Park Life

A brief bonus ep. throwing back to 2018.  I had the opportunity to sit with Jason Momoa and briefly talk about the WB SHOWCASE, AQUAMAN Exhibit, launching at Warner Bros. Movie World that December.  

The audio is lo-fi as it is not a direct recording from the lapel mics, used on the day, for camera.  But you'll get the idea.

Don't forget to rate, review and share.  It all helps in growing the Park Life community.

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Welcome to Episode 40!

Jayne Young is about to finish her theme park journey after a rich 31 years of service.  Her three decade journey through the business of fun is fascinating.

Just before she begins the next chapter of her working life, we sat as she reflected on the earliest beginnings to the final days of her theme park ride.

Please remember to rate, review and share.

You'll find me, Michael Croaker, at [email protected]

Tony Butler's theme park career was split into two halves.  In the first chapter, he was a terrific live show announcer based at SEA WORLD (Gold Coast, QLD, Australia).  In the second phase of his career, he was a wonderful trainer, dedicated to developing young people coming through the theme park industry.

Tony was also a key mentor in my life.  His insights and wisdoms forever impacting my own journey, both personally and professionally.

Tony died suddenly in the first week of August, 2022.  I was intending to eventually have him on the the podcast, knowing how rich his story was and how it could touch people in a positive way.  Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

I wanted to take just a few minutes here to include his name in the collection of industry stories that make up the series.

Tony was that rare human being; here for others, motivated to affect positive change, and a guiding hand.  

He was someone who made a real difference for the better.

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Jemma Thomas has brought characters alive across a number of parks over the past 3 years.  Her genuine passion for entertaining and connecting through performance, continues to see her evolve, as her career unfolds further within the industry she loves.

Enjoy meeting, Jemma.

You'll find me, Michael Croaker, at [email protected]

Howard Searchfield has had a truly fascinating life.  From risking it all riding bulls and touring the Australian rodeo pro-circuit, to performing in live action stunt shows at Warner Bros. Movie World, Howard has packed a lot of living into his time on the planet so far.

His gifts as an artist have seen him also key in the design of some of Village Roadshow Theme Parks most iconic floats and show sets.

Howard's is a story of real fearlessness and faith in what might be possible at any given opportunity.

Remember to rate, review and share.  It all helps in building the PARK LIFE community.

You can find me, Michael Croaker, at [email protected]

I've been looking forward to sitting down with this guy for some time.  Chris Guerin comes from a famiy dedicated to enhancing the lives of others through performance.  He is an authentic and passionate artist, rich in creative disciplines.  In fact, some years ago one of his instinctive choices in the portrayal of a particular character, while in-park, radically reinvigorated my own professional life forever after.  We talk about this and much more.

Be sure to rate, review and share the PARK LIFE Podcast.  It all helps in growing the listening community.

You can find me, Michael Croaker, here at [email protected]

Prepare to smile, you're about someone who is truly the real deal.

Paul Howlett has recently passed 31 years of service with Warner Bros. Movie World, located on Queensland's Gold Coast.

A seeker of knowledge and a love for all things audio | visual, has mean't that he is as enthusiastic today about his work as he was a little over three decades earlier.

If you'd like to reach out, you'll find me, Michael Croaker, here at: [email protected]

Enjoy getting to know Paul Howlett.

I literally met John Grant moments before we sat and had this conversation.  We were both attending the 2022 Australian Theme Parks | Attractions Conference (AALARA).  His character, passion and energy seemed a perfect thing to try and capture for a PARK LIFE episode.  While it does get a little noisy about us, you will find the story of GRANTIES MAZE - FUN PARK, just outside of Sydney, New South Wales (Australia), completely fascinating.

Be sure to Rate, Review and Share.  You can find me at [email protected]

Now, let's meet John Grant.

Meet David Randall of DRA Safety Specialists, and Alessandro 'Alex' Casarotto, Ride Engineering Manager with Aussie World, theme park.

I caught up with the guys in separate moments during a recent industry conference (AALARA), so there is some background noise of other guests.

Our focus is across rides | attractions safety and engineering.  Each have some terrific insights to share.

Don't forget, you can find me, Michael Croaker, at [email protected]

Hope you enjoy getting to meet Dave and 'Alex'.

Gavin Coleman has had an incredible journey within the theme park and film industry.  

Beginning his career with the Police Academy Stunt Show at Warner Bros. Movie World, he would go on to work across a series of TV and film projects as a stuntman before coordinating the precision | stunt drive sequences for the Hollywood Stunt Driver production.  His life only get's even more interesting after all of this!

Settle in and take a ride with Gavin Coleman.  I'm sure you're going to find it fascinating.

You can reach out to me, Michael Croaker, at [email protected]