Lance Thornton

Current

• Character Technical Director at DreamWorks Animation

Past

• Creature Technical Director at Weta Digital
• Technical Director, Animator at Pixar Animation Studios
• Instructor at Academy of Art University

• CG Trainer at ILM
• Animation Gallery tour operator at Walt Disney World

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2 more...

Education

• Texas A&M University
• University of Central Florida
• University of Southern Mississippi

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Recommended

4 people have recommended Lance

Connections

116 connections

Industry

Animation

Websites

• My Thesis

Lance Thornton’s Summary

I am an experienced technical director and artist in the film industry with roles in a variety of departments at some of the top studios in the industry. My experience includes roles in character rigging, animation, crowds, cloth/hair simulation, pipeline design, programming, and training. Additionally, I produce an annual theatrical vaudeville show providing logistics, performer recruiting, scheduling, and event leadership.

Lance Thornton’s Experience

• Character Technical Director

  DreamWorks Animation

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; DWA; Animation industry)

  March 2008 — Present (1 year 5 months)

• Creature Technical Director

  Weta Digital

  (Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

  November 2006 — December 2007 (1 year 2 months)

  Creature work for Avatar and other films.

• Technical Director, Animator

  Pixar Animation Studios

  (Public Company; 501-1000 employees; DIS; Animation industry)

  January 2001 — October 2006 (5 years 10 months)

  Six feature film credits in a variety of technical and artistic roles for work on films such as The Incredibles, Cars, and Ratatouille.

• Instructor

  Academy of Art University

  (Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry)

  January 2006 — May 2006 (5 months)

  Responsible for classroom lecture, creating assignments and final grades.

• CG Trainer

  ILM

  (Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

  May 1998 — September 1998 (5 months)

  Assisted training of animators to use 3d computer animation software.

• Animation Gallery tour operator

  Walt Disney World

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; DIS; Entertainment industry)

  May 1997 — December 1997 (8 months)

Lance Thornton’s Education

• Texas A&M University

  MS , Visualization , 1999 — 2001

• University of Central Florida

  BA , Animation , 1997 — 1999

• University of Southern Mississippi

  BS , Computer Science , 1993 — 1997

Additional Information

Lance Thornton’s Websites:

• My Thesis

Lance Thornton’s Groups:

Mensa
VES (Visual Effects Society)
ASIFA (International Animated Film Society)

•    Mensa - Official 'Linked M's' SIG (USA)
•    The Visual Effects Society
•    exPixar

Lance Thornton’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• expertise requests
• reference requests
• getting back in touch