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Shamu to get new show in 2006
- Thread starter speck76
- Start date
xfkirsten
New Member
Yup, that's been known to me for quite a long time. 
I've seen a lot of the concept art for what they're planning to do with it here in San Diego, and it looks incredible!! And since I am no longer employed by SeaWorld, I shall spill. 
Remember this is for San Diego's new show - I am not sure how this will translate to Orlando.
The current set will be completely ripped out in the next few months. The new set will be two stories, with a huge video screen shaped like a killer whale's tail. There will also be four video screens that are mobile - they can slide from side to side as well as rotate. They can move into different positions - together to form one big screen, or apart for other effects. There will also be effects such as water fountains.
There was talk of adding divers and such (a la Blue Horizons) but last I heard, that idea has been scrapped. There has also been a rumor going around here in San Diego lately that a costume character would somehow be incorporated into the show, but I kinda doubt that. There is also a rumor that the show would require a stagehand (The Shamu Adventure does not), but I doubt that's of very much consequence to anyone other than us Lighting and Stage folks.
I've seen a lot of the concept art for what they're planning to do with it here in San Diego, and it looks incredible!! And since I am no longer employed by SeaWorld, I shall spill. Remember this is for San Diego's new show - I am not sure how this will translate to Orlando.
The current set will be completely ripped out in the next few months. The new set will be two stories, with a huge video screen shaped like a killer whale's tail. There will also be four video screens that are mobile - they can slide from side to side as well as rotate. They can move into different positions - together to form one big screen, or apart for other effects. There will also be effects such as water fountains.
There was talk of adding divers and such (a la Blue Horizons) but last I heard, that idea has been scrapped. There has also been a rumor going around here in San Diego lately that a costume character would somehow be incorporated into the show, but I kinda doubt that. There is also a rumor that the show would require a stagehand (The Shamu Adventure does not), but I doubt that's of very much consequence to anyone other than us Lighting and Stage folks.
crazydaveh
Active Member
They are being pretty hush hush here in Otown about the new show, but there will soon be one, or at least next year.
Renovations to Shamu Stadium started the day after Labor Day. There are only two Shamu shows during the week and three on the weekends. This is down from many more in the summer. They are keeping the show count down due to construction.
Not much major construction is taking place yet... Just prelim stuff.
Renovations to Shamu Stadium started the day after Labor Day. There are only two Shamu shows during the week and three on the weekends. This is down from many more in the summer. They are keeping the show count down due to construction.
Not much major construction is taking place yet... Just prelim stuff.
xfkirsten
New Member
Yeah, our construction here in San Diego was supposed to start in September, except they're going to completely shut down Shamu Stadium and hold shows in the Close Up area... unfortunately, Close Up is still undergoing extensive construction that's been going on all summer (it hasn't been open since April at least) so they have to wait until they're finished with that.
I have heard that the amount of construction planned was scaled back. Expansion of seating in Shamu stadium was supposedly scrapped in the interest of trying to keep the show up and running all the way through construction.
The reduction in shows daily is supposedly leading to some heavier than expected shows and the stadium reaching capacity, including turning people away when the stadium is full.
The reduction in shows daily is supposedly leading to some heavier than expected shows and the stadium reaching capacity, including turning people away when the stadium is full.
SEAWORLD LAUNCHES “BELIEVE,” THE MOST AMBITIOUS
KILLER WHALE SHOW IN THE PARKS’ HISTORY
Revolutionary Production Premieres Across U.S. In Spring 2006
Orlando, Fla. (October 12, 2005) – SeaWorld parks across the U.S. have embarked on the most ambitious entertainment project in the brand’s 41-year history, a new production called “Believe” that showcases SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales with awe-inspiring choreography, an elaborate 3-story set, original musical score and panoramic LED screens.
A first for SeaWorld, the intense choreography of the new show creates a breathtaking “killer whale ballet” of grace and agility, as every movement of the powerful whales – each weighing 6,000 to 10,000 pounds -- is matched to the corresponding beat of a stirring, original musical score. “Believe” will open in spring 2006.
In addition to SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio will also open “Believe.” The three Shamu Stadium facilities are among the largest marine mammal habitats in the world.
SeaWorld Orlando Specifics:
Much of the existing above-water stage structures at Shamu Stadium will be removed to make room for the world’s largest whale tail (or “fluke”), fountains, complex mechanical set pieces, and multimedia equipment that includes video cameras, LED screens and sophisticated sound design.
The centerpiece of the new set design is a 3-story tail fluke flanked by four, 20-foot-wide video screens which operate independently and also move together to create a single, 80-foot-long panoramic screen. Those screens provide guests at Shamu Stadium with views of the whales from above- and below-water cameras, including, for the first time, a camera suspended directly over the main show pool.
The audio system for “Believe” is the most sophisticated ever constructed for a Busch Entertainment show. The design will create soundscapes for “Believe” that will rival any show or concert experience, with nearly 100 speakers throughout the stadium and a surround sound experience. The musical score has been composed exclusively for this show, and the killer whale behaviors choreographed to match each beat.
Thad Lacinak, BEC’s vice-president of animal training, said marine mammal trainers have been working on new behaviors with the park’s 24 killer whales for nearly two years, building on almost four decades of experience in showcasing killer whales.
“We will do much more than entertain with ‘Believe,’” Lacinak said. “We want to inspire our guests to believe in themselves. If we can build this kind of relationship with 6,000-pound killer whales, there’s nothing they can’t do.”
SeaWorld’s trainers have developed a repertoire of nearly 160 killer whale behaviors, 100 of which will be part of the new show. “Our training philosophy is built entirely on positive reinforcement,” he said. “With animals this large and powerful, relationships built on trust are critical.”
At SeaWorld Orlando, the current killer whale shows will continue in the main presentation pool until “Believe” debuts in spring, with construction occurring around the show schedule.
Continuing the Revolution:
“Believe” continues the revolution which began last year with “Blue Horizons” – an entirely new breed of dolphin show. This theatrical spectacular was breakthrough in that it combined visions of Broadway with majestic animals, spirited performers and exotic birds. To create this dynamic show, SeaWorld collaborated with Broadway’s most inventive exerts and married theatrical extravagance -- seen in the larger-than-life set and dramatic costuming -- with amazing animal behaviors.
In addition to SeaWorld, BEC operates Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. BEC and its parks employ nearly 20,000 people nationwide.
KILLER WHALE SHOW IN THE PARKS’ HISTORY
Revolutionary Production Premieres Across U.S. In Spring 2006
Orlando, Fla. (October 12, 2005) – SeaWorld parks across the U.S. have embarked on the most ambitious entertainment project in the brand’s 41-year history, a new production called “Believe” that showcases SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales with awe-inspiring choreography, an elaborate 3-story set, original musical score and panoramic LED screens.
A first for SeaWorld, the intense choreography of the new show creates a breathtaking “killer whale ballet” of grace and agility, as every movement of the powerful whales – each weighing 6,000 to 10,000 pounds -- is matched to the corresponding beat of a stirring, original musical score. “Believe” will open in spring 2006.
In addition to SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio will also open “Believe.” The three Shamu Stadium facilities are among the largest marine mammal habitats in the world.
SeaWorld Orlando Specifics:
Much of the existing above-water stage structures at Shamu Stadium will be removed to make room for the world’s largest whale tail (or “fluke”), fountains, complex mechanical set pieces, and multimedia equipment that includes video cameras, LED screens and sophisticated sound design.
The centerpiece of the new set design is a 3-story tail fluke flanked by four, 20-foot-wide video screens which operate independently and also move together to create a single, 80-foot-long panoramic screen. Those screens provide guests at Shamu Stadium with views of the whales from above- and below-water cameras, including, for the first time, a camera suspended directly over the main show pool.
The audio system for “Believe” is the most sophisticated ever constructed for a Busch Entertainment show. The design will create soundscapes for “Believe” that will rival any show or concert experience, with nearly 100 speakers throughout the stadium and a surround sound experience. The musical score has been composed exclusively for this show, and the killer whale behaviors choreographed to match each beat.
Thad Lacinak, BEC’s vice-president of animal training, said marine mammal trainers have been working on new behaviors with the park’s 24 killer whales for nearly two years, building on almost four decades of experience in showcasing killer whales.
“We will do much more than entertain with ‘Believe,’” Lacinak said. “We want to inspire our guests to believe in themselves. If we can build this kind of relationship with 6,000-pound killer whales, there’s nothing they can’t do.”
SeaWorld’s trainers have developed a repertoire of nearly 160 killer whale behaviors, 100 of which will be part of the new show. “Our training philosophy is built entirely on positive reinforcement,” he said. “With animals this large and powerful, relationships built on trust are critical.”
At SeaWorld Orlando, the current killer whale shows will continue in the main presentation pool until “Believe” debuts in spring, with construction occurring around the show schedule.
Continuing the Revolution:
“Believe” continues the revolution which began last year with “Blue Horizons” – an entirely new breed of dolphin show. This theatrical spectacular was breakthrough in that it combined visions of Broadway with majestic animals, spirited performers and exotic birds. To create this dynamic show, SeaWorld collaborated with Broadway’s most inventive exerts and married theatrical extravagance -- seen in the larger-than-life set and dramatic costuming -- with amazing animal behaviors.
In addition to SeaWorld, BEC operates Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. BEC and its parks employ nearly 20,000 people nationwide.
xfkirsten
New Member
This sounds like it's gonna be a really neat show!
One part does have me curious, though. They say that the behaviors will be synchronized to the music. While that sounds awesome theatrically, I'm curious what effect that will have on animal training. One of the big tenets in dolphin training is variety. If you keep everything very routine for the animals (say, having the exact same set of behaviors each show) then any little change is going to cause problems for them. While many major cues in current shows are the same from show to show, the vast majority are not, and each show very different than the last. As we said in Lighting and Stage, "At Shamu, every show is a modified show."
One part does have me curious, though. They say that the behaviors will be synchronized to the music. While that sounds awesome theatrically, I'm curious what effect that will have on animal training. One of the big tenets in dolphin training is variety. If you keep everything very routine for the animals (say, having the exact same set of behaviors each show) then any little change is going to cause problems for them. While many major cues in current shows are the same from show to show, the vast majority are not, and each show very different than the last. As we said in Lighting and Stage, "At Shamu, every show is a modified show."
crazydaveh
Active Member
I disagree... I am not a fan of the rendering! I know the screens will move, but something just says, "Marineland" about that look!
Hopefully it will be better in real life than what the computer projects it will look like.
Hopefully it will be better in real life than what the computer projects it will look like.