News

Adult Discourse

Joshua L Harris — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:18:38 +0000

What does it mean to be a truly unique theme park in an otherwise oversaturated market of child-focused entertainment — the challenges of word association, and the enormous marketing potential that lies dormant in the world’s first theme park created for adults.

Click on the geosphere to continue.

The Wonders of Music

Joshua L Harris — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:01:00 +0000

The miracle of birth, chaotic adventures inside the mind and fantastic voyages into the human body – the FutureWorld Soundtrack Series continues with its only singularity. “Take the Ride of Your Life…” back to 1989 and celebrate the sheer joy that comes from exploring the everyday Wonders of Life.…

Click on the album cover to hear more.

The Future of E82 ? ? ?

Joshua L Harris — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:30:28 +0000

"Well, I'd say it's been my biggest problem all my life. MONEY. It takes a lot of money to make these dreams come true. From the very start it was a problem. Getting the money to open Disneyland. About seventeen million it took. And we had everything mortgaged including my personal insurance." – Walt Disney

In much the same way, E82 has always been on the verge of closure and it currently “loses” about $300.00 in hosting fees per year (a cost that, believe it or not, cuts deep into my current finances).

But more valuable than money is the Time invested into revitalizing EPCOT Centered concepts – time that’s often “stolen” from higher priorities like education, health, socialization, and artistic/career development (ironically all Epcot values).

E82 is a labor of love, the definition of a Passion Project and it is one that I hope will continue for a long time. And once my education is no longer such a large factor of my “free” time I fully expect that the Legacy will continue at a faster pace. However, I cannot ignore the hard facts that without any measurable incentive E82’s development will always be excruciatingly slow.

If you enjoy E82 and support the dual causes of “Appreciation through Exposure” (History & Music) and would like to see Epcot (the park) continue to be positively effected through the process of “Influence through Inspiration” (Art & Legacy) Please Support E82 by Making a Donation!

Did You Know…
That early supporters of E82 have been enjoying the Wonders of Life edition of the FWSS for almost a month now!? With your donation of $10 or more you will also have the opportunity to experience advanced or exclusive material from The Epcot Legacy.

Click on the Image below to Sponsor E82

The Future of E82... Rests with you!

M. E. T.

Joshua L Harris — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:47:45 +0000

With 16 days until the FWSS release of the Wonders of Life I can think of no better time to focus on the pavilion’s unique and eclectic attractions. Additionally, I think is high time I start using these meticulously created vectorizations for something more that the postage stamp sized elements that adorn the inside covers of the soundtrack albums.

Click on the Logo to Continue.

ATTN: MET Probe Crew Members

Please use the following proved desktop on all facility monitors, including all XLGS-750 bays, and Mission Command work stations.

Thank You,

– Cdr. Cynthia Lair PhD.

The desktop background features elements from several versions of the Logo throughout the queue with a few “E82-style” enhancements. The background is inspired by the checker panels of the attraction’s upper queue. The “MET” recalls the graphic buffers displayed on the overhead monitors while the body probe and concentric circles simulate the lighted main marquee found at the attraction’s entrance lobby.

Celebrate the Joy of . . . Life!

Joshua L Harris — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:37:57 +0000

The countdown officially begins today…

Anyone remember when I thought that Wonders might a little light or (even worse) boring as a Two Disc compilation??? Well, turns out I grossly underestimated the musical depth of this, the last of Future World’s sprawling pavilions. As a result, this singularity in Epcot history will come to you as an expansive collection featuring OVER TWO HOURS of specially arranged, constructed, enhanced and restored musical compilations!

Experience the Wonder!

5 . 28 . 13

E.P,C o T Texture Series -CommuniCarpet

Joshua L Harris — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:46:55 +0000

When one thinks of richly detailed themed environments Epcot’s Future World is probably close to bottom of that list. With its large, featureless pavilions and streamlined interiors one might think of it as a world of basic forms with little texture. However, if one looks just a little closer you can see the future world is filled with wonderfully subdued surfaces with a richness of character all its own. With this in mind…

Welcome to the
EXPERIMENTAL PATTERNS, CARPETS OR TEXTILES SERIES!
or TEXTURES SERIES (for short:)

The series begins with one of the most famous custom carpets ever created for a theme park –
The CommuniCore Carpet!

Note on Color:
If you do a Google search of CommuniCore Carpet you’ll see two color variants (a Green, Red & Teal version and a Purple, Magenta & Black one). If you look at the dates you’ll notice the older the picture the darker the color and therefore more accurate. It's also my belief that considering Dark Purple (Plum?) was the identity color of the pavilion its more than likely that this was closer to the original state of floor covering that after 25 years of sun exposure faded into the lighter (teal) version seen in latter day photographs.

Celebrate the Joy of . . .

Joshua L Harris — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:29:43 +0000

SSE Hues - Fushsiaristic!

Joshua L Harris — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:50:36 +0000

“YEAR 3” of The E82 Project begins with a completely new look, and a new Hue for Spaceship Earth! This one features a rarely used but dynamic lighting scheme prominently featured on the cover of WDP’s 1982 Annual Report…

Click on “the ball” to visit the new ART page to download the new Hue!

Constructing Tomorrow #9

Joshua L Harris — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:47:52 +0000

30 days before opening of the “Newest Wonder of the World,” The EPCOT Center News Briefs provided daily progress reports for the many facets in bringing 21st Century to life in 1982.

Click the News Brief to go indepth into the latest installment of Constructing Tomorrow.

Candlelights

Joshua L Harris — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:29:06 +0000

During this glorious time of year it’s become an E82 annual tradition to celebrate Epcot’s “grand finale” of seasonal events – Epcot Holidays Around the World is arguably the most meaningful of all events in the history of themed entertainment. A key element to these proceedings is the ever popular Candlelight Processional and thus the subject of this year’s background...

And for those of you new to E82, please checkout our previous offerings including…

The Lights of Winter Background Collection
Epcot Holidays Around the World Music Program
& A Full Recreation of the Lights of Winter Soundtrack

Rebuilding the Legacy

Joshua L Harris — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:01:31 +0000

Now that you’ve downloaded the album, read about its dramatic development - from conflicting genres, to the controversial edits, and the incident that nearly Killed E82 Forever!…

Click on the Cover Art to Continue.

Special Note: For the first time ever on The E82 Project, YOU can help shape evolution of the Future World Soundtrack Series next installment – The Wonders of Life!

Announcing – SSE Hues!

Joshua L Harris — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 08:00:58 +0000

In honor of Epcot’s 30th Anniversary, E82 is proud to present a New Series for The Epcot Legacy (yes, another series:). “SSE Hues” pays tribute to the original lighting schemes of Spaceship Earth and suggests new color combinations for tomorrow.

The first several editions are directly based on designer Joe Falzetta’s original lighting schemes and should be released rather quickly so keep your “eye on the ball” for new Hues soon!

It's Working!

Joshua L Harris — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:15:39 +0000

I hope that you don’t think I’m crazy or egoistical when I say this, but in E82’s tiny two-year existence A LOT has transpired, both for myself and for the project but the goal and philosophy of E82 has always remained the same — Influence through Inspiration. And in small way, it’s working! The E82 Overture has been interpreted by designer Stephen Dettling as a multi-media lightshow (that really makes me want to finish the Vista Series)…

And its seems that D23 is even influenced by the Future World Soundtrack Series…

I say (and show) these things not elevate E82, but simply to state the cyclical power of inspiration. Epcot inspires me to create new art from yesterday’s bold visions of tomorrow, which in turn inspires others to create even more great things which inspires me to go on and create new things.

EPCOT Center’s 30th birthday is one of joy and sorrow. Joy over the accomplishments of Imagineer’s that jump-started the 21st Century 18 years before its chronological beginning, and sorrow over absence of those things now lost. The birthday of any living institution is two-fold — a celebration of the past and the excitement of tomorrow. As of this date not much is planned for Epcot’s future, but it’s only a matter of time before all eyes will be on “the ball” as it is still THE park of the greatest potential with an altruistic message that’s a necessity for its World and the world of tomorrow.

FWSS - Special Edition

Joshua L Harris — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 23:38:32 +0000

“If we don’t start [Star Wars] soon,
George Lucas is going to change it again!”
-The Big Bang Theory

In addition to Full Sail classes, multiple initiatives and massive research/data analysis for a Magic Kingdom project. “JLH Omnimedia” is going through an extensive restructuring of its assets, and one of the first things I decided to tackle was the FWSS (album covers and other visual data). As part of the process, I was able to eliminate over a GB of redundant or outdated material!

The benefit all of this is a better workflow and organization making projects easier to produce and control. However, all of this re-examining of past projects has bred contempt for slightly less than professional design elements and… well, it’s led to this…

No, you’re not having a flashback to two years ago, but the Entire Future World Soundtrack Series has been “Re-released” with a few hundred microscopic changes in the overall aesthetic look of the Series. Each Volume (even The Land) has been changed to reflect the New and Permanent style. (Don’t worry I promise this is the last time I’ll be doing this!)

Highlights Include…

New/Enhanced Cover Art
Embedded Artwork for all Audio Files
Consistent Liner Notes
and a Newly remixed Captain EO for Imagination

All changes are now in place.
Please visit the MUSIC page to re-download the series!

NOTE:
Although, I’m optimistically calling this a “Re-release”, think of it more as a “Recall” and please help keep the digital frontier clean by deleting all previous/inferior files.

Symphony for the Seeds

Joshua L Harris — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:01:00 +0000

From the kabaret in the kitchen to hang gliding over California, the FutureWorld Soundtrack Series continues by showcasing the pavilion that is as musically diverse as it is massive. Get ready to set sail for a voyage from our agricultural beginnings to the symbiotic relationship that can only come from listening to The Land…

Click on the album cover to hear more.

In Other News, I’d like to welcome our New Editor, Sharon Moore-Smith to E82. A dynamic and accomplished Marketing Specialist for OYP and Chatter Buzz Media, she also shares a passion for the past and future of the Walt Disney Company. I’m sure that her contributions toward organizing my thoughts and sweeping through my grammatical blunders will benefit The Epcot Legacy now and into the future!

Constructing Tomorrow #8

Joshua L Harris — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 05:08:58 +0000

30 days before opening of the “Newest Wonder of the World,” The EPCOT Center News Briefs provided daily progress reports for the many facets in bringing 21st Century to life in 1982.

Click the News Brief to go indepth into the latest installment of Constructing Tomorrow.

Listen to . . . The Land

Joshua L Harris — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:39:57 +0000

Mark Your Calendars!

The Future World Soundtrack Series will increase to include the largest and longest edition to date spanning three generations of attractions, shows and restaurants.

Highlights include…

Custom Remixes for Symbiosis and Kitchen Kabaret
New Arrangements for Farmer’s Market, Sunshine Seasons, & Soarin’
and a Special Interpretation for Living with the Land

Get ready to Sing the Praise of Good Nutrition, Soar through the clouds, and Listen to the Land We All Love.

Harvest Season Begins in just 20 days!

Constructing 2.0!

Joshua L Harris — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:09:13 +0000

I’ve had the idea of combining pictures with the story of EPCOT Center’s final days of construction for a while now BUT with a finite amount of pictures and an even more finite amount of News Briefs picture selection proved to be a lot more difficult than I originally thought. (If I use an awesome photo today that better applies to the News Brief of tomorrow… well I just can’t stand for that kind of imperfection.) However, after much planning (including all 30 entrees left to go), I’ve decided to go forward with presenting past and future issues in the series with photo accompaniment. Most images will be on topic (if not from the exact day!) while others might only be a severe tangent. So I would suggest looking back at Constructing Tomorrow for all the new additions.
Just keep in mind that some of these may appear sedate, but I guarantee things will get a lot more interesting from here on. Just as with opening of the park we’ve really just begun to dream!

Caption:
An aerial shot of the construction site from June 1980, the only thing completed is the cast parking lot which will soon serve the many construction workers that will make EPCOT center a reality.

Spirits of America

Joshua L Harris — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:13:46 +0000

Inspired by the Grand Finale of the American Adventure, the Spirits of America incorporates the statues that line the walls of the Liberty Theater into the dramatic sunrise as depicted in the show’s climatic Statue of Liberty sequence.

Click on the Image to Continue

Designer’s Notes: In order to compose the final image, this piece required an intense amount of “rotoscoping” for each element performed entirely by hand (including all 12 statues) – no automatic isolation was used in the creation of this piece! Additionally, the Torch and stain-glass Flame although part of the same set piece were actually composited from two completely separate images.

ID4 @ E82

Joshua L Harris — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:44:36 +0000

For those of you new to E82, we pause our regularly scheduled projects and posts to celebrate only two holidays - or more accurately birthdays. The Birth of Jesus, whose life is a testament to the concepts of Peace, Love, Compassion, Understanding and Freedom and the Birth of our “Host Nation”, which was founded on the additional principles of unity, diversity, and democracy. Both of these events make a place like Epcot possible! In tribute to US Independence Day, E82 News Page is now fully decorated for The 4th for the first time. If you’ll like join the digital festivities might I suggest this abstraction of The Stars and Stripes with a certain Georgian Manor house in the foreground ;) . . .

Click on the Image to Continue

Additionally, I’m working on a concept that should take Golden Dreams to a whole new level. So expect a Highly “Spirited” new Background in the near future!