Australia Takes 'Dive-In' Movies to the Arabian Gulf

Industry consultant and former Warner Village Theme Parks Chief Operating Officer Steve Peet has taken the Australian concept of 'Dive-In' Movies to the Lost Paradise of Dilmun waterpark in Bahrain.

A longtime Australian favourite, developed by Wet'n'Wild Water World and now included in many Australian aquatic centresâ programming, 'Dive-In' Movies enable swimmers to enjoy the latest-release movies while floating on a tube or lounging poolside on a deckchair.

The technical solutions used at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun were developed by Gold Coast-based The Blue Shadow Group. The Blue Shadow Group provided a state-of-the-art high end digital rear projection system along with an audio solution that provides sound clarity up to the edge of the pool areas.

As Blue Shadow Group Director Daniel de Vries explains "15 years ago we pioneered outdoor movies on the Gold Coast (and) since then our company has expanded into major event production and weâve been involved in some of the largest corporate and public events to be staged on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane over the past decade or so.

"The Bahrain contract is further evidence to us of the global possibilities of what we can do and a real vote of confidence in our company as a major audiovisual supplier and producer."

Paul Blunt, one time Operations Manager at WetânâWild Waterworld and now Managing Director of the Lost Paradise of Dilmun, said he wanted to offer something that has never been seen or done before in the Arabian Gulf.

He explained "our park is two years old and we're very excited about the value-add the movies will deliver for our guests.

"We wanted something new to promote this year and I had worked with Steve (Peet) in operating 'Dive-In' Movies at Wet'n'Wild and had also then used the concept at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort in Malaysia.

"The market here is perfect for the concept, outdoor temperatures in the evening are fantastic, it is a late night culture, and cinema is extremely popular - especially with Saudi nationals as they do not have any theatres. âSteve was asked to source the best equipment combining high quality vision and sound and knew exactly what we needed due to his prior experience and contacts in the industry."

"The screen is four metres high and nine metres long and the equipment and people we have coming over from the Gold Coast are second to none."

The waterparks of the Arabian Gulf are featured in the article 'Waves and Wadis' in the September/October 2009 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

For more information on the Blue Shadow Group contact Daniel de Vries on 0403 489 479, E: daniel@blueshadowgroup.com, www.blueshadowgroup.com