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Matthew Luhn
Director, Storytelling Consultant, Former Pixar Animator, Story Artist, Creativity Expert & Author
Matthew Luhn is an American storyboard artist, writer, and animator. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to Pixar and "The Simpsons." In addition to his animation work, Luhn is a seasoned creative writing instructor and a highly sought-after keynote speaker.
With a career that took off at an early age, Luhn was hired as the youngest animator for "The Simpsons" at the ripe age of 19. He has worked on major films such as "Toy Story", "Toy Story 2", "Monsters, Inc.", and "Up", amongst others. His work comprises creating and developing dozens of films, TV shows, and video games at Pixar, "The Simpsons," ILM, and other studios. This breadth of experience has equipped Luhn with a profound understanding of what it takes to create memorable stories with enduring characters.
In addition to creating visually captivating and narratively compelling films, Luhn is the author of several books, including "The Best Story Wins: How to Leverage Hollywood Storytelling in Business and Beyond" and "Santa Yeti". His knack for storytelling extends beyond the screen and onto the page, offering readers insights into the art of story creation and its applicability in various contexts.
Luhn's skills have found a home within the corporate environment as well. He has successfully trained CEOs, marketing teams, directors, and other professionals on the art of storytelling for Fortune 500 companies. His most recent clients include Adidas, Target, Coke, Procter and Gamble, Facebook, Warner Brothers, Sony, and Google. These engagements demonstrate Luhn's ability to bridge the gap between business and heart to build stronger brands and business communication.
As a keynote speaker, Luhn has delivered captivating talks at various events, including a TEDx Talk at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In his story seminars, he shares his process for creating new ideas and characters, how to develop compelling stories and story structure, and how to realize your story ideas from script to storyboards to the finished product. His story talks are beneficial to anyone seeking to improve their story skills or learn the persuasion of great storytelling.
Videos
Speech Topics
STORYTELLING AND AI
Artificial Intelligence is changing everything from entertainment and business, to culture itself. Matthew Luhn, a 20-year Pixar story veteran will share how AI is being used to create compelling stories and characters.
Matthew will share his experience working as one of the first 12 animators on Toy Story, the first computer-generated animated film released by Pixar. You’ll learn how other studios in the film industry were worried CG animation could ruin the animation industry. He will also share his experience working as a CG animator at George Lucas’s company, ILM, and how Jurassic Park and other films using CG worried people in the puppet/model-making industry. But instead of people losing their jobs, the animation and film industry thrived because of CG animation. How the story of AI plays out may well be similar.
New things can be scary. But those who adopt new technology–-especially in entertainment and business–will be the ones to reap the benefits. When we look at the cautionary tales from the past, we see that companies that did not adopt new technology–like Blockbuster Video and Kodak–went out of business or fell behind.
Along with his work in animation and film, Matthew coaches business leaders, entrepreneurs, top influencers, and content creators on how to adopt the best AI tools to build great content and stories.
In this engaging keynote, Matthew will share the four ways to help you and your company adopt new ideas, get past their fear of change, and effectively use AI.
STORYTELLING FOR BUSINESS
Storytelling is the #1 business skill necessary to connect, motivate, and lead people in today’s world. Stories compel us to engage in experiences, learn lessons, and define our values and ourselves within our organization.
Matthew Luhn, former 20 year Pixar story artist and animator, brings his experience creating and developing 10 blockbuster films at Pixar, and provides practical strategies that teach and inspire people and teams to connect more effectively with audiences.
Matthew uses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between business and heart, driving your story toward one unforgettable selling point.
STORYTELLING AND BIG DATA
Big data is changing everything from content development to culture itself. Matthew Luhn, former 20 year Pixar story artist and animator, will share how big data is being used to create great stories and characters in Hollywood and beyond.
Matthew’s experience and insight will empower and inspire publishers, advertisers and innovators on how to forge stronger, more meaningful connections with consumers.
TO INNOVATION AND BEYOND
When your company’s product or service appears similar to your competitor’s offerings, how can you differentiate and get consumers to notice? In this enlightening and entertaining talk, Matthew Luhn, accomplished writer and story artist on the Toy Story films, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, UP, and Ratatouille, will share his methods and experiences working with Pixar and advising other Fortune 500 companies. Audiences will learn how to innovate, differentiate and stay relevant in today’s business world, creating more value and winning customer loyalty.
INSPIRING CREATIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE
One of the most essential resources for any business to stay competitive is new ideas that spark innovation. Matthew Luhn, former 20 year Pixar story artist and animator, participated in building and sustaining the creative culture at Pixar from startup to the most successful filmmaking group in the history of Hollywood.
Matthew’s engaging and action-oriented talk will provide strategies on how to create a culture that encourages and nurtures new ideas, and embraces fear and failing as a necessary part of the creative process. He demonstrates how to empower relationships and build trust through authentic communication.
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AS TOLD BY MOVIE HEROES
Every film and business needs an effective leader to inspire its people to achieve their goals. In this unique session, Matthew Luhn, former 20 year Pixar story artist and animator, shares how to create authentic, inspirational, and memorable heroes and how to translate these same hero traits into your leadership and business.
By exploring and analyzing the characters of movie heroes and other great story protagonists, audiences will learn how likability, vision, vulnerability, structure and perseverance can provide a model for outstanding leadership that will leave your audience inspired and empowered.
Books
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