Episode 90: The Ross Osterman Interview 07/29/09

Doug_Barnes · Episode 90: The Ross Osterman Interview 07/29/09

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Episode 90 has Ross Osterman (Creative Director for Universal Creative) in the Season Pass Discussion Room with Ryan Harmon (Zeitgeist), Brent Young (Super 7 Cool

and Doug Barnes (Season Pass Podcast). We discuss some of Ross’ projects including Islands of Adventure and 2009’s The Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Musical now playing in Universal Hollywood. You’ll also hear about his Imagineering years in WDI and the creative process behind Disney’s America Park and why (possibly) it was never developed. We also get a teaser about IOA’s 2010 Wizarding World of Harry Potter and so much more.

Unfortunately, we had some technical difficulties with this episode – however, as Mr. Osterman says “this is the theme park business!”

Please Enjoy!

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MarkE

Once again, Thank you, Season Pass Crew, for this awesome episode! Ross Osterman was so informative! I remember looking forward to Disney's America (keeping track of every single info I could find about the park) and was really disappointed that it didn't go through. It was interesting to hear what happened behind the scenes. To this day, I still look at the concept sketches of the park and wonder how great it would have been if it really came through!

I happen to know a fellow artist who sculpted a few of the set pieces (I think two coral mounds) for the Creature from the Black Lagoon:The Musical. So I was excited to hear more about the show.

As always, It's a blast to hear about the creative process at Universal. I can't wait until Harry Potter opens.

Again, Awesome show!!!! Thanks so much!

Stingray

A very intriguing episode. I never knew much about Disney America only that of the protest. It was a big news deal around these parts. I remember a big movie star being part of the protest and a lot of arguments. I was excited about hearing about Disney trying to build a new park, but I wonder how they would keep the park open since the weather is not so great during the fall/winter season. I heard that Knott's Berry Farm was another site consider after Virgina, but the family reject the bid they say or that a transportation system from Disneyland to Knotts was too expensive. I do agree with Brent that it's strange that there is not a Universal Podcast or they are short live vs. the loads of Disney podcast that out there. I love Universal I think they don't get there just dues, but a least the Season Pass is there to give them proper recognition they deserve. Dueling Dragons is a awe inspiring design. I was too impress by the line area and I kinda wanted to stay in that area more than riding the coaster. I also heard that Steven Spielberg was involve it the area, but I don't know how true that was. A very rich story episode again, great job hope to hear more about Universal.

Save the wolf

Doug_Barnes

^Thanx for the kind words guys. MarkE, were you living in VA when the whole Disney America plan burned to the ground? What was the local news like in the area?

MarkE

Yep. I was born here in VA and I had never been to a Disney theme park yet back then. So I was VERY excited about having Disney come up to VA. I live a distance south of Prince William County where they were planning to have the park. I'm in the Hampton Roads/Norfolk area so for me it would have been like about 3-5 hours to get there, maybe. The closest attractions to us were Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion. So back then I was quite biased upon hearing the news of Disney coming to VA. I wanted it to happen BADLY. lol!

That said, from what I could remember, the news at first to me seemed to be excitement towards the prospects of having Disney America. I was excited by the news that the governor at the time, George Allen, even supported the idea.

As news coverage continued over time, much of the resistance to the idea began to surface in the local media. This was especially the case with news of the park being built near Civil War battlefields in that area. It was pretty much as Mr. Osterman had mentioned from there. Local media began to focus alot more on the growing concerns against it (including possible traffic issues that may have arisen.) Some of it was balanced out with the possible revenue (ie. jobs, tourism, etc) that a Disney theme park could bring.

But then, VA was fairly serious about historical landmarks. Some feared having a "Disney" version of America near real historical landmarks. That...added with the local (Prince William Co.) resident resistance, added with the other reasons, kind of fed into the media.

I sometimes became so frustrated with the resistance as reported by the media that I barely could watch the news as well as I would have liked. I just wanted a Disney themepark in VA. lol!!...and Disney's America to me was the coolest concept. But yeah, I was really let down at the time when it was finally known that park wasn't going to happen.

MarkE

By the way, here's a cool link giving some info about the story and some of the concept attractions of Disney's America.

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com...s-america-theme-park-project.html

Doug_Barnes

Awesome! Thanx for posting the link MarkE.

It looked like it was going to be a great park, how unfortunate. Hey, at least you still have BG and KD... BTW- We were planning on visiting VA this year, but moved the trip back to next year.... I wonder why.... hmmmm....

MarkE

Haha!! I hear ya, man! 2010 is going to be a blast of a year! Makes me wanna push the fast forward button. lol! I can't wait!