In this episode of Citizen One, Exploring Our Urban Future, an urbanNext original podcast series, world-renowned concept artist Olivier Pron (Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter) returns along with Judd Payne, president of IDEA (www.idea.la) and veteran film and television producer (Cherry, Mile 22, Bernie, Southland Tales). They sit down with host Doug McDaniel to explore in detail the unexpected intersection of Hollywood creatives and real-world city design in NEOM.

Over the last six years, Judd and Olivier and their creative teams have been applying cinematic storytelling and speculative design to urban planning, shaping ambitious smart city projects across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. What happens when you bring science fiction aesthetics into urban futurism? Can Hollywood’s pre-visualization techniques help architects and engineers build the cities of tomorrow?

Doug, Judd, and Olivier dive into:

* How Hollywood was recruited to help design NEOM—the vision behind bringing the best production designers, concept artists, and worldbuilders into large-scale urban planning.

* The skepticism they faced from traditional architects and engineers—and how they gradually earned credibility.

* The evolution of The Line’s design, including Olivier’s winning proposal for the Hidden Marina, a breathtaking megastructure featuring a 300-meter-high gateway capable of accommodating the world’s largest cruise ships.

* The challenge of making NEOM’s vertical city feel human, focusing on livability, storytelling, and the importance of creating districts that foster real urban experiences, not just futuristic spectacle.

* Saudi Arabia’s rapid cultural transformation, from blockbuster concerts and new public spaces to the shifting role of entertainment and creativity in the Kingdom’s future.

Through their experiences, Judd and Olivier reveal how creativity, imagination and worldbuilding aren’t just for film—they’re shaping the future of cities.

🔊 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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00:00 Introduction

01:35 Backgrounds of Judd Payne and Olivier Pron

04:57 IDEA’s Journey from Hollywood to NEOM

09:31 The Role of Hollywood in Urban Design

12:13 Adapting Skills for Future Reality

17:26 Building Trust with Engineers and Architects

26:51 The Importance of Storytelling in Urban Design

31:45 The Hidden Marina Design and Its Significance

44:02 The Scale of Architectural Marvels

51:11 Creating a Human-Centric Urban Experience

58:28 Cultural Transformation in Saudi Arabia

01:07:19 Saudi Arabia's Global Influence and Innovation

01:17:17 The Intersection of Entertainment and Urbanism