Hollywood Stuntdriver

[ShadowXL]

Well Shadow, If your heading in let me know. I still think we should round up a heap of members for the last show!

Will do, haven't got my roster for that fortnight yet so we will see. Edited April 3, 2008 by ShadowXL

[Spotty]

Same, working at Red Rooster is a pain in the backside. One three hour shift a week just doesn't cut it.

[T-bone]

For anyone that is interested, someone has posted a video on Youtube of a story on some channel 9 program about the Police Academy Stunt Show.

[ShadowXL]

Thanks for that, good video, is anyone considering recording a video of the show before it closes? I don't think I will be able to get in before it closes unfortunately.

[Gold Coaster]

^ Yep. I'll miss PA but am cautiously optimistic about Hollywood Stuntdriver. At the end of the day, it's still something related to the art of making movies and fresh so that's a good thing. With the growing rivalry between MW and DW I doubt they're going to serve up anything half-baked. I wouldn't be surprised if DW brought out some show in response, perhaps performance/body skill-based (since we're NOT going to see a stunt show at DW anytime soon).

Edited April 11, 2008 by Tony Teulan

[ThemeParksAustralia]

With the growing rivalry between MW and DW I doubt they're going to serve up anything half-baked. I wouldn't be surprised if DW brought out some show in response, perhaps performance/body skill-based (since we're NOT going to see a stunt show at DW anytime soon).

This is something that has been suggested to Dreamworld on various occasions. It's also something they seem pretty strict on NOT producing. I think when it gets down to it, Dreamworld doesn't want to seem like a 'rival' desperate to be better than Movie World. They probably know that sticking to what they do best, rather than competing with other parks, is the important thing. Movie World does the shows and movie themed rides well. Dreamworld does just about everything else well. It would be petty competition if Dreamworld was to produce and present shows just to get even with Movie World. As it is, Dreamworld usually has massive New Years' parties and various events going on throughout the year. It's highly unlikely that a permanent, performance-based show will become part of Dreamworld's development. Like I said before, they know it would seem like feeble competition. The closest you're going to get to a 'show' at Dreamworld is the Slime Time performance. I don't think it's their priority. It gets back to what I said before about sticking to what they do best. Dreamworld isn't a show park, it's a ride park. They've always had that reputation and it's not going to change just because a theme park down the road has a show going on. Hopefully, Dreamworld will remain number one for rides and attractions, and not a desperate number two copy-cat for stunt shows or performance shows.

[Rollercoaster13]

Im going to movieworld on weekend ill take some pics and put it up

[Richard]

With the growing rivalry between MW and DW I doubt they're going to serve up anything half-baked.

I'd very much hope that is the case, but unfortunately increased competition can't do much for a poor script. This isn't the sort of attraction that they can simply throw more money at to outdo the competition like they can with a roller coaster or other physical attractions. In this respect the stakes are a lot higher than they otherwise would be because the quality will come down to intangible aspects of the experience rather than higher, faster, longer etc. (forcier?) that are the makeup of quality for traditional rides. I just hope that in terms of production they've gone more along the lines of Australian Outback Spectacular and outsourced aspects like script development etc. which I think history has shown tend to be out of the scope of in-house creative teams, at least for show like this which are intended to be major attractions.

[ShadowXL]

While its obvious their going to put more emphasis on the stunts in the show, i do hope this new show has comedy as well. Thats what made PA so great.

[ThemeParksAustralia]

This isn't the sort of attraction that they can simply throw more money at to outdo the competition like they can with a roller coaster or other physical attractions. In this respect the stakes are a lot higher than they otherwise would be because the quality will come down to intangible aspects of the experience rather than higher, faster, longer etc. (forcier?) that are the makeup of quality for traditional rides.

With all due respect Richard, what you're saying here is not making sense. You say they can't throw money at the attraction to outdo the competition. Where on earth did that come from? If a theme park puts extra money into any attraction, ride or experience, it has the potential to be a better ride/attraction/experience, yes? Now, regardless of whether it's a ride or attraction, it can be 'better than' the competition. There's no 'attractions are harder to make better than rides'. They're on even par. Sure, an attraction may be based on intangible aspects, but there are many of them and I feel you have misled people to read your post as if there aren't many things an attraction's experience can be based on compared to a physical ride's features (higher, faster, longer, more forceful etc). In 'I can have an opinion' manner, I'm simply going to say I don't feel your post has hit the nail on the head. An attraction can most certainly outdo competition by putting money into it. There are so many elements to it that most people won't consciously percieve: seating, view, actual performances, theming, extras etc. When you expand your 'intangible' aspects, they very easily balance with the physical aspects of a ride that people encounter which allow 'better than' to have its effect. Edited April 11, 2008 by ThemeParksAustralia

[Gazza]

I think Richo is making sense. A live show, like other forms of media like TV shows, films etc can't just come down to a formula of more money equalling a better show. How many times have there been big budget movies with whiz bang effects that are absolute crap because of poor scripting, on the other hand, how many films are there that captivate and charm the audience without relying on a huge budget? The same thing is in play here. They might be able to spend huge amounts on spectacular stunts, but if the scripting and set up of the show is poor, and the actors dont have the talent then you can have a flop. With a roller coaster on the other hand, more money does pretty much equal a better ride since it is simple to get the manufacturer to just add more elements, make the drops bigger, make the experience last longer, make the theming higher quality, all of which just keep adding to the experience.

a theme park puts extra money into any attraction, ride or experience, it has the potential to be a better ride/attraction/experience, yes? Now, regardless of whether it's a ride or attraction, it can be 'better than' the competition.

Reread his post..... "This isn't the sort of attraction ", Now, one thing I thought of and have been meaning to post, but I think by the sounds of it, there is greater potential to keep the show fresh...since PA was heavily story driven, changing the stunts isn't really possible without rewriting a lot of the script. With this new show, it wouldn't be hard to slip new stunts in periodically and remove others. Edited April 11, 2008 by Gazza

[Richard]

I must say I don't know how to feel being told I make no sense by someone who at one point in time on this site engaged in heated arguments with himself logged into two accounts at a time. You seem to have completely missed my point and gone off on your own tangent.

You say they can't throw money at the attraction to outdo the competition.

But in this sense competition really only matters in that it creates an environment where creating successful attractions is more vital. Outdoing the competition is in the sense of the park capturing a percentage of the market from competitors; not "one-upping" them on a specific attraction which you'll note our parks almost never use as a competitive tactic. Note that 'attractions' is used in the sense that it refers to anything at a theme park, be it a roller coaster, family ride, show etc.

There's no 'attractions are harder to make better than rides'. They're on even par.

Shows are immeasurably harder to pull off successfully than a ride. You need not look any further than the pure number of shows that have been axed at Movie World over the years to see that it's in no way the same situation as when building rides. Most rides are built by companies who specialise in this task and through their expertise can deliver a product that meets expectations. Unfortunately there are so many more variables at play with a live production that there's no such thing as a turnkey show which generally leads to them being developed in-house by people, though often talented at what they do (i.e. running a theme park), don't typically have the skill set required to produce the sort of entertaining show most park-goers expect. Even seasoned industry veterans can and do miss the mark because of the nuances of the average 20 minute theme park show, coupled with necessary budgetary, talent, etc. constraints.

[Gold Coaster]

I'd very much hope that is the case, but unfortunately increased competition can't do much for a poor script. This isn't the sort of attraction that they can simply throw more money at to outdo the competition like they can with a roller coaster or other physical attractions. In this respect the stakes are a lot higher than they otherwise would be because the quality will come down to intangible aspects of the experience rather than higher, faster, longer etc. (forcier?) that are the makeup of quality for traditional rides. I just hope that in terms of production they've gone more along the lines of Australian Outback Spectacular and outsourced aspects like script development etc. which I think history has shown tend to be out of the scope of in-house creative teams, at least for show like this which are intended to be major attractions.

I understand increased competition can't do much for a poor time script - my point was, rivalry is hotting up. So, I don't think they're about to sign off on something that reduces the quality of the experience. What I was saying is what you said - that I hope they have outsourced AOS style. Just so you know where I was coming from.

[taronga]

I hope this new show puts an emphasis on stunts, not comedy. It's a new show with new story (if any), i'm not saying to drop the comedy aspect just don't rely on it as much.

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

To a point I have to agree that spending more money on a show can increase its viability. It's not the be all and end all - but a higher expenditure can be used on - Better Talent - actors Better writers (outsourced even as was mentioned earlier) Better Sets Better Effects To explain a little more - consider Wild West Falls - yes it is a ride, but much of it can be likened to a show. Pre-Fire, the final lift hill was abounding in special effects which really made the finale of the ride. The lack of effects in the final lift hill now dampens the ride. If you've never ridden it before, you wouldn't know, nor care about the difference, and still feel it was a good ride, mainly because the thrills and splashes are still there - But thrills and splashes can also be achieved by jumping off a rock ledge into a river - it just comes down to the quality of the effect and that can only be achieved by throwing money at it. The show is the same. There have been many shows i've seen at theme parks with varying quality and expenditure. Quest for the golden seal had a great set with a poor story line. (better sets) Action Man at wonderland was written for younger kids so it was a little more corny, but there was one felix in the group who really made the show (better talent) Milennium Magic \ Spellbinding Sorcery at Wonderland was mostly "stunt" based (for want of a better word) and did not have much of a script other than what Tony wrote himself - but the money spent on designing the special effects made the show (better effects) Casting my mind way back to the show Sea World had before Golden Seal - I think it was friends of the sea or something - this was written very well - like dolphin cove also - yes I know that the majority of what is written is based around what the animals can achieve but the writing was good - not corny like golden seal. There was one show I watched at Disneyland that aced it, but I can't for the life of me remember which one it was - and this all comes down to the quality of the writers (better writers) So you can throw money at a show and make it better - but you have to throw it very carefully, and with a good, experienced, practised aim. Miss the mark and you might as well throw the money straight down the toilet - Just pray it isn't written by the guy that used to head up the entertainment division at wonderland - his name was Michael I think but I can't be bothered trying to remember his last name - he was responsible for the corny scripting of golden seal, among other in-house shows at wonderland. The only good thing I saw him do at Wonderland was the Celebration street show.

[Richard]

Tony I essentially agreed with what you were saying; just expanding on the main aspects that I'm "cautiously optimistic" of.

To a point I have to agree that spending more money on a show can increase its viability.

Yeah don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that spending money on a show can't improve its quality. Fact is to produce a 'blockbuster' show significant funds do need to be injected. There's no two ways around that. I mean they're spending around $7 million on 'Hollywood Stuntdriver' so evidently their goals and expectations are for a high quality production. As it stands, Police Academy was without a doubt one of the best theme park shows out there. Overlooking the dated/simplistic set, from a pure entertainment perspective it rivals any big budget show from Universal or Disney that I've experienced. It will be very difficult for this new show to live up to its predecessor, even with all the money in the world, which really was my initial point.

[Brayds2006]

Someone on YouTube recorded parts of the PA Show back in 2001 if anyone is interested: Part 1: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=OvqvgmOrxsQ& Part 2: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=pKGuiazL438& I went to see the Stunt Show while i was in Brisbane last Saturday (9 Days ago). It was really great, it was a bit scary though especially the finale.

[cadboy]

It will be very difficult for this new show to live up to its predecessor, even with all the money in the world, which really was my initial point.

It sure will lets just hope and pray they do a go job.

[Gazza]

They are indeed now doing stuff for the new show. Nothing really notable, they have just taken out the steam engine (I hope that goes to the Wild West area) as apparently the arena will be much larger to accommodate the run ups needed for some of the stunts.

Edited April 25, 2008 by Gazza

[Original]

^ It was like that two weekends ago a sign said something along the lines of the train being refurbished.

[Spotty]

I am heading down on the 30th to see the last ever PA show. Should we try and organize an "Unoffical" meet up for then? If we get enough interest I may make a new thread.

[cadboy]

If the new stunt show is going to be twice the size of PASS where are they going to expand the arena. Are they just going to build straight back into the bush? does anyone know? Thanks

[MickeyD]

A few weeks ago I was chatting to someone from the marketing department and whilst he didn't give too much away he told me the new arena is going to be built out on either side. Expect the layout to be TOTALLY different! - that's why the train has fencing around it - because it's being moved. Whilst there aren't any plans to move Intencity (it's proving quite succesful where it is!) the new stadium will encroach on the area - perhaps even be built right over the top, I'm not sure. having worked at the park for years myself one thing is for sure, there is not much room at all at the back of the venue so it will be interesting to see what they do!

[Gazza]

That's the same story I have been getting, its basically so they can have a big long run up lane like what is seen at the Disney Studio parks in order to pull of the stunts. Aparently is extending up the other way too, towards WB Kids.

Edited May 3, 2008 by Gazza

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Gazza, i'm a little confused as to where that pic was taken... it doesnt look like the PA set at all.... I mean the only part of the set it could be is the back end of the main facade, on the WB KIDS side, as any other view would have the main building, or part of the grandstands, but I seem to remember that blue oyster was down that end and it was white, not pink\beige. Help me out here? (also, if it is behind the main facade, how'd you get back there eh?)