In order to ensure that all of the effects worked to perfection, Super 78 set up a stereoscopic projection system in its Hollywood studio identical to those used in the ride. Animators made several trips to Florida for test rides in a prototype sleigh and mock up of the track. In the week’s prior to launch, senior crewmembers visited Williamsburg to assist fabricators in making final tweaks and adjustments.

The pre-ride film appears in an anteroom to the castle where patrons wait before boarding the sleighs. What appear to be tapestries hanging on the wall suddenly spring to life and relate the frightful history of Ludwig and his clan. Although patrons aren’t yet wearing their stereoscopic glasses, Super 78 created an illusion of 3D by arraying 2D CG elements across a series of receding plains similar to a pop-up greeting card. Animators then used a virtual camera to travel through the tapestry and tour Ludwig’s world.

Super 78 credits include:

* Creative Director: Brent Young
* Exec Producer: Dina Benadon
* Simulation Director: Mario Kamberg
* Stereoscopic Producer: Chuck Comisky
* Digital Producer: Stephanie Taylor
* Digital Supervisor: Aaron Powell
* Head Technical Director: Yannick Leblanc
* Storyboards: Cullen Blaine and Vinny Delay
* Design: Graven Tung
* Matte Painting/Pre-Show: Robert McKinnon
* Modeling/Texturing: Frederick Gaudreau, Raphael Lacoste, Matthew Lee, Joe Mangione and Michael Meyers
* Character Rigging: Frederick Gaudreau, Steve Guevara and Yannick Leblanc
* Animation: Jim Richardson, Jason “Spike” Stellwag and Stanley Woo
* Cloth/Hair Simulation: Zack Weiler
* FX: Rifat Dagher
* Lighting/Compositing: Miguel Bautista, Frederick Gaudreau and Aaron Powel

Super 78 (www.super78.com) is located at 6900 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, California, 90038.