Raymond Thompson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raymond Thompson is a New Zealand scriptwriter and TV producer.
Thompson was born in Redditch, Worcestershire and grew up in Ontario, after his parents emigrated to Canada. He studied Drama at York University and published a novel in 1979, before becoming a script consultant for various producers such as Joseph E. Levine. His television credits from the 80s include Squadron and Howard's Way. He acquired the position of Head of Development for BBC Television Drama Series before he founded his own production company, Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group, which has since specialized in family entertainment.
Since 1994, he has produced over 9 television shows and movies, the most successful of them being the teen drama/sci-fi hybrid The Tribe.
His son Cameron suffers from Asperger's Syndrome; Raymond has also been diagnosed with the condition. This led him to found Cloud 9's Children Foundation, which aims to support families affected by the syndrome mainly in Oceania.
In 2001, he composed the "Spirit Symphony", which was partly inspired by Asperger's. It was performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and released on CD in 2004. The proceeds of the song 'With You Every Step of the Way' were donated to the foundation.
He has been a juror at BAFTA and the International Emmy Awards. In 2003, he was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to television. In the same year he also received a Honours Award at Dragon*Con.
