Meet Matthew Brewbaker | VR/AR Developer & Film Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Brewbaker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, why did you pursue a creative career?
“For someone in the ‘creative’ field, I actually started in a pretty unexpected place: science. Completing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, I was initially attracted to the empirical world’s promise of discovery and innovation. The reality of Science with a capital “S” turned out to be much less creative, as entire lives could be spent pursuing a single act of discovery. However, it was during my freshman year that a realization dawned on me: the essence of what had attracted me to science was not the meticulous and often protracted process of hypothesis testing, but the grand narratives of possibility and exploration often found in science fiction. The idea of science, with its boundless potential for imagination, was more vividly alive in the stories that speculated about the future than in the lab.

This epiphany came over a long, solitary weekend of binging movies, among which Steven Spielberg’s “AI: Artificial Intelligence” stood out. There is a poignant scene of robots being hunted that not only captivated me but also transported me; I was there, amidst the chaos, like a silent witness, perhaps even a robot myself. This moment echoed a childhood experience of watching “Jurassic Park”, where the primal fear and wonder of being chased by dinosaurs left me asking, “Who made me feel this way?” It was Spielberg again, crafting experiences that transcended the screen, making viewers like me not just spectators but participants in a vividly rendered reality.

Embracing this realization, I continued my studies in biochemistry while simultaneously diving into the world of filmmaking. Producing became my calling, a role that married my analytical skills with a latent creative vision. My journey into filmmaking was an affirmation of my belief that the true essence of creativity lies in the synthesis of opposites, in the alchemy of two opposing ideas coalescing into something truly novel.

The recent improvements in VR and AR technologies marked a new chapter in my creative journey. Experiencing VR for the first time was a revelation; here was a medium that could offer unparalleled experiential depth, far surpassing traditional cinema in its ability to create the feelings of presence and empathy. Like the Lumière brothers’ groundbreaking film of a train arriving at a station, I realized that we are now at the nascent stage of VR/AR, where the simplest acts can mesmerize because we have yet to develop the language in which this new form of storytelling evolves. I’ve come to see one of my life’s purposes as one of contribution to this evolving narrative vocabulary, to pioneer ways in which VR and AR can offer transformative experiences, making the viewer an active participant in the story.

My journey from science to narrative innovation and the creative space as a whole, is underpinned by an appreciation for the power of storytelling to shape our reality. As Marshall McLuhan famously stated, “The Medium is the Message.” In developing the arts for these new mediums of VR and AR, we are not merely creating new forms of entertainment but are crafting the messages that will define the experiences of future generations. I cannot think of a better time and place to be creative than right here and right now.

What should our readers know about your business?
Launching my career in the entertainment industry with the release of the horror movie “Followed” during the pandemic was a pivot point, not just for me but for how we consumed media in unprecedented times. The film thrived in drive-ins when traditional theaters were closed, underscoring a communal need for shared experiences, even when socially distanced. Around this time I also came to a revelation about the potential of game engine use outside of gaming. Intrigued, I explored VR, leading to a transformative moment. In VR I saw a new horizon for storytelling, moving beyond traditional film’s capabilities.

So I invested my resources into founding VEU (Virtual Entertainment Universe), aiming to integrate the social facets of VR into the entertainment landscape. I taught myself Unreal Engine and crafted a VR experience where you could watch the movie Blade Runner 2049 in the world of Blade Runner 2049. This concept not only secured the necessary funding but also set the stage for our project, Enterverse, aiming to blend social interaction and cinematic immersion in VR.

The path to developing VEU was full of challenges and blessings-in-disguise. Embracing failures as stepping stones rather than setbacks has been a critical mindset. In the realm of innovation, stumbling is part of the course, a necessary phase of trial, error, and triumph. Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of VR and AR is driven by the conviction that these technologies hold the key to crafting unparalleled experiences, transcending the conventional limits of storytelling and audience engagement.

VEU now stands at the forefront of ushering in a new medium, poised to redefine the entertainment industry by merging Hollywood’s narrative depth with the immersive potential of virtual and augmented reality. As we navigate uncharted territory, the excitement for what lies ahead fuels our mission: To transform the very essence of how stories are told and experienced.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Welcoming a best friend to LA means hitting the highlights and hidden gems alike. We’d kick off in Downtown LA, starting with Grand Central Market for some Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, then catch some boba in Little Tokyo. The Walt Disney Concert Hall and a ride on Angel’s Flight would be on the agenda, with a possible detour to the Arts District for fine dining. Beach days would be spread across Venice, Malibu, Manhattan, and perhaps Laguna Beach for its views.

Culinary adventures would continue through Koreatown’s authentic fares and the San Gabriel Valley for top-notch Chinese food. A drive along Mulholland Drive, hiking in Griffith Park, and sunset at Griffith Observatory would mix city views with nature. Dining in Silverlake and Beverly Hills, visiting Hollywood Blvd for its fame, and hitting taco stands like Angel’s in NoHo and Brother’s Cousins in Santa Monica would offer a taste of LA’s diverse food scene. Sushi at Sushi Gen and BBQ at The Park’s Finest would wrap up the trip, showcasing what makes LA LA… cultural fusion.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My journey has been deeply shaped by many people in my life: foremost, my parents, whose support and care has been my engine; my college film circle, such as Jeffery Wang, Antoine Le and Andrew Cholerton, and past and current colleagues such as Thomas Pettinelli, Jason Kwon, Raphael Arkera, Todd Klick, Tom Kenyon, Justin Sloan, Peter Cornwell, Ashleigh Snead, Jonah Keel, William Garcia, Michael Reed, Tony Sands, Neil Blakemore, Logan Desseyn, Nino Rivotti and Shant Hamassian, who embody the joy and creativity unlocked through collaboration; and my past and current mentors, such as Robert Zemeckis, Sarah Pia Anderson and John Iacovelli whose example showed me the art of moving mountains with passion and perseverance.

Website: www.veuspace.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbrewbaker/