Brock J. Stearn

[email protected] | (310) 709-2182 | www.brockstearn.com

PROFILE: Brock is a former CG Artist turned Creative Director, who morphed into an Immersive Technology Innovator; passionate about exploring the creative spaces of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality. He directed talented teams of top industry professionals to develop and implement cutting edge technology that resulted in enhanced user experiences, attracted new users, and directly increased revenue. STRENGTHS: Virtual Reality (VR) • Augmented Reality (AR) • 360° Filming • Mixed Medium Immersion • / • Creative Supervision • Product Designer • Digital Strategic Planning • New Product Development • Insights & Innovation • 2D Creative Software • 3D Creative Software • Real-time Rendering & Game Engines

EXPERIENCE: Director of Immersive Technology, Edmunds (2016 - Present) Transformed the car shopping and research experience by focusing on emerging technologies, including CGI, VR, AR and 360° video. Responsible for project development from ideation to execution. • Sales and Marketing: Developed strategies to sell VR, AR, and MR projects to major ad agencies and automobile OEMs. • Partnership Development: Created a partnership with Apple to launch Can It Fit?, an Augmented Reality parking tool, resulting in a 700% increase of new users. • Increased Revenue: Generated $2 million in new sales during the first two months of launch through the development of multiple immersive products for sales teams. • New Products: Developed an Interactive 360° product allowing any user to spend unlimited time exploring a vehicle in full 360° while learning about the vehicle via hotspots. • First to Market: Introduced and led 360° image capture techniques and aesthetics to produce the first in-car 360° stereoscopic (3D) video on YouTube. • New Technology: Led development of a fully interactive cloud based real-time car configurator view-able from any angle, inside or out, while maintaining high quality visuals. • Influencer: Educated internal cross functional teams on AR & VR’s in-market and user experience value. • Key Contributor: Reported updates directly to Chief Product Officer and C-Suite team weekly.

Digital Futurist, WET (2015-2016) Created and led a team responsible for translating future large scale physical fire, water, or ice experiences into immersive VR and/or AR representations. Generated new concepts to enhance older installations using AR, while planning the adoption of immersive tools into internal design pipeline. • Specialized Team: Created the Digital Innovation team to discover the most effective uses of immersive mediums and tools for WET projects • Client Relations: Pioneered 360° filming of completed installations, including personally swimming in the lake of the Bellagio in Las Vegas to create awe-inspiring shots, resulting in high accolades from the board of MGM Resorts International, and installation upgrades over $15 million. • New Technology: Oversaw the creation of real-time Virtual Reality projects of future large-scale properties including over 300 accurate water shooter simulations in one experience. • Public Facing: Interacted with clients, press and media for high profile projects, including interviews and industry conferences.

Head of CG (U.S.), Absolute Post (2014) Supervisor and Jr Creative Director for all CG created content. Directly involved in project bidding, staffing, client relations and establishing visual quality standards for all projects. • Creative Director: Supervised CG content on over 20 commercials spanning 6 advertising agencies and 2 countries • Increased Efficiency: Spearheaded internal pipeline development of new tools and technology while advancing direct contact with agencies by initiating more on-location supervision. • Business Development: Leveraged lucrative New York City tax incentives by expanding post production services to locally produced episodic television series.

Creative and Technical Consultant, MoonBot Studios (2013) Utilized experience and knowledge to mentor a young studio and staff. Simultaneously created content for short film, while advising C-Suite on studio and IP growth. • Business Development: Developed new bidding and production models to help the studio scale efficiently to larger projects while staying focused on the studio’s key intellectual property. • Long-term Growth: Established strategic plan for 1-3 years of growth by implementing future technology, software, and pipeline plans.

Compositing Lead/Senior Lighter, DreamWorks Animation (2009-2013) Authored content on 6 fully animated films while transforming interdepartmental communication and training across three production studios (, San Francisco, and ). • New Technology: Assisted in studio’s rapid three months multi-site transition to new software. • Cost Saving: Saved 100s of hours on re-rendering by creating 2.5D solutions to meet schedule. • Internal Communication: Led monthly meetings resulting in efficient and consistent dialogue between artists and R&D that did not exist prior. • Awards: Received multiple awards by Jeffery Katzenberg for exceptional contributions to DreamWorks Animation.

Lighting Lead, Rhythm and Hues Studios (2003-2008) Advanced to leadership role responsible for leading multiple lighting teams of 5-15 members consisting of artists using off-the-shelf and/or proprietary studio software. • Aesthetic Objectives: Created hero shots for lighters to match in sequence for multiple multi- million-dollar films. • Pipeline Development: Combined creative and technical skills to assist in the R&D and implementation of a new lighting pipeline using off-the-shelf and proprietary software. • Educator: Created a rigorous training program utilizing prior experience as an instructor.

Senior CG Generalist, Bad Robot (2016) Senior Lighting and Compositing Technical Director, Imageworks (2008-2009, 2013) Senior Lighting and Compositing Technical Director, Image Movers Digital (2009) Lighting and Compositing Artist, Walt Disney Animation Studios (2008) Stereoscopic Compositor, (2006-2007) CG Artist, Brain Zoo Studios (2005) Environment Modeler/Lighter, CIS Hollywood (2004) Art Education Instructor, The Ohio State University (2001-2003)

EDUCATION: MFA in Industrial, Interior and Visual Communication Design (2003) - The Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

BFA in (2001) - Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida