Seen on Screen with Jacqueline Coley : Building Universal Epic Universe with Brian Robinson
SHOW NOTES
At Universal, theme parks transport fans into iconic stories and immersive worlds they once only imagined, and in doing so ignite the thrill of being fully alive. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Brian Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Universal Creative, to talk about the making of Universal Epic Universe.
Recorded on-site at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Property, Brian shares his journey from a movie-loving kid in Shreveport, Louisiana to leading the team that envisions, designs, and innovates the iconic attractions, lands and worlds that define Universal Theme Parks globally. He opens up about the emotional power of vulnerability, storytelling, the influence of The Birdcage and Steel Magnolias and explains how his creative process begins with words on a page and ends with a fully immersive experience where you can fly with dragons or lose yourself in a monster's lair. Every detail—from the sound design to hand-carved statues—is crafted to emotionally transform you and pull you deeper into the story. Along the way, he reflects on fatherhood, creative cultures, the unbridled power of optimism, and the audacity of creativity.
From Isle of Berk to Darkmoor, Brian reveals how it all comes together, why creative collaboration is key, and how stories—whether told on screen or designed into the fabric of a land—can connect generations, spark imagination, and leave a lasting emotional impact.
Recorded on-site at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Property, Brian shares his journey from a movie-loving kid in Shreveport, Louisiana to leading the team that envisions, designs, and innovates the iconic attractions, lands and worlds that define Universal Theme Parks globally. He opens up about the emotional power of vulnerability, storytelling, the influence of The Birdcage and Steel Magnolias and explains how his creative process begins with words on a page and ends with a fully immersive experience where you can fly with dragons or lose yourself in a monster's lair. Every detail—from the sound design to hand-carved statues—is crafted to emotionally transform you and pull you deeper into the story. Along the way, he reflects on fatherhood, creative cultures, the unbridled power of optimism, and the audacity of creativity.
From Isle of Berk to Darkmoor, Brian reveals how it all comes together, why creative collaboration is key, and how stories—whether told on screen or designed into the fabric of a land—can connect generations, spark imagination, and leave a lasting emotional impact.
Seen on Screen with Jacqueline Coley
"Seen on Screen" is your ticket to the personal narratives behind the scenes at Universal. Hosted by Jacqueline Coley, Awards Editor at Rotten Tomatoes, each episode invites you into lively conversations with NBCUniversal employees. Together, we explore how the magic of filmed entertainment impacts their lives.
With a blend of games and questions, Jacqueline guides us through a journey of cinematic discovery, asking guests to reflect on the films that have rocked their world, changed them forever, or even scared the daylights out of them.
At Universal, we believe that behind every film, campaign, and award lies a human story waiting to be told. "Make It Universal" isn’t just a mantra – it’s a commitment to celebrating the diversity, individuality, and collective experiences that make us truly universal. From the directors to the executives, from the famous faces to the unsung heroes, every voice matters.
So, join us as we Make It Universal on "Seen on Screen," where every story is meaningful, every experience is relatable, and every moment is filled with magic. Because when art and entertainment connect with people on a human level, that's when the real magic happens.
With a blend of games and questions, Jacqueline guides us through a journey of cinematic discovery, asking guests to reflect on the films that have rocked their world, changed them forever, or even scared the daylights out of them.
At Universal, we believe that behind every film, campaign, and award lies a human story waiting to be told. "Make It Universal" isn’t just a mantra – it’s a commitment to celebrating the diversity, individuality, and collective experiences that make us truly universal. From the directors to the executives, from the famous faces to the unsung heroes, every voice matters.
So, join us as we Make It Universal on "Seen on Screen," where every story is meaningful, every experience is relatable, and every moment is filled with magic. Because when art and entertainment connect with people on a human level, that's when the real magic happens.
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