THG worked with Universal Creative to provide creative consultation and leadership from concept design through installation on the Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. THG collaborated closely with the IP holder to help create an attraction that delivers on all the fun, charm, and mischief of the films. The original Secret Life of Pets film answered the age-old question: what do our pets do all day while we’re out of the house? The ride at Universal Studios Hollywood takes it a step further and lets us become pets that are about to be adopted into a new home.
THG worked on the attraction alongside Universal Creative throughout its development cycle, beginning with concept sketches and narrative development illustrating potential scenes and premises for approval by Illumination, the producer of the films. These scenes were then further developed in the schematic design phase, with special attention paid to the integration of audio-animatronics and projection-mapped special effects. Finally, THG followed the project into the field and helped oversee the final installation of the ride. The attraction premiered in April of 2021 and has since become an audience favorite at USH – a testament to the power of a well-designed dark ride combined with a beloved IP.