Meet Chris Thomes | SVP Creative Director & Producer

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

Hi Chris, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After over two decades at Disney, I expected to find new opportunities quickly. What I actually encountered was a very different landscape, one defined by disruption and uncertainty. Traditional hiring slowed dramatically, and the industry I knew had undergone several seismic shifts, reshaping it.

Streaming changed the way people watched content and how companies measured its value. The old studio system, with its long-term plans and steady routines, gave way to short-term projects and ongoing trial and error. At the same time, production costs in California remained high, tax credits were unreliable, and more jobs moved out of state or abroad. AI added both new creative options and new challenges, as companies rethought jobs, workflows, and ownership of ideas.

Starting our own business was more than just becoming entrepreneurs. We wanted to build something that could succeed in today’s entertainment world, not the one we remembered. With Miraculi, our goal is to help shape what comes next, not just react to what’s happening now. We’re committed to leading through change, rather than waiting for things to go back to the way they were.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is built on storytelling, the foundation for building and nurturing communities. Stories connect us, inspire loyalty, and help people see themselves in new ways. This philosophy drives everything we do at Miraculi, the company I co-founded with my longtime collaborator, Matt.

We stand out because we combine strong strategic thinking with the latest production technology. This lets us help our clients develop meaningful stories and creative solutions. Instead of just making content, we focus on building brand stories that use new tools like real-time animation, AI, and virtual production. This approach helps us work quickly, keep costs down, and connect with audiences in real and relevant ways. Miraculi is designed to adapt and succeed in an entertainment world that’s always changing.

Getting here was far from easy. After leaving Disney, I expected to transition smoothly into corporate entertainment, but the ground had shifted: hiring slowed, production costs in California became untenable, and traditional pipelines no longer matched the needs of the moment. Instead of waiting for the old system to recover, I leaned into change, pivoting my expertise toward building a new model from the ground up. That meant embracing new tools, taking risks, and finding like-minded partners who shared my belief that innovation and storytelling must go hand in hand.

I’m proud of the resilience it took to get here, and of the lessons I’ve learned along the way: that adaptability is everything, that community is more powerful than any one product, and that the future of content belongs to those willing to embrace both creativity and technology.

I want people to know that my work and my brand are about more than just new ideas. I care about creating meaningful, lasting work that connects with people. Miraculi helps companies, creators, and storytellers bring their ideas to life in ways that build real connections and loyalty. If this speaks to you or you want to grow your storytelling, I’d love to work together. In the end, stories help us understand ourselves, and that’s the journey I’m excited to keep exploring.

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?
If my best friend were to visit for a week, I’d show them what makes Southern California magical. We’d seek out hidden gems, absorb the city’s energy, and escape to my whimsical hometown, San Diego. Here’s my plan:

Day 1 – Venice Beach & Canals
We’d start at Venice Beach at the little known Venice Canals. With their arched bridges and quiet paths, it feels like a secret storybook neighborhood – with boats punting visitors down the waterways just like in Venice Italy. It’s a really hidden gem. Stacy and I discovered it when I first moved to LA.

Day 2 – Culture & History in Downtown LA
Next, we’d head to Olvera Street, downtown’s historic heart. Color, mariachi music, and the smell of fresh tortillas. It’s like the city’s soul, where culture and history mix.

Day 3 – Beverly Hills Charm
Rodeo Drive at sunset. It’s less about luxury and more about the glow of lights, charming cafés, and the fun of people-watching. The whole place feels whimsically cinematic, almost like stepping onto a movie set. And it’s easy. Easy parking, friendly and affordable – when not shopping of course.

Day 4 – San Diego Detour: The Swaying Bridge
In San Diego, I’d take them to one of my favorite spots: the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. Built in 1912, it gently sways as you cross. It’s quirky, a little thrilling, and feels like stepping back in time.

Day 5 – San Diego Serenity
After that adventure, we’d find peace at the Encinitas Meditation Gardens. Koi ponds, flowers everywhere, and ocean views, the gardens feel like heaven above the Pacific. It’s where you can hear yourself think—or forget to think.

Day 6 – Beach & Tacos
No San Diego day is complete without tacos from Roberto’s in Del Mar. The best rolled tacos in California.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife has been the cornerstone of my journey. In 1996, her encouragement gave me the confidence to move from San Diego to Los Angeles, and she made LA feel like home even though I was far from my family. Her unwavering support and belief in personal growth have brought about so much positive change in my life, inspiring me to continue evolving both personally and professionally.

We truly enjoy spending time together, whether it’s watching comedies, exploring the city, or simply holding hands, which has always been a small but powerful way we show support for one another. Growing up in the entertainment industry herself, she understands my world in a unique way, giving us a deep and natural connection.

She also started her own personal organizing business from scratch, showing just how determined and driven she is. Seeing what she’s achieved inspires me every day, and her support has truly shaped my life.

Image Credits
Emmy Win.png (Chris Thomes, Executive Director, Oscars All Access, 2011)
Emmys.png (TV Academy Governor, Chris Thomes and spouse Stacy Thomes Attend the Emmys)
On Set.png (Chris Thomes on set at Disney’s Infinity Virtual Production stage)
Oscars All Access.png (Film critic Ben Lyons and Sophia Carson Co Host Oscars All Access Multiplatform Experience)
PGA Vice President.png (Chris Thomes, Vice President New Media at The Producers Guild of America and fellow board member Jenni Ogden present the Innovation Award for New Media)
Television Festival in Monaco.JPG (Chris Thomes attends the Monte-Carlo Television Festival)
TV Academy Governor.png (Television Acacdemu Co-Governors Lori Schwartz and Chris Thomes present during Emmy Season)
The Muppets Kitchen.jpg (Key Art from The Muppets Kitchen, Disney’s first original digital series, executive produced by Chris Thomes)