WILD, WEIRD AND WACKY!

Welcome to Bruce Barry's
Wacky World Studios in Oldsmar, Florida.

I've now grown 

accustomed to some
wild ministry-related experiences. In fact, I recently found myself preaching in the jungles
of Nicaragua — weird indeed. However, this
week, I was sent on
perhaps my wackiest
mission yet.
 

_______________________________

 

No relation to Papa Roach, Grandpa Roach
greets guests at the Wacky World entrance.

As a new staff member at East Coast Christian Center in Merritt Island, Florida, my responsibilities run the gamut from setting up stage production to mentoring young people, to chiseling poop from bathroom tiles. Hence, being sent out on statewide excursions to pick up  audio/visual equipment and other various supplies is commonplace. So when Pastor Ray Goolsby asked me recently to drive to the Clearwater area and retrieve some pieces of scenery for ECCC's newly-remodeled kid's center, I was all too happy to oblige. "Where am I headed?" I inquired. "Wacky World,"  Ray enthusiastically replied. I thought to myself, "Wacky World? This ought to be wild!"
 

One of Wacky World's executive offices.

Initially, I expected Bruce Barry's Wacky World Studios to be a run-of-the-mill manufacturing   site — a sauna-like, cinder block warehouse  full of  sweaty dudes with exposed plumber's cracks,  slaving away on primitive-looking sculptures and flea market-type signs and banners. Oh contraire! What I actually discovered was a nearly indescribable  25,000 square foot real life fantasyland that serves as the creative home to more than thirty über talented artists, craftsmen, sculptors, painters, carpenters, designers, technicians and administrators. In fact, I felt as if I'd walked into Tim Burton's house.

 

With one simple objective — "to create fun and exciting environments that fire you up and leave you captivated by your surroundings," Bruce Barry's Wacky World Studios has been bringing dreams and visions to life for thirty-plus years.
 

 

Carrying on a family tradition, Bruce's father was a cartoonist for Disney. But Bruce  possesses his own unique artistic style — one that could be best described  as an outrageous cross between  Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney. And over the years, Bruce has been involved with such well-known cartoons as The  Pink Panther and Ren and Stimpy. His additional talent for designing, painting, and building also has led  Bruce to numerous gigs with such high-profile clients as  Universal Studios, F.A.O. Schwarz and Mall of America.

 

The early phase of a soon-to-be water slide.
 

 

I was greeted at the front entrance by several (extremely) friendly staff members who immediately began loading the ECCC order into my vehicle while Art Department head, Allison, gave me a VIP tour of the facility.

 

Along the way, Allison explained in great detail the multi-step production process in which Wacky World creations come to life.

 

From a blueprint layout, metal frames of the piece are first constructed. Next, Styrofoam sections are applied  to the frames and shaped and sculpted to spec. Then, a hard coat layer is applied, followed by a hand-painted exterior. Finally a protective clear coat is applied and — PRESTO!

A Wacky World technician applies hard coat.

 

From major corporations to hometown churches, Wacky World Studios has   been honored to create spectacular themed environments for an array of clients worldwide — both business and residential for more than three decades. However, I got the impression that they are particularly proud of their creative connection to their various church clients from  across the country. Allison  beamed as she conveyed her delight over  Wacky World's role in  helping to ignite kids' enthusiasm for attending church.

 Once I get my mini van

paid off, I'm gonna have

Bruce design me a pimped- 

out ride like this one.

 

 

In addition to  their world-renown, larger-than-life   creations, Bruce and his team also have produced award-winning video projects, including the popular five-part Bug Rangers series for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in the early 2000s.

Wow, visiting Wacky World Studios certainly has been the highlight of my year — what a fun place! An amazingly talented and  cordial staff, creating outrageous, one-of-a-kind works of  art in an unimaginable environment. Uh, hey Bruce — are you guys hiring?
 

-Christopher Long

(March 2013)

My new BFF, Bruce Barry
has the coolest office EVER!

Author Christopher Long's latest book

C'MON! - My Story of Rock, Ruin and Revelation

is available NOW on Amazon.