The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood announced new enhancements for spring 2006, including new attractions showcasing THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT and KING KONG, as well as the opportunity to see more working TV and movie sets than ever before, including sets from CROSSING JORDAN and the top-rated CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION. The enhancements represent the most sweeping changes made to the Studio Tour in more than a decade and the greatest number of new additions to the park since the first trams rolled along the landmark Universal backlot in 1964.
The new chase sequence inspired by THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT utilizes advanced robotics and state-of-the-cinematic-art computer generated "previsualization" technology. The new tram feature will thrust guests into close-up range of the underground world of street racing. Robotic racers will dazzle guests with a "in your face" display of action via large-scale motion control simulation, then perform a dexterous "automotive dance demonstration" set to a hip-hop beat.
With help from the Oscar-winning artisans of New Zealand's Weta Workshop Ltd., Studio Tour guests will experience an update of a classic film technique as they pass within feet of King Kong's S.S. Venture tramp steamer, an exact replica of the film's "bigature" prop. "Bigatures" are highly-detailed miniatures which can be filmed up close and manipulated in ways not possible with either a full-size prop nor a digital recreation. This big-miniature offers the ultimate in realism when combined with traditional and digital effects. Against a panoramic backdrop of the primordial environs of Skull Island, guests will glimpse the ship as it navigates through dense marine fog, while their tram shudders to the deafening, primal roar of "The Eighth Wonder of the World."
With an unprecedented number of movies and episodic television productions keeping the standing sets and sound stages humming, guests will be advised to stay on the look-out for the casts and crew of such productions as CROSSING JORDAN, CSI or a constantly changing roster of major motion pictures.
Universal Studios Hollywood is the world's largest movie studio and theme park. Featuring such attractions as REVENGE OF THE MUMMY-THE RIDE, SHREK 4-D, TERMINATOR 2: 3D, JURASSIC PARK-THE RIDE and the world-renowned behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood has matured into a full day, movie-based theme park.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
