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TEA announces 19th Annual Thea Awards recipients
Update : 21/11/12 - 12h10Published by François Mayné the 20 November 2012, Event.
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), which represents roughly 7,500 creative specialists around the world, unveiled the recipients of the 19th Annual Thea Awards last week at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.
"The annual Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence and breakthrough innovation within our industry, wherever it is to be found,” said TEA president Christine Kerr of BaAM Productions. “From the brief run of a world expo to the sustained success of a classic theme park, this year's Thea Awards are helping define the next generation of Experience Design while staying firmly rooted in the core tradition of storytelling."
She added, “Created by TEA in 1994, the influential and prestigious Thea Awards have dramatically expanded awareness and appreciation of our industry, its place in the entertainment universe, its most resounding accomplishments and its many talented people. Behind each project is a multidisciplinary creative team that strove to realize a vision for the project owner. We document and celebrate that process, crediting those who make it happen through their dedicated work and investment.”
This year, the 23 members of the Nominating Committee have recommended twelve recipients after reviewing applications received, a list then approved by the TEA International Board of Directors.
Two of these awards - the Buzz Price Award and the Thea Classic - are automatically assigned at each edition, while the others - namely the Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievements - are given in various types of categories, with no limit of number.
Here are the complete results of the 19th Thea Awards:
The Buzz Price Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements
Frank Stanek
Frank Stanek spent 25 years at The Walt Disney Company (including as the head of Imagineering team that developed Tokyo Disneyland) before to join later Universal where he became President of International Business development and opened the doors to creating Universal Studios Japan. He is one of the best known executives in the amusement/entertainment world in Asia as the result of his work in exploring projects in Singapore, China, Malaysia, Japan and Korea. He continues to play an active role in the industry today through his consulting company, Stanek Global Advisors.
Thea Classic
Europa-Park Resort
The German theme park and resort Europa-Park joins the prestigious list of previous Thea Classic recipients including Disneyland, Epcot Efteling and Grand Parc du Puy du Fou.
According to the Nominating Committee, "Europa-Park has continuously improved its offerings, always striving to deliver more than guests expect. Its thematic treatment ranges from simple, understated pleasures such as areas of open grass where young guests can run and play, to highly-themed, highly detailed rides, attractions, theatrical experiences and even themed bathrooms, surrounded by innovative and spectacular resort hotels, themed hotel room interiors, themed camp grounds and restaurants, all thematically detailed inside and out."
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievements
Among the 10 projects selected by the Nominating Committee as outstanding achievements, the Walt Disney Imagineering is the most rewarded with four Awards including 3 that are integral part of the expansion of Disney California Adventure theme park in California.
Radiator Springs Racers, Disney California Adventure, USA (category: attraction)
“This attraction demonstrates true excellence in design, technical innovation and in execution. In bringing a well-known movie to life, the designers went the extra step in expanding it into a fully experiential world, creating new details and gags throughout. The animated figures break new ground in creating the illusion of live animation, and the technical elements, including special effects, sophisticated, in-vehicle sound, and a sophisticated ride system, have all been transparently integrated into the highly enjoyable story and experience.”
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D, Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Hollywood, USA (category: attraction)
“The seamless combination of show systems pushes the boundaries of 3D realism to a higher level than that achieved by any other attraction (including Spider-Man) within the themed entertainment industry. The scale and quality of the HD 3D imagery, sophisticated ride vehicle programming, blended with “4D” special effects and real scenic elements, all serve to completely immerse guests within each dramatic scene. This attraction truly transports guests into the world of Transformers.”
Cars Land , Disney California Adventure, USA (category: themed land)
“The sensitive layout, sophisticated use of scale, extension of character details and the high quality of execution combine to make this an outstanding example of experiential design. Far beyond being a supporting element of the Radiator Springs Racers attraction, Cars Land is a destination attraction in and of itself.”
Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, UK (category: studio tour)
“The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour has managed to more than fulfill those expectations. In contrast to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Island of Adventure, where visitors are immersed into fantasy environments, the Studio Tour focuses specifically on the “making of” part of the Harry Potter films. The presentation varies from simple information to very detailed settings used in the films, and never loses sight of the filmmaking process. Because of how deeply generations of fans have bonded with the Harry Potter stories and films, highly complicated aspects of filmmaking are readily communicated and absorbed by eager audiences.”
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Hawaii (category: themed hotel resort)
“The Aulani represents a major departure from traditional Disney resorts in that, rather than providing lodging in support of a theme park, the resort itself is the destination. Imagineers collaborated closely with local and native Hawaiian cultural consultants and experts to create an experience that is truly reflective of real Hawaiian culture… not just traditional and historical, but contemporary, as well.”
Aquanura, Efteling, The Netherlands (category: event spectacular)
“Aquanura excels through its emotional content and storytelling that are linked to the guest’s nostalgic experience of Efteling’s other rides and shows over the years. Efteling has achieved with Aquanura an adaption of available technology put to use in ways that are uniquely evocative. Artistry and beauty prevail over spectacle. The often serene pace of the show conjures the feeling of watching a water ballet. This approach fits the park remarkably well, and, combined with excellent execution, furthers the tradition of bringing stories to life in ways both unique and engaging.”
Big-O Experience, Yeosu 2012 International Expo, Korea (category: event spectacular)
“This project, the result of Yeosu Expo 2012's challenge to create a unique event with a new approach to technology that would remain as an icon and a legacy, has added a new dimension to the genre of the multimedia water spectacular.”
Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, Disney California Adventure, USA (category: restaurant)
“This opulent dining experience would be transportive in any locale - its interior representing the refined and retro stylings of the Golden Age of Hollywood, complete with beautiful historic photographs and archival memorabilia. But this restaurant is in a theme park. From the lounge on the ground floor that serves vintage cocktails to the restaurant lobby and the dining rooms upstairs, the striking period décor is befitting of such a theatrical setting.”
Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame, Canada (category: museum)
“Virtually every storytelling device is used in this massive, multi-level experience, and the experience never becomes repetitive or timeline derivative. Visitors are immersed in a complete Canadian sport experience. Stunning environments combined with unified graphic treatments, spectacular photography, life-size cast sports statues, custom–programmed interactives, multi- media delivery systems, and one-of-a-kind artifacts make this a must-see for all Canadians and sport enthusiasts.”
Tait Pixels Tablets, the lightning tablets used during London 2012 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies, UK (category: outstanding technology)
“The designers of future events now have a versatile new system of video displays that can be arranged with endless possibilities into their venues using stationary or moving, fixed or portable formats, integrated into their attraction elements. Large venue events that desire to use the old card trick methods now have the option to use the cutting edge new Tait Pixel Tablet to enhance their live events.”
Christine Kerr concluded, “A Thea Award is recognized as one of the industry's greatest honors. This year, there are visible trends toward strong cultural components, IP licensing and transmedia. There are ever more astounding and seamless blends of technology, media, theater and interactivity. And there is recognition of the people and contributions that laid the foundations of this next evolution of experience. We encourage the media, the industry and the public to learn more about the 12 honorees!"
The Thea Awards will be formally presented on 6 April 2013 at the 19th Annual Thea Awards Gala, a ticketed, black-tie dinner affair, open to the public, at the Disneyland Resort, Anaheim USA.
For more details about the recipients and the motivations of the Nominating Committee, please visit the blog set up by TEA.
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NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.
She added, “Created by TEA in 1994, the influential and prestigious Thea Awards have dramatically expanded awareness and appreciation of our industry, its place in the entertainment universe, its most resounding accomplishments and its many talented people. Behind each project is a multidisciplinary creative team that strove to realize a vision for the project owner. We document and celebrate that process, crediting those who make it happen through their dedicated work and investment.”
