’s desires for casual sex and vomiting in strange places.

One confession reads, “I have a paper due at 8 a.m. I am literally eating coffee grounds right out of the can.”

Others are more serious, often dealing with depression or anxiety.

“To all the depressed folks out there: if you’re thinking of self harming, find a way around it. I took up guitar so that I could hurt without leaving any scars of the shit I went through, and it’s helped me a lot. I’ve been dealing with depression for years, and while it doesn’t always seem like it, you’ll be okay in the end.”

These heavier confessions are often lost in the slew of humorous, lighter sort, reflecting on weekend shenanigans, walks of shame and squirrels on campus.

“I enjoy it because there’s always an odd mix of ‘confessions’ that bash people and others that build people up,”  said Lizzy Van Horne, a senior French major. ”Like ‘boys are scumbags!’ And ‘f**k those hobags’ Versus the ‘stay strong brothas!’”

But the Admin insists she refuses to post confessions that have “anything to do with race or class, sexuality [or] gender” or anything that might offend someone.

Some confessions were alarming to the Admin, making her less open about revealing her identity.

“Confessions that scared me [are] ones that are directly addressed to me,” she said. “They were usually kind of threatening. But I didn’t pay any attention to them. It was just kind of weird for me.”

But the lightheartedness and banter that occurs on the page has kept students busy for hours, oftentimes keeping them from homework or studying, including the Admin herself.

“I get hundreds or maybe more during a day,” she said. “Being the admin isn’t that easy. I enjoy it but it’s just really tiring. Coming home at 10 at night and seeing 200 confessions, you don’t want to go through those.”

Without her hard work, the kids of CU would be burning their time elsewhere. They might as well find solace in sharing with fellow classmates, and it’s easier than having to go to church.

Check out the page here.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

An absurd grouping of hipsters, Boulder girls, moms and awkward 16-year-olds moved together to the rhythms of Passion Pit and Matt and Kim at the 1stBank Center Friday night.

Bearded men raised their tattooed arms, gaggles of similarly dressed girls bobbed up and down in groups and the rest of us got down to the undeniably delightful, upbeat tunes of both artists.

Matt and Kim’s contagious energy spread through the crowd when the rocked the show’s opening. People were eager to carry Kim as she walked over the crowd after twerking on stage.

Despite worries that the 1stBank Center was not the ideal venue for the duo, Matt and Kim proved they can put on a great show in any acoustic setting.

Heartbroken fellows swooned over Kim’s voice, screaming, “I want to marry her.”

A brief intermission between artists allowed concert-goers to dip into the bars before returning for the headliner, five-man band Passion Pit, with fresh booze in hand. Couples swayed together amidst the buoyant tunes while singles sang in each other’s faces and jumped up and down to “Moth’s Wings” and “I’ll be Alright.”

[Show as slideshow]

An increase in the audience’s general intoxication matched the progression of the show. It fueled the energy of the audience as well as the amount of dancing and singing.

Lanterns hung above Passion Pit and changed color to the songs, sometimes pulsing in tune to the beat. Headman Michael Angelakos moved around the stage with microphone in hand, hitting notes most couldn’t reach without first pulling up their pants. The crowd called back to him when he held the mic out to the audience, who threw their hands in the air when he demanded it.

The one downside of such high vocals came when Angelakos’ voice was drowned out by the bass and drums. But the audience’s participation in singing to the songs successfully filled the any intermittent void.

As at most concerts, the crowd was teased with the band’s departure after its “last song,” demanding an encore that Passion Pit, of course, returned to play.

Young attendees were still hyped up from the excitement of the show waiting in the enormous lines for busses. People happily squashed together on the Boulder-bound BV and sat on top of one another to get home, humming Passion Pit as well as Matt and Kim lyrics the whole way.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.

CU Independent lays out who is best-suited for and most-likely to win each of the six major Oscar awards.

Best Picture

Who should win: “Zero Dark Thirty” provided Hollywood with a brutally honest film that framed the powerfully raw performance of Jessica Chastain, who is also up for Best Actress. The film’s content is more gripping than the predicted winner, but its controversial depictions of torture are likely to turn the Academy’s mind elsewhere.

Who will win: Despite earlier predictions, “Argo”’s success at the Golden Globes has made it look to be the future winner for Best Picture, despite close competition with  “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Lincoln.” This underdog film would overtake its competitors with its unique plot-line and abundant talent.

Best Director

Who should win: Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” left viewers breathless with its stunning visual effects and cinematography. The director’s impressive handling of adapting a classic into a film ought to be recognized for having done it so beautifully and seamlessly. However, Lee’s masterpiece will likely fall short behind hard-hitting, political films.

Who will win: Best Director looks to fall into Steven Spielberg’s hands for “Lincoln.” As a well-executed historical adaptation paired with yet another undeniably masterful performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, this movie was made with the sole purpose of nabbing an Oscar, and the Academy is unlikely to disappoint. Other strong contenders, however, include “Argo” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”

Best Actor

Who should and will win: Daniel Day-Lewis is likely to snag this Oscar after his role as President Abraham Lincoln in Speilberg’s film “Lincoln.” Day-Lewis has seen his fair share of complex roles and partakes in the technique of “method acting,” through which he takes on a role in everyday life in hopes to produce the most believable, realistic character.

Best Actress

Who should win: Love for Jennifer Lawrence aside, Jessica Chastain’s performance as Maya in “Zero Dark Thirty” required her to imitate a real person, asking much more of Chastain than Lawrence’s fictional character. Chastain had to portray a real person with honestly and, arguably, did her justice. Her performance ought to have earned her the Oscar, but it will likely go to another.

Who will win: Jennifer Lawrence is the obvious choice in this race, for her role as Tiffany in “Silver Linings Playbook” forced her to become an intense, complex character and still keep her likability. Portraying a mentally unstable character can often force actors to lose themselves, but Lawrence pulled it off.

Best Supporting Actor

Who should win: Christoph Waltz and his performance in “Django Unchained” proved clever and powerful and came away from the set deserving the Supporting Actor Oscar. There are, however, many excellent contenders amongst his ranks.

Who will win: It’s difficult to say, but Robert De Niro’s performance as the troubled father of a recently released mental patient in “Silver Linings Playbook” gave people laughs as well as tears through his well-delivered lines and own personal mental health issues.

Best Supporting Actress

Who should win: Sally Field gave audiences an honest and tragic performance in “Lincoln,” and she ought to have the upper hand on this Oscar. She may be outshone, though, by even more dramatic characters.

Who will win: Anne Hathaway managed to stun audiences with a surprising and evoking singing voice in “Les Misérables.” That talent paired with an undeniably beautiful portrayal of the classic and tragic Fantine will win her the Oscar. It just seems a bit unfair that fellow contenders like Field actually spent more than twenty minutes on screen.

Check out a full list of nominees here!

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.