About

About Vortex

Blazing a trail to the future of immersive entertainment

The guiding ethos at Vortex Immersion Media is to create mind-blowing immersive art, media and entertainment experiences with a positive, transformational impact. Vortex continually innovates and grows, both creatively and technologically, pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences and venues. 

In our early days, we pioneered the development of 360º spatial augmented reality projections, and led the creation of standards for digital planetariums and digital dome theaters. More recently, we launched the world’s first metaverse fulldome NFT art and cinema exhibitions, and produced a hybrid physical/virtual immersive experience using a large-scale LED stage.

Our diverse and growing portfolio includes 360º immersive experiences in every category of content and event.  Since 2007, we’ve produced everything from 360º cinema to brand activations for Fortune 500 companies like Nike, from live immersive venues for musical artists like Childish Gambino, Skrillex and DJ Snake to launches of television shows for NBCUniversal, Warner Brothers and DC Comics.

Our Philosophy

Mission

Mission

Vortex creates awe-inspiring transformative 360º multisensory experiences for mass audiences featuring top artists, designers and technologists. Our purpose is to spread the power of immersive experience and fulldome venues across the globe. We aim to amplify the creative expression of artists to deliver awe-inspiring, transcendent entertainment experiences.

Vision

Vision

We envision developing a global network of immersive multipurpose complexes for entertainment, arts, community, retreats and creative placemaking. We bridge real and virtual environments together, allowing real-world participants to enjoy virtual metaverse worlds and metaverse participants to enjoy real-world events.

Impact

Impact

Vortex’s experiences go beyond mere arts and entertainment. Our experiences transform. Whether it’s opening hearts and minds, empowering with optimism, bringing a sense of joy and well-being, our experiences use the power of music, story and immersive visuals to evoke positive emotions such as awe, curiosity, enchantment and transcendence. Join us in making a positive impact!

Values

Values

INNOVATION We are leaders, not followers EXECUTION We are doers, not talkers EXCELLENCE We execute in excellence ACCOUNTABILITY You can rely on us INTEGRITY We are true to our word IMPACT We make the world better WISDOM We take the high road HARMONY We avoid unnecessary drama COMPASSION We treat all with kindness, dignity and respect GENIUS We attract creative and technical genius

Our Partners & Clients

Meet Our Team

Our Leadership

Ed Lantz

Ed Lantz, Founder and CEO of Vortex, is an immersive media entrepreneur, engineer, producer and experience designer. Ed left aerospace engineering in 1990 to transform traditional planetariums into immersive visualization environments, designing over a dozen dome theaters worldwide including Egypt’s Library of Alexandria Planetarium and Mexico City’s Domodigital at Papalote Museo del Niño. His Vortex develops immersive media venues and experiences – both real and virtual - that combine architecture, art and science to create compelling and awe-inspiring immersive journeys and performances with positive impact. Clients include Nike, Viacom, IBM, Winn, Live Nation and Red Bull. Artists include Childish Gambino, Skrillex, Diplo, Braves, and James Hood.

Mark Laisure

Mark Laisure, VP Strategy & Partnerships for Vortex, is a Venture Strategist, Inventor, and Award-Winning Entrepreneur. Mark’s focuses on disruptive technologies, sustainable business solutions, conscious media and transformational events. After an early Wall Street career with UBS PaineWebber and Wellington Shields & Co., Mark guided several start-ups, takeovers, and turnarounds including INKTOMI Corporation (acquired by YAHOO!), TERANEX (video processing), MESH NETWORKS (acquired by MOTOROLA), SKYCROSS, ZEROS & ONES, ONEHOPE (cause-centric commerce.) and The LIFE CHANGES Show. His awards include Prime Time Emmy for technological innovation in film and television, R&D 100 award (The Oscar’s of Inventing) and Businessweek Magazine Product of the Year.

Geoffrey Becker-Jones

Geoffrey Becker-Jones, VP Development for Vortex, has extensive experience as a consultant to national and international firms including Hyatt Hotels International, The Irvine Hotel Company, Club Corporation International, CCA Asia, King Valley, LDM Utility Company S.A. de C.V., IBERDROLA INMOBILIARIA S.A. de C.V.; and DILMAR SA de CV. He led the development as managing partner of the prestigious CopperWynd Resort and Club community, was co-development partner for the 228-unit Scottsdale Links resort rental community, and most recently, was lead project consultant for the prestigious 840-acre Laguna Del Mar resort property in Mexico.

Kate McCallum

Kate McCallum, award-winning producer and creative strategist for Vortex, brings diverse experiences having worked alongside some of the top creative arts talent in the world. She is a multi-faceted producer, writer, and transmedia consultant who is passionate about storytelling, creativity, innovation, consciousness, media and the arts and their effect on culture and society. She produced the two top selling digital dome entertainment experiences, James Hood’s Mesmerica and Beautifica.

Mikhaila Stettler

Mikhaila, Creative Director for Vortex, is a multidisciplinary artist, world-builder and storyteller working in immersive art and entertainment, as well as fine arts. Her creative process draws on multiple strands, incorporating over 30 years’ experience as a doctor, energy master, creative mentor and meditation coach. Mikhaila serves on the board of the Dome Fest West Film Festival and is a featured speaker and artist at metaverse and Web3 conferences.

Lilly Vargas

Lilly Vargas is a distinguished event producer and dome builder with over a decade of experience in creating immersive experiences. Her expertise spans the production of more than 600 immersive events across the United States. In addition to her event production skills, Lilly has built over 200 domes and oversees the entire process of projection dome construction. Her comprehensive approach includes managing logistics from start to finish, ensuring seamless execution of her projects. She is currently a board member of Dome Fest West. Dome Fest West is an annual film festival celebrating Fulldome films and immersive media.

Meet Our Co-Creators

Our Collaborators

Our Team of World-Builders, Designers, Artists & Programmers

Brianna Amore

Brianna Amore, Visual Artist for Vortex…. Educated in Visual Communications, Brianna contributed to creative designs for multiple well known exhibtions and events. She embarked upon digital animation and motion graphics as an evolution of her career where she explores visual language in immersive theater settings with Vortex Immersion Media and Domes.

Mar Sorell

Mar Sorell has been with the Vortex Team for almost a decade assisting with the previsualization of projects. Originally trained in architecture, Mar has applied this and an extensive background in 3D Visual FX to help pitch dome entertainment concepts to clients.

Audri Phillips

Audri Phillips is a VJ, a 3D animator, content creator, immersive media specialist, based out of Los Angeles with a wide range of experience that includes over 25 years working in the visual effects/entertainment industry. Her fulldome pieces, mixed reality, animations and paintings have been shown in festivals and conferences around the world. She is the co-creator, founder, and director of Robot Prayers an immersive transmedia project which explores AI and our hybrid identities in a world where man and machine are melding.

Christian Miehls

Christian Miehls, Artist Development for Vortex Immersion Media helped curate and produce several NFT events, teams of artists and developers, and the first artist NFT Metaverse.

Kelon Cen

Kelon Cen is an animation director and creative technologist who has worked in many forms of immersive media and animation, including film and digital animation for video installations, full dome, theater projection and VR. “Fluidity” is the word to describe his mastery of the smooth lines in his calligraphy and paintings, the animation of metamorphosis and body movement, and sound-driven editing. His works are influenced by surrealism and have been exhibited in various festivals, including Electronic Language International Festival in São Paulo, Animamix Biennale in Hong Kong, Japan Media Arts Festivals, etc.

Denise Love

Denise Love is the Art Director for Vortex Immersion web. With experience in Art Direction, Experience, and Product Design in digital incubators and real-life spaces, she pioneered digital community software, earning the title of "The First Women of the Web." She has expertise in Digital Storytelling, Photography, Virtual Reality, Branding, and Personal Evolution. Currently, Denise focuses on upgrading mindsets through her Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy offerings with Lotus Love Dreams. Her podcast, Technology of Self™, hosts innovative wellness thinkers, facilitators, and creators. Additionally, she is developing the mindful platform UPDREAM™ to help upgrade minds. Her life's work aims to promote healthy states of mind, body, and spirit, and she aspires to uplift many through her innovative projects.

Timmy Edens

Timmy Edens is a multi-talented artist, known for his work as an international dome master, immersive film maker, DJ, VJ, and project manager. He holds a BFA in Visual Art, with a focus on immersive arts and branding experiences. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Timmy has performed and installed projection domes and geodesic art for a wide range of clients, including NIKE, the Super Bowl, Microsoft, Comicon, Wisdome, Vortex Immersion, the Presidents Cup, Decadence, the Global Dance Festival, and the Super Natural music festival. Additionally, he has spent 11 years as a Planetarium Technology Research Volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Timmy is known for his high integrity and commitment to delivering quality work for high-profile clients.

Anna Shows

Anna Shows is a sustainability consultant for Vortex and proposes innovative materials and systems. She is a designer, artist and maker who considers science and nature for creative, regenerative solutions. She enjoys discovering emerging technologies and materials and creating interior and architectural designs. Her various forms of expressive mediums include painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, 3D modeling, rendering, drawing plans, physical modeling, and fabricating.

Ken Scott

Ken Scott is a visual musician who combines music with mathematical patterns in motion to create immersive experiences that flow around you like a ballet on steroids.  A long-time Silicon Valley software engineer and computer-art experimenter, Ken's art is generated by custom-written code. Ken's work is featured in several Vortex productions, including Mesmerica and Beautifica. He lives with his two cats in Costa Rica.

Stefan Broadley

Stefan, a leader in immersive audio with 26 years in studio and 21 in live events, excels in creating soundtracks for complex setups. At Wisdome LA, he mixed audio for five video-domes and 45 Pink Floyd shows. He also remixed Rufus Du Sol and Odesza for Coachella’s dome, integrating 360º audio with video and lights. Known for tackling unique projects, from museum shows in Vegas to circus performances in LA cathedrals, Stefan is a pro with cutting-edge tech like L-Acoustic's L-ISA and Holoplot’s audio laser systems. He’s thrilled to synchronize spatial audio with 360º video at Vortex.