Daniel Flannery is a multifaceted creator, shaping shows, attractions, and experiences across a diverse range of entertainment. Renowned as a creative entrepreneur and visionary "Maestro" of his creations, Flannery's work stands unparalleled, earning critical acclaim globally. As a versatile creator, producer, and director, he draws upon a rich background as a scenographer, lighting designer, and cinematographer. Above all, Flannery is an artist celebrated for his imagination and originality. Pioneering cutting-edge technologies, he is committed to delivering transformative entertainment experiences that deeply engage audiences. Flannery skillfully utilizes his extensive expertise and storytelling prowess to craft immersive, emotionally compelling content with universal appeal.
Born, raised and educated in New York, Flannery's career blossomed from his roots in lighting design within the realms of theatre, dance, and opera expanding into film and television. He utilized his theatrical design expertise as a director of photography, earning him prestigious awards and acclaim.
Flannery's professional journey has undergone a remarkable transformation. Mastering design and direction skills has empowered him and establishing his status as a major creative force. As the founder and president of Los Angeles-based production companies, Theoria Productions and Scenographic Designs, he provided support to esteemed clients including Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, the major TV Networks and many of the studios. His influence extends to international projects, encompassing performing arts centers, world expos, and global events. Flannery's innovative concepts, designs, and productions have not only made a mark but have also set industry standards.
STEREOSCOPIC CINEMA
Flannery has crafted immersive 3D stereoscopic cinema experiences within domes. Presently, his film, "MAJID AND THE SECRET OF LIFE," is showcased daily in the Dana Dome at the Kahramaa Awareness Park in Doha, Qatar. He served as stereoscopic consultant to the virtual immersive experience of cave 45 (8th century) presented as a major feature in the Cave Temples of Dunhuang exhibition at the Getty Museum Los Angeles, California. On the Silk Road. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
STAGE SPECTACULARS
China has hosted some of Flannery’s most spectacular stage productions, showcasing live music and performers, hundreds of actors, singers, dancers, musicians, and specialty acts, as well as puppets, kinetics, illusions and 3-D CGI scenography. Key collaborators, including puppets and kinetics designer Michael Curry, and choreographers Charles Moulton and Melissa Barak, have contributed to the success of these productions.
WORLD EVENTS
An outstanding achievement in Flannery's career was his role in producing and directing the Closing Ceremonies of the "Los Angeles Summer Olympics." The event, particularly remembered for the inclusion of a spaceship, remains a lasting testament to his creative contributions.
WORLD EXPOS
World expos have showcased some of Flannery's most original creations. The highlight of the Osaka '90 World Expo was Flannery's "WATER FANTASIUM." Additionally, for the Taejon South Korea World Expo, Flannery was commissioned by Lotte to create an attraction for their pavilion. "FANTASTIC ODYSSEY" emerged as that captivating feature, earning a spot among the top three attractions at the expo.
FEATURE FILMS
Within the realm of feature films, Flannery distinguished himself as a theatrical lighting designer, lending his creative touch to blockbusters such as "DEATH BECOMES HER," "NOISES OFF” and the Oscar Best Picture film “FORREST GUMP”.
TELEVISION
Flannery left an indelible mark on the aesthetic of television situation comedies, ushering in a revolutionary change. For years, sitcoms adhered to a formula of flat, bright, and shadowless lighting. As the Director of Photography for many television shows, including the hit series show "ROSEANNE," Flannery's pioneering lighting design forever changed the landscape of sitcoms. His groundbreaking work on television earned him accolades such as the International Monitor Award, and four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lighting Design.
THEMED ENTERTAINMENT
Flannery's enduring influence in the themed entertainment industry originates from his theatrical background, particularly his experiences on Broadway. Taking inspiration from these roots, he incorporated scenographic and lighting design techniques into the attractions "American Adventure" at Disney's EPCOT and later applied his expertise to Universal Studio's "The Adventures of Conan," a Sword & Sorcery Spectacular. The triumph of these projects laid the foundation for the development of several attractions in Universal's new Florida theme parks, featuring notable experiences like "ET's Adventure," "King Kong", "Jaws," and "Back to the Future." He created two of Singapore's most popular nightclubs, Peppermint Park and Atlantis. And he designed Adventure Slots for Hollywood Casino which earned him a THEA Award for creating an immersive gaming experience.
LIGHTING & SCENOGRAPHIC DESIGN
Flannery emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of lighting and scenographic design not only in theatre, TV & film but for world expos, theme parks, and cultural centers as well. As a storyteller through light, Flannery crafts immersive and transformative experiences. Within the domain of architectural lighting design, he has produced designs for notable projects, among them are the Melbourne Arts Centre, the site lighting for the Brisbane World Expo, and the comprehensive illumination of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure theme parks. Flannery's innovative and artistic lighting designs, spanning diverse mediums, garnered him acclaim and the prestigious LDI "Lighting Designer of the Year" award.
VISUAL SYMPHONIES
A pivotal event in Flannery's career occurred in 1977 when he relocated from New York City to Los Angeles. His inaugural project in L.A. came from a collaboration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and filmmaker George Lucas. This venture coincided with the release of the first "STAR WARS" film, and the concept was to have the philharmonic perform music from the movie in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Flannery was tasked with conceptualizing, designing, and directing the spectacular event. The result was a monumental success, with the audience responding with a 19-minute standing ovation.
SYMPHANTASY®
The phenomenal success of the STAR WARS CONCERT marked the inception of a new concert format. Subsequently, Flannery produced many visual symphonies, but his most cherished creation was the "SYMPHANTASY®" series, a collaboration with his dear friend, maestro Erich Kunzel.
CONCERTS
Flannery has been engaged to craft concerts for a diverse range of artists, including Sonny & Cher and Neil Diamond, and designing scenography and lighting for multiple seasons of classical, pop, and jazz concerts at the renowned Hollywood Bowl.
Renowned as a visionary and pioneer in emerging entertainment experiences and technologies, Flannery's work is distinguished by its innovative and transformative essence.
Selection of Credits
(Click on titles for portfolio)
"Los Angeles Olympics CLOSING CEREMONIES", Conceptualist, Director and Producer
"MAJID AND THE SECRET OF LIFE", Exec. Producer, Director; an animated 3-D stereoscopic dome film which is a permanent attraction and presented daily in the Doha Qatar Awareness Centre, museum.
"ILLUSIONS", Exec. Producer, Director; a stage spectacle, with an international cast, featuring 3-D stereoscopic animation sequences, presented nightly for one year in Shanghai China.
"ELEMENTS", Producer, Director, Designer; a theatrical production, with an international cast, integrating video projection. The show was presented nightly and ran for five years in Shenzhen China.
"ADVENTURE SLOTS", located in Hollywood Casino, Tunica, is an immersive, award winning, gaming experience inspired by adventure films.
"Symphantasy®", Co-creator with Maestro Erich Kunzel, of a television special and a live concert spectacle featuring George Clooney, Kelsey Grammer and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
"WATER FANTASIUM", Creator, Director; voted by critics as the No. 1 attraction at the Osaka World Expo, featuring water, animatronics, fire and special effects.
"FANTASTIC ODYSSEY", Lotte Pavilion, Creator, Director; most popular attractions at the Taejon S. Korea World Expo, featuring water, fire, illusions and automated scenography.
"COSMIC SYMPHONY", in the Tokyo Dome, Creator, Director, Designer; presented nightly for over a decade this attraction was presented nightly in Tokyo Japan.
"VOYAGE 350", Creator, Director, Designer; a purpose-built theatre resembling a tall ship, set sail nightly in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. A cast serving as the ships’ crew shared the story of the founding of Maryland with Illusions and film projected on three grand sails.
Melbourne Arts Centre, Architectural Lighting Designer for the building of this iconic arts centre which includes all front and back of house for the Hamer Concert Hall, the State Theatre, the Playhouse, Art Gallery, foyers, restaurants and rehearsal facilities.
BRISBANE WORLD EXPO, Architectural Lighting Designer for the entire site of the world expo.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA, Architectural Lighting Designer for the full site of the studio theme park.
UNIVERSAL'S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE, Architectural Lighting Designer for full site of the theme park.
"ROSEANNE", Director of Photography for All episodes seasons 1 thru 8 on ABC Television.
The original "Star Wars Concert", in 1977 with Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, conceived designed and directed by Flannery.
Theatrical Lighting Design for major motion pictures, "DEATH BECOMES HER", "FORREST GUMP" and "Noises Off".
Creative contributions as conceptualist, scenographer and lighting designer to Disney's EPCOT including "AMERICAN ADVENTURE", "Journey Into the Imagination" and "Kitchen Kabaret".
Concept development, design and production to Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando and ISLANDS of ADVENTURE, for area development and attractions including "ET's ADVENTURE", "KING KONG", "KONGRONTATION", "Back to the Future" and "JURASSIC PARK THE RIDE".
Academia
Flannery is devoted to teaching and mentoring, having shared his expertise through lectures and instruction at many institutions, including State University of New York (S.U.N.Y.), University of California Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.), University of California Santa Barbara (U.C.S.B.), Art Center College of Design, and University of Southern California (U.S.C.).
Some of Flannery's courses, lectures and curriculum include:
Creating International Spectaculars - Producing Noteworthy World Expo Attractions - Producing Olympic Ceremonies - Visual Music - The Art of Stage Lighting Design - Directing Shows with Diverse Global Casts - Scenography for Themed Entertainment - Lighting Design in Multi-Camera Television Series - Theatrical Lighting in Feature Films - CGI Lighting Design - The Art of Aquatic Entertainment - Foster the Entertainment Entrepreneur - Seizing Opportunities for Creations - Motion Capture of Performance Art - The Scenarist - Thriving in a Freelance Environment - When & How to Pitch Your Show - Promoting and Integrating Your Brand.
Some awards
A THEA Award for Adventure Slots at the Hollywood Casino in Tunica
The first LDI Award for Lighting Designer of the Year
Night Beautiful Award for his Universal Studios Orlando designs
Philanthropy
Supports Teen Cancer America with his Symphantasy®. Supports various Veterans programs. For over a decade he served on Executive Committee of the GOLDEN BOOT AWARDS benefiting the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Served as president of the Manhattan Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy for four years. Contributed his services as photographer to Muscular Dystrophy
Education
Flannery was educated in the art of scenography and lighting design for the stage at the prestigious New York Studio & Forum of Stage Design.
Flannery pursued his filmmaking education under the guidance of experimental filmmaker Scott Bartlett at Columbia University School of the Arts in New York City. Additionally, he honed his directing skills under the mentorship of renowned figures Uta Hagen and Herbert Berghof at HB Studio.
Affiliations
Flannery has been a member in numerous guilds, unions and trade organizations, including:
ATAS (Academy of Television Arts & Sciences), PGA (Producers Guild), IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), ICG (International Cinematographers Guild), TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), USITT (United States Institute of Theatre Technology)
