Each week we chat about the tools of the trade with one outstanding creative to find out exactly how they do what they do. The questions are always the same, the answers, not so much. This week: Tom Talmon StudioThe Creators Project: Who are you and what do you do?
Terry Huud: We are Tom Talmon Studio. It’s pretty much just Tom Talmon and myself (Terry Huud). We specialize in special effects and specialty props for customers like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Willow Smith, Jennifer Lopez, etc. You may have seen Lady Gaga’s sparking brazier at one time or another—that’s us! We also just wrapped on Broadway’s new musical/opera Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark where we created some really cool custom laser effects and costume pieces for some of the villains—it’s something rarely seen.Tom and I developed that special laser lighting technology for Michael Jackson but sadly Michael passed away and our ‘never before seen’ project had to take a back burner. In a way Lady Gaga’s tour inherited those effects, even though they are shown on a smaller scale than what we designed for Michael. However, for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark these effects are going to be really featured.Usually our clients come to us when they’ve gone everywhere else and can’t quite find an answer to their problems. Our job is quite challenging that way, but fun too. The HARDEST part of our job is to tell some of our clients that it CAN’T be done, due to physics or whatever. We hate doing that so we do everything in our power to MAKE it happen.What kind of hardware to you use?
We do mostly PRACTICAL effects so we have many shop-related tools: lathes, fine high-end Dremel-type tools, etc. We have an excellent painting department too!What kind of software do you use?
I use mostly Pro Tools for presentations and some programming tools like Gilderfluke software for more complex programming type projects.What piece of equipment can you simply not live without?
Photoshop! (and more recently—my iPad!)If money were no object, how would you change your current set up?
We would get a larger facility, probably, as work continues to grow. We now operate out of two facilities near Hollywood but one nice large studio would be ideal.Is there any piece of technology that inspired you to take the path you did?
Tom and I are big fans of all lighting-related newer technology and products. We like to consider ourselves right up on the bleeding edge of technology where LED and specialty laser lighting are concerned.What is your favorite piece of technology from your childhood?
For Tom Talmon its the LED. For myself, I’d have to say the laser. (Oddly enough, the two ARE related today.)What fantasy piece of technology would you like to see invented?
A time machine. That way, we would ALWAYS make our deadlines. Perhaps even deliver early! Seriously though, I would like to see advancements in the PART manufacturing world. I know we have 3D printing machines now, but I’d like to see that technology become more accessible and affordable to people. Prices are coming down, but we still have a ways to go. I’d also like to see more advancements in the world of LASER technology, but were working on a few of those of our own. :)
Terry Huud: We are Tom Talmon Studio. It’s pretty much just Tom Talmon and myself (Terry Huud). We specialize in special effects and specialty props for customers like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Willow Smith, Jennifer Lopez, etc. You may have seen Lady Gaga’s sparking brazier at one time or another—that’s us! We also just wrapped on Broadway’s new musical/opera Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark where we created some really cool custom laser effects and costume pieces for some of the villains—it’s something rarely seen.
Advertisement
We do mostly PRACTICAL effects so we have many shop-related tools: lathes, fine high-end Dremel-type tools, etc. We have an excellent painting department too!What kind of software do you use?
I use mostly Pro Tools for presentations and some programming tools like Gilderfluke software for more complex programming type projects.What piece of equipment can you simply not live without?
Photoshop! (and more recently—my iPad!)If money were no object, how would you change your current set up?
We would get a larger facility, probably, as work continues to grow. We now operate out of two facilities near Hollywood but one nice large studio would be ideal.Is there any piece of technology that inspired you to take the path you did?
Tom and I are big fans of all lighting-related newer technology and products. We like to consider ourselves right up on the bleeding edge of technology where LED and specialty laser lighting are concerned.What is your favorite piece of technology from your childhood?
For Tom Talmon its the LED. For myself, I’d have to say the laser. (Oddly enough, the two ARE related today.)What fantasy piece of technology would you like to see invented?
A time machine. That way, we would ALWAYS make our deadlines. Perhaps even deliver early! Seriously though, I would like to see advancements in the PART manufacturing world. I know we have 3D printing machines now, but I’d like to see that technology become more accessible and affordable to people. Prices are coming down, but we still have a ways to go. I’d also like to see more advancements in the world of LASER technology, but were working on a few of those of our own. :)