Jay Heinz is a creative leader at the intersection of science, storytelling, and digital innovation. As Executive Producer at Relative Scale, Jay oversees the strategy, development, and delivery of immersive experiences, interactive exhibits, and large-format films for museums and cultural institutions. His projects integrate cutting-edge technologies—AR/VR, real-time environments, and spatial media—to deepen public engagement with complex topics.
Previously, Jay directed digital production, exhibitions and strategy at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, where he led cross-functional teams to produce award-winning fulldome films and interactive exhibits in collaboration with NASA, NIH, NSA and leading scientists. His work has reached millions of visitors worldwide and empowered institutions to tell richer, more inclusive stories about science, culture, and our changing planet.
Previously, Jay directed digital production, exhibitions and strategy at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, where he led cross-functional teams to produce award-winning fulldome films and interactive exhibits in collaboration with NASA, NIH, NSA and leading scientists. His work has reached millions of visitors worldwide and empowered institutions to tell richer, more inclusive stories about science, culture, and our changing planet.
Fulldome Films
Executive-produced 14 award-winning fulldome films combining 3D animation and live-action 360° video, distributed to over 180 theaters across four continents. Topics spanned astronomy, life sciences, and history, with content developed in partnership with NASA, the NIH, NSF, and leading science educators. Projects included both original IP and adaptations of popular educational series such as Magic Tree House and Grossology, engaging millions of viewers worldwide with science-driven storytelling.
Executive-produced 14 award-winning fulldome films combining 3D animation and live-action 360° video, distributed to over 180 theaters across four continents. Topics spanned astronomy, life sciences, and history, with content developed in partnership with NASA, the NIH, NSF, and leading science educators. Projects included both original IP and adaptations of popular educational series such as Magic Tree House and Grossology, engaging millions of viewers worldwide with science-driven storytelling.
Immersive Media & Emerging Technology
Lead the development of innovative experiences using VR, AR, drones, AI, and other emerging tools to enable new forms of scientific storytelling and audience interaction. Projects for institutions such as The Washington Post and the National Science Foundation have explored complex topics through immersive, data-driven, and narrative-rich environments.
Lead the development of innovative experiences using VR, AR, drones, AI, and other emerging tools to enable new forms of scientific storytelling and audience interaction. Projects for institutions such as The Washington Post and the National Science Foundation have explored complex topics through immersive, data-driven, and narrative-rich environments.
Location Based Interactive Exhibits
Lead the creation of interactive experiences for museums and science centers, including a $9M+ transformation of Morehead Planetarium. Co-founded Roboto Octopodo, an original immersive location concept in the spirit of Meow Wolf, guiding early design and prototyping to explore new models of narrative-driven storytelling.
Lead the creation of interactive experiences for museums and science centers, including a $9M+ transformation of Morehead Planetarium. Co-founded Roboto Octopodo, an original immersive location concept in the spirit of Meow Wolf, guiding early design and prototyping to explore new models of narrative-driven storytelling.
Video Production
Led multidisciplinary teams to produce compelling documentary and branded content for clients such as The Washington Post, Special Olympics, and the University of North Carolina. Skilled in translating complex subjects into visually engaging science, history, and educational stories for web, streaming, and giant-screen platforms.
Led multidisciplinary teams to produce compelling documentary and branded content for clients such as The Washington Post, Special Olympics, and the University of North Carolina. Skilled in translating complex subjects into visually engaging science, history, and educational stories for web, streaming, and giant-screen platforms.
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MARS - THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY
Immersive Fulldome Video MYSTERIES OF THE BRAIN
Immersive Fulldome Video TALES OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH
Immersive Fulldome Video |
HIDDEN NO MORE
VR, Animation and Documentary Video MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM RENOVATION
Project Lead - $9M Construction and Exhibit project ONE GIANT LEAP
Immersive Fulldome Video |
SELECT FULLDOME PLANETARIUM FILMS
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^ INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES
Producer and coach for award-winning international multimedia documentary projects and multiple Special Olympics. 
^ TEACHING/INSTRUCTION
Adjunct Professor/Instructor for multimedia storytelling courses focusing on documentary video and online interactive content. Lead Instructor of Multimedia Bootcamp for professional journalists and multimedia coach at Eddie Adams Photography Workshop. |
^ INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS
Producer of multiple traveling interactive large scale exhibitions. 
^ DOCUMENTARY VIDEO
Documentary work and consulting with the Washington Post, New York Times, Duke University, University of North Carolina, Martha Graham, Music Maker, Durham Bulls and more. |
^ CONFERENCES
Presenter/Speaker at conferences such as ASTC, IMERSA and FILM-COM and media such as NPR's The State of Things. 
^ MULTIMEDIA DESIGN
Designer of significant sections of Lucasfilm websites such as starwars.com, indianajones.com, starwarskids.com and other commercial sites. |
