Thursday, April 15, 2010

The FUTURE WORLD Soundtrack Series

What if…?

It's a question Imagineers often use during every step when creating new experiences. It’s a question I often ask myself. At the heart of E82 is a vital and important question that serves as the drive for all the endeavors for this project and in fact The Project itself…
What if EPCOT Center was opening today?
I believe it’s one of the most thought provoking questions one can ask about a theme park that’s dedicated to the future and yet is fast approaching 30-years-old. What if John Hench, Marty Skylar, and Ray Bradbury were equipped with the technologies of today to realize their visions of the future? How would EPCOT be different? How would it remain the same? And how would it be presented to the world?
Today, Disney’s Marketing and Merchandise divisions are vast and expansive. We have over 10 completely different t-shirts for the Tower of Terror, there are art exhibits and events centered on just The Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Haunted Mansion appears to be getting a new album every ten years. This final example leads us to this question. What if "Disney Parks" released a new series of albums dedicated to the rich musical legacy of each of Future World’s pavilions? How would that look? And what would be included? Well, here is my attempt at an answer…


FWSS Imagination Front Cover

Welcome
to the
Future World Soundtrack Series.


This series is dedicated to the many composers that have penned life into EPCOT by writing the music of tomorrow. The Future World Soundtrack Series is an artistic expression of the soundscape of the Future. It’s not meant to be a literal archive of chronological sound cues, but rather a listening experience designed to take the listener on a symphonic journey into attractions past and present. In this series, very few things have been left untouched. In many cases, songs and score have been re-titled, re-arranged, re-mastered, or restored.
Our first Pavilion brings us to what was once called “the Fantasyland of Future World;” Journey Into Imagination has long rich and dramatic history, one that in the coming months will be exploring in depth here at E82. But for now, let us enjoy the wonder and whimsy of one of the most beloved Disney attractions in history.


The collection is broken down into two “Discs” (1.) DISC ONE is the original attractions of the Pavilion from 1982 to its completion in 1983. DISC TWO is a retrospective of the history and legacy of Imagination from 1982 until the present. The following is a track list of the two respective discs…

FWSS Imagination Disc 1
DISC ONE
The Original Journey


EPCOT Entrance Plaza
1. One Little Spark (3:30)
JOURNEY INTO IMAGINATION
2. Pavilion Atmosphere (15:21) 3. Flight into Imagination (4:06)
4. The Dreamport (1:04) 5. The Arts (1:17) 6. Literature (1:02)
7. Performing Arts (1:17) 8. Science and Technology (2:11)
9. Image Technology (2:21)
THE IMAGE WORKS
10. Electronic Philharmonic (4:42)
MAGIC JOURNEYS
11. Makin’ Memories (7:54) 12. Magic Eye Theater (3:12)
13. Magic Journeys (8:17) 14. Glass Atrium (16:29)

Download Disk One


FWSS Imagination Disc 2
DISC TWO
The Legacy of Imagination


1. FUTURE WORLD SOUNDTRACK SERIES – Main Theme (1:30)
2. ONE LITTLE SPARK – Ragtime (3:34)
3. ONE LITTLE SPARK – Instrumental (3:37)
4. MAGIC JOURNEYS – Official Album (3:30)
5. MAGIC JOURNEYS – Entrance Plaza (5:28)
6. CAPTAIN EO – The JLH Mix (9:00)
7. TRUE COLORS – Salute to Kodak (6:28)
8. HONEY, I SHRUNK THE AUDIENCE – The JLH Mix (5:01)
9. IMAGINATION INSTITUTE – The JLH Mix (10:03)
10. ONE LITTLE SPARK – 2003 Edition (2:09)
11. CHANGE THE WORLD – Tomorrowland 2055 (3:13)
12. ONE LITTLE SPARK – Entrance Plaza 2001 (3:01)


Download Disc Two

Reviews are more than welcome



Join us next week as E82 chronicles the evolution of the Future World Soundtrack Series and gives a glimpse into its future.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

"Notes" on the Future

With a mere five days from the launch of the Future World Soundtrack Series, the E82 Project is proud to release its 2nd Desktop Wallpaper. This monochromatic desktop, primarily features the FWSS "Future Notes" Logo.
With beams of light emanating from its base, Spaceship Earth is surrounded by a TEXTure of 15 songs and score pieces that represent the history of Epcot music, from "We've Just begun to Dream" to "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand."
If you look at the Copyright you'll notice that this collection and, in fact, all of E82 has been slowing evolving over a period of several years. (More on this story in a later post.)





4x3 - Future Notes

Full Screen




16x9 - Future Notes

Wide Screen



Display Instructions: Select the proper screen ratio (Full or Wide Screen) enlarge to original size and apply as Desktop Background, then “Fit to Screen.”
Finally all Desktops are designed to fill the screen so please display with an Auto-Hide Taskbar.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

E82 - Reloaded

Greetings Fellow Programs,

(Oh wait, this isn’t a TRON appreciation blog… or is it?)

I’m pleased to announce that most of my technical difficulties have been resolved, and I’m resuming my inconsistent yet mostly weekly posts. In a few days, the ramp-up to the Future World Soundtrack Series will begin. But before we begin, I’d like to share a very special new trailer to a very special film that has always been closely tied to the history of Epcot.
TRON, has always had I very close relationship to EPCOT. (1.) Released in July of 1982, the film ran with an EPCOT Center preview. The film’s poster contained the phrase: “The 21st Century begins October 1st 1982 at EPCOT Center in Florida” in the credits and TRON’s revolutionary Wormhole sequence began the finale to World of Motion until its closure in 1996. (2.) This footage was also used in the end scene for the short lived Journey into Your Imagination until its closure in 2003. (3.)
This is truly and exciting year for TRON and Epcot fans alike. Just recently, I discovered this modern re-imagining of TRON’s 1982 trailer. I thought this trailer and the events surrounding TRON Legacy perfectly encapsulates my vision and approach to the E82 Project.
E82 is about looking at the History, Music, and Design of EPCOT through fresh eyes by re-interpreting its original forward-thinking concepts with the technology and sophistication of today. Although I am just one man on this mission, it is my hope that my work will one day inspire Imagineers and Executives to look back to future for inspiration in creating Epcot’s new worlds of tomorrow.





Footnotes:
1. EPCOT Center was not the only Theme Park to have strong ties to a film. Before, During and After the Disney-MGM Studios opening it had three: Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Dick Tracy(1990) and The Rocketeer (1991). These films were very much part the Eisner/Wells vision for “the Hollywood that never was and always will be.”
2. One should also note that many key scenes and art and from TRON were used as backgrounds on GM promotional items from 1982 until 1995.
3. 2003 also marks the release of TRON 2.0, the video game that brought TRON full circle: The Movie inspires the games, and the game (2.0) indirectly inspires the sequel, TRON Legacy.