November 22, 2012 – Hey everyone! We’re back – this time with an update from Universal Studios Singapore’s “New York” section, home to Lights, Camera, Action!

So without further ado, let’s get started!

So as you can see, New York City pretty much resembles its counterpart at Universal Studios Florida – but smaller. Much smaller.

To the left, you have Lights, Camera, Action! – a Backdraft/Twister like show that features a demonstration of a large scale hurricane hitting New York.

…and to the right, you have more of the New York City facade.

Let’s head in!

So like Disaster/Twister/Backdraft, guests are divided into three sections.

…and like Backdraft/Twister/Disaster, the first room features a preshow video hosted by a notable guest. This time, it’s Steven Spielberg.

Another angle. The room is comprised of three large projection screens, coupled with smaller screens down below. A park employee gives you a brief introduction of what to expect (think of the preshow for the Special Effects Stage at Universal Studios Hollywood), and then you’re treated to a special video presentation.

Yep! It’s Steven Spielberg all right. Note the lighting effects behind the screens and the subtitles. The park needs to accommodate three languages.

The lighting effects almost remind me of those Phillips televisions that had LED color lighting on the back of the set to create a dramatic ambiance.

What can I say? It works. Universal Studios Hollywood should take note.

Into the main event.

The main demonstration is set inside a New York City warehouse.

Lights darken…

…and a news report begins.

Bad things happen…

…and boom! Fire.

More fire.

…and even more fire. LCA really is a mix of Backdraft and Twister. Think of both attractions hooking up, and you’ll have this – but without the anticlimactic ending of Twister.

Windows fly away…

Yep. Just when you think it couldn’t get worse.

BOOM!

CRASH. CRACKLE CRACKLE.

BOOMFIREFIRE.

And we’re done! Things drop, floors fall and the whole thing is over.

In the end, LCA appeared to take the best of Backdraft and Twister and combine both elements into a modern, special effects demonstration. Definitely worth checking out, and hey – it’s unique only to Universal Studios Singapore.

More of the New York facade. Reminds me of the Universal backlot.

…and like Japan, you have your obligatory Sesame Street show. I have to admit, it’s pretty odd to see this at a Universal park but I’m sure the guests are accustomed to it at this point.

More detailed theming…

Head on over to the other side of the New York facade, and you have your seaside port. Shame more people don’t wander into this section of the park.

Kind of eerie wandering around within this portion of this park. Universal should consider building something here to spruce the area up. The theming is great, but there’s just nothing here to do. No restaurants, shops – nothing.

Oddly enough, Panasonic has a huge presence in the park as well.

And that’s it for New York City at Universal Studios Singapore.

As I’ve reiterated in the past, New York City – along with Universal Studios Singapore as a whole – is unusually tiny. Like Hollywood, the area is only comprised of one main attraction alongside a street show. Great theming, but I’m hoping they expand this area as the park progresses. That being said, Lights, Camera Action! was a unique attraction, and I’m glad to see Universal continuing to produce special effects/demonstration-like shows. It gives guests a taste of Universal’s vast movie collection and a glimpse at how special effects are made.

That’s it for me. I’ll be back with further updates to come – so stay tuned! For now, please do check out our forums and join the conversation, like our Facebook and follow us on Twitter! See you real soon with another follow up.

– Jon Fu

About the Author: Jon Fu

Jon Fu is the editorial director of Inside Universal and oversees the creative direction of the site’s content.

Jon originally founded InsideUniversal.net in 2006 as a summer hobby aimed at providing families and fans a resource for all things “Universal Studios Hollywood”. Since then, the website has taken him throughout the United States and around the world – including to places like Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore.

Jon currently resides in Santa Cruz, California with his bamboo plant. You can reach him at jon@insideuniversal.net.