HaptX launch | VR has never felt this real

I had an amazing time working with Cinesaurus on this launch video for HaptX. They make content that people actually watch. They’re the team behind Gritty Reboots and Job Hunters, and work with big clients like Deloitte and SpaceX. My jaw hit the floor when I first saw the animated fox they created for our launch video.

I served as the creative director on this project, drafting the original creative brief that included the overall specifications, the look and feel, the interactions we wanted to showcase, and the key messages to emphasize. 

It was amazing to see the worldwide response to this video.

Reaction video | Feeling VR with HaptX

I shot and edited this video in 2016, capturing visceral reactions to HaptX technology. 

At the time, I had introduced people from all walks of life to our HaptX demos. They range from 6 to 91 years of age. Some are industry experts who have seen every virtual reality demo out there. Others have never seen a VR headset before in their life. They all react with delight. 

They squeal with glee at the deer dancing on their hand. They grimace and whimper as a they feel eight dancing legs of a virtual spider. Their minds are blown when a dragon breathes fire across their hand.

For me, watching people react is the best part of the HaptX demo. That’s why we created this reaction video. It features such visceral responses, you'll think these are paid actors. They're not. They're technology professionals, VR developers, two rocket scientists, and a law clerk experiencing the magical combination of virtual reality and HaptX technology. 

Hopefully, this video is the next best thing to experiencing HaptX for yourself. Enjoy!

*At the time I created this video, HaptX was known as AxonVR.

GeekWire: Seattle 10 time lapse video

GeekWire recognized HaptX as one of The Seattle 10, their annual list of 10 of the most exciting and groundbreaking startups from the Seattle region. 

GeekWire asked each of The Seattle 10 winners to reproduce their business ideas on giant six-foot by six-foot cocktail napkins that will be unveiled for the first time at the big GeekWire Gala on Dec. 6th at MOHAI. We shot a time lapse video of the creation process.

Music: Turn it Up by Podington Bear

The Mustard and Co. Story (so far)

A promotional video for Seattle's boldest mustard makers.

Director of photography: Tommy Yacoe

AT&T Real Stories | Moving Worlds

Director and Editor: Tommy Yacoe

Director of Photography: Andrew Mitrak

AT&T Real Stories videos are part biography, part success story with technology. MovingWorlds is a membership community that connects professionals directly to volunteer opportunities with social impact organizations. www.thebluecarpetclub.com

 

Russell Investments | Every Step Matters

Produced, directed, and edited Every Step Matters for Russell Investments.

Working at AxonVR

I joined AxonVR as their first marketing hire in January of 2016. I'm only 8 months in, and it's already been an incredible journey. About once every month, I head down to San Luis Obispo (SLO) to work with the engineers on our product development team. I shot this video as a recruiting piece, focusing on the engineers at our SLO office.

It's fun to point the camera at my coworkers and ask them questions. It kickstarts a conversation about why they do what they do. It's the kind of conversation you won't get at the water cooler.  

Short film | One Way Single

NFFTY 2013 - Closing Night
Seattle's True Independent Film Festival - Opening Night
Cast:
Hope Rubinkowski as Pepper
Jay Myers as Saul.
Crew:
Director: Andrew Mitrak
Writer: Robert J. Lee
Producer: Brianna Murphy
Line Producer/Script Supervisor: Evelyn Osborn
Dir. of Photography: Seth Wessel-Estes
Camera Operator: Chad Courtney
1st AC: Ellen Callaghan
2nd AC: Karyn Keasal
Gaffer: John Elkin
Best Boy: Javier Caceres
Key Grip: Randy Stalcup
Key Make-up Artist: Kate Dixon
Sound Recorder/Mixer: Mark Meseroll

Russell Investments | Successful Investing

Motion graphics by WINTR.

Russell Investments | ARA

I took Russell's new "Adaptive Retirement Account" product, and used the metaphor of a journey to "retirement island" to tell the story in a visually engaging manner.

Written, storyboarded, directed, and edited with the Russell Investments Design Team.

Russell Investments | Branded video loop

For portfolio purposes only.
This is neither an advertisement nor endorsement for Russell Investments products and services.
Music | Courtney Barnett "Avant Gardner"
0:00 - 1:26
- Motion graphics + typography | Chelsey Scheffe
- Director of photography | Tyler Kalberg
1:27 - 2:33
- Director of photography | Jacob Rosen

Trailer | Four Students Documentary

Four Students is a documentary film directed by Andrew Mitrak and Tommy Yacoe.

Official Selection: National Film Festival for Talented Youth
Official Selection: Tacoma Film Festival
Official Selection: Local Sightings Film Festival
Winner: Munro Public Service Fellowship Award
NW Scene Audience Award - NFFTY

The film profiles four students at the University of Washington, each offering a unique perspective on the college experience. Camilo Moreno-Salamanca devotes his free time to student government, advocacy, and lobbying behalf of higher education. Yael Nov pours long hours into art projects using a wide range of mediums. Josh Wood is an Australian exchange student that takes advantage his year abroad by searching for new fun experiences. Semonti Hossain studies Neurobiology and Economics on the path to medical school. Their lives represent a small cross section of the endless opportunities available through higher education, which is quickly growing out of reach for many people with the rising costs of tuition.