Not Afraid! » Themed Entertainment

King Kong 360 3D Opens!

Not Afraid! — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:00:48 +0000

My latest project, King Kong 360 3D Premieres!

Completed astonishingly, in under two years, King Kong 360 3-D officially opens today. A unique collaboration between Peter Jackson and Universal Creative, the attraction transports you to Skull Island for a showdown between Kong and a V-Rex who’d like to make you dinner.

Stories and Reviews about the attraction:

LA Times

USA Today

Hero Complex

Yahoo! News

FearNet

Theme Park Insider

I spent most of the last two years developing, tweaking, and perfecting the immersive 3-D projection system for the attraction, that includes 16 2K resolution projectors, unique lensing, and 2 custom compound curve screens that stand 40′ tall and 187′ long.

The first challenge was deploying a 3-D film to guests riding in a linear tram. This meant that most guests will be watching the film from an off axis position, a big no-no for most stereoscopic systems. Not only that, in order to have image 360 degrees around the guests meant having screens opposing each other, which opens up issues of light contamination from one screen to the other, or cross-talk as it’s commonly referred to.

To solve these issues, I first mocked the system up, in Howard Hughes Spruce Goose hangar in Playa Vista. Working with 3-D consultant Peter Anderson, and Electrosonic Systems , we fine tuned screen shape, texture, and gain to come up with a system that played to the guests off-axis viewing position, while mitigating the cross-talk. The system was also used by Peter Jackson, Weta, and the Universal Creative team to view dailies and 3-D tests which due to the size and complexity of the system, couldn’t be viewed any other way.

King Kong Mock-up System

Once complete we rebuilt the screens from scratch and moved the system to the show for integration. In the last few weeks as we approached the finish line, Peter Jackson, Matt Aitken and the team at Weta outdid themselves creating an amazingly beautiful stereoscopic short film that makes the experience. The original sound designer, Brent Burge and mixers Mike Hedges, and Peter Lehman mixed the 22 channel final audio in the space, which really made it come alive.

Now with all the technical challenges behind us, the attraction is open to the public, and the response has been tremendous. Standing in the back of the space as guests cheer, scream, and applaud really is the projects best reward. Eliciting that visceral, emotional response from the audience is what it’s all about, whether I’m making a film or an attraction.

To learn more about the project, I have embedded some behind the scenes videos provided by Universal, or you can watch them at the official website.

King Kong 360 3D

Not Afraid! — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:53:06 +0000

I’ve been bad, and neglected to blog about the new Universal Project that stole me away from the Transformers. At least temporarily. I’ve been working for the last year and half on the replacement attraction for King Kong. The original sadly burned down in a backlot fire in the summer of 2008. We’ve been extraordinarily busy developing the new show to open this summer.

I first didn’t blog about it because, well you know, it’s all a big secret. Then they announced it, and then the press began, but by then I was far too busy working on it to blog about it. In fact I only have time today because I’ve worked myself sick, and was sent home to nurse my cold so they can overwork me some more.

The attraction is a collaboration between Universal Creative, the department I work in at Universal Studios, and Peter Jackson who is directing the film with his company Weta Digital creating the 3D animation. The project break’s new ground with a never done before immersive 3D projection system that I helped design with 3D savant and cinematographer Peter Anderson, and the talented crew from Electrosonic systems. It may in fact be the largest 3D projection system ever conceived. We’ve spent the last year in the same Sound Stage that James Cameron pioneered Avatar on in Playa Vista getting the projection system configuration and screens just right. It hasn’t been easy, but breaking new ground never is, which is why I’m happy when I see press like this, after someone views our mock-up system:

Now, what we saw was rough, but incredibly impressive. If you were to look directly ahead at the direction the tram was moving in, the environment around you feels completely genuine. That’s not to say the effect wasn’t terrific when you looked at it dead-on. I’m just talking about the peripheral effect of the attraction’s 360 layout.

-Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor – Shock Till You Drop

If they found that impressive, I can only imagine the satisfying reactions we’ll get for the real thing. You can read more about the attraction via some fresh articles from a group who visited our mockup yesterday, including Mr. Rotten quoted above:

For more info you can signe up for email updates here, and you can enjoy the teaser trailer below:

Simpsons Wins 2008 THEA Award For Outstanding Achievment – Attraction

Not Afraid! — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:20:23 +0000

The Simpsons Ride wins the the 2008 THEA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT - ATTRACTION. For those not in the know, that’s the equivalent of winning an Oscar in the theme park biz.

The awards are given out by the Themed Entertainment Association, a non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences.

From the press release:

The prestigious Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence in the creation of outstanding visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits and places,” said Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) President Nick Farmer of Farmer Attraction Development, Leicester, UK. “Truly international in their recognition of outstanding productions, the Thea Awards focus international attention on innovation within the Themed Entertainment and Experience Design Industry.” The Awards will be formally presented March 7, 2009 at the 15th Annual Thea Awards Gala sponsored by Economics Research Associates, a lavish, black-tie dinner event at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA.

As TEA continues to rise in stature – the association is an increasingly valuable resource to the entertainment development community and its many intersecting lines of business – the Thea Award becomes more prestigious. The Thea Awards Nominating Committee evaluated more than 120 nominations in order to recommend the current slate of 17 Thea recipients, with final approval by the TEA International Board of Directors.

Recipients – 15th Annual Thea Awards

Thea Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert L. Ward
Thea Classic Award: EPCOT, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA)
Attraction: The Simpsons Ride, Universal Studios Hollywood CA & Orlando, FL
Attraction Limited Budget: BeWILDerwood, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Attraction Limited Budget: The Forgotten Mine, Molenheide, Belgium
Museum: The Newseum, Washington DC, USA
Museum: National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VA, USA
Museum Exhibit: Operation Spy, International Spy Museum, Washington DC, USA
Museum Exhibit, Limited Budget: Forces of Nature, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix AZ, USA
Learning Experience: Air Force One Discovery Center, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Simi Valley CA, USA
Technical: Muppet Mobile Lab, Hong Kong Disneyland, China
Science Center: Audubon Insectarium, New Orleans LA, USA
New Theme Park Land: Jungala, Busch Gardens, Tampa FL, USA
Event Spectacular: 2008 Summer Olympics, Opening Ceremonies, Beijing, Chiina
Live Show: Finding Nemo, The Musical, Walt Disney World, FL, USA
Live Show: Legend of Mythica, Tokyo DisneySeas, Japan
Casino Attraction: Tree of Prosperity, Wynn Macau, Macau, SAR, China

I want to congratulate every member of the Universal Creative Simpson’s team in both Orlando and Hollywood, for all the hard work in creating a truly world class attraction.

The Simpsons™, The Simpsons™ Ride and all Simpsons characters and elements are ™ & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

More Than Meets The Eye

Not Afraid! — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:44:28 +0000

Universal officially announces my latest project, the Transformers Ride. Read the article in Variety for the information, or the press release at Superhero Hype as I won’t be giving out any other details.

The Simpsons™ Grand Opening

Not Afraid! — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:34:39 +0000

Today was the Grand Opening of the new Simpsons™ Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood! After two years of development, design challenges, production, and construction, all our hard work paid off. People really seem to be enjoying the entire attraction experience, from the details on the queue to the in-jokes during the ride.

The reviews have also come in:

Congratulations to the entire team.

[View with PicLens]

The Simpsons™ Ride

Paul — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:00:05 +0000

Synopsis:

The Simpsons™ are visiting Krustyland, the low-budget theme park created by famed TV personality and shameless product huckster Krusty the Clown!

You are there right alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie as you enter through the carnival-like midway. Once you board your vehicle you’re in for one surprise after another as you embark on a wild, over-the-top ride through the park… flying, floating, and more or less crashing your way through Krustyland’s kiddie attractions, stunt shows, and thrill rides.

How we were involved:

Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco spent two years working with digital projection specialists to create and build the world’s first 4K resolution 60 frame per second, 85 foot dome projection system as the main attraction to this fun and funny motion simulator attraction.

To learn more about the ride visit: http://www.simpsonsride.com/

Fire Good

Paul — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 19:24:00 +0000

I had a busy weekend. While most people in Los Angeles were trying to get cool in the first scorching hot weekend of the summer, I found myself standing next to a 25 foot fireball, instead of standing naked in front of the air conditioning. Not once mind you, but 90 some odd times over an 8 hour period I endured the heat of the giant propane explosion. This is not unusual for me.When I’m not making films, I make theme park attractions, mainly for Universal Studios Hollywood. This often means long nights and working weekends, much to the chagrin of my wife, who grins and bears it, and I love her for it.

Getting back on point we “soft opened” our latest attraction: The Fast & The Furious: Extreme Close-up (please note, I had nothing to do with the title) this weekend to a tremendous crowd response, even while the aforementioned fireball (see pic) manages to raise the ambient temp on a 95+ degree day. Now a “soft” opening means we’re open, but we’re in Technical Rehearsals. There are some things we’re still tweaking. In filmmaking terms, it’s like letting a preview audience see the rough cut so you can adjust before you really open. It was good to see that we are already in pretty good shape.

I wanted to give shout out to my compatriots who have given up their social lives, sleep, and sanity to make this all happen. Bill Whitcomb the best Technical Director the themed entertainment world has ever seen. “Bossy” Ross Edwards, our special effects guru and inflatable expert. Frank “Kid Leisure” Masi our Project Director. Thierry Coup and Phil Bloom the Creative and Art Directors.
Congratulations gents.

Fear Factor Live

Paul — Mon, 23 May 2005 18:56:32 +0000

Synopsis
Fear Factor “Live” is a highly interactive Themed Entertainment Association Award winning show that, like it’s television counterpart, puts ordinary people in extreme situations. Park guests are given the unique opportunity to participate in a thrilling competition against their own worst fears.

How we were involved:
When Universal Studios Hollywood wanted to deliver the “televised feel” of Fear Factor, Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco was brought in to supervise the design and installation of the live digital video production, switching, and playback system. Now I know what you’re thinking, “What happened to all that story, character, and theme stuff?” Well let us tell you a story. In our years of experience utilizing the latest in audio and video technologies to bring our stories to life, we learned a lot about how to design and build audiovisual systems that deliver an impact. Much like George Lucas built an entire empire out of innovating special effects, Not Afraid! has developed a marketplace for working with technology partners to deliver cutting edge audiovisual systems, theaters, and destination based entertainments. While it may not be high art, it pays the bills and allows us the opportunity to continue developing our own properties. At least that’s how we rationalize it.

If you’re interested you can learn more about the attraction at the official website.

Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride

Paul — Sun, 20 Jun 2004 18:51:31 +0000

Synopsis:

Rocket into total darkness as you face fireballs, scarabe beetles, and an army of warrior mummies on a psychological thrill ride totally unlike anything that’s come along in the last 3,000 years.

How we were involved:

When Universal Studios Hollywood wanted to combine state of the art high definition video projection and the latest in animated figure technology with the world’s fastest indoor roller-coaster, they again turned to Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco to provide key design, integration, and production management consulting services. We know, we know. The Mummy films are directly in conflict with the Not Afraid! philosophy. But this isn’t a Mummy film. It’s a roller-coaster and a pretty bitchin’ one in fact. Couple with that the opportunity to work with one of the very first 2K projectors in existence, put in a blazing on-board audio system, and create a first of it’s kind special effect that we’re not allowed to talk about. Who are we to refuse!

If you care you can learn more about the attraction at the official website here. http://www.revengeofthemummy.com/

Terminator 2: 3D

Paul — Sat, 08 May 1999 22:57:09 +0000

Synopsis:

Immerse yourself in the chilling, futuristic world of the Terminator. Inside Cyberdyne Systems Corporation, you’ll witness the unveiling of the new Terminator robots – until a live, human rebel strike erupts around you in an all-out cyber war that’ll have you ducking for cover!

How we were involved:

In our first foray in themed entertainment, Universal Studios Hollywood tapped Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco to production manage and supervise the design, installation, and programming of the fully articulated T-70 animated figures, LN2 smoke effects, and 3D projection systems for the themed attraction. Paul worked diligently with theatrical show director Adam Bezark and the animation and effects teams to create a fully immersive experience that seamlessly blends a live stunt show and fantastic 70mm 3D into a cohesive and thrilling experience, you have to see to believe.

For more information please visit the official website.