Dr. William (Bill) Swartout has lived in Malibu for over 23 years. The Director of Technology at USC’s Institute for Creative Technology, Dr. Swartout conducts research on artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and modeling and simulation, working alongside professionals in the entertainment industry. Originally from St. Louis, where his dual interest in computer science and filmmaking began, Dr. Swartout moved west and received a degree from Stanford University, followed by a PhD from MIT. In addition to his work at USC, Bill has dedicated more than 1,000 hours of community service. A passionate photographer, nature lover, biker, hiker, father and husband, The Malibu Times after several attempts finally caught up with this fascinating scientist and community activist. Swartout was nominated by Jane Albrecht.
How did you get from St. Louis to L.A.?
I’ve been in L.A. since 1981. I did my undergraduate at Stanford, and really fell in love with California. I then did my graduate work at MIT and decided that it was a great place, but the winters were too long and too cold. I came back out to California, and originally started working for USC at the Information Science Institute, which does a lot of work on computer science, and ranges all the way from artificial intelligence, to program synthesis, and even studying hardware issues. In the late 1990s there were people who were intrigued by the emergence of video games. In many ways they have elements that we don’t have in the simulations that the military had spent money on, and would there be something to be gained by having the entertainment industry get involved with these military issues and problems? We wanted to make use of what was a growing investment being made out as part of the entertainment industry in the technology for games. Some people in the army proposed an idea of setting up this sort of institute at a university. It would be used as a focus to where this research could take place. The army chose USC for its closeness to Hollywood, and the strength of both its film and engineering schools.
What do you love most about living in Malibu?
It’s an incredibly beautiful place, and I think just being surrounded by that is just awesome.
What are some things you love to do in Malibu?
I love to hike, go to the beach, and to cycle. I also have a hobby interest in photography.
What made you interested in photography?
That’s been a hobby since high school. I really like to be able to capture a moment in time and preserve it and show it to other people. Doing photography really helps me see the world differently. It makes for a richer life experience.
What kind of volunteer work do you participate in in the community?
I am a volunteer for the Disaster and Communication Service, a group of mostly amateur radio operators who help out in times of disasters by providing communication support. It used to be that cell phone service was very spotty in Malibu, but while the service has gotten better, in a real major disaster the cell phone systems get overwhelmed and there has to be another way to be able to communicate. We provide support for the fire fighters and Sheriff’s department when those things happen.
How did you become involved with this volunteer service?
When we moved here in ’93 there was a big fire and my wife Janet, who has since passed away, expressed the possible problem of us staying in touch if I was in the Marina and she was in Malibu. We heard that there was an amateur radio class being held and so we both took the class. Some of the teachers knew about the Disaster Communication and so we joined up and become deeply involved with that.
What do you do specifically for the Disaster Communication Service?
We help out if there is a marathon or some public event. We make sure things are going OK, help with traffic control, etc. We have our radios if something bad happens, to get in touch. If there is a disaster, we go to where the command post is and we might get assigned to shadow one of the fire captains, and if he or she needs to get a message out quickly, we provide that kind of link.
How was having your portrait painted by Johanna?
It was great, such a relaxing experience! It was the first time I had had my portrait painted by a serious artist and the thing that is cool about it, versus having your picture taken, is it’s all on you. But an artist can look at you over time and integrate different elements of your face together and create and good result.
Johanna Spinks also teaches classes in portrait painting. She may be reached at johanna@johannaspinks. com or 310.384.7029