Technical Design for

Haunted Attractions

PRODUCTION PROCESS OVERVIEW

Goals of Technical Design

• Answers the “how” question• Creates a list of options that solve the problem• Defines the materials, procedures, and

associated costs of each option from which a decision can be made

• Construction drawings or a model that you can build from

What is the Technical Design Process?

• Acronym S.C.R.E.A.M– Specify–Conceptualize–Research– Explain–Analyze–Model

Specify

• A clear complete statement of what the element needs to do

Some Example Questions

• What does this element look like• How will it be used• How long or how often will it be used• Does it need to support weight• What are our deadlines• What kind of budget are we working with

Conceptualize• A concept is an idea, a scheme, or a plan that has been

thought of as a potential solution to some problem• Develop and evaluate ideas that solve the problem in a

broad sense

Example concepts could include…

• Material choices• Hand sketches• Electronic and/or Pneumatic operation• An evaluation of whether it will work

Concept Generation Techniques

• Research existing products and copy one (don’t try to re-invent the wheel)

• Evolve from an existing design or product• Analogy (what other designs have you

seen that perform similar task)• Other’s Viewpoints• Do something else

Research

• Look up any and all information that translates the concept into specific parts

• Descriptions, pictures, diagrams, costs

For Example…

If you decide you are going to use a pneumatic cylinder, you need to know things like its size, dimensions, push/pull capabilities, where to purchase, how much it costs, etc.

Explain

• Detail all the materials and procedures needed in list form

• Most helpful to do this in a computer program like excel

Analysis

• Analyze the design based on:– Materials– Cost– Time– Skills needed fabricate– Tools available

Model

• Create a working model, construction drawings, diagrams

• Create a prototype or proof of concept

5 Key Points About Technical Design

• Design is a dynamic process• Design is a repetitive process• Design must be a flexible process• Design is divergent, design is convergent• Design must be rigorous

Design is a Dynamic Process

• Always expect that some portion of the design will occur at a rapid pace

• Concept generation and development often occur with mere seconds spent on an idea before it is changed, rejected, or replaced by something better

• Work out ideas as pencil sketches (fast and easy)• A wide range of topics from safety, to aesthetics, to

training, to budget, and to a dozen other areas will arise over and over in a rapid progression

Design is a Repetitive Process• Design does not flow in a single path that can be followed rigidly step-

by-step from beginning to end, you will often find yourself jumping around or moving back and forth among the process I’ve outlined

• Much of design involves repetition of three basic tasks– Conceptualize

• Develop a possible concept or idea that solves the problem– Analyze

• Do some drafting, build a mock-up model to determine the idea’s size, cost, weight, or any other pertinent information

– Evaluate• Will this design satisfy the need? Will it function as needed? Is

it too expensive, too hard to build, too big, or too delicate? Is it better than other ideas you have had, or worse?

Design must be a Flexible Process

• In mathematics, most problems only have one correct answer, but in design, problems often have many acceptable solutions

• Question everything, assume nothing– The effect as defined by the set designer is not

sacred and infallible, there may be a completely different way that better accomplishes the same basic goal. Sketch out your alternative ideas and ask.

Design is Divergent, Design is Convergent

• Starting with a singular description of an effect on the set designer’s drawings, a technical designer must envision many possible solutions to the problem posed by that effect. This is a time of divergence – one effect leading to many ideas on how it might be accomplished

• The more ideas there are, the more likely that one of them is a good solution to the problem. To find the best solution, these ideas must be reduced to the one worth pursuing by an evaluation of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each idea – this is convergence

Design must be Rigorous

• Sometimes we build things that weigh hundreds of pounds, that move at relatively high speeds and we ask our actors to work amongst all of this movement often in the dark

• Needless to say, but yet it must be said, this activity requires every possible effort to ensure safety. This takes time, drive, and a tireless attention to detail.

What makes a good Technical Designer?

• Influences on your ability to Technical Design• The Technical Designer’s Toolbox

Technical Designer’s Toolbox• Online resources

– Forums• Halloweenforum.com• Hauntforum.com• Hauntworld.com

– Websites• Theeffectslab.com• Technologystudent.com• Halloweenmonsterlist.info

• Books– Backstage Handbook– Theatrical Design and Production– Construction/home improvement

Books

• Vendor List– Online Vendors– Local Vendors

• Some Useful Skills– Carpentry, welding, electronics,

pneumatics, plumbing, drafting• Labor & Time Estimating

– Outline the construction procedure step by step

– How do you estimate time?– Tools and techniques used– Skilled vs. unskilled labor– Always estimate for the unknown

S.C.R.E.A.M Examples• We need a wooden coffin in our graveyard scene…• Specify

• What should this coffin look like?• Does it need to do anything?• Does it support weight?• Is it a static prop or does somebody have to move it?

• Toe pincher coffin like this

Coffin Continued• Conceptualize

– Frame vs. no frame– Planking vs. paint treatment– Hardware

• Research– Pictures, dimensions

Coffin Continued

• Explain– Materials needed (lumber, hardware, paint)– Detail information about the materials

• Where they will be purchased• How much the material costs

• Analyze– Budget (time, money, labor)– Is this the best option to build this element?

• Model– It is extremely helpful to have plans to build from

Coffin Comparison

• Specification– Needs to support weight– Has functional lid/door that slams open against a wall– Coffin is leaning against the wall at a slight angle– Actor climbs inside, then jumps out when people

walk past

Second Coffin Technical Issues• Building options

– Wood vs. metal• Continuous door slamming open

– Stress on the door and the hinges• Somebody will be climbing in and out of this

– Bottom needs additional support• Will need a peek hole for actor• Actor safety

– Can we create a false back to the coffin?– Perhaps we can make this a pass-thru door so the actor can

escape out the back?

Conceptualize

• Wood– How can this be designed to withstand the

required stresses?• Metal– Maybe use a steel frame to add strength to the

coffin shape if it will be missing the back– If the door also had a metal frame, the hinges

could be welded between the door and coffin

Explain

• Wood Design– Detail materials needed– Material costs

• Metal Design– Detail materials needed– Material costs– Special tools/skills needed

Analyze

• Create a spreadsheet that compares the two designs and has the totals for expense & time needed

• Which design is works better taking into account time, money, labor, maintenance

• Choose one and continue to the next step– Model – create working plans, drawings

Another Example• Hey, let’s put in a drop box to scare people…• S.C.R.E.A.M

– Specify• Where does this drop box go? In a wall?• What should it look like• Manual vs. automated control• How often will this be activated

– Conceptualize• Will need some kind of track• How to make it not look like a drop box

– Research – pictures, other designs– Explain – materials needed, associated costs– Analyze – Budget (time, money, labor)– Model – drawings with dimensions

The End