PONTIAC, Mich. — Grotesque makeup, menacing props and intimidating costumes are just one part of a Michigan haunted house's 25-year-old formula to terrify guests.

It starts by educating the actors looking to provide the most horrifying experience to its visitors. At Scare School, they learn all the tricks of the trade.

Lessons begin weeks before the four-level walk-through scream factory opens to visitors, introducing fresh talent to the getups, face paint and unnatural body movements proven to petrify thousands of customers since the turn of the century.

Rosey Washington reacts while being grabbed during her performance at the Erebus Haunted House, Oct. 2, in Pontiac, Mich. Ryan Sun, Associated Press

The actors' report card of sorts is the "Wimp Out Score Board" in Erebus Haunted At

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