originally posted on 3/5/2021
Legacy of Arrow Development Hits One Million
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On Valentine’s Day, roller coaster fans around the world were spreading the love, as ACE celebrated the one-millionth view of its Legacy of Arrow Development documentary.
To say those who were involved in the film’s production were excited would be an understatement. Never in their wildest dreams did they figure they would see the production get to 100,000, let alone the vaunted million views.
However, as ACE looks back at the hard work, stress and struggles to bring this project to life, suddenly, all of that doesn’t seem like much, anymore.
The project originally began back in late 2014. At the time, Nicholas Laschkewitsch, Robert Ingle, Barbara Lawson, Andrew Hansis and Kris Rowberry were all working on ACE NorCal’s “Lost Parks” YouTube series. For those unfamiliar with the show, it told the history of a defunct park in the area, tried to find people who once visited and then looked for any last remnants that might still be around (Spoiler: they found something in every episode). Consider it a “Mysteries at the Museum” meets “Evening Magazine” type of program.
Nicholas Laschkewitsch
Photo: ACE Archives. View full-sized image.
Kris Rowberry
Photo: ACE Archives. View full-sized image.
With six episodes under their belts, they wanted to do something special for all of the fans. Seeing as the company was based in Northern California for decades, Arrow Development was going to be a perfect “Lost Parks Special.” Instead of a bygone park, the team would feature Arrow for the full 30-minute program.
But then, after some research — lots of research, in fact — the filmmakers kept uncovering more and more of the impact Arrow had on the amusement industry. They quickly realized that a half-hour special would not do the Arrow story the justice it deserved. As stated in the documentary, “It had to be bigger…MUCH bigger.”
So the decision was made to produce the biggest, most complex, most difficult program they had ever attempted. And they — and ACE — are so glad they did.
Once approval from the ACE Executive Committee was given, work began immediately. Multiple video shoots across multiple parks across multiple chains had to be coordinated, along with the prayer that the weather wouldn’t spoil any plans.
(l to r) GCII’s Adam Yeardon, Kris Rowberry, Robert Ingle, Nicholas Laschkewitsch and Kennywood’s Nick Paradise
Photo: ACE Archives. View full-sized image.
Despite the odds, only one day of filming was lost … thanks to Tropical Storm Bill mucking up every flight out of Dallas (Big thanks to Tim Baldwin and Jeffrey Siefert for letting the crew stay at their place an extra day).
That’s not to say severe weather didn’t chase them on the trip, but Mother Nature must be an Arrow fan, because she kept it all at night.
Tim Baldwin is interviewed in front of Arrow’s first flume at Six Flags Over Texas.
Photo: ACE Archives. View full-sized image.
After filming was complete, only half the work was done. In a Herculean feat that any Hollywood editor would be proud of, Laschkewitsch edited the entire film in just three weeks, all while studying in college.
The hope with the film was that it not only would bring parks closer to ACE, but also would bring more awareness to the incredible history of the amusement industry — and how quickly we can lose that history. But it is heartening to see that five years after the film premiered on YouTube, the #LegacyOfArrow hashtag is still used by park fans around the world, recognizing the history that they are about to ride.
The crew, friends and supporters gathered at the Northern California premiere in 2016.
Photo: ACE Archives. View full-sized image.
As for what’s next for the production team, it would be cliché to say, “stay tuned,” but they suspect ACE won’t have to wait long to find out what they’re up to. Let’s just say the next project has already begun its teaser campaign…have you spotted it?
— Kris Rowberry, Producer, History of Arrow Development
@#$%&!
#ACENews