Jurassic Park: Adaptation and Evolution
Join the Karch Gaming Institute for a one-day discovery of the iconic franchise, its influence on faculty and practitioners at UT, including paleontology, museum studies, scenic design, puppeteering, interactive and engineering.
The main event features a discussion with the creators of the new Jurassic Park: Survival video game and a screening of the original film.
It's a 21st-century symposium 65 million years in the making.
Schedule
Noon - 1:00 p.m. | Building Raptors for the Stage with J.E. Johnson
In 2018, Karen Maness and J.E. Johnson led an interdisciplinary class that combined design, science and technology to build animatronic raptor suits for a play produced in the department of theater and dance. Join J.E. as he reflects on that process (and others) that drew on departmental expertise across campus.
Jurassic Shorts Interlude
Short films, clips and media odds-and-ends on Jurassic Park selected by RTF faculty and friends.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | A Field Guide to Jurassic Park with Dr. Liam Norris - Paleontologist + Exhibition and Outreach Associate at Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Jurassic Park revolutionized the way dinosaurs are depicted in pop culture by blending then current science with state-of-the-art filmmaking techniques. Join Dr. Liam Norris as you find out what Jurassic Park got right about these extraordinary animals and how new discoveries have changed our perspective in the decades since.
Jurassic Shorts Interlude
Short films, clips and media odds-and-ends on Jurassic Park selected by RTF faculty and friends.
5 - 6:30 p.m. | The Adaptation and Evolution of Jurassic Park: Survival with Craig Sherman, co-director of the upcoming video game, and Matt McKnight, VP Business Development Saber Interactive
What is involved in adapting one of the biggest film franchises into a modern AAA video game? Join us as we discuss the business, design, story and production of the highly anticipated Jurassic Park: Survival video game from Craig Sherman, co-director of the game and chief narrative officer at Saber Interactive.
6:30 p.m. | Reception and Digital Games Industry Mixer
7 p.m. | "Jurassic Park" screening
Speakers
J.E. Johnson
Senior Academic Program Coordinator at Texas Inventionworks
Assistant Professor of Practice, College of Fine Arts
J.E. designs media-rich blended learning experiences that challenge students to collaborate, innovate, and solve real-world problems. Specializing in developing Canvas modules incorporating video-based instruction and first-person POV 360 interactive imagery, he is driven to connect people from all disciplines to create, collaborate, and make a lasting impact.
He specializes in creating learning experiences where interdisciplinary student teams can thrive. In 2017, he began teaching award-winning “charismatic mega-project” experiential courses, including practical special effects, animatronics, escape rooms, mini-golf, and velociraptor full-body puppets.
J.E. also co‑founded Maker Ready, whose workshops and “Maker Starter Kits” introduced hands‑on, project‑driven learning to K–12 schools across Texas and Hawaii.
Dr. Liam Norris
Paleontologist + Exhibition and Outreach Associate at Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Liam Norris, Ph.D., is the Exhibits & Outreach Associate at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a paleontologist whose research specializes in dinosaur paleontology, specifically studying paleoecology through geochemistry. Liam graduated from Texas A&M University in 2020 with his B.S. in geology and from The University of Texas at Austin in May of 2025 with his Ph.D. in geosciences. Liam is originally from Houston and is passionate about paleontology, wildlife, and artwork, and loves giving people their own "eureka" moment by making complex scientific topics understandable to all.
Craig Sherman
Chief Narrative Officer, Saber Interactive
Craig Sherman is an accomplished video game writer, narrative designer, and Chief Narrative Officer, best known for his extensive work across major franchises such as World War Z, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, and Jurassic Park: Survival. He has been credited on at least 16 video games, serving in roles ranging from Writer to Director of Narrative and Chief Creative/Narrative Officer.
Sherman began his writing career in Hollywood, creating screenplays for major studios including Fox, HBO, Paramount, and Sony, collaborating with notable producers such as Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney. His Hollywood background strongly influences his approach to interactive storytelling, emphasizing cinematic structure, character‑driven narratives, and emotional clarity.
In 2012, Sherman joined Saber Interactive, where he has written across an unusually wide range of genres—including horror, action, sports, and licensed properties—and rose to Chief Narrative Officer in 2022. In this leadership role, he oversees story development across multiple simultaneous projects and manages studio‑wide narrative strategy.
Sherman advocates for giving each game its own distinct voice and empowering embedded writers to make bold creative decisions. He emphasizes collaborative story development, adaptability, and resisting homogenization across franchise.
Matt McKnight
VP Business Development, Saber Interactive
Matt McKnight is a veteran game development professional with 32 years of experience across console, mobile, social, and casino gaming. Proven leader in studio building—from self-funded startup to acquisition—with a strong track record managing iconic IPs including Madden/NFL, James Bond, The Simpsons, and The Lord of the Rings. Experienced designer and producer with deep expertise in business development, strategic partnerships, and outsourcing.
