Meet Thomas Wingerd | Film Producer & Dance Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Wingerd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose to pursue an artistic career in college when I fell in love with screenwriting junior year. I had always been a professional dance, and spent my teens touring the US for square dancing (my parents met in a square dance group at CU Boulder). In college I began performing modern and ballroom dance with a local company, and started training Lindy hop swing and hip hop. Junior year I took a screenwriting class. The next semester I took it again and wrote my first feature film horror screenplay. When I graduated May 2011, I hired half of my senior class and spent three months making a Boulder based horror film “Sublease.” I’ve always been happier with a variable schedule in industries where I could entertain and work with playful people. Both Dance and Film gave me communities that were invested in the creation of art as well as the community and inclusion of all people. Through that community I got involved in non profits and participating in fundraising events as a performer or technical broadcast producer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Focusing on a freelance artistic career was not always easy, but always incredible rewarding. For me I realized that there were so many people who needed help in film and how big of a change it could make for individuals as well as non profits. I spent many years giving away free work while slowly ticking towards my dreams. I felt so lucky that I was still able to make my own living off of MMA and Dance work that I lived a very financially small life for a long time. When I started working on my new feature film “Modern Arcana,” I switched modes and started really working on promoting my own joy. My community was so supportive and has been helping me in everything. I think that’s the biggest thing in my artistic career I’ve tried to get right. I always wanted to pay people for art in the way that no only do they enjoy their job, but they feel treated by the pay as well. I connect friends and families to help each of them accomplish their dream, and I’ve always tried to foster a safe and heartfelt set. The art will be good if the people are happy and I will always consider their needs in everything.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So I grew up as a Boulder kid and have done this a couple times. I always take them to Nederland, CO. We go and get coffee at the train car, ride the carousel of happiness, and check out the Tony Hawk skate park. In Boulder I take them walking on the pearl street mall and go to Into the Wind and Liberty Puzzles. If it’s for a week, then Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks, and I have a place down by the sand dunes in Ft Garland I like to visit. Colorado is gorgeous, and hikes and beer tours are plenty.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a couple businesses and groups I think need to be recognized in my shoutout. On my second feature film I met my lifelong friend, dedicated Director of Photography, and business partner. He got me involved with Sparta Media Group and Sparta Sports and Entertainment and gave me an opportunity to become a technical broadcast producer, production manager, and work with major providers on cable streaming MMA shows. Blue Moon Dance Company and Calico and Boots were my various dance homes while performing, and Streetside Studios has been my hip hop home (along with our own 2000sqft film studio in the back).

Website: www.modernarcana.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.wingerd/

Other: https://tickets.meowwolf.com/events/denver/modern-arcana/

Image Credits
Photography by Jesse Rarick and Nick Kaufmann