Lovers and madmen have such seething brains
Such shaping fantasies that apprehend
More than cool reason ever comprehends.
The lunatic, the lover, and the poet
Are of imagination all compact.

And, as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen
Turns them into shapes, and gives to airy
nothing
A local habitation and a name.
Such tricks hath strong imagination.

by William Shakespeare

The two gentlemen we spotlight in this issue are turning their ideas and sketches into exciting, wondrous places, and, as USF creative consultant Steven Speilberg aptly put it, letting you "ride the movies."

PETER ALEXANDER, Vice President, Shows & Special Effects

Peter Alexander has been with MCA since 1981, first as Director of Shows & Special Effects, then as Vice President, and has led Universal Studios Hollywood's production teams in the creation and development of "Earthquake," "King Kong," "2010," "A-Team Live Action Show," and "Conan" attractions. Prior to joining MCA, Peter was Director of Project Management for Walt Disney lmagineering on EPCOT and Tokyo Disneyland.

Those of us who saw Peter on the televised Press Conference in February have already experienced his enthusiasm for and delight in his work. His descriptions of rides and shows contain more VROOM's, POWs. and OOF's than an episode of "Batman!"

We asked Peter if he found one environment more conducive to his creativity than any other. "I've learned to write almost anywhere, but I love the beach. The sound and sights of the ocean seem to give me a creative 'booster shot'." Peter says his favorite project at Universal Studios Hollywood has been King Kong. "We had an enormous amount of fun making that guy come to life, and I still get a kick out of seeing him do his stuff."

As with other P&D team members, Peter has changed his middle initials to F.F. for "Frequent flier." We asked him if the bi-coastal offices and intercontinental travelling were negative factors in his job. "It's not where I am, but what I'm doing that's important. And I enjoy what I'm doing."

Where does Peter Alexander want to be on Opening Day? "I'd like to stand outside the exits of all our rides and shows to hear the guests' responses as they leave." What Peter and crew have in store for USF will produce not only joyous responses, but plenty of 'Wow, let's do that again's!"