I’ve spent my career on worldbuilding and the technology behind it: performance capture, virtual production, real-time pipelines.
Now that AI can make endless content, I’m building what makes it matter.
Recognition
Press kit →As AI makes endless content, attention is what’s scarce.
Smart Content recognizes genuine attention and rewards it: viewers unlock rewards and behind-the-scenes content. Built for Mobil 1, Porsche, Netflix, Sports Illustrated and the New York Red Bulls.
Feature’s racing franchise: a streaming series, an interactive game and a real race team, developed with David Ayer and backed by Mobil 1 and Porsche.
Episode Zero: 16 million views at launch / 2026 International Motor Film Awards nominee / Pole and Race 2 win, Sugo, SRO Japan Cup
Directed
Lollipop Racing: Episode ZeroShort film / Director
PolisShort film / Director, co-writer
2088Teaser, screenplay and graphic novel / Creator, director, writerBefore directing: visual effects
- The Matrix ReloadedMotion capture and CG supervisor, Spectrum Studios2003
- The Matrix RevolutionsMotion capture and CG supervisor, Spectrum Studios2003
- The Polar ExpressSenior technical animator, Sony Pictures Imageworks2004
On set for the Matrix sequels, setting up and running the motion-capture system behind the digital doubles of Neo and Agent Smith. Then, at 21, at Sony Pictures Imageworks on the team that built the capture system for The Polar Express, the first feature made entirely with performance capture.
ARC, in development with The Kennedy/Marshall Company: a feature built on real-time virtual production.
Also directed: World of Tanks for Wargaming; the Deadmau5 tour film for Ultra Music.
Visual effects supervisor on Hyundai commercials, with his company SMI. Earlier: senior art director at Warner Bros. Animation; story and visual development at DreamWorks Animation; wrote for Starz; co-created The Life and Times of Jimmy Jaxx for 20th Century Fox Television.
- 2023– / Feature
Smart Content
The system behind Smart Content: it recognizes genuine attention and rewards it. Patents pending in the United States, Europe and Singapore, with Steven Ilous as a named inventor.
WO 2024/233322 - 2008 / Digital Concepts Group
FacePro
A facial motion-capture system co-developed with DJ Hauck at Digital Concepts Group, later released as DCG FACE, a plug-in for Vicon Blade. It built on the facial-capture work behind The Polar Express.
Computer Graphics World, 2008
