Presentation Resume for Leonard Pickel - With over 35 years experience across the United States and overseas in the scripting, design, working drawings and building of various building functions including hotels and strip centers; specializing in amusement attraction and theme design. A creative thinker, I am highly skilled in design techniques, sketch perspectives, marker renderings, study and finish models. Experienced AutoCAD drafter, Sketchup 3D Presentation, published creative writer, public speaker, Excel spreadsheets and database developer.
2. Architectural
Designer
Leonard began his career with over
10 years of architectural detailing,
design, site layout work as well as
construction project management .
His design portfolio includes single
and multi family residential, hotels,
prisons, car dealerships, and urban
design.
Hotel Concept
Experience:
Job Captain
Project Manager
Designer
Renderer
Model Maker
Education:
Architectural Design,
Texas A&M University
3. Sketchup Model
AutoCAD Floor PlanResidential Design
Commercial
Institutional
Residential
Leisure
Urban Design
Historic Preservation
Cowan House, Dallas, TX
Design and
Construction
Documents for:
7. Attraction
Designer
“Nightscares” Portable Tent Attraction
A dark attraction industry icon,
Leonard has designed and installed
chilling attractions around the world.
From permanent installations to
moveable tents and eye-catching
facades to terrifying interiors,
Leonard is unrivaled in his
experience and execution of
unforgettable attractions.
8. Portable Tent Attraction, Buck Hill, MN
AutoCAD Elevation
Walk Though Attraction Design
AutoCAD Floor Plan
14. Illustrator
and Artist
Marker Rendering - Downtown Lake Project, Dallas TX
With over 30 years of concept and
construction documentation
experience, Leonard possesses the
vision and skills to bring your
themed attraction to life.
An accomplished artist and
draftsmen, Leonard offers a full
range of sketching, rendering, and
modeling through multiple mediums.
19. Illusion
Designer
Endless Hallway – “Area 51: Scare Zone”
With new twists on classic illusions
and creative concepts, Leonard
continues to enhance and stretch
the envelope of possibilities in visual
design.
Among his many innovations are
space saving museum exhibits and
creepy, dark deceptions for haunted
attractions.
22. Pit Illusion - Playboy Mansion, CA Mirror Illusion – Lizzie Borden Museum: Salem, MA
Blue Room Illusion – “Dr. Evil’s” Charlotte, NC
Mirror Illusions
23. Industry
Expert
Leonard has been shaping the
haunted attraction industry for over
three decades through innovative
design and concepts.
He possesses the experience to take
any attraction to the next level and
his insights are in constant demand
across the country for articles and as
a featured public speaker.
“Frightmares” Detail
24. Renowned Speaker
o Themed Attraction Design
o Increasing Attraction Though-put
o Opening Your First Haunted Attraction
o Effective Scare Techniques
o Special Amusement Building Design
Code Compliance
Leonard has spoken at every major
industry convention including
IAAPA.
25. Writer
o Creative Storylines
o Technical Writing
o Publication Editor
o Museum Research/Descriptions
Leonard was Founder and Editor of Haunted Attraction Magazine for 50 issues.
Leonard has written articles for
industry and national publications.
His insight into the amusement
industry is sought out by reporters
and clients alike.
26. o Travel Channel’s “Making Monsters”
o Chiller’s “The American Scream”
o Martha Stewart’s “Halloween Special”
o America’s Best Haunted Houses
o Travel Channel’s Halloween Horror Nights
at Universal Studios Special
Leonard was honored with a question using his
name in the Millennium Edition of the game Trivial
Pursuit, as well as a question on the television
game show Jeopardy.
Television Consultant
27. Achievements:
o Founder and Editor in Chief of Haunted
Attraction Magazine 1994 - 2009
o Founded the International Association of
Haunted Attractions (IAHA)
o Created the Haunt Industry’s First Convention -
Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and
Convention (HAuNTcon)
o 2009 Life Time Achievement award by the
International Association of Haunted Attractions
(IAHA)
Previous Clients
o Madison Square Garden
o Universal Studios Florida
o Ocean Park
o SCREAMS Terror Park
o Playboy Mansion Halloween Party
o Six Flags St Louis
o Six Flags Great America
o Six Flags Over Texas
o Six Flags Over Georgia
o Six Flags AstroWorld
o Kentucky Kingdom