August 15, 2025 • 33 mins
Christina Heller is an Senior Producer at Meta Reality Labs Entertainment and multimedia producer with over 11 years of experience in XR innovation.
From launching two startups—VR Playhouse and Meta Stage—to producing indie film "Unexpected Treasures," Christina embodies the creative spirit that drives breakthrough storytelling across emerging media platforms.
Key Takeaways:
- Technology as Enhancement, Not Escape: Christina focuses on how VR can improve people's real-world experiences—from fitness and meditation to front-row concert access—rather than providing mere escapism.
- The Builder's Advantage During Troughs: While markets fluctuate through hype cycles, builders consistently see technology improving. Christina emphasizes that "troughs of disillusionment" are actually when the most meaningful innovation happens.
- Collaborative Leadership in Creative Media: Whether producing VR experiences or indie films, Christina prioritizes team dynamics, good vibes, and appreciation throughout the creative process, recognizing that impact happens in the journey as much as the destination.
- Embrace Strategic Naivete: Christina's approach combines confidence with comfort in the unknown—diving into new mediums knowing she'll become an expert through the doing, while being smart enough to accept help where needed.
- Community-Driven Storytelling: Her latest film "Unexpected Treasures" is rooted in local Joshua Tree alien folklore and shot entirely in her community, demonstrating how authentic stories emerge from what you know and where you belong.
Christina's work spans from helping millions find wellness through VR fitness apps like Fit XR and meditation through Tripp, to bringing fans closer to their favorite artists through immersive concerts. Her indie film represents a return to "flatties" (2D films) while maintaining her commitment to community-centered storytelling and the XR creator ecosystem she calls "absolutely obsessed with."
About Christina Heller
Christina is a multimedia producer and entrepreneur with a passion for creative technology. For the past decade she has led teams and created projects for virtual and augmented reality. She is currently a Senior Producer at Meta for the Reality Labs Entertainment team.
Christina was the founding CEO of Metastage from 2018 - 2023. During that time, Metastage completed over 200 productions with major brands and award winning projects, including two Emmy nominations. Prior to leading Metastage, Christina was the CEO of VR Playhouse, an immersive content company with projects featured at SXSW, Sundance, and Festival de Cannes.
She is a recipient of the Advanced Imaging Society's Distinguished Leadership in Technology Award (2018), an AWE XR Hall of Fame inductee (2024), one of 2024's top "Women of the Future" and was named in the Huffington Post as one of 5 women changing the virtual reality scene.
A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.
At The Tech Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.
In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success.
If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Nathan C Bowser (00:00):
Like XR creators and like spatial
creators are like some of myfavorite people to be around.
So What I like is like thealways making, doing, building,
exploring, and where it shows upas an innovative person, I think
is the interesting
Christina Heller (00:19):
Yeah.
then we'll do just fine.
And I love that you're a theaternerd and also an XR nerd because
I am too.
Nathan C Bowser (00:25):
Right.
If you've met people in spatialcomputing, they're of a similar
Christina Heller (00:32):
they are my favorite.
I'm absolutely obsessed withthis community.
I love XR.
Nathan C Bowser (00:38):
Hello and welcome to the Glow Up.
I'm Nathan C, and today I'mtalking with Christina Heller,
Executive Producer at MetaReality Labs Entertainment and
Producer and Writer of theupcoming indie film, Unexpected
Treasures.
Christina, it is so great totalk with you today.
Christina Heller (00:57):
Thank you, Nathan.
Nathan C Bowser (00:58):
Okay, so let's just jump right in.
Can you introduce yourself and,some of the work that you do in,
innovation, technology, andmaybe even storytelling?
Christina Heller (01:12):
I have been a multimedia producer and
storyteller since college, Ifeel like at this point I've
probably produced in almostevery medium one can create in,
and the ones that I haven't hada chance to yet, I still want
to, I just love.
Trying new methods of contentcreation, storytelling, and, the
(01:35):
way that most people know me isas a XR, innovator and,
producer, which if you, Iimagine if you're listening to
this podcast, you know what XRis, but in case you don't, it's
the catchall term for virtualreality, Augmented reality,
mixed reality.
I have been working happily inthis space for 11 years now.
(01:55):
And am currently in EP at Meta,but before this ran and launched
and led two startups, one calledVR Playhouse and one called Meta
Stage.
In over the past two years, Iproduced and wrote an indie
feature film called UnexpectedTreasures with my partner who,
(02:16):
co-wrote it and directed it.
And we are excited to be gettingthat out into the world.
this fall.
Nathan C Bowser (02:26):
So somebody who's very interested in like
spatial computing as acommunications and storytelling
medium.
Somebody who's telling storiesbuilding entertainment
experiences at one of thelargest computing companies in
the world right now.
I'm curious, how did you gethere?
(02:49):
what started, this passion forcreating, telling stories, and,
exploring the edges of media.
Christina Heller (02:57):
I think that my desire to create, and it's
just innate, I think I have tobe creating things all the time
to feel satisfied I live inJoshua Tree now, and so I feel
like I can just lean into desertcliches.
But I love the tarot.
And when you see UnexpectedTreasures, you'll see there's a
(03:17):
little tarot scene in it.
My tarot card is the empress,and the empress just wants to
create all the time.
And that's how I feel.
It is my joy.
When I was in my twenties, Iwas.
Interested in nonfictionstorytelling, journalism,
documentary filmmaking had thepleasure of making two feature
documentaries in my twenties,along with other short
(03:40):
documentaries for Current TV ifanyone remembers that era.
And I became interested aboutthe intersection of technology
and media.
And it was just at that timewhen I had the chance to try the
DK one at Sundance NewFrontiers.
And so I had this questionlooming like where did is tech?
(04:00):
Where is the intersection ofmedia and technology?
And then tried the DK one andwas like, oh, there it is.
Along with some of my creativecollaborators at the time, we
decided to start a companycalled VR Playhouse, which
specialized in content creationfor these headsets, which was
very early days, and we didn't,we weren't even really aware of
(04:20):
just how early days we were atthat point in 2014, but it
kicked off what has now been anover decade long passion with
virtual reality.
the promise of it.
What it can do.
and then now the working on thefilm, it's been a passion
project on the side that's achance to go back to in some
(04:41):
ways a more simple medium.
We call them flatties.
So I went back and I had the funof making a flatty, with some of
my friends that are also in thatspace.
I just know that.
I'm happiest when I'm buildingand creating and innovating.
Nathan C Bowser (04:59):
if a two dimensional screen-based movie
is a fatty, does that makespatial like fatties or spaces
like Have
Christina Heller (05:16):
we, I guess it's more just 3D, it's 3D, it's
facial.
So I, I don't know if we call ita fatty, but I just, but I do
think that the term flatty isreally funny.
And, and so when I'm talking tomy VR friends, they're like, oh,
you're making what?
You're making a regular film ora VR film?
I'm like, I'm making a flatty.
Nathan C Bowser (05:36):
So I appreciate, one you called out,
DK one, and I think if you goback and listen through, the 45
or so episodes from this season,DK one is gonna be one of the
most, regularly occurringkeywords, and it's such an
interesting time for peoplegetting excited about spatial
(05:57):
computing.
the first really mainstreamfeeling, VR headsets.
I'm curious.
11 years of hype cycles and upsand downs.
Everybody defining themetaverse, maybe running away
from the metaverse, running toai.
there's been a lot of disruptionand I joke that every year it
(06:21):
feels like the year something'sgonna really grip.
So how do you over, so many hypecycles stay focused.
Stay engaged.
And maybe more importantly, likehow do you, when something is
always in the future and alwaysnow, how do you think about
delivering value with anemerging technology or, that's
(06:45):
not perfect.
That's five questions.
Pick your favorites.
Christina Heller (06:49):
I've certainly, like many in this
industry, ridden therollercoaster of hype cycles and
troughs of disillusionment,which does set me up well to be
entering the film industry atthis particular time in history
as well.
I feel like the film industry isin their own trough of
disillusionment at the moment,and it's funny because I've been
there so many times with VR thatI'm like oh, this feels familiar
(07:12):
and actually not scary Usuallythat's a time of change, a time
of transformation.
And what I'll say for VR and Mris that despite the hype cycles,
if you were a builder in thisspace, you couldn't help but
notice how much.
progress was being made thewhole time.
if you can see the video rightnow, I have one arm steadily
(07:34):
climbing when it comes to,improvements in the software,
better headsets, more innovativecontent experiences, social VR.
It's like this whole time it'sbeen steadily climbing and
getting better and more.
Powerful while, the market orthe interest around it in terms
of money has been going up anddown.
(07:55):
while US builders were slowlyimproving the systems.
Given me excitement and hope isthat when I look at the Met
Quest three and I compare it tothe DK one, it is a miracle
device and it can do so muchthat headset 10 years ago
couldn't do.
I had to, I remember lugging aDK 2 and a desktop computer into
(08:19):
Jason Rubin's office in 2015 totry to pitch him a VR travel
series and now you know, I canpop into my headset and world
surf with friends across thecountry.
I can work out with them.
We can go see a concert.
So for me, I just see it gettingbetter and better.
(08:40):
I know how VR can actually help.
Improve people's day-to-day lifeexperiences too.
And that's what I'm alwaysfocused on.
Like what about VR can actuallycan make customers or fans life
better?
so it's not about escapism, it'sabout aiding and providing a
superpower to people in theirreal life.
Nathan C Bowser (09:05):
thank you for that, this idea, That the
troughs are when change ishappening and that is a good
time for builders.
is a very, smart point that youonly would know through
experience.
so thank you.
I know that, working for, a bigfive tech company, describing
(09:26):
the kinds of things that you docan sometimes, be a little
challenging.
I'm curious though, can you giveus a little bit of an insight
into, the kinds of stories, thekinds of connections, and, these
values that you're trying tofoster, how that shows up in
your work at Meta,
Christina Heller (09:44):
I'll preface this by saying that, I'm not on
this podcast as an officialrepresentative of Meta, but I do
happen to work there and reallylove it.
I have had, the chance to workon VR fitness and wellness apps
for the last couple of years.
I had the pleasure of workingwith Fit XR, which was an
exercise app that people coulddo from their homes.
(10:04):
People were finding immensevalue from this app.
Losing weight, getting in shape,gaining confidence, gaining
community I also loved it too,like I would pop in between Zoom
meetings and work out a bit.
It was a lot of fun.
And then I also worked withTripp, the meditation app,
Really cool AI integrations thatallow you to anchor and focus
(10:27):
your frazzled monkey mind ininto a meditative lens using
their technologies.
And I loved working with Tripp,and again, if you look at the
reviews of people who haveintegrated it on a day-to-day
basis, it has impacted andtouched, millions of lives
around the world.
Now I'm working on the MetaverseMusic Team.
(10:47):
So you can get front row seatsat a concert, through your
headset.
And check out either yourfavorite artist on a tour you
weren't able to make or checkout an artist you would've never
thought to attend a concert of.
And maybe now you are interestedand incentivized to go check
(11:08):
them out in real life.
For me, it's always anchored inthe real person and how this
technology can broaden theirworld or make them happier and
healthier.
Nathan C Bowser (11:20):
So in just the small list that you shared of
the things that you've done atMeta?
I've been impacted personally byalmost every single one of them.
Tripp was, the only tool.
that I could use to meditateconsistently and I no longer use
the VR app.
But When I first started, Ineeded the VR app because
(11:41):
putting the headset on, I.
Being free of additionaldistractions was really
important.
it was actually the measurementand the quantification, that
showed me that, every time yougo through a session and ask how
you feel before and after, and Iwas always noticing, I was
noticing that I was alwaysmaking progress and I was like,
(12:02):
oh, if this helps me regularly,maybe, like at your in between
meetings, maybe if I'm feeling alittle agitated or
overstimulated.
Tripp could help me get to whereI wanted, and that unlocked the
power of meditation for me.
I love being able to go toconcerts in headset because I
(12:23):
can stay up on things.
I can go see the hottest acts, Ican be front stage.
I, there was a K-pop band, thatI was like in a small recording
studio with.
It was just so upfront andpersonal, but.
I got, the thing I really haveto thank you for is I love the
new Charlie XCX albums.
The Sweat Tour seemed like itwas so fun, but they were coming
(12:45):
through Portland on a Tuesdaynight and I can't go to the club
on a Tuesday anymore.
But that VR concert gave me theability to watch in my house,
like at my dinner table, in mypajamas, I got to see all of
that artistry, all of thatperformance, but it was on my
(13:07):
terms in a way that lowered somany barriers for me to have a
really good time.
Christina Heller (13:11):
Yeah, that was a really successful VR concert
and kudos to my teammates thatput that together I think
sometimes people think thatvirtual reality is meant to take
us away from our humanity.
But here, all we're doing isbringing you closer to
incredible performers and theirartistry and getting to
(13:33):
appreciate, live music in thisnew way.
And for me, that's just such anet positive.
Nathan C Bowser (13:44):
Thank you.
Amazing.
I have to know more.
as somebody who's been producingin all sorts of mediums, all
sorts of dimensions, tell me alittle bit more about the
inspiration, to produce aflatty, right, in a time where
traditional media is having, itsown trough.
(14:06):
and also do share as much or aslittle as you're able, to get us
enticed.
Christina Heller (14:10):
I have to give credit where credit's due.
my Life partner John PaulUngaretti, who goes by JP
Ungaretti, who's the director ofUnexpected Treasures.
He has been working in theindustry for over 15 years and
has always wanted to make Hisfeature film.
And so after the strike, whichwas very challenging for
(14:32):
everybody who works inentertainment, there was this
feeling of we're not getting anyyounger.
You gotta do the things in lifethat you want to do If your soul
is calling you to do something,just it.
I know it sounds maybesimplistic to be like, just do
it because there's a Oh, butwhat about this?
(14:53):
What about this?
Of course there's a lot of.
there's a lot of things thatneed to come into place
sometimes to make these dreamscome to reality, but I think
there's nothing sadder than asong unsung, and so I think we,
we looked at each other and wethought, you know what?
Let's do it and let's bepractical about it.
(15:14):
we'll write a script that is,shot that, that is placed and
filmed entirely in the JoshuaTree area because that's where
we live.
that's where we'll havecommunity support and resources.
it's also they say, write whatyou know.
So this is our day-to-day life.
And Joshua Tree, this area isrich with interesting stories.
(15:36):
Ours is an alien story, so it'sa cute, like 90 minute popcorn
flick about an alien who meets agirl and she has to help him,
escape a bounty hunter that'schasing him we rooted this story
in the real alien folklore ofthe area.
So if you start to dig into thepast of, UFO history and Joshua
(15:59):
Tree, it's a fascinating onionto keep pulling the layers of
There was a man named George VanTassel who.
Hosted some of the biggest UFOconventions of his day in the
fifties, sixties and seventies.
They were called the Giant Rock,spacecraft Conventions.
And 30,000 people would show upat Giant Rock in Landers,
(16:19):
California to hear his storiesof being contacted by visitors
from Ven.
Our film is totally rooted inthat history and our leading
alien is a veian who knew GeorgeVan Tassel.
and so it's this cheeky likewink we started writing the
script.
(16:40):
With the idea that we're justgonna write a script, I think
sometimes if you think about theend goal, where you are going to
end up, it can feel so big thatyou won't even wanna get
started.
So at that point, the goal wasjust, Hey, let's try to write
the best script we can.
And then once we finished thescript and we showed it to a few
(17:00):
people, they liked it.
They thought, oh, this is reallycute.
Then we did a table read onZoom.
So it really was just this onestep at a time process.
but what happened for me is thatthe further we got, the stronger
my desire to make it became, itwent from, oh, we're just making
a script to being like, now Ireally wanna shoot this thing.
(17:21):
How can we shoot it?
So it just.
Became this snowball thatcontinued and then, and this is
how all of my endeavors begin,because once you're halfway in,
you realize, oh my gosh, whathave I done?
This is so big, this is so hard,this is so expensive.
But at that point, there's noway out, but through, you're
(17:44):
already in too deep.
And so that.
I, that has been the story ofall my endeavors.
I go in with this blend ofconfidence and naivete, which is
key to, to even beginning.
And then I get so far in that toturn back is inconceivable.
And so you just have to keepmoving forward.
(18:04):
One step in front of the otheruntil you finish or whatever.
Nathan C Bowser (18:10):
I love it.
I think you're selling yourselfshort.
Though, right?
If you've started severalcompanies, if you're producing
experiences for a company aslarge as you are, I suspect that
naivete at this point, is maybemore, being okay about unknowns,
(18:30):
rather than being unaware
Christina Heller (18:34):
Well, Nathan, I will say that you are right.
I am very comfortable divinginto a space that I'm not.
Fully an expert in yet knowingthat by doing it, I will become
an expert.
But I will also say that midwaythrough production, I thought,
(18:57):
oh my gosh, I have wildlyunderestimated how hard this is.
A film production with all ofits moving pieces, going through
SAG, for instance, and having tofollow all of their, rules and
restrictions and paperwork.
I will say that making thisfilm, especially in the
production, was harder and moreintense than I had anticipated.
(19:20):
and halfway through I did havethat feeling of oh, wow.
I was very naive To what ittakes to make a feature film.
two or three weeks before thefilm, we were, gonna start
shooting.
One of my executive producers,Ginny Galloway, asked me who
the.
assistant director on the shootwas gonna be, and I said, I'm
(19:41):
gonna do it.
And she said, no, you're not.
You need a real assistantdirector.
And again,'cause I think I cando everything.
how hard could it be?
I can do it.
So she said, trust me,Christina.
You need a real ad on set.
And I'm at least smart enough tolisten to my executive producers
and we found, a great ad to joinus at the somewhat last minute.
(20:03):
And then once we got into thefilming, I thought, oh my gosh,
I can't believe I thought I wasgonna be the ad on this.
If sometimes if you knew howchallenging or how hard
something it truly is, you mightbe like, I'm just gonna hang on
my couch.
I'm just gonna watch movies, notmake them.
But then you get through it andobviously it was the highlight
(20:25):
of my year, nothing compared tothat production in that shoot.
And it's, it will probably beone of the things I'm most proud
of when I look back.
Nathan C Bowser (20:34):
I love this, reminder, right?
Whether you are a screenwriteror a founder, asking for help
with the things that are notyour core strengths can be
liberating and inspiring.
And helps you focus on whereyou're strong.
(20:56):
so I love that lesson, takinggood advice is, harder than it
sounds sometimes, especiallywhen you have a really, strong
internal image of, what a thingis or how it should be.
this interesting.
theme that's emerging of can'thelp but be creative, can't help
but explore the boundaries andtell the stories and learn, and
(21:21):
building this pattern oflearning and growing and, always
insatiable curiosity.
Other than the doing and themaking things right.
Because as a creator, that feelsreally great and it's always,
lovely to see people playing inyour apps and, appreciating the
partnerships that you've built.
how do you think about theimpact of the work that you do
(21:44):
maybe as a creative, it's like,how does it, drive you and
nourish you?
while you're doing all of thishard work, in the lead up,
nobody's seen the film yet, andyou're still busting your butt.
so how do you measure the impactand stay engaged, through these
long and sometimes, arduousprocesses.
Christina Heller (22:00):
I tend to think about impact on both the
micro and macro level.
So for me, it's not about theimpact of just the work or the
product on the people who engagewith it, it's also on the
experience we had making it thejourney along the way.
Honestly, know how much impactthe things I've created have or
(22:23):
haven't had on the world.
to be honest, I did productionservices for many years.
We did a lot of, advertising,marketing installations where
you would get some data at theend of it, but you weren't there
with the end consumer tonecessarily see the smiles or
see how they reacted.
I always feel like my mostimpactful work is in the future,
but I do know that what I cancontrol is the set or the studio
(22:49):
or the calls that Zoom calls Ihad leading up to the final
project.
And I always try to put as muchemphasis on good vibes,
collaboration, appreciation,fun.
As I can throughout the wholeprocess because that is part of
(23:10):
the experience and may end upbeing where the impact is most
felt because we're all workingon these things together and we
are all real people.
And at the end of our life we'regonna look back on these things
we did together and tell storiesabout it and reflect It's just
where I put a lot of my emphasison impact is like in this call
(23:31):
today, how can we uplift eachother?
How can we support each otherand make it a fun experience?
And that's not to say that therearen't challenges.
they do come, how can yourespect people through the
challenging times, and then.
Be grateful for their effortwhen you've successfully
(23:54):
untangled the mess and give themtheir credit and their flowers
having the resilience to getthrough those tough times.
So that's what I tend to focuson Now, with this film, there's
a more tangible impact becauseit is a story that's gonna go
out into the world.
And I know that the film won'tbe for everyone.
(24:16):
Like I know this, like somepeople are gonna watch it and
they're gonna roll their eyes.
But I do hope that there, I dofeel in my core that there's
people who will reallyappreciate the messages of
community and, Connection andfriendship that this movie is
emphasizing, and my hope is thatit can make an impact on the
(24:36):
people it's meant to find.
And we'll see.
We'll see.
Nathan C Bowser (24:42):
We'll see, I am, enamored with your response.
Thank you diving in there.
there's this thing that reallystuck out to me and I'm trying
to do it justice as, We don'tknow what the future holds,
right?
Like even while we have thesebig, 5, 10, 50 year, I've talked
(25:04):
to Fortune 100 companies whohave a 500 year vision, right?
We're a 200 year old company.
Let's make the next 200 yearslike outrageous long-term goals.
But at the end of the day, weare people trying to do our
best.
And if the future is uncertain,why not enjoy the journey?
(25:28):
Don't delay.
I honestly believe, creates thekind of culture.
Where you talk about what'simportant, you can make space to
prioritize, like real actionthere.
There's this misconception that,work has to feel hard and pain.
(25:50):
If you're not hustling, it's notgood work and in a creative and
a strategic field, right?
Like I know My work is based inlike me being rested.
I know that likephysiologically, you cannot do
strategic and creative things ifyou're in fight or flight.
(26:12):
so like this mentality, there'sthis hustle mentality that says
if you're not just like at 120%,you're failing.
What I have seen and what itseems like you have adopted for
yourself is this idea thatactually enjoying the journey,
being curious about it beingopen to it is what like unlocks
both the quality work and letsus
Christina Heller (26:35):
The hustle, like enjoying the hustle, which.
I will say I feel very luckythat I genuinely love my work
because I imagine if I washustling in a sector or doing
work that I didn't love, thenthat hustle wouldn't feel as
good.
But I tell people, I'm like, Ilove.
(26:55):
My work.
I love it.
it is a hustle, like it is a lotof work, but I personally find a
lot of joy in the process ofdoing that work because I like
what we're doing.
I like who I'm doing it with.
we talked about this briefly inthe pre-interview.
I love XR, the XR community.
I had briefly stepped into theworld of documentary filmmaking
(27:17):
and journalism and broadcasttelevision in my twenties, and I
never felt like I had found.
The people who I wanted to spendeight to 10 hours every day
working with until I got to XRand I was like, oh, when I'm on
Zoom calls with these peopleagain, it doesn't feel like
work.
I love these people.
And so yes, it is a hustle.
(27:38):
But I love the hustle andthat's.
Just something I'm alwaysgrateful for every day, but I
know also makes me sound likejust like such a kiss ass.
It is what it's.
Nathan C Bowser (27:51):
when you are, a leader of teams, Your job is to
help people maintain focus.
It is to help them understandthe direction, and it is to
inspire the best work out ofthose people.
and maybe this relates,especially like founder CEOs.
(28:13):
Get stuck in kind of the dualityof I had to build everything to
start and moving into empoweringteams and like letting go and it
being more about the journey andlike setting the end point and
like pushing the team to getthere.
I think for me, shows thatyou're in that higher
(28:33):
leadership, making things happenon a vision.
Level rather than necessarily,fighting for all of that win.
on your own team, you've calledout your teams like five
different times
Christina Heller (28:45):
it is.
These are all incrediblycollaborative mediums.
Okay?
VR film.
Probably some of the mostcollaborative mediums on Earth.
So it, you have to call out yourteam because you know as well as
anybody, how many humans spenttheir life energy to help make
this thing come into fruition.
(29:06):
So it really is like it is ateam and I.
Am grateful for everybody thatspent their, time and energy to,
unlimited resources and budget.
It's not like we had, super deeppockets on this movie, or ever
in VR, like VR never had a lotof funding, either.
So I feel like I've alwaysworked in these mediums where
(29:28):
it's super collaborative.
People have a lot of heart.
We don't always have, millionsand millions of dollars to pull
off what we're trying to do.
So I do call out my teamsbecause they are there and you
couldn't do anything withoutthem.
Nathan C Bowser (29:41):
creatives, right?
Christina Heller (29:42):
Yeah.
You couldn't do anything withoutthem.
Nathan C Bowser (29:44):
Yes.
I love this.
you're teeing up the nextquestion perfectly.
so thinking about all of thesebig goals, big dreams, and the
real state of the world, theshow is called The Glow Up, and
I'd love to learn about, whatsort of glow up you're working
on.
Is there a rebirth or atransformation or some big goals
that you have for, UnexpectedTreasures, that you're working
(30:06):
on this year?
Christina Heller (30:07):
By the time this podcast airs, we have
already premiered the film atComic-Con, which is very
exciting.
My dream is to get as many eyeson the film as possible so that
it can find the community whereit can make its impact.
And, I want the barrier to entryon this to be as low as
possible.
I really want people to see thefilm so that the people who like
(30:29):
it and maybe are interested inseeing this story continue in
some fashion, find it and cansupport it.
So that's my big dream for thenext six months is get
Unexpected Treasures out intothe world and hopefully find
some people that like it.
Nathan C Bowser (30:48):
Amazing.
premiering a movie at Comic-Conand moving into general
distribution across streamingplatforms.
Heck yeah.
Love it.
Christina Heller (30:58):
yes.
Nathan C Bowser (30:59):
Goodness, we are, breezing through these
questions.
Christina Heller (31:03):
You.
Nathan C Bowser (31:03):
So on every Glow Up episode, we do make time
for a community spotlight.
I'm curious, is there anorganization, a group, a
nonprofit, or otherwise that'sdoing great work, that you think
could use a little extraattention or a shout out?
Christina Heller (31:17):
I just spoke to, JP about this yesterday.
We are going to donate a portionof proceeds from the film to,
the local Joshua Tree, no killanimal shelters.
You'll see in the film that.
My dog, Rosie is prominentlyfeatured in the film.
There's also another dog namedPolly who's in the film.
(31:38):
They're both rescues.
We love dogs, and so we thoughtit was only right that a portion
of proceeds go to help thesegreat organizations that.
Help animals.
so I'll call out all of the nokill shelters of the world, and
encourage people, when they canto adopt, not shop.
We just, dogs are the best andthey all deserve a happy,
(32:03):
healthy home.
Nathan C Bowser (32:05):
I love it.
My, dog is feet away from me,napping.
So just in wrapping up, with allof these goals and all of these
plans and endeavors, is thereanything that you're currently
looking for help with orconnections around, whether it's
networking, distribution,support, how can folks, get to
(32:26):
know you more online?
Christina Heller (32:28):
That's a great question, Nathan.
I probably need help witheverything, so feel free to
connect with me on LinkedIn, orfollow Unexpected Treasures on
Instagram or Facebook.
I welcome any advice from peoplewho have been in my shoes a bit
longer than I have in thisspace.
(32:49):
And, am very inspired by otherfilmmakers and people who are
trying to achieve, big dreams ina challenging landscape.
Yeah, I probably need a lot ofhelp, but at this point I can't
think of anything specific.
Nathan C Bowser (33:03):
Amazing.
This has been just anoutstanding treat.
Christina Heller, executiveproducer for Meta Reality Labs
Entertainment, a serialentrepreneur, a leader of
delightful teams moving throughcomplicated process and even an
(33:25):
indie movie, screenwriter,producer and distributor doing
so many things, to tell stories.
Explore the possibilities ofmedia, and always hang around
spatial creators.
Thank you for joining us on theGlow Up today.
It has been such a treat.
Christina Heller (33:42):
Thank you for having me.
It's been a long time since I'vedone a podcast, so this was a
lot of fun and I couldn't haveasked for a nicer host, so I
appreciate being here so much.
Nathan C Bowser (33:53):
I love it.
Like XR creators and like spatial
creators are like some of myfavorite people to be around.
So What I like is like thealways making, doing, building,
exploring, and where it shows upas an innovative person, I think
is the interesting
Christina Heller (00:19):
Yeah.
then we'll do just fine.
And I love that you're a theaternerd and also an XR nerd because
I am too.
Nathan C Bowser (00:25):
Right.
If you've met people in spatialcomputing, they're of a similar
Christina Heller (00:32):
they are my favorite.
I'm absolutely obsessed withthis community.
I love XR.
Nathan C Bowser (00:38):
Hello and welcome to the Glow Up.
I'm Nathan C, and today I'mtalking with Christina Heller,
Executive Producer at MetaReality Labs Entertainment and
Producer and Writer of theupcoming indie film, Unexpected
Treasures.
Christina, it is so great totalk with you today.
Christina Heller (00:57):
Thank you, Nathan.
Nathan C Bowser (00:58):
Okay, so let's just jump right in.
Can you introduce yourself and,some of the work that you do in,
innovation, technology, andmaybe even storytelling?
Christina Heller (01:12):
I have been a multimedia producer and
storyteller since college, Ifeel like at this point I've
probably produced in almostevery medium one can create in,
and the ones that I haven't hada chance to yet, I still want
to, I just love.
Trying new methods of contentcreation, storytelling, and, the
(01:35):
way that most people know me isas a XR, innovator and,
producer, which if you, Iimagine if you're listening to
this podcast, you know what XRis, but in case you don't, it's
the catchall term for virtualreality, Augmented reality,
mixed reality.
I have been working happily inthis space for 11 years now.
(01:55):
And am currently in EP at Meta,but before this ran and launched
and led two startups, one calledVR Playhouse and one called Meta
Stage.
In over the past two years, Iproduced and wrote an indie
feature film called UnexpectedTreasures with my partner who,
(02:16):
co-wrote it and directed it.
And we are excited to be gettingthat out into the world.
this fall.
Nathan C Bowser (02:26):
So somebody who's very interested in like
spatial computing as acommunications and storytelling
medium.
Somebody who's telling storiesbuilding entertainment
experiences at one of thelargest computing companies in
the world right now.
I'm curious, how did you gethere?
(02:49):
what started, this passion forcreating, telling stories, and,
exploring the edges of media.
Christina Heller (02:57):
I think that my desire to create, and it's
just innate, I think I have tobe creating things all the time
to feel satisfied I live inJoshua Tree now, and so I feel
like I can just lean into desertcliches.
But I love the tarot.
And when you see UnexpectedTreasures, you'll see there's a
(03:17):
little tarot scene in it.
My tarot card is the empress,and the empress just wants to
create all the time.
And that's how I feel.
It is my joy.
When I was in my twenties, Iwas.
Interested in nonfictionstorytelling, journalism,
documentary filmmaking had thepleasure of making two feature
documentaries in my twenties,along with other short
(03:40):
documentaries for Current TV ifanyone remembers that era.
And I became interested aboutthe intersection of technology
and media.
And it was just at that timewhen I had the chance to try the
DK one at Sundance NewFrontiers.
And so I had this questionlooming like where did is tech?
(04:00):
Where is the intersection ofmedia and technology?
And then tried the DK one andwas like, oh, there it is.
Along with some of my creativecollaborators at the time, we
decided to start a companycalled VR Playhouse, which
specialized in content creationfor these headsets, which was
very early days, and we didn't,we weren't even really aware of
(04:20):
just how early days we were atthat point in 2014, but it
kicked off what has now been anover decade long passion with
virtual reality.
the promise of it.
What it can do.
and then now the working on thefilm, it's been a passion
project on the side that's achance to go back to in some
(04:41):
ways a more simple medium.
We call them flatties.
So I went back and I had the funof making a flatty, with some of
my friends that are also in thatspace.
I just know that.
I'm happiest when I'm buildingand creating and innovating.
Nathan C Bowser (04:59):
if a two dimensional screen-based movie
is a fatty, does that makespatial like fatties or spaces
like Have
Christina Heller (05:16):
we, I guess it's more just 3D, it's 3D, it's
facial.
So I, I don't know if we call ita fatty, but I just, but I do
think that the term flatty isreally funny.
And, and so when I'm talking tomy VR friends, they're like, oh,
you're making what?
You're making a regular film ora VR film?
I'm like, I'm making a flatty.
Nathan C Bowser (05:36):
So I appreciate, one you called out,
DK one, and I think if you goback and listen through, the 45
or so episodes from this season,DK one is gonna be one of the
most, regularly occurringkeywords, and it's such an
interesting time for peoplegetting excited about spatial
(05:57):
computing.
the first really mainstreamfeeling, VR headsets.
I'm curious.
11 years of hype cycles and upsand downs.
Everybody defining themetaverse, maybe running away
from the metaverse, running toai.
there's been a lot of disruptionand I joke that every year it
(06:21):
feels like the year something'sgonna really grip.
So how do you over, so many hypecycles stay focused.
Stay engaged.
And maybe more importantly, likehow do you, when something is
always in the future and alwaysnow, how do you think about
delivering value with anemerging technology or, that's
(06:45):
not perfect.
That's five questions.
Pick your favorites.
Christina Heller (06:49):
I've certainly, like many in this
industry, ridden therollercoaster of hype cycles and
troughs of disillusionment,which does set me up well to be
entering the film industry atthis particular time in history
as well.
I feel like the film industry isin their own trough of
disillusionment at the moment,and it's funny because I've been
there so many times with VR thatI'm like oh, this feels familiar
(07:12):
and actually not scary Usuallythat's a time of change, a time
of transformation.
And what I'll say for VR and Mris that despite the hype cycles,
if you were a builder in thisspace, you couldn't help but
notice how much.
progress was being made thewhole time.
if you can see the video rightnow, I have one arm steadily
(07:34):
climbing when it comes to,improvements in the software,
better headsets, more innovativecontent experiences, social VR.
It's like this whole time it'sbeen steadily climbing and
getting better and more.
Powerful while, the market orthe interest around it in terms
of money has been going up anddown.
(07:55):
while US builders were slowlyimproving the systems.
Given me excitement and hope isthat when I look at the Met
Quest three and I compare it tothe DK one, it is a miracle
device and it can do so muchthat headset 10 years ago
couldn't do.
I had to, I remember lugging aDK 2 and a desktop computer into
(08:19):
Jason Rubin's office in 2015 totry to pitch him a VR travel
series and now you know, I canpop into my headset and world
surf with friends across thecountry.
I can work out with them.
We can go see a concert.
So for me, I just see it gettingbetter and better.
(08:40):
I know how VR can actually help.
Improve people's day-to-day lifeexperiences too.
And that's what I'm alwaysfocused on.
Like what about VR can actuallycan make customers or fans life
better?
so it's not about escapism, it'sabout aiding and providing a
superpower to people in theirreal life.
Nathan C Bowser (09:05):
thank you for that, this idea, That the
troughs are when change ishappening and that is a good
time for builders.
is a very, smart point that youonly would know through
experience.
so thank you.
I know that, working for, a bigfive tech company, describing
(09:26):
the kinds of things that you docan sometimes, be a little
challenging.
I'm curious though, can you giveus a little bit of an insight
into, the kinds of stories, thekinds of connections, and, these
values that you're trying tofoster, how that shows up in
your work at Meta,
Christina Heller (09:44):
I'll preface this by saying that, I'm not on
this podcast as an officialrepresentative of Meta, but I do
happen to work there and reallylove it.
I have had, the chance to workon VR fitness and wellness apps
for the last couple of years.
I had the pleasure of workingwith Fit XR, which was an
exercise app that people coulddo from their homes.
(10:04):
People were finding immensevalue from this app.
Losing weight, getting in shape,gaining confidence, gaining
community I also loved it too,like I would pop in between Zoom
meetings and work out a bit.
It was a lot of fun.
And then I also worked withTripp, the meditation app,
Really cool AI integrations thatallow you to anchor and focus
(10:27):
your frazzled monkey mind ininto a meditative lens using
their technologies.
And I loved working with Tripp,and again, if you look at the
reviews of people who haveintegrated it on a day-to-day
basis, it has impacted andtouched, millions of lives
around the world.
Now I'm working on the MetaverseMusic Team.
(10:47):
So you can get front row seatsat a concert, through your
headset.
And check out either yourfavorite artist on a tour you
weren't able to make or checkout an artist you would've never
thought to attend a concert of.
And maybe now you are interestedand incentivized to go check
(11:08):
them out in real life.
For me, it's always anchored inthe real person and how this
technology can broaden theirworld or make them happier and
healthier.
Nathan C Bowser (11:20):
So in just the small list that you shared of
the things that you've done atMeta?
I've been impacted personally byalmost every single one of them.
Tripp was, the only tool.
that I could use to meditateconsistently and I no longer use
the VR app.
But When I first started, Ineeded the VR app because
(11:41):
putting the headset on, I.
Being free of additionaldistractions was really
important.
it was actually the measurementand the quantification, that
showed me that, every time yougo through a session and ask how
you feel before and after, and Iwas always noticing, I was
noticing that I was alwaysmaking progress and I was like,
(12:02):
oh, if this helps me regularly,maybe, like at your in between
meetings, maybe if I'm feeling alittle agitated or
overstimulated.
Tripp could help me get to whereI wanted, and that unlocked the
power of meditation for me.
I love being able to go toconcerts in headset because I
(12:23):
can stay up on things.
I can go see the hottest acts, Ican be front stage.
I, there was a K-pop band, thatI was like in a small recording
studio with.
It was just so upfront andpersonal, but.
I got, the thing I really haveto thank you for is I love the
new Charlie XCX albums.
The Sweat Tour seemed like itwas so fun, but they were coming
(12:45):
through Portland on a Tuesdaynight and I can't go to the club
on a Tuesday anymore.
But that VR concert gave me theability to watch in my house,
like at my dinner table, in mypajamas, I got to see all of
that artistry, all of thatperformance, but it was on my
(13:07):
terms in a way that lowered somany barriers for me to have a
really good time.
Christina Heller (13:11):
Yeah, that was a really successful VR concert
and kudos to my teammates thatput that together I think
sometimes people think thatvirtual reality is meant to take
us away from our humanity.
But here, all we're doing isbringing you closer to
incredible performers and theirartistry and getting to
(13:33):
appreciate, live music in thisnew way.
And for me, that's just such anet positive.
Nathan C Bowser (13:44):
Thank you.
Amazing.
I have to know more.
as somebody who's been producingin all sorts of mediums, all
sorts of dimensions, tell me alittle bit more about the
inspiration, to produce aflatty, right, in a time where
traditional media is having, itsown trough.
(14:06):
and also do share as much or aslittle as you're able, to get us
enticed.
Christina Heller (14:10):
I have to give credit where credit's due.
my Life partner John PaulUngaretti, who goes by JP
Ungaretti, who's the director ofUnexpected Treasures.
He has been working in theindustry for over 15 years and
has always wanted to make Hisfeature film.
And so after the strike, whichwas very challenging for
(14:32):
everybody who works inentertainment, there was this
feeling of we're not getting anyyounger.
You gotta do the things in lifethat you want to do If your soul
is calling you to do something,just it.
I know it sounds maybesimplistic to be like, just do
it because there's a Oh, butwhat about this?
(14:53):
What about this?
Of course there's a lot of.
there's a lot of things thatneed to come into place
sometimes to make these dreamscome to reality, but I think
there's nothing sadder than asong unsung, and so I think we,
we looked at each other and wethought, you know what?
Let's do it and let's bepractical about it.
(15:14):
we'll write a script that is,shot that, that is placed and
filmed entirely in the JoshuaTree area because that's where
we live.
that's where we'll havecommunity support and resources.
it's also they say, write whatyou know.
So this is our day-to-day life.
And Joshua Tree, this area isrich with interesting stories.
(15:36):
Ours is an alien story, so it'sa cute, like 90 minute popcorn
flick about an alien who meets agirl and she has to help him,
escape a bounty hunter that'schasing him we rooted this story
in the real alien folklore ofthe area.
So if you start to dig into thepast of, UFO history and Joshua
(15:59):
Tree, it's a fascinating onionto keep pulling the layers of
There was a man named George VanTassel who.
Hosted some of the biggest UFOconventions of his day in the
fifties, sixties and seventies.
They were called the Giant Rock,spacecraft Conventions.
And 30,000 people would show upat Giant Rock in Landers,
(16:19):
California to hear his storiesof being contacted by visitors
from Ven.
Our film is totally rooted inthat history and our leading
alien is a veian who knew GeorgeVan Tassel.
and so it's this cheeky likewink we started writing the
script.
(16:40):
With the idea that we're justgonna write a script, I think
sometimes if you think about theend goal, where you are going to
end up, it can feel so big thatyou won't even wanna get
started.
So at that point, the goal wasjust, Hey, let's try to write
the best script we can.
And then once we finished thescript and we showed it to a few
(17:00):
people, they liked it.
They thought, oh, this is reallycute.
Then we did a table read onZoom.
So it really was just this onestep at a time process.
but what happened for me is thatthe further we got, the stronger
my desire to make it became, itwent from, oh, we're just making
a script to being like, now Ireally wanna shoot this thing.
(17:21):
How can we shoot it?
So it just.
Became this snowball thatcontinued and then, and this is
how all of my endeavors begin,because once you're halfway in,
you realize, oh my gosh, whathave I done?
This is so big, this is so hard,this is so expensive.
But at that point, there's noway out, but through, you're
(17:44):
already in too deep.
And so that.
I, that has been the story ofall my endeavors.
I go in with this blend ofconfidence and naivete, which is
key to, to even beginning.
And then I get so far in that toturn back is inconceivable.
And so you just have to keepmoving forward.
(18:04):
One step in front of the otheruntil you finish or whatever.
Nathan C Bowser (18:10):
I love it.
I think you're selling yourselfshort.
Though, right?
If you've started severalcompanies, if you're producing
experiences for a company aslarge as you are, I suspect that
naivete at this point, is maybemore, being okay about unknowns,
(18:30):
rather than being unaware
Christina Heller (18:34):
Well, Nathan, I will say that you are right.
I am very comfortable divinginto a space that I'm not.
Fully an expert in yet knowingthat by doing it, I will become
an expert.
But I will also say that midwaythrough production, I thought,
(18:57):
oh my gosh, I have wildlyunderestimated how hard this is.
A film production with all ofits moving pieces, going through
SAG, for instance, and having tofollow all of their, rules and
restrictions and paperwork.
I will say that making thisfilm, especially in the
production, was harder and moreintense than I had anticipated.
(19:20):
and halfway through I did havethat feeling of oh, wow.
I was very naive To what ittakes to make a feature film.
two or three weeks before thefilm, we were, gonna start
shooting.
One of my executive producers,Ginny Galloway, asked me who
the.
assistant director on the shootwas gonna be, and I said, I'm
(19:41):
gonna do it.
And she said, no, you're not.
You need a real assistantdirector.
And again,'cause I think I cando everything.
how hard could it be?
I can do it.
So she said, trust me,Christina.
You need a real ad on set.
And I'm at least smart enough tolisten to my executive producers
and we found, a great ad to joinus at the somewhat last minute.
(20:03):
And then once we got into thefilming, I thought, oh my gosh,
I can't believe I thought I wasgonna be the ad on this.
If sometimes if you knew howchallenging or how hard
something it truly is, you mightbe like, I'm just gonna hang on
my couch.
I'm just gonna watch movies, notmake them.
But then you get through it andobviously it was the highlight
(20:25):
of my year, nothing compared tothat production in that shoot.
And it's, it will probably beone of the things I'm most proud
of when I look back.
Nathan C Bowser (20:34):
I love this, reminder, right?
Whether you are a screenwriteror a founder, asking for help
with the things that are notyour core strengths can be
liberating and inspiring.
And helps you focus on whereyou're strong.
(20:56):
so I love that lesson, takinggood advice is, harder than it
sounds sometimes, especiallywhen you have a really, strong
internal image of, what a thingis or how it should be.
this interesting.
theme that's emerging of can'thelp but be creative, can't help
but explore the boundaries andtell the stories and learn, and
(21:21):
building this pattern oflearning and growing and, always
insatiable curiosity.
Other than the doing and themaking things right.
Because as a creator, that feelsreally great and it's always,
lovely to see people playing inyour apps and, appreciating the
partnerships that you've built.
how do you think about theimpact of the work that you do
(21:44):
maybe as a creative, it's like,how does it, drive you and
nourish you?
while you're doing all of thishard work, in the lead up,
nobody's seen the film yet, andyou're still busting your butt.
so how do you measure the impactand stay engaged, through these
long and sometimes, arduousprocesses.
Christina Heller (22:00):
I tend to think about impact on both the
micro and macro level.
So for me, it's not about theimpact of just the work or the
product on the people who engagewith it, it's also on the
experience we had making it thejourney along the way.
Honestly, know how much impactthe things I've created have or
(22:23):
haven't had on the world.
to be honest, I did productionservices for many years.
We did a lot of, advertising,marketing installations where
you would get some data at theend of it, but you weren't there
with the end consumer tonecessarily see the smiles or
see how they reacted.
I always feel like my mostimpactful work is in the future,
but I do know that what I cancontrol is the set or the studio
(22:49):
or the calls that Zoom calls Ihad leading up to the final
project.
And I always try to put as muchemphasis on good vibes,
collaboration, appreciation,fun.
As I can throughout the wholeprocess because that is part of
(23:10):
the experience and may end upbeing where the impact is most
felt because we're all workingon these things together and we
are all real people.
And at the end of our life we'regonna look back on these things
we did together and tell storiesabout it and reflect It's just
where I put a lot of my emphasison impact is like in this call
(23:31):
today, how can we uplift eachother?
How can we support each otherand make it a fun experience?
And that's not to say that therearen't challenges.
they do come, how can yourespect people through the
challenging times, and then.
Be grateful for their effortwhen you've successfully
(23:54):
untangled the mess and give themtheir credit and their flowers
having the resilience to getthrough those tough times.
So that's what I tend to focuson Now, with this film, there's
a more tangible impact becauseit is a story that's gonna go
out into the world.
And I know that the film won'tbe for everyone.
(24:16):
Like I know this, like somepeople are gonna watch it and
they're gonna roll their eyes.
But I do hope that there, I dofeel in my core that there's
people who will reallyappreciate the messages of
community and, Connection andfriendship that this movie is
emphasizing, and my hope is thatit can make an impact on the
(24:36):
people it's meant to find.
And we'll see.
We'll see.
Nathan C Bowser (24:42):
We'll see, I am, enamored with your response.
Thank you diving in there.
there's this thing that reallystuck out to me and I'm trying
to do it justice as, We don'tknow what the future holds,
right?
Like even while we have thesebig, 5, 10, 50 year, I've talked
(25:04):
to Fortune 100 companies whohave a 500 year vision, right?
We're a 200 year old company.
Let's make the next 200 yearslike outrageous long-term goals.
But at the end of the day, weare people trying to do our
best.
And if the future is uncertain,why not enjoy the journey?
(25:28):
Don't delay.
I honestly believe, creates thekind of culture.
Where you talk about what'simportant, you can make space to
prioritize, like real actionthere.
There's this misconception that,work has to feel hard and pain.
(25:50):
If you're not hustling, it's notgood work and in a creative and
a strategic field, right?
Like I know My work is based inlike me being rested.
I know that likephysiologically, you cannot do
strategic and creative things ifyou're in fight or flight.
(26:12):
so like this mentality, there'sthis hustle mentality that says
if you're not just like at 120%,you're failing.
What I have seen and what itseems like you have adopted for
yourself is this idea thatactually enjoying the journey,
being curious about it beingopen to it is what like unlocks
both the quality work and letsus
Christina Heller (26:35):
The hustle, like enjoying the hustle, which.
I will say I feel very luckythat I genuinely love my work
because I imagine if I washustling in a sector or doing
work that I didn't love, thenthat hustle wouldn't feel as
good.
But I tell people, I'm like, Ilove.
(26:55):
My work.
I love it.
it is a hustle, like it is a lotof work, but I personally find a
lot of joy in the process ofdoing that work because I like
what we're doing.
I like who I'm doing it with.
we talked about this briefly inthe pre-interview.
I love XR, the XR community.
I had briefly stepped into theworld of documentary filmmaking
(27:17):
and journalism and broadcasttelevision in my twenties, and I
never felt like I had found.
The people who I wanted to spendeight to 10 hours every day
working with until I got to XRand I was like, oh, when I'm on
Zoom calls with these peopleagain, it doesn't feel like
work.
I love these people.
And so yes, it is a hustle.
(27:38):
But I love the hustle andthat's.
Just something I'm alwaysgrateful for every day, but I
know also makes me sound likejust like such a kiss ass.
It is what it's.
Nathan C Bowser (27:51):
when you are, a leader of teams, Your job is to
help people maintain focus.
It is to help them understandthe direction, and it is to
inspire the best work out ofthose people.
and maybe this relates,especially like founder CEOs.
(28:13):
Get stuck in kind of the dualityof I had to build everything to
start and moving into empoweringteams and like letting go and it
being more about the journey andlike setting the end point and
like pushing the team to getthere.
I think for me, shows thatyou're in that higher
(28:33):
leadership, making things happenon a vision.
Level rather than necessarily,fighting for all of that win.
on your own team, you've calledout your teams like five
different times
Christina Heller (28:45):
it is.
These are all incrediblycollaborative mediums.
Okay?
VR film.
Probably some of the mostcollaborative mediums on Earth.
So it, you have to call out yourteam because you know as well as
anybody, how many humans spenttheir life energy to help make
this thing come into fruition.
(29:06):
So it really is like it is ateam and I.
Am grateful for everybody thatspent their, time and energy to,
unlimited resources and budget.
It's not like we had, super deeppockets on this movie, or ever
in VR, like VR never had a lotof funding, either.
So I feel like I've alwaysworked in these mediums where
(29:28):
it's super collaborative.
People have a lot of heart.
We don't always have, millionsand millions of dollars to pull
off what we're trying to do.
So I do call out my teamsbecause they are there and you
couldn't do anything withoutthem.
Nathan C Bowser (29:41):
creatives, right?
Christina Heller (29:42):
Yeah.
You couldn't do anything withoutthem.
Nathan C Bowser (29:44):
Yes.
I love this.
you're teeing up the nextquestion perfectly.
so thinking about all of thesebig goals, big dreams, and the
real state of the world, theshow is called The Glow Up, and
I'd love to learn about, whatsort of glow up you're working
on.
Is there a rebirth or atransformation or some big goals
that you have for, UnexpectedTreasures, that you're working
(30:06):
on this year?
Christina Heller (30:07):
By the time this podcast airs, we have
already premiered the film atComic-Con, which is very
exciting.
My dream is to get as many eyeson the film as possible so that
it can find the community whereit can make its impact.
And, I want the barrier to entryon this to be as low as
possible.
I really want people to see thefilm so that the people who like
(30:29):
it and maybe are interested inseeing this story continue in
some fashion, find it and cansupport it.
So that's my big dream for thenext six months is get
Unexpected Treasures out intothe world and hopefully find
some people that like it.
Nathan C Bowser (30:48):
Amazing.
premiering a movie at Comic-Conand moving into general
distribution across streamingplatforms.
Heck yeah.
Love it.
Christina Heller (30:58):
yes.
Nathan C Bowser (30:59):
Goodness, we are, breezing through these
questions.
Christina Heller (31:03):
You.
Nathan C Bowser (31:03):
So on every Glow Up episode, we do make time
for a community spotlight.
I'm curious, is there anorganization, a group, a
nonprofit, or otherwise that'sdoing great work, that you think
could use a little extraattention or a shout out?
Christina Heller (31:17):
I just spoke to, JP about this yesterday.
We are going to donate a portionof proceeds from the film to,
the local Joshua Tree, no killanimal shelters.
You'll see in the film that.
My dog, Rosie is prominentlyfeatured in the film.
There's also another dog namedPolly who's in the film.
(31:38):
They're both rescues.
We love dogs, and so we thoughtit was only right that a portion
of proceeds go to help thesegreat organizations that.
Help animals.
so I'll call out all of the nokill shelters of the world, and
encourage people, when they canto adopt, not shop.
We just, dogs are the best andthey all deserve a happy,
(32:03):
healthy home.
Nathan C Bowser (32:05):
I love it.
My, dog is feet away from me,napping.
So just in wrapping up, with allof these goals and all of these
plans and endeavors, is thereanything that you're currently
looking for help with orconnections around, whether it's
networking, distribution,support, how can folks, get to
(32:26):
know you more online?
Christina Heller (32:28):
That's a great question, Nathan.
I probably need help witheverything, so feel free to
connect with me on LinkedIn, orfollow Unexpected Treasures on
Instagram or Facebook.
I welcome any advice from peoplewho have been in my shoes a bit
longer than I have in thisspace.
(32:49):
And, am very inspired by otherfilmmakers and people who are
trying to achieve, big dreams ina challenging landscape.
Yeah, I probably need a lot ofhelp, but at this point I can't
think of anything specific.
Nathan C Bowser (33:03):
Amazing.
This has been just anoutstanding treat.
Christina Heller, executiveproducer for Meta Reality Labs
Entertainment, a serialentrepreneur, a leader of
delightful teams moving throughcomplicated process and even an
(33:25):
indie movie, screenwriter,producer and distributor doing
so many things, to tell stories.
Explore the possibilities ofmedia, and always hang around
spatial creators.
Thank you for joining us on theGlow Up today.
It has been such a treat.
Christina Heller (33:42):
Thank you for having me.
It's been a long time since I'vedone a podcast, so this was a
lot of fun and I couldn't haveasked for a nicer host, so I
appreciate being here so much.
Nathan C Bowser (33:53):
I love it.
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