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Sean Tulner ’14: Helped Make the Magic for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

His sculpture and moldmaking work was seen in this year's new balloons and floats

Sean Tulner '14 with a dragon head he sculpted on a new float for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with its giant balloons and elaborate floats, ushers in the holiday season for millions of Americans. More than a handful of elves is needed to pull together the annual extravaganza, and William Paterson University graduate Sean Tulner of Wyckoff is now an integral part of the team.

Tulner, who graduated in January 2014 with a bachelor of fine arts degree, is a sculptor, moldmaker, and float technician for the Macy’s Parade Studio, where dozens of balloons and floats are made each year for the Thanksgiving Day event. His work was seen in this year’s parade in the design elements for some of the six new balloons, including Eruptor, a character from the popular Skylanders game, and in the new floats for Dora the Explorer and one titled the Beauty of Beijing. In addition, visitors to the Macy’s flagship Herald Square store were greeted by a 30-foot tall-balloon of Sponge Bob Squarepants that Tulner created to sit atop the store’s marquee.

The studio is located in Moonachie and the shop is fully operational throughout the year. “It’s a fast-paced environment,” Tulner says.  “It’s not ‘how are you going to get it done?’ It’s more, ‘how are you going to get it done and how quickly are you going to get it done?’”

Tulner honed his skills as a sculptor at William Paterson where he worked with the latest technology in 3D sculpting using state-of-the-art computer programs as well as centuries-old techniques on a University-sponsored trip to Italy. “I never would have thought I would land a job like this,” says Tulner, who credits his University education and his mentor, William Paterson art professor Michael Rees, with providing the array of skills he brings to the position. “I get to engage in so many themes and ideas. It’s never a dull moment.”