Moments of Inspiration - Spectromagic

On this magic night,
A million stars will play beside us,
Cast a spell of light,
Glimmering, shimmering, carousel-ling
'Round the world tonight,
A symphony in SpectroMagic.
Pure enchantment lights the way!

These are the opening lyrics to the #Spectromagic parade at Walt Disney World.

About 15 years ago, I had the privilege of performing in this nighttime spectacle seen by millions of guests.

About a year prior to working for Disney, I watched this parade as a guest. When the opening fanfare hit the audience, I got those epic kind of goosebumps that just sit in your memory forever. But there was this one part at the end of the parade where all the floats and characters' lighting "magically" changes from white in a wave of color. In 2003, this effect was MIND BLOWING and remarkably high tech.   By chance, my role in the performance put me smack in the middle of this lighting effect.  I was slightly crushed when I discovered how the effect was accomplished - but I'll be keeping the how-to of the "magic" secret.

(Effect I'm about to talk about is found at 12:40)

After a lengthy 17 years (off\on) run, "Spectro" was retired... but it was a beautifully creative hallmark of inspiration for me... to see the kind of "magic" that can be created with technology and imagination.   I try to bring this same sense of wonder, excitement, and magic into every event that I light.