Meet the Magnopians: Gabe Blake
Gabe Blake is a Producer at Magnopus. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship from Loyola Marymount University, Gabe found himself at a VR company called Mindshow, where he grew to love the intersection between new technology and storytelling. After a chance meeting with a former Magnopian, Gabe had the opportunity to join the Magnopus ranks in 2019, and he hasn’t looked back since! He started as a Production Coordinator working on projects such as Expo 2020 and Remembering, and has worked his way up to leading larger and larger projects, including Fallout and The Wizard of Oz at Sphere.
Tell us about your role at Magnopus!
I’m a Producer! To me, producing means doing everything in my power to ensure a project lands on time, on budget, and at the highest quality possible. I do this by immersing myself fully in the world of whatever we're building. By deeply understanding our overall vision, technical capabilities, and creative goals, I can help create order out of chaos, help our teams make necessary breakthroughs, and clear the path so everyone can do their best work.
What three skills are essential for anyone in your role?
Creativity: Producers may not be artists, but we have to be creative. We frequently use our creativity to find interesting ways to make the greatest impact with our limited time, resources, and budget.
Adaptability: Magnopus is always on the cutting edge. Every project is new. “Change is the only constant” is a cliche for a reason. In that sort of environment, it’s important to be adaptable and “be like water” wherever possible.
Leadership: Leadership in production takes many, many forms. I find that in many cases, it takes the form of “alignment manager”. One of my main jobs is to help unite a diverse team of creative and technical leaders under a single vision. Then I make sure the team executing that vision knows exactly where we’re heading and why. And that I have their backs at each step along the way.
What or who inspires you?
I’m inspired by many things (my wife, my friends, my family), but for this article, John Wooden is someone who deeply inspires me. His philosophy on life, leadership, and teamwork is so simple yet so true, it’s incredibly profound. Especially while working on The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, I made it a habit to read a passage from “Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court” every morning to put me in the right headspace to tackle the day.
Of course, my Magnopus teammates also inspire me every day. It really is remarkable what we’ve been able to accomplish over the years. Whether it’s widely publicized or hidden from view, we’ve done so many things that I previously thought were impossible. This team never ceases to amaze me!
What has been your proudest moment while working at Magnopus?
Easy. Watching The Wizard of Oz at Sphere world premiere with the entire cast and crew. It was a remarkable experience. We had all poured so much of our hearts and souls into that project. To see it all come together at the last moment, to hear a real audience gasp in surprise and then applaud uproariously when the opening credits finally showcased the enormity of the Sphere screen…it was truly magical. I’ll never forget it.
What's the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in your career?
There’s no question we all need to keep honing our craft to stay sharp. But when things get genuinely difficult, and there’s no clear path forward, mastering a skill can only carry you so far. In my experience, the teams that persevere and maintain their grit typically do so because they share a belief in a vision that is exciting, important, and worthy of pursuit. It’s why at Magnopus we’re constantly aiming for the stars. This sentiment is best summed up by French writer Antoine de Saint Exupéry: “If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the people to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
How do you approach challenges and setbacks?
John Wooden said it best…
“Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
I do my best to learn from my mistakes, so I don't repeat them. Even when I fail, knowing I put forth the absolute best effort possible allows me to sleep soundly and try again the next day.
How do you want to leave a mark on the world – personally or professionally?
My goal is to be remembered as someone who acts with kindness and care for others. ‘Nuff said!
If you could wake up in the body of another person (just for one day), who would it be and why?
The incredible pro surfer Kai Lenny! To have the physical ability to ride those huge waves at Jaws in Hawaii, and to ride them with such style and ease the way he does…that would be a huge thrill!
What are you reading/listening to right now?
Reading
Mistborn (I just bought the fourth Wax and Wayne book, The Lost Metal).
Listening:
For working and focus: Every Hermanos Gutierrez album.
Stuck in my head: “Vienna” by Billy Joel.
Fresh find: '“e.t.d.s.” by .idk.
Tell us something that would surprise us!
I love singing! I was the president of my high school Madrigals choir, and was in the Notetorious, a cappella group in college. I still sing every year at my friend’s annual Christmas party, and I love a good Magnopus karaoke session!
