Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Welcome to "Being Immersed," a monthly live Q&A series where Texas Immersive Institute's Founding Director, Erin Reilly, interviews leaders in the immersive media field, exploring the latest innovations in storytelling, design, and emerging technologies. Don't miss this interactive experience—where participation, creativity, and innovation meet!
In this episode, we dive into the theme of illusion, not as deception, but as a creative force that transforms spaces and ignites the imagination.
Join Erin as she interviews David Weiss, master immersive storyteller behind iconic experiences like Battle for Texas and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. Discover how David uses illusion to shift perception, build belief, and craft awe-inspiring environments that blend narrative, architecture, and emotion.
✨ Episode Highlights
What illusion means in immersive experience design
How spatial storytelling tricks the senses and transports audiences
Behind-the-scenes insight into theme park and location-based entertainment
Lessons from cinema, theatre, and interactive design
TIMESTAMPS
05:10 Introduction
11:30 Wonka Principles and the Guest's Journey
20:22 Bring in the Audience
21:16 Techniques for Crafting Deceptive Realities
32:50 Tools & Trends
38:32 Real-World Applications & Ethics
42:05 Audience Q&A
50:45 Closing Remarks
🎬 Whether you're a creative, technologist, educator, experience designer, or simply fascinated by the magic behind immersive spaces, this conversation offers a golden ticket into the world of experiential illusion.
🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications to catch future episodes featuring top voices in XR, AR/VR, spatial computing, and more.
ABOUT DAVID WEISS
David Weiss has spent over 35 years in the themed entertainment industry as a writer and Creative Director, crafting engaging, immersive, and educational experiences for audiences worldwide. He has pioneered unique and compelling methods to bring both attractions and educational experiences to life. He has held various creative roles at prestigious companies, creating films, attractions, and exhibitions for clients such as Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore, Genting Highlands/Fox Theme Park in Malaysia, The Land of Legends in Antalya, Turkey, Base Entertainment, NASA, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Busch Entertainment, AT&T, and Clear Channel Exhibitions.
In 2014, David Weiss founded Flying Doghouse Productions, Inc., a Los Angeles-based company specializing in developing themed entertainment experiences from concept to opening. The company assembles teams of talented artists, technicians, and vendors for each project, maintaining low costs while fostering creativity. It also excels at acquiring high-profile intellectual properties for a variety of projects and has produced concepts and designs for "Fast & The Furious," "Terminator: Genisys," "Asterix," Hasbro, and "Jurassic World."
Follow David!
Website: flyingdoghouseproductions.com
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SUPPORT TEXAS IMMERSIVE!
This content is made possible thanks to the Texas Immersive Supporters! Consider making a small donation so we can provide more thought leadership content to our community!
https://give.utexas.edu/?menu=OGPTII
Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter!
https://www.linkt.ee/texasimmersive
Music by Patrick A. from Pixabay
Music by Dream-Protocol from Pixabay
#ImmersiveStorytelling #ExperienceDesign #IllusionDesign #DavidWeiss #BeingImmersed #TexasImmersive #XR #ThemedEntertainment #StoryDesign #ImmersiveMedia #SpatialStorytelling #LiveStreamInterview
Welcome to "Being Immersed," a monthly live Q&A series where Texas Immersive Institute's Founding Director, Erin Reilly, interviews leaders in the immersive media field, exploring the latest innovations in storytelling, design, and emerging technologies. Don't miss this interactive experience—where participation, creativity, and innovation meet!
In this episode, we dive into the theme of illusion, not as deception, but as a creative force that transforms spaces and ignites the imagination.
Join Erin as she interviews David Weiss, master immersive storyteller behind iconic experiences like Battle for Texas and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. Discover how David uses illusion to shift perception, build belief, and craft awe-inspiring environments that blend narrative, architecture, and emotion.
✨ Episode Highlights
What illusion means in immersive experience design
How spatial storytelling tricks the senses and transports audiences
Behind-the-scenes insight into theme park and location-based entertainment
Lessons from cinema, theatre, and interactive design
TIMESTAMPS
05:10 Introduction
11:30 Wonka Principles and the Guest's Journey
20:22 Bring in the Audience
21:16 Techniques for Crafting Deceptive Realities
32:50 Tools & Trends
38:32 Real-World Applications & Ethics
42:05 Audience Q&A
50:45 Closing Remarks
🎬 Whether you're a creative, technologist, educator, experience designer, or simply fascinated by the magic behind immersive spaces, this conversation offers a golden ticket into the world of experiential illusion.
🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications to catch future episodes featuring top voices in XR, AR/VR, spatial computing, and more.
ABOUT DAVID WEISS
David Weiss has spent over 35 years in the themed entertainment industry as a writer and Creative Director, crafting engaging, immersive, and educational experiences for audiences worldwide. He has pioneered unique and compelling methods to bring both attractions and educational experiences to life. He has held various creative roles at prestigious companies, creating films, attractions, and exhibitions for clients such as Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore, Genting Highlands/Fox Theme Park in Malaysia, The Land of Legends in Antalya, Turkey, Base Entertainment, NASA, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Busch Entertainment, AT&T, and Clear Channel Exhibitions.
In 2014, David Weiss founded Flying Doghouse Productions, Inc., a Los Angeles-based company specializing in developing themed entertainment experiences from concept to opening. The company assembles teams of talented artists, technicians, and vendors for each project, maintaining low costs while fostering creativity. It also excels at acquiring high-profile intellectual properties for a variety of projects and has produced concepts and designs for "Fast & The Furious," "Terminator: Genisys," "Asterix," Hasbro, and "Jurassic World."
Follow David!
Website: flyingdoghouseproductions.com
---
SUPPORT TEXAS IMMERSIVE!
This content is made possible thanks to the Texas Immersive Supporters! Consider making a small donation so we can provide more thought leadership content to our community!
https://give.utexas.edu/?menu=OGPTII
Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter!
https://www.linkt.ee/texasimmersive
Music by Patrick A. from Pixabay
Music by Dream-Protocol from Pixabay
#ImmersiveStorytelling #ExperienceDesign #IllusionDesign #DavidWeiss #BeingImmersed #TexasImmersive #XR #ThemedEntertainment #StoryDesign #ImmersiveMedia #SpatialStorytelling #LiveStreamInterview
