Betsy de Hunt was working in San Francisco, California on a spring afternoon in 2019. Betsy loved her work. She was developing new video games and leading the artists who designed these experiences.

She felt like she was tapping into her creative energy

and having fun.

Then Betsy saw a listing for a new creative opportunity

opening up.

She had to decide.

Was she going to keep going in the direction she was already on?

Or would she leap into the metaverse and the great unknown?

I'm Surah Sioux and this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a fairy tale

podcast about the real-life rebel women who inspire us. In this mini series we're diving into

stories of women who are shaping the ever-changing landscape of technology. On

this episode Betsy DeHaont, a senior art department manager who is shaping the future of virtual design. From as far back as she can remember, Betsy was fascinated by all kinds of art. She loved drawing, dancing, and putting up little shows in her home.

Her mom was a dancer and choreographer at a community theater in Betsy's

hometown of Danville, California.

There was always some reason to paint sets, point lights, or pure wet across the stage.

After she graduated high school, Betsy went to the University of California at

San Diego where she studied communication. She was most excited about

documentary filmmaking,

which is telling true stories on film,

using interviews, photographs, and lots of research.

Betsy wanted to make films that really immersed viewers and brought stories to life.

But she had no idea how to start.

...