-
ℹ️ Heads up...
This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.
[The Smiler] Marketing discussion
- Thread starter JayTricky
- Start date
- Status
andyramone
TS Member
From the Daily Mail article
I know there's no point in bemoaning the General Public, but this gave me a chuckle.
I know there's no point in bemoaning the General Public, but this gave me a chuckle.
ThemeParkJack
TS Member
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andwhynot/8726116986/in/photostream/
That is one of the best images i've seen of The Smiler.
'' The Story:
After an £18m investment, revealing the brand new rollercoaster needed to be a dramatic, dynamic affair for Alton Towers Resort. The stills and video were to take place at night and I was recruited to capture some dynamic images. With a huge temporary lighting install needed, the dates were locked down well in advance but on the night of the shoot we faced several challenges in technical, logistical & timing areas which meant just one chance to nail a light trails shot. Pressure mounted.
A key feature of the ride is its inversion count: in the 165 seconds of ride time it rolls a world-record 14 times! To try and capture that from a static position meant installing LEDs all around the front of the car – both sides of course, but top and bottom also. I further had to think carefully about composition to avoid overlapping track elements whilst simultaneously representing some of the complexities designed to “marmalise riders’ minds and bodies”.
There was no way to simulate the illuminated car passing at speeds of up to 85km/h so a couple of ICM test shots helped me guesstimate the right aperture & ISO settings. The resort had arranged for all sources of ambient light to be switched off so exposure duration was never going to be an issue.
Taking up my position and waiting for the car’s release was probably my most tense photographic experience. Ever. The klaxon sounded to indicate the car’s release and I triple checked settings while the car climbed the first lift hill in the bottom right corner of the frame. The ascent was naturally slower than the rest of the ride so to avoid overexposing the light trails I didn’t start the exposure until the car was clear.
The moment the car dropped was like an instant, furious electrical storm. Lights flashing past in the blink of an eye; thunderous noises as the car passed within a few feet of my position, shaking the ground as it went. I had to simply wait and hope that the preparation was worth it.
With the car safely back in its station it was time to review what I’d caught. As the pictures were to be distributed to the press, PhotoShop retouching was not an option so the final image here is unmanipulated, aside from a little colour balancing- an amusing twist, given that one of the ride’s hashtags is #GetCorrected.''
Quoted from the website of the Photography, which also can be found here.
http://longexposures.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/lighting-the-smiler-at-alton-towers/
That is one of the best images i've seen of The Smiler.
'' The Story:
After an £18m investment, revealing the brand new rollercoaster needed to be a dramatic, dynamic affair for Alton Towers Resort. The stills and video were to take place at night and I was recruited to capture some dynamic images. With a huge temporary lighting install needed, the dates were locked down well in advance but on the night of the shoot we faced several challenges in technical, logistical & timing areas which meant just one chance to nail a light trails shot. Pressure mounted.
A key feature of the ride is its inversion count: in the 165 seconds of ride time it rolls a world-record 14 times! To try and capture that from a static position meant installing LEDs all around the front of the car – both sides of course, but top and bottom also. I further had to think carefully about composition to avoid overlapping track elements whilst simultaneously representing some of the complexities designed to “marmalise riders’ minds and bodies”.
There was no way to simulate the illuminated car passing at speeds of up to 85km/h so a couple of ICM test shots helped me guesstimate the right aperture & ISO settings. The resort had arranged for all sources of ambient light to be switched off so exposure duration was never going to be an issue.
Taking up my position and waiting for the car’s release was probably my most tense photographic experience. Ever. The klaxon sounded to indicate the car’s release and I triple checked settings while the car climbed the first lift hill in the bottom right corner of the frame. The ascent was naturally slower than the rest of the ride so to avoid overexposing the light trails I didn’t start the exposure until the car was clear.
The moment the car dropped was like an instant, furious electrical storm. Lights flashing past in the blink of an eye; thunderous noises as the car passed within a few feet of my position, shaking the ground as it went. I had to simply wait and hope that the preparation was worth it.
With the car safely back in its station it was time to review what I’d caught. As the pictures were to be distributed to the press, PhotoShop retouching was not an option so the final image here is unmanipulated, aside from a little colour balancing- an amusing twist, given that one of the ride’s hashtags is #GetCorrected.''
Quoted from the website of the Photography, which also can be found here.
http://longexposures.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/lighting-the-smiler-at-alton-towers/
Andrew
TS Contributor
Some more stats (Some of which are pointless. )
Also, here's the full set of promotional images:
These images were accompanied by this:
I don't think that there's anything new in that, however.
http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-unveils-worlds-first-14-looping-rollercoaster-11766
)
Also, here's the full set of promotional images:
These images were accompanied by this:
I don't think that there's anything new in that, however.
http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-unveils-worlds-first-14-looping-rollercoaster-11766
Vicky
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Oblivion
Andrew said:Some more stats (Some of which are pointless.
http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-unveils-worlds-first-14-looping-rollercoaster-11766
I don't believe we've seen confirmation of two world's firsts before.
Andrew
TS Contributor
Vicky said:Andrew said:Some more stats (Some of which are pointless.
http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-unveils-worlds-first-14-looping-rollercoaster-11766
I don't believe we've seen confirmation of two world's firsts before.
Apart from that then, although that's not important.
No idea what that could be though! 14 inversions is obviously one, but I don't know what the other could be...
The marketing team have done well to keep it under wraps if it is something big!
Alastair
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Rise of the Resistance
Vicky said:Andrew said:Some more stats (Some of which are pointless.
http://press.altontowers.com/news-alton-towers-resort-unveils-worlds-first-14-looping-rollercoaster-11766
I don't believe we've seen confirmation of two world's firsts before.
That's a pretty major development to be honest! Everyone's been saying that the world's first is the inversion count, but it's pretty clear here that there is another one.
Ben
TS Founding Member
- Favourite Ride
- Your Dad
If there was some other big reveal we'd know by know.
It would have been a) spotted during construction b) used in marketing c) revealed as part of the TV push.
There wont be anything else big coming now. Dont build up something for a fall.
Lets not forgot that 13 was the world first psychological coaster as well as the worlds first vertical drop.
It would have been a) spotted during construction b) used in marketing c) revealed as part of the TV push.
There wont be anything else big coming now. Dont build up something for a fall.
Lets not forgot that 13 was the world first psychological coaster as well as the worlds first vertical drop.
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Ben said:
Apart from in the game, a major part of the marketing.
The press release clearly states that there is another secret worlds first. The seven locked items in the game would also suggest this. I'd imagine it is something to do with effects though rather than ride hardware.
James
TS Founding Member
Yeah, The Disorientatior is just the indoor barrel roll with strobe lights. The effect will be quite interesting with that! I'm guessing they are trying to keep that quiet from the public, as it will be a great surprise for first time riders!
Edit: Better note that I know the game shows it. However there's a small percentage of the public that engage with these apps and games. I'm surprised Alton Towers even keep bothering creating new apps to be honest!
Edit: Better note that I know the game shows it. However there's a small percentage of the public that engage with these apps and games. I'm surprised Alton Towers even keep bothering creating new apps to be honest!
EuroSatch
TS Member
The indoor barrel roll cannot be considered to be a "secret element" as it features as part of the 14 inversions. Whatever this "world first" feature would need to be something more than strobe lights and "self-duelling", neither of which are particularly impressive to draw people in
Earthwürm
TS Member
Self duelling isn't a world first either, though I can't remember where I saw it but I'm pretty sure it was some large traveling water coaster.
Edit: My opinion on the worlds first is that it will be something to do with the projection mapping interacting with the indoor barrel roll to creat an illusion. Perhaps giving the impression the room is spinning in the opposite direction to the roll to appear as through you are spinning far more than you are? Whatever it is, I don't think it will be a prominent marketing feature, it's quite clear the ride is being sold on the inversions now.
Edit: My opinion on the worlds first is that it will be something to do with the projection mapping interacting with the indoor barrel roll to creat an illusion. Perhaps giving the impression the room is spinning in the opposite direction to the roll to appear as through you are spinning far more than you are? Whatever it is, I don't think it will be a prominent marketing feature, it's quite clear the ride is being sold on the inversions now.
- Status