E82 The Epcot Legacy
Education • Music • Art
Rendering the Ride on Sunshine
The Art of Universe of Energy
April 20, 2023
post photo preview
Energy Pavilion by Bill Sully, 1982

Among the largest and (certainly the longest) attractions ever created, the Universe of Energy was one the most complex presentations ever conceived by WED Enterprise — not just from a technological perspective, but in how to craft a narrative that addresses the challenges of energy production in an entertaining way. 

While the "story" of Energy was being worked out by others, visualizing the experience was spearheaded by master Art Director Jack Martin Smith who is most well known for his work on Hollywood classics like The Wizard of OZ, Hello Dolly, Planet of the Apes and many, many more.

So we begin our visual journey through the Universe of Energy with his evolving ideas for the pavilion's exterior. 

Pavilion Exterior 1977
Pavilion Exterior by Jack Smith, 1977 

Incorporating solar power into the pavilion's design was the goal from the beginning. In this earliest concept, the Concentrated Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) method was seriously considered.  

Pavilion Exterior by Jack Smith, 1978

Just a year later, the final form of the Energy Pavilion had begun to take shape with several practical displays of energy creation surrounding the main facility, including an energy-independent home of the future towards its rear East side.   

Pavilion Exterior by Bill Sully, 1982

The final form of the pavilion set against a sunbathed sky, this was among several concepts created by Bill mostly for marketing purposes. 

Emile Radok Preshow by Collin Campbell

 

Emile Radok Preshow by Gene Johnson

 

 

Primeval Diorama by Gene Johnson
Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
1
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Pirates in 35mm

This week's Raw Wednesdays takes us to the construction of The Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean with a rare look at it's "rope cutting" ceremony on December 15th 1973, performed by Rock Hudson.

00:02:49
Cinderella Castle Repainting 1978

To celebrate the restoration of Cinderella Castle's rightful color scheme, here's some promotional footage from its first repainting in 1978!

00:00:58
Living Seas Sizzle Reel

Continuing our week-long celebration of THE LIVING SEAS 40th birthday, here's my "sizzle reel" constructed from its original b-roll.
Watch the entire 10-minutes of footage here:
https://www.epcotlegacy.com/history/seabase-b-roll

00:02:14
Techno Millennium

As part of the Millennium Celebration, the anthem "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand" was produced in several musical genres including Country, Latin, Pop & Gospel.
I thought I had all of them until I discovered this somewhat forgotten variation as part of a recently contributed archive of theme park music.

The following is the 2OOO "Techno" variation created for the New Year's Eve celebration held nightly on Pleasure Island.

Enjoy!

Techno Millennium

Looks great, @lonosrevenge!
Get your 1982 EPCOT Center Entrance Plaza CM Replica shirt (and many more designs) in E82 Centorium souvenir shop at:
https://epcotlegacy.com/gifts/loungeshirts

E82 begins its MONTH-LONG #America250 celebration with
"Sounds of Liberty - An American Adventure" https://www.epcotlegacy.com/music/soundsofliberty
Our traditional patriotic playlist featuring over 2 hours of music, including our remastered mix of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth with an extended "Heartbeat of Freedom" fireworks Finale!!! 🇺🇸

post photo preview
Distory | Nite Shift - Premiere Episode

Which attraction is more influential in Disney history, Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion?
https://youtu.be/EswVsolGXYc?si=kglY1xioICJy9TXF
On Distory Nite Shift this week, join me and my fellow Disney historian @DisneyCicerone to discuss this, and the conclusion we came to surprised us both!

post photo preview
post photo preview
A Music Purists Paradise
The Official ^Instrumental^ Album of EPCOT Center

Our 15th-anniversary celebration kicks into high gear with this unique tribute to the park's musical repertoire.

Inspired by the once frequent and highly treasured Official Albums of the parks, The Official ^Instrumental^ Album of EPCOT Center, utilizes the latest AI* audio separation models to present, for the first time ever, these classics in purely instrumental form, accompanied by many once-commercially released medleys and augmented by several that should have been.

*AI with considerable manual (aka human) efforts to remove AI artifacts, remove volume “ducking”, and enhancement to adjust for the loss of EQ.

Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
post photo preview
Studios Overture — 1989 Edition
From our far-flung Future World pavilion for Film & Television Arts, listen to Disney•MGM Studios' epic Entrance Plaza atmosphere from 1989!
Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
post photo preview
Innovative Incidentals
Transport your ears back to the dawn of the "Information Age" by listening to the CommuniCore edition of Future World Soundtrack Series!
Featuring the iconic Innoventions Plaza atmosphere and all Fountain of Nations shows with quick visits to Club Cool, the FountainView and Colortopia! 


Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals