Vancouver 2010 Ceremonies Creative Team

David Atkins, the newly appointed Executive Producer for Vancouver 2010s Olympic Ceremonies Team isnt giving anything away. No hints, its too early in the process. What viewers can be sure of, though, is that it will be exciting. Theres no shortage of talent in Canada, said Atkins. In fact, theres an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Canadas resource of performers, artists and cultural practitioners. The ceremonies will profile and represent the best of these.

CREATING A CEREMONIES ADDICTION

The Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies strive to capture the spirit and unique personality of the host city, province and country, while providing inspiring Olympic and Paralympic messages and entertaining billions world wide.

Atkins, who was the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Summer Games ceremonies as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 15 th Asian Games in Doha in 2006, admits that working on the Olympic Games becomes a bit addictive. The pressure is quite extraordinary on every member of the team. These are once-only events. Its a highly-charged experience with years of work coming down to one night, one time, and one place.

Its not surprising, then, that the majority of the Ceremonies Team has worked on past Games Ceremonies, including Calgary 1988, Sydney 2000 and Torino 2006. Marti Kulich, VANOCs Program Director, Ceremonies and Production Services, noted that it is not just a group of individuals but truly a team that will produce the 2010 Olympic Ceremonies. And what a team.

Ceremonies Creative Team members include Jacques Lemay, Ian Pool, and Catherine Ugwu, all of whom have previously worked on Olympic, Commonwealth and other international Games. Prominent Canadian music scene legends, Bruce Allen, Sam Feldman and Dan Fraser, are also on board. Ignatius Jones, Artistic Director of the 15th Asian Games Ceremonies, as well as Érick Villeneuve, acclaimed Director and Special Visual Effects Designer round out the 10-member team along with Atkins and Kulich.

To learn more about the members of the Olympic Ceremonies Team, read their biographies: http://www.vancouver2010.com/dl/00/39/54/-/39544/prop=data/1bcxs74/39544.pdf

Video Credit: VANOC
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED
Visit http://www.vancouver2010.com to learn more about the 21st Olympic Winter Games.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• vancouver
• 2010
• olympic
• games
• opening
• closing
• ceremonies
• ceremony
• cauldron
• flame
• torch
• culture
• cultural
• celebration
• david
• atkins
• whistler
• british
• columbia
• canada
• sydney
• 2000
• doha
• 2006
• marti
• kulich
• jacques
• lemay
• ian
• pool
• catherine
• ugwu
• ignatius
• jones
• bruce
• allen

[joevinc27]

@spidey1970 Although Native culture is not prevalent, it is a very important aspect of our history and our politics today even. The Aboriginals were the roots of Canada, and the plain out fact is they were horribly mistreated during the country's settlement and early years - the Louis Riel Crisis, the relocation of natives to the High Arctic during the 50s, etc. The prevalence of their culture in the ceremonies was to show some dignity and new respect for them and their equality in society today

[tsjrlover]

Hated the closing ceremonies. Not only did it focus basically on one culture. (Canada has many cultures). but it was totally embarrassing to watch. Poking fun at Canada. Who says Canadians like to poke fun at themselves? Was there a survey that I missed or something?.  There was no class in e ceremony at all. When they showed clips from the upcoming ceremonies in Russia, which where so classy, I felt embarrassed. Whoever came up with these closing ceremonies made us look like hicks.

[KoreanMusic95]

Okay the theme of natives is because they are the freaking roots of canada THE END!!!!!!!!!!

[spidey1970]

If Atkins had presented the Aboriginals of Australia in a similar light during the Sydney Olympics it would have been a similar outrage.

[spidey1970]

I lived in the north for many years and have seen the same appeasement tactics at work, if you really value Native culture than it should be something we put in to action every day.not just part of the show.

[spidey1970]

Perhaps not correct in his wording, I do believe he is however quite correct in his thinking. Native culture is not a prevalent part of Canadas culture. Dont take this the wrong way; at less than 4% of the population, far less than that in the province of BC, it is quite appropriate to wonder why so many other cultures would be ignored. None of our political, social or economic policies are based on Native culture, yet we would present it as our focus to the world.

[kahunita]

@hulkisgreen666,

What the whole world knows by your writing is that you never finished basic grade school. That is sad.

[hulkisgreen666]

that was pathetic all the world is thinking right now is that in canada we only have indian or people playing violin

thats as a complete waste of time watchig that stupidity oh and did you see that they put Garou im from quebec and im not proud to see that so called singer in the ceremony at least put celine dion thats our best international singer stop whit youre stupid indian

[pilmusic]

lol.... Moins risqué (less risky)....not Waye Gretzky

[melizmatea]

As a Canadian expat, I am pretty shocked that with all the directing talent in Canada, they couldn't find a Canadian to produce and direct the opening ceremonies but had to hire an Australian director of generic large-scale events.If the ceremony was fantastic, I wouldn't be as outraged, but it was pretty mediocre.There are plenty of talented, innovative, creative, visionary, inventive, original CAPABLE directors in Canada. It's pretty outrageous really - why wasn't there outrage about this?!!!