Chris Boette

Chris Boette: Going from writing comics to writing code.

All his life, Chris Boette has kept an eye on the future and an ear to the past. While working on his degree in Creative Writing at Carnegie Mellon University, Boette expanded his studies into visual design, crafting book covers and layout for books published by the Carnegie Mellon University Press. He also worked on a comic strip that was published in the school paper, writing and collaborating on panel design with the artist.  In graduate school at the Entertainment Technology Center at CMU, Boette focused on expanding possibilities in storytelling through games, both as producer and as writer on numerous projects of varying scopes. From two-week long projects centered around building virtual worlds to researching video game history to creating comedy gaming prototypes, Boette has been lucky enough to work with artists, computer engineers, architects, and fellow writers, from all backgrounds and cultures.   

Full-stack Web Development Student at Makersquare

November 2013 - Present | Austin, TX

Learning current web technologies in an immersive environment to become the best danged developer I can be in 10 weeks. Ruby, Rails, HTML5 + CSS3, JavaScript, Foundation/Bootstrap. Practice in pair programming and learning.

Freelance Designer at New Schematic

April 2012 - July 2013 | Tampa Bay, FL

Redesigned and hand-coded mobile-compliant website for local business; Implemented Blogger and Facebook integration to allow for updates by owner and to build networks for users; Edited existing website copy for clarity and brevity; Crafted tagline to convey personality and attitude of business's culture

Survey Writer at Nielsen Media Research

July 2012 - July 2013

Analyzed television shows on a variety of networks and crafted survey questions regarding plot points for inclusion in online game // Completed revision by incorporating feedback and criticism from editors to meet exacting standards // Learned writing style, company methodology, and usage of proprietary software

Game Review Writer at Game Deck

July 2012 - September 2012

Pitched and wrote stories and features for a social network app centered around games for iOS // Worked in customized Wordpress system to add content on a weekly basis

Apprentice at Red Star Ironworks

March 2009 - June 2009

Learned basics of blacksmithing, including forging and finishing // Assisted in installation of various finished pieces in clients’ homes // Welded, drilled, cut, and pressed metal pieces according to plans // Organized and maintained shop and forge work areas as needed

Producer, Intern at Electric Owl Studios

January 2008 - May 2008 | Pittsburgh, PA

Constructed project timelines, generated and maintained asset lists, and ensured proper art format per project specifications for four-person art team; Created sound assets for game running on studio’s flagship product, KICK, an interactive entertainment kiosk for children in hospital waiting rooms; Established business relationship with local printing company; Edited marketing materials and CEO’s correspondence with clients

Production Intern at Electric Owl Studios

January 2008 - May 2008

Constructed project timelines, generated and maintained asset lists, and ensured proper art format per project specifications for four-person art team // Created sound assets for game running on studio’s flagship product, KICK, an interactive entertainment kiosk for children in hospital waiting rooms // Established business relationship with local printing company // Edited marketing materials and CEO’s correspondence with clients

Producer, Co-writer at Project Context

August 2007 - December 2007 | CMU's Entertainment Technology Center

Led development of four Adobe Flash prototypes exploring storytelling in games as part of a team of graduate students, including two engineers, an artist, and a writer; Guided project toward fulfillment of pre-defined goals, adapted weekly schedule, coordinated daily meetings over Skype with team member based across the country, and represented team in presentations to faculty and guests; Recruited and recorded voice talent from university’s School of Drama

Research Lead, Assistant Producer at Game Innovation Database

January 2007 - May 2007 | CMU's Entertainment Technology Center

Collaborated on the design, structure, and content of an interactive website charting the evolution of video game innovations, as part of team of engineers and writers; Developed site mock-ups, usage scenarios, and user testing reports, in addition to ensuring there were 200 accurate entries in the database by the end of the semester; Proposed and implemented scrum-style daily check-in to build accountability among team members and transparency for advisors

Staff Writer at Nintendojo

January 2006 - January 2007

Wrote news pieces, game previews and reviews for one of the longest-running independent websites focused on Nintendo gaming and news // Contributed to roundtable discussions and editorials focused on news, developments, and milestones related to Nintendo games and products

Carnegie Mellon University

2006 – 2008

Master of Entertainment Technology

Concentration: Producing, Writing

Carnegie Mellon University

2001 – 2005

Bachelor of Arts

Concentration: Creative Writing, minor in Architecture

Writing comics, Designing stuff, Olympic lifting and CrossFit, Cycling, Reading both fiction & non-fiction, fan of Science!, GORUCK Challenge Classes 085 & 879