December | 2010 | Amusing the Zillion

Archive for December, 2010

Video: Alberto Zamperla Talks Luna Park Coney Island

Posted in Interviews, video, tagged Alberto Zamperla, Coney Island, Luna Park, Parskmania on December 13, 2010| 2 Comments »

Parksmania, the premier Italian news portal for amusement and theme parks, interviewed Alberto Zamperla about Luna Park Coney Island at the Euro Attractions Show in Rome on October 6-8, 2010. Since the conversation is in Italian, ATZ asked a friend to translate Zamperla’s remarks.

Parksmania’s YouTube video also has footage of Luna Park’s rides in action and a “virtual tour” of the park. At the beginning of the vid, you’ll catch a glimpse of Zamperla’s rendering of the future Luna Restaurant’s hot pink facade and blue awnings.

As ATZ reported earlier this month, the $1.4 million dollar restaurant is currently under construction at Surf Avenue and 10th Street and will be operated by corporate giant Sodexo, which will also run some of the food concessions on the Boardwalk. Luna Park Coney Island, which has 18 Zamperla rides plus a Reverchon water flume, opened on Memorial Day Weekend 2010.

Here’s a translation of what Alberto Zamperla, president and CEO of Antonio Zamperla S.p.A, had to say in the interview with Parksmania…

It’s always been my dream to create a whole amusement park with only Zamperla-attractions. To do this in New York, where the great amusement park of Coney Island opened over 100 years ago, and to become part of this magnificent history, is among the best experiences I had in my life.

We have opened 19 new attractions, we employed 210 persons, we received 200 inspections from the Building Department. This shows the logistic excellence of Zamperla, which even Bloomberg recognized. He himself couldn’t believe that we were able to realize all this in only 100 days. We showed an incredible organizing ability.

We have had 400.000 visitors, 25% more than expected. We opened the park the very day we completed the construction works.

We conquered the trust of the NYC Municipality, so much that in the coming years we’ll expand the park. Next year we’ll create a “thrill zone” with “adrenalinic” rides for the youngsters, including a roller coaster.

The trust was so great that they entrusted us with the refurbishment of the whole boardwalk, so that we will also take over the management of the gastronomic activities.

ATZ thanks Alessandro Busà, the editor of Urban Reinventors, for translating the audio. His paper Rezoning Coney Island (pdf) can be downloaded via the website of Hunter College Dept of Urban Affairs & Planning.

Fiji Mermaid Horror Film Set in Coney Island Seeks Backers

Posted in film, tagged Coney Island, Fiji Mermaid, fundraising, horror film, Russell Richards on December 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Filmmaker Russell Richards was inspired to make a horror short about mermaids after seeing a Fiji mermaid –a monkey’s head sewn onto the body of fish–in a history museum. “I dug into the history and folklore of mermaids and discovered they were not the good guys portrayed by Disney movies,” says Richards. “They tended to be sinister seductresses that lured sailors to their doom.” In April, the Charlottesville, Virginia resident plans to shoot in Coney Island, where he says most of the action takes place.

Pledge $1000 or more to the project, which is currently on Kickstarter, and you’ll receive a one of a kind Fiji mermaid made by Richards, an artist with some training in special effects. Pledges of $25-$500 will get you a movie poster, DVD of the film when it is completed, T-shirt, original etching or your name in the credits.

One of the mermaids that appears in "Fiji Mermaid." Photo © Russell Richards

With 59 backers and 57 hours left on Kickstarter, the project has already exceeded its $5,000 goal, but Richards says the film will end up costing three or four times that amount. “A big part of any money raised will go towards film, development and telecine, a high-resolution film scan,” according to the filmmaker. “I live and work in Virginia, so it would also help bring my cast and crew to Coney Island to film for a few days.”

Richards is aiming for a summer 2011 completion date. In the meantime, check out the video compilation of some of the effects and design work he has done so far, including a peek at the new “sideshow banner” and animation.

One of the mermaids that appears in "Fiji Mermaid" Photo © Russell Richards

Coney Island 8 Eviction Hearing Adjourned Till Jan 10, 2011

Posted in Redevelopment, tagged Boardwalk businesses, Central Amusement International, Coney Island Eight, eviction, Luna Park on December 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Outside Ruby's Bar on New Year's Day 2010 in Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The judge adjourned this morning’s 10 a.m. court hearing for CAI Luna Park’s eviction of the “Coney Island Eight” till January 10, 2011. The postponement was at the request of the CI 8’s attorney Marc Aronson. ATZ was told that a postponement is common at the beginning of a case. We’re not reading anything into it. Not yet.

Does this mean Ruby’s will be open for the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim? We hope so. Otherwise it could be a BYOF (flask AND food) situation. Take a look at our Photo Album: Coney Island Boardwalk, New Year’s Day 2010. It just won’t be a “Happy New Year!” on the Coney Island Boardwalk if Ruby’s is closed on the first day of 2011.

The eight businesses being booted from the Boardwalk are Ruby’s, Cha Cha’s, Paul’s Daughter, Grill House, Gyro Corner, Shoot the Freak, Beer Island and Coney Island Souvenir Shop. Only two of eleven existing Boardwalk businesses –Lola Star Boutique and Nathan’s — were invited back by CAI Luna Park for the 2011 season.