Volume 3, No. 6. March 28, 2003
New Arrivals
It’s
a 4-D movie!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia announces the arrival of R.L. Stine’s
Haunted Lighthouse 4-D and Trappers Smokehouse, March 22, 2003. Measurements:
22 minute movie; 650-seat restaurant, 26 items on the menu. Film delivered by
Joe Dante (director), Sam Hamm (screenplay) and R.L. Stine (story).
Frankly, the media missed a treat. Fortunately, the park didn’t miss a
beat.
For the media day special preview of its new 4-D movie—which became a media-less
day (see related story in this LOOP)—Busch Gardens brought
in the Goosebumps author himself, R.L. Stine, and 550 third and fourth graders
from Hampton Roads-area elementary schools. Stine engaged the children for about
a half hour, demonstrating how he creates his famous ghost and suspense stories
by prompting the children to lead him through a developing plot line.
“They shouted out ideas and he created a whole new ghost story from their
suggestions,” said Diane Centeno, public relations manager for Busch Gardens
Williamsburg. “He’d say things like, ‘What happens next? Should
he turn the key or run down the stairs?’”
Stine’s impromptu story writing might have overshadowed the subsequent
sneak preview of the new film except that it rides on Stine’s craftsmanship
as a story teller. Replacing Pirates in its Globe Theatre, the new film
stars Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Michael McKean along with up-and-coming
child stars Sara Paxton and Matt Weinberg. The story sends the children—on
screen and in the audience—on a frightful 3-D adventure through a coastal
lighthouse supplemented by such effects as blasts of air, water sprays, buzzing
seats and ticklers. Though the film went into an existing theater, the seats
were rebuilt for Lighthouse’s special effects.
In addition to adding to its entertainment palette, Busch Gardens added delights
for its guests' palates with the new Trappers Smokehouse in the park’s
New France section. Replicating a giant log cabin, the new eatery imported the
former Smokehouse Restaurant's (now only a drink stand) popular menu of barbecue
baby back ribs, chicken and brisket, then added such fare as fresh grilled salmon,
smoked chicken and shrimp jambalaya and roasted vegetables. The buffet style
Trappers also offers two new signature desserts, apple cobbler and warm bread
pudding.
“This Smokehouse is monstrous compared to the old one,” Centeno said,
which, in a different light, could also be an apt description of the park’s
new 4-D film compared to the old one.
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
©2003, Minton Enterprises
LLC
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