Josh D’Amaro and Alan Bergman Set the Stage For ‘The Future of World-Building at Disney’ at SXSW
As we previously reported, The Walt Disney Company is returning to SXSW this year, where Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-chairman Alan Bergman will present The Future of World-Building at Disney.
Scheduled to take place tomorrow at 12:30 PM ET, the Disney session will give fans an inside look into the “convergence of imagination, innovation, and the future of experiential storytelling.”
According to Disney, it will also provide a snapshot into what sets Disney apart and connects the company’s past, present, and future.
Photo: SXSW
Ahead of Disney’s big SXSW presentation, Josh D’Amaro and Alan Bergman previewed some of what may be in store for fans.
Disney’s Focus on Innovation
When asked why Disney was holding a presentation at SXSW that focused on innovation, D’Amaro explained the relationship between technology and storytelling at Disney.
Photo: Disney
“Innovation is one of the core principles of our company — and has been for more than 100 years. We use — and invent — new technology to tell our stories in exciting, compelling ways. From robotics to ride vehicles to how we render the media in our attractions and so much more, technology is integrated into everything we do,” D’Amaro explained. “So, of course, it makes sense for us to tell that story at SXSW, to demonstrate how we use technology to give our guests experiences they never dreamed possible.”
From his perch atop Disney Entertainment, Bergman gave a similar assessment.
“Since Disney was founded, it’s been driven by bringing art and technology together. That’s put us at the forefront of many advancements, from Walt’s early shorts and the first animated feature, Snow White, to the many innovations in production technology and animatronics from our teams across the company including ILM, Pixar, and Imagineering,” he said.
Photo: Disney
“We view technology as an essential tool that makes us better storytellers and helps us create more immersive and compelling entertainment experiences. It’s especially helpful to have artists who understand technology and vice versa, and we’re lucky to have incredibly talented people like that who can also collaborate really well together.”
The Interplay Between Disney Experiences and Disney Entertainment
While D’Amaro and Bergman head different company divisions, storytelling is at the core of Disney Experiences and Disney Entertainment.
“Storytellers across our company are constantly spurring one another on to do great work. We’ve seen classic park attractions inspire major motion pictures — Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise, just to name a few,” D’Amro explained.
“And it goes deeper than that. Because Imagineers work so closely with our studios, our filmmakers are often excited to explore how their worlds might translate into immersive experiences for our guests.”
In many cases, Disney Experiences is tasked with bringing Disney films and television shows to life. Sometimes, however, the influence goes both ways.
“They go hand in hand, and you see that every time you step into one of the parks. The influence of the films has been there since the beginning and has grown as the company has grown. Our studio’s creative teams build incredible worlds, and Disney Experiences takes those worlds and brings them to life, allowing guests to become part of the adventure.” Bergman adds.
Disneyland Park
“And in some cases, like with Pirates of the Caribbean, it can even go the other way. Not to mention that many of the creative leaders and storytellers at the Studio are huge Disney Parks fans themselves. So the teams draw inspiration from one another and we ensure that we maintain close connections throughout the storytelling process and in how we bring those stories to life in the parks and elsewhere.”
All About Storytelling
Ultimately, whether they work in Entertainment or Experiences, everyone at Disney wants to tell a great story.
“D’Amaro: One of our company’s core strengths is the incredible collection of storytellers we have under one roof. They all work together to make imagined worlds feel real. Those stories take many forms — from movies and TV to parks, cruise ships and consumer products — and that’s what makes Disney so special,” D’Amaro continued.
Photo: Disney
“Our storytellers collaborate across disciplines to bring our characters to life in new ways. Because a Disney story doesn’t end when the credits roll or when you walk out the park’s front gate — they keep growing and evolving.”
‘The Future of World-Building at Disney’
The Future of World-Building at Disney will take place tomorrow at 12:30 PM ET.
Photo: Disney
See below for the livestream!
So, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on all the news coming out of Disney’s big showcase.
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