Project Management - Design - Fabrication
CV
Tommy Schatz-Thompson tommyschatzthompson.com • tommy23t@gmail.com • 253-820-6957
Lead Rigger (Wendell and Wild) 2021 - Present
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Manage department builds, including scheduling, budget, design, fabrication, and departmental collaboration
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Design and build rigs using a range of tools, machinery, and software for manual and motion-control applications
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Work with the rigging APM to manage the rigging department’s budget and shop’s inventory
Planning and Strategy Manager 2020 - 2021
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Created the Planning and Strategy department and were responsible for all scheduling and resourcing
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Developed a scheduling system from the ground up utilizing Microsoft Projects and Teams
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Collaborated closely with department heads and figure leads to maintain the projects’ timelines and needs
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Clients included Universal Studios, Disney Imagineering, Weta Workshop, and Pixar
Technical Design Manager 2019 - 2021
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Collaborated directly with the Vice President of Operations to create the Technical Design Manager position
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Managed animatronic and puppet builds from the cradle to the grave, including design, assembly, and installation
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Created conceptual designs and build plans for each figure while maintaining build documents
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Created bids for potential projects outlining designs, timelines, resource needs, and probable difficulties
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Oversaw $20 million in technical assets from initial design to on-site installation
Assembly Technician 2018 - 2019
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Assembled highly complex mechanical robotic structures and puppets to the client’s technical specifications
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Integrated each mechanism with the animatronics’ cosmetic “figure finish” (skins, foam, furs, costumes)
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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
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Designed and fabricated animatronic puppet head mechs utilizing machining, laser cutting, and 3D printing
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Maintained the look of the show and character traits while maximizing the range, action, and ability of the character
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Molded and cast master sculpts, cast fiberglass headshells, integrated animatronic head mechs
Rigger (Missing Link) 2017 - 2018
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Built rigging apparatus and mechanisms providing movement, stability, and ease for puppets and props
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Quickly fabricated shot and character-specific components
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Designed rigging kit components creating CAD models and drawings using Autodesk Inventor
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Prototype parts using 3D printing, manual machining, laser cutting, welding, silicone casting, and water jet operation
Jr. Metal Fabricator (Missing Link) 2017
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Mig/tig welded steel deck animation tables, foliage armatures for landscapes, and studio facilities projects
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Designed and fabricated builds using CAD modeling, welding, machining, and metal finishing techniques
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Assist stages with large scale mechanical builds and rigging
Machinist (Kubo and The Two Strings, Missing Link) 2014 - 2017
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Machined armature, rigging, and motion-control parts and kit items operating a Haas VF-1 CNC Mill
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Manually machined production runs of parts using mills, lathes, tapping machines, and tumblers
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Designed, prototyped, and tested new rigging and motion control components
Animator / Generalist 2012 - 2014
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Animated on television specials, commercials, and digital shorts
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Fabricated sets, models, props, puppets, armatures, and animation tables
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Provided rigging, animatable features, assistance to animators, set-dressing, and look-development
Director / Production Designer / Animator (Mistraldespair) 2011
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Hired directly by Kate Bush to create a music video for her song “Misty” from her album “50 Words For Snow”
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Worked onsite at Abbey Row Studios and Kate Bush's studio
Awards: High Strung (2011) Stop-Motion Short, 13 min.
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“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