How would you improve the Special Effects Stage?

[Jon]

I think it's pretty much a consensus that the older version is funnier than they currently have in place. The old formula worked well, but I guess they chose something that they thought would appeal to a wider audience. With the demolition of the old soundstage, they had a great opportunity to turn the entire attraction around and create something fresh and new (much like what Universal Orlando did with Earthquake/Disaster - to much success, might I add). Whether they did that or not is debatable, but I have a few suggestions that might help improve a few things.

1. First and foremost - have more audience participation. Try to include them in as many sequences as possible. Heck, try to get them involved with a mock video/film/trailer. This was touched upon in the last SES and worked into a tremendously successful formula with Disaster. Guests like to see themselves on the big screen. Make it happen.

2. Stop trying so hard with the jokes. I've beaten this in time after time, but quit it. 'Nuff said.

3. Try to make the show more intimate. Make the stage larger and shrink down the audience. This worked well with the last version and still works with the Horror Make-Up show in Orlando. This makes laughter seem more common and less isolated to only one or two people. People, for whatever reason, appear more afraid to simply let their guard down and laugh with a larger room.

4. Try to be more educational. The clips are nice, but it's mostly that and very little demonstration. Perhaps it's just me, but I spent more time looking at the screens than I did at the stage.

5. Allow hosts to be themselves. I'm not sure what they did, but the hosts over at the previous SES seemed more relaxed and in tune with themselves. The new ones, though trying, always have to fit a preset mold that Universal has set beforehand and it's so painfully obvious. The hip, young hipster who's into themselves and social media and the older, more refined man who can't appreciate new film techniques. Same style, every time.

I can spend all day rambling, but I'll stop it here. Seems like so much potential lost with the current version, and it just seems frustrating to fans. They had a winning formula in the past - why mess with it?

That or it could be the curse of the Castle Theater.

[BehindTheTheme]

The show needs a hole revamp even with this new Stage. And there choosing of the Castle theater to house the new show was the cheapest thing they could have done. Hope they remove the show from this stage and place some kind of musical, BettleJuice and Spiderman were the best things in this theater. With the obtaining of Wicked rights for a movie this may be a good choice.

[hulkcoaster2]

^Really? You thought Spiderman was good? I thought it was pure crap.

[Jon]

Universal really jumped the start with their advertising. You would think it would resemble a stunt show like WaterWorld or Wild West, but instead they place a musical upon us.

[BehindTheTheme]

Bettle juice rocked for 7+ years and yes spider-man wasn't great but it lasted 2 years and it sure as hell was better than fear factor and Creature.

[JerrodDRagon]

(11-28-2010 06:23 PM)BehindTheTheme Wrote:  The show needs a hole revamp even with this new Stage. And there choosing of the Castle theater to house the new show was the cheapest thing they could have done. Hope they remove the show from this stage and place some kind of musical, BettleJuice and Spiderman were the best things in this theater. With the obtaining of Wicked rights for a movie this may be a good choice.

Yeah I mean Disney has Aladdin why not try something liked Wicked at the Parks? Anyway Thy should find another place for the show since it really needs a place where it can be updated every year but we also need a NEW show this next summer too, so hurry up Universal.

[BehindTheTheme]

Yeah a musical can work but it has to be action packed, fire throwing, pirotechnical and keep current. well i don't know about keep current cause even Bettlejuice used an older genre of music.

[Skillz5]

(11-28-2010 12:47 AM)Jon Wrote:  That or it could be the curse of the Castle Theater.

LOL, I like that thought! Its the curse of Beetlejuice!

I do agree with your complaints for the new SES, its a shame that Universal does not pay more attention to some of our posts.