René Pinnell

Austin, Texas

Designer

I am a graduate student at the University of Texas studying emergent systems and their possible application for design. I am also a filmmaker. Since 2004 I've directed and produced films as part of the sketch comedy troupe Backpack Picnic. We used to be called The Edmond Bulldogs but had to pull a name switcheroo after we produced a TV Pilot for MTV and were contractually obliged to give them 10% of all future jokes. As Backpack Picnic we made about 35 short form episodes for On Networks and played the comedy festival circuit. The high point was definitely performing with Bob Odenkirk and Bill Hader at the Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival. My girlfriend Claire Huie and I directed