CV

Tommy Schatz-Thompson tommyschatzthompson.com • tommy23t@gmail.com • 253-820-6957

Lead Rigger (Wendell and Wild) 2021 - Present

Manage department builds, including scheduling, budget, design, fabrication, and departmental collaboration
Design and build rigs using a range of tools, machinery, and software for manual and motion-control applications
Work with the rigging APM to manage the rigging department’s budget and shop’s inventory

Planning and Strategy Manager 2020 - 2021

Created the Planning and Strategy department and were responsible for all scheduling and resourcing
Developed a scheduling system from the ground up utilizing Microsoft Projects and Teams
Collaborated closely with department heads and figure leads to maintain the projects’ timelines and needs
Clients included Universal Studios, Disney Imagineering, Weta Workshop, and Pixar

Technical Design Manager 2019 - 2021

Collaborated directly with the Vice President of Operations to create the Technical Design Manager position
Managed animatronic and puppet builds from the cradle to the grave, including design, assembly, and installation
Created conceptual designs and build plans for each figure while maintaining build documents
Created bids for potential projects outlining designs, timelines, resource needs, and probable difficulties
Oversaw $20 million in technical assets from initial design to on-site installation

Assembly Technician 2018 - 2019

Assembled highly complex mechanical robotic structures and puppets to the client’s technical specifications
Integrated each mechanism with the animatronics’ cosmetic “figure finish” (skins, foam, furs, costumes)
Managed installation of figures at various sites, including Harry Potter World at Universal Studios and Disney Land

Animatronic Head Mech Designer/Fabricator (Moon and Me) 2018

Designed and fabricated animatronic puppet head mechs utilizing machining, laser cutting, and 3D printing
Maintained the look of the show and character traits while maximizing the range, action, and ability of the character
Molded and cast master sculpts, cast fiberglass headshells, integrated animatronic head mechs

Rigger (Missing Link) 2017 - 2018

Built rigging apparatus and mechanisms providing movement, stability, and ease for puppets and props
Quickly fabricated shot and character-specific components
Designed rigging kit components creating CAD models and drawings using Autodesk Inventor
Prototype parts using 3D printing, manual machining, laser cutting, welding, silicone casting, and water jet operation

Jr. Metal Fabricator (Missing Link) 2017

Mig/tig welded steel deck animation tables, foliage armatures for landscapes, and studio facilities projects
Designed and fabricated builds using CAD modeling, welding, machining, and metal finishing techniques
Assist stages with large scale mechanical builds and rigging

Machinist (Kubo and The Two Strings, Missing Link) 2014 - 2017

Machined armature, rigging, and motion-control parts and kit items operating a Haas VF-1 CNC Mill
Manually machined production runs of parts using mills, lathes, tapping machines, and tumblers
Designed, prototyped, and tested new rigging and motion control components

Animator / Generalist 2012 - 2014

Animated on television specials, commercials, and digital shorts
Fabricated sets, models, props, puppets, armatures, and animation tables
Provided rigging, animatable features, assistance to animators, set-dressing, and look-development

Director / Production Designer / Animator (Mistraldespair) 2011

Hired directly by Kate Bush to create a music video for her song “Misty” from her album “50 Words For Snow”
Worked onsite at Abbey Row Studios and Kate Bush's studio

Awards: High Strung (2011) Stop-Motion Short, 13 min.

“Most Promising Filmmaker” SPIFF 2012, “Best Animation” NWCFF 2012, “Best Animation” BEFF 2011

Education: Bachelor of Arts, 2010 - Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA: Stop Motion Production/Media and Film Studies

Tommy Schatz-Thompson