My Story
Career & Job Description
What I Love
Challenges
My Advice
My Story
Growing up in California, I always wanted to work in the film and television industry from a young age. I was always making some sort of movie with my friends with my video camera. I would also act in plays in High School. It seemed like I was always making the special effects needed to create the movies or stuff on stage.
After high school graduation, I attended college at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After a couple of years, I decided to switch majors and go into Special Effects. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh had a great effects program geared toward prosthetic makeup and prop making. It was here that I was able to learn skills such as mold making, toy design, foam latex prosthetic make up, prop making, stop motion, animatronics, and the list goes on. I put myself out there and worked on as many extra projects as I could. In doing so I met a lot of great people. Through those friendships came opportunities and jobs. Hard work and networking led to my first real movie gig.
After graduating, I moved back to California where I thought I would jump right in at a studio and start making movies. Unfortunately, that was not how things happened. My degree, talent, and networking in college helped me get my foot in the door. I started at the bottom as a "Runner" at a few FX shops. A runner is someone who goes on supply runs and other tasks that the shop needs. You're running around all day picking things up and dropping it off at the shop. Eventually, I was able to show some of my work to people and make new connections.
Once again hard work and networking paid off and I started creating special effects for films. This is where my real training began. My schooling prepared me for the basic skills I would need. My real training and knowledge came from my on the job experience. Working in an FX shop is fast paced most of the time and you are always under the wire to finish your project in a certain time and under a certain budget.
While I loved the 17 years I worked in the film special effects industry, I decided it was time for a break. I had started a family and wanted to move closer to extended family. I thought it was time to start a new chapter and move on from the effects industry for a short time. I moved my family to Illinois where my parents and sister were living. I took a break and became a stay at home Dad for several years. Once all my kids had been in school for a few years I had to find something to do with my time. I started creating the effects from my home shop. Once I put myself back out there, the connections I made in college sent work my way. I built props and effects in my shop and shipped them off or traveled with them to a shop or a movie set.
Shortly thereafter, I accepted a Game Master position at Escape Springfield. I thought the job sounded interesting and I love games. I could work a few part-time hours at a cool job and then make my effects the rest of the time. It very quickly became a lot more than just a part-time job. I once again put myself out there and offered up my skills as much as I could. I jumped at the chance to work on any extra projects. Hard work and perseverance paid off as I am now the full-time Lead Design Master and the Manager of the Springfield location. I have been here over two years now. I'm having lots of fun and making some pretty cool stuff.
After high school graduation, I attended college at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After a couple of years, I decided to switch majors and go into Special Effects. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh had a great effects program geared toward prosthetic makeup and prop making. It was here that I was able to learn skills such as mold making, toy design, foam latex prosthetic make up, prop making, stop motion, animatronics, and the list goes on. I put myself out there and worked on as many extra projects as I could. In doing so I met a lot of great people. Through those friendships came opportunities and jobs. Hard work and networking led to my first real movie gig.
After graduating, I moved back to California where I thought I would jump right in at a studio and start making movies. Unfortunately, that was not how things happened. My degree, talent, and networking in college helped me get my foot in the door. I started at the bottom as a "Runner" at a few FX shops. A runner is someone who goes on supply runs and other tasks that the shop needs. You're running around all day picking things up and dropping it off at the shop. Eventually, I was able to show some of my work to people and make new connections.
Once again hard work and networking paid off and I started creating special effects for films. This is where my real training began. My schooling prepared me for the basic skills I would need. My real training and knowledge came from my on the job experience. Working in an FX shop is fast paced most of the time and you are always under the wire to finish your project in a certain time and under a certain budget.
While I loved the 17 years I worked in the film special effects industry, I decided it was time for a break. I had started a family and wanted to move closer to extended family. I thought it was time to start a new chapter and move on from the effects industry for a short time. I moved my family to Illinois where my parents and sister were living. I took a break and became a stay at home Dad for several years. Once all my kids had been in school for a few years I had to find something to do with my time. I started creating the effects from my home shop. Once I put myself back out there, the connections I made in college sent work my way. I built props and effects in my shop and shipped them off or traveled with them to a shop or a movie set.
Shortly thereafter, I accepted a Game Master position at Escape Springfield. I thought the job sounded interesting and I love games. I could work a few part-time hours at a cool job and then make my effects the rest of the time. It very quickly became a lot more than just a part-time job. I once again put myself out there and offered up my skills as much as I could. I jumped at the chance to work on any extra projects. Hard work and perseverance paid off as I am now the full-time Lead Design Master and the Manager of the Springfield location. I have been here over two years now. I'm having lots of fun and making some pretty cool stuff.
Career & Job Description
Job DescriptionAs Lead Design Master, I am responsible for the overall design and look to every room, the prop and puzzle design and fabrication, and the construction and installation of everything that goes in an Escape Room. In addition, I am responsible for the day to day operations of the Springfield location.
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MajorIndustrial Design Technology
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Salary & Industry Outlook |
CollegeArt Institute Of Pittsburgh
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What I Love
What I Love
I love creating a great puzzle or building a fun, cool prop that challenges people to think, but at the same time is very fun to solve and/or interact with.
Challenges
Challenges
Creating the perfect prop or puzzle that relates to a wide variety of people.
My Advice
My Advice
If you are passionate about something then put as much effort into pursuing it as you can. Put yourself out there and take chances. Don't be afraid to make mistakes as mistakes are great learning experiences. Make real, lasting friendships with people in that field and always work hard. A great work ethic will always see you through.
If you could go back to high school today, what would you do differently to prepare yourself for the workforce?
I would be more open to others ideas. I'm not recommending you abandon a great idea of your own, but rather use your outside influences to make it even better. Collaboration is the breeding ground for amazing possibilities.
What do you know now that you think everyone in high school today should know?
The hard work you put in today does pay off later down the road. You might not see it right away or it may take other forms later. The extra practicing and training you put in will make you stronger and more confident down the road.
If you could go back to high school today, what would you do differently to prepare yourself for the workforce?
I would be more open to others ideas. I'm not recommending you abandon a great idea of your own, but rather use your outside influences to make it even better. Collaboration is the breeding ground for amazing possibilities.
What do you know now that you think everyone in high school today should know?
The hard work you put in today does pay off later down the road. You might not see it right away or it may take other forms later. The extra practicing and training you put in will make you stronger and more confident down the road.