People want to be inspired and moved in some way and feel some kind of connection to a space, so I think we all benefit from using storytelling as a critical part of any space. As a connoisseur of American history, Weis had worked on several military-themed projects. We want people to feel that these experiences are their story and that the story becomes about them. Thats one of the big things that Marty was writing and speaking about: a sense of optimism. late Imagineering leader Marty Sklar used to say that Disneyland is a place We focus on bringing you all things fun so you can plan your theme park vacation, enjoy Disney at home, and more. He recently sat down with the Disney Parks Blog to discuss highlights from his work on Disney theme park projects around the globe over the span of five decades. I began on Tokyo Disneyland, so Id say the biggest shift for me is we went from two theme parks in the United States to 12 around the world. This is different from what were used to, which is watching things on a screen or seeing a piece of sculpture or painting in a museum. Related: Legendary Disney Imagineer Retiring After 42 Years. Thats just been a huge growth curve in my experience. This is why Gensler is so important in the development of immersive experiences. The Untold Truth of Don Lemons partner & fianc TV Series second unit director - 2 episodes, Raoul Wallenberg: Between the Lines (1986). Instead of the traditional Adventureland we created Adventure Isle, plus an entire land themed to pirates. The project made sailors feel like they were at sea for twelve hours. Serving the themed entertainment industry, Buzz Price Thea Award Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements, The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, New Jerseys Clementon Park up for auction March 23, BREAKING: California parks hopeful about April reopening prospects, Wt Workshop Unleashed honored with Thea Award for innovative hybrid tour experience, 27th Thea Awards Digital Case Studies lineup announced, Analog Way Picturall Pro Media Server drives 2021 TEA Thea Award recipient Entrance Experience at St. Louis Aquarium, ISE Open Innovation Challenge ready for submissions, Chessington World of Adventures Resort welcomes Jumanji themed land this spring, Digital Projection and VIOSO team up for ISE 2023 demo, Plans announced to create Hollywood Sign Visitor Center, DEAL Show 2023 set for March 14-16 in Dubai. And the last element that is key to an immersive experience and this is maybe the hardest to accomplish is that we are giving people agency in the story itself. It seems retirement didnt suit the former head of Walt Disney Imagineering! santander arena events 2021; ron rivera salary redskins; idaho state university track and field records; You are impacting how the conflict is resolved or how the art piece is accomplished. Crossing over into a very different field, Weis had the opportunity to utilize his skills as an attraction and exhibit designer in the creation of Battle Stations 21: a realistic, virtual training experience for the US Navy Training Center near Chicago. Please enable JavaScript to experience the full functionality of www.gensler.com, Bob Weis, Former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, on Immersive Experiences and the Story of Our Cities and Spaces, Foundations, Associations & Organizations. He has written screenplays and books during a long career in the entertainment industry. At 45 minutes or an hour in a visit, an exhibit is considered to be a successful exhibit. Many of Weiss collaborators joined him again in creating exhibits for the Fort Worth museum Nancy Seruto, Tim Steinouer, Jen Bressler, and Chick Russell among them. looking forward to the next thing. For more information about Bob Weis joining forces with Gensler, read this article on Fast Company or view our press release. Bob Weis joined Disney Imagineering in 1980 during the transition from Donn Tatum to Ron W. Miller as CEO of the Walt Disney Company. Were looking for communal celebratory experiences with our friends, family, and other people in our community. original park had not resonated with audiences as well as we hoped, so I was Shame that Disney chased Bob away by forcing Imagineering to move to politically backwards Florida. Bob Weis is very wise, a good friend, and very helpful. We started talking about CSI could the CSI cast host the exhibit? Forty-two years after first joining Imagineering, Bob Weis has announced his retirement, it read. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joe Kleiman is News Editor for InPark Magazine. It really was a great way to learn from Disneyland. Disneys America, as planned, would have had lands themed to the Civil War and World War II. The training staff would act like they were really at sea in these different situations. When working with him at Imagineering in the 90s, says Russell, I thought Bob would be great to run Imagineering. In 2022, he became a Global Imagineering Ambassador. Were really thankful to the fans because of the way that they love [the parks], but also because of the way we are able to learn from them by watching how they react to things. D23: You were president at WDI during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. talented people in the world who bring their unique backgrounds and diverse BW: Seeing the parks with people in them and seeing the way that people love the parkswhether its their first visit, their 10th visit, or their 100th visitis so inspiring to me and to all people who work or have worked in Imagineering. That was another great family connection because to work alongside your sister who for your whole life is in such a completely different field than you, and learn about each others work, was bonding and great and a really wonderful way to get to know her.. For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram. He kept changing the environment, and this brought out peoples ideas that we otherwise might have missed. But we really The premiere of Shanghai Disneyland was a beautiful moment. Global This is probably the only themed entertainment project that is 100% immersive. realize the things we create are around for decades and will provide joy and Learn more about his new role and his viewpoint on immersive experiences and why they are more important now than ever before. So, theres this balance: How do you how do you keep the classic things that people remember but at the same time be constantly upping your game, making things better? It turns out that one of the studio liaisons on ACTION! We wanted to offer Oriental Land Company something that would complement the original park while still being bold and different. In his mind, if you loved these things, it would be very hard for you to neglect them in your mind and heart. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. On one harried trip, I had left my briefcase on the curb next to the cab driver who was loading the trunk, only he took off without my briefcase. In this medium of immersive experiences, we want to break out of the screen and really envelop all the senses sight, smell, emotion, the feel all the things that can tell the story in physical ways that you will never forget. Another example of modern technology mixing with history, the Top of the Rock experience was multifaceted with a small gallery, a multimedia walk across a construction beam with a 1930s landscape projected below, and a 60-person three-screen theater showing a rotating selection of three films directed by Weis on the famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Tom Brokaw speaking on the history of news broadcasting at Rockefeller Center, and David Rockefeller on the development and history of the complex. I think those fundamentals are still the same. As a young person who hadnt really traveled much, I liked the idea of going to a far-off place like Tokyo and working with a tight group of senior Imagineers as well as a bunch of kids fresh out of school like me. The concept of an exhilarating elevator ride with projected images and lighting was nothing new for Weis one of the concepts to come out of Weiss management of the Disney-MGM Studios portfolio was the Tower of Terror. We learned that story is the most important part of what we do at Imagineering. Im glad I didnt know more about him his stature, his tremendous accomplishments. nathan redmond mother. This all happened because we rented some successful traveling exhibits such as an early Jurassic Park and determined we should be making them ourselves, then travel them. Hes very casual, but hes very focused and strategic on the end goal. Hes able to provoke with properly timed and valuable what if?, Bob had gone through the Hollywood Studios park and Disneys America, so Imagineers had seen him lead large projects built on strong ideas, but he felt that he was moving away from being down in the trenches, says Rick Rothschild, who had worked at Imagineering with Weis on envisioning the US history theme park. D23: What are some of the biggest changes youve seen at Walt Disney Imagineering during your career? One of Weiss long-term collaborators is Nancy Seruto, herself the 2020 recipient of the TEAs Buzz Price Thea Award for Lifetime Achievement. The complexities of the project, the needs of the team, the vision of the organization, the daily challenges and frustrations and through it all he never loses his love of it. I It was professionally produced with sound effects and music, and they could email it to family and friends. He cared about his people; people responded with devotion to him and the project as a result. Editors note: We took a tribute approach to this story, interviewing Bob Weiss creative collaborators to learn and share their experiences of working with him. I have close friends who have worked with Bob and they all say something similar a class act, a pleasure to work for, a humble leader who mentors and empowers his team, someone who takes risksa visionary guy! Ive never heard a negative word about Bob. general sessions court docket. The idea of immersing people into a story goes back thousands of years, but because I spent so many years at Disney, I like to point to Walt Disneys invention of Disneyland. When designing the Disney-MGM Studios park, Weis and his team consulted with cinema history and industry experts. He would be putting real people in real places with real actors playing characters that would interact with the guests. As exhausted as I would be To understand more about Bob Weis as a themed entertainment professional and his lifetime of distinguished achievements, InPark editor Joe Kleiman explored a series of projects completed between 2002 and 2009. Another ITVS CEO Sally Jo Fifer To Step Away From Documentary Nonprofit After More Than Two Decades At The Helm, Robbie Knievel Dies: Daredevil Motorcycle Showman & Son Of Evel Knievel Was 60, Universal Planning Permanent Horror Experience In Las Vegas Based On Its Parks Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Building New Theme Park For Families & Young Children In Frisco, Texas, George MacKay, Fan Bingbing, Joan Baez Movies Added, Sony Shopping Craig Ferguson-Hosted Syndicated Late-Night Talker For Fall, Fantasy Novel Momo Getting English-Language Film From Leading German Duo, HBO Max EMEA Programs Boss Antony Root To Retire. The Florida theme park showcased a behind-the-scenes look at the making of television and movies in a fictionalized setting reminiscent of old Hollywood. I was got to know and trust each other, which was key to making this project work. Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. by Tom Barnes, Communications Manager, Walt Disney Imagineering. When the exhibit ended its run, I encouraged Disney to donate the entire collection to the Smithsonians National Museum of African Art.. It was a natural fit for Bob hes a producer on all media. Today, I think were seeing the evolution of this idea, and there is a tremendous amount of invention and innovation going on in the space. At the same time, one of its highlights was a series of tours through a real production studio. quote, were just getting started., Start planning your dream Disney Vacation Whenever we do somethingit might be adventure, it might be fantasy, but its always in the service of great storytelling and fun. points of view to everything they do. We are constantly refreshing and I got to learn pretty much everything how to BW: We marched boldly forward. In 2005, he was named President of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. In addition to his theme park work, Weis has led influential projects in museums, science centers . And D23 fans who attended the Expo [in September] had a chance to see so many more that we have well under way. He totally respected Ricardo and it helps that Bob came out of architecture [Weis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona in 1980]. We learned to put ourselves in the shoes of the guests. "We are thrilled that Bob is joining our global innovation design team," Gensler co-CEO Andy Choen said in a press release. We also had pre-produced B-Roll. He officially departed Disney on January 2, 2023. build steam trains, how to paint ride vehicles and signs, and even figuring out They worked beautifully together. I felt that Bob had a crystal ball he was a few steps ahead of everyone, a visionary. We never broke the fourth wall in Battle Stations 21. At 75 years old, with a full and fulfilling career behind him for one of the most creative companies on earth, the reasons must be very compelling. And it becomes very clear that the idea of telling stories for people to experience over and over and in their own wayas I said, as characters in their own experienceWalt was very clear about wanting [the park to be] a seamless environment. At the heart of his style is the empowerment of the individual and the team, treating all with respect and trust, wrote the Thea Awards Committee of Bob Weis in its official remarks, calling Weis a world class visionary who is sincerely modest, selfless and kind, with a keen ability to align a very large efforttowards success among the more than 100 diverse disciplines required to create a multi-dimensional end product. Steinouer would up joining Weis at Design Island (now Steinouer Creative), eventually taking its reins in 2007, after Disney recruited Weis back into the fold to lead the reboot of the Disney California Adventure park. Bob loved to take people to different venues restaurants, the beach, his house. Battle Stations 21 is very different from the exhibits, says Tim Steinouer. Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost. It doesnt take much with sound effects and announcements to make it feel like youre under attack. They want an experience that challenges and brings together their senses. This took 400 sailors and officers twelve hours, with no breaks, to complete a series of goals and exercises., The team would take the skills honed in their design of attractions and exhibits and apply them to a challenging environment they had worked with before. The most emotional time for any Imagineer is when you when you stand out front when something opens and you see the fans come in for the first time and hear their reaction for the first time. Bob Weis was created on November 14, 1947 in Germany. He empowers the team; he doesnt micromanage them that comes with respect, it comes with a certain ability to understand personality types in the process and how to motivate. Forty-two years after first joining Disney Imagineering Bob Weis, the current Global Imagineering Ambassador and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, announced today that he will retire at the end of the year. This is what visionary companies are seeking, and what we all are yearning for as we interact with the world around us. Kurt and I had worked on several projects together, and he suggested Bob talk to me. First, these are experiences that people want to do together. There was always an exchange of ideas. This was an opportunity for him for all of us to help our country. Weis gave the following exclusive interview just before sharing the news of his departure with his colleagues. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Throughout the experience, actual forensic investigators appeared on screen. Im also passionate about doing things that are closer to peoples everyday lives, and theres no other place I can realize that passion than at Gensler. If you go to an airport, its not just to get on a plane. Imagineers have such an incredible Under the Fertile Films banner, Weis and Viola decided to make a documentary about Lewis & Clarks trek through the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho. Bob Weis had garnered a reputation for leading the design of Disney theme parks that, according to former Disney Imagineer and longtime Weis collaborator Van Romans, "mixed real stuff with Disney storytelling." Weis spearheaded the team that designed the Disney-MGM Studios, opened in 1989 and renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008. I love the idea of place and how you bring a place into a total story. Forty-two years after first joining Disney Imagineering Bob Weis, the current Global Imagineering Ambassador and former President of Walt Disney . We were so cooped up in our homes, alone and face to face with screens that we are craving interaction with other people, and we are craving new experiences that are different than what were used to. We had a great team! shares Romans. During the previous two years, Robert Chapek has sold products at the Walt Disney Company valued at an estimated $6.66 million. Theres this level of everyone being equal, no matter their experience or position. Included on his long list of Imagineering accomplishments are Disney Park Tokyo Disneyland, the recent remodel of Disneys California Adventure, and the design of Shanghai Disney Resort! Serving most recently as Global Imagineering Ambassador and before that as president of the organization, Bob cemented his legacy as a leader and creative force - helping to bring to fruition countless attractions, lands, resort hotels, cruise ships, and . Bob is so familiar with movies and studios that he made sure we made it look and feel like a real soundstage. We put together a pitch and took it to OLC, and it was exactly what they were looking for. This allows us to bring you the most interesting, entertaining, and unique entertainment experiences, covering theme parks, movies, TV, video games, and special events. Battle Stations 21 was the final test to see if Naval recruits could stand up to rigors and real conditions at sea., We were at sea on a destroyer to film for a week Bob, myself, and six crew members, continues Steinouer. Global Imagineering Ambassador Bob Weis is retiring from Disney in January, wrapping a career that includes serving as president of Imagineering for nearly six years. was attending the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design when some Were really letting it be your experience. Rita's Italian Ice Giving Walt Disney World Cast Members Free Ice to Celebrate Bob Chapek's Departur months after announcing his retirement from The Walt Disney Company, Blizzard Beach Closing Due to Low Temperatures This Weekend, Signage Goes Up for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2023 Presented by AT&T. 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