SFMM Coaster Documentary?

[ajinaz]

Hey Robb,

 

I didn't want to post this in the main forum since it's more of an "I wonder" question.

I watch a lot of shows that aren't really "stupid reality" shows. They basically show how things are made from conception to reality. I've seen ones that covered cruise ships, high rises and cargo ships to name a few. They aren't filled with drama like most reality shows. Just the normal drama of creating something under deadline. I would imagine that you experience these same issues in game design. This leads to my question..

 

Do you know if the management at SFMM was ever approached to film a documentary type show on the building of a new coaster?

 

Watching all the anticipation for Terminator, I can't help but wonder how cool it would be to see this thing being built from the perspective of the park. This final week must be really crazy I think that Jay and Tim have the perfect personality for this type of thing and the publicity certainly couldn't hurt. I know that there is proprietary stuff involved at the park and manufacturer but I think that those things could be worked around. They obviously have these same issues in ship design.

 

I think that many of these shows have a niche audience but there must be a market for them.

 

Perhaps when you see them next week, you could ask if they had ever been approached or how they would feel about this type of project for the new 2010 addition?

[Manny In England]

That would be awesome with a park the size of SFMM, there was a whole tv series about Alton Towers and its employees that felt a lot like Airport, if anyone's watched that or something like it.

[Jew]

Tatsu was already featured on a show about ride construction.

[rawrtotheargh]

^ And Renegade. It was on Build It Bigger. If i'm not mistaken.

[ajinaz]

Tatsu was already featured on a show about ride construction.

 

I missed that.

Was it shot as a real-life documentary in multiple episodes or as a one episode segment?

[Top Thrill Dragster]

They did a 1 hr show on the construction of Tatsu (and Kingda Ka) on the National Geographic channel. And back when they were building Goliath Discovery did a 1 hr show on how Six Flags Magic Mountain runs, and that included the construction of Goliath. Also Discovery did a show on the construction of Steel Dragon 2000 and Lightning Racer.

 

I have all the shows and with permission I would gladly post it to coaster tube.

[CreditCrazy]

Tatsu was already featured on a show about ride construction.

 

I remember watching that, it was great.

[ajinaz]

I'm assuming that the Tatsu one was Mega-Builders on the Science Channel. It's on again this Friday so I'll check it out.

 

The type of show I'm thinking about is more like a limited- run series rather than an episode. Although these single-episode shows are cool, I'm thinking about a more in-depth series that shows the whole thing in more depth.

[rawrtotheargh]

I remember the Lightning Racer one. It was good

[TPDave]

I've only seen the Tatsu one. The others sound really interesting!

[rawrtotheargh]

I just finished watching the Kingda Ka Discovery documentary and its super good!! I was like in awe the whole time. Must be a super stressful job building and opening a coaster.

[Calicoasters]

I remember a 1 hour show about Operating SFMM. I think it involved candy apple making, seasons on Riddler's Revenge, construction of Goliath, inspection on Viper, ect...

 

Then there was a show about Tatsu's construction. It was really interesting to see how difficult it was building a coaster in the middle of the park over existing rides.

 

Then there is that older "Roller Coasters Aren't just for Kids" video that is all about the park coasters!

 

Maybe Terminator is an issue because it involves Hollywood design ect...

[atem122]

I think the likelihood of a coaster documentary on Terminator really depends on if one of the nerd networks (discovery networks ) debuts another "mega colossal extreme construction builder show!" It seems like every time they debut one of these shows, they have the obligatory coaster build, skyscraper build, and bridge build (LOL at the one I saw on HRP back in January) so unless they debut another show, which they might, I don't see a Termy documentary being made, even though it would be totally AWESOME!

[rawrtotheargh]

For all we know they are doing a documentary on Terminator. But I haven't really noticed any cameras so most likely not.

[andyuk200523]

Here is the Kingda Ka Documentary if anyone missed it, pretty good watch to be honest.

 

CLICK ME

 

 

I found it interesting how some of the construction workers were wearing B & M Hardhats!!

[Manny In England]

I found it interesting how some of the construction workers were wearing B & M Hardhats!!

 

Amusement industry spies perhaps. Possibly the best job ever.

[shepp]

Also on the Science Channel this Saturday, 11 am Eastern, on Really Big Things, "Matt Rogers rides the king of the rollercoaster's" (incorrect apostrophe theirs, not mine.).

[Manny In England]

Here is the Kingda Ka Documentary if anyone missed it, pretty good watch to be honest.

 

CLICK ME

 

Good video, except for the mistake with Superman: The Escape at SFMM.

[andyuk200523]

Whilst yes, I agree that Superman at SFMM most definately isn't a flying coaster I think the script was probably written before the visuals were added, and they just added stock coaster footage, Coaster programs are always pretty far out in regards to the finer details!

 

I have to admit though I never realised that Kingda was that much taller than Dragster, it enlightened myself to this fact.

[Manny In England]

The version with a double hill was interesting too. I think that they made the right choice though. I wonder if the Ring Racer at Nürburgring will get a program like this.

[rawrtotheargh]

Good video, except for the mistake with Superman: The Escape at SFMM.

 

It's so weird being around people who would notice small details like this. Though quite large of a detail to us. And the B&M helmets. I can honestly say that none of my friends would notice that detail.

[BEAMER3K]

I recorded the Tatsu Mega-Builders documentary a few years ago.

It was at a time I thought that my cable had been cut off (because I stopped paying my high Cable bills). Luckily, I had found out that it hadn't been cut off yet!!! I turned on my TV at like 6 or 7 am. I put on the Science Channel, and I found out that the Mega Builders Tatsu episode was NEXT!!! I quickly grabbed a tape and stuck it in, I hit record just as the show was starting!!!

 

I'm glad I got it!!!

[stuartnz]

I recorded the Tatsu Mega-Builders documentary a few years ago.

It was at a time I thought that my cable had been cut off (because I stopped paying my high Cable bills). Luckily, I had found out that it hadn't been cut off yet!!! I turned on my TV at like 6 or 7 am. I put on the Science Channel, and I found out that the Mega Builders Tatsu episode was NEXT!!! I quickly grabbed a tape and stuck it in, I hit record just as the show was starting!!!

 

I'm glad I got it!!!

Ugh, that reminds me of when I came home from a trip and my brother said "There was a documentary about a rollercoaster at Magic Mountain on but I didn't tape it". When I asked what one it was, he said "a big orange one".

I was heartbroken