Bill Beemer

Bill Beemer has worked for Sony for 22 years and has been writing and developing tools in various programming languages for the past 8 years. Currently, Beemer works for Sony Interactive as the Senior Motion Capture Software Engineer responsible for building and maintaining all Python, Tcl, and Javascript tools. Collaborating with game developers and the motion capture stage crew, Beemer is the principal architect of all software tools used by the motion capture team. Before this position, Beemer was the Studio Supervisor for Sony Playstation's Los Angeles Motion Capture stages working closely with internal and external video game developers such as Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studios, Insomniac, and Sucker Punch.  Before working in games, Beemer worked as a Lead Studio Technician for Sony Imageworks on various feature films including Polar Express, Monster House, Alice in Wonderland, and Beowulf. Throughout his career at Sony, Beemer has been a linchpin in building the motion capture studio's facility and software pipeline from the ground up. He trained its new employees, taught himself Bash and Javascript to customize the software pipeline, studied computer science, and used his expertise to help build one of the leading motion capture facilities in the world. Before working for Sony Studios, Beemer was the IT Manager at Stan Lee Media. Shortly after, he was recruited to lead the technical team at Spectrum Studios, a motion capture vendor. Beemer led his team to design and build a motion capture system that could be quickly set up and torn down, run on both 110V and 220V, and be fully transportable for overseas operation. Beemer traveled with the equipment to Culver City, CA, Alameda, CA, and Sydney, Australia, receiving a whirlwind education in motion capture working on the films Matrix II and Matrix III, and the accompanying video game. Although he now works in technology, he originally pursued a career in education, hoping to teach art to secondary-age students. However, computers were always a hobby while he was studying and this hobby led to his first job as a computer technician working for various schools in the Santa Monica Malibu School District. He spent several years designing, installing, and maintaining multiple computer networks on different campuses. Additionally, he educated teachers and staff about how to use their new computer systems and taught the before and after school computer classes for students.   Beemer earned an undergraduate degree in art design and a Master's in Education at California State University, Northridge. Most recently, he earned his Associate's in Computer Science from West LA College and a Master's in Software Engineering from Regis University. Beemer's desire to better his professional skills as a Motion Capture Studio Supervisor and create opportunities to teach has driven him to keep learning new things, expanding his knowledge, and continuing to challenge himself. In his free time, Beemer is an avid gamer and musician. He volunteers for various game conventions and enjoys playing and running Dungeon and Dragons campaigns. He has been a drummer since early childhood and plays in several bands around Los Angeles performing original and cover songs.