As some communities get ready for big fireworks displays for the July 4th holiday, others are making different plans -- including drone light shows. Inside John Eric Henry's office in Oakland's Jack London Square, he likes to create 3D animations of things flying in the night. 'This is where the magic happens,' said Henry, owner of Pinnacle Drone Light Shows. 'This office used to be called the Holodeck , but now it's called Area 211 in honor of Area 51.
The city hired Sky Elements Drones, a major production company based in Texas, to put on a 400-drone light display at the Oxbow Commons on July 4th. French says, along with fire concerns, other factors such as mitigating noise for pets, and preventing PTSD triggers in veterans played a role in the city's decision.