Graham Owens Email & Phone Number

Before we incorporated VideoBooth Systems, we had built a number of bespoke video capture solutions using 3rd party hardware.It was the lack of design and quality, which led us to Design and develop our own product range and later the incorporation of VideoBooth Systems LtdI am now responsible for the Design and Development of our products and involved with custom and specialist projects.For more information please visit our website www.videoboothsystems.com

Technovations started out providing technical services to other production companies in the market of theming and fit out.It now enjoys a wide diversity of projects for many different clients, including:* Home owners* Architects* Interior Designers * Shop Fit companies* Developers and Contractors* Operators* Scenic CompaniesFor more information please visit our websitehttp://www.technovations.co.uk

For a while it had been my ambition to venture into business for myself, expanding my skills and diversifying, so I went freelance.A few of the projects tackled:February 1996Jack the Ripper - upgradeFollowing the success of The Jack the Ripper Experience, the London Dungeon was suffering the capacity problem - too many bums, not enough seats.T H E brought me in after they were appointed to upgrade the show and improve the capacity issues. As part of the works we… Show more For a while it had been my ambition to venture into business for myself, expanding my skills and diversifying, so I went freelance.A few of the projects tackled:February 1996Jack the Ripper - upgradeFollowing the success of The Jack the Ripper Experience, the London Dungeon was suffering the capacity problem - too many bums, not enough seats.T H E brought me in after they were appointed to upgrade the show and improve the capacity issues. As part of the works we commissioned one of the first controlled FIRE effects in a public venue, a 2m ball of flame, operating every three minutes, eight hours a day - safely and reliably.March 1996Vinterbro Shopping Mall, Norway.A complete lighting scheme to compliment a themed façade.The 36m X 15m high façade was to be erected inside the shopping mall as a central feature. The lighting, as well as being function also had to be efficient and relaiable, all things we take for granted today, but not then. Working with the designers and scenic company, we managed to ensure the lighting complimented the various architectural styles and finishes and met the design criteria above.The scale of the façade, precluded regular maintenance on many of the fittings and dictated a very careful approach. The end result was a mixture of lighting techniques and fittings, some requiring special adaptation to satisfy the brief.The contract grew to include themed lighting for other areas.April 1996Exhibition Hedenhös, Furuvik, Sweden.Technical design for an exhibition to promote a new ride and themed area within Furuviksparken.In addition to atmospheric lighting sound and smells the exhibition included a number of small tableaux with controlled lighting and sound. Show less

As my freelance career developed, it was obvious that I would be involved in larger contracts. My previous skills meant I had the ability to manage and procure reasonable sized projects.So, I incorporated Technovations Ltd.

In an effort to retain the experienced, tried and tested talent from within the Sparks Group, some of the team reformed to create T H E : themes, heritage & exhibitions Ltd. T H E located their office and production facility at Great Bentley, Essex. It boasted a full time design and management structure in addition to scenic production facilities in its own workshop.I was duly invited to join the team and became responsible for:* client liaison* implement project… Show more In an effort to retain the experienced, tried and tested talent from within the Sparks Group, some of the team reformed to create T H E : themes, heritage & exhibitions Ltd. T H E located their office and production facility at Great Bentley, Essex. It boasted a full time design and management structure in addition to scenic production facilities in its own workshop.I was duly invited to join the team and became responsible for:* client liaison* implement project planning and management* monitor cost control, and of course* keep a watchful eye over the technical aspects of the contracts which we were to fulfil.Such notable examples; Guinness Taste Sensation Guinness plc Hommerson Arcades Den Haag, Holland Museum Exhibit (Design Feasibilty) Heureka, Finland Jack the Ripper The London Dungeon The Lowestoft Story Waveney District Council Junibacken Cultural centre Proscenia, Stockholm Fun House (Refirb) Liseberg, Sweden Haunted House Tusenfryd, Norway Haunted House II Grönalund Tivoli, Sweden Themed Escalator Kreativ Consulting, Norway Extensive Audio Installation The London Dungeon SeaLife Centre (Refirb) Portsmouth, Vardon Attractions Ltd Bass Taverns Themed Pubs Noel Edmunds T.V. Tub Ride Cricket St ThomasAs T H E developed its folio, it began to focus on the skills it had to offer, and the skills that were available in other parts of the industry. We identified a number of smaller companies, offering specialist skills, with whom we would form a symbiotic relationship. Show less

Sparks had just relocated to a purpose-built unit in a new business park.The unit included a fully automated presentation facility with sole purpose of demonstrating the capability of audio, vision, special effects and simple illusions to sell and entertain.The intention was, that I would develop the technical aspects by providing a carefully controlled balance of in-house design and management whilst outsourcing materials, subcontract assemblies and installations.The… Show more Sparks had just relocated to a purpose-built unit in a new business park.The unit included a fully automated presentation facility with sole purpose of demonstrating the capability of audio, vision, special effects and simple illusions to sell and entertain.The intention was, that I would develop the technical aspects by providing a carefully controlled balance of in-house design and management whilst outsourcing materials, subcontract assemblies and installations.The benefits from tighter control over subcontractors and keen buying were quickly translated into better value for money for the client and Sparks. This developed into larger technical budgets and more elaborate shows.During the time at Sparks, I was introduced to the valuable principles of Project Management and Contract Management. My previous experience had paid dividends in cost control and corporate disciplines.Sparks continued to expand, accomplishing such projects as; Bubble Works Chessington World of Adventure Theatre of the Guillotine The London Dungeon Arctic Convoy AV Show Imperial War Museum Fun House Linnanmaki, Finland Haunted House GrönaLund, Sweden Haunted Interactive House Wasalandia, Sweden Magic House Europa Park, Germany Saltburn Smugglers Langbaurgh on Tees Borough Council Nutty Jakes Music Hall Oakwood Park Family Theme Park Haunted House Alton Towers Tree of Time Pavilion Gwent Garden Festival Haunted House of Horrors First Leisure & European Leisure, Blackpool Circus Griselda Mirabilandia, Italy Atoll Reef Ocean Park, Hong Kong Northern Ireland Aquarium Ards Borough CouncilIn Autumn 1992 Sparks Group became a victim of the economic downturn and was forced into receivership. As a consequence all of its talent was to become unemployed. Show less

Initially employed as a past up artist through to studio manager; creating artwork for reprographics and special photographic processesAt this time we started to diversify into the field of conferencing and product launches. I was charged with the duty of expanding this department. It was then I made the choice to specialise in the Audio VisualAPS' expansion led it to a property in Manningtree. The AV Dept. planned the location of a comprehensive automated boardroom and… Show more Initially employed as a past up artist through to studio manager; creating artwork for reprographics and special photographic processesAt this time we started to diversify into the field of conferencing and product launches. I was charged with the duty of expanding this department. It was then I made the choice to specialise in the Audio VisualAPS' expansion led it to a property in Manningtree. The AV Dept. planned the location of a comprehensive automated boardroom and presentation facility as well as a premier AV production unit.The department continued to grow to fulfil the demand by large blue chip companies, Fisons Horticulture, Philips Business Systems, Woods of Colchester, Paxman Diesels, Hawker Siddely Brackett, Crompton Instruments, Access, Sedgwicks Insurance, Gardian Royal Exchange, Eastern Electricity, Bosch Automotive Products, (to name the ones I can remember). Whilst my role became more client liaison and administration oriented, I continued to maintain an active role in production and expansion.Our Photographic department, as well as handling `below the line’ product photography, also catered for our in-house specialist frame accurate photographic techniques for multi-projector presentations, enhanced by full rostrum camera and processing. As well as catering for the product launch and conference sector, the Hire department satisfied the day to day requirements of smaller companies.The computer department boasted state of the art software including a beta testing facility for graphics software. In addition to providing high quality output for slides and graphics, it was soon evident that there was a demand for a bureau outside London.The event management facility developed to its demand and added exhibitions and hospitality functions to its folio of expanding services.Throughout, the department retained its initial skills of audio visual productions and mixed media presentations. Show less

Ardleigh

As the Audio Visual department became more self sufficient, it allowed me to diversify and apply some of our skills into the market of Leisure and Theme.Subcontracting to Sparks Creative Services we developed a number of techniques and technologies to enhance their existing creative skills:A few of the projects to benefit:Merlin Camelot Theme ParkFire of London The London DungeonHaunted Magic Castle Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park.The house of Oliver… Show more As the Audio Visual department became more self sufficient, it allowed me to diversify and apply some of our skills into the market of Leisure and Theme.Subcontracting to Sparks Creative Services we developed a number of techniques and technologies to enhance their existing creative skills:A few of the projects to benefit:Merlin Camelot Theme ParkFire of London The London DungeonHaunted Magic Castle Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park.The house of Oliver Cromwell Ely District Council Show less

3D Design, Product Design

In my final year my design I secured one of only two places, providing two visits to the Tilley Lamp Company in Belfast.

Secondary School

Activities and Societies: Hand Ball, Badminton, Photography