Friday, November 27, 2015

Moody Gardens Receives International Recognition With A THEA Award For Its SpongeBob SubPants Adventure Attraction

Fantastic news, congratulations Moody Gardens, Super 78 and Nickelodeon!

Original Moody Gardens Press Release via PR Newswire:

Moody Gardens Receives International Recognition With A THEA Award For Its SpongeBob SubPants Adventure Attraction


GALVESTON, Texas, Nov. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Moody Gardens, a world class attraction located in Galveston, TX has been selected to receive the 2016 THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement for its SpongeBob SubPants Adventure attraction. The announcement was made last week at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA).

The SpongeBob SubPants Adventure is a one-of-a-kind interactive experience that allows guests to go on a submarine voyage to explore the world of Bikini Bottom with the help of their captain, Patrick Star. Visitors are able to choose their path through the wild and silly deep-sea adventure and have real-time conversations with Patrick. The attraction takes visitors from digital to real time through exciting 4D sensory elements which brings the adventure to life through scents, bubbles and bouncing beach balls.


Children and parents wearing 3D glasses enjoy a wild and silly submarine voyage as they're immersed in special effects during the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure opening Memorial Day Weekend at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.

Moody Gardens partnered with Nickelodeon, Super 78 and SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment to create this innovative attraction that opened in May. Harnessing the power of modern computer technology and classic artistic techniques, a group of designers, engineers, fabricators responsible for many of the world's leading theme park attractions collaborated to create the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure.

Super 78, an attraction design and production company based in Los Angeles, was also recognized with a THEA Award in the Technology Breakthrough category for the creation of their groundbreaking Gepettoo™ Animation Control System. This is a proprietary digital puppetry that delivers feature film 3D animation in real time used in the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure attraction. This Animation Control System allows a performer behind the scenes to control all aspects of the full-sensory experience on screen in front of audiences. The performer's voice becomes an on-screen character, and he has an unlimited palette of animation options which brings the character to life. The performer also runs the lights, sounds, bubbles, and scents with the push of a button.


Children and parents view a brass dive helmet and crab trap near the Bikini Bottom mural before entering the new Nickelodeon SpongeBob SubPants Adventure. It [opened] Memorial Day Weekend at the Discovery Pyramid at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.

"We consistently strive to offer new and immersive experiences the whole family can enjoy together," said John Zendt, Moody Gardens President and CEO. "This was a highly innovative and creative team that created an exceptional attraction and we are honored to be receiving this THEA award."


Visitors will enjoy a new one-of-a-kind, immersive and interactive experience as SpongeBob SubPants Adventure opens to kick off the summer vacation season at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX

The Thea Awards were created by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) in 1994 to help realize a key mission of the association: bringing recognition to achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. TEA's Thea Awards have become internationally recognized as a symbol of excellence. The award will be presented to Moody Gardens at the 22nd Annual THEA Awards Gala scheduled for April 2 in Anaheim, CA.


A mother and daughter view colorful coral in the Neptunes Kingdom aquariums in the Pre Show I area before entering the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure theater. The new attraction [opened] Memorial Day weekend at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.

This permanent attraction takes excitement to new depths in a non-stop whirlwind of surprises with fun for the whole family to enjoy only at Moody Gardens. Admission is $18.95 for adults and $16.95 for seniors and children. It is also included in a Moody Gardens Value Pass.

For more information, call (800) 582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org. You can also follow Moody Gardens on Twitter and Facebook.

Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150501/213196

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150501/213198

SOURCE Moody Gardens

RELATED LINKS
http://www.moodygardens.org

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Additionally, Original Super 78 Press Release via PRWeb:

Creative Entertainment Studio SUPER 78 Honored By Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) With 2016 THEA Award For Outstanding Achievement: Technology Breakthrough

Geppetto Animation Control System by Super 78

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 18, 2015

Los Angeles based Super 78 received the 2016 Thea award for Outstanding Achievement: Technology Breakthrough for their creation of Geppetto ACS™, a proprietary digital puppetry that delivers feature film quality 3D animation in real time; it was announced today by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA.) Additionally, Moody Gardens' SpongeBob Subpants Adventure, created and designed by Super 78 (using the Geppetto technology), was honored with the 2016 Thea award For Outstanding Achievement: Attraction.



Spongebob Subpants Adventure at Moody Gardens, created and designed by Super 78, receives the 2016 THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement: Attraction

Super 78's President and Creative Director Brent Young and CEO and Executive Producer Dina Benadon, jointly stated, "We are both thrilled and honored, along with our amazing team, to be recognized by TEA for our Geppetto ACS™ technology. We are also privileged to have collaborated with the talented folks at Moody Gardens and Nickelodeon on the SpongeBob Subpants Adventure and we share in their excitement and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement."


"Our objective is always to provide that fun, educational experience that is so important to parents and kids, and the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure attraction will achieve this in a new and exciting way," said Moody Gardens President and CEO John Zendt.

The innovative technology behind Geppetto ACS™ can supercharge entertainment experiences --whether it's at a theme park, movie theater, concert or even a televised awards show -- bringing a new level of immersiveness to the audience. The opportunities are infinite. And the experience is in real time! To learn more about Geppetto ACS™ go to: Geppetto Informtation Sheet


Through the Geppetto ACS™ groundbreaking technology, The Moody Gardens' SpongeBob Subpants Adventure was created and designed by the artists and technicians at Super78 in conjunction with Nickelodeon. The immersive and one-of-a-kind experience brings to life the internationally beloved characters in interactive exhibits, real sea-life aquariums and state-of-the-art 3D digital puppetry. Audiences can actually control the submarine while having a one-on-one conversation with one of the main characters. No two shows are ever the same.

The SpongeBob Subpants Adventure marks Super 78's third collaboration with SimEx-Iwerks! And Nickelodeon joining Dora & Diego's 4D Adventure: Catch That Robot Butterfly and SpongeBob Square Pants 4D: The Great Jelly Race.



Super 78's digital puppetry technology behind Moody Gardens' SpongeBob SubPants Adventure.

About Super 78
Super 78 is an award-winning creative entertainment production studio and an industry leader in innovation and design. Known for its cutting edge technology and great storytelling, the award-winning artists and technicians deliver entertaining and educational experiences to audiences of all ages, across all platforms. Founded in 1997, the company extends well-known brands and intellectual properties into special venues and the experiential marketplace. With offices in Los Angeles and partners worldwide, Super 78 continues to expand by creating, producing and owning live action, animated and graphic content for the global market. Super 78 has earned recognition and numerous accolades including Emmy, THEA, Visual Effects Society, Telly and Create Awards and nominations. To learn more about Super 78 go to: Super78.com

About the Thea Awards
The Thea Awards were created by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) to help realize a key mission of the association: bringing recognition to achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. From a modest beginning in 1994, the Thea Awards have become internationally recognized as a symbol of excellence. The public is welcome to attend the black-tie 22nd Annual Thea Awards Gala, which will be held April 2, 2016 at the Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim California USA. Tickets go on sale in early 2016 at http://www.teaconnect.org. The name of the award is a play on three words: the first is "Thea," the Greek goddess from whom all light emanates. Thea was the mother of Helios (the sun), Eos (the dawn), and Selene (the moon). The second key word is "Theater," a word derived from the goddess Thea. The third word, is TEA, for the Association.

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Don't forget to visit Moody Gardens this winter to see their brand-New ICE LAND: Ice Sculptures with SpongeBob SquarePants exhibit in partnership with Nickelodeon!
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