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Wednesday, January 23, 2019
What’s next? The future of media based attractions
InPark Magazine: InPark assembled a group of experts and asked them what trends, especially those oversees, are influencing the next generation of media-based attractions.
6 comments:
Lenora G
said...
I recently purchased a book that I'm really exited about reading that is all about augmented and virtual reality and how it's changed our world and the way we live. I've been to some of the theme park attractions, and while I think virtual reality and media are hugely important and can really change an attraction and make it better, but I also don't think that the direction that the world has gone is necessarily the right way. There is something lost in these attractions when they stop having any scenic elements, because then it really does feel like you're just watching a film in a chair that's moving. Some attractions have done it the right way. Examples of this are things like Forbidden Journey, or Frozen Ever After, both of which incorporate media into already existing scenic environments. There are also many many attractions at universal studios specifically, that do not blend these elements, or don't do it well, and these aren't very effective attractions. Balance is the key, and being cheap isn't the right way to do it.
I think the concept of media based attractions is incredibly interested and I am not surprised at all that this is a theme that is now coming out of the works and being created. Media has become heavily integrated into entertainment, whether it be in theatre, music, or even theme park attractions, like described in this article, and it is definitely an attractive platform because of it’s adaptability and versatility. Media can distort and change a space in very creative ways, so the usage of it in attractions can heavily influence how it is perceived by the audience, and can create a new experience if integrated into older attractions that people have already experienced or been a part of. It will be very interesting and I am intrigued as to how it will play into future developments.
I find it interesting that the price of production in Asian countries is really driving their innovation and creativity. I don’t find it surprising as it is often in the lack of monetary and feasibility restriction that people can be the most imaginative; however, it just really isn’t something I’d considered given the drive in the US tends to be more about profit. It makes me happy to see that the drive for original content still exists and not only the ability but the desire to create non media based attractions is rampant somewhere. I believe that entertainment is growing stale as more as more people and companies strive towards adapting the same technology in incredibly similar ways. There can only be so many VR rides before the novelty wears off despite the awe factor of the tech. I believe that the strategic use of media does an experience much better than the complete dependence on or the use of media for media's sake. By keeping it as a /special/ effect, it highlights the technology, highlights the creativity, and can enhance the story in a much more impactful way.
Working with immersive /themed environments is something I would love to be apart of, this article mentioned the lack of “innovative attractions” compared to Asia, the west puts money into. It was mentioned that the spike of interest of using media/VR technology, cutting costs on things like actors, may change that, but why they make them is not making them “innovative” to me. Most of the themed attractions I’ve seen in the west, are mostly some interactive game to some big movie franchise, it is rare to see something that is made on its own, breeding not as creative content as we could be. The end result is still cool, don’t get me wrong, people in the west are contributing towards gaming based attractions, but I feel like there would be more variety, and not all based on pre-existing established franchises made successful in other media. I would love to see more things made originally and fully for this medium, fulling using all that the medium has to offer.
Working with immersive /themed environments is something I would love to be apart of, this article mentioned the lack of “innovative attractions” compared to Asia, the west puts money into. It was mentioned that the spike of interest of using media/VR technology, cutting costs on things like actors, may change that, but why they make them is not making them “innovative” to me. Most of the themed attractions I’ve seen in the west, are mostly some interactive game to some big movie franchise, it is rare to see something that is made on its own, breeding not as creative content as we could be. The end result is still cool, don’t get me wrong, people in the west are contributing towards gaming based attractions, but I feel like there would be more variety, and not all based on pre-existing established franchises made successful in other media. I would love to see more things made originally and fully for this medium, fulling using all that the medium has to offer.
It is interesting to hear where media based attractions are headed. However, this article seems to be more focused on how these types of attractions function or would function in China and other Eastern countries. It strongly compares Eastern to Western countries values when it comes to entertainment. Personally, I think that media is still very much a developing field, and while it is becoming more artistic, mainstream, and approachable, it is still a little rough around the edges. I think that this is very apparent in interactive media, where the delays and resolution are even more apparent up close. Although, this is not really comparable, it is apparent in something like a mall interactive display, like one of the mats that you can step on to play a game. Usually, these are buggy, glitchy and do not look very good, but they are often very playful and enjoyable to use.
6 comments:
I recently purchased a book that I'm really exited about reading that is all about augmented and virtual reality and how it's changed our world and the way we live. I've been to some of the theme park attractions, and while I think virtual reality and media are hugely important and can really change an attraction and make it better, but I also don't think that the direction that the world has gone is necessarily the right way. There is something lost in these attractions when they stop having any scenic elements, because then it really does feel like you're just watching a film in a chair that's moving. Some attractions have done it the right way. Examples of this are things like Forbidden Journey, or Frozen Ever After, both of which incorporate media into already existing scenic environments. There are also many many attractions at universal studios specifically, that do not blend these elements, or don't do it well, and these aren't very effective attractions. Balance is the key, and being cheap isn't the right way to do it.
I think the concept of media based attractions is incredibly interested and I am not surprised at all that this is a theme that is now coming out of the works and being created. Media has become heavily integrated into entertainment, whether it be in theatre, music, or even theme park attractions, like described in this article, and it is definitely an attractive platform because of it’s adaptability and versatility. Media can distort and change a space in very creative ways, so the usage of it in attractions can heavily influence how it is perceived by the audience, and can create a new experience if integrated into older attractions that people have already experienced or been a part of. It will be very interesting and I am intrigued as to how it will play into future developments.
I find it interesting that the price of production in Asian countries is really driving their innovation and creativity. I don’t find it surprising as it is often in the lack of monetary and feasibility restriction that people can be the most imaginative; however, it just really isn’t something I’d considered given the drive in the US tends to be more about profit. It makes me happy to see that the drive for original content still exists and not only the ability but the desire to create non media based attractions is rampant somewhere. I believe that entertainment is growing stale as more as more people and companies strive towards adapting the same technology in incredibly similar ways. There can only be so many VR rides before the novelty wears off despite the awe factor of the tech. I believe that the strategic use of media does an experience much better than the complete dependence on or the use of media for media's sake. By keeping it as a /special/ effect, it highlights the technology, highlights the creativity, and can enhance the story in a much more impactful way.
Working with immersive /themed environments is something I would love to be apart of, this article mentioned the lack of “innovative attractions” compared to Asia, the west puts money into. It was mentioned that the spike of interest of using media/VR technology, cutting costs on things like actors, may change that, but why they make them is not making them “innovative” to me. Most of the themed attractions I’ve seen in the west, are mostly some interactive game to some big movie franchise, it is rare to see something that is made on its own, breeding not as creative content as we could be. The end result is still cool, don’t get me wrong, people in the west are contributing towards gaming based attractions, but I feel like there would be more variety, and not all based on pre-existing established franchises made successful in other media. I would love to see more things made originally and fully for this medium, fulling using all that the medium has to offer.
Working with immersive /themed environments is something I would love to be apart of, this article mentioned the lack of “innovative attractions” compared to Asia, the west puts money into. It was mentioned that the spike of interest of using media/VR technology, cutting costs on things like actors, may change that, but why they make them is not making them “innovative” to me. Most of the themed attractions I’ve seen in the west, are mostly some interactive game to some big movie franchise, it is rare to see something that is made on its own, breeding not as creative content as we could be. The end result is still cool, don’t get me wrong, people in the west are contributing towards gaming based attractions, but I feel like there would be more variety, and not all based on pre-existing established franchises made successful in other media. I would love to see more things made originally and fully for this medium, fulling using all that the medium has to offer.
It is interesting to hear where media based attractions are headed. However, this article seems to be more focused on how these types of attractions function or would function in China and other Eastern countries. It strongly compares Eastern to Western countries values when it comes to entertainment. Personally, I think that media is still very much a developing field, and while it is becoming more artistic, mainstream, and approachable, it is still a little rough around the edges. I think that this is very apparent in interactive media, where the delays and resolution are even more apparent up close. Although, this is not really comparable, it is apparent in something like a mall interactive display, like one of the mats that you can step on to play a game. Usually, these are buggy, glitchy and do not look very good, but they are often very playful and enjoyable to use.
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