YOUR MULTI-SPECIALTY PARTNER SERVING THE THEMED VENUE, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AND R&D INDUSTRIES SINCE 1980
Air'n Art Designs has a reputation for creative, resourceful, economical, and personal approaches to design challenges.
Our services include mechanical design, drafting (2D and 3D), 3D modeling and rendering for concept visualization
Note: projects mentioned here could not have been accomplished without the talents of dozens of managers, skilled engineers, technicians, and artists. These projects are a success due to teamwork and shear willpower!
<Click on a project heading below to expand for more information>
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS DESIGN
The Walking Dead Attraction, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City CA - Technifex, Inc./Film Illusions, Inc.Same project, two different clients; Technifex, Inc. and Film Illusions, Inc.
"Enter the post-apocalyptic world of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” in an all-new year-round attraction. Prepare to fight for survival in a fully immersive journey as you navigate through a world overrun by hungry walkers. Follow in the footsteps of the human survivors as you battle your way through nightmarish iconic landscapes that bring the most popular cable TV show in history to life!"
Tasked with designing a "Burning Cabin" with modular construction to facilitate shipping and installation. Incorporating Technifex's proprietary Faux Fire and "Dragon's Breath" equipment to simulate the fire and heat to create a VERY realistic illusion of a burning structure.
Also tasked with taking two shop-floor-built animatronic figures ("Bicycle Girl" and "Kneeling Eater") and developing 3D SolidWorks parts and assemblies for drafting and final as-built documentation.
Facility interface, mechanical design, and drafting in adherence with Universal's strict standards.
"Burning Cabin" structure - Technifex, Inc.
%2001.jpg?crc=471580443 "\"Burning Cabin\" (photo credit: David Sprague)")
"Burning Cabin" with live actor - Technifex, Inc.
"Bicycle Girl" animatronic figure - Film Illusions, Inc.
.jpg?crc=321347744 "\"Bicycle Girl\" (photo credit: Mike Baker)")
"Kneeling Eater" animatronic figure - Film Illusions, Inc.
Attraction 360° Video of The Walking Dead Attraction
Incredible Hulk, Gamma Core Queuing Area, Orlando FL - Technifex, Inc.The Gamma Core project is a refurbishment to the existing ride's queuing area.
A plasma effect extravaganza, incorporating 22 5-foot plasma tubes, and a giant 3-foot plasma ball, to simulate a gamma ray generator in Bannon's laboratory.
Again, the structural design required modular construction for shipping and installation considerations, adhering to Universal's strict design, fabrication, and drafting standards.
Shanghai Disneyland Resort, Shanghai China - Technifex, Inc.
Various SAE and show-set elements for Pirates of the Carribean, Treasure Cove, Voyage to the Crystal Grotto showcases, with strict adherence to WDI design, fabrication, and drafting standards. (small list of examples shown here)
"Talking Skull"
"Swinging Lanterns"
"Recoil Cannons"
"Ship's Wheel", Black Pearl
"Fighting Crabs"
Walt Disney World, Fantasyland, Peter Pan's Flight "Floating Figures" , Orlando Florida - Spectral Motion, Inc.
For the Peter Pan's Flight refurbishment in Orlando Florida, Air'n Art Designs designed mechanisms and provided design consultation for Spectral Motion, Inc. to provide a floating illusion to the figures in this showcase. Primarily a film effects company, this was SMI's first foray into a Themed Entertainment project, and it was a complete success!
3D design and drafting, design consultation, WDI standards consultation and adherance.
Franz Harary's Mega Magic Theater, Macau China - Miziker Entertainment Group, Inc.Located in exotic Macau, China, the Mega Magic Theater is the brain-child of legondary magician and illusionist Franz Harary. Incorporating never-before-seen illusions and performances of Franz's unique talents and showmanship.
Tasked with bringing Mr. Harary's vision into reality, Miziker Entertainment Group commissioned Air'n Art Designs for the schematic and design development phases of this project. Facility interface, modular stage design, LED lighting and movable panels, and one-of-a-kind illusionary devices and equipment and it's off-stage storage.
This attraction has become a huge success for both Mr. Harary as well as the owners of the property.
Mega Magic Theater with various show elements positioned
Circular stage - Rotating outer, lifting inner
Kabuki Hoops - Live performers appear in hoops
Entrance Pod Transporter
Burn Table
Transport Pod
"Windmill" appearance pod
Stage equipment layout studies
Shanghai Disneyland, Fantasyland, Peter Pan's Flight, Peter Pan Ship, Shanghai China - Resolution Designs, Inc.
Modeled after an old sailing galleon, Captain Hook's ship is seen by visitors "flying" above during the ride, and absolutely had to look authentic. However, due to the enormous size of Captain Hook's ship, this required the design and structure to be modular, with components of sufficiently small size to be shippable and to be brought into the facility for installation. Additional design considerations included maintenance and emergency access, where certain portions needed to be moved and manageable by maintenance personnel, quickly, easily, and safely.
The ship also housed animatronic figures and a rear-projection screen sail.
Harry Potter Venue, Universal Studios, Orlando Florida - Lexington Scenery, Inc."The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" is a recent addition to Universal Studios, Florida theme park, expanding off the successful series of Harry Potter movies. Lexington was tasked to create hundreds of facade elements and set pieces, under strict oversight of J.K. Rowling, for the Harry Potter venue.
Air'n Art Designs was brought on for technical direction, mechanical design, 3D mechanical design, management of drafting, vendor interface, design documentation
California Adventure, Car's Land, Anaheim, CA - Walt Disney ImagineeringCalifornia Adventure, Anaheim, CA (2010-2012)
Cars Land is a recent addition to this Southern California themed park. Expanding off the successful animated "Cars" movies, Disney created a "real" land where all the characters and environment of the town "Radiator Springs" comes to life.
Involvement: SAE, 3D mechanical design, modeling, and drafting; vendor interface; design documentation
The National WWII Museum: Victory Theater, New Orleans, Louisiana - LA ProPoint, Inc.
New Orleans, LA (2008-2009)
"Beyond All Boundaries", the 2011 AAM Muse Award winner, created exclusively for The National World War II Museum, is a unique and powerful 4-D cinematic experience available nowhere else in the world. Created and crafted with 21st-century technology and utilizing a 120-feet wide immersive screen, the production plunges viewers into the 20th-century’s most titanic struggle. It tells the tale of the Greatest Generation’s journey from Pearl Harbor into the fire of epic battles to America’s final victory in the War That Changed the World in the words of the veterans themselves. The Museum is honored to have Tom Hanks as Executive Producer and the voices of some of Hollywood’s top stars bringing to life the words of actual World War II participants and war correspondents." ~The National WWII Museum
Involvement: Engineering Design Department management; SAE design development, engineering design, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Universal Studios, Singapore: SFX Theater - LA ProPoint, Inc.
Military Simulators - SGB Enterprises, Inc.
Valencia, CA (2008-2010)
Reverse engineering of existing cockpit avionics instrumentation packages, fully compliant 6-DOF motion-base simulators for military avionic simulators incorporating hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-mechanical systems to realistically simulate flight characteristics and the look and feel of instrumentation and controls.
Involvement: Concept development, mechanical designer, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, documentation, information systems management, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Product Development - On Time Inventions, Inc.
Due to confidentiality agreements, images are not available
Valencia, CA (2008-2010)
Consultant and designer on various proprietary projects.
Involvement: Concept development, designer, CAD designed mechanisms and parts, engineering and drafting, documentation, information systems management, graphic art, desktop publishing.
L.A. County Fire Department Hazmat Training Facility - Technifex, Inc.
Del Valle Regional Training Center (2009)
The Computer-controlled, "Hollywood-style" special effects give this high-tech hazmat training facility the absolute realism needed to train special teams of the world's best firefighters. Some of the state-of-the art scenerios include a victim extrication exercise with real fire, smoke, and an over-turned tanker truck which has spilled and is leaking "hazardous chemicals."
Real-world situations without putting the trainees in harm's way is the goal of this flagship training facility, located in north-western L.A. county.
Involvement: SAE design development, engineering design, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Glacier Bar Canopy, Las Vegas, Nevada - SEGA GameWorks
Commissioned for schematic phase for concept and development of themed environment outdoor canopy for the Las Vegas Restaurant and Bar, incorporating lighting and water effects
Involvement: Schematic phase only; Concept development, R&D, 3D CAD designed mechanisms
Niagara Falls Visitor Center: "Niagara's Fury" - Technifex, Inc.
Niagara Falls, Canada (2008)
The temperature will drop 20 degrees. Water will bubble and spray while snow falls all around. Standing in the mist on a massive platform you will feel the full wrath of Mother Nature as the floor tilts and trembles beneath you. You’ll never look at the Falls the same way again! Niagara Parks has recreated the amazing sights and sounds of the Creation of Niagara Falls. Incredible images produced with technology previously used only in satellites and medicine will immerse you in a “4D” Universal Studios-style attraction.
The experience starts with an 8 minute animated Pre-show, where charming woodland characters explain how the Ice Age formed Niagara Falls. Then, in a specially designed, 360 degree theatre, witness the Creation of the Falls in a 6-minute, multi-sensory extravaganza!
Involvement: SAE Concept development, designer, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface and planning, documentation, information systems management, graphic art, desktop publishing.
HR Textron Trade Show Display - Technifex, Inc.
HR Textron Traveling Display (2008)
A stand-alone trade show display of a concept aircraft with articulating avionics; including flaps, bomb bay, and landing gear. Visitors are invited to learn more about features through a computer console and electro-luminescent indicators (see video).
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms, drafting, documentation, information systems management, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Honda Motors: Trade Show Feature - Technifex, Inc.
Honda Motors Trade Show Feature (2007)
Trade show feature showcasing their new corporate jet. Employed full-six-axis hydraulic motion-base to simulate flight, and running lights.
Involvement: Concept development, designer, CAD designed mechanisms, drafting, documentation, information systems management, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Meskwaki Hotel and Casino: Entrance Fountain - Technifex, Inc.
Tama, IA (2006-2007)
These two, one-of-a-kind fire pit fountains frame the entrance to this beautiful casino. Cascading water gently undulates down the sloping natural stone surface with a natural gas fire bowl rising as a center-piece to this stunning, richly appointed, fountain.
Involvement: SAE design development, engineering design, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Dakota Dunes Hotel and Casino: Fire Bowl Pylons, Water Screens - Technifex, Inc.
Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, USA (2006-2007)
Four Fauxfire™ pylons and two 30-foot long curved water screens.
Incorporating the Technifex patented Fauxfire© into this unique arrangement created a spectacular effect for these Lexington Scenery-designed fire bowl pylons which adorn the casino gaming decor.
The two 30-foot long, curved, projection-surface water screens (one pictured below) welcome visitors as they enter the Dakota Dunes Hotel and Casino lobby.
Involvement: Concept development, lead designer, 3D CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Pechanga Resort & Casino: Silk, the Club - Fiber Optic Chandelier - Technifex, Inc.
California (2007)
Lighting equipment designed by Visual Terrain, and the chandalier design and fabrication by Technifex, this one-of-a-kind fiber optic chandalier is a gorgious example of the medium. Comissioned for their Silk club, Pechanga visitors are treated to a tranquil and yet stimulating experience of this award-worthy kalidescope of light, color, and simply brilliant example of design and craftsmanship.
Involvement: Concept development, lead designer, CAD design, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Atlantis Hotel and Casino: Lazy River - Technifex, Inc.
Bahamas (2006)
Fauxfire™ and other special effects for the Lazy River attraction where visitors travel through different environments drifting along a running water-course on rafts.
Involvement: Concept development, lead designer, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Harrah's Hotel and Casino: Masquerade Bar Multi-media Feature, New Orlean, Louisiana - Technifex, Inc.New Orleans, USA (2004-2006)
A 360° rear-projection tower, 40 feet tall. 20 feet in diameter at the top, 13 feet at the circular bar. This spectacular center-piece for the Masquerade Bar utilizes 20 high-end projectors mounted on a center structure surrounded by custom-fit acrylic glass panels for the rear-projection surface. Over the bar is a circular stage with Fauxfire™ around it's edge. Fauxfire™ is a Technifex-original product, incorporating steam, air and high-intensity lighting to simulate an all-too-real fire effect. Dancers on this circular stage appear to be dancing within 3-foot-tall flames. A truly breathtaking and eye-popping show.
Built in California, all the structural elements had to be designed to be disassembled, shipped, and transported on freeways, through the casino lobby and gaming floor, then reassembled on-site. Since there was no room for cranes, the mammoth structure was carefully erected using a pair of heavy-duty forklifts working in unison.
Air'n Art Designs was brought on-board from the incept to head the 3D structural and mechanical design, as well as the production effort. Engineering assistance from Entertainment Engineering helped to make this Technifex project an inspired success.
Involvement: SAE design development, engineering design, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Making of the Harrah's Tower
Audubon Nature Institute - Insectarium Theater: 4D Theater, "Awards Night", New Orleans, Louisiana - Technifex, Inc.
New Orleans, USA (2005-2006)
Complete 4-D immersive experience 150-seat theater with 3-D audio, wind, water, and lighting effects incorporating custom tactile sensory seats.
Involvement: SAE design development, engineering design, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Falls View Casino: 'Hydro-Tesalatron' Lobby Fountain - Lester Creative, Inc.Niagara, Canada (2002-2004)
images courtesy of Lester Creative, Inc.
"As if it were something out of a Jules Vern science fiction..."
That is the impression someone might get after seeing this beautiful center-piece to the Falls View Casino in Niagara Falls, Canada. A creation of pure genius incorporating 360° LED video and video content, fountain effects, sub-sonic audio, sound effects, fiber-optics, and state-of-the-art laser.
Involvement: Design development, engineering design, CAD designed mechanisms, engineering and drafting, facility interface, documentation, production oversight, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Casino Rama Resort: Rotunda Theater - Lester Creative, Inc.Rama, Ontario, Canada (2000-2002)
The Chippewas of Mnjikaning First Nation, an aboriginal community north of Toronto, have turned to modern theatrical technology to showcase their ancient history and culture. Visitors to Casino Rama Resort in Rama, Ontario, Canada, are treated to an eight-minute multimedia show, designed and produced by Lester Creative, Inc., of Valencia, CA.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Valhalla - Technifex, Inc.
Blackpool, England (1999-2000)
VALHALLA is a high speed, thrilling waterborne dark ride with unique features, heavily themed and incorporating a host of multi-sensory elements. Riders experience over 6 minutes of sheer excitement as they travel through the darkened interior of VALHALLA. Many of the specially created 'show action' effects were never before used on amusement park rides. VALHALLA incorporates Faux Fire™, water, snow, thunder and lightening effects, with riders experiencing extremes of temperature.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Fox Studios, Australia, "TITANIC: The Experience" - Technifex, Inc.
Sydney, Australia (1998-1999)
Fox Studios Australia is home to the world’s only Titanic experience, a unique journey of more than 20 minutes in which the visitor becomes a film extra – and is part of one of the greatest productions of all time. A recreation of the final moments of James Cameron’s epic film, Titanic – The Experience takes the visitor "on set", where assistant directors supervise their subsequent journey through many scenes familiar to fans of the 1998 Academy Award-winning blockbuster.
One of the key attractions of the Fox Studios Back lot, "Titanic – The Experience" begins dockside, where – recast as an extra for the film - the visitor queues to board the ill-fated luxury liner and is shepherded and supervised by a number of 'assistant directors', providing background and atmosphere to the main actors on the set.
What happens on the journey is pre-determined, but the visitor does not know until the iceberg hits whether they make it to a lifeboat - or meet a less pleasant fate.
Two enormous motion bases using the most sophisticated, original and durable hydraulic technology available are central to "Titanic – The Experience".
The bases move laterally and vertically (up to 22.5°) and generate 2Gs of acceleration to recreate the impact of the iceberg and subsequent lurching movement of the sinking vessel.
Temperatures in the attraction range from a searing 38° celsius (100° F) down to 12°. Other effects used in creating the experience include fireball and flame effects, mechanical effects such as breaking pipes, ultra violet effects and state-of-the-art digital projection.
Props used in the film were shipped to Sydney and feature in James Cameron's Titanic - The Experience. They include costumes worn by the film's stars, life jackets, crockery and the actual scale model of the full ship used in the film. As well, there is the scale model of the broken ship at the ocean’s floor.
Technifex served as producer for this show and oversaw the management and direction of over thirty vendors here in the United States and in Australia.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
San Francisco Giants Pac Bell Park, San Francisco Giants/Old Navy “Splash Landing” - Technifex, Inc.
San Francisco, California (1999-2000)
"Rusty", a twelve-foot-tall animated baseball player and four water cannons showcase the "Splash Landing" theme to the new Pac Bell Park, home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. "Rusty" is fashioned after a turn-of-the-century toy but is in actuality a state-of-the-art animatronic figure capable of a dozen pre-programmed skits. After a stolen base, "Rusty" comes out and performs a mock run and slide along a 100-foot track mounted to the right field wall. A home home might prompt "Rusty" to come out of his brick-camouflaged shed and perform a moon walk or a Johnny-be-good air guitar performance. "Rusty" is fully articulated with even a changing glove, depending upon whether he is fielding or up to bat.
The water cannons accentuate home runs or other significant events during the game. Volumes of water are ejected out the tops of the cannon towers in a focused stream, which at night are further enhance by intense colored lights, creating a fireworks type of light show with the magnificent San Francisco bay as a backdrop.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
StarTacular, 3D Fly-through - Miziker Entertainment Group
Technifex Trade Show Booth - Technifex, Inc.
Technifex Internal Project – IAAPA Trade Show Convention (1999)
Designed by Technifex, their booth won "Best Booth" at the 1999 IAAPA trade show. Air'n Art Design took the preliminary concept and developed it into a feasible, build-able design. This modular booth is all aluminum construction and even has a second-story conference area with a gracefully spiraling staircase.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD design and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Technifex Products - Technifex, Inc.
Technifex Products
Stand-alone, retail products
Products to enhance the Water Park visitor's experience.
Water blasters, slide-tube special effects, projection effects (see video), and a multitude of themed environments... Hundreds of unique and powerful products and enhancements for the wet and wild world of water parks!
Involvement: 3D mechanical design, Product Development, Rapid Prototyping, Injection molds and part development, Documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Faux Fire®
A Technifex original product. Creates the illusion of real fire, yet is safe to touch. Used in many theatrical applications. This effect can also be used to give the illusion of extreme cold, just by changing the lighting.
Water Screens.
Incorporates special lighting and can be projected upon.
Technifex created a portable, rent-able system.
4D Theaters and Custom Seats - Technifex, Inc.
Technifex Internal Project
Expanding the immersive experience of theater audiences, taking them from simply watching, to feeling that they are physically being affected by what is happening on the screen.
Sensory input features are incorporated into the 4D theater seat and surrounding environment; 3D visuals, smoke or fog, scents and smells, wind and breeze, surround audio, water spritz, rain, air bladders in the seat, seat vibration, air ticklers... some of the techniques used to thrust the guest into the next dimension of theater entertainment.
Involvement: 3D mechanical design, Product Development, Documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Queen Mary “Ghosts and Legends” - Technifex, Inc.
Queen Mary – Long Beach Harbor, California (2000)
Technifex used specialized lighting, fog, and animated mechanisms to recreate the haunting of the Queen Mary in The Ghosts and Legends attraction onboard the famous ship.
Involvement: CAD Design, Drafting Documentation, information systems management, facility interface, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Footlocker Retail Store, Video Wall - Technifex, Inc.Manhattan, New York (1998)
Concept study of a moving "video wall" for a Flagship Footlocker Store at Walt Disney World, Florida.
Each video wall consisted of 12, 36" LCD displays mounted together to form a single video source panel. Each panel were to be mounted on a telescoping boom-arm that extended and retracted and moved around a circular track and could form various combinations of video presentation.
Involvement: 3D fly-through demonstrations for site line studies and presentation packages
MGM Grand Hotel/Casino, Entrance - Lester Creative, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada (1996)
Assisting Lester Creative, Air'n Art Designs helped to create the internal structure for this landmark statue as well as many facility/show related elements, including LED walls.
Involvement: For Lester Creative; Mechanical Design support, concept development, research and development.
Forum Shops Expansion, Caesar's Palace, "Fall of Atlantis" - Lester Creative, Inc.
Knotts Berry Farm, "Mystery Lodge" - Lester Creative, Inc.
Anaheim, California (1993)
The Mystery Lodge theater was conceived, designed and produced by BRC Imagination Arts in Burbank, California and is a multi-media theatrical presentation based on the life of a Native American tribal elder from Alert Bay in British Columbia. The show tells of this man's life as magical and mysterious effects unfold before a spellbound audience.
Mystery Lodge has been a huge success for Knott's Berry Farm, and years after its opening, it remains one of the park's most popular guest attractions.
Involvement: Assisted Lester Creative with mechanical design and drafting, document control
Backyard Monsters II: The World of Insects - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Creatures That Never Were: An Age of Innocence - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Company Sponsored Animatronic Touring Museum Exhibit
(1994)
Four fully articulated creature (Unicorn, dragon, Griffin, mermaid) showcases and educational interactives. The traveling show addresses the roots of mythology and the early attempts to explain natural phenomena with sometimes supernatural explaination.
Involvement: Concept development, content research and development, CAD designed mechanisms, documentation, information systems management, graphic art, desktop publishing.
MGM Grand Hotel/Casino, EFX Show, Merlin Dragon - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada (1994)
This twenty-foot tall, thirty five-foot wing spanned, fire spewing dragon carries a live actor on it's head during the show. It incorporated state-of-the-art computer controlled compliance systems.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Treasure Island Hotel/Casino, Treasure Bay - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Biloxi and Tunica, Mississippi (1994)
A passel of pirates, wenches, parrots and props were designed and built for this fun-loving “dark-ride.”
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Fuji Television, The Last Dinosaur Kingdom - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Tokyo, Japan (1993)
Full size, museum-quality animatronic dinosaurs for a T.V. special on dinosaurs.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Gardaland - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Lake Garda, Italy (1993)
Showcase for this theme park included a 14' giant squid, and various pirate figures.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms and engineering, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Caesar's Palace, Forum Shops, Festival Fountain - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada (1992)
Four, fully articulated mythical figures (Bacchus, Apollo, Venus, etc.) which appear to be marble statues mounted on a fully functional rotating fountain, that suddenly “come to life” and entertain passersby with song, humor and wit.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Phantasialand, Gigantopythicus: Giant Ape - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Berlin, Germany (1991)
A nine-foot tall, fully articulated animatronic creature that might resemble a Yeti, or “Big-foot.”
Involvement: CAD designed mechanisms, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Universal Studios' E.T. Adventure - Creative Presentations, Inc.
Orlando, Florida/ Los Angeles, California (1990)
Complete “dark-ride” show, with over twenty various figures, lifts and props.
Involvement: CAD designed mechanisms, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Pacific Science Center, Giants of the Deep - Sequoia Creative, Inc.
Seattle, Washington (1990)
Four life-sized animatronic whales which included a swimming Sperm whale, Narwhal and Orca (“Killer”) whale. A Gray whale spy-hopping through an ice flow and a Humpback whale rolling over and fin flapping. All swimming motions were designed and programmed by Sequoia personnel using hours of research and observation of real whale swimming patterns.
Involvement: CAD designed mechanisms on Narwhal and Gray Whale and Limited CAD designed mechanisms on Humpback and Sperm Whale, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing and limited programming of the swimming motions for the Narwhal.
Walt Disney Studios Tour, Catastrophe Canyon - Sequoia Creative, Inc.
Orlando, Florida (1989)
Dramatic scenario of an earthquake induced flood and fire. Specialized props were designed to simulate and portray realistic events (tanker truck overturning, water tower eruption, power line collapse with sparks and flame.) that interact with live actors and stunt persons.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Universal Studios Tour, King Kong - Sequoia Creative, Inc.
Orlando, Florida (1989)
These famous forty-foot tall simians are known the world over for their awesome appearance and realism (such as real bad breath, generated by a scent cannon using banana extract and ammonia). One giant ape hangs off of a bridge pylon while another terrorizes the tour vehicle.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms, documentation, information systems management, technical writing, graphic art, desktop publishing.
Le Nouveau Mondes des Schtroumpfs, Pollution Monster: “Time Tunnel” - Sequoia Creative, Inc.
Metz, France (1988)
“Pollutie”, as he later became known, was a star attraction in this animatronic/live action “opera” where the “product of evil pollution” (composed of old car parts, sewage waste, various pieces of scrap form a gigantic humanoid skull ten-feet in diameter with pointed metal chomping teeth) battles "the champion of man" with laser-like pyro-techniques and smoke effects.
Involvement: Concept development, CAD designed mechanisms, fabrication, welding, metal sculpting, documentation, information systems management, graphic art.
Terminator / Pumpkinhead / Leviathan (Deep Sea Suit) Movie Effects - Stan Winston StudiosCanoga Park (1983 / 1987 / 1988)
Terminator stop-action figure parts (1983)
Pumpkinhead creature mechanical appliances for actor (1987)
Leviathan Creature/Deep Sea Suit (1988)
Animatronic creature effects and high-tech props for the making of these films.
Involvement: Production logistics and schedules, design and fabrication, FRP layup, metal fabrication, welding, plastic molds and parts.
“Short Circuit 2” Movie Props - Alchemy II
High-tech Toys, Teddy Ruxpin / Mother Goose / Baby Muppets - Alchemy II
Prototype development (1986-1988)
Animatronic high-tech children's toys that employed double-track (stereo) audio cassette to manipulate analog animation control and audio sound track. The resulting products were “Teddy Ruxpin”, “Grubby”, “Mother Goose” and “Hector”, “Baby Teddy Ruxpin”, “Baby Muppets”, "Mickey and Goofy" applying the same technique. Plus various experimental electronic and non-electronic toys and games.
Involvement: Department management, design concept, prototype development, machining, plastics, molding, budgets and schedules.
Videocassette packaging, advertising and promotion - N.C.B. Entertainment
Videocassette advertising and promotions (1985-1986)
Involvement: Art director, managing artists and illustrators, packaging designer, point of purchase animated display design and prototype fabrication, trade show booth design, production artist, client coordinator, graphic artist, camera technician, photographic artist, computerized image manipulation, information systems management.
"It's a Small World” Theme Park Attraction - Walt Disney Productions, M.A.P.O.
Tokyo Bay, Japan/Orlando, Florida (E.P.C.O.T.)/ Anaheim, California (1980-1983)
Various figures and props in this popular showcase.
Involvement: Animatronics fabricator, sculptor, machinist, welder, metal fabrication, FRP layup, electronics, mechanical design
"Pirates of the Caribbean” Theme Park Attraction - Walt Disney Productions, M.A.P.O.
Tokyo Bay, Japan/Orlando, Florida (E.P.C.O.T.)/ Anaheim, California (1980-1983)
Various figures and props in this popular showcase.
Involvement: Animatronics fabricator, sculptor, machinist, welder, metal fabrication, FRP layup, electronics, mechanical design
"Jungle Cruise” Theme Park Attraction - Walt Disney Productions, M.A.P.O.
Tokyo Bay, Japan/Orlando, Florida (E.P.C.O.T.)/ Anaheim, California (1980-1983)
Various figures and props in this popular showcase.
Involvement: Animatronics fabricator, sculptor, machinist, welder, metal fabrication, FRP layup, electronics, mechanical design
"Imagination" Pavilion Theme Park Attraction - Walt Disney Productions, M.A.P.O.
Tokyo Bay, Japan/Orlando, Florida (E.P.C.O.T.)/ Anaheim, California (1980-1983)
Various figures and props in this popular showcase.
Involvement: Animatronics fabricator, sculptor, machinist, welder, metal fabrication, FRP layup, electronics, mechanical design
"Transportation" Pavilion Theme Park Attraction - Walt Disney Productions, M.A.P.O.
Tokyo Bay, Japan/Orlando, Florida (E.P.C.O.T.)/ Anaheim, California (1980-1983)
Various figures and props in this popular showcase.
Involvement: Animatronics fabricator, sculptor, machinist, welder, metal fabrication, FRP layup, electronics, mechanical design
"Fancy Pockets" / Sweater Color Coding - Dittos Inc.
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