Since I was 9, I've wanted to make "the next Star Wars," or a new, sci-fi, cinematic universe, that excites people *so much* they have to see it in theaters. A few years ago, I realized the best way *for me* to get inspired (as a builder and a writer) was to go meet and tell the stories of people building the future.
### Years to date
**Present**
Working on [something](https://www.story.inc/) founded in July 2024.
Focused on increasing the quality of S3, releasing a new series (and announcing the company) _very soon_, with more announcements to come soon after.
**2022 - 2024**
Joined Astranis as Head of Content (most proud of the "[[Astranis Road to Launch Docuseries]]" I created in ~30 days). Got to film our [[first rocket launch]], travel around the world [[filming with people who lack internet]], created all of the [company's content for 2 years](https://x.com/jasonjoyride/status/1711913148981387375).
[Started S3](https://saturdaystartups.beehiiv.com/p/whys3) in July 2023, creating a documentary about a different deep tech company every weekend. Gratefully [received a fellowship](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/osv-funds-prizewinning-filmmaker-for-multiple-upcoming-projects-302172403.html?tc=eml_cleartime) from O'Shaughnessy Ventures in July of 2024 (thank you Jim!).
**2019 - 2022**
Dropped out of school to work at 2K Games as an editor and director ([most proud of this trailer](https://youtu.be/EhWIhN-QMVw)). Left to found a video production studio focused on the music industry, _hated it_, went back to 2K for another year.
**2018**
Started pursuing a double-major in Physics and Computer Science at Solano Community College.
**2014 - 2018**
Created ~15 short films, music videos, small-town client videos, and 1 1/2 feature films —_these were horrible_, but I learned a lot. Taught my high-school's film class for 2 years.
**2012 - 2014**
Got really serious about VFX in After Effects and my favorite, Blender. Created a variety of short videos and a [short film](https://youtu.be/cD4d4eg0p5A) that won best VFX in AAHSFF and granted me a full ride scholarship to a VFX/CS school that I turned down. I'm relatively anti-college, at least for the arts.
**2009 - 2012**
Picked up a Flip video camcorder, started making short videos with friends using SFX and VFX.
**2000 - 2009**
Born in Davis, CA. Grew up in Vacaville, CA. Spent time building things in the country, build a lot of things with scotch tape and paper. Fell in love with cinematic universes like Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
### My last name
Carman. I think I have a pretty cool last name. It was originally "Slovachek," but my grandpa wanted something new for his family in 1900s America.
So, he walked outside and saw: men working on cars… _Car-man_. Ironically, I'm not a very good mechanic. My dad described the meaning of the name to me once as: _"Carmans are men of the future."_ Today, given that we're all living through the Cambrian explosion of technology, I spend a lot of time thinking about the future — mostly so I can try and go build it.