Capturing History: A Two-Year Time Lapse Journey of the Plaza Theater Reconstruction

From January 2024 to late October 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to document the full reconstruction of the iconic Plaza Theater in Palm Springs through a dedicated two-year time lapse project. This was a first for me in terms of scale and duration, and it’s a project I’m incredibly proud to have brought to life.

To capture the transformation, I installed two construction time lapse cameras on site. These cameras were set up to run continuously, snapping away every few minutes, creating a visual story of the theater's rebirth. Every two to three months, I would visit the site to swap out batteries and download footage – a bit like a relay, ensuring everything kept rolling smoothly over the long haul.

One of the challenges was the cameras’ remote monitoring capabilities—or the lack thereof. Since I couldn’t check on them remotely, the process was a true test of patience and trust in the equipment. This meant that if something went wrong, I wouldn’t find out until my next visit. And, sure enough, about three months in, one camera experienced a failure, causing a loss of footage. Thankfully, having two cameras meant I didn’t lose the entire story, just a bit of footage on one side. This redundancy was a lifesaver and definitely something I’d recommend for anyone attempting a similar long-term project.

Despite this hiccup, the cameras performed reliably, and the footage captured some amazing moments—from the first construction crews arriving, through the intricate rebuilding stages, all the way to the final touches that brought the Plaza Theater back to life. Watching those months of progress compressed into minutes is truly something special—an artistic peek behind the scenes of a major construction project.

This time lapse project pushed my skills and patience in new ways, and the result is a compelling visual record that both the community and clients can cherish. It’s a testament to the value of persistence, preparation, and a bit of faith in technology when working long-term in the field.

Here’s to many more projects that capture important transformations in the most creative ways!