Dreaming about the future of Entertainment

My career objective, as stated on my resume, is: To explore new technologies, techniques and media, to devise new ways to engage and entertain people.

I am interested in creating experiences that people can become completely engrossed and immersed in, that engage all their senses. This is not a reality today, not even close, but there are many people working in that direction, whether knowingly, or otherwise. The field of "Virtual Reality" is clearly aimed at the ultimate goal of manufacturing experiences which are indistinguishable from reality, but the tools that will ultimately achieve that goal will most likely be derived from the accomplishments of people in a broad range of fields. As the visual and sound effects in films become more and more realistic, as computer game makers develop increasingly intuitive, and responsive interfaces, and push the real-time barrier, as internet and networking technology advances to increase and improve interconnectivity, so that ultimate goal comes closer to being realised.

To complicate matters, our perception is evolving. Through exposure, we become less susceptible to fakery, and the leading edge of reality imitation is only just staying ahead of people's ability to see through it. So not only is the ultimate goal a long way off, but it's receding. All that means is that there will probably never be a time when any aspect of this broad field of endeavour is completely solved.

My greatest asset is my enthusiasm for and ability at mastering new things. My wide ranging interests and skills derive from a constant search for new challenges, and this same breadth of knowledge often allows me to approach these new challenges from a unique angle and to invisage solutions that don't conform to traditional approaches. I seek to understand why and how things work, rather than simply learning methodologies, which makes the knowledge i gain more portable between disciplines.

I began programming computer games in BASIC on an Atari 800XL when I was twelve. Ever since then, I've had a particular fascination with computers, both as tools and toys. I majored in computer science at university, and have gone on to use computers in every job I've had. My experience with computers spans a wide cross-section of their applications. Whether that be as a creative tool for visual arts, animation and music, or as a platform for making tools: an auction server, ray-trace renderer or animation editor, for instance.

I have been interested in music and involved in music performance all my life, and began composing music in my teens, with music being my major subject at secondary school (ages 13-17). I've toured North America in a representative choir, played various instruments in small classical and jazz ensembles, punk/grunge bands, and a live drum'n'bass act. For the past few years I have been making electronic music of various genres, including: dub, hip-hop, and drum'n'bass. My style ranges from abstract, amorphous soundscapes, to high energy rhythm-oriented dance tunes.

I also pursue many other forms of artistic/creative expression. I have a good eye for design, and have created logos and designs for a wide range of purposes, including album covers, concert/event posters, t-shirts, websites, software interfaces, etc. I make sculptures from wire and other media, I draw, paint, print and also dabble in writing.