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Welcome to Jurassic World (Really)

Randomness is a mysterious, yet powerful force that can yield not much of anything. Or, it can produce something in the neighborhood of accidental brilliance.

Maybe (and hopefully), the following idea will somewhat resemble the latter.

While listening to the first few minutes of the Jurassic Park soundtrack at work on YouTube this morning, the perfectly composed instrumental by the legendary John Williams inspired a thought as crazily insane as a modern-day park on an island filled with dinosaurs brought back to life from 65 million years ago.

What about a new ride at Universal Studios Orlando called Jurassic World that would coincide with the release of the 4th installment of the popular movie franchise that let’s intrigued visitors starting at age 10 or 11 pick 1 of 3 levels to walk (and run!) through while being hunted and pursued by a variety of dinosaurs!?

Now that I have your attention, I’m sure you’re wondering this question:

How would it work?

Depending on the level of adventure (1=easy going with a surprise or two, 2=ready for an adventure with dramatic surprises and 3= a kitchen-caliber experience), the participant or small group of participants would be briefed on what task they need to accomplish in a 2-minute time period by a distressed character in the park. The technology would be a combination of animatronics and virtual reality, depending on the selected level and the viability of realism and operating such machines on a constantly rotating schedule. However, the environment, movie set surroundings and dramatic music would be perfectly authentic and real.

Contingent upon the level selected, each participant will or will not be equipped with a weapon to defend themselves. Plus, the experiences on each level would change after a certain amount of time as to keep people who come back more than once guessing and in suspense.

Any young children under a predetermined age by Universal officials would need to be accompanied or joined in their adventure by a parents(s)/uncle/aunt/grandparent/older brother or sister, etc.

This is only an initial suggestion that would require countless variables to be considered and worked out (yes, more so than in the movie).

Regardless, would you get in line?

This personal/group thrill ride would take the existing Jurassic Park attraction in Orlando a step further by fully-injecting people inside Jurassic Park/World without the restriction of a car.

Fans would experience the world of Jurassic Park like never before.

Jurassic Park ushered in a new era of special effects for multiple generations of moviegoers and fans, so it seems only fitting that Jurassic World also usher in a new era of special effects for multiple generations of moviegoers and fans.

It would be an experience only John Hammond would/did dream of…

Jurassic World: will you get into it?

Happy Monday!

Halftime shows at Ohio State football games cannot be described as uneventful.

This past Saturday, while the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions were preparing for the third quarter, the Ohio State Marching Band once again had something spectacular planned.

The Best Damn Band in the Land (TBDBITL) + Hollywood Blockbusters = Awesomeness!

Happy Monday and Let Your Imagination Fly High and Run Wild this Week!

Walking into a Movie (Literally)

For some, 3D is a difficult entertainment medium to endure. It’s completely understandable. Still, for those who do or can enjoy the three dimensional interactive movie-watching experience, what’s exciting is thinking what could be coming to a theater near you in the not so distant future…

Just contemplating how awesome seeing “Gravity” in IMAX 3D will be, it stirred up a wild and crazy idea. Though it has been done before at theme parks to some degree, imagine movie theaters that, for special screenings or major premiers of particular movies, are customized to the sounds, sights and settings of the anticipated blockbuster movie.

For example: say that for “Jurassic Park,” the theater showing this epic film in 4D would be decorated like the jungle and compound of Isla Nublar with a few surprises for the moviegoers. As opposed to strictly sitting and watching the movie, a 4D screening would provide the audience with more of an experience, while not detracting from the cinematic storytelling on-screen.

In this reality, the audience would truly transport to the world of the specific movie. Maybe a little wind, mist, ground shaking, or mysterious breathing from a prehistoric creature…

The theater set design would need to flow from the major studio for authenticity, effectiveness and creativity, but the possibilities for certain movies could redefine the power (and feel) of certain blockbusters.

If you’ve been to a theme park and gone on a ride based on a popular movie, imagine that experience but slightly toned down and/or customized for a movie theater. What’s paramount is not to disrupt or distract from the storytelling and acting, but simply to enhance and to gently play with our senses. Immersion is the key to this concept.

It’s important to note that movie theaters are already expensive, as has been mentioned in this blog previously. The cost from production studios to achieve this groundbreaking dynamic may be difficult, but if there is a way that this kind of promotion could give the movie and the studios a great return on investment (plus fan satisfaction), then surely they will quickly adopt the spirit of “why not?”

If this can be accomplished, then is there really anything holding the movie industry back in the future?

Talk about a break from the constraints of cinematic gravity.

The sky really could be the limit…and not just for Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

Happy Monday!

I was scrolling through my iPod Touch this weekend and tapped on “John Williams.” It had been too long my dear friend, too long!

Quite frankly, this quick tap was all I needed to reopen a world of unlimited possibilities and imagination. On this Monday, dream the unthinkable because, if you do, it just may come true…

Happy Monday and Have a (Pre-)Historic Week!