Scream Test Reality TV Show ghosts Louise Crawford Ruth Wilson Ruth Phillips Max Wright Maitland Gaol Monte Cristo Parramatta Orphanage Studley Park House Queen Victoria Hospital Quarantine Station

about Scream Test

Airing in Australia in 2001, Scream Test is still remembered fondly by ghost & reality TV fans not only in Australia, but also many other countries around the world.

This psychological reality game show often described as "Survivor meets the Blair Witch Scream Test Hostess Louise Crawford Project" was hosted by Aussie actor, Louise Crawford.

Scream Test followed 20 (sometimes) brave contestants through some of Australia's most haunted locations.

Joining the contestants were psychic counselors - Ruth Wilson and Max Wright - who visited each location prior to the show to see what they could 'pick up'.

Max and Ruth also offered 'spiritual' support to spooked contestants.

Off camera other crew included producers, camera operators and a registered nurse.

Scream Test ran for seven one hour shows. 4 new contestants were introduced in each of the first 5 shows with 3 contestants per episode being eliminated.

This left 5 winners to compete in the Grand Final location which was not revealed prior to it being aired.

what happened during each show?

Each episode had 4 contestants being isolated in a room or area which was renown for paranormal activity.

Before being left alone in each room the contestants watched a video. Each video told the tragic and sometimes sinister history of the room.

This subsequently caused them to be "spooked" and expect something to jump out of the shadows at any moment.

However, they were not permitted to just sit waiting for something to happen - contestants were required to complete tasks such as temperature readings and video diaries which gave them points depending on how each task was completed.

The 4 contestants would rotate between each location, and then finally had to complete a questionnaire all giving them points which at the end of the night would find a winner out of the 4.

what did the contestants need to do?

Although the exterior aim of the show was to record paranormal activity it was also a psychological game show, challenging the physical and mental endurance of each contestant.

Their aim was to take readings using the various equipment provided whilst completing tasks (see below for list of Equipment) and also operating a digital video camera. They were required to keep the camera on themselves at all times and record feelings, thoughts and occurrences.

Keep in mind, this was all done in darkness with the only source of light being on the camera in most episodes. Some locations required a lantern (e.g. when written or computer tasks were required to be completed).

did anything paranormal happen on the show?

Knowing that there was no guarantee that ANY paranormal activity would occur during shooting and (of course) needing the show to be entertaining, the producers of Scream Test introduced fake paranormal activity during all episodes. They also used the aid of props during some of the shows (notably Parramatta Orphanage).

This deemed to be a little controversial to some die-hard paranormal fans, however also played into the psychological part of the game.

Some things introduced by the show to play on contestants:

- cold air into the room

- recordings of whispering voices, wood creaking

- strobe lights (Parramatta Orphanage)

- strait jacket (Parramatta Orphanage)

- 2 small metal balls controlled by a powerful magnet under the floor (Parramatta Orphanage)

- moving props around the contestants (wheelchair & curtains at QVH, cradle at Monte Cristo).

During the show however, there were some happenings which the producers said they did not introduce, and could not explain.

Some of these things were:

Studley Park:

The Cellar

Kristy heard voices.
Sam felt a temperature drop.
Patrick heard a baby crying from one particular corner on 3 occasions.

Parramatta Orphanage:

Day Room

Darren sees a red cloud.

Monte Cristo:

Chapel / Box Room

Michelle hears a child crying, and senses that she is a little girl.

Dennes is calm until his hair stands on end and he gets shivers down his back. This proves to be costly as he forgets it is his task to take photos.

Queen Victoria Hospital:

ISO Room

All the contestants were drawn to a particular corner of the room where Ruth had seen a spirit earlier.

The Scream Test camera crew also took footage at Parramatta Orphanage of a strange blurry image race across the screen which they could not explain.

behind the scenes

Contestants were closely monitored in a mobile control room equipped with TV monitors, and heart rate monitors.

This enabled producers to monitor each persons progress and keep an eye on their state of mind and heart rate.

If a contestant's heart rate became too high, they were clearly agitated, doing the wrong thing, or highly frightened either Max or Ruth would intervene with support, or a Producer would set them on the right path.

This happened quite a few times during the series.

equipment used in Scream Test

used by the Contestants

- Digital Video Recorders

- Still Camera loaded with Infra Red film

- Non-contact Infra Red digital thermometers (last episode only)

- DAT Recorders with External Microphone

- EMF Radiation Testers

used by the Crew:

- Cardio (heart rate) monitors

- Night Vision/Thermal Imaging cameras

what did the contestants get out of this?

Each Grand Final runner-up won an Apple iBook with IMovie software and a Cybercam Digital Video Camera.

The series winner of the Grand Final won an Apple Powerbook G4 with Final Cut Pro software, a 68cm Flat Screen TV, a digital/analogue editing Video Cassette Recorder and a Digital Video/Stills Camera (Total prize worth $65,000).

can you go to any of the locations in Scream Test?

Yes! 3 of the locations featured on Scream Test conduct history (day) and ghost (night) tours.

Click the links below to find out about the tours:

Maitland Gaol
Monte Cristo
Quarantine Station

Access to the other places featured in Scream Test is restricted due to being on private property and protected by security.

Parramatta Orphanage:

Tours of the orphanage were underway for a few months after Scream Test, however, the site is now closed since being renovated into private offices.

Limited access (to the grounds from within a hearse) is available during the Destiny Tours Weird Parramatta Ghost & History Tour featuring local historian Judith Dunn who used to conduct the Orphanage tours.

Queen Victoria Hospital:

Due to the hospital being unsafe, no public access is possible. The old grounds is located next the new (used) hospital and is patrolled by security.

Studley Park House:

Studley Park, being in the same situation as the QV Hospital is not accessible to the public due to it being unsafe. This location is also patrolled by security.

Scream Test Message Board

A lot of people fondly remember the Scream Test Message Board. Here's the top 20 posters. Are you on it?

Rank #No.	Member Nickname	Message Posts
1	ShadowShaker	865
2	Liisa	658
3	Starr	496
4	scoobydoo	492
5	ladycentaur	488
6	screamfreak#1	447
7	jackle	392
8	Darkclouds	379
9	luc_danny	332
10	Blue Raven	308
11	Queen of Pentacles	307
12	BlueAngel	298
13	DarkRealm	232
14	Selle	220
15	Morbidon Daarke	199
16	delirob	177
17	Angel_00	174
18	shmango	168
19	hedonism	157
20	Sceptic_Mel	127

Will there be another Scream Test series?

At the end of Scream Test there was talk about a 2nd series being produced however this has never happened and there are no plans at this stage.

With the paranormal getting more popular now, I think it would be fantastic to have another show either in reality TV format such as Scream Test was, or in documentary format.

Fingers crossed! :)

Article Written by: Kelly (PA Team Member)