Since 1984, Elmwood Studios founder  Thomas Luehrsen  has devoted himself to the production of both traditional film and video, and interactive media. Luehrsen is an  acknowledged expert, author, and lecturer on interactive multimedia design and digital video. He has extensive experience in managing creative and technical teams in design and production of media projects. He has participated in the production of numerous feature films, TV commercials, and business and education videos in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Luehrsen was a pioneer in the field of interactive multimedia. He was the first full-time producer of interactive media at the Voyager Company, best known for its acclaimed Criterion Collection series of DVDs and laserdiscs. His CD ROM production, Exploring the Lost Maya, is an interactive documentary showing the majesty of ancient Maya civilization. Other award-winning projects include I Photograph to Remember, a CD ROM which redefined the use of the personal computer as a medium of expression. Rolling Stone magazine called it "a universal work." Both CD ROMs were rated in the top ten CD ROMs of the year by PC World and Macworld magazines.

Luehrsen is the author of CREATING WEB VIDEO (Peachpit Press, 2003), a comprehensive primer on Web video. The book offers conceptual information and step-by-step instructions to guide readers through the process of shooting, editing and encoding video for the Web.  Luehrsen has taught digital video and multimedia classes at the San Francisco State University Multimedia Studies Program, the University of California at Berkeley Extension, the San Francisco State University Cinema Department, and  the Bay Area Video Coalition.