So this is something I made in Sketchup and Lightup – It’s an Alien radio type mast. I think its cool, it looks quite dangerous but at the same time has a serene feel which kind of reminds me of the aerials that you sometimes see when driving at night – As a passenger of course. A driver should be looking at the road.
This was inspired by Alton Towers use of satellite dishes in their theming.
The above image shows an alien lamp with 2 bulbs. Yep -TWO bulbs. The first is a normal bulb where the light fades in & out and the second is a (slow flashing) strobe bulb who’s flashing interacts with the 1st bulb. I just think it is cool to have “extra bits” on things and an Alien scene/theme seems appropriate for this notion. It seemed so cool to me that I have devoted 1 entire blog post to this notion.
It’s quite likely this will appear in one of my bigger projects.
This above is just an archway I made to showcase the duo-lamps but it turned out quite good.
A Button to bypass all strobes
This is kind of a statement as much as an idea.
This button should be in all new dark rides. It would be silly to create a park for the sake of making people happy but marginalize a few of the people who need it most.
The biggest mirrors I’ve ever seen
This is of interest because mirrors can be used to make things disappear – Its exciting therefor, that the 5 separate mirrors you can almost make out in the picture below, are VERY long and pretty wide.
(click to enlarge)
A simple Mirror effect for a slow part of a flying/laying down coaster
If you’ve ever held a mirror over yourself while laying on your back, or, lay one on the floor and looked over it, you have experienced the effect I’m getting at:
This image shows a flying coaster with mirrors underneath, during a slow part.
It feels cool because its disorientating. The people know its mirrors, there’s no illusion, it just feels weird/cool.
This effect is based on a proven effect and usage could well depend on a deal that must be made between themepark and an artist. It works using a strobe light to create a of kind ‘wagon-wheel effect’ occurs due to the rhythm of the water pump that delivers the water. It looks amazing:
Here is the full video of this amazing effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oggroJUcIT0
Now – What I thought would be even cooler (if possible), is to UPSIZE this effect so its happening over an entire scene.
Possible Applications Of A Large Reverse Rain Effect:
-a grave yard scene: Lightning strikes (as part of an incantation) before the rain starts to “fall upwards” and zombies erupt from the graves.
-Another planet where the rain behaves differently
-As a scene from someones memory where time is going backwards
Waterproofing the scene and related logistics
This effect would mean that most of the scene must be waterproof. I can see that a system of drains must exist underneath/in the scene in order for the water to be pumped round again and again. In regards to props and the actual set itself; A number of outdoor/weather proof products are already available including grass, shrubs and trees. There is probably a lot of prior art (previous, related invention) in special effects departments for films where huge floods are depicted. Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters are 2 who I know to have been involved.
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