Storyworks360
Creative Leadership that Bridges Storytelling and Emerging Technology
I founded Storyworks360 to lead projects where story, systems, and culture converge. As principal, I collaborate with studios, institutions, and innovation teams to design experiences that turn complex problems into emotionally resonant solutions—using narrative as both structure and signal.
My work spans immersive VR training, AI-integrated virtual characters, and strategic design initiatives for partners ranging from Meta and AT&T to classified defense and aerospace clients. Many of these projects remain under NDA, but each one has required the same core ingredients: creative clarity, technological fluency, and the ability to make abstract systems feel human.
I help teams uncover the story in everything they do.
As lead producer and creative strategist, I’ve led a wide range of interactive experiences—from second screen apps for major studios, to a haptics-enhanced VR narrative demonstrating future cockpit technology, to immersive vr stories and real time satellite simulation tools used in Aerospace. I also led the design of a narrative-driven data visualization tool that helped financial intelligence teams reveal complex relationships and patterns in entirely new ways.
My foundation in storytelling was shaped through early work as a writer and director, with feature films distributed by Lionsgate and Universal. These projects featured collaborators like Elisabeth Moss (Handmaid's Tale), Sean Astin (LOTR), and Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark).
I also co-founded Awesome Rocketship, a VR studio that created haptic-integrated, location-based experiences—praised by early adopters for their originality, emotional engagement, and technical execution.
'Linked' Project Gallery
The work presented on this site is representative. Many projects cannot be shown either in part or in full due to NDAs and negotiated viewing restrictions.
Highlights
Project: Immersive VR Marketing Platform
Roles: Executive Producer / Creative Director
• Owned Client relationship - Led conceptualization and development for a VR experience intended for Chinese cinema goers across Asia where individuals can enjoy Hollywood 360 content experiences and purchase tickets for upcoming movies
• Produced immersive 360 content experience that blended CGI elements with photo realistic background plates
Project: Phoenix One VR Experience
Roles: Writer | Director | Co-Producer
• Wrote & Directed immersive branching science fiction narrative told in five chapters.
• Assembled international creative team and drove development.
• Integrated content experience with proprietary Haptic VR POD that provides motion effects and synchronized air flow.
Project: Graph Database Design Effort
Role: Producer/Creative Director
• Led product usability requirements and directed comprehensive UI/UX design effort for web-based data visualization tool.
Project: 'Fall Into Me' Virtual Reality Experience
Role: Co-Director & Writer
Clients: A&E Networks, Minority Media
• Onset Director
• Wrote and co-developed 360 VR experience based on the original series.
Project: Interactive Satellite Workshop - Tablet Application
Roles: Senior Producer and Co-Creative Director
Clients: DARPA, NovaWurks, Cloudesign
• Developed and built a touchscreen app that enables an end user to assemble a virtual satellite with realtime validation.
• Developed and led usability studies and focus groups with a team of NASA engineers.
Project: Arkysis Vision Video
Roles: Writer & Producer
Client: Arkysis
• Wrote and produced company vision video for start-up Arkysis.
'Linked' Experience
Owner | Storyworks360 | Pasadena CA • June 2007 - Present
Storyworks360 represents Zev as an independent Producer, Director, and writer.
Projects have ranged from films and VR experiences to games and marketing materials.
Examples from the project gallery above were all developed through Storyworks360.
Co-founder / Head of Production | Awesome Rocketship | Venice, CA • Nov 2014 - Present
Co-founded VR start-up that is developing a location-based ‘out of home’ distribution network for VR experiences.
Conceived and co-developed free-standing Haptic POD with integrated motion actuators and air effects.
Key creative on revolutionary narrative VR content experiences; first effort recently praised by Steven Spielberg as ‘One of the best VR experiences I’ve ever seen!’
Currently drives on-going business development and to date has forged numerous relationships with content creators, vendors, strategic partnerships and venues
Currently spearhead production, on-going development roadmap and logistics.
Executive Producer / Creative Director | Deluxe Digital Distribution | Los Angeles, CA • January 2012 – March 2014
Responsible for division's creative output (Client App UI/UX, Marketing materials)
Product Owner/Project Manager for Barnes & Noble's NOOK Video VOD service
Supported EVP's business development efforts and spearheaded new features and innovation
Produced/productized multi-platform UI/UX (iOS, Android, Web, CE) for proprietary front end
Executive Producer / Creative Director | Deluxe Digital Studios | New Media; Burbank, CA • January 2010 – January 2012
Produced/Developed employer's first proprietary multi-platform mobile app
Responsible for new feature development and product prototypes eventually sold to multiple studio clients
Account Manager for Universal Interactive
Project managed numerous applications for mobile, web and tablet
Executive Producer | Deluxe Digital Studios - Creative | Burbank CA January 2008 – January 2010
Responsible for concepting, pitching, and developing interactive digital entertainment products for Studio Theatrical Marketing and Home Entertainment divisions
Account Manager for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Produced documentaries, EPKs, games, live community events, and commentaries
Director & Co-writer of feature film 'Borderland' | Lionsgate Entertainment | Los Angeles, CA • January 2005 – January 2008
Project: Co-wrote and directed the true crime thriller 'Borderland' for Lionsgate
Released in theaters domestically and worldwide, including ancillary
Producer/Director | Freelance | Los Angeles CA • February 2003 – January 2005
Directed commercial spots for TV and Web. Produced corporate videos, and direct marketing initiatives
Clients included Panasonic, Decide.com, and the US Military
Director of feature film 'Plain Dirty' | Universal Studios | Los Angeles, CA • January 2001 - January 2003
Project: Directed the Southern drama 'Plain Dirty' for independent production company Tonic Films, starring Dominique Swain, Karen Allen, Henry Thomas, and James Urbaniak.
The film played the US and International festival circuits, winning awards, before it was picked up by Universal and premiered on Showtime. The film was subsequently released on DVD and cable domestically and worldwide.