FIRST® Robotics Alum Lands Super Bowl Commercial
From teaching himself visual effects (VFX), to winning the 2022 FIRST® Digital Animation Award for his entry, “Leisure Llama,” Garrison never imagined his STEAM skills would take him all the way to the Super Bowl.
Garrison is an alum of FIRST® Robotics Competition Team 8334 “TCA Titan Robotics.” After high school, one of his college professors connected him with Action Studios, where he works in a freelance role today. There, he has proven that you can Get Anywhere with the STEM skills learned from robotics and FIRST.
Through Action Studios, Garrison works with creators like Mr. Beast, Zack King, and Ryan Trahan, and has even worked on a Doritos commercial that won a contest and was featured at Super Bowl LIX. Keep reading to learn more about Garrison’s inspiring journey.
FIRST Staff: Can you share some information about your current role at Action Studios?
Garrison: A year and a half ago, one of my professors connected me to Action Studios. I clicked with their style immediately: fast-paced, VFX-heavy comedy commercials. It has been an incredible experience, and I have had the privilege to work with some of the world's biggest creators including Mr. Beast, Zach King, Ryan Trahan, and others. My most exciting project was a self-funded Doritos commercial that won the “Crash the Superbowl Competition.” It aired live to over 120 million viewers during the Super Bowl and won the directors a $1 million prize!
FIRST Staff: What is your favorite part of being a freelance VFX artist at Action Studios?
Garrison: Collaborating with the people I work with is my favorite part. When I was self-teaching 3D animation and VFX, I had no one to learn from or collaborate with. Since joining Action Studios, I have met some amazingly skilled people who are a delight to work alongside.
FIRST Staff: What is the hardest part of your job?
Garrison: Balancing the workload and quick turnarounds with full-time college responsibilities is definitely the hardest part. I have had to pull all-nighters with my team to get our VFX delivered at the last minute. FIRST definitely helped prepare me for that kind of last-minute frenzy that brings teams together! Through everything, my love for the work always keeps me coming back.
Project file from Garrison for Mr. Beast project
FIRST Staff: How do you use STEAM skills in your everyday work/life?
Garrison: VFX has a unique blend of technical and creative skills. I use math and engineering concepts frequently, but it is all in service of telling a story. Being able to get my “right brain” and “left brain” to cooperate is a useful skill that is applicable in all areas of life, and one that I developed while being a part of my FIRST team’s programming department. (Shoutout Team 8334!)
FIRST Staff: Can you share your thoughts on the impact of your work in STEAM?
Garrison: I want to do all of my work with excellence, and my goal is simply to bring a smile to someone’s face. My most fulfilling projects have not been the ones with the most views or likes, but passion projects I made with friends that united a small community.
FIRST Staff: Who is a “Person of STEAM” who inspires you?
Garrison: Wren Weichman from the channel Corridor. He is enthusiastic, funny, has multiple interests and skills, and loves to share his passion for science and technology through storytelling.
FIRST Staff: If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Garrison: Do not wait for a class; just start learning on your own! Dive in and use free or inexpensive resources like YouTube. Also, you do not need to wait to get expensive gear. You can learn VFX and filmmaking with your home computer and iPhone. This will teach you the fundamentals better than relying on fancy tech, which can become crutches if you are new. When you finally get your hands on a better computer or fancy camera, you will be unstoppable.
One of Garrison’s VFX shots from the Dorito’s Super Bowl commercial
FIRST Staff: Do you have a message you want to share for students who are participating in FIRST today?
Garrison: Find creative ways to use your unique interests and skills. No matter what your interests are, it makes learning a lot more fun when you can make a project for a specific purpose, whether it is serving people, making a gift for someone, or for a class project. Finding little ways to use your skills creatively in everyday life can be very motivating, and it gives you a specific end goal to shoot for.
Are you a person of STEAM? Share your story with #PeopleofSTEAM on social media or send us your story at marketing@firstinspires.org.