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[The Smiler] Marketing discussion

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Wouldn't it be incredible if there was audio at the top of Oblivion that said 'Don't look down, let go of the pain, focus on the joy'...so when you look up you see the Smiler (Or the Joy ;) )
 
morgano said:
The new video has digital projection happening, if the whole room is going to be like that then we have confirmation of 3D digital projection mapping at work. The queue / pre ride show is going to be insane.
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Projection and projection mapping are not the same thing. ;)

I don't understand why they have used such cringeworthy "low quality" effects on these videos. Unless they are using a knackered tube camera from the 80's, it is not possible to get colour mis-alignment like that on a modern CCD camera. (Even then, it wouldn't look anything like as bad as that).

The "Hanover Bars" (horizontal lines across the picture) are again, not possible on modern cameras... Or old ones, for that matter. It is a glitch that only happens inside CRT televisions receiving a PAL signal where there is a phase error.

It's as daft as when you see "camcorder" footage on a TV show that has the little red light flashing in the corner... you only see that in the viewfinder, not on the footage.

No video footage ever shot by man has ever looked that bad. If you want to make something look believable... just film it normally for gods sake! We had phones ten years ago that could shoot better quality images than this.


Here is an example of something I did several years ago now, using nothing but in-camera settings, to make the usually colourful world of CBBC look dark, desaturated, grainy and so forth.
 
So I've just watched it again and I'm even more perplexed by the response here on the forum.

It's just filmed very strangely and the acting is worse than the previous.

In my opinion this would have been far more successful as a single camera perspective similiar to how paranormal activity was filmed. That felt real, this does not.

Plus, like DiogoJ42 pointed out, it just looks awful. Either someone's gone mental with after effects or they decided to get granddads camcorder out.
 
DiogoJ42 said:
morgano said:
The new video has digital projection happening, if the whole room is going to be like that then we have confirmation of 3D digital projection mapping at work. The queue / pre ride show is going to be insane.
Click to expand...

Projection and projection mapping are not the same thing. ;)

I don't understand why they have used such cringeworthy "low quality" effects on these videos. Unless they are using a knackered tube camera from the 80's, it is not possible to get colour mis-alignment like that on a modern CCD camera. (Even then, it wouldn't look anything like as bad as that).

The "Hanover Bars" (horizontal lines across the picture) are again, not possible on modern cameras... Or old ones, for that matter. It is a glitch that only happens inside CRT televisions receiving a PAL signal where there is a phase error.

It's as daft as when you see "camcorder" footage on a TV show that has the little red light flashing in the corner... you only see that in the viewfinder, not on the footage.

No video footage ever shot by man has ever looked that bad. If you want to make something look believable... just film it normally for gods sake! We had phones ten years ago that could shoot better quality images than this.


Here is an example of something I did several years ago now, using nothing but in-camera settings, to make the usually colourful world of CBBC look dark, desaturated, grainy and so forth.
Click to expand...

I appreciate that, I guess I should have made it clear.

The video effect was simple projection as we both agree. I should have been more clear stating that if the use the same effect in a room with 3D mapping it will look brilliant. I have a feeling we'll see something like that.
 
Could it be because the tapes have been near a magnet or damaged or something? Maybe "someone" got hold of them after the characters were kidnapped and tried to dispose of them and then they were recovered and passed to Alton or whatever?
 
Trust me, nothing would ever create such bad quality footage... except over enthusiastic post production effects ;)



I agree though, that projection like that mapped on to a 3D surface would be pretty disorientating.
 
Find me a coaster, anywhere on the planet, with a better storyline, originality, supporting attractions, marketing campaign, never mind for a budget of 18 million for a world first record breaking ride.

The main thing they had to get right, was the lead character - and my word have they ever done that. I wanted the freaky edge to return, yes there are things they could have done better, but I absolutely love this style. The bad acting is charming and almost B Movie like! As is the theme, theatrics, and even the Marmaliser.

There are most definitely things I'd love to change myself, or add to, and the amalgamation of X-Sector is not what I'd have preferred. It's not without fault, far from it.

Then I think - hang on. This is a theme park, Alton Towers, not Hollywood, not even Universal, yet they've created this amazing story from scratch and built a coaster and fantastic supporting attraction (reticent to say that, it's equal to The Smiler in it's own contexts) that is really creating a buzz.

I'll stick it to them when I believe they deserve it, you all know that, but in this case I have to stand up for them here.

When viewed in context, this really is quite brilliant.
 
Dobba said:
mrvardermier123 said:
So I've just watched it again and I'm even more perplexed by the response here on the forum.

In my opinion
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Well that was soon sorted out.
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I offer my opinion and then back it up with WHY I think it's so bad.

I can understand/condone your dismissive post if I had just slagged it off without stating what I had a problem with.

Not really called for

In my opinion
 
mrvardermier123 said:
Dobba said:
mrvardermier123 said:
So I've just watched it again and I'm even more perplexed by the response here on the forum.

In my opinion
Click to expand...

Well that was soon sorted out.
Click to expand...

I offer my opinion and then back it up with WHY I think it's so bad.

I can understand/condone your dismissive post if I had just slagged it off without stating what I had a problem with.

Not really called for

In my opinion
Click to expand...

mrvardermier123 said:
Fan boy retaliation in 3... 2... 1... :twirly:
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I didn't want to disappoint you.
 
although we have seen the viral videos....... how long do you think it will be before we see a new TV advert? Will they make one? IMO I think they might use snippets from the clips we have seen already and tease/confuse the viewer and then show more of the advert after another break etc?! If you get what I mean:)
 
There will definitely be a TV ad, I'd imagine this will be aired from about a week in advance of whatever the opening day is. I think it will have a very different feel to the videos we have seen so far. These videos have been giving us a bit of back story, the ad will promote the ride and probably give a much more subtle hint at the theme in the form of key messages such as "Smile.Always" and so on. It will probably feature a fair amount of edited ride footage as well, we saw the first train that was delivered set up in a green screen environment that I think will have been for the TV ad.

:)
 
that's something I missed! Should be pretty interesting regardless what it is! I do really hope they do some sort of subliminal message type advert which will be 0.01 of a second or something showing the smiler logo ,quick enough if you blinked you would miss it, but when you did see it you would be like 'did you see that?' Please forgive me if its not a subliminal message as what I'm trying to explain:)
 
Pretty sure that's illegal starfish :).

I like the concept behind the videos but they are poorly produced and give the impression an intern was given a go at post production. Despite this, the whole theme behind the ride and marketing campaign has been terrific!
 
Even though I don't like the execution of much of The Smiler, I have to hand it to Alton, they have had high ambitions for this project.

I think these videos have their faults which people have very legitimately pointed out, but I think overall they show a willingness to be creative, to work with complex and original concepts, and strive to go beyond the bare-bones necessity, even if budgets don't quite allow for the best realisation of the theme.

I'm impressed.
 
Currently rocking back and forth trying sleep. These viral video's have seriously creeped me out. As if I hadn't hyped the ride up enough without all these videos. I find myself terrified, excited and left begging for more!

The marketing for this ride is simply stunning. Great work to all involved. :twirly:
 
DiogoJ42 said:
Oh, grow up. I've seen creepier things on children's TV.
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Each to their own. The whole thing has somewhat got to me. The Sanctuary .2 had me shivering upon exit. I don't know what it is but so far the majority of lead up to the ride has really had me spooked.

Edit: Of course you wouldn't know, not attending meets n' all ;)
 
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