Oct. 3, 2023
Shrek's Swamp, NERF Land, ESports, and Media Nights

This week: Spend the night in Shrek’s Swamp, now on Airbnb; Beto Carrero World introduces the world’s first NERF-themed land in a theme park; Cedar Point Esports: New gaming facility to open in Sandusky on October 6; Scott and Philip discuss their...
This week: Spend the night in Shrek’s Swamp, now on Airbnb; Beto Carrero World introduces the world’s first NERF-themed land in a theme park; Cedar Point Esports: New gaming facility to open in Sandusky on October 6; Scott and Philip discuss their work for Hush Haunted Attraction.
WEBVTT
1
00:00:01.320 --> 00:00:08.080
Uh, from our studios in Detroit
this week and Tampa. This is green
2
00:00:08.119 --> 00:00:11.800
tag them Barkin thirty. I'm Philip. My co host is, as always,
3
00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:17.480
the Glorious Scott Swinson of Scott Swinson
Created Development. Some people have different,
4
00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:21.320
you know, precursors to their name. Mine apparently is glorious. I
5
00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:27.000
like that. I'm gonna start putting
that on on business cards. Glorious and
6
00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:32.640
glamorous, glamorously glorious Scott Swinson.
I'm not real sure I believe either one
7
00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:35.280
of those. Anyway. Well,
it's October, so you know, but
8
00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:41.719
I appreciate that. Thank you.
Welcome to October listeners. We are still
9
00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:46.320
wait, I don't even know,
very deep, almost underwater with projects,
10
00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:52.759
but we are here for you because
that's what we do. And we have
11
00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:56.880
three stories that I thought kind of
thought was the most interesting, and they
12
00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:00.799
are continuations of that we've talked about
before, so we thought we'd bring them
13
00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:06.120
up. The first is that you
listener, can you can spend the night
14
00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:11.959
in Shrek's Swamp, which is now
available on Airbnb and it will be opening
15
00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:18.480
for bookings on the thirteenth of October. So basically the storyline behind this is
16
00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:22.719
that Donkey is house sitting, and
of course while he's house sitting, he's
17
00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:25.359
going to throw a party, and
of course you're invited to the party to
18
00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:26.560
come in. So there's a little
bit of story. And this appears to
19
00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:34.959
be an actual, you know,
charity partnership with Airbnb and DreamWorks because DreamWorks
20
00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.840
is listed in here DreamWorks Animation,
Shrek and it. So it seems to
21
00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:45.680
be a I guess a mix between
like a fundraiser and a PR event and
22
00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:52.359
an IP installation happening out here in
Scotland. And it looks like a full
23
00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:57.760
fabrication of Donkey's house of Shrek's house
on the Shrek's House. It looks it
24
00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:04.200
looks fantastic and I'm sure that some
of the folks from our industry helped put
25
00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:09.280
this together because it has that you
know, fiberglass professional feel. So what
26
00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:13.080
do you think, Scott, Well, you know, we talk a lot
27
00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:15.199
about and and certainly I talk a
lot with a lot of my clients about
28
00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:21.000
immersive entertainment, and this is this
is quintessential. I mean, this is
29
00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:23.360
you You're not just you're not just
going there for the day, You're actually
30
00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:29.280
spending the night. You're getting a
chance to to uh, not just look
31
00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:32.400
at but live in part of the
part of the story. And and I
32
00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:38.199
think that's really exciting. I love
the fact that you know it. It
33
00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:39.919
kind of seems and I don't know, I'm reading and I'm reading between the
34
00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:44.280
lines here, but it kind of
seems as though they're using this, this
35
00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:46.879
charity partnership to sort of test out
the possibility or feasibility. It's like a
36
00:02:46.919 --> 00:02:51.879
feasibility study that that goes to a
good cause. Does that make sense?
37
00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:57.159
And then I think, I think
you're right. Everything that I've read about
38
00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:00.560
it, it looks like it is
truly a partnership. It's like some some
39
00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:06.639
company scabbing off the Shrek name.
And the nice thing is, you know
40
00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:09.120
it because they clearly use Shrek and
they clearly use donkey. Now donkey you
41
00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:14.479
can pretty much use anywhere because you
can't copyright that word. But but Shrek's
42
00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:17.240
pretty straightforward. And uh, and
the imagery, you know, some of
43
00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:21.960
this stuff when you look at it, I don't know whether they could have
44
00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:28.879
gotten that detailed just from from trying
to pull stills from a film or you
45
00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:34.199
know, it's because it's really it
looks like it's really, really well done,
46
00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:37.960
and I would be I would be
curious to say, there the one
47
00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:40.479
thing I didn't see and maybe you
saw it in there. Where where is
48
00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:44.000
it located? How far is it? How far out in the middle of
49
00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:49.560
nowhere is it? Or is it
just a small area close to close to
50
00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:53.280
town so to speak? It looks
pretty far. So it's located among the
51
00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:57.520
hills of the Scottish Highlands, and
it's it's on It looks like it's on
52
00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:03.240
a property. To look more into
that, because it it there's that little
53
00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:09.960
export. The property is indepenently owned, operated by ard. Oh I can't
54
00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:14.120
even pronounce that by an estate.
So it's an a state facility and it's
55
00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:16.240
on here like please note the bathroom
is located twenty meters in the main living
56
00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:20.079
area in a standalone facility, so
it's it's you know, so it's got
57
00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:25.720
a glorified out house. That's that's
actually right on brand, really, you
58
00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:29.040
know, other than just going out
in the swamp and letting it all go.
59
00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:31.720
But yeah, no, it looks
it looks like an awful lot of
60
00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:34.879
fun. I wish there were more
opportunities to do this kind of thing.
61
00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:41.040
I mean, obviously this is what
what Disney did with with Star Cruiser,
62
00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:43.920
and that was, you know,
on a much grander scale. But it's
63
00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:49.120
the idea of not just going to
to an ip installation, but actually living
64
00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:53.040
in it. And I and I
think there's something. I think there's something
65
00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:57.959
very fun. I also didn't see
how many does it sleep? So yeah,
66
00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.120
it there's a lot of details that
are kind of missing from this and
67
00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:05.279
I'm wondering, you know, on
its surface, it's presented as a press
68
00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:10.680
release from Donkey, like putting this
up, you know, for that,
69
00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:15.040
and then it has the a lot
of the attributes of a traditional Airbnb stay
70
00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:19.040
because it says you know about the
stay and you know it's you know,
71
00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:24.000
for zero pounds a night. A
nod to the priceless refugee shreck Swamp has
72
00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.759
provided fairytale creatures for all of all
kinds. They'll be able to request a
73
00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:31.160
book an exclusive two night Swamp stay
for up to three guests October twenty seventh
74
00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:35.600
to twenty ninth. So so up
to three guests for a two night's day.
75
00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:39.439
So is it just three people total? Yeah, that's kind of what
76
00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:42.040
it looks like. So if you're
if you're going as a family, it's
77
00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:44.120
mom dad, and you have to
pick your favorite kid if you more have
78
00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:48.079
more than one. So yeah,
that was what I was curious about because
79
00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:53.800
it looked like, just based on
the images and some of the verbiage that
80
00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:59.839
I read quickly through that oh there's
the there's the outhouse too. Yeah,
81
00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:04.959
this is very interesting and I agree
it's all. I think it's a test.
82
00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:08.759
And we've talked about it because we've
talked about some of our you know,
83
00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:14.360
a little Spider creations talking about how
their Airbnb business has picked up significantly
84
00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:18.560
in the theme. And I could
see it, you know again, we
85
00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:23.879
could see it working like what's the
next logical extension for some of these brands,
86
00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:27.000
Well, it's to do these some
of these in person experiences. And
87
00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:32.120
I could see partnering with Airbnb on
a lot of IPS to make exclusive stays
88
00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:38.000
later on that are you know,
themed to IP. I could see it
89
00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:41.759
very much working. And just for
context, this estate, it is a
90
00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:46.759
it is a castle estate. Basically, it's a Victorian Gothic manner and it
91
00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:54.600
is so if you're looking at the
the UK, it's it's up I guess
92
00:06:54.639 --> 00:07:00.759
to the north past Edinburgh, so
it is not in a is not really
93
00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:09.920
near anything or in an easily accessible
area. Bat All, I mean it's
94
00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:14.160
not anyway, So it's something like
you'd have to fly into Glassglow or to
95
00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:20.879
Edinburgh and and you know drive or
taxi up there to it. So interesting.
96
00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:25.040
Yeah, yeah, it looks like
tons of fun. Yeah. So
97
00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:29.680
it's about two and a half hours
north of Edinburgh, so yeah, so
98
00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:31.600
it just very interesting that there's these
a little test going on. Well,
99
00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:39.439
okay, keeping I guess with our
little international theme here we have our next
100
00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:45.360
story is having to do with the
first NERF themed land in a theme park.
101
00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:53.079
And the first NERF themed land opens
October twelfth, and it's at Betto
102
00:07:53.160 --> 00:08:00.279
Carrero World, which is in Brazil. So we got the whole release here.
103
00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.240
But basically, to break it down, it's like it's a it's one
104
00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:07.120
section in this theme park and it
has it's like a themed land. There
105
00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:11.560
are multiple rides. I think there
are two rides. There's the eatery and
106
00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:13.600
then there's some merch area, so
it's a kind of a full land in
107
00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:20.920
that regard, and it's all themed
around the Nerf IP and it's as Nerve
108
00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:26.560
maybe as a collaboration between Bedocre World
and Hasbro. The expansive themed area of
109
00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:31.560
over fourteen thousand square meters was designed
by Design Studio in Singapore and New York,
110
00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:37.279
known for their experience in creating the
theme parks. So, you know,
111
00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:39.080
we cannot wait for consumers of all
ages to experience the first ever NERF
112
00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:43.360
themed land at bet o'crero World.
And this opening is just a start of
113
00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:48.000
what's to come. And of course
we've heard a lot from Hasbro right because
114
00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:50.639
we have the Crayola Center. I
mean, this seems to be kind of
115
00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:56.000
the next step of them of that
brand, kind of rolling out ips I
116
00:08:56.159 --> 00:09:00.960
have. You know, again,
it's in a park I've never been to,
117
00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:05.279
and I've heard very little of this
property in this area, so I'm
118
00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:09.679
not sure about that part. But
I think overall, this trend seems to
119
00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:13.360
be exactly what we're talking about for
the expansion of these you know, classic
120
00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.720
games into you know, it's like
it's like the next what is the next
121
00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:20.240
extension of doing these individual pop ups, Well, now it's to try a
122
00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:24.600
themed area anthy park. Right.
Well, once they started to do Hasbro
123
00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:28.120
game nights on cruise ships, you
kind of knew that this was this was
124
00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:33.399
the direction. Sorry, Hasbro game
nights on stage on in in cruise ships.
125
00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:37.039
Then you you kind of knew that
this was the next thing. And
126
00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:43.320
you know, we've talked about it
before. Gaming and play is becoming larger
127
00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:50.039
and larger intellectual properties than than even
movies or or or television. I mean
128
00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:56.000
obviously video gaming, but even even
things like Nerve or Lego or you know,
129
00:09:56.080 --> 00:10:01.679
the classic Hasbro games. You'll look
at you look at like gen Con,
130
00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:07.519
which is this Jimingo convention. Significantly
more people attend it than any of
131
00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:15.679
the or most of the the other
more more theatrically based ips. So you
132
00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:18.480
know, there's there's clearly a huge
fan base here, so it makes an
133
00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:22.919
awful lot of sense. I'm also
excited that the the first Nerve theme land
134
00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:28.519
is in a now I don't know
the size of Better Carrero World, but
135
00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:33.240
is not in one of the the
almighty parks that we know, you know,
136
00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:37.399
as a household name somewhere you know, like you said, yeah,
137
00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:39.679
yeah, yeah, yeah, and
kind of proving what we said before.
138
00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:46.159
Not only is it a test,
it's also if you do the right sort
139
00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:50.000
of negotiation, a park of any
any size can can find a way to
140
00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:56.519
incorporate a well known ip. Yeah, Scott, to your point when I
141
00:10:56.600 --> 00:11:01.360
was going to say about the quote
unquote tractions, you know, they're not
142
00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:05.080
really rides, but but basically it's
like their play experiences, I think,
143
00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.360
is how I would describe them.
I mean, again, we're gonna have
144
00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:09.759
to wait until it opens so we
can actually see a video about these and
145
00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:13.360
see what, you know, what
it actually looks like, because just reading
146
00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:16.919
reading it doesn't I don't think that's
I'm not clear, but it says they're
147
00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:22.440
two there are two spin Blast and
super Soaker Splash, and the spin Blast
148
00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:28.039
it says, is a giant disc
for forty people spinning atop a wave shaped
149
00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:31.960
truck. This exclusive attraction in the
Brazilian market is designed to accommodate over six
150
00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:37.639
hundred people per hour. And the
other one was they're both imported from Italy,
151
00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:39.559
I guess and brought over. So
that's not clear to me what that
152
00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:43.039
looks like, you know, specifically, but it's clear that it's a play
153
00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:46.399
experience like it is. It's not
like a roller coaster, right, it
154
00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.519
is a it is something to do
interactive play, which again fits with what
155
00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.720
you just said and with the nerve
concept. Yeah, I'm wondering if it's
156
00:11:54.919 --> 00:12:00.879
if it's similar. I'm wondering if
it's a ride element that had that would
157
00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:11.559
be similar at least in its main
guest support area to the The Riddler ride
158
00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:16.000
at at Warner Brothers World. Oh
yeah, which is a big spinning disk
159
00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:18.840
where you all face out and it
has water elements to it. Actually has
160
00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:22.039
fog elements to it, but you
could add water elements to it so that
161
00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:26.000
you know, you as you spin, you you get splashed or whatever.
162
00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.799
I don't know, I'm guessing.
I'm guessing, but the way the way
163
00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:31.159
you described it kind of sounds that
way. And if it can take you
164
00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:35.240
said sixty guests at a time at
six hundred per hour. Yeah, but
165
00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:41.159
then then you said per per people
per Yeah, that sounds about the same
166
00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:45.840
size. The only difference is that
one is on a track. Yeah,
167
00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:50.639
that is kind of an up and
down roller coaster style track. So yeah,
168
00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:54.919
yeah, they do have a classic
arcade there as well. I mean,
169
00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:58.639
it's sounds it sounds that one sounds
more like a classic laser tag type
170
00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:03.200
of thing because they have digital blasters
where they can have fun with their friends
171
00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:05.240
as who can rack up the most
points you know, it's a classic nerve
172
00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:09.080
experience in a new dimension. You
know. That's so it sounds like they
173
00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:13.000
have these play experiences plus the arcade
and then plus the food. So well,
174
00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:15.960
and what's fun with nerve is,
you know if your nerve has different
175
00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:18.240
meanings to different generations too. You
know, if if you're an old guy
176
00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:22.039
like me, you think you did
a whole area about spongeballs, I don't
177
00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:26.759
get it, but you know,
the NERF blasters and the NERF water stuff
178
00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:31.360
is all, you know, all
viable and really fun to play with an
179
00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:35.000
expand upon in a in a theme
park environment. So yeah, I think
180
00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.240
that I think that has some legs
that could be very interesting. We should
181
00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:41.440
keep keep an eye on that one. Yep. And again in that same
182
00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:46.919
vein of the gaming. We talked
about this story a while back, but
183
00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:50.879
now we're finally to the opening stage
for it. So Cedar point Esports,
184
00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:54.480
the new gaming facility there at Cedar
Point is opening in Sandusky, Ohio on
185
00:13:54.720 --> 00:14:01.039
October sixth. Cedar Point Esports will
offer thirty two compare of gaming stations and
186
00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.639
cover an area of more than one
thousand square feet, which it's not actually
187
00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:07.519
that pig within the existing theater point
at that point, you just don't want
188
00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:11.120
to put the number into the pressure. Yeah, I was like, cos
189
00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:15.519
in covers a good area. Yeah. Yeah, So that's basically what it
190
00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:18.559
is. Officials say. The first
phase of the development will include thirty two
191
00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:22.000
say the art gaming stations, each
equipped with the latest hardware and peripherals.
192
00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:28.399
The goal is to establish dynamic hubs
for gaming enthusiasts and competitive gamers, offering
193
00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:33.159
them a world class platform to nurture
their gaming passion. Yeah. I mean,
194
00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:35.759
there's more to it, but that's
basically it. So it's if you
195
00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.480
look at the photos, you know, they're they're just renderings, but it's
196
00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:43.879
renderings of just like an esports area. So I was just there at Cedar
197
00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:48.159
Point yesterday and you know, they
just opened up the new Grand Pavilion,
198
00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:54.399
which is very nice and very large. That's their food area, And it
199
00:14:54.559 --> 00:15:00.360
seems to me, I guess on
the on the overall spectrum, right that
200
00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:05.840
Cedar Point seems to be leaning more
heavily into the amusement park area. Amusement
201
00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:09.279
park vibe. You know, they
have the boardwalk and they've expanded the boardwalk
202
00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:15.279
with the with this eatery, and
they have alcohol options, you know,
203
00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:20.000
and the Grand Pavilion is the latest
bar open and usually that's open until closing
204
00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:24.080
time of the of the park,
and they have you know, they're they're
205
00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:26.600
really dialing, and how they have
the different beer options and the craft options
206
00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:30.840
and the cocktails and you have all
that everywhere. And I can see now
207
00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:35.000
with this addition, how it's like, Okay, the family can come and
208
00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:39.759
the parents can hang out in the
pavilion and then the kids can do competitive
209
00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:45.679
gaming or you know whatever that makes
or if they're older gamers, and they
210
00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:48.879
can drink as well, and they
walk around and I would say that,
211
00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:52.519
you know, the theming portions,
so I would put this amusement park not
212
00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:58.039
a theme park, right because the
there's really not any theming anywhere in terms
213
00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:00.600
of there's no dark rides, there's
not that kind of thing. And even
214
00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:06.240
when I was there for the Hallow
Weekends event, right, the scare zones
215
00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:08.320
were not open on Sundays, but
the bars were open, you know what
216
00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:11.919
I mean, Like it the focus
was like, you know, the scare
217
00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:18.080
zones were only are only opens Fridays
and Saturdays. And the houses are you
218
00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:22.120
know, not not the most themed, they're they're really just kind of some
219
00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.600
recycles from other parks that have just
gone through. So it it just feels
220
00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:29.960
like they're really leaning much more into
this, the gaming and the drinking and
221
00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:33.480
this kind of that atmosphere. Well, it makes total sense if you look
222
00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:37.080
at them over overall brand. I
mean, it's always been it's always been
223
00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:42.919
sort of the Seaside Park mentality,
or in this particular case, the Lakeside
224
00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:48.960
Park. But it's the idea is
that you are, you know, at
225
00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:52.720
a I don't want to even say
turn of the century, but that's been
226
00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:56.159
a lot of their it's been a
lot of their their design with the breakers
227
00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:00.679
and you know, playing up the
whole the whole story of the park,
228
00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:06.720
and I to me it makes sense. I also think that this is another
229
00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:15.839
opportunity to draw in I won't call
them conventions, but larger competitions. This
230
00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:21.160
is the this is the gamer's version
of you know, Disney's high school choral
231
00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:26.000
program, because they specifically mentioned in
the press release at some point high school
232
00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:30.119
and collegiate gamers. They want to
make this an opportunity to be a state
233
00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:34.039
of the art location and if they
can bring in you know, X number
234
00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:38.519
of families to stay in one of
the nearby hotels are obviously going to go
235
00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:42.359
to the park at some point in
time to see the esport competition that's going
236
00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:45.559
to happen with either the college level
or the or the high school level.
237
00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:49.200
And I would actually think that even
high school level would have a higher number
238
00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:53.640
of families that would want to come
and see it, So it just kind
239
00:17:53.680 --> 00:18:00.359
of increases could potentially increase their their
daily attendance as well. What I'm curious
240
00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:03.640
to see is, you know,
in a in a facility like this,
241
00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:07.200
and Philip, maybe you understand this
better. In a facility like this,
242
00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:14.160
what is it's how much of the
day is it actually in use? And
243
00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:17.319
when it's not actually in use,
is it open to the public for other
244
00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:21.559
things? Is it or is it
just for you know, the competitive esports
245
00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:23.359
or is there a running loop of
games that guests can go in and play.
246
00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:29.759
How how does that work? Or
do you know? So from my
247
00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:33.680
experience at these facilities, it's both
of those options. You know, generally,
248
00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:38.000
if you're having a competition of some
kind, then the units are like
249
00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:41.960
you know, locked down, because
it's just like you would have any other
250
00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:48.079
competition or any any other type of
sports competition right for during during the actual
251
00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:52.400
tournaments, you know, the units
are usually locked down, so they're just
252
00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:56.960
open to that one particular game mode
that you're going to be competing in.
253
00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:59.920
And then it's just like everything.
You have the teams line up and everybody's
254
00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.000
starts at the same time, and
you have the same run time, and
255
00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.480
you know you're competing actively at the
same time, and then your groups rotate
256
00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:10.359
through and then generally there the stations
are like unlocked, you know, out
257
00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.440
in the regular time, and it's
usually like free play, just like at
258
00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:15.359
conventions, it's like free play.
You know, they just walk up and
259
00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:22.319
but that brings up your question,
brings up my I think my biggest concern
260
00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:27.599
with stuff like this is thirty It
says thirty two. Thirty two to me
261
00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:33.039
is not a lot, you know. I mean I've I've been to coffee
262
00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:36.599
shops that have more than thirty two
gaming stations, you know, So I
263
00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:40.920
just the capacity concerns me. The
capacity is in like, if you're really
264
00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:45.480
trying to make this a gaming dedicated
hub, then I think you would need
265
00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:48.599
a lot more capacity than that,
because the thing is, you know,
266
00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:55.000
gamers, that's what they do,
right, so they I mean you could
267
00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:59.680
you could be talking hours for you
know, a group of four if they're
268
00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:02.839
each on it, you know,
that's four stations if they're playing independently,
269
00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.279
and then if they're going to play
a few games, it's like two hours
270
00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:07.839
at a time. That's a very
low throughput. So I don't know.
271
00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:11.759
I'm just really interested to see how
this is going to work with the theme
272
00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:15.240
park model. You know, are
they gonna are they going to put a
273
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:17.440
time limit on there and then say, you know, your group can only
274
00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.920
be there for thirty minutes, so
then they play a game, then they
275
00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:22.440
go eat, and they get back
in line to play, or how is
276
00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:25.400
the QE gonna work? Is it
going to be a virtual queue like it
277
00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:30.359
seems it seems right now like it's
almost like the arcade mentality, and from
278
00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:37.480
my experience, the arcades and gaming
are not the same thing. Well,
279
00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:40.599
it's interesting because it the way it
read to me, and again there's enough,
280
00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:44.119
there's a few details that I think
you're right, we're we're not seeing
281
00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:47.359
or we haven't seen yet. The
way it read to me is that it
282
00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:52.559
was leaning more towards the competitive gaming. The trend was that they wanted to
283
00:20:52.640 --> 00:21:00.720
try to book it not necessarily for
public use, but for competitions. Now,
284
00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:03.519
maybe I maybe I misunderstood that.
But when they when they specifically refer
285
00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:07.839
to it as esports, and they
specifically mentioned, you know, high school
286
00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:14.519
and collegiate e athletes, I don't
know what you call them competitive gamers?
287
00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:18.279
Yeah, you're right, You're right, it says in here later we aim
288
00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:22.319
to bring innovative gaming experiences to the
players and fans. This facility will not
289
00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:27.640
only serve as a competitive battleground for
esports athletes, but also as a nurturing
290
00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:33.319
ground for anyone interested in gaming.
So it seems like they're going to try
291
00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.720
and do both models. I just
don't know how. You know, the
292
00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:40.640
competitive model is easy because there are
regulations and there are you know that that's
293
00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.839
how it works. It's like in
sports, it's the it's the other half,
294
00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:47.519
you know, for anyone new to
new to it. That's the part
295
00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:51.599
that I'm not I'm not sure.
They may they may be taking a page
296
00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:55.920
from Las Vegas or even the cruise
ships when it comes to casinos, and
297
00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:59.519
that is that they'll do the they'll
do the training classes to get people hooked
298
00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:03.839
so that they then become you know, it's like here, kid, you
299
00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:06.680
want to taste, you know,
it's it's giving them a sample and it
300
00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:11.759
becomes sort of the gateway to being
a true esports esports competitive gamer. Yeah,
301
00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:15.759
well I agree, it's another thing
to watch. We've been watching it
302
00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:18.759
since it was first announced and then
you know, we'll we'll see how it
303
00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:22.400
develops. Okay, Well, well, you know, Philip, it's funny
304
00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:27.039
we talk a lot about what my
projects are, but you are in Detroit.
305
00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:29.720
You want to share a little bit. I know, you just went
306
00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:34.839
through a media day and a media
event, which you know is always harrowing.
307
00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:40.319
They never they always go They always
go fine, they usually turn out
308
00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:42.359
better than we ever anticipated, but
they never ever ever go as planned.
309
00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:45.559
So, h what what project?
And the only reason I'm asking this,
310
00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:49.440
I'm not gonna be too kg because
I also had a little tiny, teeny
311
00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:53.319
itsy bitsy part in this project.
And but this is one of the few
312
00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:56.680
projects that Philip and I have actually
worked both worked on, and so I
313
00:22:56.720 --> 00:23:00.599
figure tell them a little bit about
what what was, what's going on up
314
00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:03.519
there and how the media they went. Yeah, so I'm in Detroit because
315
00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:07.279
I'm up here at Hush Haunted attraction, which is in Westland, which is
316
00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:12.640
maybe twenty minutes away from the airport. And we Scott and I worked on
317
00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:18.440
this together, but not together,
you know practically, you know where Scott
318
00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:22.039
worked on the script the top line
creative and some and the scripts for the
319
00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:29.880
interior. I guess the entry experience
to the Haunt, but yeah, essentially,
320
00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:33.920
Hush Haunt Attraction is a forty thousand
square foot indoor facility and there's you
321
00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:38.079
know three it's a linear Haunt experience
and there's three inside, but there's also
322
00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:45.480
the Q Line midway area and that's
outside. So the concept is you arrive
323
00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:48.799
to the downtown Hush Falls and that's
when you enter. You intnt to the
324
00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:52.319
Q Line. The Q Line is
themed to be a downtown Hush Falls and
325
00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:56.359
you're there for the Harvest Festival.
That that's a lot of the portions that
326
00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:59.119
Scott wrote was the Harvest Festival,
and that the mean for that and the
327
00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:03.039
character scripts and whatnot. And then
when you check into the hotel to stay
328
00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:06.240
the night, things go terribly wrong, and that's when you enter into the
329
00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:10.519
first of three attractions. As you
try and work your way, you're trying
330
00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:12.880
to escape the hotel and then you
try and wander around the areas you're trying
331
00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:18.480
to get out of town before eventually
running into the main antagonists in the third
332
00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:23.160
experience. And Hush has three themed
bars which they opened last year and they
333
00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:29.039
kind of re themed and expanded them
this year. The first one is before
334
00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:33.400
you enter in the queue area,
and then there's two inside the Haunt as
335
00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:37.519
you go throughout the experience. So
this year they really cleaned up all of
336
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:41.599
that logistics. There are two separate
dedicated lines the kind of fork, so
337
00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:45.960
you know, as you're walking through
the Haunt, there'll be a security guard
338
00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.440
dressed in regular clothes that will check
if you have the bar passes and if
339
00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:52.440
you have a bar pass and a
wristband over twenty one, then you could
340
00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:56.799
you enter like a separate line to
take you into the bar, and then
341
00:24:56.839 --> 00:25:00.119
you do the bar experience and then
you can exit back into the main Haunt
342
00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:07.400
line. So you know, logistically
it's it's challenging to fit all that into
343
00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:11.359
one. But so what I was
doing this year for Hush, I do
344
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:15.799
the I guess all the PR and
marketing, so generating the videos and handling
345
00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:21.279
all the PR and whatnot, and
so we had our media night on Saturday,
346
00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.359
but I had been reaching out to
media for a while, as one
347
00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:26.960
does, right and try and confirm
everybody. So it ended up being that
348
00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:32.119
a lot of the media weren't available
on that Saturday, so we're having to
349
00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.920
kind of split them up. So
I ended up having two crews come and
350
00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:40.799
film on Friday, which is opening
night, which was always our favorite thing
351
00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:45.000
is when the media says we can
only come on opening night. Yeah,
352
00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:48.559
yeah, I can think of nothing
worse, quite honestly, but there you
353
00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:53.079
go. Yeah, that was that
was fun, right, And then we
354
00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:59.039
had our media night on the Saturday, and the concept was, you know,
355
00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:03.160
as usual things were. There were
some challenges, but you know,
356
00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:06.759
we got through it, and overall
it was supposed to be with the media
357
00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:10.079
would show up early for a little
bit of reception and we would do remarks
358
00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:15.799
from the owner, Cody, and
then we would do they'd get dedicated showings
359
00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:19.920
of the different skits that Scott wrote, so they could film them and they
360
00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:25.160
could have them before the you know, before the attraction opened. And then
361
00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:30.680
the attraction opened early just for media
to start going through because it's it's probably
362
00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:36.440
about a thirty minute walk without the
bars, but all the media are obviously
363
00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:38.079
you know, they want to stop
at the bars. So we knew they
364
00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:41.240
were going to spend about an hour
going through the Haunt itself once they started,
365
00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:44.720
so we wanted to give them a
head start so that they could start
366
00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:49.119
going through before the lines started building
up outside and guests started entering with them.
367
00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:53.440
So that was kind of the rough
plan of the night. And then
368
00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:59.599
we don't allow filming inside the attraction
for safety reasons, for the performers and
369
00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:03.359
for all the reasons we've talked about
on the show. So if media wanted
370
00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:07.240
to do filming, we had scare
cam slots that we kind of set up
371
00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:11.640
for them where I would accompany them
and do scarecam footage of particular areas.
372
00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:15.519
I mean, they could have the
entire haunt if they wanted to, but
373
00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:18.559
I kind of suggested like the second
area, the first or second area for
374
00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:22.640
them because it's easier logistically them in
it now and it takes less time,
375
00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:27.920
you know, and realistically media does
not need a thirty minute scarecam that's like
376
00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.640
too much footage. They'll never use
it. They'll never use it all.
377
00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:36.519
Yeah, so we kind of we
trimmed it down to particular areas that I
378
00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:40.200
think are the best for media.
But they had the option of having the
379
00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:42.279
whole thing, and we did have
two channels at one of the whole thing
380
00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:48.440
because their specialty is a YouTube.
And in that case, I delivered the
381
00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:52.519
footage to them and we edited out
any sensitive things that we didn't want to
382
00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:56.720
reveal. But the edits out were
really like minimal. It was just some
383
00:27:56.880 --> 00:28:03.680
sensitive scenes we wanted to you know, that the new the new that there's
384
00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:07.720
a new ending this year, and
we didn't want we don't want that secret
385
00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:11.720
to be out there before kind of
like mid October. So when we delivered
386
00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:15.960
the full walkthrough for those people,
we kind of cut that out. And
387
00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:18.319
I warned them of that all ahead
of time. You know, we we
388
00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:21.480
I talked with every outlet individually to
let them know what we were planning.
389
00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:26.599
So so yeah, it was it
happened. Yeah, yeah, well,
390
00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:30.759
and and again I think in listening
to not only what you've just described,
391
00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.839
but the little bit that we chatted
about before we started recording today, it's
392
00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:37.680
a it's a perfect example. You
know, I know that some some some
393
00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:42.119
independent groups, some independent haunts or
independent attractions. We'll say, well,
394
00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:45.240
I can't afford to have someone come
in and do my marketing, or I
395
00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:48.759
can't afford to have someone come in
and do my my media day. And
396
00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:51.559
I would flip that on its head
and say, you really can't afford not
397
00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:56.640
to because as the owner operator of
any sort of small attraction, your opening
398
00:28:57.240 --> 00:29:02.400
is is huge. I mean,
that's that's going to pull you to put
399
00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:06.359
out more fires than you can ever
imagine. And if you are the owner
400
00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:11.440
or the creative director or whomever,
it sets you up and frees you up
401
00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:15.319
to do to do interviews if necessary, to talk about the haunt if necessary,
402
00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:18.279
to make certain that the people who
are going to talk about the Haunt
403
00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:22.200
have all the information they need,
have all the you know, support that
404
00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:26.359
they need from you internally. So
I think it's something that you really have
405
00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:30.160
to take into consideration when you're looking
at gush. Do I hire an outside
406
00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:34.720
marketing or PR person to help me? Because it will, I promise.
407
00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:37.279
And I've seen this happen over and
over and over again. And I am
408
00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:41.599
not I'm not saying this just because
you know this is what Philip does,
409
00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:45.759
but it's I know other people who
do this as well, and I've seen
410
00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:52.160
it happen that it just increases the
visibility, and then once the visibility is
411
00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:56.599
increased, it translates into clicks of
the turnstile. And so so I strongly
412
00:29:56.680 --> 00:30:00.559
recommend for not only your sanity,
if you are an owner operator of any
413
00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:06.519
smaller attraction like this, if you
don't have a dedicated marketing team who is
414
00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:08.720
experienced and can reach out and can
produce, you know, all the things
415
00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:15.839
that Philip has produced from a visual
standpoint, look into finding someone like Philip
416
00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:19.240
or other companies that can do the
pr stuff, because there's there're people out
417
00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:22.039
there and they can make it work
for your budget and it'll come back to
418
00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:25.880
you. The last thing I know
right time, The last thing I want
419
00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:30.119
to say to underscore that is that
a lot of the just like just like
420
00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:33.319
theater point and all these other places, we wanted to reach a wider more
421
00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:36.920
general We didn't We didn't want just
Haunt fans to come out. We wanted
422
00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:38.599
the food bloggers and whatnot. And
a lot of these people do not know
423
00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:42.079
how to capture content at haundhouses.
And that's another reason to add on to
424
00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:45.839
this, and a big thing I
had to do as the media person,
425
00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:52.680
I had to rent lighting and rent
gear for the haunt for that thing where
426
00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:56.160
we are open early, I went
around and added light to the areas and
427
00:30:56.359 --> 00:31:00.799
set up photo moments with the characters
because because I had and I had to
428
00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:03.480
take the media almost like by the
hand and bring them to the mayor and
429
00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:07.319
be like, oh, wouldn't you
like to meet our mayor the Hush Falls
430
00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:10.200
mayor, And then he did a
little bit with so media got all that,
431
00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.799
and we had to add light and
whatnot for the in the queue line
432
00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:17.680
because it's not set up for these
type of videos. And also food bloggers
433
00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:21.640
don't know how to take pictures with
a haunted house actor or a scare actors,
434
00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:23.960
so we had to show them how
to do that. And that's the
435
00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.400
only thing I would add to that
is that, you know, don't don't
436
00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:30.160
assume the media are going to even
know how to make content at your house
437
00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:33.559
because they probably in small areas they
only have one haunted house and they remember,
438
00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:37.400
and you know what, expertise is
well worth the money you spend on
439
00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:40.839
it. So with that little bit
of with that little tidbit of information,
440
00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:45.319
that is the end of this week's
show on behalf of Philip and myself This
441
00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:49.599
is Green Tag Theme Park in almost
thirty two, close to thirty and hopefully
442
00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:52.279
you enjoyed the show. Come back
next week and we'll have even more for
443
00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:53.279
you. Take care,
1
00:00:01.320 --> 00:00:08.080
Uh, from our studios in Detroit
this week and Tampa. This is green
2
00:00:08.119 --> 00:00:11.800
tag them Barkin thirty. I'm Philip. My co host is, as always,
3
00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:17.480
the Glorious Scott Swinson of Scott Swinson
Created Development. Some people have different,
4
00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:21.320
you know, precursors to their name. Mine apparently is glorious. I
5
00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:27.000
like that. I'm gonna start putting
that on on business cards. Glorious and
6
00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:32.640
glamorous, glamorously glorious Scott Swinson.
I'm not real sure I believe either one
7
00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:35.280
of those. Anyway. Well,
it's October, so you know, but
8
00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:41.719
I appreciate that. Thank you.
Welcome to October listeners. We are still
9
00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:46.320
wait, I don't even know,
very deep, almost underwater with projects,
10
00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:52.759
but we are here for you because
that's what we do. And we have
11
00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:56.880
three stories that I thought kind of
thought was the most interesting, and they
12
00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:00.799
are continuations of that we've talked about
before, so we thought we'd bring them
13
00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:06.120
up. The first is that you
listener, can you can spend the night
14
00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:11.959
in Shrek's Swamp, which is now
available on Airbnb and it will be opening
15
00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:18.480
for bookings on the thirteenth of October. So basically the storyline behind this is
16
00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:22.719
that Donkey is house sitting, and
of course while he's house sitting, he's
17
00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:25.359
going to throw a party, and
of course you're invited to the party to
18
00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:26.560
come in. So there's a little
bit of story. And this appears to
19
00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:34.959
be an actual, you know,
charity partnership with Airbnb and DreamWorks because DreamWorks
20
00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.840
is listed in here DreamWorks Animation,
Shrek and it. So it seems to
21
00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:45.680
be a I guess a mix between
like a fundraiser and a PR event and
22
00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:52.359
an IP installation happening out here in
Scotland. And it looks like a full
23
00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:57.760
fabrication of Donkey's house of Shrek's house
on the Shrek's House. It looks it
24
00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:04.200
looks fantastic and I'm sure that some
of the folks from our industry helped put
25
00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:09.280
this together because it has that you
know, fiberglass professional feel. So what
26
00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:13.080
do you think, Scott, Well, you know, we talk a lot
27
00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:15.199
about and and certainly I talk a
lot with a lot of my clients about
28
00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:21.000
immersive entertainment, and this is this
is quintessential. I mean, this is
29
00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:23.360
you You're not just you're not just
going there for the day, You're actually
30
00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:29.280
spending the night. You're getting a
chance to to uh, not just look
31
00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:32.400
at but live in part of the
part of the story. And and I
32
00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:38.199
think that's really exciting. I love
the fact that you know it. It
33
00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:39.919
kind of seems and I don't know, I'm reading and I'm reading between the
34
00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:44.280
lines here, but it kind of
seems as though they're using this, this
35
00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:46.879
charity partnership to sort of test out
the possibility or feasibility. It's like a
36
00:02:46.919 --> 00:02:51.879
feasibility study that that goes to a
good cause. Does that make sense?
37
00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:57.159
And then I think, I think
you're right. Everything that I've read about
38
00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:00.560
it, it looks like it is
truly a partnership. It's like some some
39
00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:06.639
company scabbing off the Shrek name.
And the nice thing is, you know
40
00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:09.120
it because they clearly use Shrek and
they clearly use donkey. Now donkey you
41
00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:14.479
can pretty much use anywhere because you
can't copyright that word. But but Shrek's
42
00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:17.240
pretty straightforward. And uh, and
the imagery, you know, some of
43
00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:21.960
this stuff when you look at it, I don't know whether they could have
44
00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:28.879
gotten that detailed just from from trying
to pull stills from a film or you
45
00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:34.199
know, it's because it's really it
looks like it's really, really well done,
46
00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:37.960
and I would be I would be
curious to say, there the one
47
00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:40.479
thing I didn't see and maybe you
saw it in there. Where where is
48
00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:44.000
it located? How far is it? How far out in the middle of
49
00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:49.560
nowhere is it? Or is it
just a small area close to close to
50
00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:53.280
town so to speak? It looks
pretty far. So it's located among the
51
00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:57.520
hills of the Scottish Highlands, and
it's it's on It looks like it's on
52
00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:03.240
a property. To look more into
that, because it it there's that little
53
00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:09.960
export. The property is indepenently owned, operated by ard. Oh I can't
54
00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:14.120
even pronounce that by an estate.
So it's an a state facility and it's
55
00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:16.240
on here like please note the bathroom
is located twenty meters in the main living
56
00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:20.079
area in a standalone facility, so
it's it's you know, so it's got
57
00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:25.720
a glorified out house. That's that's
actually right on brand, really, you
58
00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:29.040
know, other than just going out
in the swamp and letting it all go.
59
00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:31.720
But yeah, no, it looks
it looks like an awful lot of
60
00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:34.879
fun. I wish there were more
opportunities to do this kind of thing.
61
00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:41.040
I mean, obviously this is what
what Disney did with with Star Cruiser,
62
00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:43.920
and that was, you know,
on a much grander scale. But it's
63
00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:49.120
the idea of not just going to
to an ip installation, but actually living
64
00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:53.040
in it. And I and I
think there's something. I think there's something
65
00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:57.959
very fun. I also didn't see
how many does it sleep? So yeah,
66
00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.120
it there's a lot of details that
are kind of missing from this and
67
00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:05.279
I'm wondering, you know, on
its surface, it's presented as a press
68
00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:10.680
release from Donkey, like putting this
up, you know, for that,
69
00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:15.040
and then it has the a lot
of the attributes of a traditional Airbnb stay
70
00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:19.040
because it says you know about the
stay and you know it's you know,
71
00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:24.000
for zero pounds a night. A
nod to the priceless refugee shreck Swamp has
72
00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.759
provided fairytale creatures for all of all
kinds. They'll be able to request a
73
00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:31.160
book an exclusive two night Swamp stay
for up to three guests October twenty seventh
74
00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:35.600
to twenty ninth. So so up
to three guests for a two night's day.
75
00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:39.439
So is it just three people total? Yeah, that's kind of what
76
00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:42.040
it looks like. So if you're
if you're going as a family, it's
77
00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:44.120
mom dad, and you have to
pick your favorite kid if you more have
78
00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:48.079
more than one. So yeah,
that was what I was curious about because
79
00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:53.800
it looked like, just based on
the images and some of the verbiage that
80
00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:59.839
I read quickly through that oh there's
the there's the outhouse too. Yeah,
81
00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:04.959
this is very interesting and I agree
it's all. I think it's a test.
82
00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:08.759
And we've talked about it because we've
talked about some of our you know,
83
00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:14.360
a little Spider creations talking about how
their Airbnb business has picked up significantly
84
00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:18.560
in the theme. And I could
see it, you know again, we
85
00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:23.879
could see it working like what's the
next logical extension for some of these brands,
86
00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:27.000
Well, it's to do these some
of these in person experiences. And
87
00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:32.120
I could see partnering with Airbnb on
a lot of IPS to make exclusive stays
88
00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:38.000
later on that are you know,
themed to IP. I could see it
89
00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:41.759
very much working. And just for
context, this estate, it is a
90
00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:46.759
it is a castle estate. Basically, it's a Victorian Gothic manner and it
91
00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:54.600
is so if you're looking at the
the UK, it's it's up I guess
92
00:06:54.639 --> 00:07:00.759
to the north past Edinburgh, so
it is not in a is not really
93
00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:09.920
near anything or in an easily accessible
area. Bat All, I mean it's
94
00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:14.160
not anyway, So it's something like
you'd have to fly into Glassglow or to
95
00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:20.879
Edinburgh and and you know drive or
taxi up there to it. So interesting.
96
00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:25.040
Yeah, yeah, it looks like
tons of fun. Yeah. So
97
00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:29.680
it's about two and a half hours
north of Edinburgh, so yeah, so
98
00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:31.600
it just very interesting that there's these
a little test going on. Well,
99
00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:39.439
okay, keeping I guess with our
little international theme here we have our next
100
00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:45.360
story is having to do with the
first NERF themed land in a theme park.
101
00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:53.079
And the first NERF themed land opens
October twelfth, and it's at Betto
102
00:07:53.160 --> 00:08:00.279
Carrero World, which is in Brazil. So we got the whole release here.
103
00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.240
But basically, to break it down, it's like it's a it's one
104
00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:07.120
section in this theme park and it
has it's like a themed land. There
105
00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:11.560
are multiple rides. I think there
are two rides. There's the eatery and
106
00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:13.600
then there's some merch area, so
it's a kind of a full land in
107
00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:20.920
that regard, and it's all themed
around the Nerf IP and it's as Nerve
108
00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:26.560
maybe as a collaboration between Bedocre World
and Hasbro. The expansive themed area of
109
00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:31.560
over fourteen thousand square meters was designed
by Design Studio in Singapore and New York,
110
00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:37.279
known for their experience in creating the
theme parks. So, you know,
111
00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:39.080
we cannot wait for consumers of all
ages to experience the first ever NERF
112
00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:43.360
themed land at bet o'crero World.
And this opening is just a start of
113
00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:48.000
what's to come. And of course
we've heard a lot from Hasbro right because
114
00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:50.639
we have the Crayola Center. I
mean, this seems to be kind of
115
00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:56.000
the next step of them of that
brand, kind of rolling out ips I
116
00:08:56.159 --> 00:09:00.960
have. You know, again,
it's in a park I've never been to,
117
00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:05.279
and I've heard very little of this
property in this area, so I'm
118
00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:09.679
not sure about that part. But
I think overall, this trend seems to
119
00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:13.360
be exactly what we're talking about for
the expansion of these you know, classic
120
00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.720
games into you know, it's like
it's like the next what is the next
121
00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:20.240
extension of doing these individual pop ups, Well, now it's to try a
122
00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:24.600
themed area anthy park. Right.
Well, once they started to do Hasbro
123
00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:28.120
game nights on cruise ships, you
kind of knew that this was this was
124
00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:33.399
the direction. Sorry, Hasbro game
nights on stage on in in cruise ships.
125
00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:37.039
Then you you kind of knew that
this was the next thing. And
126
00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:43.320
you know, we've talked about it
before. Gaming and play is becoming larger
127
00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:50.039
and larger intellectual properties than than even
movies or or or television. I mean
128
00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:56.000
obviously video gaming, but even even
things like Nerve or Lego or you know,
129
00:09:56.080 --> 00:10:01.679
the classic Hasbro games. You'll look
at you look at like gen Con,
130
00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:07.519
which is this Jimingo convention. Significantly
more people attend it than any of
131
00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:15.679
the or most of the the other
more more theatrically based ips. So you
132
00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:18.480
know, there's there's clearly a huge
fan base here, so it makes an
133
00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:22.919
awful lot of sense. I'm also
excited that the the first Nerve theme land
134
00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:28.519
is in a now I don't know
the size of Better Carrero World, but
135
00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:33.240
is not in one of the the
almighty parks that we know, you know,
136
00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:37.399
as a household name somewhere you know, like you said, yeah,
137
00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:39.679
yeah, yeah, yeah, and
kind of proving what we said before.
138
00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:46.159
Not only is it a test,
it's also if you do the right sort
139
00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:50.000
of negotiation, a park of any
any size can can find a way to
140
00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:56.519
incorporate a well known ip. Yeah, Scott, to your point when I
141
00:10:56.600 --> 00:11:01.360
was going to say about the quote
unquote tractions, you know, they're not
142
00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:05.080
really rides, but but basically it's
like their play experiences, I think,
143
00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.360
is how I would describe them.
I mean, again, we're gonna have
144
00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:09.759
to wait until it opens so we
can actually see a video about these and
145
00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:13.360
see what, you know, what
it actually looks like, because just reading
146
00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:16.919
reading it doesn't I don't think that's
I'm not clear, but it says they're
147
00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:22.440
two there are two spin Blast and
super Soaker Splash, and the spin Blast
148
00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:28.039
it says, is a giant disc
for forty people spinning atop a wave shaped
149
00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:31.960
truck. This exclusive attraction in the
Brazilian market is designed to accommodate over six
150
00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:37.639
hundred people per hour. And the
other one was they're both imported from Italy,
151
00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:39.559
I guess and brought over. So
that's not clear to me what that
152
00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:43.039
looks like, you know, specifically, but it's clear that it's a play
153
00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:46.399
experience like it is. It's not
like a roller coaster, right, it
154
00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.519
is a it is something to do
interactive play, which again fits with what
155
00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.720
you just said and with the nerve
concept. Yeah, I'm wondering if it's
156
00:11:54.919 --> 00:12:00.879
if it's similar. I'm wondering if
it's a ride element that had that would
157
00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:11.559
be similar at least in its main
guest support area to the The Riddler ride
158
00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:16.000
at at Warner Brothers World. Oh
yeah, which is a big spinning disk
159
00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:18.840
where you all face out and it
has water elements to it. Actually has
160
00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:22.039
fog elements to it, but you
could add water elements to it so that
161
00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:26.000
you know, you as you spin, you you get splashed or whatever.
162
00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.799
I don't know, I'm guessing.
I'm guessing, but the way the way
163
00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:31.159
you described it kind of sounds that
way. And if it can take you
164
00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:35.240
said sixty guests at a time at
six hundred per hour. Yeah, but
165
00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:41.159
then then you said per per people
per Yeah, that sounds about the same
166
00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:45.840
size. The only difference is that
one is on a track. Yeah,
167
00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:50.639
that is kind of an up and
down roller coaster style track. So yeah,
168
00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:54.919
yeah, they do have a classic
arcade there as well. I mean,
169
00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:58.639
it's sounds it sounds that one sounds
more like a classic laser tag type
170
00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:03.200
of thing because they have digital blasters
where they can have fun with their friends
171
00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:05.240
as who can rack up the most
points you know, it's a classic nerve
172
00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:09.080
experience in a new dimension. You
know. That's so it sounds like they
173
00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:13.000
have these play experiences plus the arcade
and then plus the food. So well,
174
00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:15.960
and what's fun with nerve is,
you know if your nerve has different
175
00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:18.240
meanings to different generations too. You
know, if if you're an old guy
176
00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:22.039
like me, you think you did
a whole area about spongeballs, I don't
177
00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:26.759
get it, but you know,
the NERF blasters and the NERF water stuff
178
00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:31.360
is all, you know, all
viable and really fun to play with an
179
00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:35.000
expand upon in a in a theme
park environment. So yeah, I think
180
00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.240
that I think that has some legs
that could be very interesting. We should
181
00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:41.440
keep keep an eye on that one. Yep. And again in that same
182
00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:46.919
vein of the gaming. We talked
about this story a while back, but
183
00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:50.879
now we're finally to the opening stage
for it. So Cedar point Esports,
184
00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:54.480
the new gaming facility there at Cedar
Point is opening in Sandusky, Ohio on
185
00:13:54.720 --> 00:14:01.039
October sixth. Cedar Point Esports will
offer thirty two compare of gaming stations and
186
00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.639
cover an area of more than one
thousand square feet, which it's not actually
187
00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:07.519
that pig within the existing theater point
at that point, you just don't want
188
00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:11.120
to put the number into the pressure. Yeah, I was like, cos
189
00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:15.519
in covers a good area. Yeah. Yeah, So that's basically what it
190
00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:18.559
is. Officials say. The first
phase of the development will include thirty two
191
00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:22.000
say the art gaming stations, each
equipped with the latest hardware and peripherals.
192
00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:28.399
The goal is to establish dynamic hubs
for gaming enthusiasts and competitive gamers, offering
193
00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:33.159
them a world class platform to nurture
their gaming passion. Yeah. I mean,
194
00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:35.759
there's more to it, but that's
basically it. So it's if you
195
00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.480
look at the photos, you know, they're they're just renderings, but it's
196
00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:43.879
renderings of just like an esports area. So I was just there at Cedar
197
00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:48.159
Point yesterday and you know, they
just opened up the new Grand Pavilion,
198
00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:54.399
which is very nice and very large. That's their food area, And it
199
00:14:54.559 --> 00:15:00.360
seems to me, I guess on
the on the overall spectrum, right that
200
00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:05.840
Cedar Point seems to be leaning more
heavily into the amusement park area. Amusement
201
00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:09.279
park vibe. You know, they
have the boardwalk and they've expanded the boardwalk
202
00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:15.279
with the with this eatery, and
they have alcohol options, you know,
203
00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:20.000
and the Grand Pavilion is the latest
bar open and usually that's open until closing
204
00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:24.080
time of the of the park,
and they have you know, they're they're
205
00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:26.600
really dialing, and how they have
the different beer options and the craft options
206
00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:30.840
and the cocktails and you have all
that everywhere. And I can see now
207
00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:35.000
with this addition, how it's like, Okay, the family can come and
208
00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:39.759
the parents can hang out in the
pavilion and then the kids can do competitive
209
00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:45.679
gaming or you know whatever that makes
or if they're older gamers, and they
210
00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:48.879
can drink as well, and they
walk around and I would say that,
211
00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:52.519
you know, the theming portions,
so I would put this amusement park not
212
00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:58.039
a theme park, right because the
there's really not any theming anywhere in terms
213
00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:00.600
of there's no dark rides, there's
not that kind of thing. And even
214
00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:06.240
when I was there for the Hallow
Weekends event, right, the scare zones
215
00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:08.320
were not open on Sundays, but
the bars were open, you know what
216
00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:11.919
I mean, Like it the focus
was like, you know, the scare
217
00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:18.080
zones were only are only opens Fridays
and Saturdays. And the houses are you
218
00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:22.120
know, not not the most themed, they're they're really just kind of some
219
00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.600
recycles from other parks that have just
gone through. So it it just feels
220
00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:29.960
like they're really leaning much more into
this, the gaming and the drinking and
221
00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:33.480
this kind of that atmosphere. Well, it makes total sense if you look
222
00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:37.080
at them over overall brand. I
mean, it's always been it's always been
223
00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:42.919
sort of the Seaside Park mentality,
or in this particular case, the Lakeside
224
00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:48.960
Park. But it's the idea is
that you are, you know, at
225
00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:52.720
a I don't want to even say
turn of the century, but that's been
226
00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:56.159
a lot of their it's been a
lot of their their design with the breakers
227
00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:00.679
and you know, playing up the
whole the whole story of the park,
228
00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:06.720
and I to me it makes sense. I also think that this is another
229
00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:15.839
opportunity to draw in I won't call
them conventions, but larger competitions. This
230
00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:21.160
is the this is the gamer's version
of you know, Disney's high school choral
231
00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:26.000
program, because they specifically mentioned in
the press release at some point high school
232
00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:30.119
and collegiate gamers. They want to
make this an opportunity to be a state
233
00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:34.039
of the art location and if they
can bring in you know, X number
234
00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:38.519
of families to stay in one of
the nearby hotels are obviously going to go
235
00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:42.359
to the park at some point in
time to see the esport competition that's going
236
00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:45.559
to happen with either the college level
or the or the high school level.
237
00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:49.200
And I would actually think that even
high school level would have a higher number
238
00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:53.640
of families that would want to come
and see it, So it just kind
239
00:17:53.680 --> 00:18:00.359
of increases could potentially increase their their
daily attendance as well. What I'm curious
240
00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:03.640
to see is, you know,
in a in a facility like this,
241
00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:07.200
and Philip, maybe you understand this
better. In a facility like this,
242
00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:14.160
what is it's how much of the
day is it actually in use? And
243
00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:17.319
when it's not actually in use,
is it open to the public for other
244
00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:21.559
things? Is it or is it
just for you know, the competitive esports
245
00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:23.359
or is there a running loop of
games that guests can go in and play.
246
00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:29.759
How how does that work? Or
do you know? So from my
247
00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:33.680
experience at these facilities, it's both
of those options. You know, generally,
248
00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:38.000
if you're having a competition of some
kind, then the units are like
249
00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:41.960
you know, locked down, because
it's just like you would have any other
250
00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:48.079
competition or any any other type of
sports competition right for during during the actual
251
00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:52.400
tournaments, you know, the units
are usually locked down, so they're just
252
00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:56.960
open to that one particular game mode
that you're going to be competing in.
253
00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:59.920
And then it's just like everything.
You have the teams line up and everybody's
254
00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.000
starts at the same time, and
you have the same run time, and
255
00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.480
you know you're competing actively at the
same time, and then your groups rotate
256
00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:10.359
through and then generally there the stations
are like unlocked, you know, out
257
00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.440
in the regular time, and it's
usually like free play, just like at
258
00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:15.359
conventions, it's like free play.
You know, they just walk up and
259
00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:22.319
but that brings up your question,
brings up my I think my biggest concern
260
00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:27.599
with stuff like this is thirty It
says thirty two. Thirty two to me
261
00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:33.039
is not a lot, you know. I mean I've I've been to coffee
262
00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:36.599
shops that have more than thirty two
gaming stations, you know, So I
263
00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:40.920
just the capacity concerns me. The
capacity is in like, if you're really
264
00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:45.480
trying to make this a gaming dedicated
hub, then I think you would need
265
00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:48.599
a lot more capacity than that,
because the thing is, you know,
266
00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:55.000
gamers, that's what they do,
right, so they I mean you could
267
00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:59.680
you could be talking hours for you
know, a group of four if they're
268
00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:02.839
each on it, you know,
that's four stations if they're playing independently,
269
00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.279
and then if they're going to play
a few games, it's like two hours
270
00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:07.839
at a time. That's a very
low throughput. So I don't know.
271
00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:11.759
I'm just really interested to see how
this is going to work with the theme
272
00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:15.240
park model. You know, are
they gonna are they going to put a
273
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:17.440
time limit on there and then say, you know, your group can only
274
00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.920
be there for thirty minutes, so
then they play a game, then they
275
00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:22.440
go eat, and they get back
in line to play, or how is
276
00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:25.400
the QE gonna work? Is it
going to be a virtual queue like it
277
00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:30.359
seems it seems right now like it's
almost like the arcade mentality, and from
278
00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:37.480
my experience, the arcades and gaming
are not the same thing. Well,
279
00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:40.599
it's interesting because it the way it
read to me, and again there's enough,
280
00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:44.119
there's a few details that I think
you're right, we're we're not seeing
281
00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:47.359
or we haven't seen yet. The
way it read to me is that it
282
00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:52.559
was leaning more towards the competitive gaming. The trend was that they wanted to
283
00:20:52.640 --> 00:21:00.720
try to book it not necessarily for
public use, but for competitions. Now,
284
00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:03.519
maybe I maybe I misunderstood that.
But when they when they specifically refer
285
00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:07.839
to it as esports, and they
specifically mentioned, you know, high school
286
00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:14.519
and collegiate e athletes, I don't
know what you call them competitive gamers?
287
00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:18.279
Yeah, you're right, You're right, it says in here later we aim
288
00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:22.319
to bring innovative gaming experiences to the
players and fans. This facility will not
289
00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:27.640
only serve as a competitive battleground for
esports athletes, but also as a nurturing
290
00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:33.319
ground for anyone interested in gaming.
So it seems like they're going to try
291
00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.720
and do both models. I just
don't know how. You know, the
292
00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:40.640
competitive model is easy because there are
regulations and there are you know that that's
293
00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.839
how it works. It's like in
sports, it's the it's the other half,
294
00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:47.519
you know, for anyone new to
new to it. That's the part
295
00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:51.599
that I'm not I'm not sure.
They may they may be taking a page
296
00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:55.920
from Las Vegas or even the cruise
ships when it comes to casinos, and
297
00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:59.519
that is that they'll do the they'll
do the training classes to get people hooked
298
00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:03.839
so that they then become you know, it's like here, kid, you
299
00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:06.680
want to taste, you know,
it's it's giving them a sample and it
300
00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:11.759
becomes sort of the gateway to being
a true esports esports competitive gamer. Yeah,
301
00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:15.759
well I agree, it's another thing
to watch. We've been watching it
302
00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:18.759
since it was first announced and then
you know, we'll we'll see how it
303
00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:22.400
develops. Okay, Well, well, you know, Philip, it's funny
304
00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:27.039
we talk a lot about what my
projects are, but you are in Detroit.
305
00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:29.720
You want to share a little bit. I know, you just went
306
00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:34.839
through a media day and a media
event, which you know is always harrowing.
307
00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:40.319
They never they always go They always
go fine, they usually turn out
308
00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:42.359
better than we ever anticipated, but
they never ever ever go as planned.
309
00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:45.559
So, h what what project?
And the only reason I'm asking this,
310
00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:49.440
I'm not gonna be too kg because
I also had a little tiny, teeny
311
00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:53.319
itsy bitsy part in this project.
And but this is one of the few
312
00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:56.680
projects that Philip and I have actually
worked both worked on, and so I
313
00:22:56.720 --> 00:23:00.599
figure tell them a little bit about
what what was, what's going on up
314
00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:03.519
there and how the media they went. Yeah, so I'm in Detroit because
315
00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:07.279
I'm up here at Hush Haunted attraction, which is in Westland, which is
316
00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:12.640
maybe twenty minutes away from the airport. And we Scott and I worked on
317
00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:18.440
this together, but not together,
you know practically, you know where Scott
318
00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:22.039
worked on the script the top line
creative and some and the scripts for the
319
00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:29.880
interior. I guess the entry experience
to the Haunt, but yeah, essentially,
320
00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:33.920
Hush Haunt Attraction is a forty thousand
square foot indoor facility and there's you
321
00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:38.079
know three it's a linear Haunt experience
and there's three inside, but there's also
322
00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:45.480
the Q Line midway area and that's
outside. So the concept is you arrive
323
00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:48.799
to the downtown Hush Falls and that's
when you enter. You intnt to the
324
00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:52.319
Q Line. The Q Line is
themed to be a downtown Hush Falls and
325
00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:56.359
you're there for the Harvest Festival.
That that's a lot of the portions that
326
00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:59.119
Scott wrote was the Harvest Festival,
and that the mean for that and the
327
00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:03.039
character scripts and whatnot. And then
when you check into the hotel to stay
328
00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:06.240
the night, things go terribly wrong, and that's when you enter into the
329
00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:10.519
first of three attractions. As you
try and work your way, you're trying
330
00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:12.880
to escape the hotel and then you
try and wander around the areas you're trying
331
00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:18.480
to get out of town before eventually
running into the main antagonists in the third
332
00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:23.160
experience. And Hush has three themed
bars which they opened last year and they
333
00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:29.039
kind of re themed and expanded them
this year. The first one is before
334
00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:33.400
you enter in the queue area,
and then there's two inside the Haunt as
335
00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:37.519
you go throughout the experience. So
this year they really cleaned up all of
336
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:41.599
that logistics. There are two separate
dedicated lines the kind of fork, so
337
00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:45.960
you know, as you're walking through
the Haunt, there'll be a security guard
338
00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.440
dressed in regular clothes that will check
if you have the bar passes and if
339
00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:52.440
you have a bar pass and a
wristband over twenty one, then you could
340
00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:56.799
you enter like a separate line to
take you into the bar, and then
341
00:24:56.839 --> 00:25:00.119
you do the bar experience and then
you can exit back into the main Haunt
342
00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:07.400
line. So you know, logistically
it's it's challenging to fit all that into
343
00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:11.359
one. But so what I was
doing this year for Hush, I do
344
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:15.799
the I guess all the PR and
marketing, so generating the videos and handling
345
00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:21.279
all the PR and whatnot, and
so we had our media night on Saturday,
346
00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.359
but I had been reaching out to
media for a while, as one
347
00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:26.960
does, right and try and confirm
everybody. So it ended up being that
348
00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:32.119
a lot of the media weren't available
on that Saturday, so we're having to
349
00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.920
kind of split them up. So
I ended up having two crews come and
350
00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:40.799
film on Friday, which is opening
night, which was always our favorite thing
351
00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:45.000
is when the media says we can
only come on opening night. Yeah,
352
00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:48.559
yeah, I can think of nothing
worse, quite honestly, but there you
353
00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:53.079
go. Yeah, that was that
was fun, right, And then we
354
00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:59.039
had our media night on the Saturday, and the concept was, you know,
355
00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:03.160
as usual things were. There were
some challenges, but you know,
356
00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:06.759
we got through it, and overall
it was supposed to be with the media
357
00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:10.079
would show up early for a little
bit of reception and we would do remarks
358
00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:15.799
from the owner, Cody, and
then we would do they'd get dedicated showings
359
00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:19.920
of the different skits that Scott wrote, so they could film them and they
360
00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:25.160
could have them before the you know, before the attraction opened. And then
361
00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:30.680
the attraction opened early just for media
to start going through because it's it's probably
362
00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:36.440
about a thirty minute walk without the
bars, but all the media are obviously
363
00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:38.079
you know, they want to stop
at the bars. So we knew they
364
00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:41.240
were going to spend about an hour
going through the Haunt itself once they started,
365
00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:44.720
so we wanted to give them a
head start so that they could start
366
00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:49.119
going through before the lines started building
up outside and guests started entering with them.
367
00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:53.440
So that was kind of the rough
plan of the night. And then
368
00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:59.599
we don't allow filming inside the attraction
for safety reasons, for the performers and
369
00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:03.359
for all the reasons we've talked about
on the show. So if media wanted
370
00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:07.240
to do filming, we had scare
cam slots that we kind of set up
371
00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:11.640
for them where I would accompany them
and do scarecam footage of particular areas.
372
00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:15.519
I mean, they could have the
entire haunt if they wanted to, but
373
00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:18.559
I kind of suggested like the second
area, the first or second area for
374
00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:22.640
them because it's easier logistically them in
it now and it takes less time,
375
00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:27.920
you know, and realistically media does
not need a thirty minute scarecam that's like
376
00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.640
too much footage. They'll never use
it. They'll never use it all.
377
00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:36.519
Yeah, so we kind of we
trimmed it down to particular areas that I
378
00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:40.200
think are the best for media.
But they had the option of having the
379
00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:42.279
whole thing, and we did have
two channels at one of the whole thing
380
00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:48.440
because their specialty is a YouTube.
And in that case, I delivered the
381
00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:52.519
footage to them and we edited out
any sensitive things that we didn't want to
382
00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:56.720
reveal. But the edits out were
really like minimal. It was just some
383
00:27:56.880 --> 00:28:03.680
sensitive scenes we wanted to you know, that the new the new that there's
384
00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:07.720
a new ending this year, and
we didn't want we don't want that secret
385
00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:11.720
to be out there before kind of
like mid October. So when we delivered
386
00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:15.960
the full walkthrough for those people,
we kind of cut that out. And
387
00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:18.319
I warned them of that all ahead
of time. You know, we we
388
00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:21.480
I talked with every outlet individually to
let them know what we were planning.
389
00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:26.599
So so yeah, it was it
happened. Yeah, yeah, well,
390
00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:30.759
and and again I think in listening
to not only what you've just described,
391
00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.839
but the little bit that we chatted
about before we started recording today, it's
392
00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:37.680
a it's a perfect example. You
know, I know that some some some
393
00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:42.119
independent groups, some independent haunts or
independent attractions. We'll say, well,
394
00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:45.240
I can't afford to have someone come
in and do my marketing, or I
395
00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:48.759
can't afford to have someone come in
and do my my media day. And
396
00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:51.559
I would flip that on its head
and say, you really can't afford not
397
00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:56.640
to because as the owner operator of
any sort of small attraction, your opening
398
00:28:57.240 --> 00:29:02.400
is is huge. I mean,
that's that's going to pull you to put
399
00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:06.359
out more fires than you can ever
imagine. And if you are the owner
400
00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:11.440
or the creative director or whomever,
it sets you up and frees you up
401
00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:15.319
to do to do interviews if necessary, to talk about the haunt if necessary,
402
00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:18.279
to make certain that the people who
are going to talk about the Haunt
403
00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:22.200
have all the information they need,
have all the you know, support that
404
00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:26.359
they need from you internally. So
I think it's something that you really have
405
00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:30.160
to take into consideration when you're looking
at gush. Do I hire an outside
406
00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:34.720
marketing or PR person to help me? Because it will, I promise.
407
00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:37.279
And I've seen this happen over and
over and over again. And I am
408
00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:41.599
not I'm not saying this just because
you know this is what Philip does,
409
00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:45.759
but it's I know other people who
do this as well, and I've seen
410
00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:52.160
it happen that it just increases the
visibility, and then once the visibility is
411
00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:56.599
increased, it translates into clicks of
the turnstile. And so so I strongly
412
00:29:56.680 --> 00:30:00.559
recommend for not only your sanity,
if you are an owner operator of any
413
00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:06.519
smaller attraction like this, if you
don't have a dedicated marketing team who is
414
00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:08.720
experienced and can reach out and can
produce, you know, all the things
415
00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:15.839
that Philip has produced from a visual
standpoint, look into finding someone like Philip
416
00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:19.240
or other companies that can do the
pr stuff, because there's there're people out
417
00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:22.039
there and they can make it work
for your budget and it'll come back to
418
00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:25.880
you. The last thing I know
right time, The last thing I want
419
00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:30.119
to say to underscore that is that
a lot of the just like just like
420
00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:33.319
theater point and all these other places, we wanted to reach a wider more
421
00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:36.920
general We didn't We didn't want just
Haunt fans to come out. We wanted
422
00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:38.599
the food bloggers and whatnot. And
a lot of these people do not know
423
00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:42.079
how to capture content at haundhouses.
And that's another reason to add on to
424
00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:45.839
this, and a big thing I
had to do as the media person,
425
00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:52.680
I had to rent lighting and rent
gear for the haunt for that thing where
426
00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:56.160
we are open early, I went
around and added light to the areas and
427
00:30:56.359 --> 00:31:00.799
set up photo moments with the characters
because because I had and I had to
428
00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:03.480
take the media almost like by the
hand and bring them to the mayor and
429
00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:07.319
be like, oh, wouldn't you
like to meet our mayor the Hush Falls
430
00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:10.200
mayor, And then he did a
little bit with so media got all that,
431
00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.799
and we had to add light and
whatnot for the in the queue line
432
00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:17.680
because it's not set up for these
type of videos. And also food bloggers
433
00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:21.640
don't know how to take pictures with
a haunted house actor or a scare actors,
434
00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:23.960
so we had to show them how
to do that. And that's the
435
00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.400
only thing I would add to that
is that, you know, don't don't
436
00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:30.160
assume the media are going to even
know how to make content at your house
437
00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:33.559
because they probably in small areas they
only have one haunted house and they remember,
438
00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:37.400
and you know what, expertise is
well worth the money you spend on
439
00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:40.839
it. So with that little bit
of with that little tidbit of information,
440
00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:45.319
that is the end of this week's
show on behalf of Philip and myself This
441
00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:49.599
is Green Tag Theme Park in almost
thirty two, close to thirty and hopefully
442
00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:52.279
you enjoyed the show. Come back
next week and we'll have even more for
443
00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:53.279
you. Take care,











