Spectacular events such as an Olympic Games opening ceremony or a Millennium-marking celebration make for a perfect blank canvas upon which to splash colour and light, sound and sensation.

This is not what makes a spectacular a success though, and nor, necessarily, is thrusting the latest technology into the spotlight in the hope of drawing gasps and bravos from the crowd.

No. According to Yves Pépin, creator extraordinaire of some of the 21st century's most memorable ceremonies, what's needed is an emotional connection with the audience as a whole and as individuals.

"We must find something which people can recognise themselves and with their culture," explained the man behind the Eiffel Tower Millennium show in Paris, and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Ceremony.

"It must speak to them and speak to their neighbours. It's quite challenging because we need to be understood by everyone and at the same time we need to make them feel that we're telling them something specific.

"The story we're telling in our shows needs to be as deep as possible so that we can connect emotionally with our audience. I believe a lot in the power of the emotion. It's what links the people and what must be understood by everyone."

Pépin has a lengthy track record of creating multimedia shows and large-scale events, going back more than 45 years, and is noted as the innovator behind the waterscreen, which is used in shows and attractions worldwide. After many years with the design and production company ECA2, which he co-founded in 1974, these days Pépin is an independent consultant, working alongside organisations such as theme parks on their projects.

He is able to draw on his vast experience to pick and choose the projects he finds most interesting. His deep knowledge is also a useful commodity for all. In that spirit, Pépin says that audience engagement is the key to long-term success.

"If there's no engagement or sincerity for what you are doing, it will feel like something is missing. Engagement means a connection with the audience. If you can recognise that then you're onto a real winner. Experience without sincerity is really a pity."

For more from Yves Pépin, see the latest issue of Attractions Management, available now.