Purple Highs - Tefft Smith II - Episode 21

While there were other schools for animation and visual design, Tefft Smith II was beckoned to Minneapolis after high school to Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) because of its proximity to all things Prince. That proximity brought him to the center of Prince Universe as he became a regular at the parties and performances Prince had at Paisley Park throughout the mid-to-late nineties. 

After completing his degree at MCAD, Tefft left Minneapolis for the sunshine of Los Angeles to begin his career in animation and visual effects. In California, he continued to follow Prince closely, attending his performances throughout California. 

In this Purple High episode, Tefft Smith connects you to the Prince world of the '90s and beyond. From attending parties at Paisley Park to receiving phone calls from Prince himself. His unique perspectives along with his appreciation for the creative process provide great insights into Prince and his work over the years. 

Tefft is a co-founder of "Opsis" where he works with his team to provide animation and visual design on major Hollywood projects. His passion for Prince continues to this day and includes the creation of amazing visual effects for Purple High's dance parties and live streams.