THE CLIENT
The National Railroad Museum commissioned Balance Studios to concept, design, and develop the multi-media and branding/marketing components of their newest exhibit “Pullman Porters: From Service to Civil Rights”.

THE MISSION
The overall goal of the exhibit is to “edu-tain”- to create an entertaining and informational story/experience with an exhibit flow-thru that peaks the interest and excitement of the visitor by providing an interactive verses spectator experience. The Pullman Porter exhibit combines the traditional museum exhibit concept of models and artifacts with modern and sometimes, ultra modern technology.

THE WORK
Balance began by recreating the Lake Mitchell railcar in photo-real 3D to be used as a fundraising and restoration reference. From there, the concept of a “virtual” Pullman Porter was accepted and commissioned. Working from a single black and white photograph from the 1940s, the Character Design and Animation Team designed, modeled and brought to digital life, Emanuel Hurst, an actual Pullman Porter, to act as the host of the exhibit. Using off the shelf and proprietary software, the Balance Animation Team meticulously animated, mocapped, rotoscoped, textured, lit and edited a striking recreation, that is sure to wow visitors for years to come.

Other multi-media components include the concept, design and development of the interactive history kiosk, fundraising and educational websites (www.pullmanporters.org), television commercials, web banner ads, and oral history films.

To see the Balance Studios showcase page for this exhibit, please visit this page: http://www.balancestudios.com/balancebeam/showcase/2008_PullmanPorters.htm