Exhibit:Creatures of the Light

Program: The Deep Ocean—script v14-final AMNH install version

Exhibit Section:8.5

Program Description:

This narrated, theater programreveals the surprising assortment of bioluminescent features of predators and prey in the deep ocean. Light is also shown asa method toattractmates. Actual footage of creatures mixed with 2D animations reveal the mechanisms of bioluminescence and its prevalence in the oceans. Deep-sea submersibles are just beginning to explore thedeep ocean realm where 90%of the creatures are bioluminescent.

Content/Education Goals:

  • Defensive Tools: Startle, counter-illumination, smoke screen (misdirection), burglar alarm.
  • Offensive Tools: Lure Prey, Illuminate Prey, mate attraction.
  • The largest source of light in the oceans is bioluminescence.
  • The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth.
  • 90% of all ocean creatures 1,500’ or below are bioluminescent.

Featured Creatures:

  • Viperfish **
  • Enypniastes (deep-sea sea-cucumber)
  • Shrimp (benthic or deep-sea) (paired with Stoplight Loosejaw)
  • Stoplight Loosejaw (Malacosteus niger) (tie-in with exhibit model)
  • Dragonfish (Melanostomias) (**Dragonfish are a big group and include Viperfish)
  • Errenna Siphonophore (paired w/ Bristlemouth fish; tie-in with exhibit model)
  • Atolla wyvilleijellyfish(not mentioned in script, but shown during ending)

Media Technical Specifications:

Floors and ceiling are dark/blackso that the projection frame merges into the environment.

Aspect Ratio: 16 x 9

Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Running Time: 6 minutes

Equipment List:

• ceiling mounted Projector by Christie Digital DWU670-E

• playback from Roku Brightsign -HD1010

Sounds specs: Stereo Audio with music track.


[INTRO—diving with a submersible:]

We areabout to enter a largely unexplored world: the deep ocean.

Submersibles measure their journey into the deepby fading sunlight.

Below the surface, the red portion of sunlight is quickly absorbed and scattered.

Deeper stillit’sperpetual midnight,and creatures of light rule.

[on-Screen TITLE:]

The Deep Ocean


[#1: VIPERFISH]

A light flashes in the dark.

What looks like a small morsel of foodis the glowing tip of the dorsal fin of a viperfish.

This deadly predator has fangs so longthey can’t fit inside its head.

The viperfish sets out its bioluminescent lureand waits motionless for the right moment to strike.

[#2 — Enypniastes Deep-Sea Sea-cucumber]

This isEnypniastes, a sea-cucumber.

Vulnerable to many predators, this fragile creaturedefends itself with light.

When threatened, Enypniastessheds a layer of glowing skin.

The shimmering burglar alarm revealsthe presence of the attacker to other,perhaps bigger predators.

[#3: Shrimp (Systellaspis affinis)

#4— Stoplight Loosejaw (Malacosteus niger)model in exhibit space]

A red shrimp is revealedunder the white lights of the submersible.

Redcoloring is a natural cloak of invisibility in the deep.

Like many deep-sea creatures, the stoplight loosejaw creates blue light.

But unlike most, the loosejaw can also emit andsee red light.

The loosejaw discovers the shrimp.

The shrimp spews out a luminous blue smokescreen, giving it the split second it needs to escape.

[#5 — Siphonophore — Errenna sp.— model in exhibit space.]

This undulating spiral is actually a deadly predator:

The Erenna siphonophore is in itsfishing pose.

Specialized tentaclesglow and flick, mimicking a shrimp-likecopepod.

It’s an irresistible trap for this fish.

[#6 BLACK DRAGON FISH, Melanostomias]

Flashy signals from a male dragonfish communicate: “Ladies, I’m available.”

It’s just one trick in this creature’s dazzling tool kit.

By adjusting its lights, the dragonfish blends in with the dim light from above.

Called counterillumination, this common adaptation allows creatures to hide from predators.

[#7 — Atolla wyvillei — and ENDING note on observing nature]

We know from studying what can be hauled to the surfacethat more than eighty percent of deep-sea creatures emit light.

By descending into the deep, marine biologists can observe these living lights in their natural environment.

As Earth’s largest habitat is further explored, we are likely to discover much more about creatures of light in the deep ocean.

[CREDITS]

produced by the

Exhibition Department of the American Museum of Natural History

footage courtesy of

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

music composer

TOM PHILLIPS

narrator

JONAH CHOINIERE

© 2012 AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

[COUNTDOWN]

PROGRAM BEGINS IN :30 (:29, :28…:01, :00)

CoL_me_8.5_Script v.14-finalPage 1

Producer/Writer: Sarah GallowayDate printed: 10/2/18