Down the Unconventional Path – An Interview With Orlando Informer’s Matthew Miller
TechCulture Staff We sat down with Matthew Miller, Senior Director of Technology and Business Development at Orlando Informer, the go-to source for theme park expertise. Beyond his work as a theme park technologist, Matthew travels and speaks across the US, sharing his story while inspiring others to follow their dreams.
Matthew, we are super excited to have you here today! Can you give us a little background on your career and how you got into the theme park space?
My pleasure, thank you for having me! My career in the theme park industry started around 2010. Over the last decade, I have helped design various projects for Disney and Universal Studios. While I loved being involved in these projects, most of my time was spent at Universal Parks & Resorts, where I specialized as a theme park technologist. There, I worked on developing attractions and guest experiences for Universal parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Beijing, and Osaka. My work worldwide has allowed me to help create iconic attractions such as Transformers: The Ride 3D, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Super Nintendo World.
Wow, it seems like you’ve hit the career jackpot with that one! It’s amazing how we see and hear about these iconic rides and attractions, yet we never know the backstory of their inception. What inspired you to start your speaking engagements alongside your work in the industry?
Most definitely! When I think about what it was like to get started in my current career, even getting my foot in the door was not an easy task. I was enthusiastic about getting into the theme park industry, yet I had no idea where to begin. That struggle is what inspired me to start my speaking engagements. I wanted to share my story and mentor others because I knew precisely how difficult it was to get a solid foothold on this career path. I wanted to design roller coasters and work on incredible technology projects, but the struggle was intense without a solid roadmap or industry connections. So, I began speaking publicly as a means to help others on their journey. I always ask myself, “who is the type of person that I wish I had met when I was just getting started” and I hope to be that person for young professionals across the nation.
Truly inspiring! I definitely understand what you mean by wishing you had someone to guide you along the way, as a good mentor is often the key differentiator that fuels young professionals into their desired career path. What would you say were the most significant challenges you faced when starting out?
Well, no professional connections or a clear plan was undoubtedly at the top of that list!
See, I had a burning desire in my heart, and I knew I was passionate about theme parks. I just didn’t have a mentor or anyone that could guide me in the right direction. I had to go out and search for people who I thought I could learn from. I spoke to everyone, and I truly mean everyone. From the cook at Waffle House to the cashier at my local gas station, anyone I met I asked, “do you know someone who works in the theme park industry?” I was so desperate to try and get my foot in the door!
It certainly seems like that would be the most challenging part! Genuinely impressed with the grit and grind mentality, as I feel most would give up at that point, but you certainly kept going. How would you say your experience was different from someone who would take a more traditional path in this industry?
The lack of connections, paired with the lack of direction on my part, forced me to take a more creative approach. I assumed that if I tried to design special effects in my dorm room, someone somewhere might offer me a job.
I would visit the major parks in Orlando and try to find the effects that I thought were the “coolest” in terms of the wow factor and technique. Then, I’d go to Goodwill and Home Depot looking for cheap supplies to try and build these effects and illusions right there in my dorm. I focused on Pepper’s Ghost, Projection mapping, and interactive computing elements. The learning curve was intense, but I was able to figure out how to produce these effects with a meager budget.
Next, I made a private youtube channel where I would upload videos of my work. This became my first draft of a portfolio, allowing me to show my projects to others down the road. Since the link was private, only the people I wanted to see the work had access.
Looking back, I was often embarrassed that I made these projects from scrap materials. However, now that I reminisce on those days, I think struggling through a non-perfect situation and learning how to complete a project with a super low budget helped me long-term in my career!
You certainly don’t hear that one every day! But I agree, making something exceptional on such a low budget leaves me to believe what wonders you could create on a fully funded corporate budget! What was the most memorable experience in this whole process for you, Matthew?
I’ll never forget my first “big break.” I had been living in Orlando for nearly two years, talking to everyone that would listen, trying to gain a connection into the theme park industry.
Then one day, at my church, I met someone who mentioned his dad did something in theme park design. I was ecstatic. When I went and met with that gentleman, however, he said he didn’t have any open positions available but allowed me to visit his shop for a tour one day.
When I arrived at his shop, I realized he was working on some incredible attractions for Disney. Although he had permitted me to come to visit for one day, I didn’t leave for nearly six months!
I knew this was my chance to get in the door, and I was eager to be a sponge and soak everything up! I was there from early morning til late into the night, and I only left to attend classes at my university.
In the beginning, I only had permission to sit in the office and observe. Over time, I was everywhere in the building – meeting with engineers, helping with deliveries, and even testing in the warehouse!
I was working on three different attractions for major brands at one point, and I wasn’t even an employee! I was so happy to have an opportunity finally, and it felt like I had died and gone to heaven. To this day, I am genuinely thankful for that opportunity.
Indeed an ode to the old saying on how opportunity can find you whenever and wherever! It’s clear your enthusiasm and dedication at the shop landed you where you are today. What was your greatest fear at the time?
My greatest fear was imposter syndrome. I knew I had an incredible passion for the industry and could talk about the latest theme park and attraction designs for hours without getting bored. Yet, I knew others I had perceived as more intelligent than me who had chased the same dream and failed. Knowing that always bothered me inside.
Was I smart enough? Was my passion just a pipe dream? Would I finally land a job and then be fired because I wasn’t good enough? I had all of these questions constantly racing through my mind. Compounding this fear was that I didn’t have anyone in the industry to discuss my career path with.
And honestly, that’s why I love traveling the country to speak to and mentor others with similar dreams. I never want someone to feel the way I did and not chase a dream because they don’t know where to start.
It’s funny you mention imposter syndrome because I feel all of the greatest operators in their respective fields feel that to some degree. So much, in fact, that I would consider it a sign that you truly do belong. Out of all your projects, which one would you say you are most proud of?
I’ve been very fortunate to have worked on some incredible projects over the years. While I have several projects that stand out for specific reasons, I think I would say I am most proud of Super Nintendo World.
I had the chance to work on this project across the globe and spent several years with the project team. That was an extraordinary project, from early tests to living in Osaka, Japan, and overseeing technology installations. It’s so very unique and uses some of the most innovative technology you can find in this space. I am incredibly grateful to be associated with that incredible project.
You were really holding off on us there, Matthew! Incredible to sit down with someone who worked on Super Nintendo World! I’d love to ask you more, but I know you don’t have all day! Thank you so much for your time today, it was a pleasure to chat with you!
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for taking the time to speak with me!
