Today we’d like to introduce you to Biz Hyzy
Biz, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been working for a book-review magazine for 10 years this September, but I moved from Chicago to Savannah in 2023 to attend SCAD for a career change, pursuing my MFA in Themed Entertainment Design. (For anyone wondering, Themed Entertainment is a discipline dedicated to crafting in-person, experiential narratives, encompassing theme parks, museums, escape rooms, and more.) With this degree, I’m hoping to transfer my passion for stories from the page to physical, interactive experiences, specifically as a show writer or concept designer.
I live with my partner, who is studying game design after a career in social services, and our adorable tuxedo cat, who we met at Pounce Cat Café. In our free time, we enjoy eating southern fare, walking along Broughton Street, and playing games. I also love hanging with the friends I’ve made here (often at Starland Yard).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think the greatest privilege a person can have in this world is a supportive network, and I’m so incredibly lucky to be surrounded by loving family and friends. That being said, uprooting my life to move here was definitely scary! I was content with my life back home, even if I wasn’t exactly creatively fulfilled. Here, chasing a dream, I had to build an almost entirely new network (though thankfully my wonderful boyfriend moved here with me!), balance a full-time job with being a full-time student, and trust that I am capable of seeing this big change through. Also, I’m a decade older than most of my peers here at SCAD, so it’s definitely been an adjustment realizing I do, in fact, have wrinkles (and don’t know trendy lingo)!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What DO I specialize in?? That’s a question I ask myself everyday. I would say I specialize in stories. The reason I’m drawn to Themed Entertainment is because of its interdisciplinary nature: I love the stories found in books, theater, games, and art, and this is the one field that really ties all those together. As a book reviewer, I’m probably known for reviewing fantasy, science fiction, the occasional mystery, and Disney-centric nonfiction.
Recently, as a designer, I’ve been most proud of my digital illustrations (always trying to improve!) and a satirical text-based game I created called Matchmaking in the Royal Court. In it, you play a busybody mother desperate to marry off her two daughters. You can play it here: https://showbizzin.itch.io/matchmaking-in-the-royal-court
Through SCAD, I’ve done work for Paramount+, the Vidalia Onion Museum, and CreateSpace (which will be Savannah’s first indoor-only children’s museum). I’ve also just started writing an online comic, which a Sequential Arts friend plans on illustrating, so stay tuned!
My greatest accomplishment, however, is earning my second-degree black belt in a self-defense martial arts called aiki ninjutsu. In general, I hope people think of me as someone who balances a hard work ethic with a positive attitude.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m super lucky! Even when something seems to go wrong in my life, it tends to be followed by something positive that makes me say, “Well, it was all worth it!” I try to be grateful for what I have and open to opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BizHyzy.com
- Instagram: @showbizzin
- LinkedIn: @biz-hyzy
