The Ultimate Catch: Intriguing Seattleites

Harry Calbom

29 | Seattle, WA (University District)

Hometown: Seattle, WA (University District)

Occupation: Executive Producer + Partner at The Academy

Why We Heart Them

This highly accomplished creative force  is proud to be a true Seattleite. Harry grew up in the heart of the U-District and attended Roosevelt High School. This is where Harry first discovered and developed his love for acting and directing, and the rest, as they say is history.

Harry decided to further explore his excitement for the arts and studied theatre and film at the prestigious University of Southern California. This is was where he met Austin Wilson, his classmate, friend and future business partner. They both shared the same creative passion and moved to Seattle to start their own production company in 2005, More Dust Than Digital.

His love for creativity and his love for the area he grew up in, led them to set-up shop in Harry’s old stomping grounds.  “I’m proud to live and work in the U-District, less than a mile from where I was raised and went to high school,” says Harry.

Headquartered just above the marquee of the historic Neptune Theatre, in the heart of the U-District, their creative space allowed them to hone in on their artistic talents and grow the company. Just last year, they partnered with designer and animator, David Holm to form The Academy, focusing on high-end live action and animated commercial production.

Soon after, things quickly took off, and in three short months, they went from a staff of 2 to a staff of 6. The Academy now has quite a few noteworthy and prominent clients under its belt. They are the creative force behind Golazo, a soccer passion brand and energy drink company based in Seattle, as well as other key agency clients like Waggener Edstrom and Stanton and Everybody. His resume doesn’t stop there, they also work with household names like MTV Networks, Nickelodeon, Iams, and Pima Medical Institute.

Harry’s talent and impressive resume has allowed him access and privilege to work with high-profile officials like Governor Gregoire, with whom he had the honor to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to document the United Nations Climate Conference in 2009. Always driven, Harry recently co-produced a short documentary called “Frank Fairfield”, which will premier at SXSW in Austin this March. He is also finishing his MBA at the Univeristy of Washington and will graduate in 2012.

When he’s not behind the scenes, he lends his talents to help produce videos for non-profits, including 40+ intimate music performances for local radio station, KEXP.  He is also a big supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, as well as the Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

A true Seattleite at heart and a proud U-District resident, Harry also looks forward to the redevelopment of his community and the redesign of the Neptune Theatre as a concert venue by Seattle Theatre Group. “Seattleites should keep their eye on the U-District in the next few years,” says Harry. “The retrofit of the Neptune by STG, combined with the addition of Link light rail will help put this neighborhood back on the map as one of Seattle’s most diverse and culture-rich neighborhoods.”

Are you intrigued and like what you see? Let us know! Email us at catch@seattleite.com.