Benjamin Webster Truman
benjaminwtruman@gmail.com
@benjamintruman
http://www.bentruman.com
EDUCATION
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Science in Game Art & Design — 2008
WORK EXPERIENCE
Black Mesa
Design Lead — 2017 to present
Reimaging and redesigning the Xen levels from Half-Life, iterating puzzle structure, fine-tuning environmental narrative, and pacing the gameplay
Story Lead & Choreography Lead — 2005 to present
Adapting the original Half-Life script, creating new scripted sequences and writing dynamic dialog for Non-Player Characters; directing Voice Actors; supervising Choreography Department; assisting with marketing materials, media relations, community management, and game trailers
Google/Niantic Labs + Cryptozoic Publishing
Writer — 2013 to 2015
Adapting storyline from hit mobile game, Ingress, into the graphic novel, Ingress: Origins
City High School Tucson, AZ
Instructor — 2011 to present
Teaching video game development and design at a progressive, STEM-focused charter high school. Software and skills include programming in GameMaker Studio & GameMaker Studio 2, non-linear video editing, and Portal 2 Puzzle Maker.
I also run the afterschool Dungeons & Dragons Club, preparing and improvising narrative across an open-ended yearlong adventure
IDW Publishing
Writer — 2010 to 2012
Co-Creator and Writer of graphic novel A Man Named Hawken
Voices, Inc. Tucson, AZ
Dark Horse Comics
Writer — 2008 to 2009
Writer for Dark Horse Presents, Conan the Cimmerian, Creepy Comics
HONORS & AWARDS
2018 — The Rankin Award— Received from the Robert E. Howard Foundation for artistic achievement depicting REH’s life and/or work, for interior art for “The Horror from the Mound” in Vampire Classics: Graphic Classics Vol. 26.
2014 — "GHOST", animated short film, 1st Place in First Friday Shorts at the Loft Cinema
2012 — Featured Writer in New York Times Best Selling Graphic Novel, FUBAR: Empire of the Rising Dead
2001 — National Scholastic Award for Short Story
PUBLICATIONS
SCOUT: Marauder. Self-Published via Kickstarter, upcoming in 2019.
"Trophy." The Conan Reader. Dark Horse Comics, 2018.
"Home for the Hunt." The Colossal Conan the Cimmerian. Dark Horse Comics, 2018.
"The Sorrow of Akivasha." The Colossal Conan the Cimmerian. Dark Horse Comics, 2018.
“Bearer of Secrets.” FUBAR: All-Star FUBAR. Alterna Comics, 2018.
Trumanthology: An Anthology of Stories by Benjamin Truman. Self-Published via Kickstarter, 2017.
“The Horror from the Mound.” Vampire Classics: Graphic Classics Vol. 26. Eureka Productions, 2016.
"FLAVR BLASTRZ." New Nebula. New Nebula Publishing, 2016.
"Catastrophage." Imaginary Drugs. IDW Publishing, 2014.
"G.U.N.T." Imaginary Drugs. IDW Publishing, 2014.
"Hunter Gatherer." Monstrosity, Vol. 2. Alterna Comics, 2014
"Web Presence." Memoirs of the Mysterious. Mysterion Press, 2014
"The Grove." FUBAR: By The Sword #2. Alterna Comics, 2013.
"DROUGHT." The Destroyer Magazine, 2013.
“Blood of the Sky.” Creepy Comics: At Death's Door. Dark Horse Comics, 2013.
“Rumspringa of the Devil.” Vic Boone: Bourbon & Buckshot. 215 Ink, 2013.
“Huddled Masses.” FUBAR: American History Z. Alterna Comics, 2013.
“Soft-Hearted Sioux.” Native American Classics: Graphic Classics Vol. 24. Eureka Productions, 2013.
“Trophy.” Conan and the Daughters of Midora and Other Stories. Dark Horse Comics, 2012.
A Man Named Hawken. IDW Publishing, 2012.
“The Devil’s Promenade.” Horror in the West. Alterna Comics, 2012.
“Blood of the Sky.” Creepy #5. Dark Horse Comics, 2011.
“Semper Fi.” FUBAR: Empire of the Rising Dead. Alterna Comics, 2011.
“Bearer of Secrets.” FUBAR: European Theater of the Damned. Alterna Comics, 2010.
“The Sorrow of Akivasha.” Conan the Cimmerian #15. Dark Horse Comics, 2009.
“Home for the Hunt.” Conan the Cimmerian #14. Dark Horse Comics, 2009.
“Trophy.” MySpace Dark Horse Presents, Vol. 2. Dark Horse Comics, 2008.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
* Proficient in Final Draft, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere, 3Ds Max, GameMaker Studio, GameMaker Studio 2, Unreal Engine, and Source SDK Tool Set.
* Experienced in writing in the following formats: Comic, Video Game, and Screenwriting.
* Operated three successful Kickstarters: New Nebula, Trumanthology, and SCOUT: Marauder.
REFERENCES Available Upon Request
benjaminwtruman@gmail.com
@benjamintruman
http://www.bentruman.com
EDUCATION
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Science in Game Art & Design — 2008
WORK EXPERIENCE
Black Mesa
Design Lead — 2017 to present
Reimaging and redesigning the Xen levels from Half-Life, iterating puzzle structure, fine-tuning environmental narrative, and pacing the gameplay
Story Lead & Choreography Lead — 2005 to present
Adapting the original Half-Life script, creating new scripted sequences and writing dynamic dialog for Non-Player Characters; directing Voice Actors; supervising Choreography Department; assisting with marketing materials, media relations, community management, and game trailers
Google/Niantic Labs + Cryptozoic Publishing
Writer — 2013 to 2015
Adapting storyline from hit mobile game, Ingress, into the graphic novel, Ingress: Origins
City High School Tucson, AZ
Instructor — 2011 to present
Teaching video game development and design at a progressive, STEM-focused charter high school. Software and skills include programming in GameMaker Studio & GameMaker Studio 2, non-linear video editing, and Portal 2 Puzzle Maker.
I also run the afterschool Dungeons & Dragons Club, preparing and improvising narrative across an open-ended yearlong adventure
IDW Publishing
Writer — 2010 to 2012
Co-Creator and Writer of graphic novel A Man Named Hawken
Voices, Inc. Tucson, AZ
Instructor — 2009 to 2011
Instructor for youth (ages 14-21) documentary arts program. Leading writing workshops; Producing and editing stories and essays on deadline for radio broadcast, print and web publishing
Instructor for youth (ages 14-21) documentary arts program. Leading writing workshops; Producing and editing stories and essays on deadline for radio broadcast, print and web publishing
Dark Horse Comics
Writer — 2008 to 2009
Writer for Dark Horse Presents, Conan the Cimmerian, Creepy Comics
HONORS & AWARDS
2018 — The Rankin Award— Received from the Robert E. Howard Foundation for artistic achievement depicting REH’s life and/or work, for interior art for “The Horror from the Mound” in Vampire Classics: Graphic Classics Vol. 26.
2014 — "GHOST", animated short film, 1st Place in First Friday Shorts at the Loft Cinema
2012 — Featured Writer in New York Times Best Selling Graphic Novel, FUBAR: Empire of the Rising Dead
2001 — National Scholastic Award for Short Story
PUBLICATIONS
SCOUT: Marauder. Self-Published via Kickstarter, upcoming in 2019.
"Trophy." The Conan Reader. Dark Horse Comics, 2018.
"Home for the Hunt." The Colossal Conan the Cimmerian. Dark Horse Comics, 2018.
"The Sorrow of Akivasha." The Colossal Conan the Cimmerian. Dark Horse Comics, 2018.
“Bearer of Secrets.” FUBAR: All-Star FUBAR. Alterna Comics, 2018.
Trumanthology: An Anthology of Stories by Benjamin Truman. Self-Published via Kickstarter, 2017.
“The Horror from the Mound.” Vampire Classics: Graphic Classics Vol. 26. Eureka Productions, 2016.
"FLAVR BLASTRZ." New Nebula. New Nebula Publishing, 2016.
"Catastrophage." Imaginary Drugs. IDW Publishing, 2014.
"G.U.N.T." Imaginary Drugs. IDW Publishing, 2014.
"Hunter Gatherer." Monstrosity, Vol. 2. Alterna Comics, 2014
"Web Presence." Memoirs of the Mysterious. Mysterion Press, 2014
"The Grove." FUBAR: By The Sword #2. Alterna Comics, 2013.
"DROUGHT." The Destroyer Magazine, 2013.
“Blood of the Sky.” Creepy Comics: At Death's Door. Dark Horse Comics, 2013.
“Rumspringa of the Devil.” Vic Boone: Bourbon & Buckshot. 215 Ink, 2013.
“Huddled Masses.” FUBAR: American History Z. Alterna Comics, 2013.
“Soft-Hearted Sioux.” Native American Classics: Graphic Classics Vol. 24. Eureka Productions, 2013.
“Trophy.” Conan and the Daughters of Midora and Other Stories. Dark Horse Comics, 2012.
A Man Named Hawken. IDW Publishing, 2012.
“The Devil’s Promenade.” Horror in the West. Alterna Comics, 2012.
“Blood of the Sky.” Creepy #5. Dark Horse Comics, 2011.
“Semper Fi.” FUBAR: Empire of the Rising Dead. Alterna Comics, 2011.
“Bearer of Secrets.” FUBAR: European Theater of the Damned. Alterna Comics, 2010.
“The Sorrow of Akivasha.” Conan the Cimmerian #15. Dark Horse Comics, 2009.
“Home for the Hunt.” Conan the Cimmerian #14. Dark Horse Comics, 2009.
“Trophy.” MySpace Dark Horse Presents, Vol. 2. Dark Horse Comics, 2008.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
* Proficient in Final Draft, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere, 3Ds Max, GameMaker Studio, GameMaker Studio 2, Unreal Engine, and Source SDK Tool Set.
* Experienced in writing in the following formats: Comic, Video Game, and Screenwriting.
* Operated three successful Kickstarters: New Nebula, Trumanthology, and SCOUT: Marauder.
REFERENCES Available Upon Request