There is a new documentary in the works that focuses on the classic Walt Disney attraction The Haunted Mansion. What’s interesting is that this film stays out of the mansion itself and focuses on the fan community that it spawned. Countless fans have come to know the spooky and macabre by visiting this approachable, yet forbidding manor. But one question remains: why? What is it about this dichotic domicile that beckons millions of visitors a year?

Producer Ryan Grulich and director James H. Carter II aim to explore this question in the upcoming documentary, Foolish Mortals: A Haunted Mansion Documentary.

We recently got with James to discuss the project.

HB: Why did you decide to make a project about the fans of the Haunted Mansion and not the Mansion itself?

JHCII: I host a podcast called “Creepy Kingdom” about the creepiness of the Disney films and theme parks, and obviously we talk a lot about The Haunted Mansion. We have even had on several artist who create Haunted Mansion inspired art. After having these guests on the show, I was exposed to hardcore Mansion fans and I was beginning to see how The Mansion has impacted their personal and / or professional life. I found this all very intriguing and I wanted to know more. There is already so much information out there about the history of The Mansion, but very little about the fans.

HB: Obviously you are a huge fan of the Haunted Mansion attraction. Can you tell us why? What drew you to this ride personally?

There are so many reasons that I love the Mansion, but to narrow it down, I find the attraction to be familiar and comforting, yet thrilling and exciting. I love how the old school 1800s illusions flow together seamlessly with the cutting edge technology. I am also drawn to the scariness mixed with the absurd. All of these things shouldn’t make sense together but for some magical reason, it all works!

HB: Who are some of the more remarkable people you have met in putting this project together?

We put out an open call for Haunted Mansion fans that wanted to be featured in the documentary and the response was huge! Most of them were very interesting and a few of them were touching and inspiring! One that stays with me is someone wrote in explaining how the Mansion helped them get over their social anxieties and I think that is remarkable!

HB: The Mansion ride has a voracious fan base. But what about the Eddie Murphy film? Will you ever do a documentary on the fans of that movie?

Are there fans of that film? If there are, we certainly would like to talk to them for this documentary and find out why. There may be a generation of younger kids who have never been to a Disney park and their only exposure to the Mansion was that film. I think the film is mostly horrible but it was cool seeing some of the classic Mansion scenes in a film.

HB: If you could live in the Mansion, what room would you call home and why?

It would definitely be Madam Leota’s Seance room because I love her! Hearing the iconic voice of Eleanor Audrey combined with the stunning face of Leota Toombs captivates me every time I go through there! It’s always a treat when the ride breaks down right in front of her!

HB: What is it that draws nearly every type of horror fan to this attraction? Why does Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion have such a broad appeal?

I believe that most people’s first exposure to the macabre was through Disney. Whether it be the animated classics such as Snow White or riding the Mansion, when children are exposed to dark and scary imagery they either shy away from it or gravitate towards. I believe many horror fans journey began at The Haunted Mansion. I think the broad appeal can be summed up with a statement that our executive producer Ryan Grulich recently made on the subject, the Mansion provides a safe place for people to explore death.

HB: Why did you choose to stay outside of the mansion for this doc as opposed to exploring its Grim Grinning Ghosts and haunted halls along with the fans of it’s moldering sanctum?

Artistically, I didn’t think there was much merit to filming the documentary inside the theme parks. Since it’s about the fans, I want to go to where they are. Instead of using video footage of the Mansion, we are creating 3D photo realistic animation, which I think is going to give the film a unique look.

HB: Who are some of the big names that you have already gotten to talk about the Mansion? Who is planned?

So far we have been fortunate to speak with Special Effects creator Robert Kurtzman, Skin Wars contestant Dutch Bihary, Artist Topher Adam, and Imagineer Terri Hardin! We have a handful of amazing people in the Horror film industry that will be appearing such as Tristan Risk, Axelle Carolyn, Mike Mendez, Spooky Dan Walker, and William Butler! We have several other big names that we are currently talking to that Disney fans will be excited about so stay tuned!

HB: How can people be a part of this documentary? Either by sharing their stories or by funding the project?

If people want to be a part of the film all they need to do is send us an email at [email protected] and explain to us why. If you would like to help us fund the film you can check out our kickstarter link and explore some of our awesome backer rewards from Disney artist Kevin-John, Terri Hardin, and Topher Adam!

http://kck.st/1rFDe2K