Immersive Media for Immersive Worlds
Design, Animation and VFX for Theme Park Media
John Hughes Co-Founder / President / Executive Producer
John helmed Rhythm & Hues from 1987-2013. They won Best Visual Effects Academy Awards for Babe (1995), Golden Compass (2007) and Life of Pi (2012). John co-founded Tau Films in 2014, and continues his VFX mastery.
The John Hughes Institute is presently collaborating with York University, on the future of AI-assisted workflows for Animation & VFX, featuring leading industry artists sharing the tools and techniques shaping next-generation production.
Don MacBain Senior Producer / Theme Park Attractions & Location Based Ent.
Don’s involvement with Themeparks media began several decades ago as well, and in his journey he’s worked for many noted VFX facilities, including Boss Films, Lucasfilm, Sony Pictures Imageworks, DreamWorks, and Rhythm & Hues.
Rides Since 2010
Green Lantern: Galactic Odyssey – Soaring Ride, Warner Bros. World, U.A.E.
Client/Design: Thinkwell Production Company: Pixomondo
Attraction: 4D flying theater experience Ride Manufacturer: Brogent Technologies
Delivery: Tau Films, Animation Dir. – created VFX/Animation for entire show 2018
Ferrari: Racing Legends – Motion Simulator Ride, PortAventura World, Spain
Client/Design: PGAV Production Company: Mousetrappe
Attraction: 3D Multi-seat motion base motion simulator Ride Manufacturer: Simworx
Delivery: Tau Films created the complete media (Don MacBain-Sup Prod) 2017
Ferrari: Flying Dreams (VFX) – Soaring Ride, PortAventura World, Spain
Client/Design: PGAV Production Company: Mousetrappe
Attraction: 4D flying theater experience Ride Manufacturer: Brogent Technologies
Delivery: Tau Films, VFX augmentation (Don MacBain – Mousetrappe Prod) 2017
Special Note: First flyover attraction using heavy-lifting drones for all live-action photography!
The Forbidden Caves – Immersive Tunnel Ride, Bobbejaanland, Belguim
Client/Design: Holovis Production Company: Super 78
Attraction: 3D Immersive Tunnel Ride/Motion Base Tram Ride Manufacturer: Garmendale
Delivery: Tau Films created the media 2015
Hogwarts Express, Platform 9&3/4: Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London
Client/Design: Thinkwell Production Company: Super 78
Attraction: Train ‘windows’ show passing countryside Ride Manufacturer: (video screens)
Delivery: Tau Films created the ‘travelling’ media for the train windows 2015
The Lost Temple – Immersive Tunnel Ride, Movie Park, Germany
Client/Design: Riva Digital/Riva Creative Production Company: Super 78
Attraction: 3D Immersive Tunnel Ride/Motion Base Platform Ride Manufacturer: Simworx
Delivery: Tau Films created the CGI & character animation & preview method 2014
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi “Viaggio in Italia” – Flyover Dome Attraction, U.A.E.
Client/Design: Jack Rouse Associates Production Company: Mirror Films
Attraction: Flyover (lifting) array of seats within Dome screen
Delivery: R&H was post and digital producer (Don MacBain Digital Producer) 2011
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi “Driving with the Champion” – Motion Simulator Ride, U.A.E.
Client/Design: Jack Rouse Associates Production Company: Mirror Films
Attraction: Motion Base Dual Seats, Simulator Ride with wide curved screen
Delivery: Rhythm & Hues (R&H) was post producer (Don MacBain Post Prod) 2010
Historic Media / Rides Created at Rhythm & Hues
(unless otherwise noted)
Its Tough to Be a Bug – Disney’s Animal Kingdom & California Adventure 1999
Star Trek: The Experience – Paramount Parks, Las Vegas Hilton 1998
Race for Atlantis – IMAX 3D motion simulator at The Forum Shops, Las Vegas 1998
EFX – 2 Min. 3D film for MGM Grand Hotel (stage show), Las Vegas 1995
Seafari – CGI underwater adventure - MCA/Universal for Porto Eurpoa, Japan 1994
Le Visionarium - CGI fly-by of Paris, CircleVision Film, Euro Disneyland 1992
Huis Ten Bosch Nagasaki Themepark, Showscan Films (Boss Films) 1992
D3Boss 2 Seater Gyrosphere Attraction (Boss Films) 1992
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera – simulator ride, Universal Studios FL 1990
Energy – CGI journey at Epcot / Disney World (Robert Abel and Associates) 1982
