The People Behind “Lost Parks” and the Manteca Waterslides

Despite how it may look, there are many, MANY people who are involved in the production of “Lost Parks of Northern California.”
Without them, I would not be able to look as good as I do presenting it. With that, here are all the people it took to bring the Manteca Waterslides episode to life:
Al Garcia, Waterworld California: A big thanks goes to my longtime friend Al Garcia, who is the Marketing Sales Coordinator for the park. He gave us his personal stories of Manteca – in addition to allowing us to capture some unbelievable angles of the water slides in his park – including this particularly moist one. Visit his park (when it’s open) at: www.waterworldcalifornia.com
Roger Ross & Ryan Davies, California’s Great America: For allowing us to film inside their Boomerang Bay water park and make that historical connection to the slides in Manteca, I am forever indebted to you both. Here’s hoping that we get to work together again soon, or maybe even catch a Sharks game together this season. Visit their park at: www.cagreatamerica.com
Mike Brown and the Entire Brown Family: Mr. Brown – thank you for giving us the opportunity to share your family story with us – and thank you even more for opening up to us about all the history you hold in your memories. I can always say that I hung out with the owner of the Manteca Waterslides, and bought him lunch, while we shared stories and went through old photo albums. We will wear our Manteca “Anniversary” hats with pride.
Debby Moorhead, Vice Mayor of Manteca: Debby was crucial to us tracking down and getting permission from the current owners of the slides, as well as a great interview and one of the few, genuine politicians we’ve ever met. Sounds like Manteca is THE place to be in the coming years…we can’t wait!
ProAM USA: There is no way we would have been able to capture some of the beautiful shots in this video without winning a Facebook contest from these guys. (Seriously, we actually won a Facebook contest and got a camera crane!) Our new DVC60 camera jib was put through it’s paces this episode and we cannot wait to see what else we create with it.
Oh, and we’d love to model some of your other products, by the way…
Robert Ingle: Those promotional photos of me in the slides “acting” were all captured by Robert – who’s got quite the eye for awesome photos. But, his real skill is to blend in so I don’t even realize he’s taking my picture. I think there’s a career for you at TMZ if you’re interested, Robert.
And for those of you wondering, it’s Robert’s face that closes out the first episode in the credit roll…
Taylor Evans: I’ve never had a script supervisor before – but if I ever can hire one, it would be Taylor. He kept me on track and motivated as best as the Costco hot dog I bought him for lunch. For such complex shots, he was able to let me relax and do my thing, while he made sure the script still made sense. He also was responsible for the “summer winding down” edit that we thankfully caught that day.
And finally, I’ve saved the best for last – and with good reason, too.
I first met Nicholas Laschkewitsch a little less than a year ago – and I couldn’t have asked for a better person to partner with on this series. We’re three episodes into this once “little” project – and he somehow continually finds ways to both amaze and astound me with his work, both as a cinematographer, video editor and field producer.
This, mind you – without any professional training or experience. Nicholas simply has an eye for good work – and I could not be more fortunate to have found him and work with him on this series. He is just as much responsible for the success of this series as I am in front of the camera and doing research. Here’s to many more fun projects with the best producer I could ever have asked for.
If you haven’t seen how all these people came together on this project – look no further!
October 4, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: #lostparks, ACE, al garcia, american coaster enthusiasts, behind the scenes, defunct parks, destination america, discovery channel, documentary, great america, great american thrills, Huell Howser, indigo films, jupiter entertainment, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, leftfield productions, long form, long form story, lost parks, manteca, manteca water slides, new host, new talent, nicholas laschkewitsch, Nor Cal, norcal, northern california, robert ingle, roller coaster, taylor evans, the next huell howser, travel channel, water ride, water slides, waterslide, waterworld, waterworld california | Comments Off on The People Behind “Lost Parks” and the Manteca Waterslides
Lost Parks, Episode 3: “Manteca Waterslides”

I am proud today to release our third episode in the “Lost Parks of Northern California” series, focusing on the “famous” Manteca Waterslides!
Learn how the modern water slide was born just off of Highway 120 in Manteca, where you can still go to experience pieces of the park today and why people still call the chamber of commerce, asking about the slides…nine years after the park closed for good.
This was on all accounts – the most difficult video we have produced thus far. The technical aspects alone were enough to make both myself and my producer, Nicholas Laschkewitsch throw a fit. But, we persevered – and are proud to show you our work of the past few months.
“The Lost Parks of Northern California” is produced in association with the American Coaster Enthusiasts, Northern California region. Learn more about them at: www.acenorcal.org
September 26, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, anthony bourdain, boomerang bay, california's great america, califronia, destination america, discovery channel, gopro, great america, great american thrills, history, huell hoswer, indigo films, jupiter productions, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, leftfield producitons, manteca, manteca waterslides, new host, new talent, nicholas laschkewitsch, norcal, northern california, POV, roller coaster, roller coaster expert, santa clara, the next huell howser, theme park review, travel, travel channel, travelogue, water slides, waterslide | Comments Off on Lost Parks, Episode 3: “Manteca Waterslides”
“The Most Insane Amusement Park Ever” – Video

From Daily Motion today – here’s a “nostalgic” (more tongue in cheek) look back at America’s most infamous amusement park, New Jersey’s own “Action Park.”
This is the home of the Cannonball Loop, a full 360 degree looping waterslide (and not the 45 degree models they’re building today, folks!)
Be sure to check out both parts of the video – enjoy!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13qzyv_the-most-insane-amusement-park-ever-part-1-of-2_tech”
August 31, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks | Tags: #lostparks, action park, alpine slides, amusement park, amusement park death, cannonball loop, class action park, daily motion, dailymotion, defunct parks, great american thrills, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, liability, looping water slide, looping waterslide, lost parks, mountain creek park, mountain creek resort, new jersey, the most insane amusement park ever, theme park death, traction park, tragic park, water slides | Comments Off on “The Most Insane Amusement Park Ever” – Video
Lost Parks Episode 3 – Manteca Waterslides Preview

Debuting September, 2013!
If you lived in Northern California odds are you remember this water park not just because they were a technological marvel of their day – but because of their catchy ad jingles. So, “Slip away today and leave your cares behind – they’re the world’s greatest, so come and ride…the Manteca Waterslides!” (1974-2004).
August 23, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, budge brown, defunct parks, gopro, great american thrills, great wolf lodge, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, manteca, manteca waterslides, new tv concept, nicholas laschkewitsch, oakwood lake, theme park review, tv show preview, water slides, waterslides | Comments Off on Lost Parks Episode 3 – Manteca Waterslides Preview