I WORK TO MAKE THINGS FROM SCIENCE FICTION REAL.

Hi, I'm Manu. I am an interactive creator and developer whose work has been showcased in film festivals worldwide, and led to the successful exit of 2 startups.

I specializes in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality production, and I'm particularly drawn to exploring the spatial and sensory affordances that make the medium so unique. I wake up with the goal to make XR experiences that can both captivate and meaningfully impact people's existing reality.

The “+” means a lot to me, because I am just as confident writing a script when coding elements for an XR experience I’m creating + as I am writing a script and shot breakdown for a film I’m directing + as I am scripting a formula analyzing data for a product I’m building + as I am scripting a presentation for a creative direction I’m pitching.

MY JOURNEY

A California kid for my first 18 years, I packed a new winter jacket along with my flip flops when I earned my Bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, where I concentrated in Business and Film. Following graduation from Northwestern, I managed the product and creative for two startups focused in digital marketing analytics and interactive video advertising, which successfully were acquired and IPO'd respectively.

I then pursued a personal entrepreneurship dream endeavor, where I co-founded and led a production group in NYC creating both VR + traditional films and branding videos, which have received worldwide accolade and awards being showcased in 13 film festivals.

This experience led me to desiring an even deeper foundation in XR development and human-computer interaction - and I recently graduated from earning a Master's degree in interactive technology from the ITP Program in New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

While at ITP, I was the recipient of the program's Red Burns Scholarship — named after the founder of the mad scientist, technology-meets-creativity program — and concentrated in VR/AR Development and Accessibility Technology, and was selected by professors for Master's internships in both respective areas.

All to “FTL travel” along my quest in attempting to make the virtual and physical realities as one!

WHAT’S IT LIKE HANGING WITH MANU?

I’m a film-loving, show-binging space nerd who’s a diehard fan of the Warriors, Niners, Giants, and Northwestern Wildcats. Water is my happy place - a chance to jump in the ocean or swim laps in a pool, and I’m smiling all day.

At any time, my tv screen is likely showing Seinfeld, The Office, or a game. My Kindle is probably some percent through a space opera, and I’m more than likely consuming pizza, Gatorade, or a Hazy IPA.

My biggest dream for as long as I’ve had memory is to go to space and experience the final frontier.