This mess was produced for Netflix by Propagate, which previously embarrassed themselves producing a reality show for a giant tech company with a knock-off of another show, Shark Tank (theirs was called Planet of the Apps). That’s blood-curdling: watching your life disappear in 25-minute increments of a show from Netflix, a company that once was trying to produce better versions of popular unscripted shows. Scare Tactics usually did four scares in about 21 minutes Prank Encounters episodes last for between 20 and 25 minutes, and have just one scare that entire time. What crept up on me in each episode was boredom, and once I even heard unconsciousness scratching at my door, which was probably my brain trying to rescue me. I sure didn’t, and I only watched half of the eight episodes. Prank Encounters producer Kevin Healey told EW’s Lynette Rice suggests that something similar might have happened here, saying that “we go through a process for them to do a one-day gig.” He’s not more specific than that, and his vagary isn’t challenged (#journalism), nor is his claim that everyone “left super happy.” They still didn’t know they were on a show, of course, but they also weren’t just random people seeking a part-time job who then got tricked into becoming entertainment. That’s why I was surprised to learn, from Scare Tactics creator Scott Hallock, that on his show, all of the marks had previously applied to be on reality shows before they were filmed, and thus they were actually cast as a result of their application. Maybe the actual prank is on us?įirst, a disclaimer: I’m not the biggest fan of scary or cruel prank shows, in part because their stars have not consented, in advance, to being subjected to emotional distress. The marks may have been momentarily freaked out during the climax of the scares, but the only frightening thing about Prank Encounters is that it exists. Hallock also seeks damages resulting from infringement that impairs the ability to further license Scare Tactics franchise content to reboot and produce new episodes payment of attorney’s fees, interest and costs and that production of the copy-cat TV program cease permanently.I will admit that, when a teddy bear came to life and ran across a balcony in the first episode of Prank Encounters, I laughed: it was quite the image.īut Netflix’s attempt to create its own Scare Tactics is mostly embarrassing, for Netflix and everyone involved in creating such a dull, unconvincing mess. Healey and Propagate Content have received to date as a result of their unauthorized use of Scare Tactics IP. Hallock demands a full accounting of the gains, profits and other economic benefits that Mr. Reps for Propagate did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.Īttorney Richard Charnley, who is representing Hallock, released a statement, saying in part, “Mr. Hallock is suing for copyright infringement and breach of contract and is seeking unspecified damages. Hallock says that Healey eventually went to work at Propagate and later created “Prank Encounters.” According to Hallock, the new show used a number of “specifically identifiable” stories from “Scare Tactics.” In addition, Hallock says that “Prank Encounters” used writers, actors, producers and other staff members who worked on “Scare Tactics.” In the lawsuit, Hallock says when he and Healey parted ways in 2016, Healey signed over all his rights to “Scare Tactics” - a scripted comedy/horror hidden camera television show that began production in 2002 and ran for five seasons on Syfy.Īlso Read: Katy Perry Wins Appeal in 'Dark Horse' Copyright Infringement Case (Netflix is not a named defendant in the lawsuit). Hallock filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Kevin Healey and Propagate Content, the producers of “Prank Encounters,” which premiered last year and was hosted by “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo. “Scare Tactics” co-creator Scott Hallock has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit over the Netflix show “Prank Encounters,” saying his former partner had no right to create a show similar to their original.
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