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| Doug_Barnes |
Episode# 97- The Jeff McCain Interview 09/17/09This week Jeff McCain, Vice President of Cost Management for the Cumming Group Entertainment Division, is out guest. We take an intriguing look into the cost management side of the creative process for theme parks and attractions. We discuss the financial influences necessary to develop a major attraction as well as budgeting, risk factors, cost-cuts, team collaboration and more. California Adventures, Jungle Cruises, Grizzly Mountains, andMouse Head Benches loom this podcast… Enjoy!Follow us on Twitter! – www.twitter.com/theseasonpass Contact us: doug@seasonpasspodcast.com brent.young@seasonpasspodcast.com matt@seasonpasspodcast.com Call the Hotline with Park Trip Reports, Podcast Comments, or Anything else you would like to announce. – 1-916-248-5524 Thanx to each one of you for listening to the show. Your support is extremely appreciated. http://seasonpasspodcast.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=527237 |
| MarkE |
Awesome show guys! Great interview!
It's very interesting to learn about the behind the scenes operations at the parks. I've always been fascinated as to how ideas go from concept to reality while taking into consideration the best ways to execute an idea (within a certain budget or with technological advances or restrictions) |
| Doug_Barnes |
Thanx MarkE! This was definitely an interesting interview. So rarely do we get the chance to understand the financial side of the creative process. It's amazing to learn that the "Money Dudes" have to be creative as well to establish a successful attraction. |
| Stingray |
Intriguing show. Something to do with finance is always hard to explain and be interesting at the same time. By far this is the most important part of any project is the finance. I learn a lot about finance thought this episode about the theme park industry.
I always wonder how much is put into a park or ride and what is the overhead cost to keep a project going. This episode is a good lesson into how finance can impact a theme park for example Hard Rock Park. I would like to hear an episode about the day to day operation expenditure of a theme park. Most people believe that the ticket gates are where the profit is made at a park, but that far from true. Like the movie theater business, most of the profit comes of the sale of the concession and souvenirs. Ride photo’s, T-shirt, key chains, plush doll, over-price popcorn, sodas, light thing, are all part of a theme park profit. For us a gift shop is just a place walk by, but for a theme park it’s properly the most important part of the business. Imagine a theme park about money and maybe this is what it would be like. Link I love the Simpsons |
| MarkE |
Doug, there was a great question that you asked about how one would view a typical park visit through the eyes of a financial/cost manager. That part really stood out to me because I can imagine it would be interesting to attend an attraction at any park and pretty much figure out the average cost of nearly everything in it from the ride system to the paint job.
Like he mentioned, I'm sure Mr. McCain can easily spot where the park management either went "all out" or "cut corners" on various elements on the attractions. I think Brent mentioned how creative teams and management can have greater success in building attractions with a more limited budget. I agree. It seems as if it adds to the challenge of creativity (which also includes some cool problem solving) to come up with an attraction that can create something fresh and new out of existing resources and technology ...and still remain within the budget. Very fascinating! Cool link, stingray! lol! |