people – The Storyteller's Desk

Tom Thudiyanplackal: A Vanguard of Cinematic Innovation and Storytelling

Executive Profile:

Tom Thudiyanplackal is a paragon of innovation at the intersection of storytelling and technological advancement. With an illustrious career marked by pioneering contributions to the film and entertainment industry, Tom’s trajectory from a solid foundation in physics through advanced film production training at the Prague Film School to leadership roles at the forefront of entertainment technology underscores his unique capability to fuse the artistry of storytelling with the precision of technological innovation.

Tom led the virtual production innovation for the will.i.am x J. Balvin music video “Let’s Go” directed by Andrew Donoho, produced by Huffman Creative, and virtual art by JAMM — shot at XR Studios in one day.

Tom’s mission is deeply rooted in the belief that storytelling has the transformative power to uplift, unite, and inspire societal change. With a guiding principle of “Empowering Voices that Deepen Empathy,” he champions narratives that emphasize human resilience, empathy, and positive change. Rejecting the mainstream glorification of violence and superficiality, Tom advocates for content that mirrors the best of humanity.

Looking ahead, Tom is committed to leading the way in revolutionizing narrative formats and engaging audiences through creative thinking exercises. With projects like “Europa” (2024) in the pipeline, he continues to explore new structures and themes to challenge the status quo, aiming to contribute to societal healing and progression.

A range of roles in several films across the years and many continents show Tom’s ability to learn quickly to adapt to the needs of a project and offer what’s most required to make it a success. From helping with development and contracts for close friend Rajesh Mapuskar’s Marathi-language feature “Ventilator” to taking on the role of head of marketing on “Lage Raho” and “Eklavya” or leading development on “3 Idiots,” Tom is agile and malleable, keeping the demands of the project first. On Cannes-winning “Fathead,” an innovation short produced by USC’s Entertainment Technology Center, Tom joined the team fresh after completing the Unreal Fellowship amid the pandemic and took on the role of virtual production producer working alongside three-time Oscar-nominated VFX supervisor Scott Squires, who was leading the effort as VP supervisor.

At XR Studios for the production of the will.i.am x J. Balvin music video “Let’s Go” with Unreal Artists and VP colleagues Nino Mancuso and Nhan Le.

On a VP panel at NAB 2023 with top industry professionals and colleagues.

At the screening of Fathead with colleagues Eric Rigney, Brandyn Johnson, and (Fathead lead actor) Kapri Ladd and her family.

Europa – an innovative virtual production produced by ETC@USC. (Tom is an exec. producer responsible for assembling the technologies and mentoring the teams))

At LA Comic Con with director Snehal Patel, producer Aman Segal, and VAD supervisor Joshua L. on a panel about the role of AI in filmmaking.

Professional Highlights:

Virtual Production Pioneer: Spearheaded virtual production techniques with “Fathead” (2023), setting new industry standards.
Strategic Leadership: As the Executive Producer at the Entertainment Technology Center @ USC, Tom led strategic initiatives, uniting groundbreaking technologies with industry stalwarts to redefine entertainment content creation and distribution.
Global Influence: He played a pivotal role in the success of international blockbusters such as “3 Idiots” (2009) and “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” (2006), showcasing hisÂ adeptness in global film production and marketing.
Educational Contributions: Tom has significantly influenced the next generation of filmmakers through executive roles and educational endeavors, combining his real-world production insights with academic rigor.

Tom’s mission is deeply rooted in the belief that storytelling has the transformative power to uplift, unite, and inspire societal change. With a guiding principle of “Empowering Voices that Deepen Empathy,” he champions narratives emphasizing human resilience, empathy, and positive change. Rejecting the mainstream glorification of violence and superficiality, Tom advocates for content that mirrors the best of humanity.

Tom Thudiyanplackal invites collaboration with creators, financiers, and studios who share his passion for impactful storytelling and technological innovation. Together, there’s an opportunity to shape the future of entertainment — a future where stories not only entertain but also enrich our lives and foster a deeply connected, empathetic society.