SO Who is Matthew Jigalin?

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Matthew Jigalin is a Sydney-based entrepreneur, creative technologist, and immersive storyteller with a deep passion for innovation and adventure. Born on January 25, 1998, and fluent in Russian, Matthew's early fascination with multimedia and programming led him to excel in his studies, earning state recognition for his groundbreaking virtual reality projects.

In 2016, he founded CactusCan Media, a dynamic video production company that has collaborated with prominent Australian brands, while also pioneering immersive experiences through his work on award-winning virtual reality installations showcased at global festivals like Sundance and Cannes. Beyond his professional achievements, Matthew is an avid skier, adventurer, and advocate for living life to its fullest, driven by a profound appreciation for the opportunities afforded by his family’s resilience and sacrifices.

ABOUT ME

RUSSIAN HERITAGE

I was born on January 25th, 1998 — I grew up and currently live in Sydney, where my first language was Russian. My grandparents were immigrants into Australia from a combination of Russia and China in a small town called Harbin. Harbin today is very different and I’d love to one day visit. My grandparents moved here to build a better life for their families after fleeing from communist Russia in WWII.

They in turn gave my parents a great life and encouraged them to grow an even better life than they endured. Fast forward to 2023, and I know that my deep rooted drive for success is fuelled by not wanting to waste the opportunities I’ve been given by my families hardship and hard work. I feel lucky enough to get to love a comfortable life where my main goal is to not squander my opportunity and privilege, enjoy what I’m doing, always keep improving and make the most of every day.

My grandma once told me her earliest memory she can remember was hiding under a chair from Russian soldiers. My earliest memory is playing with a Tonka truck on the front lawn of our safe childhood home. I think that sums up why I feel so lucky and privileged to be living in Australia, doing what I love every day.

EARLY LIFE & SCHOOLING

I lived my entire early life in my family home in Sydney NSW and attended Arden Anglican School, where I completed high school. I attended Russian school every week in Strathfield, was part of the school band, choir, basketball team, volleyball team - basically every co-curricular activity possible I did it.

I think this early obsession with learning and trying new things is why I ended up being a business owner and entrepreneur.

During my final years of high school, while pursuing the New South Wales High School Certificate (HSC), I developed an interest in programming and multimedia, which led me to study software, design and development (SDD), and industrial technology: multimedia (ITM).

I was fortunate enough to perform well in my final exams and major work marking process, which earned me the first rank in the state for industrial technology. My major work was a virtual reality game that combined elements of multimedia, survival games, and crafting mechanics. This project won several awards, including the Shape 2015 exhibition and was praised on the ABC television show Good Game.

I went on to receive a scholarship for the Bachelor of IT program at the University of Technology, Sydney, but I soon realized that the university system was not offering courses or guidance on emerging technologies, such as virtual reality. So, I decided to start my own business, Cactus Can Media, in 2016. It gained traction quickly in the corporate video sector and became a solid side business to support my interest in the emerging technology sector.

Receiving my certificate of excellence for first in NSW for Industrial Technology.

CactusCan Media

Cactus Can Media has been lucky enough to work with several large Australian corporate entities, including Lendlease, Telstra, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, the Australian Defense Force, and F45, among others. The business is still thriving and is currently focusing on partnering with growing businesses and telling compelling stories for a broad audience.

“CactusCan Media is a Sydney-based video production company that specializes in creating bold, authentic, and high-impact motion content. With a focus on modern cinematography and innovative storytelling, CactusCan helps businesses stand out by delivering videos that boost brand awareness, engagement, and conversions. From corporate videos to social media campaigns, their award-winning team combines creativity with a results-driven approach, making video production simple and effective for busy professionals. Grounded in authenticity and fresh ideas, CactusCan is dedicated to turning business goals into powerful visual stories.”

CactusCan has been with me for my whole professional career and it’s constantly evolving. I started as a videographer, then animator, then innovator and these days I find myself more in the role of Director overseeing client outcomes, our talented team and company creative direction.

Early days of CactusCan Media

The CactusCan Media team as of August 2023

SKIING & ‘PRICKLY’

In 2022, we launched Prickly, an offshoot production company that showcases adventure, action, sports, and outdoors content. Prickly quickly gained traction with several brands, including Trinsic Optics and Swedish brand “Stolt,” who produced a ski boot product. You can see some of the awesome videos we are starting to create on our Instagram. As a little bit of a leak — we are now branching out and launching a clothing line later on down the track in 2023 to support our brand ethos of living for adventure and making the most of every moment. Something that by now you probably realise I harp on a lot about.

This leads me on to my experience and love for skiing and snow sports. I first skied in 2018, and from the moment I began I was addicted. Skiing is my escape — a chance to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and lose myself in the pure joy of the sport. There’s something truly magical about gliding down the mountain, carving my way through the snow with every turn.

The feeling of being in a flow state is addictive; when I’m skiing, I’m fully present in the moment, focused only on the slope ahead of me. There’s a sense of remoteness, a peacefulness that comes with being surrounded by nothing but nature and the sound of my own breath. But it’s not just the peacefulness that I love — it’s the challenge.

Skiing is a sport that requires constant growth, and there’s always a new skill to learn, a new level to achieve. The feeling of progression, of mastering a new technique or skill, is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. It’s this combination of flow, remoteness, and challenge that keeps me coming back to the mountain year after year, eager to see what new adventures await me on the slopes.

I decided to up my sking game in 2020, where I moved to Whistler for the winter to undertake the CSIA Instructor training program. I got my badges for level 1 & 2, and had the best time doing so. I loved my time there so much that 3 years later, I went back to live in Vancouver for 2 months to ski, explore and reunite with an old friend from my trip in 2020.

Matthew Jigalin Sydney Video Skiier Prickly Snow

On mountain with Prickly x Trinsic collaboration

CSIA Level 2 Instructor Award Ceremony

NOTABLE PROJECTS

Orbital Vanitas

Matthew Jigalin - Animator

In 2016, I met Leo Faber, then a producer at Redbull Australia, who introduced me to acclaimed Australian artist Shaun Gladwell. Leo trusted me to produce a work for the Sundance Film Festival, which we completed in under six weeks and went on to win awards at the festival. The project, known as “Orbital Vanitas,” is still available on the New York Times Op-Docs app.

The project was also featured in other global film festivals such as Festival de Cannes, Cleveland International, Melbourne International, and Sydney Film Festival. The work received outstanding media publications, such as write-ups in The New York Times and The Guardian, and was featured on Chris Milk’s Within platform. Following the success of “Orbital Vanitas,” Shaun and I continued to work together on another virtual reality work titled “Electronic Monuments” in 2019. I love what I do and I’m passionate about it.

Electronic Monuments

Matthew Jigalin - VR Designer & Engine Artist

In 2019, I collaborated with Shaun Gladwell on a project called “Electronic Monuments.” We were commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Arts Australia to create a virtual reality work, and my role was as VR Designer/Engine Artist. I was responsible for the physical aspects of the installation and design process, as well as animation and design.

Our goal was to integrate “Electronic Monuments” into a physical space within the exhibition, immersing viewers in a virtual version of the gallery that appears to be alive, expanding and contracting. Viewers could interact with the environment by moving around and encountering artworks by Gladwell, as well as fragments of sound and image from various sources. The experience was limited to one viewer at a time, for a maximum of seven minutes. The commission was supported by Simon Mordant.

MCA Minecraft

Matthew Jigalin - 3D Designer & Project Lead

In 2021, I collaborated with the Museum of Contemporary Arts to create a virtual replica of the museum within a Minecraft world. Our objective was to engage children with the museum by leveraging current trends. We utilized 3-D scanning, technology, 3-D design, and server-side management to develop an immersive and interactive world. Visitors could join the same world and explore the museum in a digital platform and interact with one another.

PASSING ELECTRICAL STORMS

Matthew Jigalin - Lead Designer and Programmer of VR Experience

In 2023, Shaun and I unveiled our most recent work in collaboration with Deakin Motion Lab and the National Gallery, Victoria. Titled “Passing Electrical Storms,” the project explored a simulated death experience inside a virtual reality. We used a heart rate monitor finger clip and a haptic feedback bed to create the experience. I was the main animator for the work, making all the visuals you see in the experience work and look spectacular. This was done alongside a stellar Deakin Motion Lab team, and a killer producer Leo Faber once again. The work quickly gained attention and was featured in various publications, including TikTok, the Evening Standard, and the New York Post, for its provocative title as a “death simulator.” My google alerts are still popping off to this day about PES.

PES Later went on to win a Good Design Award in 2023.

Passing Electrical Storms - Matthew Jigalin Lead Designer and Programmer

EXPERIMENTAL TECH WITH PSYKINETIC

Matthew Jigalin - Immersive Technology Engineer

In 2020, I began working with Psykinetic, a company specializing in the development of inclusive technology solutions. The company’s work spans a range of fields, including biomedical technology, artificial intelligence, virtual, mixed and augmented reality, robotics, and alternative human-computer input systems such as eye control and thought control. Their goal is to develop technology that can help individuals and groups of all ages overcome barriers to communication and participation.

As an Immersive Technology Developer at Psykinetic, I was involved in the design and development of virtual, mixed, and augmented reality applications. I worked closely with other members of the development team to create immersive experiences that could be used in a variety of settings, including healthcare, education, and entertainment. My contributions to the development of these applications helped to create technology that could be used to help people overcome physical, cognitive, and social barriers, and to provide new ways of experiencing the world.

‘DRIP’ Music video - MTV

Matthew Jigalin - Director of Photography

In 2021, Matthew collaborated with Australian music artist ‘Friendless’ & Jannah Beth on a music video for the song ‘DRIP’.

The music video went on to win awards with MTV Upload top music video charts in 2021.

DOP/Editor : Matthew Jigalin (CactusCan Media) Styling : GTAB Hair & Makeup : Lilianne Maroud Stills Photography : Kristina Jaman BTS Videography : Eric Sumleethong

TECH STARTUP - BARTINI

Matthew Jigalin - Co-Founder

From 2019-2022 alongside driving the creative Direction at CactusCan - Matthew co-founded tech startup ‘Bartini’ alongside Julian Cesaro & Insub Lim.

‘Bartini’ is an AI-Powered cocktail making assistant which users insert what ingredients they have at home, insert their taste preferences / profile to then have Bartini suggest what cocktails they can make with what they already have.

The startup was later sidelined due to the three moving in different directions. Lim now lives in Germany as a technology consultant, Cesaro now works as a software engineer at Australian tech powerhouse ‘Canva’ & Matthew as of 2024 is still Creative Director at CactusCan.

The project was later opensourced on Github for public usage and knowledge sharing.

CONCLUSION

So that’s a bit about me. I hope my story inspires you to pursue what you love and harness your full potential. Life is too short to settle for anything less than what truly makes you happy. Whether it’s skiing down a mountain, starting your own business, or pursuing a creative project, don’t be afraid to take risks and follow your dreams.

With hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So, take that leap of faith, embrace your passions, and make every day count. You have the power to create the life you want, so go out there and make it happen.

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