Storyland Studios, the three-dimensional storytelling firm, has appointed Jonathan Bonner as executive producer for its UK team. In this role, he will draw on his experience for some of Storyland Studios’ major international projects and partnerships, such as Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia, Grupo Cataratas in Brazil, and the upcoming Studios Occitanie Ubisoft attraction in France.
Bonner says: “I am incredibly excited – I have been a fan of Storyland from the sidelines for quite a while now. The team seems great to work with, really collaborative, and they are passionate about the industry.”
Internationally skilled
During his career, Bonner has worked on attraction design and build projects with top names in the themed entertainment industry including Walt Disney Imagineering, The Lego Group, Europa-Park and Merlin Entertainments. His versatile nature has been proven by his work across each project stage in the sector, with clients as diverse as Warner Bros., EMAAR Entertainment, Al Hokair Group, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, and others around the world.
Bonner will oversee project budgets and schedules as executive producer, as well as managing each project’s creative intent from start to finish.
“I will be ensuring that the client’s story stays protected as and as it should be throughout the process,” he adds.
Experienced executive
Bonner has worked with distinguished firms in the industry, including Paragon Creative, T3 Creative Agency, and, most recently, as a project producer for Katapult. Bonner is also a former member of the Themed Entertainment Association’s EME Division board.
His fascination with the themed entertainment sector began after a family trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
“I have been a theme park geek and lover since I was about eleven years old – I just completely fell in love with that kind of world and these amazing attractions. I didn’t realise, growing up in the UK, that you could actually make a career out of this kind of thing until I was much older.”
“A new chapter”
Decades later, Bonner was working alongside Walt Disney Imagineering on the refurbishments of dark ride classics Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris.
His career continues with Storyland Studios, based in the UK: “I am thrilled about working with the international team, it feels like we are very much a new chapter in Storyland’s development. To be a part of that is really exciting.”
Storyland Studios partner, chief strategy officer and head of global clients Ben Thompson adds: “With ongoing themed attraction projects now on five continents, this was the perfect opportunity to introduce an Executive Producer to our international team.
“We are excited to work with Jonathan as we continue to develop and secure projects for the global market.”
Last month, Storyland Studios announced plans for the Sports Illustrated Resort, an immersive themed accommodation project.
