Original Earthquake The Big One Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour Television Commercial (1989)

Earthquake: The Big One

The Universal Studios Hollywood, Studio Tour tram enters Stage 50 (“the only split level soundstage in the world”), all seems quiet as the film crew is on a lunch break. Then the ground starts shaking…

Earthquake attraction simulates a large earthquake, rated at 8.3 on the Richter scale inside a soundstage, designed to make it look like a San Francisco subway station. They have a "hot set"; (A movie set where nothing should be moved since the set has been used for filming and will be used again for filming.) The attraction features a gimbal that allows it to shake the tram, a burning gasoline truck that collapses through the roof, fire and spark effects (Tesla coils), a derailing subway train, and a 60,000-gallon flood of water. The attraction resets itself within just 15 seconds to prepare itself for the next tram load of guests.

The attraction has been closed twice due to real earthquakes: October 17, 1989, following the Loma Prieta tremblor in Northern California (7 months after the attraction opened) and on June 28, 1992, resulting in a closure for 24 hours for safety checks.

Note: The attraction never featured live performers, except for the purposes of video marketing.

Earthquake: The Big One was built in 1988, and replaced the Tower of London set which stood on the spot. Stage 50 was constructed specifically for this attraction. It’s not an actual soundstage used for production on the Universal Studios lot. However, the attraction has been featured in a small number of films and television shows.
The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (1990) Short sequence showing the flooding side of the attraction during the aftershock earthquake.
Beverly Hills Cop III (1993) Alien Attack ride in the Wonder World theme park.
Seaquest DSV (1993)
Bones (2009) [Earthquake scene – Season 5, Episode 15]

Attraction Credits
Earthquake (Bart) Universal Studios Tour 1989
Producer: Larry Lester
Technical Coordinator: Nick Drobnis (Currently: Sr. Manager Shows and Events Tech Services at NBC Universal)
Project Coordinator: David Codiga (Currently: Principal at The Codiga Company LLC), Cindy Pasek
Model Builders: Paul Wolfe, Peter Barnes, Steve Lodwick
Director of Construction: Ernie Capron
Construction Manager: John Knutsen
Project Accountant: Sue Heidenfelder
Architect: Altoon & Porter
Mechanical Engineer: David Chen & Associates
Structural Engineer: Kent Bingham, Hillman Biddison & Associates
Electrical Engineer: Nikolakopolos & Associates
Gas, Flame & Steam: AISCO
Controls: Anitech System
Hydraulic Model: Arctec Offshore
Soils Testing: Leroy Crandall & Associates
Sound Testing: Davy & Associates
Show Water Systems: Dunn Lee Smith & Klein
Civil Engineers: IWA
Underground Tanks (Methane Gas): Lockman & Associates
Animation Effects: Sequoia Creative, Inc. (Bob Gurr)
Sound Systems: Teletechnologies, Inc.
Lighting Design: Theoria Productions
Collapsing Ceiling Effect: Wieland Machine & Effects
Special Effects: Studio
Motion Control: Royal Hydraulics (https://www.royalhydraulics.com/)

ABOUT
The Studio Tour (also known as The Backlot Tour) is a ride attraction at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in Universal City, California near Los Angeles. The park's signature attraction, it travels through a working film studio, with various film sets on the Universal Studios Lot. In recent years, guests have sat in multi-car trams for the duration of the ride. It lasts about 45–60 minutes and is led by a live tour guide who can be seen throughout the tram on video monitors. It travels through the Front Lot, Backlot and various attractions, passing sets and props from movies along the way.

© 1989 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
(https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/)
Posted for entertainment and educational purposes only.
No copyrights were infringed. All works property of the company listed above.

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