Speaker: Tommy Pallotta

Tommy Pallotta is a visionary storyteller who creatively blends technology with filmmaking, animation and interactivity. His penchant for innovation was recognized by Microsoft Research and Development where he lead a research team to create and design interactive, animated storytelling experiences. Pallotta also directed the first machinima music video, In the Waiting Line, and the rotoscoped MTV Breakthrough video Destiny, both for the band Zero 7. He has produced several short animated films that garnered numerous awards, including Snack and Drink, which is now part of a permanent collection in the New York Museum of Modern Art. Tommy first connected Richard Linklater with animation when he produced the award-winning feature film Waking Life. He followed up with Philip K. Dick’s A Scanner Darkly, starring Keanu Reeves and Robert Downey Jr. Both films were animated using proprietary software and a technique co-developed by Pallotta. His latest project is the Emmy nominated transmedia thriller, Collapsus.

What Tommy will be doing at DIY DAYS

Keynote on Creative Process

Markets fail, buildings collapse, empires end, but what about media? Is it also crumbling? Will a new form of media emerge which will break all boundaries of storytelling before it? Tommy Pallotta will walk you through his latest project Collapsus, which combines interactivity, animation, fiction and documentary.

Collapsus looks into the near future and shows you how the imminent energy transition affects a group of ten young people who appear to be caught up in an energy conspiracy. What will their world look like after the turbulent transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources? Interact and make decisions to avoid further blackouts; get a broader perspective by listening to the experts; or observe the consequences for everyday people through the fictional story.

DIY DAYS asks Tommy

What are you currently working on that you’re excited about?

Directing a documentary about Somali pirates called THE LAST HIJACK. It will be a hybrid of animation and live action with interactive components.

What are some of your favorite sites and / or mobile apps and brief why?

Infowars.com – because there is a war on for your mind!

What are you currently watching, reading or playing?

Watching Krtek the Mole (Czech cartoon for kids), reading conspiracy blogs, playing Red Dead Redemption

For More on Tommy and his work visit

Project:Collapsus
Site:Submarine Channel