Prepare yourself....The idea was borne out of sheer insanity. What you're about to experience is real; it actually happened. Despite a feeling of disbelief that may swim over you from time-to-time, someone was crazy enough to go through with this trip. It started with a request from an online service seeking some cross-promotion and ended up becoming the "T-PIG". The non-flattering acronym stands for Theme Parks Interest Group and its aim, back in May of 1996, was to provide detailed information and links about the industry that brought us red hots, cotton candy and of course, the roller-coaster. Copious amounts of video and 35mm photography were taken during the excursion, capturing some of the spectacular scenery and events along the tour route. By following the special tour signposts, you'll be able to vicariously re-live the experience through every hill, valley, dip, desert and brake run. Enjoy yourself and be sure that all loose articles are well secured. This is one hell of a trip.
To kick off the production, I arranged a tour through over 19 cities that would conquer over 40 world-class wooden and steel coasters. Beginning with the opening of Montu at Florida's Busch Gardens, myself and a crew of production assistants set out for the West Coast and wrapped up festivities almost two months later, exhausted, well-thrilled and incredibly tanned.
(Right) Watching my loading gates while working Six Flags Magic Mountain's Psyclone--circa 1992
What follows is a step-by-step pictorial that offers up a close look at what a sometimes grueling, but overall enjoyable task this was.
The 1996 Coast-2-Coast Coaster Tour
A D a r k S t u d i o s P r o d u c t i o n
Featuring Bing Futch and P.J. Ochlan
Special appearances by Drew Carey, Jan Kiser, Paul Ruben
C2C Production Crew:
Tina DeMasi-video/sound
Ken Pilcher-video/sound
Dennis Brouse-35mm stills (Ohio)
Christine George-production assistance/video/sound
Paulina Stone-technical post-production