Storyline Sample
THUNDERATION (Mine Train Coaster at Silver Dollar City)
1849 - The JACKSON & PETERS CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY (J&P) opens a large lead and
zinc mining operation in Southwest Missouri.
1854 - Productivity not being as expected, J&P lost interest in mining; Peters traveling north to pursue a
political career, Jackson becoming an adventurer, exploring the caves of the Western United States
and Her territories. The mine fell to ruin, and was abandoned, save for one rather strange miner, who
apparently had taken in a bit too much ore dust. He was asphyxiated with visions of a much brighter
and valuable ore…SILVER.
Henry Harbuckle becomes obsessed. Using the tools and stores left behind, he begins blasting his way
through the bowels of the Earth, searching for her rich veins…the mother lode.
We may mention here that Henry was a “loader” at the old J&P operation. He seemed to be repeatedly
falling down shafts, dumping ore on his foot, and knocking the lanterns over in the dark underground.
He was nicknamed Hardluck Hank. He was avoided. He was never allowed near the explosives. His
only companion was “Lightnin”, his wonder mule, the only creature on God’s earth that would tolerate
him.
Stories were told throughout the Ozarks of a crazy miner who was digging for silver, but over the years
the tales dwindled, and Hardluck Hank and his search for his reward was forgotten.
Folks started settling near the old mine. A town grew. New mining operations began. River trade was
established. The lumber industry prospered. But the abandoned mine was avoided. Occasional muffled
blastlike sounds came from the shafts, and stories of ghosts and of Hardluck Hank resurfaced. Did I
mention that the mine was avoided? Well, these were superstitious people and spirits were good
causes for forsaking.
One spring day a stranger walked into town, and let me emphasize the word strange. His face was
blackened with dirt, soot and powder. His rats’ nest of a beard was singed and smoldering, and his
clothes, or what was once his clothes, were mostly patches and burned out holes. Stuffed in his
pockets were a few sticks of dynamite, which created an uncomfortable presence, as it seemed that
the wrong turn of his head might accidentally ignite what was in his pocket, sending him and whoever
was near him, to their last reward. Tagging along behind him, at a safe distance I might add, was a
ragged old mule, who seemed bored by the whole thing, and didn’t move much, except to always make
sure there was a tree or fence or something between him and the old man.
Well, to make a long story short, and as you’ve already guessed it, this was Hardluck Hank, and of
course Lightnin”. He had come up to check out civilization. He did not become a stable town citizen. He
did not join the school board or church choir. He was not invited to dinner at anyone’s house. And,
thank goodness, he did not participate in the fireworks display on the 4th of July. He just didn’t care
much for this civilization, and just headed back to his mine.
As things go in Mid America and small towns, he became a legend, a figure of mystery and color.
School kids watched him from behind bushes. Stories again were told of him in the local taverns. You
might say he became the town celebrity. To most this would be considered good luck, but not to Hank.
He wants nothing to do with it. He’s still down in his mine, falling down shafts, dumping ore on his foot,
and just about once a week nearly blowing himself up.
Has he found his mother lode? That rich vein of silver that has been his obsession for all these years?
We don’t know. No, Hank hasn’t let on, but he sure has made it known that we are to stay away from
his mine.
But, if you’re game, we can just hop in those ore cars up there, and then…
THUNDERATION (Mine Train Coaster at Silver Dollar City)
1849 - The JACKSON & PETERS CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY (J&P) opens a large lead and
zinc mining operation in Southwest Missouri.
1854 - Productivity not being as expected, J&P lost interest in mining; Peters traveling north to pursue a
political career, Jackson becoming an adventurer, exploring the caves of the Western United States
and Her territories. The mine fell to ruin, and was abandoned, save for one rather strange miner, who
apparently had taken in a bit too much ore dust. He was asphyxiated with visions of a much brighter
and valuable ore…SILVER.
Henry Harbuckle becomes obsessed. Using the tools and stores left behind, he begins blasting his way
through the bowels of the Earth, searching for her rich veins…the mother lode.
We may mention here that Henry was a “loader” at the old J&P operation. He seemed to be repeatedly
falling down shafts, dumping ore on his foot, and knocking the lanterns over in the dark underground.
He was nicknamed Hardluck Hank. He was avoided. He was never allowed near the explosives. His
only companion was “Lightnin”, his wonder mule, the only creature on God’s earth that would tolerate
him.
Stories were told throughout the Ozarks of a crazy miner who was digging for silver, but over the years
the tales dwindled, and Hardluck Hank and his search for his reward was forgotten.
Folks started settling near the old mine. A town grew. New mining operations began. River trade was
established. The lumber industry prospered. But the abandoned mine was avoided. Occasional muffled
blastlike sounds came from the shafts, and stories of ghosts and of Hardluck Hank resurfaced. Did I
mention that the mine was avoided? Well, these were superstitious people and spirits were good
causes for forsaking.
One spring day a stranger walked into town, and let me emphasize the word strange. His face was
blackened with dirt, soot and powder. His rats’ nest of a beard was singed and smoldering, and his
clothes, or what was once his clothes, were mostly patches and burned out holes. Stuffed in his
pockets were a few sticks of dynamite, which created an uncomfortable presence, as it seemed that
the wrong turn of his head might accidentally ignite what was in his pocket, sending him and whoever
was near him, to their last reward. Tagging along behind him, at a safe distance I might add, was a
ragged old mule, who seemed bored by the whole thing, and didn’t move much, except to always make
sure there was a tree or fence or something between him and the old man.
Well, to make a long story short, and as you’ve already guessed it, this was Hardluck Hank, and of
course Lightnin”. He had come up to check out civilization. He did not become a stable town citizen. He
did not join the school board or church choir. He was not invited to dinner at anyone’s house. And,
thank goodness, he did not participate in the fireworks display on the 4th of July. He just didn’t care
much for this civilization, and just headed back to his mine.
As things go in Mid America and small towns, he became a legend, a figure of mystery and color.
School kids watched him from behind bushes. Stories again were told of him in the local taverns. You
might say he became the town celebrity. To most this would be considered good luck, but not to Hank.
He wants nothing to do with it. He’s still down in his mine, falling down shafts, dumping ore on his foot,
and just about once a week nearly blowing himself up.
Has he found his mother lode? That rich vein of silver that has been his obsession for all these years?
We don’t know. No, Hank hasn’t let on, but he sure has made it known that we are to stay away from
his mine.
But, if you’re game, we can just hop in those ore cars up there, and then…
COPYWRITING
STORYLINE
is an integral part of successful venue development. A storyline defines the plot, theme, direction
and parameters for the design and development of both hard and soft goods for a project.
THEME
is the established look and life of a selected time and place.
NOMENCLATURE
is identifiable names given to attractions, restaurants, exhibits and everything else.
COPY
used for description or explanation, as in menus, exhibits, signage, collateral, packaging etc.
is an integral part of successful venue development. A storyline defines the plot, theme, direction
and parameters for the design and development of both hard and soft goods for a project.
THEME
is the established look and life of a selected time and place.
NOMENCLATURE
is identifiable names given to attractions, restaurants, exhibits and everything else.
COPY
used for description or explanation, as in menus, exhibits, signage, collateral, packaging etc.
Nomenclature Samples
Retail:
Summerlace (Grand Floridian Resort)
M. Mouse Mercantile (Grand Floridian Resort)
Galactic Emporium (Orlando Science Center)
Chug Bug Alley (Bas Pro Shops)
Note Pods (Dr. Brains Exhibits)
Retail:
Summerlace (Grand Floridian Resort)
M. Mouse Mercantile (Grand Floridian Resort)
Galactic Emporium (Orlando Science Center)
Chug Bug Alley (Bas Pro Shops)
Note Pods (Dr. Brains Exhibits)
Attractions:
Thunderation (Silver Dollar City)
Hobgoblin Hayride (Haunted Islands)
The Fundunker (Lake Lanier Islands Water Park)
Zumba Flume (Canadas Wonderland)
Swing of Siam (Canadas Wonderland)
Mighty Canadian Minebuster (Canadas Wonderland)
The Bumper Stunt & Thrill Show (Carowinds)
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Dining:
Crockett’s Tavern (Walt Disney World)
The NeverLand Club (Walt Disney World)
Waddle Inn (Lake Lanier Islands)
Munchies Beach Cafe (Lake Lanier Islands)
Chill 1 (Lake Lanier Islands)
Crockett’s Tavern (Walt Disney World)
The NeverLand Club (Walt Disney World)
Waddle Inn (Lake Lanier Islands)
Munchies Beach Cafe (Lake Lanier Islands)
Chill 1 (Lake Lanier Islands)