There was a time when people enjoyed concerts and large scale events with simple staging and lighting. This all changed with Marc Brickman, Emmy nominated and renowned visionary for Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, and Olympic ceremonies in Barcelona and Nagano, among many other accolades. From concerts, events, and film projects under his belt, John Davidson walks down memory lane with Marc to reminisce on his story and how the pandemic is ushering a shift in the next generation of communication and community.

“I think we’re in such a cultural change… the world has moved on… I think there is a whole new communication between people. “Narrowcasting.” People are trying to get authenticity out of people. We’re all human. We have those same emotions inside of us. To me, that is the future.”

To follow John on Twitter: https://twitter.com/J0hnDavids0n

Full Episode Breakdown:

0:00 – Introductions, Marc Brickman, dropping a few names: Artist, Pink Floyd, Steven Spielberg, Paul McCartney and currently Artist in Residence at the Empire State Building

1:45 – How they met, their origin story with John’s impression on Jens Zimmermann at Production Resource Group (PRG) 

5:21 – Marc’s impression of meeting John and what could have been at the Minneapolis Convention Center and their domes before the pandemic for esports.

7:55 – Marc’s Big Break – The origins of Marc creating a light show in high school and the opportunity to partner at his first company at 19 years old with the premier lighting distributor in the Tri-State area 

11:10 – 1972 – Meeting and working with Bruce Springsteen and production levels in small clubs breaking like the Troubadour in LA and learning from Chipmunk

14:27 – During the 10 years with Springsteen, managed Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, meeting Carole King in LA at the Roxy and moved to LA, home since 1978

16:12 – The beginning of working with Pink Floyd – Film Director, Alan Parker and Roger Waters with Steve O’Rourke and asking for 25 tickets.

18:35 – Comparing the thrills of success and addressing doubt and the power of someone saying, “Yes.”

20:27 – Que Sera Sera, Doris Day – How does John not know this song?

21:11 – The value of forcing or not forcing things to happen and recognizing opportunity. People have different levels of fear and different mindsets. Marc is a risk taker.

23:50 – The importance of the overall team and perceived success of people. Ie. “The Rockstar” mentality with social media today, ie. Narrowcasting

26:59 – Seth Godin, Author, “Minimum Viable Audience” and John’s calculations for launching Davidson Learning Company and Marc’s thoughts on it.

29:30 – The 1992 Olympics and opening ceremony – “Safe and Risk” list and turning Barcelona into a stage, not stadium

32:40 – Creating the innovation and introduction of first tracking camera – first time usage at a Paul McCartney concert and automating for the Olympics

33:40 – The merits of allowing for spontaneity versus practice and preparation. Momentum of confidence

37:44 – Shift from concerts to events in scope and scale, and entertainment production in pandemic era

43:11 – Getting the Empire State Building gig and upcoming Simon game

48:37 – The changes of the “way it was” and the how communication has evolved

49:50 – The future, what’s next: We are in a culturally change, “the Normal” has ended. Authenticity is coming to light and we’re all ultimately connected.