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MIDSUMMER SCREAM UNLEASHES BIGGEST HALL OF SHADOWS EVER AT LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER THIS SUMMER

4/30/2018

 
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Terrifying Dark Zone Expands in 2018 to Include More than 15 Haunted Attractions, and Scare Zone by Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest
​LONG BEACH, CA - Midsummer Scream, the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, is thrilled to announce a larger Hall of Shadows dark zone than fans have ever experienced before. Throughout the July 29 - 29 weekend, guests will have the opportunity to explore the enormous Hall of Shadows dark zone, which will include more than 15 haunted attractions and displays, a scare zone bursting with monsters from Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest, a live performance stage, and more than 30 specialty vendors.

​Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, CalHauntS is returning once again to create an elaborate entry façade for Hall of Shadows; this year, guests will venture into the crumbling ruins of Castle Frankenstein, featuring a pair of 14-foot-high turrets, a sinister laboratory, and classic monsters lurking in the shadows, ready to frighten guests brave enough to enter their domain.
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Once inside the Hall of Shadows, fans will find more than 30 exhibitors, showing off their companies and wares in the dark - Light Up Masks, Haunted Orange County, The Cromwell Estate, and Stroke of Midnight Studios, to name just a few.
 
A performance stage has been added to Hall, which will feature variety acts throughout the weekend, from Twirly the Clown, and Mudd the Magnificent, to a titillating Horror Fashion Show by Ama Lea's Poltergeists and Paramours.
 
For the first time at Midsummer Scream, the Hall of Shadows will feature a scare zone from a major theme park. Leaving the vendor and performance stage area, guests will venture through the fog and navigate 50 feet of the most frightening monsters Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest can conjure under the direction and expertise of makeup master Scott Ramp and his team of talented artists.
 
Beyond the Fright Fest scare zone, Midsummer Scream visitors will find more than 15 haunted attractions and displays waiting in the 76,000 square feet of darkness. Several popular haunts will be returning to the Hall of Shadows, including Mable’s 6 Feet Under, Dead Zone 805, and Hyde Street Massacre. The Hall will feature many new experiences and participants as well, including the home haunt by Murder House Productions from Thousand Oaks that took the community by storm last Halloween - a highly-detailed fan tribute to the cult classic film Trick ‘r Treat.
 
Gantom Lighting & Controls has partnered with Midsummer Scream, offering lighting assistance for many of the on-site haunts, as has Fog It Up!, which is supplying complimentary fog juice to each of the attractions in the Hall of Shadows; both companies will help in giving fans a theme park-quality experience they won’t soon forget.
 
“Hall of Shadows has become a cornerstone of Midsummer Scream,” says Rick West, the convention’s Creative Director. “The lineup of not just amazing haunted attractions, but live entertainment and dedicated artisans we have for our expanded Hall this year is truly exciting. Returning guests will be wowed by how much bigger the Hall has become as we continue to create Halloween Night in Southern California inside the Long Beach Convention Center in the middle of summer. This is our love letter to haunt fans and the community!”
 
Among the creatures that will be lurking in the darkness within the Hall of Shadows are members of the Decayed Brigade, which returns for its third year at Midsummer Scream to delight audiences three times daily with “sliding” shows that demonstrate their incredible agility as scareactors at several of the Southland’s major Halloween events each fall.
 
Guests holding Gold Bat Weekend Passes get early access to the Hall of Shadows each morning at 10am, an hour before the venue opens to the general public. Gold Bat Passholders will also enjoy priority access to each walk-through attraction in the Hall, bypassing the standby queues.
 
More detailed information regarding Hall of Shadows can be found here, on the official Midsummer Scream website at MidsummerScream.org.
 
Midsummer Scream’s 40% off pre-sale ticket discount is available through April 30. If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, now is the time, because once the sale is over - the deep discounts for this year’s Midsummer Scream will forever rest in peace! Hardcore fans also have a VIP ticket option - the Gold Bat Weekend Pass, which is only $85.00 while supplies last (not discounted). The Gold Bat Weekend Pass grants early entry to the Midsummer Scream vendor show floor and Hall of Shadows an hour before the public each day, a collectible credential and lanyard, and a limited-edition Gold Bat enamel pin. It also gives passholders priority entry to Main Stage, Hall of Shadows haunts and attractions, and other components of Midsummer Scream all weekend-long. Supplies are limited, and the Gold Bat Weekend Pass option will sell out.
 
Midsummer Scream is expected to draw more than 20,000 fans to Southern California during its July 28 - 29 run at the Long Beach Convention Center. The show will feature more than 250 artisan vendors on a massive show floor, the beloved Black Cat Lounge adoption and cuddle area, live entertainment throughout the venue, world-class panels and presentations, educational seminars and classes, a large-scale Saturday night costume party, a bigger Hall of Shadows haunted attractions experience zone than ever before, and thousands of spooky cosplayers in elaborate costumes!
 
About Midsummer Scream
Midsummer Scream is presented by David Markland and Claire Dunlap of Black Cat Orange (formerly CreepyLA Productions), Gary Baker,  Johanna Atilano and Rick West of Theme Park Adventure. Its goal is to showcase the diversity of Southern California’s haunt and horror community as a welcoming beacon for fans around the world to converge on Los Angeles for a weekend of excitement, networking and non-stop spookery! Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Periscope for breaking updates and information.

Due to Popular Demand, Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration Adds Sunday, May 13 to the Roster; First-Ever Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Event Now Roars to Life from May 11-13

4/30/2018

 
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Celebrate the Experience that Started It All with After-Hours Access, Private Film Screening, Original Props, Exhibits, Themed Food, Expo Area, Live Entertainment, Plus Special Guest Appearances and More

Click Here for a Sneak Peek at the Exclusive Fan Event
Universal City, CA, April 30, 2018 – The roar just got more thunderous at Universal Studios Hollywood with exciting updates to the Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration inviting guests to be a part of an exclusive event that pays homage to the blockbuster action-adventure that brought dinosaurs out of extinction a quarter century ago.

Due to popular demand, the May 11-12 event has been extended to include Sunday, May 13. The event will also feature special guest appearances by those who worked the films as well as an all-new Raptor Encounter exclusive.


This first-ever themed
Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration, created in partnership with Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, is a separately ticketed event.  Space is limited and tickets, which can be purchased here, will sell out.


The multi-faceted immersive Celebration includes a private screening of the epic
Jurassic Park at Universal CityWalk’s all-new, state-of-the-art Universal Cinema.  The exciting showcase will also re-release the film’s original trailer.

The remainder of the event, which includes exclusive after-hours access, will take place within Universal Studios Hollywood, adjacent to the theme park’s thrilling “Jurassic Park—The Ride.”

Guests will enjoy unlimited access to all things
Jurassic, from the acclaimed theme park ride, to original props, including the Gyrosphere as seen in the record-breaking Jurassic World, original dinosaur maquettes, costume displays and an interactive expo area.  Themed food and merchandise along with live entertainment will complement the experience.


As an extension of this fun element, guests will be invited to dress up as their favorite character from the franchise. Please visit
www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/JP25 for costume guidelines requirements.


More information is available at
www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.


Universal Studios Hollywood
is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”.  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™.” and the “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction. The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.”  Opening June 15, 2018, Universal Studios Hollywood will welcome debut The DreamWorks Theatre featuring the premier attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.” The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.

Seasonal Attraction Leadership Symposium Announced for July 30th aboard the historic and haunted Queen Mary

4/26/2018

 
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Valencia, California, April 26, 2018— The Second Annual Seasonal Attraction Leadership Symposium is July 30th, 2018, hosted by the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California and produced by Gantom Lighting & Controls. The theme of this year’s event is “First Impressions.” Besides presentations by leading industry professionals on this theme, the day’s activities will include a tour of the Queen Mary and an exclusive preview of the upcoming “Dark Harbor” Halloween event.

Register via Eventbrite here.

Crafting memorable first impressions using the key elements of elevation, insight, pride, and connection is the touchstone for presentations at this year’s event. Added to this year’s symposium will be discussions following each speaker’s presentation. During these discussions, attendees will meet and share their thoughts about what they just learned and use workbooks to integrate this into their experience and vision for their own attractions. Deepening the learning using the discussion and workbook format assures the information goes home with the participant and becomes part of their reservoir of knowledge.

​For this year’s event, Gantom is seeking speakers on the theme of “First Impressions” as well as moderators to lead discussions following each presentation; contact Philip ([email protected]) to apply.

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Last year’s Symposium, titled, “Innovation in Interactivity,” was held at Knott’s Berry Farm on August 1. 2017 Featured keynote talks by Ricky Brigante of Pseudonym Productions, Jon Cooke and Ken Parks of Knott’s Berry Farm, Quan Gan of Gantom, sociologist and author Margie Kerr, the Queen Mary’s Brian Luallen, and industry veteran Scott Swenson. To hear speakers’ and attendees’ comments about last year’s event, watch the trailer here.

Brian Luallen, Director of Entertainment Events at this year’s Symposium venue, the Queen Mary commented: “The Leadership Symposium is a terrific opportunity to learn from some of the most inspiring creators in themed entertainment. As a participant in the 2017 Symposium, the event was incredibly inspirational to me, so the Queen Mary is tremendously excited to host our peers and showcase the ship’s unique history and attractions.”

Julie Warren of Lightswitch had this to say about the 2017 event: “The Symposium was an exciting, intimate experience for a diverse collection of leaders in the themed entertainment industry to get together and learn from each other. It’s an incredible space to engage with and celebrate the people who work to build new and game-changing experiences.”​

​"The Haunted Attraction Leadership Symposium creates, engages and inspires. It’s more than just a day of keynote speakers. I walked away with knowledge while meeting and forming relationships with some of the most innovative people in the field. I'll be back!" enthused Justin Fix of JFI Productions—Creep | The Willows | LORE

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David Ruzicka, Artistic Director of JFI Productions and Immersive Designer for Weta Workshop, said, "The Symposium was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and generally nerd out about haunted attraction production in all its wonderful, terrible forms.”

This was the reaction from the S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo™ Team about last year’s event: “This symposium was just a taste of the unique atmosphere and work that [Gantom Lighting & Controls] does to embrace creativity, art, manufacturing, and the vision of individuals within its company.”

As reflected in these testimonials, the focus of the Symposium is on intimate, one-on-one interactions with industry movers and shakers. To that end, tickets are limited to 120 seats, so buying tickets as soon as possible is advised.​

​For more information, contact Philip Hernandez at [email protected]

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Universal Studios Hollywood Will Officially Open the All-New DreamWorks Theatre Featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” on June 15

4/17/2018

 
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“Time is only an illusion, there is only the now.”
--Master Shifu, Kung Fu Panda
 
 
…And In the Spirt of Now,
Universal Studios Hollywood Announces that Its
All-New DreamWorks Theatre Featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest”
Will Officially Open on June 15

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Universal City, CA, April 17, 2018 – Universal Studios Hollywood channels its inner Master Shifu from DreamWorks Animations hit film, Kung Fu Panda, with today’s gift announcing Friday, June 15 as the official grand opening date of its all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring the premier attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”

            Inspired by the global blockbuster franchise, the attraction will take guests on a thrilling journey that fuses captivating storytelling with state-of-the art visual effects for a highly engaging experience. 

            Created and produced by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Creative, “Kung Fu Panda:  The Emperor’s Quest” recounts a plot filled story whereby on the morning of The Emperor’s Great Feast of Heroes, dragon warrior Po embarks on a wild and perilous mission to deliver the rare and precious Liquid of Limitless Power to the Palace, while enlisting guests to join him on the exciting adventure filled with raging rapids, river pirates, awesome magic and Kung Fu.

            With cutting-edge technology at the forefront of the multi-sensory attraction, “Kung Fu Panda:  The Emperor’s Quest” will introduce the first-ever integration of interior projection mapping designed to engulf guests in 180 degrees of immersive adventure.  Developed by the innovative team at Universal Creative, this never-before-adapted technique will depict a series of immersive and visually dynamic scenic designs that will transform within the interior space and enhance the story. With detailing that is so precise, it will be near impossible to realize the projected imagery is a mere illusion.

            Coupled with seven Christie 4K Boxer Cinema Projectors and 360 degree surround sound audio, sweeping physical effects from water to wind will empower guests to feel more like participants than spectators in the adrenaline-spiked adventure.

            Featuring an original score by composer Germaine Franco, the storyline begins as guests enter the pre-show area of the theatre where they meet an array of DreamWorks characters who kick-off the attraction’s narrative. From there, guests will enter the main theatre, complete with new ultra-plush, fully articulated seats that pivot and swivel in tandem with the 180-degree action.

            The newly constructed building that houses the DreamWorks Theatre is inspired by Mission revival architecture and harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood’s Art Deco period of the 1920s, including a box office ticket seller booth, reminiscent of the time period and staffed by a three-dimensional usher asleep on the job.

            As guests navigate past the ticket booth, through the flourishing outdoor garden and into the theatre queue, they will encounter a series of 36 movie posters that pay homage to DreamWorks Animation films. Within the lobby, a selection of over 20 award statuettes will be on display, representing a sampling of the Golden Globe, Emmy, People’s Choice, Critic’s Choice, National Board of Review and Annie awards DreamWorks Animation has amassed from 2008 to 2015. A collection of original sculpted maquettes of the “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” characters will also be on display along with artifacts embodying magical powers that Po brought back from the Spirit Realm.

            More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
 
Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”.  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™.” and the “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction.  The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.”  Coming in Summer 2018, Universal Studios Hollywood will welcome debut The DreamWorks Theatre featuring the premier attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”  The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.

Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration Roars to Life on May 11-12 at Universal Studios Hollywood

4/5/2018

 
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Celebrate the Experience that Started It All with After-Hours Access, Exclusive Film Screening, Original Props, Costume Contest, Exhibits, Themed Food, Expo Area, Live Entertainment and More
​

Click Here for a Sneak Peek at the Exclusive Fan Event
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Universal City, CA, April 5, 2018 – On Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12, the Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration will roar to life at Universal Studios Hollywood, and guests are invited to be a part of this exclusive event in honor of the blockbuster action-adventure that brought dinosaurs out of extinction a quarter century ago.

This first-ever themed Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration, created in partnership with Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, is a separately ticketed event.  Space is limited and tickets, which can be purchased here, will sell out.

The multi-faceted immersive Celebration will feature a private screening of the epic Jurassic Park at Universal CityWalk’s all-new, state-of-the-art Universal Cinema.  The exciting showcase will also re-release the film’s original trailer.


The remainder of the event, which includes exclusive after-hours access, will take place within Universal Studios Hollywood, adjacent to the theme park’s thrilling “Jurassic Park—The Ride.”


Guests will receive a special commemorative lanyard and unlimited access to all things Jurassic, from the acclaimed theme park ride, to original props, including the Gyrosphere as seen in the record-breaking Jurassic World, original dinosaur maquettes, costume displays and an interactive expo area.  Live entertainment, themed food and merchandise will also be available to complement the event.


Unique to the Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration event, guests will be invited to dress up as their favorite character from the franchise. Please visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com/JP25for costume guidelines requirements.


More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor rollercoaster.  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons RideTM” and the “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction. The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television studio where they can also experience such authentic and immersive thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.” The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.

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