Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who are the members of the Geoff Puckett Group (GPG)?

Professionals from the motion picture and live entertainment industries, though we have access to a wide range of creative design and management talent across the arts, multi-disciplinary engineering and architecture. Project scope and location determines specific individuals and talent sets sourced from our proprietary database. Geoff is the initial orchestrator, bringing others into the Group as each project materializes.

What does GPG do?

We conceive, develop, design, direct, and produce physical spaces which communicate story-driven information. We source talent from the creative arts, media, theater, engineering, architecture, technology, project management and finance.

What makes GPG unique?

Our perspective originates from theatrical storytelling. Our talent ranges from former Walt Disney Imagineering artists, designers, engineers and managers to former Industrial Light & Magic (aka: ILM) animators, model makers, and media experts, to Broadway costume and production designers, along with Silicon Valley interactive technologists and a wide range of engineers. We are grounded in commercial practice while envisioning far beyond convention.

What are GPG’s strengths?

Conceptualization, Story development, Creative-Technology applications, including New Media (virtual, augmented and mixed reality), Project development, organization and management. Identification, securing and management of talent and vendors. Knowledge of materials, systems and custom production resources.

What does a producer do?

Often working in tandem with an executive producer and/or director, the producer is the primary creative force focused on artistic development and organization, schedule assembly, securing/allocating of funds and financing, and occasionally marketing - all with unwavering integrity. This individual ingeniously applies inventiveness to identify and obtain the creative ingredients to move a project into and through production all the way to final completion, along with wrap efforts thereafter.

A producer is the mother, father, romancer, lover, persuader, psychologist, soothsayer, comic, tragedian, best friend, teacher, warrior, negotiator, arbitrator, and dreamer. Birthing the dream, this person envisions the completed project on Day 1, together with the paths, people, techniques and technologies to accomplish it.

How long has GPG been in business?

Our roots go back to 1998 when Geoff Puckett founded EffectDesign, Inc., a physical production-oriented company in the foothills of Spokane, WA. Today's Seattle-area GPG emerged in 2014 to provide experience design and consultation services specific to Concept Origination, Story Design and Projection, together with Audio, Video and New Media Production (VR, AR, MXR, 3D stereoscopic).

What is Three-Dimensional Communication?

Communicating story information via the physical senses, often through immersion. Story has historically proven to be the optimum technique of emotionally engaging the imagination. Stories experienced in three dimensions (through all the senses) are recalled for extended periods of time since additional brain synapses are activated beyond sight and sound.

How much does an experience cost?

Cost for a physical experience depends on several factors – including square footage, dimensional intricacies, material finishes, media detail, electronic systems, etc. Early attention to detail, equipment provisions, labor allocation, fabrication and construction processes can save as much as 30% across an overall budget.

What is the difference between a GPG experience and a website experience?

A GPG experience is often an immersive three-dimensional environment - a group of interactive places, architectural areas, or series of spaces in the real world. These areas and places fully immerse participants within a multi-sensory palette of still and motion picture visuals (2D and 3D stereoscopic), illumination, multi-channel sound/vibration, scent, modified temperature/humidity, air movement, air transparency, etc. This special world is separate from the outside world, sequentially communicating elements of a complete story so the participant wholly focuses and intimately understands details through multi-sense tactile exploration and discovery.

A website experience is a two-dimensional, often small format, interactive flat screen display with two-channel sound presenting still images, graphics, text and movies. Attention-diverting peripheral distractions are often part of the experience (visual room elements such as TV, noise, conversation, etc.). The two-sense (sight and sound) display sequentially or non-linearly communicates by presenting elements according to personal selections made through a mouse, finger swipes, hand gestures or eye actions.

Why build a physical experience?

From their first moments as newborns, humans learn most effectively through physical experience with all senses engaged. People recall personal physical experiences more deeply. With today's increasing need to gather and process more information, physical experiences accelerate detailed learning while securing long-term retention.

Is an exhibit an experience?

Some exhibits are showcases while others are sales contact points. Exhibitions with immersive spaces become an experience. Full sensory immersion without any distraction whatsoever is a true experience – a place where participant focus is maximized.

A well-developed website is an experience, correct?

Website developers apply the term “User Experience” when describing a two-dimensional flat screen visual with monaural or stereo sound. GPG considers a true experience to be wholly immersive, without peripheral sensory distraction. Website displays are among many information delivery devices contributing to a wholly immersive experience.

Are GPG offerings more expensive than a website?

Depending on complexity and desired outcome, a physical experience can be more cost effective than a website due to improved information retention. Media produced for an immersive experience can be re-purposed within a website, resulting in cost-free online content preceding, during, or following the physical experience. Media within a website or device app often serves as a reinforcing reminder of the physical experience.

How long does a project take?

Design, development, production, and installation duration depends on the complexity of what is being built. A solid production schedule emerges at the conclusion of the Design Development phase. See our standard pipeline process here.

Can I have a hologram?

Yes. However it’s important to understand what the resulting creation will be and how it interacts with live people. Since online photos and videos are often misleading, please take a few moments to differentiate between a flat holographic illusion, and a true hologram:

Holographic-mimicking illusions such as Pepper’s Ghost (a two-dimensional [2D] image reflected on a glass plate or stretched transparent film), scrim, smoke/haze, or water vapor projection, spinning LEDs, parabolic and angled mirror setups, and specially configured projection arrays are commonly used for applications where an artificial moving person/object interacts with live people/objects in a three-dimensional [3D] space. The term ‘hologram’ has been attached to these techniques, however the description is not entirely accurate since these methods create a 2D illusion in a 3D space, in other words a flat, animated object interacting with 3D people/objects.

A true hologram fully reconstructs a 3D object into 3D space, visually displaying depth, together with horizontal and vertical axes, so the observer can look above and below, as well as from side to side to see a dimensional object. The holographic techniques noted above create a flat object, no different than a 2D television picture suspended in midair, or positioned on a stage to chat with a live person who possesses perceivable depth to the observer. This detail can create an issue when the final deliverable appears.

Further reference: A true hologram is a single glass plate which, when properly illuminated, produces a three-dimensional visual reconstruction of a stationary object. For exposure vibration reasons, a holographic plate is generally no larger then 36 x 48 inches and, for a high quality display, can cost tens of thousands of dollars to create. A true three-dimensional hologram is breathtaking, though impractical for retail, theatrical or advertising applications.

Can anyone fabricate GPG creations?

GPG maintains select experts and fabrication facilities familiar with our design approach and construction methods – which is how we competitively and consistently deliver the highest quality, while adhering to cost and schedule.

Will GPG work with my architect?

Yes. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with your architect to exceed the original vision and, perhaps, materialize seemingly impossible ideas.

Can GPG work with our exhibit fabricator?

Yes. We collaborate by introducing our team leader to your exhibit fabricator so our specific materials and processes are fully understood prior to fabrication. Our individual specialists often augment an exhibit fabricator with their special techniques.

Does GPG produce media?

Yes. Most of the digital media we produce is custom formatted to facilitate our dimensional experiences. We create mullion-free multi-screen, architectural image mapping, and 3D Stereoscopic media. We work with 2K/4K HD, ultra high-definition 8K, and blended/seamless panoramic.

How will GPG save me money?

Many in our group have two, three, even four decades of professional experience. We have materialized cutting-edge projects across a wide-ranging terrain - from theme parks and feature length motion pictures, to museums, special events, hospitality and property development endeavors. With that experience comes a deep understanding of the best paths through design and production. Carefully selected individuals are brought together for each project, based on the specific requirements and geographic location.

What if I only want a quick concept?

GPG can provide initial concepts as written treatments, illustration series, storyboards, animatic movies, or a combination thereof.

Does GPG produce interactives?

We conceptually collaborate with interactive studios, however do not produce interactive media or software.

Will GPG produce a residential project?

Yes. We begin with the initial concept prior to physical construction to bring cost-saving efficiencies to our custom residential creations.

This seems so complex. Where do I start?

The best way to start is with a simple set of questions coming from your perspective. All projects begin with simple written and phone-based dialogue. Consider what you want to achieve, or something you’ve experienced which you clearly remembered. We quickly provide insight from your initial input.

What is the history behind GPG?

In 1978 Geoff Puckett founded LaserDream Productions in San Diego, CA with several electronic and optical engineers to produce live laser shows and stage effects for corporate theater, entertainment, marketing and special events. This early organization became the foundation for EffectDesign, Inc., born in 1998. EffectDesign is now the production branch of GPG. (Read more about the early days in this blog)

Why penguins?

After viewing the 2005 documentary film March of the Penguins, Geoff became fascinated with penguin perseverance as they raise their young amidst some of the harshest conditions in the world. When creating the logo for his new organization, he sketched three penguins, symbolizing the adventurous journey he and his team takes to manifest each new creation. Oh, and penguins are -- cool!

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