Resume

Justin A. Bortnick

jabortnick@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Graduate: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles CA

  • Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, English PhD Program (currently attending)

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia PA

  • College of Liberal & Professional Studies Non-Traditional Graduate Studies (2013-2014)
  • GPA: 3.94

College:  LAFAYETTE COLLEGE, Easton PA   B.A. May, 2013

  • A., English; B.A., Classical Civilization,
  • Dean’s List (2010-2013), GPA 3.56

EXPERIENCE

Twinbeard Studios: Puzzle designer, writer (2015-Present)

  • Frog Fractions 2 (Glittermitten Grove)
    • Conceptualize, create and implement puzzles, narrative and challenges for video game and alternate-reality games
    • Outline and write content for overarching story and plot
    • Represent Twinbeard at conventions, marketing talks, business development meetings
    • IndieCade@E3 Official Selection 2017
    • IndieCade Festival 2017 – Official Nominee

Erebus, LLC (2017)

  • Apocalypse Now (cancelled)
    • “Red Team” – Market research, ad copy and game design input for survival horror RPG based on the classic Frances Ford Coppola film

Thinker-Tinker (2015-2016)

  • OCTOBO
    • Write a children’s book to accompany OCTOBO, a digital-interactive plush toy for young children
    • ctrl.GDC – Official Selection 2016
    • IndieCade@E3 – Official Selection 2016
    • IndieCade Festival 2016 – Official Nominee
    • Indie Prize Awards – Best Kids and Family Game, Most Innovative Game – Nomination
    • Successfully funded via Kickstarter, April 2018

University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA (2016-Present)

  • USC Writing Program
    • WRIT150 – Writing and Critical Reasoning–Thematic Approaches
      • Develop curriculum and teach freshman college writing course on the subject of recent technological devleopments
    • Worldbuilding Institute
      • Spaceship Earth Project (2017-)
        • Collaborative research, design and author future technologies using Best Practices drawn from film production design
    • Doheny Library Special Collections (2016)
      • Identify, catalogue, research and process rare books, manuscript collections and photographs for public use

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA: Van Pelt Library Rare Books & Manuscripts Library (2014-2015)

  • Identify, catalogue, research and process rare books and manuscript collections for public use
  • Utilize database tools such as Voyager and Archivist’s Toolkit to create and manage collections

Julian Krinsky Camps and Programs: Teaching Assistant, World Leadership Program & Politics Summer Camp (2013)

  • Research, teach and organize educational seminars and trips for high school students
  • Organize and facilitate United Nations simulations, leadership programs and student research
  • Supervise dormitory-style living for participating students

Lafayette College, Easton PA: Resident Advisor (2010-2013)

  • Establish/operate dormitory atmosphere conducive to study, rest and positive interpersonal interactions
  • Maintain orderly and safe living environment

Coldfront, L.L.C.: Community Manager and News Editor (2008-Present)

  • Manage front-page content for the Coldfront News Network
  • Maintain Coldfront presence in social media forums (Facebook, Twitter)
  • Handle community outreach and technical assistance and support for users
  • Represent Coldfront at conventions, provide on-the-ground updates to users of our website and software

Cozen O’Connor:   Law Firm Summer Intern

  • Philadelphia, PA: Office Assistant to Senior Paralegal (2013)
  • Philadelphia, PA: Office Assistant to Business Manager (2012)
  • West Conshohocken, PA: Office Assistant (2011)
  • Philadelphia PA: Office of Education and Pro Bono Work. (2010)
  • Maintain files, conduct legal research, write legal blogs and aid lawyers in preparing for courtroom and classroom situations

Friends’ Central School, Wynnewood PA: Substitute Teacher (2013-2015)

The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia PA:  Box Office Staff (2007-2008)

  • Ticket & membership sales, special exhibit greeter and VIP lounge management

ENGAGEMENTS

Game Developers Conference, San Francisco CA

  • 30-minute talk: 2018 Business & Marketing/Game Design Tracks: “Rallying the Resistance: Frog Fractions 2’s Alternate Reality Game” (2018)

Independent Game Festival, San Fransisco CA

  • Judge for the initial nomination process for the Independent Games Festival at the Game Developers Conference (2016, 2017)

IndieCade Festival, Los Angeles CA

  • Juror for the initial nomination process for the IndieCade Festival, (2016, 2017)

Boston Festival of Indie Games, Boston MA

  • Curator for digital games judging process (2018)

Red Pages Podcast

  • Host of a weekly podcast available on iTunes addressing questions of narrative theory and game design philosophy alongside in-depth interviews with authors and game industry luminaries regarding craft (ongoing)

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

  • Guest Speaker: “Emergent Systems in Electronic Gaming.”  Presented to ENGL 078.401/CINE150: Introduction to Digital Media (2014)

Overthinking It

  • Guest consultant and writer on narrative structures in video games for Overthinking It, a media website that “subjects the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn’t deserve.” (2014)

 

PUBLICATIONS

Penn Manuscript Collective

  • Henry Miller/Tambimuttu Letters (Forthcoming)

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Boy Scouts of America Troop 181, Gladwyne PA (October 1997-Present)

  • Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow
  • Merit Badge Counselor (Computers, Game Design)
  • Assistant Scoutmaster (2008-2010)

Tang Soo Do:

  • Black Belt, 1st Dan

SERVICE TO PROFESSION

University of Southern California: Graduate Student Government English Department Representative (2016-2017)

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