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Coaster Enthusiasts of Canada |
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The following deal with the subject of Amusement
Rides & Parks and Fairs primarily on a technical level, with Physics or
Engineering the main focus of several. Many also show the Design &
Construction of Rides or Parks.
Note that videos and books in other parts of the CEC site may also
touch on these subjects and should be consulted as well:
-Books
-Videos
See here for additional educational materials:
-Midway Education Exhibit
THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©
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ARCHITECTURE: STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING (1990) NTSC
This instructional video looks at the importance of mathematics in
designing structures from skyscrapers to roller coasters. After a wild
roller coaster ride on the Viper, architect Frank Gehry, structural
engineer Ysrael Seinuk, and Cooper Union's student engineers join
Jaime Escalante in this program. *(Not Reviewed.)
Produced by: Running Time: 15m
Unknown
Order From: Price: Unknown
Unknown
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HOW IT'S DONE (1994) NTSC
"From Roller Coasters to Ice Cream"
This teaching video is part of the "How It's Done" series. It
shows children how things are made and how they work. With the
help of the host, pellican detective Howie Dunn and his friend,
children discover, among other interesting topics, how ice cream
is mass produced, how the television news is put together, and
how roller coasters are built. *(This video only dwells on
coasters for 5 minutes, concentrating mainly on The "Magnum
XL-200". Computer-aided design is shown of a new twister and then
a partial, out-of-sequence ride is taken on "Magnum". The
topic is very lightly glossed over with a lot of subjects not
covered, as well as being somewhat disjointed. As an introduction
for young children it may serve its purpose, but it's not for the
typical coaster buff.)
HOW IT'S DONE (Continued)
Produced by:
Michael Kalush
Steve Wittbrodt
Running Time: 35 m
Order From:
HGV Video Productions
1735 Bayly Street
Pickering, Ontario
Canada
Price: Unknown
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JURASSIC PARK: THE RIDE (199?) NTSC
"The Making of..."
A short view on the conception and building of The Universal
Studios ride. The animatronics are described in detail.
*(This shows how the ride was conceived almost even before the
movie itself had been storyboarded and how much of the movie was
recreated for the ride. Interviews with Steven Spielberg and the
technicians & designers make for a fast, but informative overview of
this attraction.)
Produced By: Running Time: 23m
Zaloom/Mayfield Productions
California, U.S.A.
Order From: Price: Unknown
-The Learning Channel
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THE MAKING OF DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM THEME PARK (1998)
Shows the planning and building of the theme park. *(Not Reviewed.)
Produced By: Running Time: 20m
Walt Disney Attractions
Order From: Price:
Available at the park.
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MEAN SCREAM MACHINES (1996)
Part of the Canadian "Forbidden Places" series, this episode
profiles coasters mainly at Cedar Point, but from a technical
viewpoint. The Arrow design team is profiled extensively
with some of the computer programs used to design the rides
seen. Also shown are testing procedures and maintenance of the
rides. The show ends with a piece on the development of the
`Turbo Drop'-style rides such as "Big Shot". *(Highly Recommended
- especially for those that like to know more about the technical
end of coaster/ride design, testing, and maintenance. A highlight
is the maintenance crew discussing "Mean Streak", its upkeep,
and how temperature changes the ride characteristics. Of special
interest is the designers of "Big Shot" showing how their ride was
developed complete with diagrams. A must for those techni/ride lovers.)
Produced By: Running Time: 50m
Aiken Scherberger
TVR Productions for
Discovery Channel Canada Price: Unknown
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REALITY: THE VIDEO (1994) PAL
"It's The Big One"
This tape shows the making of "Pepsi Max - The Big One" currently
one of the tallest coasters on this planet at an unconfirmed
height of 64 meters. Shown are the opening celebrations and an
entire-circuit ride on board the coaster. * (Not Reviewed.)
Produced by: Running Time: 20m
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Stageworks Television Productions
England
Order From: Price: Unknown
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Marketing Department
Ocean Boulevard
Blackpool, England FY4 1EZ
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ROLLER COASTER! (1993) NTSC
Produced by the "Nova" television show in The United States, this
tape gives a good overview of the design and construction of the
roller coaster. Interviews with Ron Toomer and American Coaster
Enthusiast Ray Ueberroth contribute to the understanding of
Roller Coasters. Included is a short history of coasters (and
parks in general) in The United States. The development of
Disneyland is well profiled, as are modern simulator rides and
attractions like "Earthquake" and "Backdraft" at Universal
Studios. *(Highly Recommended. The production staff of "Nova" is
top notch and this tape is no exception to their expertise.
Informative and entertaining - a must!)
ROLLER COASTER! (Continued)
Produced by: Running Time: 55m
Frankie Glass
WGBH Educational Foundation
Boston, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
Order From: Price: Unknown
PBS Video
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-1698
U.S.A.
Shop PBS
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SAFE FUN AT THE CARNIVAL (1999) NTSC
Made for younger children, this video explores safety while at
the carnival. *(Not Reviewed.)
Produced By: Running Time: 8m
Outdoor Amusement
Business Association
Order From: Price:
Outdoor Amusement
Business Association
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THE SECRET WORLD OF AMUSEMENT PARKS (1999) NTSC
From the TLC (The Learning Channel) series. It views the
operations of a typical amusement park. *(Not Reviewed.)
Produced By: Running Time: 40m
MPI
Order From: Price:
-The Learning Channel
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THE TERROR TECHNICIANS (19??) PAL
This tape is from an English television programme which focuses on
the building and the opening of "Nemesis" and The "Big One". It is
quite interesting though it doesn't contain that much on-ride
footage but does have the excellent first ride of John Wardley
(though not quite as polished as the footage of him riding
"Nemesis" on The "White Knuckle" video tape.) Tape suggestion and
review courtesy of Michael Bolton of England.
Produced By: Running Time: Unknown
Unknown
Order From: Price: Unknown
Unknown
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THEME PARK HEAVEN (1992) NTSC
Shows the development of theme parks and rides, from Disneyland
through to modern parks like Cedar Point, and future trends in
the guise of Universal Studios. Several of Disney's imagineers are
interviewed with their early work shown and how it and other early
presentations led to things like "Earthquake" & "Backdraft". The
psychology of `why we ride' is examined and rider's opinions are
given. Designers like Ron Toomer are profiled. The tape concludes
with a look at simulator technology. *(With many shots borrowed from
the PBS production "Roller Coaster", there isn't a lot new here.
However, there are some nice clips of Walt Disney talking about the
early Disneyland and kinescope shots of opening day.)
Produced by: Running Time: 46m
Frankie Glass, for
Open Media Productions
Order From: Unknown Price: Unknown.
________
THRILL RIDE (1997) NTSC
"The Science of Fun".
Produced in IMAX format. It starts off with some on-board footage of
rides like "Kumba" and "Montu", but then goes on to detail how motion
pictures work and how they are incorporated into simulator rides like
"Back to the Future". The mechanisms that move the seating are shown,
with their origins in flight simulators discussed. *(This is not a
film that hard-core coaster fans are likely to really enjoy due to the
fact that few are shown. However, the details of how simulators were
developed are interesting and well done.)
Produced By: Running Time: 40m
New Wave International
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Culver City, California
Order From: Price:
Columbia Tristar Home Video
The preceding list is far from complete.
If you have any suggestions please contact us:
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