Check Out Thomas Wingerd’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Wingerd.

Hi Thomas, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I grew up in Boulder Colorado and from a young age loved music, dance, film, and people. I danced for most of my childhood, and it was a passion that has carried me through till now. Film I found later in college, but after learning screenwriting I immediately knew that I wanted to make movies.

Right out of college, I hired part of my senior class and forayed into my first feature film “Sublease,” a horror reality TV satire. I was working as a teacher (dance) as well as crew for a hot air balloon pilot. Since 2011, I’ve made one feature film about every three years. Throughout that time I expanded my dance education beyond squares and swing to include hip-hop, contemporary, and partner cabaret, and eventually became a professional ballroom instructor. In film, I focused on being a writer/director and found limited success. It was a slow learning process to learn the true business of film, and while I was great at finding the money and getting things made, the translation into distribution and profits was unknown.

However, my dance career, and eventually teaching middle school/high school in the arts kept me comfortable. I dedicated all of my additional time to film. I shot music videos, I produced segments, edited documentaries, and worked in NY for a horror distribution company. Anything to learn the skills to master the profession I desperately wanted. And I’m getting closer. I still work a 9-5 for a Colorado University. My films still haven’t made me back what I put into them. But I’m learning. My newest film “Modern Arcana,” is a reincarnation love story I slowly made over 5 years at a 5-acre art installation I created in Southern Colorado.

We held the premiere at Meow Wolf Denver on August 3rd (the first film to premiere there) and we’ve been accepted by two platforms so far (one major). My journey and motives continue to be in learning about my passions, helping others achieve their dreams in any way they can, and just trying to be a decent human.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road mostly in mentality if not success. Being an independent artist is kind of one of those digs in your heels kind of professions. As a filmmaker, I remember my first festival acceptance. Then my first rejection. Probably am on my 30-50th rejection by now. But I always kept believing that artists become successful through stubbornness, practice, and a lot of rejection. Honestly, I’m not that great a promoter.

I love people, but I would rather the topic usually focus on their dreams. Because of this, I’ve been blessed to hear and help a lot of people with their artistic goals. It’s been tough for me to believe that my art is worth it, but I know that as my voice it’s the best I can give. Art for me has never been about talking myself out of doing something. It’s been harder for me to let my insecurities go after the arts are completed.

When it’s real, and it’s mine, I used to freeze a lot. I couldn’t bring myself to promote the film or piece, or even invite people to my shows because I was scared that either I wouldn’t add value, or I convinced myself that I had made the piece just for myself and everyone else wouldn’t like it.

I’ve become better over the years, and I can proudly say that I love my new film. But in the battle of obstacles and challenges, my struggle has been mostly in believing that other people are more worthy and devaluing my art as less than others. But luckily that stubbornness that I started this career with has never let me quit. It’s me, and I love it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m mostly a writer/director, but I like the title producer more. I’m also a professional choreographer educated in squares, waltz, clogging, hip-hop, contemporary, and mixed ballroom styles. I still crew for hot air balloons and was the crew chief for a big rainbow hot air balloon for 5 years.

My favorite specialties in film are directing and producing. I love to see art created from idea to product, and I enjoy working with people to actualize their creative dreams.

In dancing my heart loves wedding dance chores or a good-paced intermediate hip-hop choreography. I’ve had experience flying hot air balloons, but I love running after them as a crew and jumping on and riding them in for a landing.

Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Some mentors you find, and some networks you luck into. In terms of mentors, I had two screenwriting professors in college who I found through classes. The world-traveling balloon pilot who taught me how to fly was off craigslist and then became my long-term mentor.

Two of my bosses became mentors, and a shy knock on a NYC warehouse door lucked me into one of the best communities and networking companies I’ve ever found in film. Stay open, know what you want and how to communicate that, and trust that the people you like hanging out with are probably the right ones to stick with in the future.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-wingerd-8b379554/

Image Credits
Photographs by Jesse Rarick