- "I was fortunate enough to work with a few of Walt Disney's original Imagineers, either on projects or the books I wrote on classic attractions, but I did get to spend a lot of time with a few of them and learn the art of themed entertainment directly from the masters. Through my work with 'Star Wars,' 'Indiana Jones' and the 'Jurassic' franchise, I've had a chance to collaborate with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, so after growing up on their work in the '70s and '80s you can imagine how mind-blowing that was. I got to write for and direct Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, and he couldn't have been kinder, more gracious and was as eager to serve the material as anyone else I've ever worked with – a total pro and true collaborator – and that was a life-changing experience."
- ―Jason Surrell
Jason Surrell is a former show writer and producer for Walt Disney Imagineering. In June 2014, Surrell left Walt Disney Imagineering and is now with Universal Creative.
Biography[]
Career[]
His work has included the creation of an animated Haunted Mansion tombstone at the Magic Kingdom attraction, which pays homage to Imagineer Leota Toombs, who supplied the face of Madame Leota. He also has created show concepts for The Great Movie Ride, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! and Walt Disney: One Man's Dream at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Notable works[]
- The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies
- The Art of the Haunted Mansion
- Screenplay by Disney: Tips and Techniques to Add Magic to Your Moviemaking
- Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies
- Disney Mountain: Imagineering at its Peak
External links[]
- Jason Surrell on Wikipedia
- Jason Surrell at the Internet Movie Database
- Jason Surrell - Dead Men... TELL NO TALES!
- Interview with Disney Imagineer Jason Surrell - Part 1 and Part 2 - WDW Radio
- JohnnyDeppReadsInterviews: Jason Surrell, author, Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies
- Meet the Mentor Alum Who Got to Hang With Johnny Depp – Cardinal Nation - Archived