Ferrell Adams Shinnick

Ferrell is survived by his wife of 22 years Anna Abbey, his two sons Tristan and Levon Shinnick, all of Austin, his sister Mary, her husband Dan and their sons Jesse and Spencer Hemker of Greeley, Colorado, his Brother Matthis, his wife Robin and their daughter Rory Shinnick of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was also considered a son, brother and uncle by the entire Abbey family.

Ferrell grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico- a place that he loved dearly and always considered his home despite his many years in Texas. He was an accomplished french horn player and began his higher education studying music at the University of New Mexico. His pursuit of music led him to many places but he finally landed in Austin, Texas where he took on a new passion that would change his course and define his career- he began studying film at the University of Texas in Austin.

Ferrell started his professional journey in filmmaking, in the early 1980’s. He landed a job as the manager of Texas Pacific Film and Video’s lighting and grip department. Through this role, Ferrell was chosen to be the Key Grip for Richard Kouris, the Director of Photography, on the horror classic “Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part Two”. With the support of more experienced fellow crew members as Jon Lewis, Buzz Maloy and Bobby Lewallen, Ferrell thrived in the role. Together, along with other their hard working and devoted crew members, these men are considered to be the bedrock of the Texas Grip and Electric Departments and their influence is felt to this day.

Ferrell was a respected and renowned Central Texas Key Grip. His career spanned over 40 years in the motion picture and television industry. He worked on the productions of Dazed and Confused, Rushmore, The Faculty, Where The Heart Is, The Newton Boys, Sin City, Temple Grandin, Predators, and My All American just to name a few. He was the key grip for the iconic Texas directors Rick Linklater and Robert Rodriguez on a number of their projects. Through his leadership, and proficiency Ferrell was held in high esteem by both local colleagues and producers from all over the world.

In the early 2000s, Ferrell and his Best Boy Grip Kurt Kornemann, established Rhino Grip Enterprises, a full service feature film Grip support house. Rhino Grip has supplied films like BandsSlam, Friday the 13th pt 12, Machete and Machete Kills, Spy Kids 4, and From Dusk Till Dawn (TV Series). The company continues to this day in both the Austin and Atlanta area and has recently supplied a few Marvel productions.

Ferrell was a kind and gentle person who loved music, books, philosophy and could play a mean game of chess, but his true loves were his family, his friends and his animals. To honor Ferrell and his life, donations can be made in his name to any organization that aids animals in need.

Ferrell is preceded in death by his father William Shinnick and his mother Isabel Ferrell Shinnick.

“..…..I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the sky on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds-and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of-wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence….”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Shinnick family.