Hello, I'm Reid.

Epic Games

Sept 2020 - Oct 2023

While at Epic Games, I had the opportunity to help build and grow the partnership with The LEGO Group. I was impacted by the layoffs in 2023, but remain proud and energized by what Epic Games is up to, including with the 2023 launch of UEFN.

As a Product Manager, I worked and collaborated across teams on currently unannounced engagements as part of the LEGO partnership.

As a Producer, I helped setup and support a specialty tools team that contributed to the development of LEGO Fortnite (launched Dec 2023).

As a Technical Account Manager I worked closely with key customers and partners to help them succeed and get value out of their work with Unreal Engine. In addition to supporting Architecture, Automotive, Retail, and other industries, I became increasingly involved with Epic’s support of Virtual Production and real-time In-Camera VFX (ICVFX).

Epic Games Megagrant Recipient, 2019

UE4 for Themed Entertainment Design

In 2019, I was awarded an Epic Megagrant for my work in using UE4 for Themed Entertainment. While most of the work is under NDAs, much of it involved crafting high quality, real-time visualization and simulations. These works required creating a number of high quality models from scratch, while also integrating external components from a variety of vendors - including Ride Systems, Screen and Media Content, rigged Animatronics, and more, all into a unified, real-time model that uses UE4’s Blueprint and Sequencer systems to time lights, effects, animations, etc.

Universal Beijing Resort (Theme Park)

2023 Thea Award - Outstanding Achievement, Theme Park

Role: Consultant (2017, 2019 - 2020)

I provided high-touch consulting and support during multiple phases of design, development, and production of Universal Beijing Resort. This work focused on the rides, attractions, and themed area for Isla Nublar (Jurassic World Franchise). Throughout, I closely collaborated with Universal and other hired teams around the world in Beijing, Orlando, London, and more.

Motiongate Dubai (Theme Park)

2018 Thea Award - Outstanding Achievement, Theme Park Land

Role: Art Director (2013 - 2015)

My work involved providing design direction to several park areas, notably the Madagascar Dreamworks Zone, as well as supporting How to Train Your Dragons, Smurfs, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and early iterations of the main Entry and Main Street (Studio Central). I created sketches, drawings, and many 3D models and art.

Moreso, I utilized advanced VR techniques to visualize different areas, creating custom walk-throughs and ride experiences, including for the Madagascar and the How To Train Your Dragons themed coaster ride. I used Unreal Engine 4 along with early Oculus Rift hardware.

Disney Infinity E3 2015 Booth

In cooperation with Disney Interactive and Ichi Worldwide

Role: Environment and Dimensional (3D) Designer (2015)

I helped create the designs for the Disney Infinity 3.0 E3 Booth in 2015. After 3D Prototypes and rapid iterations (involving the different Disney teams, inc. Marvel and Lucas Film), I worked with the show and fabrication teams through installation.

The signature piece,The FIGURE ARCH (shown right) continues to travel to different Disney Infinity events.

Sony 'Life' Movie Scare Experience

In cooperation with Ichi Worldwide, Bolder Games, and Sony Pictures

2017 Clio Silver Award - Theatrical: Events / Experiences

Role: Producer (2017)

In a matter of weeks, we worked closely with Sony to develop and build a traveling experience for the upcoming 'Life' movie. The goal was to bring guests into the feeling of the movie, isolating them as they watched, listened to pieces of the movie that led to a startling climax. This booth was later produced for other markets, providing a more immersive marketing and outreach opportunity.

STEAM Carnival, 2016

Traveling Experience by Two Bit Circus

Role: Senior Designer (2015 - 2016)

In November, 2015, Two Bit Circus hosted its second STEAM Carnival in San Francisco. STEAM Carnival is a youth-oriented education and entertainment brand with the goal of inspiring the next generation of inventors.

As the Senior Designer, my role was to work with the internal 2BC team and external content providers to elevate the experiential design – including the look and feel of the games, atmosphere and lighting and decorations, and more. The 2015 STEAM Carnival was intending to be a transitional step into the next phase for the STEAM Carnival brand, leading into a multi-tour in 2016, and spinning off additional opportunities in online content and products.

SIGGRAPH Conference 2012 - 2015

Technology, Research, Entertainment Conference

COMMITTEE CHAIR (2015), Subcommittee Producer (2012 - 2014)

As the committee chair for The Studio at the SIGGRAPH 2015 Conference, the role covered several responsibilities, which included planning and execution, building a subcommittee and integrating with the different contractor groups. It was critical to build a fiscally responsible program, and supported through connecting and fostering donor networks. It was at least as critical to build out a program direction that fit within where SIGGRAPH as a community represents and where it's going, which included bringing in world class courses, talks, and hands-on workshops from the best academic and professional institutions around the world.

In previous years, including for both The Studio and Emerging Technologies, I have acted as the Producer on the Subcommittee. Much of this work involved developing a floor-plan for the projects (Studio) and organizing logistical information, including on-site and in advance of the conference with Contributors.

To learn more about The Studio at SIGGRAPH 2015: [GO HERE]

MORE VIRTUAL REALITY...

 Below you will find more examples of work related to VR.

Virtual Environments with Hardware Simulation

Much of my work in virtual reality involves not only creating the real-time digital environments, but implementing them on hardware systems that allow them to be experienced in deeper and more direct ways.

The images on the right show some of the various digital environments and their integrated simulators, including projection domes, 8DOF Simulators, and more basic driving simulators.

As you’ll see further down, I am also familiar with HMDs, both with magnetic trackers and the more recent Oculus Rift.

I have worked with many different real-time software tools, including modern game engines as well as more professional solutions. I have also honed creating visually compelling real-time 3D content very quickly that can scale in quality based on needs.

VR Prototyping and Interactive Entertainment Experiences

Carnegie Mellon University

DESIGNER and ARTIST

With of 4-5 people, we explored the rapid creation of interactive virtual worlds. To the right are two examples created in less than two weeks each that look at different types of entertainment content for Head Mounted Displays (a modern example is the Oculus Rift). For these examples we also made use of sensors that could track where your head and hands are at in 360 space.

For the example in the top two images, we wanted to test forward locomotion (walking). The challenge is creating an abstraction on how to map that interface that makes at least some sense contextually. This is how we fell into a ‘Zombie’ idea, which embellishes on the typical arms out way they are often represented. Players hold their arms old while moving them up and down to move forward. Players can also grab NPC characters and then ‘eat’ their brains through different movements with the hands and head. We attempted ‘first person eating’ but it became difficult to convey the idea.

The second example is a puzzle game that requires players to look around the 3D world. Players act from the center of the map, with the goal of moving blocks in order to create a path for small characters reach the finish. ‘Grabbing’ is a key interaction, but with only knowing hand location, we explored feedback mechanisms in the virtual world, including rumbling before being grabbed.

DIGITAL PHOENIX VR (2006-2008)

Virtual Reality Research Project; Arizona State University

RESEARCHER and 3D ARTIST

With 2-3 people, we created a large 3D representation of Phoenix, AZ with simulated traffic in order to create a flexible tool for studying construction and other environmental developments. During the project, we explored the use of photogrammetry as well as integrating with various simulator hardware. [LINK]

ARCH VIZ - UE4 VR

Architectural Visualization using Unreal Engine 4

Unreal Engine 4 presents the best set of tools for developing a range of Architectural Visualization Opportunities. From locomotion, interaction, and sheer visual prowess, Architects and Developers are looking more into this as a viable opportunity to explore new construction projects as well as create marketing materials.