FmrWDWFX

Former cast member in Florida.
(One of last to receive the Ruby 5 year pin.)

During permanent employment I worked in Entertainment Production Services, Entertainment Creative Services, and at the time was the only cast member to ever leave Entertainment and transfer to a maintenance department - in my case I was invited to join EPCOT Projection Special Effects.

While a cast member, I was cross-utilized at various times by WED / Imagineering, WED Regency / Display, and Sustaining Engineering. I even got to modify, enhance, and work on various attractions a few times.

I was lucky to have made so many good friends and work on many Special Events. I created, or helped to create elements for some of the biggest shows on property and off.

I was even part of a rouge team of Entertainment techs that “illegally” defaced a corporate trademark by installing strobe lights in Cinderella Castle. Lucky for us we had Scott Powhatan to convince the execs to keep the concept. Now, it seems that Creative Services defaces the castle on a regular basis. LOL

After leaving as a permanent cast member, I was contracted in to create various props, and effects for Live Shows, Television, Motion Picture, and individual performers.

I also designed, engineered, and built the first show triggered strobe lights used in EPCOT for the Illuminations show. Originally they were also supposed to be mounted on Spaceship Earth in each of the tessellated intersections and could be controlled much like a programmable score board so we could make Spaceship Earth explode and twinkle in reaction to certain laser effects. Unfortunately this element was cut for budgetary reasons. Perhaps the concept will be reintroduced in the new MellodiUS nighttime show.

- Chuck