RUSTY HAYES / SELECTED WORK
Published writing · broadcast · multimedia

Writing, Media & Storytelling

From published criticism and journalism to radio, live audiovisual performance, and collaborative web video, I have worked across formats to inform, entertain, and tell stories. Two pieces are available to read below with text from my personal archives and new layout and design.

Media & Editorial Work

My contributions span reporting, on-air presenting, performance, visual design, music, animation, and behind-the-scenes production.

2014–2015 / GAME CRITICISM

Super Villain Network

Game reviews and features covering independent games, with attention to the intersection between mechanics, art direction, sound, and storytelling.

REPORTING / PUBLICATION DESIGN

Alaska Journalism

Selected work for True North (the Spring 2010 feature “Smart Startups” on page 24, plus magazine layout contributions), Alaska Commons (an illustrated zombie-makeup tutorial), and Alaska Dispatch (editorial graphics used in a published story).

2009–2011 / LIVE RADIO · AUDIODOME EVENTS

KRUA — Awake in the Morning

Hosted KRUA’s live morning talk-and-music program “Awake in the Morning,” featuring interviews, scripted segments, music requests, and audience participation. Also supported the first run of KRUA’s AudioDome planetarium shows through event planning, on-air promotions, and flyer design, and performed in one audiovisual show.

WEB SHOW / MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION

Beauty and the Wildebeest

Co-hosted the show and contributed music, animation, and graphics, working on both its on-screen presentation and the creative elements behind it.

Original pixel-art portraits of the Beauty and the Wildebeest ensemble

Selected articles

Super Villain Network · 2015Hotline Miami 2:
The Conclusion We Deserve
Game review · criticism

An ambitious sequel, and the violence beneath its surface

A long-form look at how Hotline Miami 2 deepens the first game's story and soundtrack while letting larger, more punishing levels disrupt its hypnotic rhythm. A recovered review that balances close gameplay analysis with questions about violence and player complicity.

Read the review ↗
Alaska Commons · Oct 2014Get Your Zombie On:
Simple Steps to Perfect Zombie Makeup
How-to journalism · photography

Practical effects, explained step by step

A Halloween how-to feature on creating convincing wounds using liquid latex, tissue, face paint, and homemade stage blood. The full article is presented with its original step-by-step photography and the two restored transformation galleries.

Read the article ↗