Close Menu
Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Threads
    Tuesday, May 20
    Trending
    • Universal Orlando shares Grand Opening Day hours and details for Guests
    • What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of May 19, 2025
    • Universal Orlando announces 2025 Summer offerings; including limited-time experiences & entertainment
    • Universal Orlando to celebrate Jaws 50th Anniversary with limited-time Amity area
    Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • Home
    • News
      • Hollywood
        • Photo Updates
        • CityWalk Hollywood
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood
        • Events
      • Orlando
        • Photo Updates
        • Universal Studios Florida
        • Islands of Adventure
        • Epic Universe
        • Universal’s Volcano Bay
        • CityWalk Orlando
        • Universal Resorts
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Orlando
        • Events
      • Japan
        • Photo Updates
        • Events
      • Singapore
      • Beijing
      • Other Universal Destinations
      • Outside Universal
        • Walt Disney World
        • SeaWorld Orlando
        • Around Orlando
        • Disneyland Resort
        • Knott’s Berry Farm
        • Around California
    • Forums
    • Inside Universal Podcast
    • Features
    • Merchandise
    Inside Universal
    Home»Features»Behind the scenes of the Special Effects Show at Universal Studios Hollywood

    Behind the scenes of the Special Effects Show at Universal Studios Hollywood

    January 31, 2016 Features By Jon Fu
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit Copy Link

    “How do we redevelop what is essentially the same show, but really get it to where it should be?”

    That’s the question Universal sought to accomplish when they went into development for the new Special Effects Show nearly a year ago. While the Upper Lot’s iteration of the Special Effects Stage premiered in 2010 to somewhat positive – if not overly cautious – reviews, it had never achieved the same spirit as the original Special Effects Stages that was famously housed in the Lower Lot years ago.

    Feature: Behind the Scenes of the new Special Effects ShowThe Creative Director of the new Special Effects Show and the Senior Vice President of Entertainment
    Feature: Behind the Scenes of the new Special Effects ShowUniversal’s initial brainstorming meeting to redevelop the Special Effects Show

    Back in 2010, Universal had sought to transfer the same comedic atmosphere that had been quietly nurtured in the Lower Lot production to a larger, more elaborate production on the Upper Lot. While the Upper Lot production – housed in the infamous Castle Theater – carried some of the elements made so famous in Universal’s original production, it had never quite managed to capture the edgy, comedic (and sometimes sardonic) look at the movie-making industry that made the Lower Lot show such a continuous draw for fans. Comedy is often said to be the most effective in small, intimate environments, and the Castle Theater’s 1700 room capacity often made it difficult for hosts to connect with the audience on a personal level.

    In a trend that began with the overhaul of WaterWorld back in 2014, Universal re-evaluated their current production of the Special Effects Stage and tried to emphasize and bolster the stronger elements in the show. The Special Effects Show was born.

    “We took a look at the Special Effects Stage and realized that we wanted to get a little more information into the show,” Senior Vice President of Entertainment Tim Runco remarked at the Special Effects Show Annual Pass showing. “And maybe add a couple of things that would make the production more spectacular”

    Making the Special Effects Show more spectacular

    Feature: Behind the Scenes of the new Special Effects ShowA storyboard for the show’s new burn sequence
    Feature: Behind the Scenes of the new Special Effects ShowA rendering of a proposed car stunt that was eventually dropped in the new show
    Feature: Behind the Scenes of the new Special Effects ShowA stylized rendition of the blood knife trick

    Gone is the emphasis on melding comedy and information – a dubious combination in a theater known for troubled productions – and in its place, an informative and, more importantly, spectacular look at Hollywood movie-magic. However, while the creative team at Universal may have infused more stunts into the show, they also chose to focus on the important contextual elements that ultimately tie a production together. Towards the end of its shelf life, the Special Effects Stage gained a reputation for its reliance on long video segments lifted from the Despicable Me franchise. The new Special Effects Show would need to captivate audiences with information that they didn’t already know, and in a manner that would allow the show to move at a brisk pace.

    Refinement would be key, and segments from the previous show would either need to be rethought or dropped completely to incorporate the show’s new action sequences. Segments – like the green screen demonstration and bits explaining the use of computer-generated imagery – were removed or condensed in favor of elements that involved more sophistication and engaging audience participation (like the familiar Foley bit from the original Lower Lot production). Once the informational portion of the show was completed, Universal turned to Action Horizons to focus on the show’s new stunts.

    Collaboration

    Feature: Behind the Scenes of the new Special Effects ShowAn early dress rehearsal of the new Special Effects Show
    Feature: Behind the Scenes of the new Special Effects ShowThe cast of the new Special Effects Show

    Coming off the heels of the successful relaunch of WaterWorld 2.0, Action Horizons went through weeks of research and development to incorporate stunts into the new show that would be both engaging for audiences and safe for their performers to perform. New elements like the indoor burn and the fight sequences were carefully choreographed to allow actors to perform up to 12 performances per day, and in incredibly tight spaces. While Hollywood’s iteration of WaterWorld may be the tiniest of the three versions that exist worldwide, Action Horizons would need to work in an even smaller environment that came with the Castle Theater. Concepts like a hovering car were originally proposed, but Universal eventually refined their roster to three stunts involving wire hangs, a fight sequence and an indoor burn – the latter of which proved to be a fan favorite at the Annual Pass Event. Universal – obviously happy with the show’s final product – made it a point to note the collaborative partnership between them and Action Horizons.

    “We’ve got really a first-rate group of performers and company,” Runco said of Action Horizons, and with WaterWorld 2.0 and the new Special Effects Show under their belt, one can’t really argue with their results.

    The new Special Effects Show can be seen in the Castle Theater at Universal Studios Hollywood. We’d like to thank Universal for hosting another Annual Pass Event. It’s phenomenal to see them ramp up their engagement with the fan community.

    behind the scenes Special Effects Show Universal Studios Hollywood
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleReinventing Inside Universal
    Next Article Universal Studios Hollywood introduces new EZ Rez ticketing system
    Jon Fu

    Related Posts

    Features

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of May 19, 2025

    May 19, 2025
    Features

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of May 12, 2025

    May 12, 2025
    Events

    Universal Studios Hollywood announces Universal Mega Movie Summer event; starting June 13

    May 8, 2025
    LATEST POSTS

    Universal Orlando shares Grand Opening Day hours and details for Guests

    May 19, 2025

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of May 19, 2025

    May 19, 2025

    Universal Orlando announces 2025 Summer offerings; including limited-time experiences & entertainment

    May 16, 2025

    Universal Orlando to celebrate Jaws 50th Anniversary with limited-time Amity area

    May 16, 2025

    Universal Orlando changes smoking policy; removes smoking areas within theme parks

    May 15, 2025
    About Inside Universal

    Inside Universal is a website dedicated to covering Universal Parks & Resorts, specifically Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. Our team of editors is committed to providing fact-based, non-sensationalist content that educates and informs our readers while still focused on having fun.

    Inside Universal aims to maintain a rational perspective, allowing us to offer commentary, news, and analysis about Universal Parks. Our mission is to provide you, the reader, with accurate and in-depth reporting to the best of our ability. This is our goal - nothing more, nothing less.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON OUR FORUMS
    If you’re looking to have your Universal-related question answered, or if you’d simply like to chat about the park’s future developments, Inside Universal's forums is the Internet’s leading unofficial forum dedicated to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. MEI Travel
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • About Us
    • Masthead
    • Contact
    • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2025 All Rights Reserved - Inside Universal is not affiliated with Comcast, NBCUniversal, Universal Parks & Resorts, or Universal Destinations & Experiences. You may not copy, redistribute, publish, sell, or otherwise make the original contents of this website available to third parties unless you have received prior authorization from Inside Universal.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT