Full Sail Stories

Tom Boldman is the Department Chair in the Computer Animation degree program at Full Sail University, and he's also a graduate of Full Sail’s Computer Animation bachelor’s and Instructional Design & Technology master’s programs. As a digital artist experienced in photography, video production, and visual effects, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge to students and, as a former Full Sail student himself, he understands what it takes to succeed here.

Let’s hear more about his role and experience.

You're currently the Department Chair in the Computer Animation degree program. Tell us what that means and what your typical day-to-day work involves.

My typical day-to-day work involves the standard array of grading, emails, and meetings. But it also means spending time with our campus and online students as well as co-workers. Many of our conversations include the latest technologies, movies, shows, and video games. Outside of that, [it’s] research and developing curriculum to meet the continuing evolutions in education and the entertainment industry.

How does your career experience inform what you teach at Full Sail?

“We’ll fix it post” is an adage you’ll hear tossed around in the entertainment industry – well, we’re post. I am blessed to have a career that spans just about every part of live and post-production. That experience and stories informs regular decisions and workflows for projects.

What’s one of your favorite projects you’ve worked on in your career?

Recently, my documentary work has taken me to interesting places. In 2022, we filmed around Greece, including a short in the ruins of Ancient Sparta, part of modern-day Sparti. Last fall, I was part of a small team filming on a sailboat, which was a blast.

Tell us what it’s like being a graduate of Full Sail and now being part of the faculty.

My last week of my bachelor's degree, I remember walking around here and thinking about how odd it would be to not be on campus after being here so long. I still think about that day, and how fortunate it is to be a part of the life of this wonderful campus. I have a [campus bachelor's] and [online master's] from Full Sail, which helps me understand both the campus and online student journeys and what it takes to be successful. Sometimes it means long nights in front of a screen, and sometimes it means turning off your computer and heading to your favorite coffee house with friends to relax and make lifelong memories.

What’s been one of the most memorable moments you’ve had in your classroom?

The “light bulb moment” when a problem becomes a possibility. Outside of the classroom, I have several incredible memories from behind-the-scenes tours, Hall of Fame, and graduations.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Working with the students; they really are remarkable, and I’m grateful to be a part of their journey. I have been able to experience both ends of the degree program and seeing them near day one and onto the finish line is remarkable. One day, they are struggling with the z-axis, and less than two years later, they’re wrapping up shots with aesthetic and technical proficiency.

Over the years, I have watched our students transform what is possible for portfolio courses. It is as if each graduating class hands the baton off to the next. Each class raises the bar of creativity and excellence. Working with them makes me a better artist.

What do you hope students walk away with from your classes?

My hope is that students walk away from [their] classes with a renewed love for the craft and a desire to keep experimenting with what is possible in computer animation. They are the future of this industry, and I look forward to seeing their incredible contributions to it.

What advice would you share for students interested in a career in computer animation?

Like many industries, computer animation is at the precipice of a new era of entertainment and technology. The future is bright, but not without uncertainties. For those who are interested, I recommend researching other industries that computer animation is involved in besides film and TV. Second, start drawing live people, pets, and objects to train your eye on silhouette, movement, and composition. Third, be ready to learn a lot of tools and make cool stuff.