Logo Designed by Jordan Roach
Summer 2023 Project - Boiler Gold Rush to Excellence
During Summer 2023, I worked with a team to design and fabricate a physical color model of a dark ride themed to the Purdue University campus to present to incoming freshmen at the orientation event called Boiler Gold Rush.
I was the lead scenic designer and fabricator on the project, as well as a story consultant, as I was the only team member who was a current student at Purdue West Lafayette at the time.
I began my work on the project by taking the script, developed by my teammates Andrew Fridenthal and Grace Shelton, and the ride layout sketch by Madison Schnurpnel, and creating an initial rough model out of cardboard and found pieces to give the team a sense of how big the model would be and wall placement, as it was many people's first time working on a scale model. From this model and critique from the team, I created the white model at 1/4" scale from white foamcore, so that I could easily draw on the pieces and have the designs be visible.
Since this project involved a lot of iconic campus structures and mascots, and we had limited time to complete the project, drawing the pieces out let me use the white model as a sketch for the final product as well, and allowed for clear communication of the semi-realistic art style I chose to suit the concept.
I also made a slight change to the layout, changing the center island of the campus tour scene from only containing the Engineering Fountain, as shown in the layout diagram above, to also including the Union Hotel as well. This effect was created through cutting the fountain in half diagonally and placing a mirror behind it to create the illusion of the full fountain, and better utilizing out space behind it to add the iconic building as well, creating an addition scene in the ride.
After the white model was completed, I began work on the color model. I created a props list of all visual elements that would be included in the model and noted if they would be created digitally or physically for the model. Digital elements involved creating illustrations in Adobe Photoshop, then printing and placing into the model.
For physical elements, I decided to sculpt by hand using an air drying clay then painting once dry. I chose to do this by hand, as while we did have a team member in charge of 3D printing the larger architectural elements, we would not have the time to fully 3D print the model, and since we were creating a physical end product, creating a digital model first would have required the project to be completed twice in our 2 month time period.
The color model box sat inside the main shell, so that we could easily remove the scenic elements and access the mechanical system should problems arise. The scenic box was made of 1/4" luan which was stapled and glued together, with a 1/4" black foamcore layer on top, glued to the luan. By placing the model above the floor of the model box, we created a new technical issue, as the track split the scenic level into two separate pieces and had elements, like the university gate, that sat across both.
The solution I landed on was to attach all scenic elements to the foamcore layer first with a T pin and press it into the underside of the foam so it sat flush, securing this pin with hot glue. Once all elements were connected to one piece, in this case the inner island, the foamcore layer was glued to the luan with E6000 and clamped while drying to ensure a strong bond. This system gave us both a rigid structure that could withstand transport in a car, and the ability to use pins to affix things to foamcore, like a more typical theatrical scenic model.
Once all large pieces were secured into the model, I added some purchased foliage and ground texture material, along with all small props into the model. The completed model has 3 additional 3D printed set pieces, created by Ethan Downs and painted and installed by me, which are the Bell Tower, the Big Bass Drum, and Engineering Fountain. The final 3D printed piece was our ride vehicle, the Boilermaker Extremely Special, was attached to the ride track to allow it to move through the model, simulating the ride-through experience. With all elements in the model, the project was complete and ready to be showcased at the Boiler Gold Rush event!
With the now completed model, myself and Professor Polk, who was instructing this class, headed to Purdue to present the project at BGR to let students know about the Themed Entertainment program and show off what getting involved in the industry can create! Below are some photos from our set up at the event, with graphics again by Jordan Roach, and a video of myself presenting the model to interested guests.
Overall, this project was a challenge, but so rewarding. In all, I put nearly 150 hours into this project, between the white model, color model, and being the student ambassador for both days of the event. I am so proud of the team and what we managed to create, if you would like to learn more about other parts of the model or see the ride-through video, please visit our project website: https://themedentertainment.wordpress.com/