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Prank Encounters
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| Prank Encounters | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Candid camera |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Anthony Gonzales |
| Presented by | Gaten Matarazzo |
| Voices of | Peter Giles |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 15 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
|
| Editors | Akın Özçelik
|
| Running time | 19–27 minutes |
| Production company | Propagate |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | October 25, 2019 – April 1, 2021 |
Prank Encounters is an American horror-themed comedy candid camera television series. It is a prank show recorded with hidden cameras. Each episode pairs two members of the public, strangers to one another, who are unwittingly introduced to each other by show actors, under the ruse of a tryout for a new job. Subsequently, a sequence of scares orchestrated by Gaten Matarazzo occur in order to scare the participants for comedic value, with Matarazzo adapting the prank via headsets fed to the actors on the fly.[1][2]
The first 8-episode season debuted on October 25, 2019, on the streaming service Netflix.[3] A second season was released on April 1, 2021, and consisted of 7 episodes.[4]
Cast
[edit]- Jack Crawford
- David Storrs
- Mary Gallagher
- Sven Holmberg
- Julian Gant
- Peter Giles
- Olivia DeLaurentis
- Gaten Matarazzo
Episodes
[edit]Season 1 (2019)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Teddy Scareee!" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
One worker has a babysitting gig, while another stops by to collect toys for charity. But a certain evil teddy bear doesn't want to be collected. | ||||
| 2 | 2 | "End of the Road" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
Temps hired to investigate frequent accidents on an isolated stretch of road find themselves in an angry mama monster’s unhappy hunting ground. | ||||
| 3 | 3 | "Face Fears" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
One temp assists a patient in post-op recovery as another helps a sleuth find a missing woman. Cue a shocking reveal and an emergency call to nowhere. | ||||
| 4 | 4 | "Urgent Scare" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
When an ailing ex-astronaut checks into a night clinic, two women find themselves locked in a cosmic battle with a gruesome souvenir from space. | ||||
| 5 | 5 | "Camp Scarecrow" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
Two unsuspecting strangers try to rebrand a shuttered summer camp. But a crazed custodian and a homicidal scarecrow crash their brainstorming session. | ||||
| 6 | 6 | "Storage War of the Worlds" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
An electrical outage in a top-secret government warehouse triggers a shutdown and releases a hostile alien on the terrified staff. Don't zap him! | ||||
| 7 | 7 | "Fright at the Museum" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
An Egyptian sarcophagus arrives at the Gaten Museum. When an assistant decodes its hieroglyphics, an ancient curse activates -- and yikes, snakes! | ||||
| 8 | 8 | "Split Party" | October 25, 2019 | |
|
Gaten and his hired hands attend a young fan’s birthday party. But the good times go south when the host serves up his killer cake. | ||||
Season 2 (2021)
[edit]Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, this series was recorded with limited social distancing and was filmed during late 2020 and early 2021. The participants and actors were tested for COVID-19 before recording. The series was released on April Fool's Day, in respect of the show's theme of pranking.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | "These Walls Can Talk" | April 1, 2021 | |
|
Two unsuspecting women contend with creepy residents — both "passed" and present — while preparing a massive mansion to be sold. | ||||
| 10 | 2 | "Missing Missing Link" | April 1, 2021 | |
|
Good thing this dangerous prehistoric entity is kept securely frozen in cold storage. If it were to thaw, well, that would be bad. And cue the heat! | ||||
| 11 | 3 | "Spider Mansion" | April 1, 2021 | |
|
While working at a seemingly infested home, an exterminator's helper and a personal assistant develop a completely understandable fear of spiders. | ||||
| 12 | 4 | "Mind Field" | April 1, 2021 | |
|
Did this inventor really create a device that can read people's minds? Of course not, but don't tell these wide-eyed believers. | ||||
| 13 | 5 | "Mist Demeanor" | April 1, 2021 | |
|
A produce sorter and a PR assistant try to stay calm and survive what they think is a deadly fog from another dimension. | ||||
| 14 | 6 | "Re-Face Fears" | April 1, 2021 | |
|
In this continuation of a Season 1 episode, an insane surgeon is on the loose as two weary temps watch with dread. | ||||
| 15 | 7 | "Graveyard Shift" | April 1, 2021 | |
|
A dark and ominous night. An ancient burial ground. Rumors of mysterious beings. Yep, sounds like the perfect setup for a ghoulish prank. | ||||
Release
[edit]Prank Encounters was released on October 25, 2019, on Netflix streaming.[1]
Reception
[edit]The show has received negative reviews. Some viewers of the show have accused the reactions to the pranks of being entirely staged.[5][6]
The Daily Dot had unfavorably compared the series to Punk'd and criticized the reactions, stating "Netflix's Prank Encounters is a riff on Punk'd, but it doesn't do anything to set itself apart. [...] The reactions from the people getting pranked (who are not supposed to be actors) are so formal and stiff that it feels like watching bad improv."[7]
Controversy
[edit]When the series was announced in June 2019, there was controversy regarding the premise of the show being disrespectful towards people in search of employment. A spokesperson for Netflix stated that individuals involved were financially compensated for their time and had fun being in the show.[8] When the series launched later in October, the executive producer of the show, Kevin Healey, reassured to Entertainment Weekly that individuals pranked were aware the job they took was only for one night, and that they were indeed paid afterward.[9] Matarazzo also responded to the initial controversy when the show was announced on his Instagram account. Matarazzo stated, "Thank you guys for your concern for these people. It means so much to me and the rest of the producers of the show. We hope you enjoy the show, and we are very excited to show you all what we've created [...]."[10]
In March 2020, it was reported that Healey's former co-executive producer, Scott Hallock, sued him for creating a show that was similar to their series, Scare Tactics.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Prank Encounters". IMDb. October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ GUALTIERI, JACQUELINE (October 21, 2019). "Dustin From 'Stranger Things' Is Coming to Prank You in Netflix's 'Prank Encounters'". distractify.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ "Netflix Series Prank Encounters". Netflix. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ Netflix (March 4, 2021). Prank Encounters (Season 2) | Official Trailer | Netflix. YouTube. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Weston, Christopher (October 30, 2019). "Netflix: Audiences blast Prank Encounters as "fake" on Twitter!". HITC Culture. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Idika, Nicky (October 28, 2019). "Is Netflix's Prank Encounters real or not? Fans think Gaten Matarazzo's new show is "fake"". PopBuzz. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Schroeder, Audra (October 24, 2019). "Netflix's 'Prank Encounters' is just 'Punk'd,' 15 years too late". The Daily Dot. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Gajanan, Mahita (June 19, 2019). "Netflix Defends Prank Show Starring Stranger Things Actor Following Backlash". Time. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (October 25, 2019). "Everyone who participated on Prank Encounters had fun and got paid, says exec producer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Gaten Matarazzo on Instagram: "Thank you guys for your concern for these people. It means so much to me and the rest of the producers of the show. We hope you enjoy the show, and we are very excited to show you all what we've created❤️..."
- ^ "'Scare Tactics' Producer Accuses Ex-Partner of Creating Copycat Show". Variety. March 25, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
External links
[edit]Prank Encounters
View on GrokipediaPremise and Format
Concept
Prank Encounters is an American hidden-camera prank series blending comedy and horror, where unsuspecting real people are drawn into elaborate setups under the guise of beginning new jobs.[1] Each episode features two complete strangers who believe they are starting their first day at a part-time position, only for their paths to collide in orchestrated, terror-filled scenarios designed to mimic full-blown horror movies.[2][6] The format relies on hidden cameras to document authentic reactions as participants encounter escalating frights tied to their supposed work environments, such as supernatural disturbances or monstrous entities in settings like abandoned warehouses or eerie offices.[1] These horror-themed pranks build tension through job-related tasks that devolve into chaos, emphasizing monstrous encounters and ghostly events to heighten the scares.[7] At the climax of each episode, host Gaten Matarazzo appears to reveal the prank, explaining the setup and reassuring participants, who are compensated for their involvement.[8] Episodes run 19–27 minutes, allowing for concise narratives that focus on the buildup and payoff of the central gag.[9]Episode Structure
Each episode of Prank Encounters follows a standardized format designed to immerse two unsuspecting participants—typically strangers to one another—in a simulated workplace scenario that gradually escalates into a horror-themed prank. The structure begins with an introduction narrated by host Gaten Matarazzo from a control truck or similar off-site location, where he outlines the impending setup in a mysterious tone to build anticipation for viewers while keeping participants in the dark.[10][11] Participants are recruited under the pretense of a one-day, entry-level job opportunity, such as assisting in a home or office environment, which allows the production team to place them in isolated or eerie locations like mansions or warehouses. Actors posing as employers, coworkers, or authority figures initially guide the participants through routine tasks, fostering a sense of normalcy and immersion; for instance, they might issue instructions related to cleaning, caregiving, or inventory management to draw the individuals deeper into the ruse. As the episode progresses, these interactions escalate through layered pranks involving practical effects, hidden cameras, and staged anomalies—such as unexplained noises, apparitions, or supernatural disturbances—to heighten tension and provoke genuine reactions.[10][11][1] The climax arrives with a dramatic horror reveal, where the accumulated scares culminate in a major confrontation, such as a simulated creature encounter or catastrophic event, pushing the participants to their emotional limits within the 20- to 25-minute runtime. Following this peak, Matarazzo appears in person to disclose the prank's artificial nature, transitioning to a debrief phase that captures the participants' immediate reactions, often a mix of relief, laughter, and surprise. This segment emphasizes ethical considerations, with all individuals providing post-prank consent for their footage to be used and receiving compensation as paid actors for a short-term gig, ensuring no one leaves without fair remuneration for their time and experience.[10][12][13] Episodes conclude with humorous recaps featuring Matarazzo's commentary on the prank's execution and the participants' responses, highlighting successful elements like timing and improvisation by the actors to maintain the horror movie-like immersion without delving into specific outcomes. This wrap-up reinforces the show's blend of fright and fun, underscoring the collaborative role of actors in sustaining believability throughout the deception.[11][10]Production
Development and Creation
Prank Encounters was announced on June 14, 2019, as a Netflix original hidden-camera prank series, with Gaten Matarazzo attached as host and executive producer from the project's inception.[14] The show was greenlit for an initial eight-episode first season, set to premiere later that year.[15] Created by Propagate Content, the series drew from the tradition of classic hidden-camera prank shows while incorporating horror-themed twists to create full-blown horror movie scenarios for participants.[14][1] It was pitched as targeting job-seeking adults, pairing two strangers who believe they are starting new jobs only to encounter elaborate, surprise pranks along the way.[15] Production began in 2019 under the leadership of executive producers Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, and Kevin Healey from Propagate, with no additional seasons planned or announced at the time of launch.[14]Filming and Challenges
The production of Prank Encounters employs hidden cameras to document authentic reactions from unsuspecting participants, who are lured into controlled environments resembling legitimate job sites, such as warehouses or homes for odd jobs. Participants are informed upfront that they may be filmed for promotional purposes, which helps maintain the setup without immediate suspicion. These staged scenarios allow for elaborate horror-themed pranks to unfold naturally, blending everyday tasks with supernatural twists. To capture the full scope of events, the crew utilizes multiple camera setups, including fixed hidden cameras and handheld shots, ensuring comprehensive coverage of interactions between marks and actors without compromising the illusion. The series produced a total of 15 episodes across two seasons, with Season 1 featuring 8 episodes and Season 2 consisting of 7; each runs 20–25 minutes, necessitating tightly scripted pranks that build tension efficiently within the constrained runtime. Filming presents several logistical challenges, including the recruitment of skilled actors to portray convincing roles in the horror setups, as their performances directly impact the prank's believability. Ensuring participant safety amid intense scares is paramount, with the production team expressing ongoing nervousness about marks potentially having extreme reactions, such as "flying off the handle or freaking out." Pranks occasionally fail due to early reveals or spotted crew members, leading to anticlimactic breakdowns where the setup crumbles, requiring resets or abandonment. Editing poses additional hurdles, as the team must maintain pacing and suspense without prematurely exposing hidden elements, often condensing nearly three hours of footage per episode into a streamlined narrative. Redoing sequences for new participants can be particularly frustrating, highlighting the high-stakes nature of live prank execution. Practical effects for horror components, like animatronics or makeup, further complicate on-set coordination to preserve authenticity.Personnel
Host
Gaten Matarazzo serves as the host and executive producer of Prank Encounters, a role he took on following his breakout performance as Dustin Henderson in Netflix's Stranger Things.[16][15] In the series, Matarazzo announces the pranks, provides voiceover narration throughout episodes to guide the action and offer asides, and appears in wrap-up segments to reveal the setups to participants, often interacting with them directly from a control room or on-site when feasible.[10][7] His contributions began with the project's announcement in June 2019, where he was actively involved in its development alongside producers.[16] At 16 years old during the announcement and initial production of Season 1, Matarazzo brought a youthful perspective to the show's horror-comedy blend, infusing the reveals with an energetic and relatable enthusiasm that complemented the supernatural pranks.[17] His executive producer credit, shared briefly with key team members like Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens, underscores his creative input from inception.[16] Matarazzo's hosting role remained consistent across both seasons, with no significant alterations to his on-air duties despite increased production complexity in Season 2, such as more elaborate effects and scenarios.[7][18]Key Production Team
The production of Prank Encounters was spearheaded by Propagate Content, with Kevin Healey serving as a key executive producer responsible for overseeing the series' development and execution. Gaten Matarazzo, the show's host, also contributed as an additional executive producer, bringing his involvement to both on-screen and behind-the-scenes aspects.[3] Other executive producers from Propagate included Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens, who played pivotal roles in shaping the prank show's format and production strategy.[19] The writing duties were handled by Doug Perkins and David Storrs, who crafted the scripted prank scenarios, dialogue, and narrative elements to ensure the hidden-camera setups delivered surprise and humor within a horror-themed framework.[20] Perkins contributed to nine episodes, while Storrs was involved in all 15 across both seasons, often appearing on-screen as part of the pranks.[20] Their scripts emphasized escalating tension and reveal moments tailored to unsuspecting participants. Anthony Gonzales directed the majority of the episodes, leveraging his experience in reality and unscripted formats to capture authentic reactions through hidden cameras. Producers Hilary Frimond and Tony Poon managed on-set logistics and coordination, with Frimond handling eight Season 1 installments and Poon serving as associate producer throughout the series.[20] The entire operation was produced by Propagate Content exclusively for Netflix, ensuring seamless integration of the show's hidden-camera style with streaming distribution.[3]Episodes
Season 1 (2019)
Season 1 of Prank Encounters premiered on Netflix on October 25, 2019, with all eight episodes released simultaneously, allowing viewers to binge the entire season without mid-season breaks.[2] This inaugural season introduced the series' core format, pairing unsuspecting participants who believe they are starting new jobs, only for their paths to intersect in increasingly bizarre scenarios.[1] Hosted by Gaten Matarazzo, the episodes each run approximately 20-25 minutes, blending hidden-camera pranks with horror-themed setups to establish the show's unique tone.[21] The season features the following episodes:| Episode | Title | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teddy Scare | October 25, 2019 | One participant is hired as a babysitter for children, while another collects toys for a charity drive.[22] |
| 2 | End of the Road | October 25, 2019 | Two temporary workers are assigned to investigate frequent accidents on an isolated stretch of road.[23] |
| 3 | Face Fears | October 25, 2019 | A private investigator takes on a missing person case, while a home care assistant is hired to look after a woman recovering from surgery.[24] |
| 4 | Urgent Scare | October 25, 2019 | A concierge travel assistant and a doctor's aide begin their roles supporting a decorated astronaut.[25] |
| 5 | Camp Scarecrow | October 25, 2019 | Two camp leaders are brought in to rebrand and manage a shuttered summer camp.[26] |
| 6 | Storage War of the Worlds | October 25, 2019 | Participants are employed at a warehouse described as a top-secret government storage facility.[27] |
| 7 | Fright at the Museum | October 25, 2019 | A curator and a warehouse worker are hired to prepare a new Egyptian exhibit at a museum.[28] |
| 8 | Split Party | October 25, 2019 | A talent agent and a party planner are tasked with organizing a young girl's birthday celebration.[29] |
Season 2 (2021)
The second season of Prank Encounters premiered on Netflix on April 1, 2021, with all seven episodes released simultaneously.[1] This installment featured elaborate pranks centered on supernatural and horror-themed scenarios, maintaining the show's format of deceiving participants during supposed new job orientations. Filming took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, incorporating production adaptations such as limited social interactions to ensure safety.[30] The season's episodes include:- These Walls Can Talk: Two participants encounter creepy residents from the past and present while preparing a massive mansion to be sold.[31]
- Missing Missing Link: A participant deals with a dangerous prehistoric entity kept securely frozen in cold storage that begins to thaw due to heat.[32]
- Spider Mansion: An exterminator's helper and a personal assistant face a massive spider infestation in a home.[33]
- Mind Field: Inventors test a mind-reading helmet on eager volunteers, leading to psychological manipulations.[30]
- Mist Demeanor: A produce inspector and public relations specialist confront a mysterious, deadly mist invading a warehouse.[34]
- Re-Face Fears: Temporary office workers experience a scenario involving a deranged surgeon and facial horror.[33]
- Graveyard Shift: Night shift workers at a historical site uncover ancient burial ground terrors under cover of darkness.[33]
