Internationally-recognized technical director for Cirque du Soleil, Calum Pearson, and Hollywood film and TV producer, Paul Lazarus, have reportedly joined the FIRST Robotics Competition Game Design Committee. The new members will ensure that game challenges are appealing to all ages and audiences, and also push for innovations in new robotic designs and applications.

 

The FRC Game Design Committee is responsible for creating the design, the rules and the annual game challenge and theme. This requires piloting robots in both autonomous and tele-operated modes, while two three-team robot alliances collect and score points for a number of engineering tasks. The tasks range from lifting and rolling objects to collecting and moving items on various surfaces.

 

According to Bill Miller (News - Alert), director of the FIRST Robotics Competition program, said Calum and Paul bring the combined expertise of technical and creative aspects in spectator entertainment. Their involvement brings an understanding of 21st century entertainment value and taps into new visual and sound technologies for a multi-generational, multi-national experience.

 

Calum Pearson is the senior director of technical and show support, resident shows division for Cirque du Soleil. He served as company manager for Cirque’s KÀ and was responsible for managing the day to day operations of Cirque du Soleil’s fourth permanent show in Las Vegas. This show had more than 300 cast and crew members from 18 countries and a production cost of $200 million. In addition, Pearson has 17 years of operations and management experience in the entertainment industry. This includes years spent touring with music productions such as Bon Jovi and Van Halen, and family acts like Disney on Ice.

 

Paul Lazarus is a director, producer, and writer of television, film, and theater projects. He has worked with FIRST for many years on the production of the chairman’s award winner videos. Lazarus directed and produced the feature film “Seven Girlfriends” which was released by Castle Hill Productions and was featured on HBO and Comedy Central. In addition, he voice directed the animated musical feature, “Joseph,” starring Ben Affleck for Dreamworks SKG.

 

FIRST was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. This nonprofit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.