Learning from the Park Designers - 1
Listening to podcasts and audiobooks is something I started doing when I began my journey as a university student. Walking to classes, dining halls, meetings and other events around my college campus was a great time for me to learn more about specific industries, companies, persons, and the world in general. The first podcast I ever listened to (related to Themed Entertainment) was the Imagineer Podcast by Matthew Kurl. This podcast had weekly episodes where Disney legends and current Imagineers were interviewed and talked about their experiences. For me, this was an amazing podcast as it brought me deeper into the themed entertainment world.
From the Imagineer Podcast, I was able to learn about incredible books, stories, shows, and resources that I soon started to explore. Some of the books I read/listened to were Dream It! Do It!, and One Little Spark by Marty Sklar, I learned about the TEA, IAAPA, and the Imagineering toolbox series. This Series was written by Louis J. Prosperi, and after googling his name I discovered the Themed Attraction Podcast. This podcast and networking site was also mentioned in multiple workshops hosted by the TEA, so I jumped at the chance to become a member and start listening to their podcast.
As I have already listened to many of their episodes, I was trying to think about the most memorable. I really enjoyed listening to the episodes E38: themed entertainment masters, E33: Doris Hodon, and E8-E10: Toxy Baxter. However, E16: Lou Prosperi was the most memorable as I already knew a little about him after reading his books “The Imagineering Pyramid, and Tell Your Story The Walt Disney Way”
I really liked the focus on storytelling and different perspectives that was talked about on the podcast. Skipper Freddy, Mel McGowan and Lou Prosperi focused most to talk about the core design concepts like perspectives, ideologies, and storytelling. I felt that both Lou’s books an this podcast were targeted to people like me, inspired and interested in this industry but with out much knowledge at the time. These books and podcast also focus on the process and work that goes the development of attractions, parks, and experiences from the Imagineers.
RESOURCES: Louis J. Prosperi
Website: https://imagineeringtoolbox.wordpress.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lou-prosperi (added to my connections)
