DMNS Weather Central – 2009 edition

Back in 1996, Eddie Goldstein and Joe Wiggins created a show called “Weather Central.” It was about the science of Colorado thunderstorms. We used experiments to explain the science and a Carousel slide projector showing still photos of the 9News Weather Team (then headed by Mike Nelson) to give us “field reports” from an imaginary lightning storm.

Fast forward to 2009. As part of Space Odyssey’s “Down to Earth” grant from the Gates Family Foundation, we have recreated the show, better than ever, and renamed it “DMNS Weather Central.”

The show takes place on a typical summer’s day in Colorado. It’s afternoon and the weather is beginning to change. For our first field report, we go to 9News meteorologist Marty Coniglio who is standing outside the Museum. The lights on the stage dim, and we see high definition video of Marty reporting on the changing weather outside.

This updated version of the show has six “field reports” from lightning storms, to hail storms, to an approaching tornado. We created these by putting our scientists (Marty Coniglio, David Grinspoon, Greg Thompson-from NCAR) and educator (Jennifer Moss Logan) in front of a green screen, then chromakeying in video of severe weather which we got from NCAR and from 9News.

And all of the experimental apparatus has been completely redone for the Galaxy Stage including a Van de Graaff generator to make lightning and a large box which can produce a tornado using convection currents. There are even satellite maps showing the progress of our imaginary storm.

The entire show is driven by the new WatchOut media control system which Gannon Kashiwa’s team has installed on the Galaxy Stage in Space Odyssey.

So many people worked hard to make this show happen, that the list would sound like an acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. But here goes.

For technical support, video, and lighting: Gannon Kashiwa, Ian Holtum, Tim Nicholson, Matt Brownell, Janicek Media-Creative Company, Greg Koronowicz

For Props: Steve Morgan, Dimitri Klebe

For Legal: Lynda Knowles

For Stage and Graphics: Salle Tulchin, Dave Pachuta, Rob Jurado, Jeff Yearick, Dave Lewis, Laurel Scheiwe

For all around help: Dave Cuomo

On Camera Field Reporters: Jennifer Moss Logan, Marty Coniglio, Greg Thompson, David Grinspoon

Science Advisors: Greg Thompson (NCAR), Marty Coniglio (9News)

Written and Directed by: Eddie Goldstein