Introduction
Thomas Edward Ackerman (born September 14, 1948) is an American cinematographer.
Career in Higher Education (2008–present)
Between 2008 and 2009 Ackerman joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking. In the subsequent years, likely bolstered in some part by Ackerman’s influence, Michael Chapman, A.S.C. began teaching at the conservatory. Ackerman, drawing from his years of experience following modest beginnings, engages upper-level cinematography students through both hands on instruction and lectures. In 2015, Ackerman debuted an autobiographical course “ Pathways: A Career in Film” through lectures and screenings.
Ackerman succeeded cinematography department chair David Elkins, S.O.C. following Elkins’ retirement in 2019.
Filmography
Short film
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Frankenweenie | Tim Burton |
| 2002 | CinéMagique | Jerry Rees |
Feature film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | New Year's Evil | Emmett Alston | Credited as "Edward Thomas" |
| 1982 | Foxfire Light | Allen Baron | |
| 1984 | Roadhouse 66 | John Mark Robinson | |
| 1985 | Girls Just Want to Have Fun | Alan Metter | |
| 1986 | Back to School | ||
| 1988 | Beetlejuice | Tim Burton | |
| Moonwalker | Jerry Kramer Colin Chilvers | With Robert E. Collins, Frederick Elmes, John Hora and Crescenzo G.P. Notarile | |
| 1989 | National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation | Jeremiah S. Chechik | |
| 1991 | True Identity | Charles Lane | |
| 1993 | Dennis the Menace | Nick Castle | |
| 1994 | Baby's Day Out | Patrick Read Johnson | |
| 1995 | Jumanji | Joe Johnston | |
| 1997 | George of the Jungle | Sam Weisman | |
| The Eighteenth Angel | William Bindley | ||
| 1999 | My Favorite Martian | Donald Petrie | |
| The Muse | Albert Brooks | ||
| 2000 | Beautiful Joe | Stephen Metcalfe | |
| The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle | Des McAnuff | ||
| 2001 | Rat Race | Jerry Zucker | |
| 2002 | Snow Dogs | Brian Levant | |
| 2003 | The Battle of Shaker Heights | Efram Potelle Kyle Rankin | |
| Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star | Sam Weisman | ||
| 2004 | Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy | Adam McKay | |
| Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie | Direct-to-video | ||
| 2005 | Are We There Yet? | Brian Levant | |
| Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World | Albert Brooks | ||
| 2006 | The Benchwarmers | Dennis Dugan | |
| Scary Movie 4 | David Zucker | ||
| 2007 | Balls of Fury | Robert Ben Garant | |
| 2008 | Superhero Movie | Craig Mazin | |
| 2009 | Fired Up! | Will Gluck | |
| Infestation | Kyle Rankin | ||
| 2011 | Mardi Gras: Spring Break | Phil Dornfield | |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked | Mike Mitchell | ||
| 2015 | Night of the Living Deb | Kyle Rankin |