SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Ready to Rise
Creative concept, design and show flow for the 2018 Special Olympics in Seattle, Washington.
Project Deliverables:
RFP winning pitch creative
Ceremony concept and theme
Stage design and stadium graphics/wayfinding
Show flow logistics and support between UW + SO (live in-person event) + ESPN + NBC (live streaming audience)
My Role:
VP Creative / Design
Brief:
I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the creative team that pitched and won the proposal for the Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremonies. Working alongside the team from Special Olympics Washington, we were tasked with developing a creative concept that reflected the beauty, cultural riches, and unique spirit of the great Pacific Northwest, while honoring the athletes, families, and coaches who traveled far and wide to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Games.
Creative Strategy:
Our touchstones for making scenic, show flow, and talent decisions resulted in a thematically cohesive and emotionally engaging program. We presented an opening ceremonies theme that explored what we all have in common; what includes us all; what shapes our environment; and what is elemental. From there we focused on earth, air, water, and fire, all of which are elemental to all life, all of which are building blocks of the PNW. From the mountain ranges to the vast blue skies, to the ocean and waterways, and the volcanic ring of fire. The show flow was then broken up into four chapters, that moved through each of the elemental themes. Additionally, the visual identity (developed by Publicis Seattle) combined the elements into one powerful mark. An expression of the iconic natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Scenic Explorations & Show Flow:
The event layout centered on a stage design that evoked the 2018 Special Olympics logo, with the field seating arrangement interlaced and representative of water. After opening remarks and messages from key voices with the SOUSA family we proposed…
Earth | Dignity
Opening on a celebration video of the athletes followed by an introduction from the celebrity emcee. From there we’d move to the Entrance of the Athletes, followed by the formation of the trees and mountains around the stage.
Air | Courage
After the athletes entered the stadium and found their seats, this segment of the show began with the national anthem, official welcome, mission statement, musical interludes, and a video about the past 50 years of Special Olympics history.
Water | Unity
This segment opened with a rainfall of environmentally friendly blue and green confetti, representing Seattle’s famous rain and a symbol of how important water is to the Pacific Northwest. Giant sheets of blue fabric then cascaded from the upper reaches of the grandstands to the stadium floor below. Proposed (but cut) large, human-powered animal puppets would march towards the state and form a totem in honor of the PNW’s Native Peoples and the sacred lands upon which we were celebrating.
Fire | Joy
The next element of the show flow moved into the journey of the flame and the lighting of the cauldron.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Torch Concepts & Designs:
Ask anyone, and they will tell you that the central feature of any Olympics is the passing of the torch. I was thrilled with SOUSA asked me to ideate concepts within our Elemental theme for the games and even more so to see it come to life — from quick sketch to physical product.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Cauldron Concepts & Designs:
You can’t have the torch without the cauldron. During the pitch stage, I envisioned the cauldron as a Chihuly-esque glass sculpture interpretation logo flame, with a roaring blue and green flame within (created from added elements like alcohol, boric acid, and potassium chloride.) After the work was won, we re-envisioned the cauldron with the goal of it being easily transportable from event to event. The final design celebrated the artistry of metalworking in a petaled design.
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
— Special Olympics Oath
Event Photos:
The day of the show was a phenomenal force to see.
Team Credits:
Not many great things are accomplished solo. Here are the other creative team members that made this project a success:
Peter Gaucy, CCO, Publicis Experiences
Leland Patton, VP Creative/Events, Publicis Experiences
Mike Cole, Executive Director, Publicis Experiences
Tammy Madsen, Senior Producer, Publicis Experiences
Martin Christoffel, Scenic Designer, Contract
*Publicis Experiences was the agency that won the work and developed initial creative and initial production planning. Another agency took over the final production for the day of the event.