Meet Micaa Thomas: Competitive Amateur Golfer and Visual Effects Artist

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

Hi Micaa, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
In the movie industry as a 3D Lighter and Compositor. either apply for a job and go straight into the workforce or pursue my dream of developing as a playing golf professional on the LPGA Tour. I always had this dream since I was 10 years old, so it made it extremely hard for me to choose one over the other. I actually went to SCAD to pursue both of my passions, Visual Effects, and Golf. As a 2020 graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), in Savannah, Georgia, I found my most difficult decision was deciding to either immediately enter the workforce as a skilled 3D Lighter and Compositor or follow my athletic dream to attain my certification card to compete on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. In hindsight, graduating from SCAD was a major accomplishment, because I was truly challenged to be creative, flexible, and to learn the benefit of collaborating with other talented artists of various skill sets and cultural backgrounds. At SCAD, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Effects (VFX), Animation, and Drawing. I attended SCAD so I could pursue both of my passions, VFX (Lighting and Compositing) and golf. In collegiate golf at SCAD, I won three golf tournaments and helped my team to place fourth in the national championship, SCAD’s first milestone, and to compete in four consecutive national championships. During my senior year, I worked as the Director, Producer, Lighter, and Compositor for two short films called “Bearly,” “Monkey Thief,” and my short film, “Our House is On Fire.” “Our House is On Fire,” is a computer graphic (CG) short narrative film and documentary that visually enhances Greta Thunberg’s speech from Ted Talk, “The Disarming Case to Act Right Now on Climate Change.” Greta’s mission is to educate the world on the damaging and harmful effects of climate change. The film consisted of 26 talented artists from SCAD’s VFX’s Department with creative skills in developing simulations, environmental scenes, textures, sound, and motion media design. Our mission is to start a cultural shift in changing the business practices of large corporations and enhance conservation laws to preserve “Our House,” planet Earth. In realizing how important VFX and golf are in my life, I first grappled with the decision of where to begin. Ultimately, I found a path to allow both to coexist. Currently, I am primarily training in golf and focusing on a successful path to the LPGA while engaging in creative projects, staying abreast of ever-changing trends, and consulting with a reputable mentor in the creative arts and CGs industry. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In describing my passion for art, my motivation stems from my imagination and creativity. I try to produce purposeful art, one with an important message or something that demands action. The complementary skills I possess as a competitive amateur golfer and professional visual effects artist, heightens my vision, focus, and concentration. Both activities require me to think and operate outside of the box which sets me apart from others. More importantly, my diverse talents have allowed me to view every situation from a new or different perspective. I am most excited about my current project of being an author of a children’s book that will be publishing soon. The book is about a young girl’s experience with peanut allergies. Commitment, flexibility in my work and ideas, and embracing collaboration to thrive in a team setting are the qualities that have allowed me to be successful. A large part of my success is I often surround myself with supportive and talented professionals who share my passion for working on a project. The road has never been easy, but a motto that keeps me going is, “if I have a million reasons to say no, but God says yes, I must see it through! I will always put my faith in the Lord.” Determination, support, and a focused strategy have truly helped me to overcome the challenges and setbacks in completing a project. Along my journey, I have learned how to be patient, find my own voice, and to stay relevant and in pace with emerging trends and technology. Finding a mentor in my industry continues to help me to grow, network, gain resources, and valuable feedback on new ideas. I want people to know that I love working in diverse cultures and producing projects that provoke thought and positive change. My story and belief are envisioning your goals, prepare your path, and seize the moment to follow your dreams to be successful, even if everyone else is taking a totally different route. Be creative and smart and surround yourself with positive people to achieve success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many great spots in Atlanta. Would have to take my best friend to Ponce City Market! Such a great place to shop and catch up. Also, you can’t forget about Skyline Park!! You can play mini-games like putt putt.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Credit for my golf success and visual effects involves a village of supporters in no specific order: • African-American Golf Digest • African-American Golfer’s Hall of Fame • Almy Bartis • Aron Galabuzi • Chan Reeves, Atlanta Athletic Club, Atlanta Georgia • Crofton Country Club, Crofton, Maryland • Dr. Arman Taghizadeh • Ed Artis, Enterprise Golf Course, Mitchellville, Maryland • Ken Farrell (Club Fitter), Westfields Golf Club, Clifton, Virginia • Jimmy Garvin’s Golf All-Stars, Langston Golf Course, Washington, DC • Joe Lussier, 1757 Golf Club, Dulles, Virginia • Langston’s Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club, Washington, DC; • Rick Schuller, Stonehenge Golf and Country Club, Richmond, Virginia • Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Women’s Golf Team • Sisters Who Swing Golf Association • The Greater Washington DC First Tee Golf Program • Troy Beck, Glendale Golf Course, Glendale, Maryland • Wake Robin Golf Club, DC • Women in Golf Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia • Tony Bryan (Personal Trainer), LABFITNESS LLC

Website: www.themicaathomas.com
Instagram: mt_foreverloved
Linkedin: Micaa Thomas

Image Credits
Chris Condon