Hal Hefner is the founder of Catmonkey, a Los Angeles based creative agency and studio, functioning as its President and Chief Creative Officer.

Hal is an award-winning Strategist, Writer, and Creative Director who brings fan-driven stories to life. He’s worked with every major studio on movies, TV, gaming, and more—specializing in transmedia, horror, sci-fi, animation, and urban lore. From collaborating with Ridley Scott’s 3AM on The Martian to contributing to the Chucky Season 3 social campaign, content strategy for Loki (Disney+), and transmedia content for Amazon’s upcoming Blade Runner 2099, Hal blends strategy, storytelling, and innovation to create immersive experiences. This is why Hal is one of the Entertainment industry’s go to creatives and strategic thinkers when it comes to deep narratives, experimental storytelling and “for fans by fans,” content.

At Catmonkey Studio, he pushes the boundaries of fan engagement, redefining how audiences interact with stories. A dual-threat Creative Director, Hal seamlessly merges writing, design, and production, shaping narratives that don’t just entertain—they resonate. As a Pop Artist, his work has been showcased globally, including Glastonbury’s Shangri-La.

Currently, Hal is developing two major projects at Catmonkey Studio. One is a transmedia horror platform celebrating Nerd Horror—a genre where outcasts and intellect-driven heroes (or villains) take center stage. The other is The Gateway Project, a horror game blending urban lore, cosmic horror, and sci-fi, tied to a mind-bending film that blurs the line between reality and fiction.

Hal is a Professor of Transmedia Storytelling at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology), his alma mater.  As one of the integral classes in their Entertainment immersion program in Los Angeles, Hal’s goal is to help usher in a new generation of multimedia creators who will shape the future of storytelling.