Seaworld Orlando Media Kit Guidelines
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SEAWORLD ORLANDO MEDIA KIT GUIDELINES The enclosed materials are designed to assist you in writing about and reporting on SeaWorld Orlando. Permission is hereby granted to use these materials for and by news media organizations only. Additional materials, such as photos and video, are available from the SeaWorld Orlando Communications department. These materials may not be passed on to other organizations, nor may they be used by non-media outlets without the written permission of SeaWorld. When the SeaWorld logo is used, it must be in its full and proper form without modifications. Whenever photographs or other images are used, “SeaWorld Orlando” should be next to or in close proximity of the said material. For general park information, call (407) 351-3600 or visit the park Web site at www.seaworld.com. For information on marine animals, visit SeaWorld’s educational website at www.seaworld.org. For additional information or images, please contact the SeaWorld Orlando Communications Department at (407) 363-2280. 2006 SEAWORLD ORLANDO MEDIA ADMISSIONS POLICY The news media admissions policy for SeaWorld Orlando enables working media to become familiar with the park's many feature opportunities and, at the same time, enjoy a day with family or friends. We are pleased to extend the following courtesy to news media representatives: Maximum of two (2) complimentary tickets per one-time visit per quarter (Jan.-March, April-June, July- Sept. and Oct.-Dec.) to qualifying media. Arrangements must be made through the park's Communications department. Fax a request on your company letterhead with the exact date of your visit to fax number (407) 345-8202. Also include an email or fax number for a response to be sent to. Advance notice of 72 hours (three working days) is required to process requests. Requests made after noon on Friday cannot be granted. The Communications department is closed on holidays and on weekends. This courtesy is extended to active members of the news media in news-gathering positions, not to include operations, production, office, sales staff or retired personnel. Qualifying news media must accompany their party to the park. Complimentary admissions are available to working news media in the following categories: Print Media Broadcast Media Internet Media (news & travel only) Publishers Station Managers Managing Editors Managing Editors Editors News Directors Assignment Mgrs./Editors Editors Reporters Assistant News Directors Reporters Reporters Writers Executive Producers Anchors/Hosts Producers Photographers Producers (News/Feature) Writers Videographers/Photojournalists Photographers -- more -- We are happy to provide complimentary admission to freelance writers with written confirmation of assignment. Radio media requests are handled by SeaWorld’s Communications department, fax number (407) 345-8202. Upon arrival at SeaWorld Orlando, news media and guests should visit the Guest Relations window, located to the left of the ticket plaza, to obtain admission passes. A media I.D. and driver's license are required for identification. Media desiring interviews and/or photo or video shoots must contact the Communications Department two weeks prior to the requested date. Family members and friends will not be allowed to accompany media on assignment. For more information: SeaWorld Orlando Communications, (407) 363-2280 SEAWORLD LAUNCHES “BELIEVE,” THE MOST AMBITIOUS KILLER WHALE SHOW IN THE PARKS’ HISTORY Orlando, Fla. – SeaWorld parks across the U.S. have unveiled the most ambitious entertainment project in the brand’s 41-year history, a new production called “Believe.” Nearly four years in the making, “Believe” showcases SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales performing awe-inspiring choreography, an elaborate 3-story set including panoramic LED screens and an original musical score written exclusively for this show. From Hollywood to Broadway, SeaWorld’s creative team collaborated with innovative entertainment icons to develop a show that would not only inspire guests’ emotions, but also re-ignite guests’ passions for their own dreams. “Our ultimate goal for this show is to impassion guests to believe in themselves,“ said Dave Goodman, vice- president of entertainment. “We want guests to believe they can accomplish the seemingly impossible, as our trainers do in this show through their relationships with these top predators of the ocean.” A first for SeaWorld, the intense choreography of this extraordinary show creates a breathtaking “killer whale ballet” of grace and agility, as every movement of the powerful whales – each weighing 6,000 to 10,000 pounds -- is matched to the corresponding beat of a stirring, original musical score created exclusively for this show. In fact, SeaWorld’s trainers developed a repertoire of nearly 100 killer whale behaviors, 60 of which will be part of the new show. The centerpiece of the new set design is a 3-story tail fluke flanked by four, 20-foot-wide LED screens which operate independently and also move together to create a single, 80-foot-long panoramic screen. These screens provide guests at Shamu Stadium with views of the whales from above- and below-water cameras, including, for the first time, a camera suspended directly over the main show pool. The audio system for “Believe” is the most sophisticated ever constructed for a SeaWorld show. The design creates soundscapes for “Believe” that rival any show or concert experience, with nearly 100 speakers throughout the stadium. Guests will experience the original musical score which was performed by the Prague National Symphony Orchestra in a truly surround-sound experience. --more-- Page 2 – SeaWorld Launches “Believe” Continuing the Revolution: “Believe” continues the revolution which began last year with “Blue Horizons” – an entirely new breed of dolphin show. This theatrical spectacular was breakthrough in that it combined visions of Broadway with majestic animals, spirited performers and exotic birds. To create this dynamic show, SeaWorld collaborated with Broadway’s most inventive experts and married theatrical extravagance -- seen in the larger-than-life set and dramatic costuming -- with amazing animal behaviors. In addition to SeaWorld, BEC operates Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. BEC and its parks employ nearly 20,000 people nationwide. -- SeaWorld -- For more information: SeaWorld Orlando Communications, (407) 363-2280 SEAWORLD ORLANDO UNVEILS PARK’S FIRST “FAMILY–FRIENDLY” RIDES “Shamu Express” Roller Coaster Thrills Parents and Children Alike ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld Orlando has taken flight with the “Shamu Express” – the park’s first family-oriented roller coaster. Themed after SeaWorld’s famous killer whale, the “Shamu Express” will gently thrill 28 children and parents in killer whale-themed cars down more than 850 feet of track at 26 mph. Two more brand new “kid-friendly” additions include a jellyfish-themed samba tower ride and a waterspout-themed tea cup ride. “Jazzy Jellies” will lift and spin families in jellyfish-themed seats while “Swishy Fishies” will enable adventurous youngsters to sit in themed seats while they spin around a giant waterspout. “This expansion adds even more thrills for our youngest guests, who may be riding a roller coaster for the first time” said Jim Atchison, executive vice president and general manager of SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove. “To further the family experience, parents can also ride with their children.” Currently, Shamu’s Happy Harbor is a three-acre children’s play area that offers SeaWorld’s littlest guests four stories of colorful climbing nets and tunnels, nine slippery slides and a splashy water maze. SeaWorld Orlando is the world’s premier marine adventure park with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters. Millions of visitors have explored the mysteries of the sea with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating experiences. State-of-the-art rides give guests unprecedented thrills, while amazing animal encounters include killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks and more. -- SeaWorld -- For more information: SeaWorld Orlando Communications, (407) 363-2280 A LOOK INSIDE THE POWER OF “BELIEVE” OVERVIEW: From Hollywood to Broadway, “Believe” is an extraordinary production that will inspire guests to believe in themselves by blending new killer whale behaviors with elaborate set pieces, music, choreography and state-of-the-art multimedia. SET DESIGN: The centerpiece of the “Believe” set is the world’s largest whale tail. At 80-feet- wide and three stories tall, the tail is overlaid with images of Shamu and is set off by large, moving screens on either side. To create the screen movers (see Video Technology), a 12-foot high bridge was added that spans the width of the stadium. The bridge was built by Oceaneering Entertainment Services, Inc., specialists in submersibles designed to be used in and around saltwater. To create “spotlights” that can be seen during the day in the open air of Shamu Stadium, producers and set designers of “Believe” incorporated water fountains as visual cues to guests to highlight the whales’ behaviors. The traditional “slideovers” that the killer whales use to enter and exit the main pool during shows are enhanced with waterfalls giving the whales a more dramatic entrance to the show. SOUNDSCAPES: SeaWorld Orlando