Second Annual Entertainment Designer Forum to feature terrific behind-the-scenes stories, one-of-a-kind theme park collectables

Jim Hill

14 years ago

I know that we're just a few days away from Easter here. But
if you're a serious Halloween fan, one of those folks who actually plans their
trips down to Orlando around Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios
Florida and/or Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa … Well, there's only one
place that you need to be this Friday night. And that's the Mad Cow Theatre in
downtown Orlando.

"And what's going on at the Mad Cow Theatre on Friday
night?," you ask. The Second Annual Entertainment Designer Forum, where some of
Orlando's top designers (i.e. the very folks who make those mazes and/or dream
up the creatures who haunt your dreams) will be on hand to discuss the many theme
park projects that they've worked on over the years as well as answering
audience questions.

Just like last year's event, the 2011 version of the Entertainment Designer
Forum will be broken up into two sessions. With the 6:30 p.m. panel featuring

Patrick Braillard: Show director, Universal Studios, Halloween Horror Nights
James Keaton: Actor, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Entertainment
Robbi Lepre: Technical director, Busch Gardens, Howl-O-Scream shows
TJ Manarino: Director for Universal Studios Entertainment Art & Design
Mary Nesler: Designer, Universal Studios, Halloween Horror Nights streets
Rick Spencer: Creative Manager,
Universal Studios writer, producer

While the 9 p.m. session will feature appearances by

Eric Baker: Prop master, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Kim Gromoll: Designer, Universal Studios, Mardi Gras Parade, Halloween Horror
Nights
David Hughes: Senior designer, Halloween Horror Nights house designer
Ray Keim: Web designer, model maker, Universal Studios, Halloween Horror Nights
Doug Sauls: Technical manager, Universal Orlando, Halloween Horror Nights,
Mardi Gras, Grinchmas
Cindy White: Freelance designer for Disney parades, Super
Bowl half-time shows

Mike Aiello, show director for Universal Orlando and a
creative lead for Halloween Horror Nights, will serve as the moderator for both
of Friday night's sessions.

"And why is the Second Annual Entertainment Designer Forum something
that horror fans just can't miss?," you query. Well, did you notice all the
ghoulish collectables that are being used to illustrate today's article? These one-of-a-kind
pieces of theme park memorabilia will all be up for bid on Friday night.

And it's not just Halloween Horror Nights &
Howl-O-Scream collectables that will be featured at this silent auction. The
folks at Warner Bros. have also come through in a big way for the Second Annual Entertainment
Designer Forum. Which is why there'll be a "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1" poster that's signed by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and
Rupert Grint up for bid. Not to mention some limited edition wands.

Just so you know: All proceeds from ticket sales and the
auction items will go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in memory
of film & theme park designer Stephanie Girard. Who passed away in December of 2010 but never once gave up in her six-year-long fight with cancer.

Tickets are $25 each. Please be aware, though, that seating
is limited at the Mad Cow Theatre. So if you want to be sure and snag a seat
for either the 6:30 or the 9 p.m. session of the Second Annual Entertainment Designer
Group, you should probably purchase your tickets ASAP. Which you can pick up at the box office at the
Mad Cow Theatre (which is located at 105 S. Magnolia Avenue in downtown
Orlando), by calling 407-297-8788 and/or swinging by the Mad Cow Theatre's
website, www.madcowtheatre.com.

Long story short, folks: The Second Annual Entertainment Designer
Forum is virtually guaranteed to be a
memorable evening full of great behind-the-scenes stories not to mention some
one-of-a-kind theme park collectables. So if you'd like to have a great time as
well as help out a very worthy cause, buy your tickets today.