Jeffrey Katzenberg on the rise of drone light shows: The sky becomes a new creative canvas

Key Concepts:

• Drone light shows as a new form of entertainment and storytelling.
• Nova Sky Stories: A drone light show company.
• Proprietary drone technology with battery swapping capabilities.
• The evolution of drone shows from spectacle to narrative storytelling.
• The potential for creating characters and interactive experiences with drones.
• Ticketed drone show events with a focus on community and emotional connection.

1. Introduction and Background

• The segment introduces drone light shows as a rising trend in entertainment.
• Jeffrey Katzenberg, former CEO of Dreamworks and chairman of Walt Disney Studios, has invested in and become a strategic advisor for Nova Sky Stories, a drone light show company founded by Kimbal Musk.

2. Nova Sky Stories and its Origins

• Kimbal Musk explains that Nova Sky Stories acquired the drone technology from Intel in 2022 after Intel decided to focus on its core businesses.
• Intel had invested ten years in developing the drone technology.
• Jeffrey Katzenberg was impressed by a drone show at Burning Man in 2022, which led to his involvement with the company.

3. Jeffrey Katzenberg's Perspective

• Katzenberg compares the current state of drone light shows to the early days of computer animation, specifically referencing the short film "Luxo Jr." by John Lasseter and Steve Jobs.
• He believes that drone technology will revolutionize storytelling and create a new creative canvas in the sky.
• Katzenberg emphasizes the potential for creating characters and immersive experiences with drones.
  • Quote: "He has created something that when people get to see what this is, it's just changes the whole perspective and the sky becomes a new creative canvas."

4. The Evolution of Drone Shows

• Kimbal Musk states that Nova Sky Stories is transitioning from simple spectacles to full-fledged stories lasting 70-80 minutes.
• He envisions shows with intermissions, similar to Broadway productions.

5. Business Model and Economics

• The business model involves selling tickets to drone show events.
• Kimbal Musk addresses the concern that people could watch the shows from outside the venue by emphasizing the importance of sound and optimal viewing angles for the full experience.
• He compares the experience to drive-in theaters, where viewers benefit from being within the designated area.
• The company sold 6,000 tickets last year and is on track to sell half a million this year.
• The shows typically attract audiences of around 3,000 people.

6. Drone Technology and Capabilities

• The drones use proprietary technology developed by Intel.
• The drones can replace each other in the sky as their batteries run low, ensuring a continuous performance.
• Kimbal Musk mentions that the technology is rapidly evolving, with plans to deploy fleets of 10,000 drones in the future.

7. Future Vision

• Katzenberg envisions creating characters with drones that can interact with the audience.
  • Examples: Tinkerbell flying into the audience, Toothless the Dragon.
• He anticipates that drone shows will eventually be held in large venues like Dodger Stadium and the Rose Bowl.

8. Conclusion

• Drone light shows are presented as a rapidly evolving form of entertainment with significant potential for storytelling and immersive experiences.
• Nova Sky Stories, with the backing of Jeffrey Katzenberg, is positioned to be a leader in this emerging industry.
• The technology is advancing quickly, promising even more sophisticated and engaging drone shows in the future.