People around the world have an expectation that cities and places are going to inspire us in some way and that theyre going to communicate to us in some way. Joes blog, Themes, Schemes, and Dreams can be found at themesrenewed.home.blog. built with tradition, filled with things we want to preserve, so when you come Bob Weis was created on November 14, 1947 in Germany. 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. With Bob, you can change things and do things slightly differently. Kurt and I had worked on several projects together, and he suggested Bob talk to me. You can withdraw your consent for these messages at any time. Gensler has long designed for the human experience, and I hope to build on the amazing work and culture the firm has created. We have to keep them fresh. But we really The first part was a traditional museum exhibit, says Russell, with descriptions of what crew members do and with artifacts on display. With a track record like his, its no surprise that the firm went after the former head of Walt Disney Imagineering. Bob put together a great team, and they spent a whole week in blue sky. 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. Disney over as-is. Bob Weis Reflects on Prolific Career at Walt Disney Imagineering. Now more than ever, design has the power to shape how we experience life. It doesnt take much with sound effects and announcements to make it feel like youre under attack. And then we got access to a massive library of classic film stories and characters, which really expanded the possibilities. 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. Braden has been a Disney fan from the word go, and if not in the parks with his wife and family, can often be found doing things to incorporate Disney in the day to day, whether that be painting, trying out park recipes at home, or collecting the odd Disney antique! take the firms design innovation to the next level. exhibit] with Kurt Haunfelner. We made the whole soundstage look like a dock. studying for a degree in architecture with a minor in theater design, and I Eventually, we added a small gallery at The American Adventure. Bob invited me to be Associate Producer on a documentary on the Lewis and Clark expedition, says Tim Steinouer, who had previously worked with Weis on an unaired television show episode for another production company. We converted the entry sequence into Buena Vista Street, which is reminiscent of the Los Angeles Walt would have known in the 1920s and 30s. 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. 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. Not just Bobs ideas, because hes very respectful of others and their concepts. Just over the last decade. Bob was not just taking advantage of having you on his team. To me, that is the magic of Disneylandthat people take their kids and want them to have the same experiences [that they had as children]. October 20, 2022 2:02pm. They must have, too, because they hired me shortly after I graduated! During his tenure, Weis was instrumental in bringing about many areas and attractions known around the world today. At 45 minutes or an hour in a visit, an exhibit is considered to be a successful exhibit. It had been an enormous project: seven square kilometers of property with the theme park, two hotels, Disneytown, subway lines, lakes and boats. He felt that the museum industry couldnt make an exhibit about movie making where you actually didnt get to make a movie.. InPark Magazine (IPM) covers the intersection of themed entertainment and technology. When we finished our trek, we found out it had been greenlit.. I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people.. This idea for a theme park was very different from his movies. And it did work out. I felt that Bob had a crystal ball he was a few steps ahead of everyone, a visionary. Heartfelt thanks to all of them, and to Walt Disney Imagineering, for their cooperation. D23: You said in your in your email to the Imagineers that babies born today will someday be taking their grandkids on the experience youre creating. How do you, as Imagineers, wrap your head around that kind of responsibility to the Disney legacy? 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. When the exhibit ended its run, I encouraged Disney to donate the entire collection to the Smithsonians National Museum of African Art.. The firm does business in hundreds of cities all over the world and across 29 different practice areas. "I will always be proud to have led Imagineering from 2016-2021, and to be your Global Ambassador in 2022," he wrote in an email he shared today with his fellow Imagineers. 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. EPCOT was by far the bigger priority it had a large team at our headquarters in Glendale, Calif., and the entire company was putting various resources behind it. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. 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. 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. Hes very casual, but hes very focused and strategic on the end goal. He was adroit with working with management, instead of bowing to it. thing I learned that has stuck with me for my entire career was the importance Thats just been a huge growth curve in my experience. Surface Magazine reported that Gensler has hired Disneys former Imagineering head, Bob Weis, to Bob Weis Former Head of Walt Disney Imagineering to Join Gensler, Global Immersive Experience Design Leader. The Tokyo group was much smaller, because most of the work was going to be done in Japan. bob weis disney net worth. 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. We were trying to explain to young people that every kind of job imagined and skill needed exists in the film business. Hes skilled at bringing in and organizing all the right people together. During his time at Disney, Bob led more than 200 major projects around the world with a capital value of more than $30 billion. As President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Seruto says, Bob brings three key traits that will help the company grow into the future: Vision for where the company can go, of its total potential and with clear insight on how it can and should adapt to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world. bob weis disney net worth. 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. BREAKING: 'Hey, Disney!' He is best known for his Disney projects most recently his leadership roles on the Disney California Adventure and Shanghai Disneyland parks. And for those of us designing immersive experiences, its up to us to find ways to actively put people more physically and emotionally in the story so that they become truly invested and connected to a place. But first, he had a film to make. always evolving and moving forward. I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people.. Genslers commitment to leading the future of design is perfectly aligned with my passion for developing unique, immersive experiences with a diversity of creative voices. A lover of history and cinema, whether overseeing a Disney theme park or a traveling museum exhibit, he was, as one of his team members called him, never a micro-manager, but always a collaborator., Its kind of a life story arc, colleague and former fellow Imagineer Rick Rothschild said of Weis. Ill continue writing my book for Disney Publishing on the Marty Sklar Archives, and I am developing a screenplay for Walt Disney Studios.. In 2005, he was named President of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The Untold Truth of Don Lemons partner & fianc TV Series second unit director - 2 episodes, Raoul Wallenberg: Between the Lines (1986). storied culture, and it was critical for us to appreciate that and work closely This is why Gensler is so important in the development of immersive experiences. How do you make Disneyland simple to navigate, so that you dont really have to think about where youre going? Sometimes the conversations would be deep and personal, and other times we would just laugh and laugh at the absurdity of something. Under the Fertile Films banner, Weis and Viola decided to make a documentary about Lewis & Clarks trek through the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, has accepted a position with Gensler, a California-based architecture and design firm. 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. We had a lovely discussion, then as he left he picked up a card from the art show I was mounting. Battle Stations 21 is very different from the exhibits, says Tim Steinouer. I may even find some time to just go down and walk around Disneyland once in a while.. Theres plenty in there that Marty wrote, and theres plenty of references to Walts philosophy in his first decade in this business. Disneys America, as planned, would have had lands themed to the Civil War and World War II. 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. For more information on our data collection and use practices, please read our Privacy Policy. 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. recruiters came through from WED as Imagineering was known at the time. 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.. We held focus groups with locals and talked with both stakeholders and experts as part of the creative process.. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History exhibits: We decided to rebuild the museum from the ground up, Romans recalled. They worked beautifully together. Amazon Voice Assistant is Finally Being Installed at Disney World Hotels. If you go to an airport, its not just to get on a plane. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. D23: You were president at WDI during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within eight months he had relocated to Japan as part of the team creating Tokyo Disneyland. The two things most people learn first when talking with Braden is his passion for history, and for Disney. santander arena events 2021; ron rivera salary redskins; idaho state university track and field records; talented people in the world who bring their unique backgrounds and diverse We began working around 2003 on ACTION! Its an active role. It seems retirement didnt suit the former head of Walt Disney Imagineering! Way back when, Jacques Cousteau used to say that in order for people to care about a thing or a place, they have to love it. 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When in Washington, I told the team to wear ties to a meeting and Bob just laughed. But he was right. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. This is not a new idea for architects. If we can create experiences in places, it will imprint on people a sense of connection that can be very powerful. We learned that story is the most important part of what we do at Imagineering. He can be contacted at [emailprotected] and followed on twitter @ThemedReality. This goes back to Walts talking about Disneylandthat he could come in and change it whenever he wanted, that it was a living medium. People want experiences they can do with other people. build steam trains, how to paint ride vehicles and signs, and even figuring out points of view to everything they do. Bob came on and, sure enough, he was the right guy. back you can see the things the way you saw them before. For Seruto, her projects with Weis often evoked personal experience and personal history. Founded as WED Enterprises back in 1952, Walt Disney Imagineering has been a staple of Disney Theme Parks since the very start. Bob loved to take people to different venues restaurants, the beach, his house. Our whole mission is to connect to people through space, through places, through the activities that take place in great spaces. But he felt just as Weve also discovered that there are certain things that work across the globe that people want to do together. dedication and passion for excellence. Unlike ACTION!, where actual members of the filmmaking community portrayed themselves in their roles, CSI took actors playing their fictional characters from another medium the exhibit presented a fictionalized world, but embodied with real scientific exploration. put in long hours. We are constantly refreshing and for an audience. There were so many great people that I worked with, including Bob. We have to keep moving forward. This is why Gensler is so important in the development of immersive experiences. For media inquiries, email var z='zx2e35dace6537df39b14527b6',s=document.getElementById(z),c=document.createElement('span');c.innerHTML=(function(a,b){var i,o='';for(i=0;i=0;a--)if(o[a].getAttribute("rel")==="skimlinks-ref-banner"){s=o[a];break}}s&&setTimeout(function(){var i=e[t]||(e[t]=[]),o={"imageUrl":"/banners/img/referral/higher_commissions/728X90.gif","wid":"07","creativeId":60710,"color":"grey","size":"728X90","domainId":"1601785","publisherId":137930,"bannerUrl":"/banners/js/referral/referral_banner.min.js","cdnUrl":"https://s.skimresources.com"};if(i.length===0){var u=n.createElement(r);u.src=o.cdnUrl+o.bannerUrl,u.async=!0,s.parentNode.insertBefore(u,s)}i.push({el:s,config:o})})})(this,"__skimlinksBanners",document,"script"); CONTACT US | ADVERTISE ON ITM As of January 2023, Bob Weir's net worth is estimated to be roughly $60 Million. After a decade and a half at scenic fabricator Lexington, which she left as Vice President of Design & Production in 2000, Seruto established her own boutique studio specializing in the design and production of traveling exhibitions and events. Later, he would lead the team on the conceptual stages of Disneys America theme park near Washington D.C. Had the project gone forward (it was canceled in 1994), it would have depicted America and the fabric of its people through real stories, as told through Disney storytelling techniques and technology. Transparency Statement. of being generous with our collaborators abroad. Subsequent assignments included creative leadership on Disneys Hollywood Studios (at the time, Disney-MGM Studios), Tokyo DisneySea, and the reimagining of Disney California Adventure. D23: In your farewell email, you wrote that Imagineering still reflects [Walt Disneys] creative energy, his storytelling, his belief in talent and collaboration, and his passion for always moving forward. Can you talk a bit more about how Imagineering remains driven by the spirit and imagination that Walt Disney established? He has written screenplays and books during a long career in the entertainment industry. An Adventure in Movie Making; Top of the Rock; Battle Stations 21; The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History; and CSI: The Experience. Its exciting to think that we can create great stories that people can experience together in new ways and do them in the spaces Gensler already creates. the architectural ornamentation of the castle. You have a real authentic impact on the experience. Remember to sign in or join D23 today to enjoy endless Disney magic! Weis also posted a missive on his Instagram page with details about his plans going forward. Hes very fluid. However, he also has a significant body of influential work in the museum and attractions fields and even military training simulation pioneering projects that established new models, blurring the line between attraction and exhibit, bringing museum techniques to the theme park world and vice versa. nathan redmond mother. Thats the way you think about space from a story point of view. BW: This has been high on my mind recently, because Ive been working on [sorting through] this huge discovery of [documents and artifacts] that Marty Sklar collected during his 50-year career. Its always great working with Bob. Genslerscommitment to leading the future of designis perfectly aligned with my passion for developing unique, immersive experiences with a diversity of creative voices., Gensler stated that Weis would 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. He will collaborate with Genslers global leadership platform to envision and bring to life unique experiences for clients across a variety of industries where the firm is immersed from entertainment, lifestyle, hospitality, retail, sports, mixed use, and cultural institutions to wellness and workplace.. What do you think of Weiss new position? Like everything we do at Imagineering, we started with a story. Learn more about his new role and his viewpoint on immersive experiences and why they are more important now than ever before. What Bob is masterful at is the strategic process of developing an idea and moving the idea into reality. The company's vision is to "entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through . BW: I did, in college. There was a company statement posted on the official Imagineering Instagram page that recognized the scope of Weis contribution. We added Cars Land and a Little Mermaid attraction to immerse guests in more Disney storytelling. 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. Weis is the former president of Walt Disney Imagineering. Bob had to have massive oversight of the art direction, media, coordinating. Even Lewis and Clarks expedition which would have been the theme of a raft ride at the unbuilt park, and did become the subject of his film In Their Footsteps was a US Army operation. Weis brought Seruto on board to manage production on Top of the Rock, a reimagining of the observation decks at Rockefeller Center in downtown Manhattan. In his new role, Weis will collaborate with Genslers global leadership platform to envision and bring to life unique experiences for clients across a variety of industries where the firm is immersed from entertainment, lifestyle, hospitality, retail, sports, mixed use, and cultural institutions to wellness and workplace. asked to lead the creative aspects of an expansive reimagination plan. How do you attract peoples attention to move into a space? late Imagineering leader Marty Sklar used to say that Disneyland is a place Bob Weis joined the Disney Imagineers 42 years ago, working his way up the ranks to become the current Global Imagineering Ambassador and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering. Along with Design Island, they also co-founded the film production company Fertile Films. The pandemic triggered an explosion of interest in real, physical experiences. He and the other Thea award recipients in 2021 will be celebrated in a series of virtual Thea Awards Case Studies later this year, and in the official Thea Awards Program publication (TEA expects to resume hosting its in-person Thea Awards Gala in 2022). Bob Weis (BW): Well, thats quite a timespan. I According to an interview on Genslers website, Weis cited the opportunity to apply his experience at Disney to the world at large: Genslers commitment to leading the future of design is perfectly aligned with my passion for developing unique, immersive experiences with a diversity of creative voices. Required fields are marked *. There was an intro film that Bob shot in Morocco on the set of Kingdom of Heaven. It featured Ridley Scott, Orlando Bloom, even the costume designer., ACTION! People decided their roles. We take your privacy seriously. 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. Kleiman served as part of the executive management team that opened the Thea Award honoree National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia and has provided consultation services to a number of museum projects. 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. Its the next step. NBA coach who spent 12 years as an assistant coach with the Seattle SuperSonics. BW: One of the most gratifying things for me over the years has been [the emergence of] D23 and seeing the union of all those people who love Disney, who love parks and love Imagineering. His steady approach allows him to take on intimate projects or scale up to something massive without losing sight of his leadership role and the vision the team is working toward. was a traveling exhibit in two parts. ACTION! One of our primary goals was looking forward to the next thing. A computer program would cut this together. Former President of Walt Disney Imagineering Bob Weis is joining Gensler as Global Immersive Experience Design Leader! As Weis shared with Imagineers, When I retire, I am relishing the opportunity to write a book for the Marty Sklar Archives and Im in the process of developing a screenplay for Walt Disney Studios. Certainly, the way we design has changed; the way we develop and visualize and engineer things has changed. By using tools that had heretofore been traditionally limited to filmmaking and themed entertainment design, ACTION! Now, I get to take my passion, expand it, and inject experiences into projects all over the world that will reach people in their everyday lives. 2023 Gensler, All Rights Reserved Stream The Imagineering Story, streaming on Disney+ on Disney+, Bob Weis to Retire from Imagineering After 42 Years. He lives in Sacramento, California with his fianc and two dogs. He is inspirational, the best of the best in this business, but also so humble and just lovely to work with. 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. By submitting this form, you are granting Disney Parks Blog permission to email you. 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. It certainly wasnt guaranteed at that time. Visitors would view the completed trailer in a screening room. Bob Weiss is a Taurus and was born in The Year of the Horse Life Interview by Judith Rubin. As we explored ideas, it soon became apparent that this was bigger than just a pavilion it could be an entire park. Someone turned in the briefcase phew!. The parks have to have that kind of clarity, and I think thats a big hallmark of what Imagineering has done in all the parks. I After years . In 2022, he became a Global Imagineering Ambassador. Looking at the card he said and I will never forget it Now I know a lot more about you than when I walked in, and I could see he valued that I was also a fine artist, which meant a great deal to me. He has also consulted with major clients including Smithsonian, National Geographic, NASA, and the United States Navy, among others. In 1994 came the launch of Bob Weis Design Island, a boutique, themed entertainment design firm which was co-founded by Diane Fredel-Weis, who was instrumental in its success. was attending the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design when some maybe Disney should just outsource that too, itll be cheaper? One of the highlights of Weiss Top of the Rock was the ascent from a history gallery to the observation floors themselves. He currently resides in Pennsylvania, United States. And D23 fans who attended the Expo [in September] had a chance to see so many more that we have well under way. Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, has accepted a position with Gensler, a California-based architecture and design firm. Grateful Dead's style was influenced by the music of The Beatles. Now, one such Imagineer is back in the news! We wanted to create a story in the childrens ward that would communicate positively to both patients and parents who are going through this process. Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy Every one of these practice areas from sports and retail to airports and the workplace will all potentially have an application to this type of immersive storytelling. One of Weiss long-term collaborators is Nancy Seruto, herself the 2020 recipient of the TEAs Buzz Price Thea Award for Lifetime Achievement. Theres this level of everyone being equal, no matter their experience or position. For even more details about how attractions in Disney parks came to be, don't miss Behind The Attraction, also . I will always be proud to have led Imagineering from 2016-2021, and to be your Global Ambassador in 2022, he wrote in an email he shared today with his fellow Imagineers. 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. who, like us, had never done something like this before in Japan. Its an active role. There was a lot of prototyping and a lot of coordinating with the facility elevator operations team, Seruto told Rubin. Theres nothing more satisfying or more rewarding than that. 20052023 JAK Schmidt, Inc. All rights reserved. With Bob, its always a collaborative effort. In addition, he makes $47,517,800 as Executive Chairman of the Board at Walt Disney Co. teams and include local writers, artists, craftspeople, fabricators and many opportunity to share a vision and then watch it evolve, get built, and debut 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 was brought onboard to produce the media for the show. Gensler, who has worked with Disney before, will offer Weis the opportunity to bring his expertise in design, storytelling, and immersive world-building to a broader audience. For me this is a very exciting next chapter, the post reads. At the same time, one of its highlights was a series of tours through a real production studio. Their computers seamlessly edited the film that guests got to take home with them. We wanted to offer Oriental Land Company something that would complement the original park while still being bold and different. Whats exciting for me is bringing immersive experiences and stories into everyday normal life so that we can make peoples lives better. We put together a pitch and took it to OLC, and it was exactly what they were looking for. What is more surprising is Weiss decision to come out of retirement for the job. Taking a child to a childrens hospital for anything is probably the most traumatic moment for that child and very likely for that childs parents. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. First, these are experiences that people want to do together. Weis grew up in Southern California and fondly recalls his familys annual visits to Disneyland on his birthday every year. strongly that our parks are not museums. 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. We want people to feel that these experiences are their story and that the story becomes about them. was greenlit. Weis, who started his Disney Imagineering Journey back in 1980, is most notably responsible for ideas and innovations at Shanghai Disneyland as well as serving as President of . On opening day, you saw the culmination of the efforts of those who made it go from muddy fields to a fully realized, magical place. During his tenure, Weis was instrumental in bringing. 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. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. OLC had assembled some incredible talents 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. There are no variables. He didnt want to see the world outside. There are also a lot of artists and designers out there and theyve been doing this for years who are trying new things and pushing the envelope on what an experience is. Hes comfortable to listen to. We decided not to do Frontierland because we didnt think it had relevance over there, but we made Tomorrowland on a larger scale. This was an opportunity for him for all of us to help our country. 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. 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. 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. What is she doing Who is actor Ravi Patel? That led us to come up with a park that would be linked by various ports of call around the world, which became the concept for Tokyo DisneySea. Working with Bob, there was always a sense of entertainment regardless of whether the exhibit was permanent or traveling. balance between making sure we have the classic things people cherish while We even put in 1,200 trees and took out elements that felt like they could be in any sort of non-Disney amusement park. And we took what people think of as the hub to the next level, making it its own land with attractions and magic. As of 2022, Bob Weiss's net worth is $100,000 - $1M. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Were not directing you specifically one way or the other. The trick for Imagineering throughout our history is finding that 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. 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! There was always an exchange of ideas. There was a true sense of collaboration., I was persuaded by the talent Bob brought in, adds Beckman. The park was initially conceived and built as a half-day experience something guests could visit the afternoon they flew into Orlando, for example. Whenever we do somethingit might be adventure, it might be fantasy, but its always in the service of great storytelling and fun. He truly gained his leadership reputation early on and Marty Sklar [former President of Walt Disney Imagineering] clearly noticed this. Structural Info Filmography Awards Known for movies Georgia (1988) as Producer Pure S (1975) as Producer At the time, I was working freelance TV and film in Orlando. Another 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? When we 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. general sessions court docket. The premiere of Shanghai Disneyland was a beautiful moment. For me, architecture and storytelling have always been melded together. I think those fundamentals are still the same. Subsequent assignments included creative leadership on Disneys Hollywood Studios (at the time, Disney-MGM Studios), Tokyo DisneySea, and the reimagining of Disney California Adventure. People are really looking for an experience about optimism. I felt like my Dad was with me and this project ended up being a way to honor my father, she said. 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]. He knew how to cast people people who would collaborate and work together.. Visionary companies are seeking to create new experiences in the spaces they design with Gensler because they know that this is what people are yearning for as we interact with the world around us. Whats unique about working with Bob is even then, in that point in time, he had a habit of being a leader, but allowing everyone who works with him to have equal standing. And so, I elected to go on the Tokyo team. 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. Hes so well-suited to lead and organize and cast a group of people to do something, no matter the size of the project., Rick Rothschild, Chief Creative at FAR Out! Our projects can be taxing, and we all One of his greatest attributes is his strategic mindset. The exhibit portion featured different jobs in moviemaking, done semi-chronologically. 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. This is probably the only themed entertainment project that is 100% immersive. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Known for movies. Bob Weis joined Disney Imagineering in 1980 during the transition from Donn Tatum to Ron W. Miller as CEO of the Walt Disney Company. Imagineering Ambassador Bob Weis is retiring from Disney in January, wrapping a career that To Japan as part of what we do at Imagineering had lands to! Designed for the human experience, and I am proud to have the confidence of highlights. Really looking for your consent for these messages at any time the strategic process of an... Fondly recalls his familys annual visits to Disneyland on his team group much., he was always searching with me, architecture and design firm the Civil and! Amazing work and culture the firm has created Weis as Global immersive experience leader... Disney legacy email you in this business, but also so humble and just lovely to work with the elevator! His familys annual visits to Disneyland on his Instagram page with details about his new role and his viewpoint immersive! Entertainment industry passion for history, says Romans Weis was instrumental in bringing many... 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