All About Us
What is Theme Parkology?
Theme Parkology is a website dedicated for displaying and selling theme park, attraction, character, legend and signature documentary series. The theme park documentary series feature the stories and history behind many parks across the globe such as the Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, Fantasyland, Universal Studios, Play Land at the Beach and the Frontier Village, among others. What makes these collections memorable is the fact that some theme parks are in operation while others closed down.
With humble beginnings, Theme Parkology has grown to be popular amongst many global internet users. Due to lack of historical information on theme parks, Theme Parkology was born in 2010. The first documentary, Disneyland 1955-1959, took one whole year to be produced and with the help of Doug George as the narrator, it was a success and a big hit. Other factors that led to the growth of this company are the rare interviews with the late Eddie Carroll and Margaret Kerry.
The documentaries that I produce are a team effort. It takes the talent of several people to produce each and everyone. There are writers, narrators, musicians, graphic artists, printers, and interviewers.
So what is the process of producing a Theme Parkology DVD?
The first step is to assign a project to a writer. The writer takes the topic that I assign and further research it. Once the writer has all the information they begin to write out a script that ranges anywhere from 7-10 pages, big projects like the Theme Park Series requires 35-40 pages. After the script is completed I review it, request some changes and within a few days I receive the final script.
MEET MY WRITERS
Natalie Gorna
Script Writer
Ever since she established her own blog in 2009, Natalie Gorna has been working and growing as a professional writer. With ambitions to be a published novelist ans a screenwriter, she was first introduced to the public as a prolific book and movie critic at Examiner.com, an online newspaper. No matter how her work portfolio expands, Natalie beleives that "writing is a dying art form, one which I amhelping to revive through passionate effort and true dedication."
Natalie has been collaborating with Theme Parkology since the winter of 2012 to create scripts behind the documentaries.
WEBSITE : www.equus4ever.wordpress.com
Website
www.equus4ever.wordpress.com
Script Writer
Samantha Alban is a native Northern Californian. After graduating from university, where she majored in English literature, she travelled for a year. Upon her return, she settled in Sonoma County. Inspired by its natural beauty, Samantha directed her creative energies into her goal of becoming a published author. Her first big break came in 2013, when a sample of her poetry was published in Coalesce Literary Magazine, an online publication. In 2014, Solstice Shadows, an imprint of Solstice Publishing, took on her paranormal fantasy novel A Life Without Living, which is penned under the name S.C. Alban. Shortly after it’s debut, Solstice Publishing also contracted and released the first story in her short series, The Woman Inside.
These days, Samantha spends her time working on the completion of the next installment in the Life Without Living saga, keeping up her blog, and branching out into the realm of screenwriting. She joined the Theme Parkology team in summer 2015, creating scripts for their documentaries.
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/scalban
GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14013487.S_C_Alban
Samantha Alban
Website
www.scalban.com
As the script is being written I start to explore the World Wide Web for photos and video footages that will assist in the story. I also send out permission request to use these images. After going through corrections, add ons and omits the script is finally completed. I then rush it off to one of my narrators who take the time to voice my project to life.
MEET MY NARRATORS
Bryan Simmons
Narrator
Bryan got his foot in the door as a Radio VJ at KROY while in his senior year in high school. 10 months later he landed his first on-air job at KROI FM. Fast forward and he has broadcasted his KOST show from Canada, Japan and Italy and has been heard as the station voice for such highly rated broadcast properties as WRIT in Milwaukee, KFI and KOST Los Angeles, Salt Lake City’s KOSY and many more. Bryan’s voice has been heard on spots for Ford, Dreyer’s Ice Cream, Lenscrafters, BMW, Microsoft Bing and Chevrolet.
He finally found a home here at Theme Parkology since 2010 and has narrated more than 10 documentaries for us.
Narrator
Brian Sommers is a world renown voice over actor and has done such voices for; many radio commercials like Subway and Comcast, tons of video games such as Diablo III, Tales of Monkey Island and A Wolf Among Us, and has done narrative voice for DISNEYLAND: Voice mail greetings for the Disney Gallery and Disneyanna Shops, Extinct Attraction and Windows to the Magic.
He was gracious enough to narrate the It's A Small World documentary, adding flare and bring it to life. Mr. Sommers will be back to voice another fantastic documentary.
Brian Sommers
Bruce Abbott
Narrator
The friendly, guy-next-door voice heard on projects for clients such as HP, Nickelodeon, Chevron, Google, Schlumberger, SYSCO Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Fox Television, Halliburton, SealedAir, Centerpoint Energy, Gulf States Toyota, Lowe's Home Improvement, CBS, James Coney Island, MyTV, The Houston Symphony...and hundreds more.
Voiceover projects include commercials for radio and television, narrations, audiobooks, e-learning, training videos, explainer videos, documentaries, IVR/Voicemail prompts, presentations, podcasts, marketing on-hold audio, tutorial courses, medical narrations, technical narrations, CBT, promos, trailers...if it needs a voice, I've done it!
While the script is being narrated I let my awesome team of graphic designers create a DVD cover. Now this process is exciting as I get to tell my graphic artist team what type of feel that I'm gooing for and what images I would like. They take my ideas and create spectacular covers with great images and impressive colors. I am always thrilled as I get to see the transformation from an idea from a pencil sketch to the final draft.
MEET MY GRAPHIC ARTISTS
Kristen Watkins
Website
www.kristenywatkins.com
Graphic Artist
Kristen Watkins, is a graphic designer currently based in Los Angeles. She graduated from Otis College of Art and Design with B.F.A in Digital Media.
Along with doing great work, she also enjoys party planning, creating fabulous
centerpieces, and day- dreaming of the day when she can buy an original DeLorean used in Back to the Future. Kristen is also a big fan of the glamourous days of the 1940s and 1950s where the pin up girls ruled and men like Clark Gable swept you off your feet.
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 Storybook Land Canal BoatsThis is a DVD cover that I did for Theme Parkology for the Attraction series, based on one of Walt Disney's favorite ride within Disneyland. |
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Graphic Artist/Illustrator
Mindy Lucio- was born and raised in Oxnard, California and earned her BFA in Digital Media from Otis College of Art and Design. She is an experienced children’s book illustrator and Graphic Designer. When she is not creating colorful and fun art work, you will find her making cute hair accessories and collecting sugar skulls.
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Mindy Lucio
Website
www.thatmexican chic.blogspot.com
So while the narrator is narrating and the graphic designer is designing I get in touch with my musician. This is always a fun process as I get to tell the musician what type of feel that I want for the overall project. They take notes and disappear to their music man cave and weeks later I get a call to come hear what they have created. It's great to hear what I invisioned for the overall theme.
MEET MY MUSICIANS
James Presley
Musician
There are many talented musical artists out there, but none as unique as my good friend James Presley. James is a musician who plays keyboard for the Las Vegas band, Desert Outlaws, but (in my opinion) most importantly he produces and distributes cover versions of classic Disney songs that are published by Disney Music Publishing, Wonderland Music Company, Bourne Company, to name a few. Under the umbrella of, Jiminy's Limited Editions, James has produced several magnificent covers. These covers have so far included; The Main Street Electrical Parade, Under The Sea, The Mickey Mouse March, Grim Grinning Ghosts, Yo Ho A Pirate's Live For Me, Give A Little Whistle and When You Wish Upon A Star.
Website
www.jamespresleymusic.com
Musician
I've been mixing/remixing music since the early 80's as a Disc-Jockey, from mobile to clubs and concerts, I've mixed it all. I have a real good ear for music and love every aspect of it. After 2005 I began picking up a few instruments and became a lead bassist.
While venturing in different projects, I began working with Theme Parkology, creating musical scores for the sister site, Comix Sense. I scored several video clips including; Big Wow Comicfest, Scapula Rises and Where's Bob Gurr for the Theme Parkology clips.
Our collaboration of ideas and projects to come has just begun.
My greatest accomplishments were only achieved by my faith in God and having my beautiful wife, Alia Martinez, by my side.
David Martinez
One crucial element of these documentaries are the people I interview. Each individual that I interview really do assist with the telling of the story. They are a part of history that has witness the event and in there own words, no script, they share their knowledge with the hope that they are preserving the history of every theme park, attraction, or event. I have been very fortunate to not only meet these legends, actors, singers, musician and so forth, but to share their story.
And let's not forget the role of my photographer and videographer. Without their vauluable assistance a lot of the photos and video footage would not be seen. Aside from those online who allow me to use their footage I have three very talented individuals who assist in capturing images from Disneyland to Disney Legends.
MEET MY PHOTOGRAHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Shon Christy
Shane Regalado
Taylor Silva
As the project gets closer to a release date I send off a pdf file of the final DVD cover to my good friends at UPS, who get the glossy cover printed. This is actually a very crucial part of the process as without DVD covers or even the DVD disc inked I would have no finish product. The wonderful crew at UPS always go beyond the call of duty to get my projects quickly done and with high quality.
Another important job that often goes unnoticed are the little, "big", things like filing, organizing my projects, map out ideas, and writing articles for the website. Fortunately I don't have to go far for such valued assistance as my daughter Savannah handles all of the little important things.
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Savannah Cornell
At last when the covers are completed I update my website and announce the DVD's release. It's a long process, but I'm sure you would all agree that the end result is so worth it.
Each member of the Theme Parkology team plays a very important role. There is no small part when it comes to producing these documentaries, only valued roles.
It amazes me that there are so many talented people working to preserve these wonderful stories that I produce and I might point out they all do it on my shoe string budget.
So I would like to thank the team for their treasured assistance