Episodes
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Today, we're focusing on "designing with purpose" with my friend and mentor, Anthony Esparza.Anthony is an expert in creating unforgettable guest experiences. With a career spanning SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and more, he's known for infusing every project with purpose.Join us for our second interview with Anthony as we explore his vast expertise in attractions, resorts, live entertainment, and media.Connect with Anthony at EsparzaHQ.com or on LinkedIn.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Join us as we delve into the intricacies of the project management realm.Our guest today is Jeff Burton, a former WED Enterprises Imagineer who has played a pivotal role in some of the most renowned attractions worldwide, such as Epcot, Disney MGM Studios, Euro Disney, and Sea World. Jeff, a second-generation Imagineer, is celebrated for his contributions in shaping the landscape of family entertainment and the global attractions industry that we are privileged to engage with today.He honed his craft under the mentorship of one of the industry's legends, John Hench.For more of Jeff’s story, watch his panel with themed entertainment students on YouTube.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Episodes manquant?
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Our guest is Dark Ride master designer, John Wood of Sally Dark Rides.John is truly a pioneer and innovator in the theme park industry, and most specifically in the design, development and execution of some of the world’s most iconic dark rides. John co-founded Sally Dark Rides 45 years ago to turn his clients dreams into rideable realities, with thrilling adventures, IP branded attractions, and unique storytelling experiences worldwide.Connect with John Wood at SallyDarkRides.com and on LinkedIn.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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In this mini-episode, Freddy announces the Storyland Studios Design Challenge for 2024.
In partnership with Gensler, Storyland is offering a $25k grand prize to the individual or team that presents the winning attraction design concept.
Go to designchallenge.storylandstudios.com for more information.
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Our guest is show control engineer, Linda Alcorn.Linda is a groundbreaking Theme Park show control engineer with over 40 years of experience bringing some of our favorite experiences to life. Linda, the first female electronic engineer at WED, played a pivotal role in shaping iconic projects like EPCOT and pavilions in Canada, France, and China. Her journey continued at Disney Studio in Burbank, supporting EXPO '86 projects, and later contributing to the initial design and installation teams of Disney-MGM Studios, Euro Disney, and Animal Kingdom. She was named a TEA Master in 2020.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Come See Us LIVE at IAAPA 2023
This quick episode gives you all the details of our LIVE Episode Recordings during IAAPA!
Come visit the Storyland Studios Booth #1373 at 11am on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (11/14-17) to listen in on LIVE recordings of the Themed Attraction Podcast.
Jeffrey Burton – Former WED Imagineer: Tuesday 11/14 @ 11AM
Linda Alcorn McBride – Former WDI Imagineer & Disney’s first female engineer: Wednesday 11/15 @ 11AM
John Wood – President of Sally Dark Rides: Thursday 11/16 @ 11AM
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Our guest is Architect and Theme Park Master Planner, Jeff Damron.Jeff is a 30+ year veteran of themed entertainment and destination design providing his expertise as an architect, designer and master planner in theme park projects, hotels, resorts, casinos, and many other mixed-use projects where people can live, work and play. Most recently he came on board as one of Mel’s Storylanders as the Senior VP of Architecture, Master Planning and Design.Connect with Jeff Damron at StorylandStudios.com and on LinkedIn.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guests are David and Valeria Beaudry of Beaudry Interactive.This dynamic duo of dynamic experiences have developed the technology to bring to life in voice and personality some of our most beloved walk-around characters in parks today, including that tallest of yellow friends, Big Bird. They were honored with a TEA Thea Award for this technology which is making authentic interactive environments a reality in parks and experiences worldwide.Connect with David and Valeria at binteractive.com and on LinkedIn.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guest today is Theme Park Art Director, Daniel Kerscher.Daniel Kerscher is an Art Director for theme park projects worldwide with decades of experience ranging from Landmark Entertainment and the TAA Group. Most recently, he spent 6 years guiding the art direction at Europa-park and Mack Rides contributing his brilliant creativity in one of the world’s premier themed destinations.Connect with Daniel on Instagram @themeparkdesigner_73and on LinkedIn.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guest is TEA Master and founder of The Bezark Company, Adam Bezark. His storied career from WDI to Landmark Entertainment Group allowed him opportunities to conceive and design monstrous IP attractions such as Jurassic Park: The Ride, the JAWS ride, and Terminator 2:3D for Universal. For WDI, he co-directed the beloved IllumiNations nighttime spectacular at Epcot, and he was the show writer for Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland.Connect with Adam at Bezark.com https://bezark.com/ and on LinkedIn.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guest this episode is Danusia Rogacki, Creative Services Manager at Canada’s Wonderland. Danusia is a long-time Canada’s Wonderland native, who started her career in Halloween haunts and park operations. Steeped in the park’s rich traditions, she now gives creative direction to the park’s themed offerings and seasonal special events.Connect with Danusia Rogacki on LinkedIn or at Canada’s Wonderland.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!Transcript coming soon.
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In this episode of the Themed Attraction Podcast, our guest is Sina Bahram, the founder of Prime Access Consulting, and one of the Themed Entertainment Association’s first ever Catalyst Award recipients. Sina’s inclusive design firm helps attraction designers implement accessible solutions that make knowledge, culture, and technology available to the widest possible audience.Connect with Sina Bahram on LinkedIn, via his website at pac.bz and follow him on Twitter.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!Transcript of this episode:Freddy (00:20):Welcome aboard the Themed Attraction Podcast, where we take you for a ride... through the wonderful world of theme park design that is. You've just set sail on an unmatched journey of discovery and discussion with theme park industry master of the craft. I'm your skipper, Freddy Martin, and riding the rippling river with me is theme park designer, master planner, and Chief Creative Officer for Storyland studios, Mel McGowan. Which way is the river taken us today, Mel?Mel (00:47):Freddy, we've got a unique episode on the horizon day. As we interview one of the Themed Entertainment Association's first ever Catalyst Award recipients, Sina Bahram. Sina is the founder of Prime Access Consulting. That's an inclusive design firm that helps attraction designers implement accessible solutions that make knowledge, culture, and technology available to the widest possible audience. And that we are so excited to have him as part of our extended team for a very special project, which I'm hoping you're allowed to talk about here.Freddy (01:16):Maybe a little bit. Sina is unique. I had the pleasure of hearing him speak at the TEA Summit and I knew his story would blow our audience away. So I had to ask him to be on the show. I immediately asked him to join us for an interview and he didn't disappoint. I'm telling you. His passion and enthusiasm for helping create experiences for everyone is infectious. I dare you to match his enthusiasm. All righty folks, keep your hands, arms feet and legs inside the boat, 'cause This episode is about to leave the dock. Hit it, Sam.Mel (02:04):You know, Freddy, when the ADA or Americans with disability act passed in 1990 that was a pretty groundbreaking deal for the certainly the architecture industry for the real estate development industry. You know, and actually we're excited to be working with one of the catalysts that really kind of worked to get hat passed. You know, and it has radically, of course changed the way new attractions are built, how old attractions are modified. I mean, some of the blatantly obvious examples, like the alternative experience with the Nemo sub ride, with the with the, the sleeping beauty castle walkthrough experience. Those are some, you know, kind of obvious examples, but quick question to you, as you've been able to go deep with this particular unique project and, really getting a broader understanding of the "specially abled" the disabilities of inclusive design. You know, my question is how should we approach attraction and experience design with the needs of our entire audience in mind? I mean, I'm asking that as a father of a deaf son and you know, we, you know, different kids with different types of dis learning disabilities you know, how do, how, how do we come across this if, if we're not experiencing some of this stuff ourselves.Freddy (03:26):Yeah. It's a, it's an amazing question to, to ponder and think about. And the you're hinting at a project that we're working on, which is really part of the mission of one of the biggest disability advocacy organizations in the world. And they've asked us to help create a space for them that tells ...
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Our guests are Bob Rogers of BRC Imagination Arts, Mike West from Universal Creative, and John Wood of Sally Dark Rides. They share their perspectives on ride capacities and THRC.Connect with Bob at BRCweb.com, Mike via his company’s LinkedIn “Innovative West,” and John at SallyDarkRides.com.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guest is Vince Kadlubek, founder and former CEO of Meow Wolf.Meow Wolf was started by Vince and several friends as a collective of artists who wanted to create art installations people could not only view, but walk into. And now it’s grown into a company of experiential arts who have built three of the most mind-bending location-based attractions in the world.Connect with Vince Kadlubek on LinkedIn and follow Meow Wolf on Instagram, Twitter & YouTube.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guest is Christian Hope, Vice President of Paramount Studios Theme Parks & Resorts. Christian has contributed concept designs in development of world-class attractions here in the US and around the world. His concepts have resulted in some of the most visited location-based entertainment sites around including Disneyland Paris, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's California Adventure.Follow Christian Hope on Instagram @31thirteenstudio.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guest is Tony Bruno, former VP of the Disneyland Resort Hotels & the Downtown Disney District.
Under his guidance, over 4000 cast members operated The 4 Diamond Grand Californian Hotel & Disneyland Hotel - as well as the 49 unique brands that comprise Downtown Disney. Today he leads Hospitality Development at Storyland Studios helping other resort brands elevate their hospitality initiatives to include exclusive and unforgettable experiences.
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Ben Thompson is a global themed entertainment and marketing strategist who spent the last 20 years in leadership roles at global monoliths like Mars Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and the Merlin Group, where he was responsible for opening 4 LEGOLAND®️ Parks and 40 location-based entertainment sites worldwide. Ben is now the Chief Strategy Officer at Storyland Studios London office and heads up their international projects.Our guest this episode is Ben Thompson. LinkedInTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillGive us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Our guest is Walt Disney Imagineering designer and art producer, Doris Hardoon.Doris joined the company for the Epcot project in 1979 helping to develop the China Pavilion. She lent her unique cultural perspective to international projects with Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Her crowning glory is found at Shanghai Disneyland, where she developed the legendary design voice for the resort that is “authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese."Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Jason Surrell is the Executive Creative Director at Storyland Studios. He was previously the Senior Creative Director on Universal’s newest theme park projects, Universal Studios Beijing and Epic Universe, as well as a creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering. Jason is an amazing storyteller, whether it be in the shows, attractions, or books he’s written. And he’s a great storyteller in person as well.Our guest this episode is Jason Surrell. TwitterShow hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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Brandon Kleyla made his mark as a production art director for Universal Creative and Walt Disney Imagineering, bringing his love of spatial storytelling to two of the most detailed and beautiful dive bars on the planet, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort, and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World. “Trader Brandon,” as his friends call him, is also an author and artist in his own right, culminating in comic books, apparel, tiki mugs, and one of the most laid back Instagram Live shows you’ll ever find.Our guest this episode is Trader Brandon Kleyla. LinkedIn / InstagramShow hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy MartinShow design & production: Barry R. HillTheme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
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