Universal Studio - New York City ~ Lights Camera Action (Part 4)

11 Sentosa East Mall
Singapore 099054

Mr. Steven Spielberg himself introducing what is behind the scene of a movie making complete with sound and special effects.

Right after few minutes of wandering around mini-5th Avenue of New York City themed zone here in Universal Studio Singapore, Balong and I took a lot of time checking each corner of this magnificent replica of the Big Apple. The intricate details of the building show how creative and successful they are in constructing the mood and as usual, in order not to missed anything, Balong were busy clicking his camera and he brought extra batteries just in case.

This is the entrance to the 'Lights Camera Action' studio. Just ask staff in the door where is the queue and they will help you out.

The action that you should not fail to spot once in the New York City zone is the ‘Light Camera Action’. Actually, we were laughing coming in here as we’ve seen few tourists lining up in one of the studios.  We don’t even know why they queued exactly but we followed them anyway (ahahaha!). We supposed to ask the person in front but he was busy reading the map so we let our curiousness excites us and waited what this studio will offer. The main door is located at the back and thus you can’t see from the main lane outside where these streaks start. When we arrived at the area, we were surprised because there were already hundreds of guest waiting for the show (ahahaha!). Well, this only mean one thing, there is something great to experience in here that’s why there is a long queue. Hmmmmmm and what would that be then? (hehehe!)

It's good they have this huge queue rows so that visitors will not line up outside under the sun.

Our excitement heats up when we saw the door opens, there were three lines to choose from and I asked Balong which row he prefers. As usual, he let me pick what I wanted so we chose row number 3. Getting in the vicinity is transporting you to a real studio complete with 3 huge screen and state of the art sound system. Before the introduction started, we took some shots and there is one personnel who welcomed all of us. He explains briefly what is ‘Light Camera Action’ all about and giving some hints that all the spectators in the front will experience ‘parts’ of the whole simulation. Hmmmmm we were in the front line for goodness sake and the feeling of excitement plus worries were running through my head as I don’t know really what will happen next (ahahaha!).

Many billboards of blockbusters films were pasted on most of the walls.

When everybody in the audience is all set, the anchor introduced the main host of the show, the director and the famous man himself Mr. Steven Spielberg! He appeared in a large projection screen just 5 meters away from us giving highlights about movie making. Different genres of movies were featured showcasing several sounds and special effects that feel like you were in real setting. Excitements in the movie of Ladder 49, The Lost World and the Perfect Storm were just examples of movies presented.

One of the staff who welcomed us on our way in. He is the one who briefed us that guest in front (like we are) will experience some surprises of the whole simulation (hmmmmm scary! ~ ahahaha!)

At first, we thought that we will simply watched a movie but we found out that it was just the beginning or the pre-show of the whole studio event. After a concise presentation of different movies, Mr. Spielberg gave us an indication what to expect in the next room. I was thinking ‘maybe’ this is what the staff means earlier about the few surprises that await those guests in the front line (hmmmmmm scary! ~ ahahaha!).

Ladder 49 is just one of the movie featured in the introduction where Mr. Spielberg explains the importance of sounds in movie making.

Entering the main stage room is so quiet and that scares me bigtime! (ahahaha!). Balong seems eager but doesn't care at all as he was busy taking pics of the studio. They gave rain coats (only in the front rows) and ‘now’ it gives me an idea that there is something ‘hunky punky’ will happen here (bwahahaha!). We’ve seen an old boathouse complete with the backdrop of beautiful scenery of New York City skyline. The water is so solemn, the old boats are in place and the weather seems fine no hint of storm, calamities or anything.

Replica of the old boat house on our way in. Look how serene the place is.

This is the start of the whole 'hurricane' thing in the movie room.

The area is a bit cold and dimmed as well even there were bulbs that lightens up the whole boathouse. Suddenly just a wink of an eye, we heard someone shouted and everything starts to change! It’s freaking realistic!!!!!!! HELL YEAH!!! (sorry for the words ~ ahahaha!). I was laughing but within am so afraid! (ahahaha!) It’s like real! How amazing they are in creating this scene wherein a simple stage transformed drastically!!!! It’s terrifying to see for goodness sake!

At first, the boat seems intact but the heavy rain starts to pour!

The whole serene stage started to warped engulfed by hurricane! Category 5 to be exact! We were just watching but we can’t do anything. It was like you’re one useless guest who knows nothing! (ahahaha!). I just don’t know what to do if that will happen for real but the sound and special effects that was used is remarkably amazing! At first, it was just the howling of the wind, then heavy rain starts to pour. And worst, the wall, signboards, and the windows starts to crash as if it goes directly to us (whew!). Water rises, smoke and fire are everywhere, lots of falling debris, even the boat on the deck fell down and that’s the moment when the water splash to our faces! (yeaaaaaaaah!!!) The show is absolutely attention grabbing! Me and Balong were blown away on how they incredibly use specials effects.

Fire and smoke are everywhere.

The scene is so powerful that you can feel the intensity of the hurricane. I don’t know how they do it but the combination of fire, smokes, wind, and cold temperature really inexplicable! You should not miss this once in New York City Zone, it gives you the real studio film making experience on how they manipulate the film in just a small studio as if it’s too huge! The drama, excitement, plus the intensity rolled into one.

The wall starts to collapsed and there are so many falling debris.

Thanks we lined up or else we will fell gutted if we haven’t. It just a matter of minutes but it feels like forever just watching the whole ‘hurricane scene’. I'll say it again; it feels like it is absolutely REAL!!!!! They ended the whole scene with a huge cargo ship slamming the door entrance. After that, everybody clapped because of amazement that truly brought us to the whole setting as if we were experiencing it too. On our way out, the damaged boathouse restores itself, as if nothing happens! Truly unbelievable!

For just 3 minutes this is what happened, a huge cargo ship on the left bump to the boathouse and most of the walls and windows were destroyed. Look at the scenery of the New York city skyline, it seems nothing happen. Whew! What an experience!

So there you go, once you're here in New York City Zone, don't ever forget to passed by in here. It was just around 20 minutes all in all including the queuing but it was worth it!

Have a great day/night everyone.

Enan signing off.

Cheiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrioooooooooooosssssssssssss

SMILE!

:)

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