“Seul”

Louisiana

Welcome to Suel Louisiana, a beautifully spooky indoor theme park land that I’ve had to pleasure to solely complete from concept to the detailed model seen below. The concept pulls inspiration from early 20th century blues artists, the Red Dead Redemption Franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Huckleberry Fynn, and of course the mythical landscapes and stories of the bayous in the American South

3D visualization Flythrough

This is a Flythrough visualization of the 3D model, no photoshop or post processing was used here

Main Story

Deep in the Louisiana bayou is the fictional town of “Seul”, Louisiana. The name “Seul” meaning “alone” in French, and alone it was. It was once a thriving town where many steamboats and fishermen would stop for good music and fine company. The town was the “safest town” in Louisiana and lived peacefully on the banks of the Mississippi. One day a steamboat arrived at the town at sunset after a long summer away. The crew walked ashore and found the whole town abandoned. There was not one person in sight except one, a fellow by the name of Slim Pickens. This unique citizen, labeled as troubled, was shunned as he was commonly known as a grave robber and blues musician. He was also the only person in town with a knowledge of voodoo. Slim was infamous for his so called “devil music” and peculiar personality, so much so he was the only one in town that the “kind people of Seul” avoided. His cabin was on the edge of “Suel”, where he would play his blues into the bayou and only then did he seem at peace. The crew asked Slim if he knew what happened to the townspeople, the word “hidebehind” written in blood on the walls of the town as their only clue. Slim only said “fear” but refused to say anything else as he busted out into song. The crew searched the bayou day and night but found no trace of the townspeople of “Suel”. At their wits end they arrested Slim convinced he must be the culpret, but during the night a member of the crew went missing while Slim was in custody. Scared beyond belief, the crew quickly cast off, leaving Slim and the town to rot. The Governor, angered by this news, refused to give up and launched an expedition to go into the swamp and find the townspeople at any cost. You are invited to join this expedition to go back to “Seul” and discover its mysteries, horrors, and dangers. Will you be able to escape?

The History behind a “Hidebehind”

“The Hidebehind is a nocturnal fearsome critter from American folklore that preys upon humans that wander the woods, and was blamed for the disappearances of early loggers when they failed to return to camp. As its name suggests, the Hidebehind is noted for its ability to conceal itself. When an observer attempts to look directly at it, the creature hides again behind an object or the observer and therefore can't be directly seen: a feat it accomplishes by sucking in its stomach to a point where it is so slender that it can easily cover itself behind the trunk of any tree. The Hidebehind uses this ability to stalk human prey without being observed and to attack without warning. Their victims, including lumberjacks who frequent the forests, are dragged back to the creature's lair to be devoured. The creature subsists chiefly upon the intestines of its victim, and has a severe aversion to alcohol, which is considered a sufficient repellent. Tales of the Hidebehind may have helped explain strange noises in the forest at night. Early accounts describe Hidebehinds as large, powerful animals, despite the fact that no one was able to see them.”

Off the Steamboat…

The Town of Suel Louisiana

The town contains one ride, a dining experience, stores, a show, and an interactive town/queue. As guests step off the boat they can choose which experience they want to see first. If guests follow the blues music it will lead them to Slim Pickens’ shacks. These shacks are a collection of buildings owned by Slim that house his various swamp collections and other odd objects. Part of what makes Slim so crazy is that not only does he play jazz and blues but he plays the music through instruments made from human bones! Slim has taken these from the flooded crypts to the disgust of the townspeople. At his dockyard you can hear him play these instruments in a scary, funny, and entertainment show combining pyrotechnics, voodoo, and rhythm. In addition to the show, Slim also can sell you his wares and various voodoo objects.

Cemetary Cafe

Slim has emptied out many of the crypts in town as well and therefore it is the only place in town peaceful enough to grab a bite to eat. Guests are able to sit around the graves as well as inside of the above-ground crypts fashioned like booths to create a beautiful but spooky dining experience.

“Bone” Appétit!

Disclaimer: This concept is not intended to offend religious or spiritual beliefs.

Queueless Queue

If guests choose to dive right into the E-Ticket attraction they must head into the center of town. By putting their name in the virtual line the guests are then allowed to roam the shops and houses of the town looking for clues as to what happened to the townspeople. They look into broken windows and see old photographs ripped from the walls, food still sitting on the tables, and dead rats on the floor. The still Louisiana air has left everything damp and rotten. All that can be found is the words “hide” “behind” “Hidebehinds” written on walls and scratched on furniture. Then when the group is ready they will be notified and led to the docks to go in search of the missing townspeople.

The Ride…

This dark coaster/water ride takes you deep into the Louisiana bayou in search of the missing townspeople. Guests start at the town dock and depart into the swampy woods through alligator infested waters. It will start out like a river cruise with a soldier steering through the bayou. They talk about what they have found so far in town, alluding to some of the clues guests might have found. You can see the cemetery restaurant on shore, its candles flickering on the water under the low hanging trees.  As you enter the forest a still darkness will surround the boat, the open water of the Mississippi left behind. Frightened, the soldier guide (cast member) will jump off the boat leaving you alone in the forest to drift off in the current. Shortly after, you can hear the screams of the soldier as he or she is attacked by the hidebehinds. The water will then disappear into complete darkness, guests will slowly hear the whispers of the hidebehinds. A ghost child suddenly appears telling you to get out as soon as you can. As the whispers get louder and louder behind you the boat seems to lift up and backward, as if youre falling back into madness. She then launches the coaster in an effort to escape the hidebehinds just in time. The coaster launches up going through dark woods with horrifying figures emerging from trees with moments where guests can look behind and see something chasing the ride through the trees. The ride comes to a complete stop in a dark clearing, the ghost girl emerges again and in a rushed tone tells guests “Hurry! You have to leave, the townspeople…they they are the hidebehinds. You cant save them. Save yourself! Dont become one of them. Theyre coming! go-!” A hidebehind bursts through the apparition at the guests and the coaster is plunged backward. Black muddied hands seem to clutch out from nowhere, warm breath felt weazing from the darkness. Then a second launch sends guests into a panic as they dart through the trees left and right. Then out of the darkness, Slim’s soulful music can be heard. The hidbehinds begin to hiss and screach as the music drives them away. The coaster becomes more and more calm as it transitions back onto water and resumes its gentle speed exiting the swamp. As if nothing happened. As guests follow the music out of the forest they see Slim’s shadow against firelight playing his heart out. We then realize that the only reason that Slim was spared was because of his love of the blues. The rest of the townspeople, driven by fear, and without a love of music, became what they feared most.  Hidebehinds doomed to the sounds of a cursed bayou.

3D Design Process

A short snapshot of the various processes that went into creating this project