Frank Fruscello

 

3719 Conroy Road Unit 2034, Orlando, Florida 32839

Phone: 407- 437- 5050

Email: ridedesign@verizon.net

www.themeddesign.ms11.net

 

 

Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S   S U M M A R Y

 

 

Experienced Art Director, Designer & Illustrator in concept through production of projects including, theme park design, attraction show design, theatrical event design, museum and zoo exhibit design, and commercial illustration.

 

 

Professional Experience:

 

March 2006 to Present 

Principal and Co-Founder -  Attraction Design Services, ChampionsGate, FL

 

• Managed all aspects of design, budget and schedule for new EcoQuest dark ride slated for production in India to include the first on-          board physical effects, in-house ride system and innovative value engineering to enable project feasibility.

• Contracted and managed show design, production and installation for complete special effects, lighting, audio, media, scenic and show control for a fifteen scene ride-through attraction for the Hard Rock theme park. Produced new technologies for ride including the world’s first 65’ long digital projection tunnel using real-time distortion and a thermal screen mid-air projection system.

• Contracted and consulted on creative and technical design for a multi-media simulator ride attraction in Hyderabad India. Co-managed production and installation for attraction. Received a 99% approval after guest exit polls. Attraction came in under budget at less than $2 million US.

• Co-managed revamp of Sangeet Film World ride-through attraction.

• Wrote thematic scripts and created conceptual and marketing artwork for design development contracted clients

• Contracted and managed full creative design, technical design and feasibility study for Land Of Illusion expansion in Middletown Ohio.

• Contracted, managed and created creative concept and set designs for the Simpson’s Universal Studios Theme Park attraction.

• Developed technical, creative and operational concepts for Other World Attractions, a highly innovative walk-through interactive game product flexible to incorporate many themes.

• Managed creative character and branding development for Piñatas themed restaurant concept.

• Creative and technical design for other projects including a Jungle Cruise themed boat ride extension and various FEC and entertainment themes.

• Created artwork for a unique website experience with advanced Actionscript, media integration and content(www.attractiondesignservices.com)

 

 

September 2004 to March 2006

Senior Designer  - Sally Corporation, Jacksonville, FL

 

• Lead conceptual and schematic design, scenic and art finish creative direction for HersheyPark’s Extreme Cup Challenge dark ride, Astrid Lindgred Land’s Vi Pa Saltkraken Dark Ride, Holiday World’s Gobbler Getaway dark ride, and Hard Rock Park’s Nights in White Satin-The Trip dark ride.

• Supervision and mentoring of other designers.

• Project manager, field supervisor and client liaison during install of HersheyPark attraction.

 

 

March 2003 to September 2004

Scenic Shop Manager - Entech Creative, Orlando, FL

 

• Responsible for supervising and art directing a crew of twenty-one scenic artists and fabricators.

• Responsible for leading design and manufacture of theme park related equipment and scenic work for use in several Walt Disney Imagineering projects.

• Managed fabrication, art finish and installation for MagiQuest interactive props while maintaining schedule, scope and budget.

 

 

February 2001 to March 2003

Creative Development Manager  - Creative Environs, Jacksonville, FL

 

• Spearheaded new conceptual and schematic design department for scenic fabrication.

• Field supervision and art direction during installations

• Lead show set designs

• Estimating and Project Management

• Major projects include Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Mutiny Bay mini golf, White Sand Villas Resort, and First Tee Welcome Center.

 

 

May 1999 to February 2001

Designer - Sally Corporation, Jacksonville, FL

 

• Responsible for conceptual, schematic and production design of major amusement park attractions

• Art direction for fabricators, scenic artists and art finish departments.

• Major projects include Terra Mitica Park’s Labyrinth of the Minotaur, Paramount Park’s Scooby Doo dark rides, Six Flags Belgium’s Challenge of Tutankhamen, Six Flags St Louis’s Scooby Doo and the Haunted Swamp, Rye Playland’s Old Mill, Jazzland’s Jocco’s Mardi Gras Madness dark ride, Neiman Marcus Italian Cousin animatronic show and other various animatronic shows.

 

 

March 1993 to June 1999

President and founder  - Fruscello Arts, Inc, Pittsburgh, PA

 

• Responsible for the day to day operations of a small a design/build scenic company.

• Created conceptual and schematic designs for amusement park projects.

• Managed legal, technical, creative, business and marketing efforts.

• Notable projects include themed elements and special effects for Kennywood Park’s Exterminator indoor coaster themeing, The Old Mill re-themeing, and restoration of their 1926 Dentzel carousel. Signage and themed elements for Geauga Lake Park, Signage design and animals for the Pittsburgh

Zoo’s Children’s Endangered Animals train ride. Principal conceptual designer and makeup artist for Lionsgate 1999 feature film Dogma. Makeup artist and designer for “The Last of the Mohicans” feature film. Set designs and art direction for the Pittsburgh Playhouse for “The Old Curiosity Shop” and “A Christmas Carol” productions.

 

 

 

Skills Summary:

 

• Creative Direction

• Conceptual Design and Development

• Strategic Planning

• Thematic Written Treatments & Scripts

• Client Presentation

• Project Management

• Illustration

• Schematic and Production Drawings

• Environmental and Interpretive Graphic Design

• Set Design

• Special Effects Design

• Scale Modeling

• Sculpture and Art Finish

• Lighting Design

• Faux Finish and Trompe L’oeil

• Fine Art with Traditional Mediums

• Field Supervision and Direction

• Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Photoshop

• Corel Draw

• Corel Painter

• Illustrator

• 3D Studio Max

• General Computer skills, Use of Wacom Drawing tablet

• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Solidworks

 

 

Education:

 

1974 to 1978 Bishop Boyle High, Homestead, PA

1968 to 1978 Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA – Scholarship Fine Art Program

1993 to 1996 The Art institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA - Specialized Technology GPA 4.0

Deans List, President’s List

 

 

Additional Information:

 

• For previous work please view www.attractiondesignservices.com.

• For design and artwork examples please see portfolio at www.themeddesign.ms11.net

• Featured in industry and other trade publications such as "Parkworld," “Orlando Sentinel” and “In Park magazine.”

• Selected as representative for one of eighteen companies featured in the IAAPA CD Rom, "Opinions and Innovations of Industry Leaders."

• Member From 9/2006 - 9/2010 – TEA & IAAPA - Business Owner

 

 

Further information and references available upon request