Something to scream about: The Westing House to host haunted attraction, film school
The first tenant in The Westing House, 246 E. Fourth St., most likely will take Mansfield's haunted attractions to a new level.
Adding to the Ohio State Reformatory Blood Prison on Ohio 545 will be a new, annual, multi-floor, haunted attraction in the former Westinghouse building opening September and October of Halloween 2023.
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Thursday, Todd Reed, the owner of Steampowered SFX Productions, was at the site to make the announcement with building owner Joe Curry and community leaders including Jodie Perry of the Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber-Economic Development.
Todd Reed helped develop Otherworld in Columbus
Reed was integral in the opening of Otherworld, the immersive art experience that opened in 2019 in Columbus near Polaris.
His special effects makeup has been seen in artist Bobaflex's music video, "I Am A Nightmare."
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Reed plans to use 60,000 square feet of the former Westinghouse building for a haunted event, beginning Halloween 2023.
He will use the building for events all year long including non-haunted holiday events, such as a lighted Christmas walk-thru, an Easter event and more. With each holiday he plans to start up holiday parades.
Will work with high school bands, arts center
"We will work with high school bands," he said, adding he is looking forward to working with the Mansfield Art Center.
He said he is looking forward to being able to offer central Ohio a trade in his trade school which he is opening, concentrating efforts in any form of special effects filmmaking, from set design to prosthetics, video, film, green screen sound stages and more.
"It will also be an opportunity for elementary, middle and high school students to come here for career days. We do a lot of things with the Scouts," he said.
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He plans to locate his headquarters and a production company here.
A former instructor at the Columbus College of Art and Design, Reed said he taught set design and special effects makeup. He has his art on display at the Mansfield Art Center's special Crow Festival this weekend.
Plans include Halloween Festival and floats
Reed's plans include starting a Halloween Festival in Mansfield and creating Halloween floats for individuals and groups.
Reed is currently part of the TV show, "614 Scream Kings."
Mansfield Councilman Aurelio Dias said he is excited about the new business coming to Mansfield doing something with the visual arts.
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Perry said she is intrigued to see more of what's going to come to The Westing House.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: The Westing House in Mansfield to host haunted attraction
