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My goal with The Tomorrow Society Podcast is to have fun discussions with creative minds in the themed entertainment industry. Guests include authors, filmmakers, and other experts that are part of this medium. It interests me to see how the industry is evolving to include museums, zoos, and other cultural institutions.
My first guest is Ryan Ritchey — director, editor, and producer of After the Fair: The Legacy of 1964-65 NY World’s Fair. This documentary takes a charming look at the Fair and what happened to its pavilions after the gates closed. In the podcast, Ryan provides background about the movie and what drove him to create it. We also discuss the greatness of Horizons and EPCOT Center and the changes in a world of IP-driven attractions.
What makes Ryan’s film click with me is the volume of engaging stories about the Fair. There is still a cool legacy around the country of artifacts from the event more than 50 years later. We also learn about the Disney attractions at the Fair within the documentary. It’s fascinating to note the connections between those pavilions and EPCOT Center when it opened in 1982. Disney did more than just retain the tone of a permanent World’s Fair.
Show Notes: Ryan Ritchey
Learn more about After the Fair and Ryan’s current project, More Than a Lark.
If you’re curious about my background, you should also check out my first episode! It covers my connection to themed entertainment and plans for the show.
Support the podcast with a one-time donation and buy me a Dole Whip!
Hey Dan, finally got a chance to listen to the podcast, being able to download it on iTunes really helps.
I thought the interview with Ryan Ritchie was fantastic, the conversation sounded very natural and sincere. It was nice that he was eager to talk about some of the Disney aspects that were inspired by the fair like EPCOT and the recent Tomorrowland film.
I really enjoyed Ritchey’s comments near the end of the discussion when he said that the legacy of the 64/65 World’s Fair is not about the remaining physical structures but about the inspiration it provided to individuals and society as a whole. The recent retro-futurism movement draws much of it’s inspiration from the ideas and zeitgeist associated with the fair.
I also enjoyed the segment where you discussed some of the light-hearted and kitschy aspects of the fair and how that spirit seems to be lacking in many newer theme park attractions. That “fun” element is reason may of us are so sentimental about attractions like Carousel of Progress, the Tiki Room and World of Motion.
Again, great work on the interview. The only critique I have is that the intro/outro segments have an echo-y sound that is a little harsh on the ears when listening to the podcast on headphones. However, I don’t know if that’s something that can be easily (or inexpensively) fixed.
I’m subscribed to the podcast and looking forward to the next episode!
Ron, thanks so much for the great comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, which was a real treat. I could have talked to Ryan for hours about EPCOT Center and old Disney World.
I’m totally with you on the sound quality with the intro and conclusion. Those will be better in future episodes, and I’m working on getting music set up for them too. I have another interview on the way that should be right up your alley. I should have it up by the end of the week.