Live Design's second day of '12 Plots Of Christmas' strays from the paradigm of light plots into the immersive world of a seasonal Christmas event in Denver...
Designer/camp director Lonnie Hanzon is the creator of Camp Christmas, a 15,000 square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer for the holiday season. Live Design chats with Hanzon about this dazzling, dreamscape that runs through December 24, 2023 at Stanley Marketplace.
Live Design: How did the idea/concept for this event come about?
Lonnie Hanzon: The property was hatched through conversations with Charlie Miller, executive director & curator of Off-Center at DCPA. Both of us were chasing the potential of the rising immersive movement, and I was looking to “raise my tentpole” in the market. I also happened to own a very large collection of Christmas displays from past projects. We had been working in both the fine art and attraction-based displays, so the leap to a gated event made sense.
LD: What was the design philosophy going into the project?
LH: The design philosophy going into the project was both an extension of the methods and approaches we, as a studio, had taken in the past, combined with the massive learning from the various sectors of the immersive world. Materials and techniques coming from the theatrical world as well as window display, theme park, fine art, escape rooms and commercial decoration. Being open to a large palette to work from. We consider it maximalism, in that we use as many languages as possible to support the story. We want to build projects that put the audience in the center of the action. Accessible, multi-generational, humorous, fun, thoughtful… are all part of the intention.
LD: What is your creative process for this kind of experience? Do you start with the story and then move onto the venue design, do you develop all of the elements simultaneously, etc.?
LH: We are lucky that we are a very tight group so that we are afforded the opportunity to drive all the elements at the same time toward the center. And being audience-centric, you don’t know the actual reaction until you play test, so there is always adapting and reiterating. We don’t “lock down” creative choices until we must. Fast tracking. Sounds chaotic, but it is actually really informed with the right team.
LD: How do you see the types of immersive experiences that you create evolving in the future? Are you looking to implement more/different types of technology, for example?
LH: Overall, we are looking forward to a more seamless integration of lighting, projection, sound, effects, haptics and controls designed or adapted for immersive work.
LD: Companies/businesses are also looking for new ways to engage employees, and immersive experiences can be a great way to do so — Are you able to share any examples of how you’ve customized the narrative for corporate groups?
LH: There is a “secret” workshop built in the middle of the installation. It was built as an actual working space during load in and run, and converts into “Lonnie’s Secret Workshop” for VIP tours. Guests on the VIP track are taken in to the space to craft a small kaleidoscope that they take home.
LD: Software used for renderings?
LH: David Darling does all the modeling and planning in SketchUp. He also used Luma Labs AI, and PolyCam for 3-D scanning both for documentation and digitization of set and prop pieces. Sketch up allows us to make changes on the fly and keep the model current without getting overly detailed with massive files. We don’t attempt to portray the finish levels of the product, only representations of the massing, scale and placement.
LD: How does the set integrate with any lighting and the video, both artistically and technically?
LH: The show is six 50-amp circuits. We use stand-alone systems rather than attempt central control. We need to stay nimble. We use an assortment of led driver apps and hardware set ups. A lot of off the shelf solutions that can still talk or work with entertainment networks. These often come out of the escape room/theme park/museum world.
LD: Any setup challenges?
LH: There are always setup challenges, and especially moving in to a new venue, but we are understanding more and more about that process, and working to lean in to is rather than resist it. We are also working toward more ground supported scenery and props so that we can be more flexible without needing to change rigging points on the fly.
LD: Was there a particularly interesting piece of gear that became his most used tool on this production from your perspective?
LH: A small chain saw was very handy, and we went through 90 lbs. of cellulose flocking.
LD: Any other general comments, challenges, setup issues, network issues, etc.?
LH: In answering these questions, it just reminds me that we need to think of immersive works as growing out traditional arts, but not only the traditional arts. The intersection for immersive is in-between the forms, not an appendage to a single form.
Camp Christmas Team
Lonnie Hanzon, Creator
Charlie Miller, Producer
Terry Koepsel-Hanzon, Company Manager
Brad Ramsey, Studio Captain
David Darling, Design Director
Kristy Rowe, Art Director
Charles Macleod, DCPA Lighting Director
Jill Mustoffa, Fiber/Craft
Cydney Griggs, Stylist
Mimi Finn, Painter/Stylist
Charissa Afshar, Stylist
Alex Kim, Social Media/Assistant
Melody Sealman, Craftsperson
John White, Craftsperson
Renata Platenberg, Craftsperson
Steven Matthews, Building
Tim Keenan, Lighting Control
Judy Gardner, Special Arts & Technologies`
Jackson Ellis, Fabricator/Metal`
Barbi Goebel, Gingerbread Captain
Jessica Austgen, Writer
Foster Brasher, Special Engineering
Matt Craven, Metal
Bryce Helm, Assistant
Cameron Mitchell, Assistant
Operations Manager: Mike Pingel | Assistant Operations Manager: Deirdre Moynihan | Camp Counselors: Larry Mitchell, Abi Crigler, Anna Lansdon, Malia McDorman ,Shantell Montoya, Peyton Skaar, Bronwen VanOrdstrand, Channelle Wimbush, Alex Kim, Katia Kotcherguina, Molly Pearson, Krista Krol, Stephen Jankousky, Iliana Lucero Barron, Kathy Graveley, Noel Gaskell
Santa’s Stuntmen: Jeffrey Bigger, Bob Churchwell, James Brunt, Angelo Mendez, Robert McNamara
VIP Tour Guides: Lonnie Hanzon, Dixie Krystals, Shirley Delta Blow
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Accounting/Finance: Jennifer Siemers, Jane Williams | Artistic & Administration: Ann Marshall, Madysen Hunter, Charlie Miller, Courtney Ozaki, Charles Varin | Box Office: Jessica Bergin, Kelly Cava, Jon Collins, Mekenzie Dalton, Katie Davis, Billy Dutton, Danielle Freeman, Claire Hayes, Blythe Kamin, Chris Leech, Elias Lopez, Jennifer Lopez, Ella Mann, Janet Sallee, Katie Spanos, Rocco Williams, Maddie Young | Communications: Brittany Gutierrez, Todd Metcalf | Development: Jamie Clements, Connor Carlin | Education & Community Engagement: Jesús Quintana Martínez, Rick Mireles, Allison Watrous | Facilities & Security: Judy Briggs, Quentin Crump, Jane Deegan, Glen Lucero | People & Culture: Brian Carter, Lydia Garcia, Andrew Guilder, Paul Johnson, Seán Kroll, Laura Maresca, Laurie Moore, Kinsey Scholl | IT: Vincent Bridgers, Adam Busch, Aaron Chavez, Ruben Cruz, Simone Gordon, Kyle Greufe, Brandon LeMarr, Sarah Martinez, Jacob Parker, Joe Reecher, Lisa Roebuck, Cordelia Taylor, Sam Nolte, Tara Perticone, Jordan Latouche | Marketing: Erin Bunyard, Sophia Contreras, TJ Forlenza, Michael Garcia, Claire Graves, Linda Horan, Jeff Hovorka, Emily Kent, Paul Koob, Lucas Kreitler, Angela Lakin, Ryan Leuthner, Kyle Malone, Hannah Selwyn, Julie Whelan, Mikayla Woods, Suzanne Yoe | Production: Stub Allison, Alex Billman, Daniel Bonavich, Matthew Campbell, Peggy Carey, Gabriel Crites, Corin Davidson, Jeff Gifford, Royce Hill, Carl Jackson Jr., Calli Lavarnway, Meghan Markiewiz, Eric Moore, Bob Orzolek, Sara Pugh, Tim Schoeberl, Doug Taylor
Special Thanks
Jonathan Alpern, Mark Shaker, Tim White, Allyson Fredeen, Erin Streets, Stanley Marketplace, Community Language Cooperative, Omar Soubra, Ignaz Gorischek, Kirsten Cadwell and the many magic makers of Hanzon Studios over the past 42 years whose works appear in Camp Christmas.
Spotlight Sponsors
- Timothy and Stephanie White Families
- Welsh Equipment
- Union Pacific
Supporting Sponsors
- Stanley House
- Abstract
- Comida
- Trunk Nouveau
Contributing Sponsors
- B Fresh
- Create Kitchen and Bar
- Mondo Market
- Rolling Smoke BBQ
- Stanley Beer Hall