Friday, April 26, 2024
Home Blog Page 664

Alterface Projects Joins the Marvel Experience

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Alterface Projects Joins the Marvel Experience

[quote]Hero Ventures is developing a themed entertainment concept that we expect will be a transformative, traveling destination that will deliver to fans and families an exciting, groundbreaking and unique experience.” — Marvel Entertainment’s VP of Business Development, Sean Haran.[/quote]

Brussels, Belgium (September 17, 2014) — Alterface Projects, a leading company in the field of interactive and media-based attractions, is proud to announce it has been selected by Hero Ventures to help create “The Marvel Experience”.

“The Marvel Experience” is a first-person Super Hero adventure in which audiences step into the Marvel Universe to become a part of the story and the action inside a traveling dome complex the size of two football fields. Alterface Projects is currently creating an original 3D-animated interactive gaming cinema allowing fans to be a part of the action.

“We’re developing the next generation of gaming cinema and it’s going to enable anyone to feel like a Super Hero like Spider-Man or Captain America,” says Alterface Projects USA partner Tom Gass. “We couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with Hero Ventures and Marvel Entertainment.”

Hero Ventures, along with Marvel Entertainment is creating this innovative, traveling experience, featuring dozens of Marvel’s iconic Super Heroes. This attraction will appeal to a multi-generational audience and will leverage state-of-the-art interactive and multimedia technology from the leading providers in the industry including Alterface Projects.

Among the creative visionaries behind this $30+ million production is an elite team of creative award winners of Oscars, Emmys, CLIOS, THEAS and other technical and animation awards to their collective credit.

Alterface Projects has also recently announced involvement with Sally Corporation on DC Comics’ Justice League Battle for Metropolis and a new partnership with Ubisoft to develop the gaming phenomenon ‘Rabbids Invasion’ into a large-scale dark ride.

“Alterface Projects is uniquely qualified because we bring our leading patented technology to clients at an excellent value,” states Alterface Projects CEO Benoit Cornet.  “However, we’re not resting on today; we continue to dream and push this media-based entertainment revolution further within attractions.  There’s a lot more interactive fun ahead,” says Cornet.

Alterface Projects will be exhibiting at the IAAPA Euro Amusement Show in Amsterdam from September 23 to 25 and at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando from November 17 to 21.

If you would like to make an appointment with the Alterface team during the exhibition, email: [email protected]

READ ABOUT ALTERFACE’S WORK ON INTERACTIVE DARK RIDES IN INPARK MAGAZINE ISSUE 53

www.alterface-projects.com

Photos from AZA by Judith Rubin

Martin Palicki
-
0
Photos from AZA by Judith Rubin

Photos to be updated throughout the conference.

Croatia’s First Waterpark Opens With Help From Polin

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Croatia’s First Waterpark Opens With Help From Polin

Istanbul, Turkey — In most countries around the world, waterpark fans need not travel far to find an oasis of aquatic fun and adventure. As their popularity has grown, so has the number of waterparks around the globe. But a few pockets of the world still exist where no waterparks are available for summer recreation. So when a waterpark finally opens in one of these barren locales, the public is exuberant with expectation and eagerness.

Such was the case in Croatia when that country’s first-ever waterpark opened in June. The Istralandia Aquapark has drawn crowds from far and wide as those who have never experienced the thrilling splash of a zip down a waterslide have travelled to the city of Istria. Owned by the construction firm Istrakop Ltd., a Poreč, Croatia-based company, the ground-breaking waterpark is located about an hour’s drive north of the city of Pula, near Brtonigla and Novigrad. It covers more than 8.1 hectares (20 acres) and exclusively features the award-winning waterslides of Polin Waterparks.

Istrakop spent €10 million (US$13.13 million) to build Istralandia and installed more than 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) of pipe beneath the park’s extensive grounds to supply the water that feeds such attractions as the park’s 27-meter-high (88.6-feet-high) waterslide and 2,500-square-meter (26,910-square-foot) wave pool, the largest in the Mediterranean. The pool creates 1-meter-high (3.2-feet-high) waves large enough for surfing. The facility pulls its water from local groundwater wells and recycles 90 percent of it. The additional 10 percent goes through a biological purifier.

Istralandia_waterpark_Istria_Croatia (23)

Istralandia offers a wide variety of entertainment options. Foam parties, dancing, cycling, diving and synchronized swimming provide fitness opportunities in the water, while Latin American dance classes, bowling, badminton and beach volleyball allow guests to get some exercise on land. Plus, the park offers the entertainment of magic shows and concerts at an amphitheatre that seats 500.But the aspects that intrigue guests the most – and keep them returning again and again – are the water rides. Specifically, guests can experience waterslides designed by waterslide manufacturer Polin that include:

Kamikaze. Expertly engineered to deliver high-speed thrills, this free-fall, 27-meter- (88.58-feet-) high slide features a 96-meter- (315-foot-) long undulating path that whisks guests along an exhilarating path that includes adrenaline-pumping drops.

Flying Boats. For a popular thrill ride that features splash boats, this attraction is available in two configurations: a downhill ride and an uphill, water-propelled, rollercoaster-style ride. Guests experience a 106-meter (348-feet) journey full of surprises as they are jetted up and down the ride’s tubes in one- and two-person inflatable rafts before an unexpected long drop and then splashing down.

Istralandia_waterpark_Istria_Croatia (14)

Black Hole + Family Rafting Slide Combination. This ride combination features tubes that allow four friends and family to experience the 138-meter-long (453-feet-long) slide together. The Black Hole portion of this ride consists of an enclosed tube slide, one of Polin’s most-popular rides due to its unique slide experience. This section of the ride includes a variety of exclusive special effects, including unique color impressions that are incorporated directly into each fiberglass tube. Riders are whisked through tunnels filled with dramatic visual effects as sunlight outside the tubes interacts with water sluicing inside the forms. Then, on the Rafting Slide portion of guests’ trip, they experience the exhilaration of being in an open-tube slide. All of the slides feature Polin’s exclusive resin-transfer molding (RTM) manufacturing technology, which makes the slides appealing not only to the riders but also to guests on the ground because both the interior and exterior of the tubes are smooth and shiny.

Kids’ Multislide. No matter what size a park is, it can include the attraction of this kid-sized multislide. This miniature version of Polin’s popular slide offers the option of using mats or going without. It’s 11-meter (36-feet) slide path allows kids to race head-to-head along four parallel paths.

Octopus Slide. Designed for children’s waterplay areas, this colorful attraction features six arms, three used as slides and three used as stairs. A giant mushroom replaces the octopus head to rain down droplets of water on little ones as they play beneath and around it.

Mini Pirate Slide. This interactive play center with a pirate theme includes numerous waterslides of different colors and types. It can fit compactly into any pool area and delivers fun, safety, function, comfort, innovation, capacity, entertainment, and ease of operation and maintenance.

Istralandia_waterpark_Istria_Croatia (16)

Frog Slide. One of Polin’s newest products, this frog works as an attractive and colorful addition to either the interior of a waterplay area or alongside it.

Clown Shower. Water flows from both thenose and boxing gloves of this pugilistic prankster. More than three guests can relax under its water shower together.

Aqua Tower Type 500. This version ofPolin’s multi-level waterplay structure features a pirate theme includes waterslides, valves, water cannons and many other attractions designed to enable little guests to have an unforgettable experience. It sits in a 1,000-square-meter (10,764-square-foot) shallow pool.

www.polin.com.tr

Maelstrom making room for Frozen at Epcot

Martin Palicki
-
0
Maelstrom making room for Frozen at Epcot

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chariman Tom Staggs announced today that the popular Epcot Norway pavilion attraction Maelstrom will be closing down for good to be transformed into a new “Frozen” themed attraction:

We’ve made “Frozen” a part of the guest experience in a number of ways already and our guests have both loved them and asked for more. So I’m pleased to say that we’re starting construction at Walt Disney World Resort on a brand new “Frozen” attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these “Frozen” elements are great complements to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film.

No information about timing or construction schedules were given. The original Maelstrom opened in 1988 and centered around a Viking ship-inspired boat ride taking guests through Norway’s historical and mythical past, ending in a short film about the country.

A news report out of Norway earlier this year detailed some of the concerns surrounding Disney’s planned modifications to the pavilion (Use CC for English subtitles).

Dalian-Wanda Group Begins Construction on Company’s First Theme Park Coaster

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Dalian-Wanda Group Begins Construction on Company’s First Theme Park Coaster

Beijing, China (September 11, 2014) — Wanda’s first rollercoaster started assembly on September 1 in Xishuangbanna Theme Park in Yunnan Province.

The roller coaster, which has a total investment value of 100 million yuan, was created by leading roller coaster design firm Bollinger & Mabillard. Standing at a height of 40 meters and a total length of 900 meters, the ride will serve as the leading entertainment attraction for the Xishuangbanna Theme Park as well as the entire region.

Xishuangbanna International Resort is located near Jinghong City, Yunnan Province. The project occupies a total area of 6 square kilometers. The resort will house a theme park, vacation hotels, Banna Show theatre, a commercial center and a new tourism town.

www.wanda-group.com

ACT Lighting Design and Puy du Fou Introduce a New Starring Role for Drones in Live Entertainment

Joe Kleiman
-
0
ACT Lighting Design and Puy du Fou Introduce a New Starring Role for Drones in Live Entertainment

[quote]In my opinion, as an artist and professional working for 20 years in the visual & lighting design for the world’s biggest shows & spectacles such as the Ceremonies of Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, “Neopter” is a genuine revolution and our greatest achievement for a small visual & lighting design agency. Being able to overcome all the technical challenges and to develop a solution that enables us to freely imagine infinity of artistic and technical possibilities is just extremely rewarding. After a year of hard work and dedication, I can honestly say that this is the first “flying proof” of our striving passion. Thanks to our partners the Puy du Fou, from now on, the sky has no limit for our creative imagination.” — Koert Vermeulen, CEO & principal designer at ACT lighting design.[/quote]

Brussels, Belgium — On August 29th, the French theme park “Puy du Fou” was the stage for a world technology breakthrough: for the first time, flying drones “Neopters”, developed by Belgium based ACT Lighting Design in partnership with Puy du Fou, delivered a live performance, becoming full-fledged “actors” of the “Cinéscénie” night show. Four technology patents were filed for the “Neopter”, the first drone able to simultaneously fly in an aerial fleet without any human intervention and perform synchronized choreography in the air or immersed in water.

ACT lighting design, a Belgian visual & lighting design agency headed by Koert Vermeulen, its founder & principal designer, was commissioned by Puy du Fou, the award-winning French historical theme park, to develop and implement a new generation of drones destined for entertainment, the “Neopter”.

Previously in 2013, the talents of Koert Vermeulen, principal designer of ACT lighting design were put to work with the Puy du Fou’s team, in the framework of “Cinéscénie“, the world’s biggest night-time spectacle, as Koert Vermeulen was asked to revamp this unique show through a brand new lighting scenography. Then Vermeulen had the precursory idea to introduce drones into the show while orchestrating them to create an innovative choreography.

10649675_727127424036871_5834259252914817229_n

Together, they decided to transform the sky of “Cinéscénie” into a scene without any limits. ACT lighting design, Puy du Fou and the General Department of French Civil Aviation (DGAC), with a highly qualified team of about 50 engineers, technicians, designers, programmers teamed up in secrecy to work on “Neopter’s“  innovative technology. After 1 year of development and the official approval by DGAC, the world’s premiere of “Neopter“ took place on 29th of August 2014, in Puy du Fou theme park in France during the “Cinéscénie“ show. Through the end of the season, “Neopter” will appear in several scenes during this nighttime spectacle to produce astounding visual effects and enhance the scenography to amaze the public.

The “Neopter” is a new generation drone, a new carrier of staging, intelligent and independent, that adds a new dimension to entertainment shows. Built to operate within an aerial fleet of autonomous drones, “Neopter” is able to evolve and to dance simultaneously in the open air at 60 meters above the scene and to perform choreography of flying and illuminating decors.

10671261_727127120703568_3438697895647891079_n

Invisible during the night, the drones can move simultaneously, carry in the air lighting decorations and perform a real ballet in the air, following the actors on the ground. By their double function of “scenic carrier” and real “leading actor”, “Neopter” revolutionizes the staging universe and bring a completely new experience to the spectators.  With its onboard intelligence and a GPS signal, ”Neopter” is able to locate itself in the open air autonomously. It can fly without any human intervention. The combination of “Neopter’s” four key features makes it a first in the world: *an aerial fleet capable of performing an outdoor aerial choreography in strenuous wind conditions; *autonomous flights and fully scalable till with several hundreds of drones being able to carry sound, video, lighting and scenography or special effects like pyrotechnics.; *a weight/power ratio record, the drones being able to carry a load up to 3kg; *flight under rain conditions and the ability to land and take off from water, being completely waterproof.

The creative and technical team of ACT lighting design and Puy du Fou is planning to deploy 50 “Neopters” in the forthcoming months. “Neopter” will be available to perform and dance all over the world thanks to a robust and safe technology. ACT lighting design and Puy du Fou International will propose this innovation together to big events and live shows all over the world, an “Entertainment drones industry“ premiere.

www.actlightingdesign.com

Gerstlauer Opens Three Interactive Flat Rides on Three Continents

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Gerstlauer Opens Three Interactive Flat Rides on Three Continents

[quote]When it comes to designing flat rides you have to be unique.” — Siegfried Gerstlauer[/quote]

Munsterhausen, Germany — Gerstlauer continues to innovate when it comes to interactive thrill rides.  2014 has seen the opening of three flat rides on three different continents.  These include:

Sky Roller: Bakken, Denmark

Sky Fly: Camel Republic, Thailand

Sky Fly: Dreamworld, Australia

“We are thrilled with the attention that the Sky Fly and Sky Roller continue to garner,” said Siegfried Gerstlauer, Managing Director of Gerstlauer Amusement Rides.  “With the rise of a video game culture, today’s park-goers want some attractions where they are not just passive riders- they want to create their own experience.  Our rides do that through a unique winged vehicle where riders control the flipping.”

The Sky Fly and Sky Roller utilize a seat and restraint similar to Gerstlauer’s Euro-Fighter roller coaster system.  The Sky Fly features group of seats at one end of an arm set an angle that swoops from just above the ground to 22 meters (72 feet) with every rotation.  The Sky Roller is a circle of sweeps set out from a center pole that allows for circular spinning, the ride height is customizable.

Gerstlauer continues to grow by offering flat rides that are different from their competitors.  “We continue to work to design attractions that no one else offers.  Gerstlauer believes that to best service our customer constantly need to innovate and push ourselves to do something different,” said Siegfried Gerstlauer.

www.gerstlauer-rides.de

New Non-Profit 3-D SPACE to Develop Museum and Center Dedicated to 3D Arts and Sciences

Joe Kleiman
-
0
New Non-Profit 3-D SPACE to Develop Museum and Center Dedicated to 3D Arts and Sciences

PHOTO from the collection of the Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum, Meadville, PA, USA

Los Angeles, CA, USA — Award winning 3-D filmmaker Eric Kurland has announced the launch of a new non-profit arts organization, 3-D SPACE: The Center For Stereoscopic Photography, Art, Cinema, and Education. 3-D SPACE will operate a museum, gallery, theater, library and classroom dedicated to both the preservation of the history of stereoscopic imaging, and the advancement of current and future 3-D arts and sciences.

“Thanks to recent advances in digital technologies, there is a renewed enthusiasm for 3-D content. From the record-breaking box office returns of 3-D movies such as TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY to the new public interest in virtual reality due to the upcoming Oculus Rift device, 3-D seems to be back in the spotlight,” says 3-D SPACE founder Eric Kurland. “But most people aren’t aware that stereoscopic imaging has a very rich history that dates back to the 19th century. We want to create a center to celebrate the work of talented artists, photographers and filmmakers who have used the medium of 3-D as their creative tool, and to educate the public on the art and science of stereography, from it’s analog beginnings in the 1830s to the immersive digital realms of the future.”

Kurland has over ten years experience in connecting the public to the 3-D community. “My work as President of the LA 3-D Club, the most active organization in the country for 3-D enthusiasts, as well as my professional stereoscopic credits (including 3-D Director for the Grammy nominated OK Go music video ALL IS NOT LOST, and Lead Stereographer for the Oscar nominated animated short MAGGIE SIMPSON IN THE LONGEST DAYCARE) puts me in a position to be able to bring all aspects of the 3-D spectrum together, from the fans, to the independent artists, to professionals working in the entertainment industry. I have assembled an expert advisory group that includes 3-D author, photographer and legendary guitarist for the rock band Queen, Dr. Brian May, Actor/Director Thomas Jane, and movie archivist and historian Bob Burns, among others.”

“Just as successful institutions such as the Paley Center for Media or the Cartoon Art Museum are respectively focused on television and radio, and comics and animation as areas of historical discussion and study, 3-D SPACE recognizes stereoscopy as an important part of our cultural heritage. Sadly, many of the photos, motion pictures and technical artifacts from the birth and development of 3-D are deteriorating and need to be preserved…and that takes skill, dedication and money.”

3-D SPACE has begun an internet-based fundraising campaign at www.3-DSPACE.org to support the initial preservation of the more rare and fragile materials in its growing collection and to secure a building to house the museum and educational center. 3-D SPACE plans to open to the public in 2015.

For more information, please contact 3-D SPACE founder Eric Kurland at 818-636-1311,
or by e-mail [email protected]

Feld Entertainment CEO Kenneth Feld to Hold an Intimate Conversation with Phil Hettema at Sate’14

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Feld Entertainment CEO Kenneth Feld to Hold an Intimate Conversation with Phil Hettema at Sate’14

Burbank, CA, USA (Sept 10, 2014) — “The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) enthusiastically welcomes Kenneth Feld, CEO of Feld Entertainment Inc., as headline speaker of SATE ’14, the design conference for the visitor attractions industry, Oct 2-3 at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL,” said TEA President Christine Kerr of BaAM Productions. “Feld’s presence, with SATE hosted this year by FSU at the Ringling, marks the resonance of circus and performing arts with the art of themed entertainment – and with today’s state-of-the-art, branded entertainment experiences as exemplified by Feld’s partnerships in such productions as Disney On Ice and Marvel Universe LIVE!”

“A conversation with Kenneth Feld” will be an ‘Inside the Actors Studio’-type, onstage interview and meeting of minds between Kenneth Feld and acclaimed entertainment designer Phil Hettema of The Hettema Group, SATE storytelling chair, at 11:30 am on Thurs., Oct 2 in the Mertz Theatre at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The session is open to all registered SATE ’14 delegates.

“SATE is a platform for candid discussion with some of the most distinguished people in our business – our own industry superstars. There’s great synergy here, made clear by Kenneth Feld’s own words: ‘Our productions create memories, stimulate the imagination and touch the heart. It’s all about people connecting and communicating,’” said Aram Ebben of exp, who co-chairs SATE ’14 with Stefan Lawrence of Rethink Leisure & Entertainment.

SATE (Storytelling, Architecture, Technology, Experience), organized by TEA and presented by Christie and Electrosonic, brings together creatives, producers, owners and operators in the international visitor attractions industry to explore the creation of compelling places and experiences for entertainment, education, retail and branding. SATE ’14 is hosted Oct 2-3 by Florida State University at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida USA.

SATE offers networking opportunities to professionals and to students wishing to build careers in themed entertainment, with some scholarships available. For registration links, program and more info, visit the official SATE blog. Hashtag: #TEAsate

Kenneth Feld
Chairman and CEO, Feld Entertainment Inc.
“Our only limits are our imaginations, and I want our audiences to reconnect to that part of them that makes each one of us unique and powerful,” says Kenneth Feld. Kenneth was a sophomore at Boston University when his father, entertainment impresario Irvin Feld, purchased Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in 1967 and celebrated that feat by staging a signing ceremony at the Colosseum in Rome. After earning his degree in business management in 1970, Kenneth began what he calls his “graduate education” by working side by side with his father in all facets of the company to learnthe live entertainment industry. After Irvin passed away in 1984, Kenneth assumed the role of CEO, and Feld Entertainment has grown exponentially under his watch. Today Feld Entertainment is still a family-owned and operated company with performances appearing in more than 75 countries. Kenneth is the second generation of the family in the business and he has been joined by his three daughters, Nicole, Alana and Juliette, who represent the third generation of the family with the company.

Phil Hettema
President & Creative Executive, The Hettema Group
Phil Hettema has directed the design and production of numerous theme park rides and shows, cultural attractions and museum exhibits over 35+ years. The Hettema Group is known for attractions that maximize guest experience through innovative storytelling, compelling technology and a commitment to emotional resonance. Recent projects include The One World Observatory, currently under construction at the new World TradeCenter in New York City, the High Roller observation wheel for Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas, “Dragons Wild Shooting” at Lotte World, South Korea and the USA pavilion atYeosu Expo 2012. Previously, Hettema was Senior Vice President, Attraction Development for Universal Studios Theme Parks Worldwide for 14 years. He began his career as a designer at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

www.teasate.blogspot.com

Wanda Group’s AMC Theatres to Host Both Major 2015 GSCA Events in California

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Wanda Group’s AMC Theatres to Host Both Major 2015 GSCA Events in California

Holly Springs, NC, USA — GSCA is pleased to announce the locations for two events to be held in 2015.

The GSCA 2015 Film Expo and Filmmaker Symposium will held in Los Angeles in early March 2015, with the AMC CityWalk as the host theater. In addition to the annual Film Expo, the 2015 March event will include a special symposium for filmmakers featuring hands-on opportunities for those involved in production and postproduction to learn more about the technology and techniques that are unique to the giant screen format.

The GSCA 2015 International Conference and Trade Show will be held in San Francisco in September, with the AMC Metreon as the host theater. This annual event will feature films, professional development sessions, technical session, awards, trade show, and more. Dome Day, featuring film screenings and other sessions specific to dome theaters, will be held at The Tech Museum in San Jose.

Dates, hotels, and other details will be announced soon and posted at www.giantscreencinema.com.

1...663664665...1,094Page 664 of 1,094

InPark Magazine (IPM) covers the intersection of themed entertainment and technology. We specialize in creating custom-crafted content designed to appeal to the industry’s top designers, creators, developers, owners and operators.

Contact us: email
Read our privacy policy