Stage Three

Built in 1953-1954 specifically for the “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” scene in which the “Nautilus” was attacked by a giant squid, Stage Three was designed for complex filming that used wind, rain, and waves to create a storm. It contains a unique water effects tank divided into two parts for underwater and special effects filming, with a deepest section measuring 60'W x 60'L x 8'D and a shallow section measuring 60'W x 20'L x 3½'D. A separate camera pit on the south side of the tank shielded camera equipment, and water was held back by a steel bulkhead containing three photographic ports and three viewing ports at different levels. The tank was equipped with a water effects pumping and filtration system designed to handle up to 4,000 gallons of water per minute. Beginning in the 1960’s, the tank area was also used heavily as Disney pioneered the use of the sodium screen process. In the 1970’s, Stage 3 was equipped with the first computerized motion control system. The ACES (Animated Camera Effects System), designed by Disney engineers, broke new ground with technology that became one of the foundations of current special effects photography. In addition to underwater photography projects, Stage 3 was used for “Island at the Top of the World,” “The Black Hole,” and special effects photography for the Disney/MGM Studios Theme Park.

Burbank, California · United States