Thursday, December 24, 2015

A Bigger, Better Star Wars Christmas Light Show



I’ve been avoiding posting computerized Christmas light shows, because they start to look alike after a while, and the songs are too long. But this is special. Tom BetGeorge’s home in Tracy, California, went all out  with a light show set to a medley of Star Wars themes. BetGeorge is well known for his light shows, we posted the Star Wars light show he had last year in Newark, New Jersey, and his 2013 light show, too.
Since 99% of the lights are LEDs, the electricity to run the show for the entire month is about $80. I sequenced the show using LOR, mixed the music/sound effects with Digital Performer, and filmed it using a Sony A7s Mark ii and a Phantom 3 Pro. This is now my third year decorating. I built all the props using wood, metal, acrylic and corrugated plastic. I am a music director for a living (Centerville Presbyterian Church in Fremont), hence the massive instruments! If you look closely (especially during the Cantina song) the instruments are playing the real notes! Although the beams are powerful up close, they are a small percentage of real searchlights and are so widely dispersed that by the time they are up in the sky, they don't interfere with aircraft etc. The guitar is 17', the piano is 19' and the drums are standard. About 20,000 channels running around 70,000 lights.
The BetGeorges are accepting donations for their local homeless shelter, the McHenry House, from folks who come by to enjoy the lights. (via The Daily Dot)

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