Step into the world of John Anthony Hartman, a big-picture thinker and storyteller. From a young age, he discovered his passion for weaving tales and captivating audiences, setting the stage for a remarkable journey filled with creativity, innovation, and unwavering determination.
At just nine years old, John’s fearless spirit led him to deliver a performance in ‘A Tooth for Paul Revere’ that left audiences spellbound, hinting at the talent within him. But for John, storytelling wasn’t merely a hobby; it was a calling that coursed through his veins, compelling him to explore uncharted territories of creativity.
The 1980s marked a turning point in John’s life when he took his first steps into the world of film as an extra. Little did he know that this moment would set the course for an extraordinary career dedicated to expressing his boundless creative energies. With a full-ride theater arts scholarship, John embarked on his collegiate journey, determined not to pretend but to become a true luminary in the entertainment world.
However, John’s path to greatness was anything but ordinary. At the tender age of 20, he made a courageous decision to join the U.S. Army, aiming for an airborne contract with the prospect of attending Ranger School. Fate had other plans, as a training accident dashed his dreams, leading to an honorable medical discharge three years later. Nevertheless, John’s commitment to the Army’s ‘Follow Me’ creed would resurface in his leadership roles over the next two decades.
In the ’90s, John’s creative prowess knew no bounds. He crafted interactive adventures and innovative experiences for clients from corporate giants to government entities. Simultaneously, he honed his skills in video production at the Art Institute of Seattle, delving deep into the realms of editing and visual effects. His groundbreaking work with new non-linear editing (NLE) workflows paved the way for him to lead the digital film revolution.
In 2003, John’s journey took an exciting turn as he became a solutions architect and Technology Evangelist for the Digital Universe Foundation. Collaborating with esteemed organizations such as NASA, MIT, and the Jane Goodall Institute, he spearheaded the creation of a 3D web browser and media portal, pushing the boundaries of visualization and data overlay. John’s team achieved remarkable feats, from visualizing scientific data on Earth to mapping our solar system in 3D, all the way to projecting the future of Arctic ice melt.
Yet, despite their groundbreaking efforts, the bandwidth of the early 2000s couldn’t keep up with their ambitious vision, leaving their 3D worlds and interactive videos ahead of their time.
John’s dedication to education also shone through as he served as an adjunct professor at Portland State University. From teaching New Media and Social Media courses to a master class in in-depth studies on Transmedia for the Publishing Industry, his commitment to sharing knowledge was unwavering.
John’s media projects reached new heights in the corporate realm, with clients like Intel, Xbox, and Warner Bros. His innovative approach resulted in interactive virtual worlds tied to real-world campaigns and transmedia projects that captivated audiences for months.
Today, John Anthony Hartman stands as the Co-Founder of Elevate Media Labs, where his Liquid methodology shapes the future of storytelling. With over a decade of experience in 3D and VR/XR production, John’s team pushes the boundaries of possibility, creating immersive experiences that blur the line between reality and fiction. Whether it’s entertainment, training, or commercial ventures, John ensures that each story’s impact is measured and maximized.
