Seruto recalled her first meeting with Weis. Weis was named by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) to receive its prestigious Buzz Price Thea Award Honoring a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements as part of the 27th annual TEA Thea Awards. Heartfelt thanks to all of them, and to Walt Disney Imagineering, for their cooperation. Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, has accepted a position with Gensler, a California-based architecture and design firm. He joined Walt Disney Imagineering, then called WED Enterprises, in 1980, soon after graduating college, and within eight months had relocated to Japan as part of the WED team creating Tokyo Disneyland. He is best known for his Disney projects most recently his leadership roles on the Disney California Adventure and Shanghai Disneyland parks. The 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. Its the next step. They had a huge impact on the park and guided us on everything from 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. And thats one of the great joys of being an Imagineer. What do you think of Weiss new position? Were looking for communal celebratory experiences with our friends, family, and other people in our community. We sat down with Bob to ask him about his decision to join Gensler from Disney, and to take a deeper dive into the idea of storytelling through immersive experiences and why the physical experience of our buildings and cities is more important now than ever before. The second part of the exhibit was a soundstage letting guests be the cast and crew of their own film that they would make., Guests would produce a trailer for an adventure film. ACTION! Imagineers have such an incredible With a track record like his, its no surprise that the firm went after the former head of Walt Disney Imagineering. Its an incredible privilege to have this living lab that you can go to and see how people react. Subsequent assignments included creative leadership on Disneys Hollywood Studios (at the time, Disney-MGM Studios), Tokyo DisneySea, and the reimagining of Disney California Adventure. While we have a long history of building Disneyland-style parks, we wanted to make this one unique and tailored to the local population. The attractions, such as The Great Movie Ride and the animation tour, used authentic film props to tell the story of film and television. Hes skilled at bringing in and organizing all the right people together. 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. As we explored ideas, it soon became apparent that this was bigger than just a pavilion it could be an entire park. BREAKING: 'Hey, Disney!' This is what successful experiences can become. After college, I was lucky to go straight to Walt Disney Imagineering where I could combine these skills of design with an understanding of storyline and how those two things bring spaces to life with live entertainment and embellishments of things like graphics, color, and light. Their computers seamlessly edited the film that guests got to take home with them. Weis hired his longtime Imagineering collaborator Chick Russell, who had worked on both Disney-MGM Studios and Disneys America with him, as the writer on ACTION! 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. Just this week, the design firm Gensler announced that Bob Weis was coming out of retirement to work for their organization as Global Immersive Experience Design Leader. also want to express my respect and admiration for Imagineers and their endless Before the move, Weis spent more than 30 years at Disney. includes serving as president of Imagineering for nearly six years. The premiere of Shanghai Disneyland was a beautiful moment. The exhibit portion featured different jobs in moviemaking, done semi-chronologically. When we He cared about the environment so his goal was to create a TV show that would make people love the ocean and the ocean creatures. Many design fields think in this way: First, orchestrate the movement of people and ideas through the story and that will give you all the keys you need to design the physical space. For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram. Structural Info Filmography Awards Known for movies Georgia (1988) as Producer Pure S (1975) as Producer I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people.. Recently, Bob joined Gensler to lead Global Immersive Experience Design and take the firms design innovation to the next level, expanding its commitment to reclaiming human experiences in the spaces and places where we live, work, and play. Were looking for communal celebratory experiences with our friends, family, and other people in our community. At Disney, Van Romans had assembled the various national galleries at EPCOT and, because of his hard work, had created a bridge between the museum world and the Disney organization. I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people.. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. He's a maker and movie director, known for Georgia (1988), Pure S (1975) and Heartbreakers (1984). My whole business was in there, and I was freaking out about it as we got to the airport. 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. And they want experiences in which they feel like they are impacting the story in some ways. This allows us to bring you the most interesting, entertaining, and unique entertainment experiences, covering theme parks, movies, TV, video games, and special events. 20052023 JAK Schmidt, Inc. All rights reserved. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. We used real props from the studios, but more modern props for the time that our younger guests would relate to. He truly gained his leadership reputation early on and Marty Sklar [former President of Walt Disney Imagineering] clearly noticed this. the press release of the Gensler vision and Weis new responsibilities literally sounds like what a modern day WDI division and its President would be striving to do for the 21st century Disney fan. When I was with Bob, he was always searching with me, How do we approach this idyllic structure? When in Washington, I told the team to wear ties to a meeting and Bob just laughed. Early in my career I was also able to do projects in Tokyo, China, Europe, and other places, and that made me realize that culturally theres a lot of shared interest in what we expect of our spaces. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. 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. Were always trying to listen to the audience to see how we could make things betterhow we could take new stories, new IP [intellectual properties], and put them into our kind of artistic medium to create experiences for our audience. Theres a hunger to try things, which is creating this beautiful point in time where people are trying things, but there arent a lot of rules or known best practices. D23: What are some of the biggest changes youve seen at Walt Disney Imagineering during your career? Weis, a history buff and cinephile, always built upon what he learned from project to project. but now its been outsourced to a completely different company, so where are we getting the next generation of creativity from for the Disney parks? Bob is joining us just as we emerge from the pandemic as people are craving compelling, visceral experiences in the places where they live, work, and play., At Disney, we often collaborated with Gensler, and I was able to see firsthand its culture of design innovation that transforms the quality of life in our world, Bob Weis said. My good fortune is my sister is a forensic toxicologist and was running the Baltimore Police Department lab, she said, I was able to reach out to her and ask her to help me navigate the subject matter and make sure we were interpreting it correctly. We were trying to explain to young people that every kind of job imagined and skill needed exists in the film business. I think there are three main elements of an immersive experience. So, we asked ourselves how we could use Disney and Disney characters to reduce stress, create warmth, and lower the intimidation of a hospital. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. I got to learn pretty much everything how to others. Inside the Magic consists of multiple writers & videographers living near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and around the world. This is what visionary companies are seeking, and what we all are yearning for as we interact with the world around us. We had to come up with over twelve hours of audio and six hours of video. Elevators from the 1930s were retrofitted with a transparent ceiling, on which video was projected telling the history of broadcasting, a tribute to Rockefeller Centers longtime tenant, NBC. Designing immersive experiences feels like a logical next step in that design process. I needed an A+ exhibit designer who understands how to work with architects. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. But also, as Marty [Sklar] said, our theme parks are not museums. What is she doing Who is actor Ravi Patel? by Tom Barnes, Communications Manager, Walt Disney Imagineering. But first, he had a film to make. Its been great to have the confidence of the company behind us, Weis says. 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. Like everything we do at Imagineering, we started with a story. ACTION! An Adventure in Movie Making for the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Bob Weis Design Island Associates Inc. 2000 - 20077 years Design consultant to Smithsonian, DIsney, Dreamworks, Sony, Fox, United States Navy, Paul Allen. The Japanese have a rich, The headquarters in Glendale, California, was a playground to Walt, and he visited there often, not necessarily to check in, but to play, enjoy, and see what new things the Imagineers had been able to come up with. For me this is a very exciting next chapter, the post reads. Our projects can be taxing, and we all Required fields are marked *. general sessions court docket. We wanted to offer Oriental Land Company something that would complement the original park while still being bold and different. He cared about his people; people responded with devotion to him and the project as a result. In 2016, Weis was named president of Walt Disney Imagineering. Learn more about his new role and his viewpoint on immersive experiences and why they are more important now than ever before. From the U.S. to Shanghai, Tokyo to Paris, Weis design and storytelling imprint has been indelibly left on theme parks, attractions and rides, resorts, and cruise ships. And it did work out. You can revoke permission to mail your email address at any time using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. We had planned on exhibiting it in an Africa pavilion. Credit: Disney. color theory to the appropriate use of language. He takes his work seriously, but also has an amazing sense of humor dry, insightful and super funny that comes out when you least expect it and always comes from a place of keen observation. maybe Disney should just outsource that too, itll be cheaper? In the 1990s, the museum had produced a traveling exhibit called Whodunit? For me, architecture and storytelling have always been melded together. Its an active role. 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. Bob Weis Disney. Bob was very responsible for not getting in the way of this famous architect, but actually working with him.. Stream The Imagineering Story, streaming on Disney+ on Disney+, Bob Weis to Retire from Imagineering After 42 Years. We want people to feel that these experiences are their story and that the story becomes about them. One of the things we looked at was a new pavilion for EPCOT that would have celebrated entertainment. got to know and trust each other, which was key to making this project work. A deep love for Imagineering and tremendous respect for the people who built it, but also such enthusiasm for the new and future talent that inhabit those hallowed halls. There was always an exchange of ideas. The decks had been closed to the public for a decade and not only needed refurbishment, but an updated feel. It really was a great way to learn from Disneyland. If we can create experiences in places, it will imprint on people a sense of connection that can be very powerful. When I joined Disney, work was ramping up on two major projects: EPCOT in Florida and Tokyo Disneyland. Subsequent assignments included creative leadership on Disneys Hollywood Studios (at the time, Disney-MGM Studios), Tokyo DisneySea, and the reimagining of Disney California Adventure. Where the firm has worked with Disney in the past, its not a stretch to imagine that Weis may well be treading on Disney soil once again, bringing his talents to Magic Kingdoms across the globe. I think those fundamentals are still the same. And so, I elected to go on the Tokyo team. To provide a clear view of the shaft through the now transparent ceiling, we re-engineered the cables and downsized the I-beam. 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. We had a lovely discussion, then as he left he picked up a card from the art show I was mounting. Imagineering Ambassador Bob Weis is retiring from Disney in January, wrapping a career that A few months after announcing his retirement from The Walt Disney Company, former Imagineer Bob Weis has joined design and architecture firm Gensler as their Global Immersive Experience Design leader. You have a real authentic impact on the experience. He made a seminal decision to leave WDI to start Design Island and have more direct hands-on involvement and to make his movie.. Described as a 'visionary within the entertainment industry', Weis brings more than 30 years of leadership with him to Gensler, having created, designed and developed some of Disney's most iconic projects around the globe. It all comes back to the three things I talked about earlier. The second element is that we are immersing people into the space, meaning we are surrounding them with the theme, the story, and the idea. What made this unique was the execution. He can be contacted at [emailprotected] and followed on twitter @ThemedReality. for an audience. Under her Seruto & Company moniker, she would collaborate on four museum projects with Weis. View Videos. Another Russell recalls that about the time the whole Fort Worth concept was done, I got a call from Bob. When Michael Eisner and Frank Wells came aboard as the senior leaders of the company, they almost immediately prioritized the growth of Walt Disney World. There were so many great people that I worked with, including Bob. We hired Ricardo Legarreta, a famous architect from Mexico, who was in his 70s at the time. dedication and passion for excellence. In each set, a little scene was recorded. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Filing Reveals That Disney Awarded Bob Chapeks Son a Half-a-Million Dollar Bonus, Tom Hanks to Play Substantial MCU Villain, Report Says, Inside the Magic Your Ultimate Source for Themed EntertainmentCoverage, Legendary Disney Imagineer Retiring After 42 Years, bringing about many areas and attractions, Disney Imagineering Shares New Insight Into Upcoming Attraction, An All-New Responsive Experience, Weiss decision to come out of retirement. It was professionally produced with sound effects and music, and they could email it to family and friends. Regarding why he chose to join Gensler, Weis said: Gensler has long designed for the human experience, and I hope to build on the amazing work and culture the firm as created. We also had pre-produced B-Roll. Bob Weis was created on November 14, 1947 in Germany. While studying architecture at California Polytechnic University in Pomona, he worked in Disneyland Park as a cast member selling popcorn and ice cream and absorbing everything going on around him. Everything around you is in a ship. Subjects and filmmakers both rode for nine days, often for twelve hours a day, as Viola led the group to key spots documented by the Lewis and Clark expedition. You are impacting how the conflict is resolved or how the art piece is accomplished. "We are thrilled that Bob is joining our global innovation design team," Gensler co-CEO Andy Choen said in a press release. Let us know in the comments below! 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. The pandemic triggered an explosion of interest in real, physical experiences. I went back to Shanghai after we opened and saw how quickly the Shanghai audiencerelatively inexperienced in theme parks or in Disneyadopted it and made it their own. 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. Its the next step. We want people to feel that these experiences are their story and that the story becomes about them. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Remember to sign in or join D23 today to enjoy endless Disney magic! We are constantly refreshing and Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy parks that they just werent feeling at this one. In much the same vein, the Disneys America team engaged historians and Smithsonian experts, with the plan to include iconic American artifacts from the Smithsonian and other museums as part of the attraction experiences. After decades of outstanding work, including becoming president of Walt Disney Imagineering, as well as Global Imagineering Ambassador, Weis announced his retirement in October of last year, and it didnt come as much of a surprise. He can be very powerful to others of Walt Disney Imagineering, for their.. 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