1 00:00:10,614 --> 00:00:13,334 Speaker 1: You're listening to a Muma Mea podcast. 2 00:00:14,134 --> 00:00:17,214 Speaker 2: Mumma Mea acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters 3 00:00:17,254 --> 00:00:19,134 Speaker 2: that this podcast is recorded on. 4 00:00:22,454 --> 00:00:23,854 Speaker 1: Hi. I'm Claire Murphy. 5 00:00:23,894 --> 00:00:27,054 Speaker 2: This is Mumma MIA's twice daily news podcast, The Quickie. 6 00:00:27,614 --> 00:00:29,894 Speaker 2: Do you remember where you were when you watch the 7 00:00:29,934 --> 00:00:32,694 Speaker 2: opening ceremony of the Sydney two thousand Olympic Games. 8 00:00:33,134 --> 00:00:36,774 Speaker 3: Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the Sydney two thousand Games 9 00:00:36,894 --> 00:00:38,574 Speaker 3: of the twenty seventh olid field. 10 00:00:39,894 --> 00:00:42,414 Speaker 2: With the Paris Games opening ceremony kicking off in the 11 00:00:42,454 --> 00:00:44,934 Speaker 2: early hours of tomorrow morning, we look back at what 12 00:00:44,974 --> 00:00:47,934 Speaker 2: it took to pull off that massive show in two thousand. 13 00:00:48,094 --> 00:00:51,214 Speaker 2: Why suspend Nicki Webster thirty meters in the air, how 14 00:00:51,254 --> 00:00:54,014 Speaker 2: do you coordinate all those performers? And how do you 15 00:00:54,014 --> 00:00:56,654 Speaker 2: convince Kylie Minogue to perform on top of a giant 16 00:00:56,734 --> 00:00:59,934 Speaker 2: thong in the closing ceremony? But first, here's the letters 17 00:00:59,974 --> 00:01:03,574 Speaker 2: from the Quikie newsroom. Friday, July twenty six. The Matildas 18 00:01:03,614 --> 00:01:06,454 Speaker 2: have squared off against Germany in Paris for their opening 19 00:01:06,454 --> 00:01:09,054 Speaker 2: match of the Olympic Games. Going down three to nil, 20 00:01:09,374 --> 00:01:12,174 Speaker 2: the Assies have a tough task to get themselves out 21 00:01:12,214 --> 00:01:15,134 Speaker 2: of Group B, which also contains the USA, but that 22 00:01:15,214 --> 00:01:18,454 Speaker 2: has become even more difficult now after their loss to Germany. 23 00:01:18,814 --> 00:01:21,334 Speaker 2: It was redemption for the Germans, though, the win coming 24 00:01:21,334 --> 00:01:23,494 Speaker 2: a year after they crashed out of the World Cup 25 00:01:23,534 --> 00:01:26,934 Speaker 2: in Sydney in the group stage. Prince Harry claims his 26 00:01:27,094 --> 00:01:29,934 Speaker 2: ongoing battle with the tabloids, which saw him become the 27 00:01:29,974 --> 00:01:32,974 Speaker 2: first senior royal in over a century to testify in court, 28 00:01:33,294 --> 00:01:36,134 Speaker 2: has been a central piece to his family fallout. The 29 00:01:36,174 --> 00:01:39,334 Speaker 2: Prince made the claims in an interview with broadcaster ITV, 30 00:01:39,774 --> 00:01:42,214 Speaker 2: telling them he wished his family had joined him in 31 00:01:42,254 --> 00:01:45,134 Speaker 2: his invasion of privacy case. The thirty nine year old 32 00:01:45,214 --> 00:01:48,254 Speaker 2: explaining how his mission continues but that it caused a 33 00:01:48,374 --> 00:01:51,414 Speaker 2: rift when he broke from the family's attitude of never complain, 34 00:01:51,614 --> 00:01:55,494 Speaker 2: never explain. His father, King Charles opposed the litigation, but 35 00:01:55,574 --> 00:01:58,974 Speaker 2: Harry revealed his elder brother William, has secretly settled a 36 00:01:59,014 --> 00:02:03,214 Speaker 2: complaint against the Rupert Murdock owned Newsgroup Newspapers for a huge. 37 00:02:02,974 --> 00:02:03,654 Speaker 1: Sum of money. 38 00:02:04,174 --> 00:02:07,454 Speaker 2: Prime Minister Anthony Albernizi has some big decisions to make 39 00:02:07,614 --> 00:02:11,094 Speaker 2: after two of his senior ministers prepared to retire from politics. 40 00:02:11,454 --> 00:02:14,694 Speaker 2: Linda Bernie and Brendan O'Connor both announced they'll retire at 41 00:02:14,694 --> 00:02:17,094 Speaker 2: the next federal election, which is due to be held 42 00:02:17,134 --> 00:02:20,094 Speaker 2: by May next year, but have decided to bow out 43 00:02:20,134 --> 00:02:23,494 Speaker 2: of the cabinet immediately to make way for fresh faces. 44 00:02:23,534 --> 00:02:26,134 Speaker 2: Before then, the question is now, who does the pm 45 00:02:26,174 --> 00:02:29,014 Speaker 2: A point in their place as the assistant minister to 46 00:02:29,094 --> 00:02:33,094 Speaker 2: Linda Bernie. Former journalist and now NTE Senator MELANDERI McCarthy 47 00:02:33,174 --> 00:02:35,934 Speaker 2: is widely tipped to step into that role. She also 48 00:02:36,054 --> 00:02:39,414 Speaker 2: represents the Left faction, as Minister Bernie does. There are 49 00:02:39,454 --> 00:02:42,174 Speaker 2: also rumors some ministers will be shifted out of their 50 00:02:42,214 --> 00:02:45,134 Speaker 2: portfolios and into others to make way for some to 51 00:02:45,214 --> 00:02:48,614 Speaker 2: take over. Mister Albanesi explained that no government in living 52 00:02:48,654 --> 00:02:51,774 Speaker 2: memory has had the same cabinet and ministerial positions for 53 00:02:51,814 --> 00:02:55,494 Speaker 2: its first two years in office. Australia's own Queen Mary 54 00:02:55,494 --> 00:02:57,974 Speaker 2: of Denmark has been hit by a fan riding a 55 00:02:58,014 --> 00:03:01,054 Speaker 2: motorized scooter. Mary was speaking to fans while on a 56 00:03:01,094 --> 00:03:04,334 Speaker 2: visit to Greenland when an elderly person driving a motorized 57 00:03:04,374 --> 00:03:07,094 Speaker 2: scooter ran into the Royal throwing her to the ground. 58 00:03:07,454 --> 00:03:09,854 Speaker 2: The Queen quickly jumped back up with tears years in 59 00:03:09,854 --> 00:03:12,774 Speaker 2: her eyes while her security rushed to help her. The 60 00:03:12,854 --> 00:03:16,654 Speaker 2: Palaces media later confirmed she was uninjured, but police immediately 61 00:03:16,694 --> 00:03:20,614 Speaker 2: barricaded her before removing her from the situation. The scooter driver, 62 00:03:20,694 --> 00:03:24,014 Speaker 2: whose identity has not been released, claims he was reaching 63 00:03:24,054 --> 00:03:27,134 Speaker 2: out to the queen when he accidentally knocked the accelerator. 64 00:03:27,654 --> 00:03:29,654 Speaker 2: That's what's going on in the world today. Next, we 65 00:03:29,694 --> 00:03:32,534 Speaker 2: speak to the artistic director of the Sydney two thousand 66 00:03:32,574 --> 00:03:35,774 Speaker 2: Olympic opening ceremony to understand what it's like to take 67 00:03:35,814 --> 00:03:49,454 Speaker 2: on a show that damn big. The Paris Games opening 68 00:03:49,494 --> 00:03:53,094 Speaker 2: ceremony will begin at four am tomorrow morning Australian Eastern 69 00:03:53,134 --> 00:03:57,094 Speaker 2: Standard time. It'll be one like no other, the first 70 00:03:57,174 --> 00:03:59,414 Speaker 2: ever held along a river, and the first to be 71 00:03:59,454 --> 00:04:03,094 Speaker 2: held outside the Whost Stadium. Instead of sitting in their seats, 72 00:04:03,334 --> 00:04:06,174 Speaker 2: one hundred and four thousand people had to secure free 73 00:04:06,174 --> 00:04:09,054 Speaker 2: tickets to stand along the sand to watch. Two hundred 74 00:04:09,094 --> 00:04:12,054 Speaker 2: and twenty five more will be on raised roadways along 75 00:04:12,094 --> 00:04:13,094 Speaker 2: the four mile stretch. 76 00:04:13,934 --> 00:04:15,734 Speaker 1: Around six thousand. 77 00:04:15,334 --> 00:04:18,254 Speaker 2: Athletes will arrive on nearly one hundred votes through the 78 00:04:18,294 --> 00:04:21,374 Speaker 2: center of Paris in what they're calling the Parade of Nations. 79 00:04:21,774 --> 00:04:24,814 Speaker 2: Now This part of the ceremony has never been rehearsed, 80 00:04:25,014 --> 00:04:28,174 Speaker 2: so should be interesting to see how it all unfolds irl. 81 00:04:29,574 --> 00:04:32,094 Speaker 2: The parade ends at the Trocadero, where there'll be a 82 00:04:32,134 --> 00:04:35,734 Speaker 2: show highlighting the Eiffel Tower. French R and B star 83 00:04:35,894 --> 00:04:39,774 Speaker 2: Ian Nakamura has been confirmed as performing by President Emmanuel Macron, 84 00:04:40,214 --> 00:04:43,774 Speaker 2: but their speculation that both Lady Gaga and Celine Dion 85 00:04:43,934 --> 00:04:47,214 Speaker 2: will perform. Both have been spotted at the Hotel Monsieu 86 00:04:47,294 --> 00:04:49,694 Speaker 2: in Paris, and just a few days ago, the French 87 00:04:49,694 --> 00:04:53,014 Speaker 2: Sports Minister said Dion's presence in the French capital was 88 00:04:53,094 --> 00:04:59,134 Speaker 2: not by chance. If she does perform, it will be 89 00:04:59,174 --> 00:05:02,974 Speaker 2: the French Canadian's first live performance since being diagnosed with 90 00:05:03,054 --> 00:05:07,094 Speaker 2: stiff person syndrome in December twenty twenty two, and her 91 00:05:07,174 --> 00:05:10,974 Speaker 2: second Olympic performance, having sung the Atlanta Games in nineteen 92 00:05:11,054 --> 00:05:14,654 Speaker 2: ninety six. Dion admitted in an interview with French Fogue 93 00:05:14,654 --> 00:05:17,094 Speaker 2: that she's been working with all her body and soul, 94 00:05:17,174 --> 00:05:19,694 Speaker 2: from head to toe with her medical team to be 95 00:05:19,814 --> 00:05:22,454 Speaker 2: at her best. Her goal, she said, is to see 96 00:05:22,454 --> 00:05:27,534 Speaker 2: the Eiffel Tower again. French electrostars daft Punk revealed then 97 00:05:27,654 --> 00:05:30,414 Speaker 2: turned down an invitation to play at the opening ceremony. 98 00:05:31,014 --> 00:05:34,174 Speaker 2: DJ David gets reportedly upset that he wasn't asked at all, 99 00:05:34,454 --> 00:05:36,814 Speaker 2: But we know that Snoop Dog will be carrying the 100 00:05:36,854 --> 00:05:40,014 Speaker 2: Olympic torch at some stage and will also be commentating 101 00:05:40,014 --> 00:05:44,654 Speaker 2: the games. Three thousand artists, including several hundred dancers, will 102 00:05:44,654 --> 00:05:47,614 Speaker 2: take part, but in true French style, they've been threatening 103 00:05:47,654 --> 00:05:51,454 Speaker 2: to strike, citing low pay and glaring inequalities in treatment. 104 00:05:51,894 --> 00:05:54,414 Speaker 2: The strike notice has been filed for the same day 105 00:05:54,414 --> 00:05:57,614 Speaker 2: as the opening ceremony. The show has been split into 106 00:05:57,654 --> 00:06:00,374 Speaker 2: twelve sections, which will be performed on both the banks 107 00:06:00,374 --> 00:06:03,534 Speaker 2: of the River sen and nearby bridges and monuments. There's 108 00:06:03,614 --> 00:06:05,974 Speaker 2: also rumoured to be a tribute to the iconic Notre 109 00:06:06,014 --> 00:06:09,134 Speaker 2: Dame Cathedral, which are still being renovated after the devastating 110 00:06:09,174 --> 00:06:12,334 Speaker 2: twenty five nineteen fire, and Daphne Burke, a judge on 111 00:06:12,414 --> 00:06:15,734 Speaker 2: drag Race France, is the costume designer. The rest of 112 00:06:15,774 --> 00:06:18,854 Speaker 2: the ceremony has been kept well under wraps, just like 113 00:06:18,974 --> 00:06:21,894 Speaker 2: it was back in two thousand when it was Sydney's 114 00:06:21,894 --> 00:06:25,854 Speaker 2: turn to host. Then, on the night of Friday September fifteen, 115 00:06:26,134 --> 00:06:28,734 Speaker 2: a lone horseman raced out into the middle of the 116 00:06:28,774 --> 00:06:32,414 Speaker 2: arena at Stadium Australia, his dry as a bone flying 117 00:06:32,454 --> 00:06:34,494 Speaker 2: behind him, cracking his whip. 118 00:06:35,214 --> 00:06:36,694 Speaker 1: One hundred and twenty. 119 00:06:36,414 --> 00:06:39,934 Speaker 2: Horse riders emerged in formation, carrying the Olympic flag to 120 00:06:39,974 --> 00:06:44,334 Speaker 2: the man from Snowy River theme. The Sydney two thousand 121 00:06:44,374 --> 00:06:49,294 Speaker 2: Games opening ceremony is so iconically Australian. Rewatching it twenty 122 00:06:49,294 --> 00:06:52,374 Speaker 2: four years later made me a little emotional. It was 123 00:06:52,414 --> 00:06:56,214 Speaker 2: a moment where the entire country was so very, brazenly, 124 00:06:56,294 --> 00:07:00,814 Speaker 2: proudly Australian. The ceremony, incorporating the experience of Australia's first 125 00:07:00,894 --> 00:07:06,974 Speaker 2: nations people, each showcased the land's danger and beauty, from 126 00:07:06,974 --> 00:07:10,174 Speaker 2: its sea creatures to bushfires and the stunning red desert, 127 00:07:10,614 --> 00:07:13,294 Speaker 2: all while we dangled a thirteen year old Nicki Webster 128 00:07:13,334 --> 00:07:22,174 Speaker 2: from the rafters of Stadium Australia. Some of our most 129 00:07:22,254 --> 00:07:26,294 Speaker 2: celebrated artists featured too human Nature and Julian Anthony sang 130 00:07:26,294 --> 00:07:35,934 Speaker 2: the anthem Vanessa Amirossi Tina Arena, and of course Kylie 131 00:07:35,974 --> 00:07:38,694 Speaker 2: Minogue showed the world the kind of talent this great 132 00:07:38,774 --> 00:07:54,294 Speaker 2: country created. Wider with me and honoring one hundred years 133 00:07:54,334 --> 00:07:58,894 Speaker 2: of women's participation at the Olympics. Australian sporting icons Betty Cuthbert, 134 00:07:59,054 --> 00:08:03,334 Speaker 2: Raylene Boyle, Dawn Fraser, Shirley Strickland, Shane Gould and Debbie 135 00:08:03,334 --> 00:08:07,174 Speaker 2: Flintoff King carried the flame into the arena, handing it 136 00:08:07,214 --> 00:08:10,494 Speaker 2: to sprinter Kathy Freeman, who would become I'm an Olympic. 137 00:08:10,134 --> 00:08:11,214 Speaker 1: Gold medalist herself. 138 00:08:11,454 --> 00:08:13,814 Speaker 2: Just over a week later, she walked up to the 139 00:08:13,894 --> 00:08:16,534 Speaker 2: Ring of Fire as the cauldron was named, and, standing 140 00:08:16,534 --> 00:08:18,814 Speaker 2: in a pool of water, lit the flame. 141 00:08:19,094 --> 00:08:22,214 Speaker 4: I've done the serious part where I've lit the cauldron 142 00:08:22,254 --> 00:08:26,254 Speaker 4: and my job is done. I turn around and then 143 00:08:26,334 --> 00:08:31,214 Speaker 4: the cauldron starts to ascend it off. For God's sakes. 144 00:08:31,334 --> 00:08:34,894 Speaker 3: We didn't know whether this was part of the plan 145 00:08:35,134 --> 00:08:37,134 Speaker 3: or there'd been a hiccup. 146 00:08:37,334 --> 00:08:41,534 Speaker 4: She was told to raise the torch and just stand 147 00:08:41,574 --> 00:08:43,214 Speaker 4: there until they fixed the bloody thing. 148 00:08:46,534 --> 00:08:48,894 Speaker 2: The cauldron did eventually make it to the top, with 149 00:08:49,134 --> 00:08:51,814 Speaker 2: what we imagine was a very big collective sigh of 150 00:08:51,894 --> 00:08:55,054 Speaker 2: relief from those behind the scenes. One of those people 151 00:08:55,414 --> 00:08:59,014 Speaker 2: was David Atkins, the CEO of David Atkins Enterprises and 152 00:08:59,014 --> 00:09:01,894 Speaker 2: the artistic director of the Sydney two thousand opening and 153 00:09:01,974 --> 00:09:06,374 Speaker 2: closing ceremonies. David in researching this story, I sat down 154 00:09:06,414 --> 00:09:10,494 Speaker 2: and rewatched the entire opening ceremony of the Sydney two 155 00:09:10,534 --> 00:09:15,694 Speaker 2: thousand Games, and surprisingly it made me really emotional. How 156 00:09:15,734 --> 00:09:18,134 Speaker 2: do you feel when you look back on that now? 157 00:09:18,134 --> 00:09:19,734 Speaker 2: Do you ever rewatch that moment? 158 00:09:20,814 --> 00:09:23,454 Speaker 3: Occasionally, you know, we go back to it to use 159 00:09:23,614 --> 00:09:25,534 Speaker 3: you for bidding on something else, or we need to 160 00:09:25,574 --> 00:09:28,014 Speaker 3: sort of reframe something in the context of what we did. 161 00:09:28,094 --> 00:09:28,294 Speaker 5: Then. 162 00:09:28,734 --> 00:09:30,774 Speaker 3: I mean it's hard not to go back and be 163 00:09:30,854 --> 00:09:34,734 Speaker 3: affected by it, only because it was such a groundbreaking 164 00:09:34,774 --> 00:09:37,694 Speaker 3: experience personally, but also I suspect, you know, for a 165 00:09:37,734 --> 00:09:39,494 Speaker 3: lot of people, for the country as well, and everyone 166 00:09:39,534 --> 00:09:42,054 Speaker 3: who worked on it, and it was an extraordinary sort 167 00:09:42,054 --> 00:09:45,414 Speaker 3: of challenge to overcome. Yeah, so it is an emotional experience, 168 00:09:45,414 --> 00:09:48,334 Speaker 3: and I think, you know, whether by good fortune or design, 169 00:09:48,454 --> 00:09:50,294 Speaker 3: there will have a number of moments in it that 170 00:09:50,414 --> 00:09:54,094 Speaker 3: really touched people and people really identified with and you know, 171 00:09:54,214 --> 00:09:56,654 Speaker 3: as you go around, people constantly bring those moments up. 172 00:09:56,654 --> 00:09:59,134 Speaker 3: I mean, obviously Kathy was a big one in the cauldron, 173 00:09:59,454 --> 00:10:02,054 Speaker 3: but you know, having done something just recently where people 174 00:10:02,054 --> 00:10:05,054 Speaker 3: were talking about the horses and the single horse coming 175 00:10:05,094 --> 00:10:07,214 Speaker 3: into the stadium, So there's a bunch of things that 176 00:10:07,214 --> 00:10:09,534 Speaker 3: people recall that have sort of been burned into their memory. 177 00:10:10,454 --> 00:10:12,974 Speaker 2: That's what other people think. What are your standout moments? 178 00:10:13,014 --> 00:10:15,174 Speaker 2: What are the things that you'll remember the most? 179 00:10:15,374 --> 00:10:17,774 Speaker 5: Well, minor mixed, minor, positive and negative. 180 00:10:17,814 --> 00:10:19,654 Speaker 3: I mean the negative one is me on my hands 181 00:10:19,694 --> 00:10:23,054 Speaker 3: and knees as the cauldron failed to work and wondering 182 00:10:23,134 --> 00:10:24,854 Speaker 3: if we were going to be the first country in 183 00:10:24,894 --> 00:10:26,894 Speaker 3: the history of the Olympics to actually put the flame 184 00:10:26,934 --> 00:10:28,134 Speaker 3: out as opposed to light it. 185 00:10:28,974 --> 00:10:31,054 Speaker 1: Well, there was just too much water. Water and fire 186 00:10:31,094 --> 00:10:31,974 Speaker 1: don't mix very well. 187 00:10:32,054 --> 00:10:32,374 Speaker 4: David. 188 00:10:32,974 --> 00:10:35,934 Speaker 3: Well, there was a number of innovations at that centera 189 00:10:35,974 --> 00:10:38,654 Speaker 3: that was one of the technology around having flame come 190 00:10:38,734 --> 00:10:41,934 Speaker 3: through gas, go through water and be ignited. But as 191 00:10:41,934 --> 00:10:43,614 Speaker 3: it turned out, none of those things were issues. 192 00:10:43,654 --> 00:10:44,334 Speaker 5: They are all fine. 193 00:10:44,534 --> 00:10:46,534 Speaker 3: It was a tiny little limit to switch in the 194 00:10:46,574 --> 00:10:49,454 Speaker 3: mechanics of the exchange between when the cordron came out 195 00:10:49,454 --> 00:10:51,054 Speaker 3: of the water and when it went up the stands, 196 00:10:51,414 --> 00:10:54,134 Speaker 3: and so, you know, fortunately, because the people that were 197 00:10:54,134 --> 00:10:56,534 Speaker 3: working on it were so diligent and good, they managed 198 00:10:56,574 --> 00:10:58,614 Speaker 3: to find that. But it did take them some time. 199 00:10:58,694 --> 00:11:01,814 Speaker 3: And you know, while it was probably two or three minutes, 200 00:11:01,854 --> 00:11:04,334 Speaker 3: it felt like two or three hours, and it was 201 00:11:04,374 --> 00:11:05,334 Speaker 3: pretty painstaking. 202 00:11:05,414 --> 00:11:07,854 Speaker 5: So that was a big moment in lots of ways. 203 00:11:08,014 --> 00:11:10,614 Speaker 3: You know, golly, this is so any things in that 204 00:11:10,734 --> 00:11:14,854 Speaker 3: ceremony that were emotionally charged, I mean the horse moment, yes, 205 00:11:14,934 --> 00:11:17,494 Speaker 3: because it seemed to capture the spirit of both the 206 00:11:17,574 --> 00:11:20,414 Speaker 3: history and the present. The flag that came over the 207 00:11:20,454 --> 00:11:22,974 Speaker 3: athletes that you know, we covered fifteen thousand athletes with 208 00:11:23,014 --> 00:11:26,534 Speaker 3: that massive flag which we projected onto the Picasso pie stuff. 209 00:11:27,014 --> 00:11:29,174 Speaker 3: There was a lot happening. One of the pieces, you know, 210 00:11:29,214 --> 00:11:30,774 Speaker 3: that I spent a lot of time on was creating 211 00:11:30,774 --> 00:11:34,934 Speaker 3: the bushfire that preceded the nature segment. We literally had 212 00:11:34,974 --> 00:11:37,574 Speaker 3: to train six hundred people how to breathe fire. That 213 00:11:37,654 --> 00:11:41,614 Speaker 3: whole exercise over three months was just quite crazy. And 214 00:11:41,654 --> 00:11:44,254 Speaker 3: then the First Nation's piece, which is still to this 215 00:11:44,374 --> 00:11:47,694 Speaker 3: day's groundbreaking and hasn't been sort of eclipsed by anybody 216 00:11:47,734 --> 00:11:50,414 Speaker 3: in the sense that we ended up with twelve hundred 217 00:11:50,414 --> 00:11:53,894 Speaker 3: First Nations performers from across the country, you know, working 218 00:11:53,894 --> 00:11:56,374 Speaker 3: in the one space creating this one piece that was 219 00:11:56,414 --> 00:11:59,774 Speaker 3: really Rota Roberts and Stephen Page's work, and even to 220 00:11:59,814 --> 00:12:01,854 Speaker 3: this day that gives me goosebumps. I just find it 221 00:12:02,494 --> 00:12:04,294 Speaker 3: a really powerful, powerful. 222 00:12:03,934 --> 00:12:05,574 Speaker 1: Moment we touched on something. 223 00:12:05,614 --> 00:12:07,814 Speaker 2: Then it took you three months to train fire breathers 224 00:12:08,254 --> 00:12:09,374 Speaker 2: to become a bush fire. 225 00:12:09,534 --> 00:12:11,494 Speaker 1: But how many years. 226 00:12:11,134 --> 00:12:13,614 Speaker 2: Of work does it actually take to put something like 227 00:12:13,654 --> 00:12:14,254 Speaker 2: that together? 228 00:12:14,414 --> 00:12:15,574 Speaker 1: Where do you even start? 229 00:12:16,134 --> 00:12:18,454 Speaker 5: Well, Rick Birch was the director with Soko. 230 00:12:18,574 --> 00:12:20,374 Speaker 3: He was the director of ceremonies and that was all 231 00:12:20,414 --> 00:12:23,414 Speaker 3: the ceremonies, and so he put the team together. And 232 00:12:23,494 --> 00:12:25,454 Speaker 3: I'd worked with Rick at the ABC on a couple 233 00:12:25,454 --> 00:12:28,574 Speaker 3: of musical variety shows and so we knew each other 234 00:12:28,614 --> 00:12:30,974 Speaker 3: and he got me in and I started as artistic 235 00:12:31,054 --> 00:12:34,134 Speaker 3: director about two years out, and so it was two 236 00:12:34,254 --> 00:12:37,254 Speaker 3: years of planning. And most ceremonies have that same sort 237 00:12:37,254 --> 00:12:39,974 Speaker 3: of incubation period. I mean before that, Rick had been 238 00:12:40,294 --> 00:12:43,374 Speaker 3: doing earlier work because he was also engaged beforehand for 239 00:12:43,414 --> 00:12:46,374 Speaker 3: the handover ceremony in Atlanta. But he got me in 240 00:12:46,894 --> 00:12:50,374 Speaker 3: joined full time when became the artistic director two years 241 00:12:50,414 --> 00:12:50,814 Speaker 3: out from the. 242 00:12:50,814 --> 00:12:53,854 Speaker 2: Ceremony, David, when you reach out to big names to 243 00:12:53,894 --> 00:12:56,254 Speaker 2: be a part of this, do they immediately say yes? 244 00:12:56,334 --> 00:12:58,814 Speaker 2: Because I mean the names that are in that opening 245 00:12:58,854 --> 00:13:02,254 Speaker 2: ceremony are just like from Julie Anthony to Kylie Minogue 246 00:13:02,294 --> 00:13:04,894 Speaker 2: and Tina arena and all of the rest in between. 247 00:13:05,294 --> 00:13:07,254 Speaker 2: Do people immediately say yes when you ask them to 248 00:13:07,254 --> 00:13:08,254 Speaker 2: be part of something like that? 249 00:13:08,694 --> 00:13:11,094 Speaker 3: Yeah, interesting because we've done them in lots of different places, 250 00:13:11,134 --> 00:13:14,534 Speaker 3: and I did the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and performers 251 00:13:14,894 --> 00:13:18,414 Speaker 3: generally are really receptive because it's a one off, you know, 252 00:13:18,414 --> 00:13:21,294 Speaker 3: it's a moment in history that will be captured, and also, 253 00:13:21,694 --> 00:13:24,494 Speaker 3: apart from anything else, just from a performance perspective, it's 254 00:13:24,534 --> 00:13:27,774 Speaker 3: the largest audience they'll ever have. But in Sydney, yeah, 255 00:13:28,614 --> 00:13:31,334 Speaker 3: we had an embarrassment of riches and to be honest, 256 00:13:31,414 --> 00:13:34,054 Speaker 3: there was only one group that we didn't end up 257 00:13:34,094 --> 00:13:35,254 Speaker 3: with that we had on our list that. 258 00:13:35,214 --> 00:13:37,934 Speaker 1: We wanted, which is who David. You can't leave? 259 00:13:39,494 --> 00:13:41,054 Speaker 5: I left that steaming room front. 260 00:13:41,374 --> 00:13:43,894 Speaker 1: It really did. Yeah, we didn't sign on the dotted line. 261 00:13:43,934 --> 00:13:46,654 Speaker 3: Tell us Well, it was for closing, and the closing 262 00:13:46,654 --> 00:13:49,614 Speaker 3: ceremony had many more celebrities because it was celebrity and 263 00:13:49,774 --> 00:13:52,734 Speaker 3: performer driven, and so we had the parade of icons 264 00:13:52,734 --> 00:13:55,054 Speaker 3: for example, and then we had the whole section of 265 00:13:55,094 --> 00:13:57,134 Speaker 3: all the rock acts and we had everyone from Slim 266 00:13:57,214 --> 00:13:59,854 Speaker 3: Dusty to Savage Garden to Midnight or I mean, they 267 00:13:59,894 --> 00:14:02,374 Speaker 3: were all there. And the one that we wanted that 268 00:14:02,414 --> 00:14:04,734 Speaker 3: we didn't end up with was ACDC. But in the 269 00:14:04,854 --> 00:14:07,094 Speaker 3: end it was just a break down with their management. 270 00:14:07,494 --> 00:14:09,414 Speaker 3: You know, in lots of cases, you know, you're not 271 00:14:09,614 --> 00:14:11,934 Speaker 3: dealing directly quite often with the artists themselves. So I'm 272 00:14:11,974 --> 00:14:14,894 Speaker 3: not sure whether the band were that aware or whether 273 00:14:14,934 --> 00:14:16,694 Speaker 3: it was clashing with something else they were doing. And 274 00:14:16,734 --> 00:14:18,974 Speaker 3: they were the only iconic band too, like they're obviously 275 00:14:19,014 --> 00:14:21,374 Speaker 3: one of the sort of top ten Australian acts of 276 00:14:21,374 --> 00:14:23,694 Speaker 3: all time. But there were so many people, as you say, 277 00:14:23,734 --> 00:14:26,094 Speaker 3: and then also so many celebrities, everyone from Paul Hogan 278 00:14:26,134 --> 00:14:29,494 Speaker 3: to Gwen, Greg Norman to el McPherson. I mean, we 279 00:14:29,534 --> 00:14:31,854 Speaker 3: had bananas and pajamas. I mean, it was just ridiculous. 280 00:14:32,174 --> 00:14:34,534 Speaker 3: Bananas were very keen. They jumped on straight away. Look, 281 00:14:34,694 --> 00:14:37,094 Speaker 3: it was one of those opportunities where you know, most 282 00:14:37,094 --> 00:14:41,294 Speaker 3: people responded incredibly enthusiastically, and there wasn't a lot of convincing. 283 00:14:41,774 --> 00:14:44,294 Speaker 2: Can you talk me through the conversation you would have 284 00:14:44,294 --> 00:14:47,294 Speaker 2: had with Kylie Minogue when you're like, okay, Kylie, You'll 285 00:14:47,294 --> 00:14:50,614 Speaker 2: be entering the stadium on top of a giant song, Like, 286 00:14:50,734 --> 00:14:52,734 Speaker 2: tell me about how that conversation went down. 287 00:14:55,014 --> 00:14:57,934 Speaker 3: I had done a logis a few years earlier where 288 00:14:58,134 --> 00:15:01,294 Speaker 3: Kylie I think she won five logis. We actually ended 289 00:15:01,334 --> 00:15:03,534 Speaker 3: up questioning them the Minogui's at the time it was 290 00:15:03,534 --> 00:15:05,294 Speaker 3: sort of crazy, so we had a bit of a 291 00:15:05,374 --> 00:15:07,494 Speaker 3: history and I knew her manager, and again, you know, 292 00:15:07,654 --> 00:15:10,414 Speaker 3: she was super keen to get on board, and I 293 00:15:10,414 --> 00:15:13,254 Speaker 3: think she trusted us, which was great. I think until 294 00:15:13,254 --> 00:15:15,534 Speaker 3: she got out into the rehearsals we were doing and 295 00:15:15,654 --> 00:15:17,854 Speaker 3: a place called Schofield, which was an old abandoned Air 296 00:15:17,894 --> 00:15:21,894 Speaker 3: Force site, that she really realized what she'd said he 297 00:15:22,014 --> 00:15:23,814 Speaker 3: is to and she loved it. I mean it was 298 00:15:23,854 --> 00:15:27,054 Speaker 3: a very sort of camp presentation, that whole piece with 299 00:15:27,094 --> 00:15:29,654 Speaker 3: her and the life savers and the thong, you know, 300 00:15:29,694 --> 00:15:32,254 Speaker 3: and she was the first icon into the stadium. So 301 00:15:32,414 --> 00:15:35,494 Speaker 3: I think she loved the moment and certainly embraced it 302 00:15:35,534 --> 00:15:38,054 Speaker 3: and performed up a treat. So it wasn't a hard 303 00:15:38,094 --> 00:15:39,494 Speaker 3: sell other than. 304 00:15:39,454 --> 00:15:41,654 Speaker 2: The cauldron not doing what it was supposed to in 305 00:15:41,694 --> 00:15:44,694 Speaker 2: the moment. Is there anything about either the opening or 306 00:15:44,734 --> 00:15:47,054 Speaker 2: closing ceremony that you wish you could have a do over. 307 00:15:46,974 --> 00:15:51,174 Speaker 3: On Ooh no, not really. I mean that was the 308 00:15:51,214 --> 00:15:53,894 Speaker 3: only real serious hiccup. There are lots of things, and 309 00:15:53,894 --> 00:15:55,774 Speaker 3: some of them you don't even know are happening because 310 00:15:55,774 --> 00:15:58,694 Speaker 3: it was such a massive I mean, we had twelve 311 00:15:58,774 --> 00:16:03,054 Speaker 3: thousand performance in that opening ceremony, which you know, looking 312 00:16:03,094 --> 00:16:05,574 Speaker 3: back on it now, it was just ridiculous, and fifteen 313 00:16:05,614 --> 00:16:08,654 Speaker 3: thousand athletes, and then the team of people behind all 314 00:16:08,694 --> 00:16:11,134 Speaker 3: of the logistics one hundred and forty horses, you know, 315 00:16:11,174 --> 00:16:14,054 Speaker 3: all the machinery equipment. So there were lots of things 316 00:16:14,054 --> 00:16:15,934 Speaker 3: that even up to a year later, I was hearing 317 00:16:15,934 --> 00:16:18,294 Speaker 3: stories of things that were on the sort of precipice 318 00:16:18,334 --> 00:16:21,054 Speaker 3: of being disaster and were clawed back by someone at 319 00:16:21,054 --> 00:16:23,694 Speaker 3: the last moment managing to be able to fix things. 320 00:16:23,894 --> 00:16:26,494 Speaker 3: There were people, you know, locked in toilets that were 321 00:16:26,494 --> 00:16:28,134 Speaker 3: supposed to be on the field to play. There were 322 00:16:28,134 --> 00:16:30,454 Speaker 3: all sorts of things that happened behind the scenes that 323 00:16:30,574 --> 00:16:32,814 Speaker 3: in the control room you were oblivious too. I mean, 324 00:16:32,974 --> 00:16:35,054 Speaker 3: the only thing would be the quadron. And to be honest, 325 00:16:35,054 --> 00:16:37,134 Speaker 3: it's become such a talking piece that I don't know 326 00:16:37,174 --> 00:16:39,574 Speaker 3: that I want to actually change it. It created so 327 00:16:39,614 --> 00:16:42,334 Speaker 3: much drama and contention around it because no one really 328 00:16:42,374 --> 00:16:44,534 Speaker 3: was sure that whether it was a mistake. I mean, 329 00:16:44,614 --> 00:16:47,254 Speaker 3: a lot of commentators, especially overseas, thought it was just 330 00:16:47,294 --> 00:16:49,614 Speaker 3: a moment of drama, and the reality of it was 331 00:16:49,654 --> 00:16:52,654 Speaker 3: that we had a soundtrack that was supposed to follow it, 332 00:16:52,694 --> 00:16:54,974 Speaker 3: that was the fireworks, and it was a piece of 333 00:16:55,014 --> 00:16:57,654 Speaker 3: symphonic music that was going to accompany the fireworks, and 334 00:16:57,894 --> 00:17:01,334 Speaker 3: we were so delayed that that whole piece started before 335 00:17:01,454 --> 00:17:03,574 Speaker 3: it was supposed to because we were still waiting for 336 00:17:03,614 --> 00:17:06,014 Speaker 3: the quadron. And as it turned out, the quadron went 337 00:17:06,054 --> 00:17:08,014 Speaker 3: up with that classical piece of music, which was really 338 00:17:08,054 --> 00:17:11,134 Speaker 3: quite powerful, and as it did, all the fireworks went off, 339 00:17:11,294 --> 00:17:13,734 Speaker 3: which weren't supposed to happen till afterwards. So by a 340 00:17:13,814 --> 00:17:16,134 Speaker 3: virtue with the mistake, it actually availed us of things 341 00:17:16,294 --> 00:17:18,374 Speaker 3: that we wouldn't have done otherwise that actually turned out 342 00:17:18,414 --> 00:17:20,814 Speaker 3: in hindsight to be quite good. So you never know 343 00:17:21,014 --> 00:17:23,454 Speaker 3: those things. But it was a terrifying moment, and to 344 00:17:23,494 --> 00:17:26,934 Speaker 3: be honest, I've probably lost several years of my life 345 00:17:26,934 --> 00:17:28,894 Speaker 3: and so to have those back would be handy if 346 00:17:28,934 --> 00:17:29,534 Speaker 3: I had the option. 347 00:17:30,734 --> 00:17:33,574 Speaker 2: David, I just want to finally know what you still 348 00:17:33,694 --> 00:17:37,214 Speaker 2: have memorabilia wise left over from that occasion, because I 349 00:17:37,254 --> 00:17:38,934 Speaker 2: don't know if you're aware of this, but about ten 350 00:17:39,014 --> 00:17:41,854 Speaker 2: years ago the Sydney Nova Breakfast show Fits in with 351 00:17:41,934 --> 00:17:45,494 Speaker 2: a managed to find Kylie's thong and it was rotting 352 00:17:45,494 --> 00:17:49,374 Speaker 2: away in a parent's backyard. Yes, and they had it restored. 353 00:17:49,574 --> 00:17:52,254 Speaker 2: And I spoke to Fitzy last night and I said, mate, 354 00:17:52,374 --> 00:17:54,974 Speaker 2: where's the thong now? And he said, nobody knows it's 355 00:17:55,014 --> 00:17:58,614 Speaker 2: missing again, It's somewhere out there, fully restored, so who 356 00:17:58,654 --> 00:18:00,214 Speaker 2: knows where it lives now. 357 00:18:00,294 --> 00:18:02,494 Speaker 5: There were also those fabulous in the closing ceremony. 358 00:18:02,574 --> 00:18:05,054 Speaker 3: We had the whole Priscilla moment, right, we had that on, 359 00:18:05,134 --> 00:18:06,894 Speaker 3: you know, we had the Priscilla bus, and we had 360 00:18:06,894 --> 00:18:09,854 Speaker 3: all the drag queens on what were trying to gulls 361 00:18:09,894 --> 00:18:12,334 Speaker 3: made out of high heel shoes, like massive high heel 362 00:18:12,334 --> 00:18:15,334 Speaker 3: shoes that you sat inside the shoe and handled right. 363 00:18:15,374 --> 00:18:18,734 Speaker 3: And apparently there was a policeman riding down Paramounta Road 364 00:18:18,774 --> 00:18:22,174 Speaker 3: after the ceremony in one of those high heel shoes tricycles. 365 00:18:22,494 --> 00:18:25,934 Speaker 3: So stuff went everywhere. I've got a few pieces of memorabilia. 366 00:18:26,134 --> 00:18:26,334 Speaker 5: I mean. 367 00:18:26,374 --> 00:18:29,854 Speaker 3: In fact, my son took the torch to school this 368 00:18:29,894 --> 00:18:31,894 Speaker 3: week because of the Olympics coming, and he sort of 369 00:18:31,894 --> 00:18:34,294 Speaker 3: earned some brownie points and I've got a couple of 370 00:18:34,414 --> 00:18:37,334 Speaker 3: posters that were signed by everybody which are pretty special, 371 00:18:37,854 --> 00:18:41,974 Speaker 3: and there's obviously some volunteer jackets and things that I kept. 372 00:18:42,174 --> 00:18:43,974 Speaker 3: But yeah, there are all sorts of things I guess 373 00:18:43,974 --> 00:18:48,374 Speaker 3: sequestered away. People really sort of got lots of mementos 374 00:18:48,374 --> 00:18:50,134 Speaker 3: and things that they took with them, and we were 375 00:18:50,174 --> 00:18:51,934 Speaker 3: not too fussed about that, to be honest. 376 00:18:51,934 --> 00:18:54,134 Speaker 5: At the end. It wasn't till afterwards and people and oh, maybe. 377 00:18:53,894 --> 00:18:55,614 Speaker 3: We should do a museum, or maybe we should do this, 378 00:18:56,094 --> 00:18:58,174 Speaker 3: and you know, with costumes and the like, we actually 379 00:18:58,214 --> 00:18:59,814 Speaker 3: said to a lot of the performances, just take them 380 00:18:59,814 --> 00:19:02,374 Speaker 3: with you because there was no real opportunity to store 381 00:19:02,454 --> 00:19:05,974 Speaker 3: them anywhere at that time. So everything got sort of 382 00:19:06,334 --> 00:19:08,934 Speaker 3: distributed across the country. So God knows where things are 383 00:19:09,014 --> 00:19:09,734 Speaker 3: to be honest. 384 00:19:09,614 --> 00:19:11,214 Speaker 2: Well, we do know that a couple of the prawn 385 00:19:11,254 --> 00:19:14,814 Speaker 2: costumes are in the Australian Sports Museum, so that's all. 386 00:19:14,694 --> 00:19:16,814 Speaker 1: We kind of know. Everything else is scattered to the wind. 387 00:19:17,934 --> 00:19:19,774 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean this Greek Norman shark, I'm going I 388 00:19:19,774 --> 00:19:21,654 Speaker 3: wonder where that is. That was a fantastic place of 389 00:19:21,774 --> 00:19:25,934 Speaker 3: kid question Al McPherson's camera. There's all sorts of incredible 390 00:19:25,974 --> 00:19:28,574 Speaker 3: props and things, but where they are on now? 391 00:19:28,614 --> 00:19:29,014 Speaker 5: Who knows? 392 00:19:29,134 --> 00:19:30,414 Speaker 1: Well, this is the call out right now. 393 00:19:30,414 --> 00:19:33,974 Speaker 2: If you own Great Norman Shark or El McPherson's camera 394 00:19:34,094 --> 00:19:35,814 Speaker 2: or anything else, we want to know about it. 395 00:19:36,054 --> 00:19:37,654 Speaker 5: If you've got to still let yeah, if you've. 396 00:19:37,494 --> 00:19:38,854 Speaker 2: Got to still let it on a still writing it 397 00:19:38,854 --> 00:19:41,774 Speaker 2: down Paramatta Road, who knows? David, thank you so much 398 00:19:41,814 --> 00:19:44,214 Speaker 2: for giving us your insights on this and are you 399 00:19:44,254 --> 00:19:47,134 Speaker 2: looking forward to watching the Paris opening ceremony. It's one 400 00:19:47,134 --> 00:19:49,374 Speaker 2: of a kind outside the stadium. 401 00:19:48,934 --> 00:19:51,494 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly, it'll be the first. It's a groundbreaker in 402 00:19:51,494 --> 00:19:53,574 Speaker 3: that regard. So it'll be very interesting to see how 403 00:19:53,614 --> 00:19:55,654 Speaker 3: they manage it because it is a real salior mark 404 00:19:55,734 --> 00:19:58,574 Speaker 3: ceremony for that reason, and the Parisians have done some 405 00:19:58,654 --> 00:20:02,094 Speaker 3: wonderful work over the years in terms of ceremonies, so 406 00:20:02,174 --> 00:20:03,574 Speaker 3: it'll be interesting to see. 407 00:20:03,414 --> 00:20:04,174 Speaker 5: What they come up with. 408 00:20:07,534 --> 00:20:09,934 Speaker 2: If you have anything or know the where bouts of 409 00:20:09,974 --> 00:20:13,134 Speaker 2: anything that was featured in the Sydney opening or closing ceremonies, 410 00:20:13,334 --> 00:20:15,854 Speaker 2: let us know. You can email us at the Quickie 411 00:20:15,854 --> 00:20:18,214 Speaker 2: at Mama Mia dot com today you or find us 412 00:20:18,214 --> 00:20:20,654 Speaker 2: on socials, where you can also catch our chat with 413 00:20:20,814 --> 00:20:23,854 Speaker 2: Kelly Carter. She's a KINDI director now, but back in 414 00:20:23,894 --> 00:20:26,094 Speaker 2: the year two thousand, she was at UNI and got 415 00:20:26,094 --> 00:20:28,734 Speaker 2: a gig in the Olympic Village, where she managed to 416 00:20:28,814 --> 00:20:31,854 Speaker 2: nab a whole bunch of memorabilia, including the tracksuit of 417 00:20:31,854 --> 00:20:35,934 Speaker 2: a gold medallist and some cheese. Check it out on Instagram, 418 00:20:35,934 --> 00:20:39,814 Speaker 2: Facebook and threads. The Quiki is produced by me Claire 419 00:20:39,894 --> 00:20:43,014 Speaker 2: Murphy and our Senior producer Taylor Strano, with audio production 420 00:20:43,174 --> 00:20:47,574 Speaker 2: by Tom Line.