Shannon Thomas' route to the Weta Workshop special-effects company in New Zealand began when he was growing up in Baldwin.

Way before he worked on the megahit "Avatar" and Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones," he recalls staying home on snow days and spending the day "coloring Tom and Jerry at Nan and Paps' house."

That was the first hint that his pursuit of a career in veterinary medicine would change course for a more artistic endeavour.

The journey took him to California University of Pennsylvania and, after graduation in 2000, to Florida, where he continued studying veterinary medicine.

After three years there, at age 23, he gave up that dream and began another.

"It seemed like the right time, if any, to take a risk and make a life change. I never wanted to look back on my life and think about what might have been, and the icing on the cake was watching Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.' "

He realized the special-effects industry could be a viable career path and moved to San Francisco in 2003 to study 3-D digital modeling at The Academy of Art University.

"I practically lived in the computer labs for 21/2 years, until a good recommendation from one of my instructors launched my new career at Rhythm & Hues Studios in Los Angeles."

While there, he had a hand in "Night at the Museum," "Happy Feet" and "Evan Almighty."

"Oh, wow, I'll never forget my first credit, it was on 'Happy Feet,' " he said. "It was so gratifying to watch the film amongst a theater full of giddy children."

He explained how his particular skill set becomes part of the computer-generated imagery we see onscreen:

"A digital modeler is essentially an artist who uses a keyboard and mouse just like a sculptor would use wooden tools to mold a block of clay. A modeler is a computer artist who uses unique software packages to create -- or model -- 3-dimensional characters, creatures, digital doubles of real-life actors, vehicles, environments and anything else you can imagine. This creation is called a digital model, or a digital asset."

The road to creating an asset can start with a drawing or rough provided by a client such as, say, James Cameron and his big blue Avatars, to name just some the film's computer-generated challenges.

Some clients allow the modeler freedom to improvise and be creative, others have very specific ideas of the outcome.

"Think of it like building a car along an assembly line, where modeling is at the beginning. A modeler would take the concept art and blueprints and then shape and mold the fiberglass body of the car. Next, the car body is passed on to be painted, wired, etc., but in computer animation, it's textured, rigged, animated and lit in the shot, and thus it comes to life on film."

After eight months in Los Angeles, Mr. Thomas' eye began to wander toward New Zealand and a mecca of film-industry special effects.

"I had dreamed of working for Peter Jackson and his company that created Middle-earth," he said. "So, after an opportune interview, the offer came and I freaked out, I couldn't believe it. ... I had to call my mom first even though it was something like 3 a.m. on the East Coast."

That was three years ago. These days, he keeps a Terrible Towel at his desk and contacts his family daily via e-mail, while he's settled in among the Kiwis and works with his fiancee, Californian Jessica Ponte, a production coordinator for the Weta Texture Department.

Mr. Thomas was excited to report that both their names are in the credits for "The Lovely Bones," and they are now working on Steven Spielberg's "The Adventures of Tintin."

"It's been an unbelievable experience living in New Zealand and working with such a creative and talented team of artists on such high-profile projects. I absolutely love my job, and I still can't believe that I get to do this every day."

If there's a downside, it's leaving Pittsburgh behind.

"I still bleed black and gold and just last month while home for the holidays, I went with my brother to the Steelers vs. Baltimore game and then we went to Fat Head's for some wings and the Pens game."

During that visit, he got to share a big moment with his loved ones, and it involved a red carpet.

"I have to say that I've had the most fun watching 'Avatar' with my family. We all went down to [AMC] Loews Waterfront in Homestead, sat in the V.I.P. seats, and I even rolled out a red carpet for my mom to walk down. It was our own little unofficial 'Avatar' world premiere -- in Pittsburgh!"

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