Full Name
Buzz Hays
Job Title
Global Market Lead Entertainment Industry, Google Cloud
Company
Google
Speaker Bio
BUZZ HAYS is a film/tv and tech executive who possesses a unique understanding of the complexity and demands of film production, post-production, VFX and animation. He is an expert in advanced imaging, immersive technologies, high frame rate, high dynamic range, lightfield and stereoscopic platforms for film, television, gaming and VFX. As a domain expert in the entertainment and media industries, Buzz currently leads the global solutions development team for media and entertainment content creation for Google Cloud.

Buzz is a respected leader in Hollywood, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Producers Guild, SMPTE, and founding and current chairman of the Advanced Imaging Society. At AMPAS, he serves on the Science and Technology Council where he addresses timely tech issues alongside other industry leaders. Buzz sits on the Board of the Academy Software Foundation, and is a founding member of the Computational Cinematography Committee of the ASC. He is also an active consultant to the American Society of Cinematographers, the Cinematographer’s Guild, the Producer’s Guild, and the Director’s Guild.

Before joining Google in 2018, Buzz was Head of Product at Lytro, a lightfield imaging tech startup, where he led the hardware and software development of lightfield cinema and immersive media camera systems. Prior to Lytro, Buzz was SVP and founder of the Sony 3D Tech Center, leading their worldwide effort in stereoscopic productions, technology research and product development. At Sony, he trained cinematographers, directors and producers in 3D technologies. He produced and consulted on multiple VFX/3D live-action and animated productions with leading filmmakers including Ang Lee, Baz Luhrmann and Barry Sonnenfeld. Buzz also consulted on the 3D product development of both the professional and consumer camera and display products, including 3D Blu-ray and PlayStation VR.

Buzz began his career at Lucasfilm THX as Director of Engineering where he led the worldwide R & D effort for the Sound System Division. There, he oversaw the design and construction of over 600 cinemas, screening rooms, and dubbing stages.

Buzz has lectured worldwide on advanced imaging technologies, VR/AR, visual effects, computational cinematography, light field, and 3D. In 2013, he created the first college 3D storytelling department of its kind at UT, Austin. Throughout his career, Buzz has been committed to bridging the gap between emerging technologies and creative film production, helping to advance the state of the art of the film industry.
Buzz Hays