Glickman Productions had produced the Groundbreaking Celebration for the Ginsburg Tower three years prior, and had envisioned projecting huge images on the building for the Grand Opening — until we discovered the exterior was all glass, making it unsuitable for such projections.

Faced with the challenge of bringing this 15-story building to life without large-format projection, we wondered if it would be possible to place programmable LED lights in every room, and link them all together via computers to create a show of tower-sized designs “from the inside out.”

We tested the theory by placing two such lights in one room, and imagining the results multiplied across the entire face of the building. The potential was exciting, but nothing this size had ever been attempted. With the best minds in the business, we proceeded to create this new application of entertainment technology.

The project consisted of 420 programmable LED lights, many miles of cable, and computers programmed to play back a video which was custom-created by our Art Director in a 21 x 10 pixel format — to match the 21 rooms across and 10 usable floors. The resulting images would be full-color, motion-based designs, including scrolling words 10 stories high.

This visual creation would be synchronized, via time code, to orchestral music with dramatic voiceover, pyrotechnics, and lasers, all of which were choreographed to work as a single show element.

• Preshow, with jazz band, choir, and celebrity music performance
• Custom-created 100-beat countdown on a 15’ x 20’ IMAG video screen
• 10 herald trumpeters in white tuxes performing a custom fanfare on the 15^th floor roof edge
• Presentations by executives and dignitaries, such as former Governor Jeb Bush
• 6-minute finale, as described above, commemorating these dual celebrations

During the presentation segment, and just three minutes before the start of the finale, we received word that the hospital’s emergency helicopter (located onsite) needed to take off to rush to the aid of a cardiac patient. Having planned for this very unlikely — but possible — scenario, we had our assistant stage manager immediately instruct the emcee to temporarily pause the event and explain the reality of the circumstances to the guests. The helicopter soon took off to cheers, and the show resumed.

By all accounts, the event was a great success, prompting local accolades and national media attention, and fulfilling our client's wishes for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime celebration.