+produces STEM-centered stories (elevated sci-fi, science-y dramas, techno-thrillers) for all mediums
to inspire future engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, storytellers, and filmmakers
polæ || interactive experience that uses AI/AR to digitally download the audience into the story in the wake of a global cataclysm on April 7, 2042 ||
-- created by steven schardt, mobile prototype iOS app premiered Tribeca ‘21, member of ONX Studio, game & series in development --
king || narrative feature about a fierce startup ceo’s life unraveling over the course of 24 hours as she races against the clock to resist a hostile takeover by a big pharma conglomerate ||
-- created by zachary m. parris, contemplating a token offering with {watchable} utility, Emmy nominated cast/crew attached --
delta-v || tv series that follows an Indian rocket scientist and his family integrating into the culture of Houston suburbia in the early 70s to work on The Orbiter ||
-- created by neilkanth dave and zachary m. parris, recipient of the Sundance/Sloan episodic grant, NASA scientific advisors, director attached --
& more.
+supports early-stage interactive media startups with business development/partnerships, corporate strategy (vc), and media plans
to understand audience intent and reward their participation, to streamline content development/production and amplify distribution, and to unlock new financial opportunities
hovercast || interactive livestreams and virtual events with best-in-class chat moderation tools for real-time feedback loops, and upcoming crowd-play games ||
-- founded by eli stonberg and jeff greco; clients include Reddit, Comcast, and Amazon; investors include 3KVC, Tool of NA, & more --
artizen || DAO governing a community fund for public goods and artist grants with accompanying NFTs ||
-- founded by rené pinnell and ruben campos, sponsors include Microsoft, HP, Unity, Cannes, & more --
monomyth || real-time previz tool that uses NLP to recreate 3D environments in UE5 ||
-- founded by [team in stealth], recipient of multiple Epic Games MegaGrants, member of Nvidia AI’s inception program --
& more.
+consults to leading content financiers, family offices, producers, and tech/media cos
-- clients confidential --
+collaborates with storytellers and world-builders, namely video game writers, XR creatives, and multi-disciplinary authors
+writes a weekly personal journal and newsletter that captures all the tech, media, and entertainment headlines
follow along on Substack, Mirror (select web3 posts), or Medium
a brief explainer on why and how I do it
archives can be found in this shared and search-able Google Drive (stopped at 250 issues)
top issues here, and some of my faves: film/tv salary data, creator co-op platform (building this), storychain of title (and this), 2021 predictions, my autobio
previously published in TechCrunch
jan ‘16 || immersive storytelling framework ||
-- discussed on kent bye’s voices of VR podcast; top 10 episode list --
oct ‘16 || new media content monetization/distribution ||
+intends to get more (publicly) involved with web3 projects
collector / builder / helper / friend: Open Quill (Loot), The Fringe, Void Runners, OKPC, Artie, Untitled Frontier, Gawds, Tomb, Spells, & more
member / lurker: Def, c0c0, SkyLab / VenturePunk, SquadWealth, & more
+speaks at universities, summits, conferences, and festivals
Future of Film Summit (also on advisory board)
Bertelsmann’s Digital Game Changers
Zurich’s University of the Arts
Future of Storytelling
NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment Finance Lab
Stony Brook University “Master Class in Indie Film Production” w/ Christine Vachon
New Museum’s New Inc (prior mentor)
The New School “Business of Screenwriting”
& more.
+works to live
plays in southern california, brooklyn, and new zealand
travels everywhere with his talented wife anmari
owes a debt of gratitude to early managers and mentors, chiefly Ross Fremer and Zsofi Paterson
regularly surfs, bikes, writes, and introduces people on emails and texts
knows a fair bit about the film business from his time at Cinetic, Roar (now: Activist, Fourward, EMT), Parkes/MacDonald
loathes self-promotion… and realizes the irony in having this site
interests include crowdfunding (Schrader’s The Canyons, written by BEE, was my first foray), creator/consumer behavior, game theory/design/mechanics, incentive architecture, reciprocal media, et al
favorites are The Matrix, 2001, Ex Machina, Blade Runner, Portal, Her, Arrival, Westworld, and their source material
admins one or two invite-only digital communities
appreciates you.