GLENDALE, CA – Large crowds gathered throughout Los Angeles over the weekend, hoping to catch a glimpse of the space shuttle Endeavour as it rolled slowly through the streets to its final home. Meanwhile, the crew from Kinetic Lighting spent Friday and Saturday at the California Science Center setting up dramatic lighting apropos of the orbiter and the huge moment in Los Angeles history.
More details from Kinetic Lighting (http://www.kineticlighting.com):
GLENDALE, CA – Large crowds – estimated at one million strong – gathered throughout Los Angeles over the weekend, hoping to catch a glimpse of the space shuttle Endeavour as it rolled slowly to its final home. Meanwhile, the crew from Kinetic Lighting spent Friday and Saturday at the California Science Center setting up dramatic lighting apropos of the majestic orbiter and the huge moment in Los Angeles history.
Kinetic’s plan called for lighting Endeavour on the ramp leading up to the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion, as well as illuminating the facility itself as the shuttle was brought inside. Kinetic’s David Jacobi was the lighting designer for the project. Kinetic donated its services to the California Science Center, as did partner United Rentals.
The lighting rig for the ramp was mounted on boom lifts. Fixture height was critical to effectively lighting such a large area and object. Accordingly, Jacobi spec’d 60-ft lifts which were supplied by United Rentals. The lifts would also provide motion control, enabling Jacobi to adjust lighting positions as needed once the shuttle was on the ramp.
While the ramp lighting called for white light, the interior pavilion space was to bask in color. Lighting looks included blue prior to the approach, patriotic red, white, and blue upon the shuttle’s arrival , and purple (California’s Science Center’s official color) once the shuttle was completely inside.
With so much excitement and anticipation surrounding Endeavour’s arrival to the museum, a throng of local broadcast news crew ringed the site, capturing some of the eye-catching lighting looks.
Originally, the shuttle was slated to arrive at the facility between 7:30 pm and 9 pm, but word came that it would arrive closer to midnight. As the night wore on, the crew learned the arrival would be pushed back into the daylight hours on Sunday. With this update, Kinetic struck the lighting setup around 1 am.
Despite disappointment that the team didn’t get to illuminate the shuttle with pomp befitting its greatness, the whole Kinetic Lighting team remains thrilled and honored to have been part of such an historic and special moment for the city.
