We have an exciting new project un derby in our shop. Today our client did his first inspection and saw the rail inspection car outside our shop. He immediately noticed the detail I had incorporated into the chassis and he of course wanted some of the same on a mine car which is part of our project. As always story telling is all about the small details and we will incorporate many into this new project. I drew up the mine car concept this evening. It's going to be a fun little build and will fit in perfectly with the much larger mine under construction. The detail through that much larger part of the project is going to be spectacular! Stay tuned...
Story telling
Telling a story visually is fun. In a theme park it is doubly so. The temptation is always to throw a whole bunch of colourful ideas we like together, and while it may be exciting it becomes confusing and overwhelming for our guests. Instead we make sure to tell the story simply but include many small details to inform our guests. Chances are they many not consciously note these details but they feel them without a doubt. Even in cartoon worlds we need to stay on topic and make it believable.
The story we carefully crafted of the Kraken is informed in many ways. The sub itself is fashioned from copper plate, held together with rivets throughout. A patina of oxidation tells of it's age and various scrapes and dings demonstrate hard use it experienced when the Gruffles of our story were out pillaging. The Gruffles' logo of the skull and crossed wrenches is there to strike terror in those who encountered this fearsome craft. Their conquests were recorded on the side of the submersible craft by painting silhouettes on the port side. They include seven tall ships, one rowboat, a small island and a surfer. The paint is purposely aged and flaked to further tell the story.
Many guest will not take the time to look or notice all of the details but it will be a memorable place that seems believable without a doubt.
More on Skallywag Bay
Today, as we worked in the hot sun of Trinidad, placing more of the many features around the property I was reminded of a video we made two and a half years ago in our studio as we built the pieces there. Our feelings have not changed through the years. We are just as passionate and proud of the dimensional art we created for this project. Seeing almost everything finally in place made me very satisfied. Tonight, I head home once more for a week or two, and then return for more work but each time I visit the pace is quickening and the excitement building. Each time more areas are finished. Instead of a construction site it now looks more like a theme park... just as we imagined.
