Matt Costa
Principal Creative Director at Riot Games
Class of 2012
Describe what you currently do, and tell us the best thing about it.
I am a Principal Creative Director for Riot Games. I work on developing story-focused experiences in and around League of Legends. I also write and direct cinematics as part of my role.
What led you to the ETC?
As a film major coming out of undergrad ,I saw that the industry was more and more using new types of technology to tell stories. I wanted to know what was available and how to better use them to tell stories.
What projects did you work on at the ETC?
My first project was working on animated space content for the bridge at the ETC. After that, I pitched a project of my own and worked on a motion capture- and VFX-intensive short film. Finally, I produced an interactive project for the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
What’s your favorite ETC memory?
My favorite memory is meeting my wife at the ETC! But I also had many great conversations about film and storytelling with Ralph that I’ll always remember.
How did ETC prepare you for your career, and what impact has it had on your life?
The ETC gave me a lot of practice in communicating abstract creative ideas to the teams around me, which is crucial to the work I do today. I also learned compositing and VFX while I was there, which are skills I still draw on today when directing.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable thing that you’ve gotten to do in your career so far?
Making cinematics and telling stories about characters I care about are the most enjoyable part of my work. I was able to develop a yearly moment around a specific type of cinematic that has become almost like a yearly holiday for players. Internally we call it Season Start, but every year the cinematic I work on has its own specific title.
What advice would you give current students?
Try new things and be open to opportunities, even if they aren’t exactly where you want to end up. I think finding the fit that matches your skillset and point of view — particularly as a creative — is really important.
Describe the ETC in one word.
Intensive.
What are you working on now that excites you?
I am working on a lot of projects that will expand the world and story of "League of Legends."