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Former Theme Park Exec. Been a fan for years. Decided to Join the Fun!

  • Thread starter Thread starter dfilmknight
  • Start date Start date Jul 16, 2016
dfilmknight

dfilmknight

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #1
Hi guys and gals. I'm a former theme park exec now working in the film industry and have been a fan of this site for years. It's been fun to watch all the discussions, rumors, and news over the years and decided that I finally wanted to join in and give my two cents every now and then. Namaste!
 
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Mad Dog

Mad Dog

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  • Jul 16, 2016
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Welcome to the friendly world of the OU Forums. :cheers:.....Looking forward to your inside the industry perspective on events.
 
Galaxy Defender

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #3
dfilmknight said:
Hi guys and gals. I'm a former theme park exec now working in the film industry and have been a fan of this site for years. It's been fun to watch all the discussions, rumors, and news over the years and decided that I finally wanted to join in and give my two cents every now and then. Namaste!
Click to expand...
We will have to be more careful now about blaming theme park execs for everything.:)
 
dfilmknight

dfilmknight

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #4
Mad Dog said:
Welcome to the friendly world of the OU Forums. :cheers:.....Looking forward to your inside the industry perspective on events.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
dfilmknight

dfilmknight

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #5
Galaxy Defender said:
We will have to be more careful now about blaming theme park execs for everything.:)
Click to expand...
Go right ahead and blame them, lol. Sometimes it seems they lose touch with just who their audience actually is!
 
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Hatetofly

Hatetofly

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #6
Welcome to the boards!!! Any favorite moments from the site or forums from the past before you joined?
 
dfilmknight

dfilmknight

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #7
hatetofly said:
Welcome to the boards!!! Any favorite moments from the site or forums from the past before you joined?
Click to expand...
Actually your posts have always been a highlight! I also enjoy some of the nostalgic Universal posts. There was nothing like the energy and excitement surrounding Universal when it first opened and in its early years. Hollywood East promised to turn Orlando into a haven for film and television and turn every corner of Orlando into a film set. Many of the friends and colleagues that I made at that time all live in Los Angeles now and have very successful careers in film and television. It's baffling to us that Orlando didn't make it as a production hub when places like Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi have more production and more incentives. We all wish we could go back and make movies at Universal like we dreamed of in the old days. At that time, the only homegrown production company in town was Quest Studios--which didn't make it.
 
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Teebin

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  • Jul 16, 2016
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:look:
 
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Mad Dog

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dfilmknight said:
Actually your posts have always been a highlight! I also enjoy some of the nostalgic Universal posts. There was nothing like the energy and excitement surrounding Universal when it first opened and in its early years. Hollywood East promised to turn Orlando into a haven for film and television and turn every corner of Orlando into a film set. Many of the friends and colleagues that I made at that time all live in Los Angeles now and have very successful careers in film and television. It's baffling to us that Orlando didn't make it as a production hub when places like Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi have more production and more incentives. We all wish we could go back and make movies at Universal like we dreamed of in the old days. At that time, the only homegrown production company in town was Quest Studios--which didn't make it.
Click to expand...
Looking forward to your stories & reminiscences from your time in the business. Even here in the Pittsburgh area, we've had a pretty prominent position in film & TV production. One key has always been tax credits. When the state legislature is accommodating, there's been a lot of production. But during the years of cuts in the tax credit, production went elsewhere. We also have a vibrant Film Office in Pittsburgh. Russ Steiner, who heads the board, has great industry contacts. People may remember Russ as being involved in the original Night of the Living Dead movie. Not only was he involved in the production & direction of the movie, but he played one of the walking dead zombies. He uttered those famous lines, "Barbara, we're coming to get you".
 
dfilmknight

dfilmknight

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #10
That's awesome regarding Pittsburgh. I believe your tax credits and beautiful area are a reason The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, and a few others have been shot there recently. Within my group of friends who are from Orlando, it's a shame when we hear that Ant Man, Captain America, Spiderman: Homecoming, and others have gone to Georgia when Orlando had some of the best facilities outside of Hollywood. Disney could shoot all of the Marvel films at Hollywood Studios and it would be a big draw for guests! However, tax incentives and the nature of the business has changed. In the internet era, most sets are on lockdown and I'm sure no crew would want a tram full of tourists with cell phones in hand strolling by, lol.

I have a ton of stories to share and look forward to sharing them.
 
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snayberry

snayberry

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  • Jul 16, 2016
  • #11
:cheers:Hi and welcome. Super excited to hear your stories. If you don't mind me asking, what theme park did you used to work for?
 
dfilmknight

dfilmknight

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  • Jul 17, 2016
  • #12
snayberry said:
:cheers:Hi and welcome. Super excited to hear your stories. If you don't mind me asking, what theme park did you used to work for?
Click to expand...
Hi! I worked for a total of 3 over the course of 12 years on various projects domestically and internationally and in a variety of roles. I then left the industry to work in the film industry and apply my talents I had acquired to that realm. However, I still consult at times and for that reason that's all that I will say. However, I will share what I can, when I can. A lot of people in the industry watch these forums so I also have to keep that in mind.
 
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Galaxy Defender

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  • Jul 17, 2016
  • #13
dfilmknight said:
Go right ahead and blame them, lol. Sometimes it seems they lose touch with just who their audience actually is!
Click to expand...
Well, if you insist.:)
 
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Porkchop

Porkchop

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NC
  • Jul 17, 2016
  • #14
Welcome, thanks for being here, appreciate your insights and hope to enjoy your posts in the future!!!
 
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Brian G.

Brian G.

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  • Jul 17, 2016
  • #15
Welcome! Thanks for joining!

:wave:
 
Scott W.

Scott W.

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  • Jul 17, 2016
  • #16
Welcome! :cheers:

Got any stories from your theme park days you'd be prepared to share? Since we're talking about movie locations, any love for Scotland?

I look forward to your perspective!
 
IanDLBZF

IanDLBZF

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  • Jul 19, 2016
  • #17
dfilmknight said:
I also enjoy some of the nostalgic Universal posts. There was nothing like the energy and excitement surrounding Universal when it first opened and in its early years. Hollywood East promised to turn Orlando into a haven for film and television and turn every corner of Orlando into a film set. Many of the friends and colleagues that I made at that time all live in Los Angeles now and have very successful careers in film and television. It's baffling to us that Orlando didn't make it as a production hub when places like Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi have more production and more incentives.
Click to expand...
Agreed! Universal was SO MUCH better in the 1990s then they are now! Welcome to the forums!
 
LiamRowbotham

LiamRowbotham

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Apr 22, 2016
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Keighley
  • Jul 20, 2016
  • #18
Welcome aboard, I'm sure you'll love it. It's fantastic here. I don't post loads, but I visit daily. Well worth it :D
 
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