“Coney Island Lights,” a new video by photographer and self-described “footage guru” Jim McDonnell, is lyrical and bewitching. Lights from Coney’s various amusement parks and attractions come together fluidly thanks to masterful editing by Jim, who knows Coney Island and has a talent for distilling its essence into a short film.
Luna Park’s Air Race ride looks like its performing a ballet with the whirling pinwheels on the park’s lighted gate. You’ll also catch sight of the dancing lights of the landmark Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, Deno’s Carousel and the blinking red eye of the Spook-A-Rama Cyclops, 12th Street’s Saturn 6, Surf Avenue’s Eldorado, the new Boardwalk signs and Scream Zone rides, and the old school carnival rides in Cha Cha’s Steeplechase Park.
In 2010 and 2011, ATZ posted Jim McDonnell’s “Coney Island Dancing” videos. We’re looking forward to “Coney Island Dancing 2012,” which is being shot over the course of this summer.
Related posts on ATZ...
March 27, 2012: Video of the Day: Eldorado Auto Skooter at Coney Island (2011)
January 8, 2012: Video of the Day: Coney Island at Night by Edwin S. Porter
July 19, 2011: Video of the Day: Let Us Now Praise Coney Island’s Zipper
November 30, 2010: Video: The Wanted’s Lose My Mind at Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel Park
Wow, a swinging’, synchronized nocturnal coney!
Beautifully phrased!