Universal’s Jurassic Park Tour Features Creatures

At Universal Studios Hollywood, the movie lot tour is celebrating its 30th anniversary with Jurassic Park--Behind the Scenes, an extensive peek at the making of the box-office hit.

Steven Spielberg has donated his private collection of notes, models and visual gadgetry for the exhibit, which runs through May and serves as a precursor for yet another film-based attraction, a Flintstones stage show that opens in June.

As an opening act, Jurassic Park packs enough to entertain even industry-savvy locals. Housed in Soundstage 29, where much of the movie was filmed, it begins with the towering park gate. Smoky air and a rumbling score re-create the feel of the movie, while overhead lighting grids remind guests that this is a chance to look beyond the screen.

“We worked with Spielberg as far as which tricks he wanted to reveal,” said Don Burgess, who produced the attraction. “Steven loaned us just about everything in his warehouse.”

That includes storyboards and continuation scripts, the blueprints of filmmaking. Video monitors show everything from selected scenes--with commentary--to a discussion between the director and “Jurassic Park” author Michael Crichton.

Even more impressive are the creatures themselves. A full-size velociraptor stands overhead. A brachiosaur pokes its immense head through a wall of brush. A triceratops lies on its side, breathing slowly. Later we learn that Buster, a pet dog, provided the breathing for the film’s soundtrack.

There is also a wardrobe display and a section on computer animation. In the control room, guests sit at interactive computer panels and pretend to check the dinosaur park’s perimeter fences and weather forecasts.

“We want people to get a feel for this,” Burgess said, “to understand how movies are made.”

* Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City Plaza, Universal City. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. $29.95 for general admission, $23.95 for seniors and children 3-11. Parking is $6. Call: (818) 508-9600.