DDB’s Post

Anyone seen Wicked by Universal Pictures ? Saw “Wicked” over the weekend. In short, I loved the “Wicked” movie; Part 1. Really, everything about it. My favorite moments are probably too numerous to count. Then, with a very short honeymoon; this morning it’s starting. The conservative backlash over the “Wicked” movie understanding that much of America 🇺🇸and the globe are not familiar with the book or the Broadway musical due to access limitations of whatever their circumstances may be.🎭 That said, I for one am so happy that the movie has been able to go even more in-depth into the changes in Oz and the culprits behind them; ensuring we clearly know who the true villains are…..wolves in disguise as do-gooders. 🐺 Unfortunately, it’s a difficult pill to swallow in this moment of our global culture when almost every major global populous is dealing with good vs evil in this moment that has little to nothing to do with governing, policy or financial equity for global citizens, but based on popularity, manipulation, ignorance and greed. Of course, personally I’m looking through a complex lens at the moment. It’s been a difficult fall for me to navigate spiritually with all that’s been going on in my country and great messages conveyed in “Wicked” are not lost on me. . . #entertainment #moviepremier #messaging

WHEN DID YOU LAST WATCH SOMETHING TWICE? Remember the good old days when we had that one film on VHS that we watched on repeat until it practically wore out? For me, it was “Kenan & Kel, Good Burger” - a true classic 😂. But in today's world, with endless options on platforms like Netflix and the quick entertainment fixes from TikTok, the charm of re-watching seems to have faded. Choosing what to watch next has become an hour-long task 😅, with so much content at our fingertips. Even with theatre, the decision to re-watch a show feels almost like a luxury, given the amount of show choices and the cost involved. Yet, there's a unique corner of the entertainment world where the magic of re-watching still thrives - cruise theatre. Cruise ships, with their loyal returning guests, offer a unique challenge and opportunity for creatives. The shows need to be captivating enough to watch over and over again. And yes, it helps that they’re free, but it's our job to create shows that are so layered that each viewing unveils something new. This has led us to innovate and push creative boundaries to ensure our shows on the sea are not just seen, but are remembered AND revisited. So, when was the last time you watched something twice? I’ve watched the video below at least 10 times 😂

What do you know about "Productivity Theater"? You might be encountering this term for the first time. Learn more about this concept, which emerged in "post-COVID times," in our new video. Watch it now!

Jumping on the emerald bandwagon this weekend—let’s talk Wicked! 🎭 Like most musical theatre fans, I went green this weekend and headed to see #Wicked. Now, confession time: I wasn’t bowled over by the West End show (I know, controversial). Maybe the hype got to me. So I went into the film skeptical. But wow. Just WOW. Everything from the casting to the costumes, from the set design to the sheer magic; was mind-blowing. 🤯 For me, this wasn’t just a movie; it was a masterclass in creativity. Here’s what hit me most: 💚 Harness your power – The film teaches us to stand up for what we believe in, to let nothing hold us back. A reminder that passion can be our greatest superpower. 💚 The power of art – Creativity doesn’t just entertain; it helps us imagine, escape, feel, and connect. This film is proof of what happens when powerhouse creatives bring their A-game. I left the cinema reenergised. Ready to keep harnessing my own creativity; whether it’s through podcasts, video, or events, to create media that makes people feel. Because when we do work we’re passionate about, we can leave the world a little better off than before. Maybe it’s a bit deep for a Monday morning, but sorry not sorry, I’ll be here riding this Wicked wave for a while! 🤣 #WickedMovie #Creativity #MondayMotivation

On October 5, 1977, the world was rocked by the announcement of the **release of the *"Star Wars: A New Hope*" soundtrack**, composed by the legendary **John Williams**. This soundtrack would go on to become one of the most iconic scores in film history, significantly impacting both the music and film industries. When *Star Wars* made its debut in theaters in 1977, it quickly captured the imaginations of millions around the globe. The film was notably supported by its powerful musical score, which John Williams composed to evoke the grand and adventurous spirit of the movie. The score combined sweeping orchestral arrangements with memorable motifs that perfectly aligned with the characters and narratives of the epic space opera. The soundtrack featured the now-famous *“Main Title”* theme, which became synonymous with the franchise and is instantly recognizable even to those who may not have seen the films. Williams’s use of thematic material for each character, such as the heroic melody for Luke Skywalker and the menacing chords associated with Darth Vader, added depth to the storytelling and enhanced the emotional impact of the scenes. Upon its release, the soundtrack album quickly climbed the charts, reflecting the movie's immense popularity. It won the **Academy Award for Best Original Score** in 1978 and has since been preserved as a classic, influencing generations of composers and filmmakers. During this time, John Williams emerged as a prominent figure in film composition, establishing a prolific career that would include scores for other beloved franchises, such as *Jurassic Park*, *Indiana Jones*, and *Harry Potter*. His work transformed how music is utilized in cinema, proving that a powerful score can enhance the narrative and elevate the viewer’s experience significantly. As we reflect on this significant incident from October 5, we celebrate John Williams’s extraordinary talent and the impact of his score on the *Star Wars* franchise and the broader film industry. His work serves as a testament to the importance of music in storytelling and its ability to resonate with audiences across generations. **What qualities do you believe are essential for artists to create work that leaves a lasting legacy, just as John Williams did with his iconic soundtracks?** #JohnWilliams #StarWars #FilmMusic #Soundtrack #CulturalImpact #Inspiration #Legacy

For this article I interviewed producers and performers in locally-based storytelling and improv shows in different areas of the country. As the theater and entertainment world continues to find its post-pandemic footing, all the perils and problems that plague arts-based projects are amplified: operational costs, scarce resources, risk-averse behavior on every side. But we need what theater offers: Stories. Insight. Emotional connection. Community. Storytelling and improv shows on a local level are thriving because they fill that need. https://lnkd.in/eSSH8AYi

Thinking with Intent 🎨 (3/10) : What If (Duncan Wardle) Not the Marvel series (well, not quite). But asking "What If" questions gets you everywhere and outside of your River of Thinking. I learned this from Duncan Wardle (ex-head of innovation at Disney) For the film Fantasia in 1940, Walt Disney wanted heat and mist pumped into the theatre during the film. That’s too expensive they said. So, what happened then? The rules of a movie theatre are simple: sit down, quietly, watching one movie at a time, dark, with no control of your environment. They have remained the same up to 2024. This is where the idea for Disney Land came from. Having characters out of the movie theatre, in a three dimensional, interactive environment. All by changing the script and asking “what if…” **And so…** ask the what if questions. Identify the rules that are adhered to in an industry or with a product, and start to ask “what if” for each one, continually channelling down to a salient idea. — Follow me for the rest of the 10 part series of first principal thinking (every Monday at 9am to fuel creativity for the week)

That intangible connection between artist and audience is so magical. Without ever touching, something is moved in the deepest parts of us in the exchange. It's special and it's fleeting. The energy of every performance is different. That note, or that gesture, will never be the same except in that moment. That is what makes every performance 1 of a kind. That is why live theater is an event in one's life. A recording, video, stream, movie...will always be the same, not live, in person, heart to heart theater. https://lnkd.in/gAprQhG3

WHEN DID YOU LAST WATCH SOMETHING TWICE? Remember the good old days when we had that one film on VHS that we watched on repeat until it practically wore out? For me, it was “Kenan & Kel, Good Burger” - a true classic 😂. But in today's world, with endless options on platforms like Netflix and the quick entertainment fixes from TikTok, the charm of re-watching seems to have faded. Choosing what to watch next has become an hour-long task 😅, with so much content at our fingertips. Even with theatre, the decision to re-watch a show feels almost like a luxury, given the amount of show choices and the cost involved. Yet, there's a unique corner of the entertainment world where the magic of re-watching still thrives - cruise theatre. Cruise ships, with their loyal returning guests, offer a unique challenge and opportunity for creatives. The shows need to be captivating enough to watch over and over again. And yes, it helps that they’re free, but it's our job to create shows that are so layered that each viewing unveils something new. This has led us to innovate and push creative boundaries to ensure our shows on the sea are not just seen, but are remembered AND revisited. So, when was the last time you watched something twice?

A legendary Broadway theater director gave me this advice a few years ago and it still rings in my head every time I'm preparing a keynote or a customer meeting... He said "everything that happens on stage must have a specific, clear reason to be there. It must have intent. Otherwise, it breaks the story." At first I thought he was being way too obsessive, but of course he is right (and being obsessive has won him several Tony Awards). He helped me learn that having an audience is a gift. It's a privilege. They are there to be served, and they deserve an unbroken story. This is 100% true in business too. Having a prospect to sell to is a privilege. Having an audience to speak to is a privilege. People's attention is a gift that we should not take for granted. When we strategically choose what we will say and show during a meeting, and thoughtfully decide what we will not say and not show, we serve our audience well. When we make those content choices based on what will give them the best experience rather than on what will serve ourselves, we increase the chances that they will respond by giving us what we want. There's so much in our day to day work that we can not control, but ensuring that everything we say and show to the audiences we serve has intent is something we can absolutely do, and then do more, and then do again. #bestadvice