Musco Lighting - Ladder49

Character...Commitment...Courage... Ladder 49

Ladder 49 captures essence of firefighter profession
- Paul Ciancetta, photographer
In the hours and days following September 11, 2001, the nation got a glimpse inside a profession filled with unsung heroes. Yet it was enough to gain a lifetime of respect for firefighters who are so committed to saving lives that they routinely run into burning buildings when everyone else is running out.

Fire and rescue efforts at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon raised the awareness of their profession and is further enhanced by the Disney production Ladder 49. The recently-released film not only captures the essence of a firefighter's courage and deep sense of service in a demanding job, but it profiles their commitment to two families: one at home and one at the firehouse.

The story, which centers on the Baltimore, Maryland Fire Department, chronicles the life of firefighter Jack (Joaquin Phoenix) who ultimately becomes trapped in a burning building. As he waits for life or death, he reflects on everything important to him while mentor and chief Mike Kennedy (John Travolta) and his colleagues work frantically to free him.

Although the intent of writer Lewis Colick and director Jay Russell was to focus on the human side of the profession, Ladder 49 provides plenty of heart-stopping suspense and spectacular visuals. Capturing realism in true-to-life dramas as accurately as possible is always challenging. When the realism involves fiery explosions, the challenges multiply significantly. The story is wrapped around three different fires. Fantail Films' production company used the Musco Light™ for throw, which means projecting the light over a large area for more dramatic visual effects.

Paul Ciancetta, Musco technician, praised the efforts of the film crew to ensure everyone's safety at the fiery, explosive set. "It was difficult to stay away from the explosion, because one of the fire scenes took place at an abandoned warehouse on a pier," Ciancetta explained. "You could only go so far in one direction." The Musco Lights were on the set of the burning building for approximately three weeks due to the time it took to create the scenes in as safe an environment as possible.

"We would wait sometimes 4-5 hours to shoot one scene," Ciancetta said. The film crew checked wind conditions, gusts, direction, explosive devices, and fire equipment numerous times before proceeding. "You can't ever be too cautious about fire," Ciancetta continued, "but if there were such a thing as over-cautiousness in this situation, this crew had it."

The entire production crew worked hard to make this film as realisic to what firefighters experience daily as possible. To prepare for the role, the cast trained together at the Baltimore Fire Academy. All the gear worn and used in the film is completely authentic firefighter gear.

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