From a small town to the big screen

PLAINS – From a little western Montana town to the big screen, one former local of Plains has his name splattered throughout movie theaters across the nation.

His love of art and animations has brought him to a level all his own. Working on movies such as Cloud Atlas, A Good Day to Die Hard and more recently Thor: The Dark World, Matthew Williamson has made a contribution to the movies that his hometown can be proud of.

When the Llano Theatre played Thor, a group of about 15 residents waited behind, carefully watching the credits roll, hoping to grab a glimpse of a kid that once lived in their town.

As an animator for Method Studios in Santa Monica, California, Williamson has brought to life characters or objects, adding the motion behind them. His job is to make the animation look alive and give it whatever movement is desired.

While initially Williamson was inspired by video games he decided he wanted to be more involved in the arts. He started school at DeVry University where he studied game design and programming. After the mental switch was made, Williamson went to the Art Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The move was a big one and it was one that brought him closer to his dream, however, Williamson said Vancouver reminded him much of Plains.

“It’s still got that small town mentality,” said Williamson.

He always knew he wanted to move to the city and his job allowed him to do just that.

Williamson has been an animator for over two years, with a short break in between where he worked on video games, and said his favorite part is working with inventive people.

“It’s such a fun time working with other creative individuals and everyone is there to make something fun,” said Williamson. “And they are there because they were inspired by the very things we are working on now.”

Williamson explained that Star Wars, Jurassic Park and other like movies helped seal his fate – he wanted to be a part of something like that.

And now he is. Williamson said the first time he saw his name scroll down the screen, he felt nothing but proud.

“I was proud that someone could see some of the work I’ve done and be moved by the stories – and I was a part of that,” said Williamson.

Williamson was raised in Plains, in the same house from birth to after graduation. He graduated from Plains High School in 2007 and then moved on to chase his dream in the big city after completing his classes at the Art Institute.

Now in Santa Monica, he has added more movies under his belt, recently working on a movie called Into the Storm – a movie that will be released next year. Currently he is working on another movie, although he is not allowed to disclose what movie that is.

Williamson thanks his hometown for keeping him level headed, stating that it was a great place to grow up.

“It was a big, giant family, which was always really nice,” said Williamson.

He wants to encourage kids that anything is possible.

“Dream big, shoot for the stars, and allow yourself the belief that you can accomplish anything,” Williamson said. “Just because I was from a small town in the middle of nowhere, I thought I would never do the things I do every day now.”

Williamson stressed the importance of not placing limitations on yourself.

“Don’t limit yourself. If you want something enough and are willing to put forth the effort required, absolutely anything can happen,” said Williamson.

Williamson is the perfect example of that. His name has not only filled hundreds of movie theaters but it also will fill thousands of homes as the movies make their way into the hands of movie enthusiasts.

Although he has not had an opportunity to visit Plains since he left, he thinks the snow may bring him back to the area for another run down the mountain on his snowboard.