Steve Kosakura

Work History

• 

  Senior Special Effects Designer

  Walt Disney Imagineering

  April 2014 - Present

  Projection, Lasers, Digital Signage, Media Servers, Machine Vision, Motion Control, LEDs, DMX, SMPTE, BS2, NXT, PICAXE, Propellers, Arduinos, Beagle Bones, Rasp Pi's, PLCs, PACs, Controls, blah, blah, blah...

• Principal Electronics & SPFX Design Engineer

  Technical Multimedia Design, Inc.

  March 2011 - April 2014

  Special Effects, Illusions, Electronic Controls, Projection / Laser Systems, Media Serving; design, mock-up, fabrication and documentation supervision for Theme Park and Live Performance venues. Assignments have included work with Walt Disney Imagineering's Special Effects Shop, Media Development, Blue Sky Creative, Creative Technology and Show Control Groups, as well as The Hettema Group.

• Animatronics / Controls / Electronics / R&D Engineer

  Garner Holt Productions

  March 2009 - March 2011

  Design, production supervision and development of electronics, controls and special effects for dimensional animatronic figures, animated props and show action equipment. Clients included Universal Studios - Singapore, Lockheed, Disneyland Hotel, Walt Disney Imagineering and others.
• 

  Technical Manager

  Thinkwell Design & Production

  November 2008 - January 2009

  Provided show control design for a major theme park project as well as support for internal invention and intellectual property development projects.

• Senior Engineer

  Walt Disney Imagineering - Special Effects / Creat

  November 2007 - October 2008

  Activities included designing and producing electronics and show control systems for the WDI Special Effects Shop and project design / development support for the Creative Department - Blue Sky Studio. These included a diverse combination of technology development projects including specialized sensors, unique projection, media serving, show control, and interactive systems.

• Senior Engineer

  Walt Disney Imagineering - Show Control Engineerin

  September 1998 - November 2007

  Involved in the design and production of show control and gaming systems for attractions in Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide. Also involved in the development of video monitoring and smart vision systems.
• 

  VFX Camera Dept. Engineer

  Walt Disney Animation Studios

  April 1996 - August 1998

  Responsible for design and construction of motion control and location cinematography grip equipment. Co-designed and co-fabricated Dino-Cam - a motion controlled cable suspended "aerial" camera rig that could span 1000 feet and travel at 35 MPH that was designed and built with Dwayne McClintock with inspiration and direction from Neil Krepela.

  
• 

  Electronics / Motion Control Engineer

  Sony Pictures Imageworks

  October 1995 - April 1996

  Electronics and Stage support for numerous motion picture projects.
• 

  Electronics / Motion Control Engineer

  Warner Brothers

  1995 - 1995

  Assembled and supported stop motion stages built for Tim Burton's Mars Attacks under Dan Radford at the former IntroVision stages.

• Electronics Engineer / Stage Support

  Mass.Illusion

  1994 - 1995

  Returned to the Berkshires to work on Judge Dredd visual effects with mass.illusion and for VFX plate cinematography and control of a large 6DOF McFadden motion base in England.
• 

  Electronics Engineer / Stage Support

  Digital Domain

  1993 - 1995

  Electronic design and construction for the Stages from DD's inception. Worked to put the stages together with John Fante, Mark Moore, Scott Salsa. Involvement with True Lies, Interview with the Vampire, Color of Night and Strange Days, models, miniatures and motion control.

• Location Motion Control Plate Camerman

  Balsmeyer & Everett

  July 1993 - October 1993

  New York

• Electronics / Motion Control Engineer

  OutTakes, Inc

  1992 - 1993

  Designed and built motion control camera system for automated photo compositing system in an entertainment / retail venue (Universal CityWalk).
• 

  Electronics / Motion Control Engineer / Cameraman / Pyrotech

  Boss Film Studios

  1989 - 1992

  Design and construction of camera systems and devices for motion and camera tracking. Designed and built robotic camera systems, 65mm, VistaVision and high-speed FX cameras and support equipment for motion control animation and cinematography. Extensively supported the model and miniature stages with both motion control and camera sync systems for major motion pictures and commercials.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Electronics / Motion Control Engineer

  Berkshire Motion Pictures

  1989 - 1989

  Provided motion control and motion base electronics support for the Back to the Future Ridefilm. This project was led by Doug Trumbull with Chris Reyna as Technical Director and David K. Stewart - DP. The entire project was shot using very special 65MM camera systems with extensive motion control and mechanical gags throughout.

• Electronic Technician

  Tondreau Electronics

  1985 - 1989

  Designed and built motion control electronics for numerous clients under Bill Tondreau, based out of Robert Abel and Associates & Image G. Clients included RA&A, ILM, Boss, Rhythm & Hues, Praxis Films, Title House, Graphic Films, Hollywood / Tokyo, etc., etc., etc.

• Animation & Live Action Cameraman / Equipment Designer

  Calico Creations

  1982 - 1985

  Shot motion control multi-pass in-camera composite animation, multi-plane, optical printer and live action projects for this special effects / animation house in Northridge. Also designed and built several pieces of equipment used in daily production at the facility.

• Show Design Technician

  The Showpros, JMB Associates

  1979 - 1982

  Programmed Multi-Media productions that involved multi image, film, video and live cues. AVL based control systems and graphics design with Marron Carrel compositing camera.