Mike Thurmeier
Biography
Mike Thurmeier was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1975. Growing up in Canada, he was always drawn to the arts, showing a particular interest in drawing and animation from a young age. He enjoyed sketching characters and experimenting with animation techniques as a child, a passion that eventually guided his academic choices and future career.
Thurmeier went on to study animation at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, one of Canada's most prestigious schools for animation and visual arts.
In Oakville, Ontario, Sheridan is renowned for producing talented animators who go on to successful careers in film, television, and digital media. Thurmeier honed his skills here, studying animation techniques, storytelling, and design principles, and graduated with a solid foundation that prepared him for a career in the animation industry.
Early Career in Animation
After graduating from Sheridan College, Thurmeier took his first steps into the animation industry, working initially as an animator before moving into more high-profile roles. His journey into the world of high-level animation began when he joined Blue Sky Studios, a well-known American animation company. Blue Sky, a division of 20th Century Fox, was responsible for bringing the popular Ice Age film series to life and other animated features like Robots and Horton Hears a Who!
Thurmeier’s work at Blue Sky quickly showcased his talent. He started as an animator, contributing to projects where he refined his skill in character animation and storytelling. His early contributions helped him gain recognition within the studio, and he soon rose through the ranks, taking on more responsibility and leadership roles in major projects.
Movie Career and Major Projects
Mike Thurmeier's career took off when he began working on the Ice Age series, a franchise that would define much of his career. He started as an animator on the original Ice Age movie in 2002, working under directors Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha. The film's success paved the way for sequels, and Thurmeier was given more responsibilities with each new installment, eventually moving into a directorial role.
Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) – Thurmeier continued his work on the Ice Age franchise as a supervising animator, demonstrating his ability to bring the characters to life with humor and emotion. His animation skills helped further develop the personalities of iconic characters like Manny, Sid, and Diego.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) – This third installment marked a major milestone in Thurmeier’s career, as he stepped into the role of co-director alongside Carlos Saldanha. This shift to directing gave him a chance to shape the story and character arcs on a larger scale. The movie, which featured new adventures and the introduction of dinosaur characters, was a commercial success and highlighted Thurmeier’s directorial talent.
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) – Thurmeier co-directed this fourth installment with Steve Martino. The film took the characters on an epic adventure, introducing new characters and locations, such as a group of animal pirates. His work on Continental Drift showcased his skill in balancing action, humor, and emotional moments, a combination that contributed to the film's box-office success.
Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) – Thurmeier directed Collision Course, the fifth film in the series, with Galen T. Chu. The movie continues the journey of the beloved characters and expands the Ice Age universe with even more outlandish adventures, as Scrat’s relentless pursuit of his acorn triggers a cosmic catastrophe. Though Collision Course received mixed reviews, Thurmeier’s work was praised for its visuals and creative set pieces.
Thurmeier’s work on the Ice Age series cemented his reputation as a skilled animator and director capable of working on large-scale animated productions. The franchise's success helped establish him as one of the prominent figures in animation at Blue Sky Studios.
