Click below to watch the show, then learn all about its creation by scrolling down!
The Wonderful World of Christmas was a computer programmed nighttime spectacular that featured fountains, fog, snow, spotlights, and over 5,000 RGB lights. The ten minute experience transported guests back to their fondest holiday memories in hopes of inspiring new ones. It was also featured on season 9 of ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight (link to episode clip at the bottom!).
I spent around three months developing the soundtrack and story for the show. After mixing the medley and writing the script, I took time to prepare for the programming of the show. The artwork below depicts some of the colors and worlds I see when listening to certain moments in the show.
With the preliminary artwork done, I got to work storyboarding every moment of the show, focusing on highlighting the feelings that the soundtrack evoked rather than a literal depiction of certain lyrics. The programming software (xLights) works more similarly to a video editor, which was helpful when translating some of the storyboard concepts.
Because I got to work around the unique setting of a backyard pool, fountains were a must. The two homemade fountains used a truss to span the 20 foot pool and were turned on and off with an AC controller.
The layout was designed to fully immerse guests in the show. The matrices flanking the sides of the display along with the "dance floor" at the bottom act as the edges of a frame, and the 16 foot-tall megatree acts as a central icon for the show. It is consistently used to directs guests' attention.
Every effect, color, and animation was chosen to support the emotions of each song at one level, and the message of the whole show at another. In the sequence below, which takes place during the opening number, pink and cyan are paired with the motion of an explosion to transport guests into the story and bring about a regal yet playful feeling.
In addition to over 2,000 people coming to visit the Christmas light display in 2021, it was also featured on ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight!
