Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Dark Ride - Epic Universe - Orlando, FL


Project Details

Tools Used

  • 3ds Max / Maxscript
  • Maya
  • Unreal Engine / Blueprints
  • Python / PySide2
  • After Effects
  • Audition
  • GitHub

My Scope

  • Scene Design & 3D Modeling
  • Robot Motion Studies - Final Profiles Delivered by Andrew Carbonar & Thomas Stoeckert
  • Ride System Technical Development
  • Custom 3ds Max Tool Development
    Motion Data Analysis & I/O
  • Haptic Pipeline Profiles
  • Real-Time Animatic Development
  • CG Rigging

Awards

  • 2025 - THEA Award:
    Outstanding Achievement - Attraction
  • 2025 - Golden Ticket Award:
    Best Dark Ride
  • 2025 - Theme Park Insider Award:
    Best New Attraction
  • 2026 - VES Award Nomination:
    Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project

Project Involvement Timeline

Starting in September 2018, I joined the Dark Universe team contributing new ride concepts, models, projection-mapped mock-ups, and animatics. My creative contributions to the attraction resulted in a patent I share with Dante Bruno.

On the technical side, I built the haptic animation pipeline, real-time animatic pipeline, show programming tools, and did extensive work on the development of the ride system.

In early 2020, I handed off the attraction to Andrew Carbonar and Thomas Stoeckert. They developed the attraction from that point until it opened with Epic Universe in Orlando in May 2025.

Sept 2018

Joined Project Team
Orlando

Sept 2019

Prototype Vehicle Mockup Began
Orlando

October 2019

Prototype Vehicle Mockup Wrapped
Orlando

Dec 2019

SFX Illusion Mockups Began
Orlando

Jan 2020

SFX Illusion Mockups Wrapped
Orlando

February 2020

Project Handoff
Orlando