Home > Preshow > Films > Original The first portion of the show, and often considered the "best part about the show" among many guests, was the pre-show. The pre-show film introduced guests to the subject of Energy with an overview of its most basic principles. The film, which featured both live-action and animated segments, was shown on a unique projection surface that was composed of 100 three-sided rotating elements. These elements would rotate in synchronization with the film to create a visual moving mosaic of kinetic energy. The film began with a general synopsis of the different types of energy found in nature including atomic, chemical, electrical, mechanical, heat and light energy. From there, the film discussed how mankind used his ingenuity to harness these forms of energy for his own use. Beginning with the most primitive method of creating fire though friction, guests learned of how man soon applied more sophisticated methods of harnessing fire, wind, flowing water, and finally fossil fuels. The film finally ended in modern day where it posed the challenge of mankind having to find alternative energy sources for the future. The film concluded with a short theme song praising energy and how it has continued to drive our civilization through the centuries. The eight-minute pre-show film was projected through the use of five 35mm motion picture projectors onto a screen that measured 90 feet in length by 14 feet in height. The screen, which was designed by Czech filmmaker and artist Emil Radok, was composed of 100 three-sided rotating prism-shaped elements, each measuring 3½ square. Each element featured one side coated in non-reflective black while the other two sides featured standard white projection surfaces. Each element had the ability to rotate independently or in concert with other elements via servomotor. The elements were controlled and coordinated by microprocessors (one for each element), which were synchronized with the film. As directed by the computer, each segment could show a black or white face, or give one of several combinations of black and white with its point facing forward. Over a billion different combinations of the screen elements were possible. This show marked the first time that a computer had been used to move elements within a motion picture presentation. The theme song featured at the end of the film, entitled "Energy (You Make the World Go 'Round)," was written and performed by Bob Moline who wrote various other original themes for the EPCOT Center pavilions. Though this beloved song is no longer featured in the attraction, fans will appreciate the reference to it in the finale of Ellen's Energy Adventure (we won't spoil it for you here, in case you haven't seen the new show; however, if you'd like to see the reference, it can be found in the Ellen's Energy Adventure script).