Podcasts about vfx

This week, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the first woman ever to shoot on IMAX for the film Sinner. She discusses her unique journey into filmmaking, including her work in 16mm on The Last Showgirl and her credits on major studio projects like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Marvel's Loki. Autumn highlights the vital importance of finding a creative community and emphasizes how her career has been built on trust and collaboration with fellow artists. Autumn also dives deep into the dynamic (and sometimes frustrating) relationship between cinematographers and visual effects artists. Using her experience on Sinner as a prime example, she advocates for a more collaborative approach, stressing the need for on-set decisions and in-camera solutions to create more authentic and emotionally resonant images. The conversation is a masterclass in filmmaking, exploring everything from the subtle power of light and shadow to her experience as the first woman to shoot on IMAX for a narrative feature film. Autumn Durald Arkapaw's website > Autumn Durald Arkapaw's wikipedia > Autumn Durald Arkapaw's IMDB > Autumn Durald Arkapaw's Instagram >

Skwigly are proud to present the second panel from the second series of Visible In Visuals, an initiative pushing to make the animation and VFX industries more diverse and inclusive through honest, open conversation. In this episode, Tanya speaks with Chitra Soundar and Nandita Jain about their work creating the Colourful Connections, a network designed to empower PoC to make a difference in UK Children's Media. They'll chat about their groundbreaking CBEEBIES show Nikhil and Jay (Created by Chitra and Directed by Nandita) and how the Colourful Connections network offers much needed representation and support for people both on and off the screen in kids tv. Colourful Connections website: https://www.c3muk.com/ Colourful Connections Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12898204/

High-stakes space combat, a shaky pact with Michael, and Weir vs. the IOA—should turning Wraith human be a victory or a moral failure? Lisa Jones chats with Jeff Haecker & Victor Lams on VFX, strategy, and fallout. The post No Man’s Land (SGA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

On this episode Chris, Ben and Dominic discuss Andor's big wins at the Emmys! The series not only took home four awards for costumes, production design, editing and VFX, but it's also still in the running for more! What are its chances, and how much do these awards actually matter? Plus, do we ever get bored with Star Wars? What are our favorite pieces of unused concept art? Which other letters could be turned into starfighters? We'll answer all of these questions and a whole lot more! Join the Star Wars Underworld Network DiscordSubscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe and Review on Apple Podcasts Facebook: www.facebook.com/swunderworld Twitter: @TheSWU Email: swunderworld@gmail.com

On this episode Chris, Ben and Dominic discuss Andor's big wins at the Emmys! The series not only took home four awards for costumes, production design, editing and VFX, but it's also still in the running for more! What are its chances, and how much do these awards actually matter? Plus, do we ever get bored with Star Wars? What are our favorite pieces of unused concept art? Which other letters could be turned into starfighters? We'll answer all of these questions and a whole lot more! Join the Star Wars Underworld Network DiscordSubscribe on YouTubeSubscribe on SpotifySubscribe and Review on Apple PodcastsFacebook: www.facebook.com/swunderworldTwitter: @TheSWUEmail: swunderworld@gmail.com

High-stakes space combat, a shaky pact with Michael, and Weir vs. the IOA—should turning Wraith human be a victory or a moral failure? Lisa Jones chats with Jeff Haecker & Victor Lams on VFX, strategy, and fallout. The post No Man’s Land (SGA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Fabricio Baessa, DNEG VFX supervisor, discusses the VFX of the Air Force One attack sequence in Heads of State.

Leadership Lessons from Show Business In this episode, Tom and Adrienne chat with Steven Puri and trace his unexpected path from a “code monkey” in Northern Virginia to an Academy Award–winning visual-effects producer and later a tech entrepreneur. Steven shares how he bridged left-brain engineering and right-brain creativity on films like Independence Day, Braveheart, and several David Fincher projects. He reflects on lessons learned in Hollywood—managing creatives, nurturing “lightbulb” moments, and building culture—that carry over into hybrid and remote leadership. Long before remote work became a buzzword, Steven was orchestrating VFX teams across studios in Los Angeles, London, and Sydney, balancing creative, financial, and logistical mindsets over distance—an early test of distributed leadership that today's managers face. Throughout the conversation, candid anecdotes like the famed “Bart” trailer story illustrate why inviting every voice can spark game-changing ideas. As our work (and often our brains) has scattered in today's culture, Steven is dedicated to bringing us the tools for intentional focus. Here are a few of the gems gleaned from this fun and flowing conversation: Embrace Diverse Talents: Success in both film and tech comes from uniting creatives, technical experts, and business minds around a shared goal, much like assembling a movie crew. Manage Creativity with Intention: Great leaders know how to create the right environment for creativity—sometimes by giving people more than one project, or by encouraging "rubber ducking" (talking through problems out loud). Best Idea Wins Culture: The most effective teams foster a safe space where anyone, regardless of role, can contribute ideas—echoing Steven Spielberg's approach of valuing input from everyone, even the “coffee boy.” Hire for Passion and Culture Fit: Skills can be developed, but passion and alignment with the team's mission are essential. Hiring the right people is more important than micromanaging. Purposeful Markers and Storytelling: Leaders should set clear markers and use storytelling to help teams understand where they are and where they're going, just as a film uses acts and foreshadowing. Active Listening is Key: The best leaders practice active listening, seeking feedback from users, team members, and even critics, and using it to improve. Leadership is a Practice: Leadership isn't just a set of concepts—it's something you do and refine every day, much like honing a craft in show business. Steven is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life. Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in the DC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer & Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM.  After attending USC in Los Angeles, he began working in film production and produced computer-generated visual effects for 14 movies including Independence Day which won the Academy Award for Visual Effects.   Steven's first tech company was Centropolis Effects that produced those CGI effects, and he eventually sold it to the German media conglomerate Das Werk when he was 28. Steven then produced some indie films and eventually went studio-side to develop and produce live-action features as a VP of Development & Production at 20th Century Fox (running the Die Hard and Wolverine franchises) and an EVP at DreamWorks Pictures for Kurtzman-Orci Productions where he worked on Star Trek, Transformers and more. After Fox, Steven returned to building tech companies and founded The Sukha Company - ‘sukha' means ‘happiness from self-fulfillment' in Sanskrit.  The Sukha is a focus app that bundles all the tools necessary to have a focused experience and a healthy, productive workday. Steven lives in Austin, TX now. Connect with Steven: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/. The Suhkha Company:  https://www.thesukha.co A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization). Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.  We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you! To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com Adrienne & Tom

Episode 101-HAH The Event Recap & Halloween Preps Released 07 September 2025 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed Sorry we're late! We've been super busy getting the haunt ready for opening. Hear all about it in this episode while we sprinkle in some of the best moments from HAH the Event III.  Resources mentioned during this episode: Haunters Against Hate The Event: https://www.hahtheevent.com/ Haunting U can be found at www.hauntingu.com. Sanguine Creek Estates: www.scehaunt.com Chamber of Haunters Website: https://chamberofhaunters.com/ Sound Effects: Music: Dance of Death http://www.purple-planet.com/ Thunder: Recorded by Mark DiAngelo Uploaded: 07.29.11 http://soundbible.com/1913-Thunder-... License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Modifications: Inserted over Dance of Death Music Evil Laughter: Recorded by Himan Uploaded: 03.13.13 License: Public Domain  http://soundbible.com/2054-Evil-Lau... AI Text to Speech Generator: https://www.hume.ai/ We couldn't continue to bring you awesome content without the support of our sponsors, particularly our Premium sponsors, the Chamber of Haunters, and VFX.  Learn more here: www.chamberofhaunters.com https://vfxcreates.com/ Haunting U is a production of Sanguine Creek Entertainment LLC published under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. All rights reserved.  

Budgeting an animation, game, or VFX project isn't easy — but it doesn't have to be a mystery. In this video, I break down how to approach budgeting step by step: from defining the project type, to bottom-up and top-down methods, contingency planning, rolling wave budgeting, and even how to present numbers to clients. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned producer, these tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and manage your budget with confidence.

Steve Brown spent 25 years in film and VFX before becoming a full-time ceramicist this year. Steve makes reduction fired tableware which he sells via his website as well as supplying a Michelin-starred restaurant and recently exhibiting in his first gallery this summer. Steve now hopes to explore more sculptural forms, constantly pushing his work into new, expressive directions. https://ThePottersCast.com/1162

Nano Banana (Google's Gemini Flash 2.5) is transforming image generation with capabilities that put it ahead of the competition. In this episode, Joey and Addy explore impressive use cases, best practices, and technical tips for this powerful tool. Plus, we analyze Mickmumpitz's innovative Comfy UI workflow for VFX that seamlessly blends live action with AI generation without green screens. Finally, we examine how AI is reshaping the music industry with synthetic bands, AI K-pop idols, and even record deals for creators with zero musical background.--The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their respective employers or organizations. This show is independently produced by VP Land without the use of any outside company resources, confidential information, or affiliations.

Writer, director, and VFX aficionado extraordinaire Seth Worley discusses ten movies that were always on TV when he was growing up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BEFORE INTERSTELLAR & ARRIVAL There Was Contact!! Contact Full Movie Reaction Watch Along:   / thereelrejects   Visit https://huel.com/rejects to get 15% off your order Tara Erickson & Andrew Gordon (Cinepals) react, break down, and explore the awe-inspiring 1997 sci-fi drama Contact, directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future) and based on Carl Sagan's celebrated novel. Jodie Foster (The Silence of the Lambs, Panic Room) stars as Dr. Ellie Arroway, a brilliant SETI scientist whose lifelong search for extraterrestrial intelligence is vindicated when she detects a mysterious signal from the star Vega. Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club) plays Palmer Joss, a charismatic theologian whose views on faith challenge Ellie's scientific convictions. James Woods (Videodrome, Casino) brings steely intensity as National Security Advisor Michael Kitz, while John Hurt (Alien, The Elephant Man) delivers a scene-stealing turn as eccentric billionaire S.R. Hadden. Tom Skerritt (Alien, Top Gun) plays political adversary Dr. David Drumlin, and Angela Bassett (Black Panther, What's Love Got to Do with It) adds gravitas as White House Chief of Staff Rachel Constantine. Famous & Highly Searched Scenes include: The Mirror Shot, First Contact Signal, Wormhole Journey, Congressional Hearing, Packed with philosophical debates, stunning VFX, and emotional storytelling, Contact remains one of the most thought-provoking sci-fi films ever made—blending faith, science, and the eternal question: Are we alone? Follow Andrew Gordon on Socials:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Agor711 Follow Tara Erickson: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaraErickson Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/taraerickson/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/thetaraerickson Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt the CEO and owner of Chocolate Tribe unpacking the future of animation exploring the latest tech driving Africa’s creative industries in connection with AVIJOZI which is Africa’s only free-access festival dedicated to animation, gaming, film, VFX, and interactive technology. 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja is broadcast live on Johannesburg based talk radio station 702 every weekday afternoon. Relebogile brings a lighter touch to some of the issues of the day as well as a mix of lifestyle topics and a peak into the worlds of entertainment and leisure. Thank you for listening to a 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja podcast. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 13:00 to 15:00 (SA Time) to Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/2qKsEfu or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/DTykncj Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textNetflix has officially dropped its first comprehensive guidelines for using generative AI in content production—and the timing couldn't be more loaded. In this iCritic LIVE episode, we unpack the streaming giant's attempt to balance innovation with ethics, union pressure, and audience trust.From The Eternaut's AI-generated VFX to the controversy surrounding What Jennifer Did, Netflix is no stranger to backlash. Now, with rules that prohibit replicating copyrighted material, replacing union-covered performances, or storing production data without consent, the company is trying to draw a line between “creative aid” and “creative replacement.”Topics we tackle:The 5 guiding principles Netflix wants all partners to followWhat counts as “low-risk” vs. “high-risk” AI useWhy these rules might be more PR armor than actual safeguardsHow creators, unions, and audiences are reactingWhether Netflix's AI policy sets a precedent—or just muddies the watersIf you care about the future of filmmaking, creator rights, and the blurry ethics of machine-made media, this episode is your front-row seat to the debate.

In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I sit down with Tommy Williamson, a visual effects artist, prop maker, and lifelong creator whose career spans more than three decades. Tommy has worked on films including Spider-Man 2, Sin City, The Mist, Dune: Prophecy, and the modern masterpiece Pan's Labyrinth. Tommy shares his journey from building paper-craft UFOs as a kid to working alongside Guillermo del Toro and becoming one of the artists helping to bridge the worlds of practical effects and cutting-edge digital VFX. We also dive into his passion for prop replicas and his work as the creator behind Nerds and Makers, where he builds incredible recreations of iconic movie props. If you love behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories, prop-making secrets, and hearing from the artists who bring movie magic to life, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss:Tommy's early love of model making and practical effectsHis first big break on the 1988 remake of The BlobAdapting to the digital VFX revolution after Jurassic ParkWorking closely with Guillermo del Toro on Pan's LabyrinthThe creative process behind his Nerds and Makers prop replicasWhy keeping one foot in both practical and digital worlds makes him a better artistThe importance of experimentation, curiosity, and lifelong creativity“I've always had to make things. It's absolutely in my DNA. Even now, I'll work on a show all day and then spend my evenings printing a lightsaber or a blaster. I can't not do it.” — Tommy WilliamsonYou can follow Tommy and see his incredible prop builds on Instagram: @nerdsandmakersThis podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you'd like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube:Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentariesAll my links

No Film School delves into the high-pressure, fast-paced world of sketch comedy editing on Saturday Night Live's historic 50th Anniversary special. The episode features returning guest Ryan Spears—four-time Emmy nominee and Film Unit editor at SNL—joined by longtime collaborators Daniel Garcia and Paul Del Gesso. Together, they share insider stories on crafting memorable montages, rediscovering archival gems, navigating the evolution from analog to digital workflows, and ultimately earning their first-ever team nomination for the anniversary special. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, and guests discuss… How the SNL editorial team collaborated on the 50th Anniversary special, blending archival material and creative reels into a unified piece. The rediscovery of forgotten gems—like Tom Hanks's softball clip—and deciding what made the final cut. Technical and generational shifts in editing: from film and DIY workflows to 4K raw editing, searchable transcripts, advanced VFX, and speedy turnaround. Adapting to new creative tools, such as APM's sound‑alike search and 3D animation techniques like the Cheeto character. Balancing fast cuts with breathing room—tailoring pacing to fit the tone, whether it's surreal whimsy or a more paced parody like White Lotus. Managing chaos: keeping cool under pressure during live edits, system failures, and last-minute creative changes. Advice for aspiring SNL editors: start as assistant editors, build a strong reel (even outside comedy), check your ego at the door, and learn the collaborative workflow. Memorable Quotes “It really was just this kind of like hot, like this sort of like melting pot of ideas…” “Tom Hanks is playing softball with these kids… he's playing the real version of Tom Hanks… super competitive.” “We've jumped to 4K and we're editing raw… now you're transcribing your sequences too… What a game changer.” “Every joke to the frame pretty much.” “It's a learned craft… some people could do it and some people can.” Guests Ryan Spears is a Film Unit editor at SNL and four time Emmy nominee for work including “I'm Just Pete”, “Mario Kart”, and “Murder Show”. He's also cut for the shows “The Amber Ruffin Show”, “Teenage Euthanasia”, the film “Citizen Weiner” and the Hulu standup “Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special”. He's currently a commercial editor based in New York at The Den Editorial. Daniel Garcia – Daniel Garcia has been a video editor at SNL for 10 years.  His work on the show includes editing weekly promos, pretapes such as PDD's “Hard Seltzer”, and the Emmy winning digital series Creating SNL. Paul Del Gesso is a Film Unit Editor at SNL, where he was previously Emmy nominated for "Bowen's Straight." Additionally, Paul is a writer and producer, and is Head of Production at Warrior Queen Inc. Resources I Really Love My Husband on Instagram: @iReallyLovemyhusbandmovie Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode marks the final CG Garage podcast under the Chaos umbrella. The next chapter of the show will launch under a new banner, continuing the conversations that explore the art, craft, and future of filmmaking. Armen Kevorkian joins Chris to reflect on his long career in visual effects, from his early start as an intern on Star Trek: Voyager and Deep Space Nine to becoming the president of Ingenuity Studios. He shares how mentorship in those formative years at Paramount shaped his career, his transition into supervising on shows like Invasion and The Flash, and the evolution of VFX in broadcast television, where tight deadlines and experimental techniques pushed his teams to innovate. Armen recalls being part of television milestones like scanning actors for digital doubles for the first time and watching the rise of superhero shows that paved the way for streaming-era ambitions. The conversation dives into how the industry has shifted in the past 20 years, from the challenges of working through COVID and adapting to remote workflows, to the rise of generalists and the growing role of AI tools in concepting, roto, and plate prep. Armen reflects on invisible effects, the hidden craft of making audiences believe something was always there, and how facilities must adapt as filmmakers experiment with leaner, bespoke VFX pipelines. He also shares his vision for Ingenuity Studios, their recent work on projects like Untamed and Weapons, and his excitement about building tighter partnerships with filmmakers from the earliest stages of production.

What do Casey Kasem, Paris Hilton's mom, VFX icon Ve Neill, and the director of 'Kingdom of the Spiders' all have in common? They all worked on 'The Dark', a bizarre little Star Wars-influenced proto-slasher from exploitation producer Edward L Montoro and American Bandstand host Dick Clark! And if that sounds like something you have to hear about, well, today is your lucky day!

This week on Another Pass, Case and Sam are joined by guest Sean Muir to dissect the late '90s sci-fi horror flick Virus—a movie where bad wiring meets worse decisions. Together, they explore the film's potential, its squandered setup, and how it almost became the Event Horizon of killer robot movies. #AnotherPass #Virus1999 #JamieLeeCurtis #DonaldSutherland #SeanMuir #SciFiHorror #FlawedButFascinating Another Pass Full Episode Originally aired: August 22, 2025 Music by Vin Macri and Matt Brogan Podcast Edited by Sophia Ricciardi Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 PODCAST SHOWS: ▶ Another Pass - https://www.certainpov.com/another-pass-podcast FOLLOW US: ▶ Website: https://www.certainpov.com Overview Guests Case Aiken and Sam Alicea introduced Sean Muir from Movie Midness to discuss the 1999 film 'Virus', highlighting its unexpected obscurity despite notable cast members like Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Sutherland. The film was released in January 1999, originally scheduled for late 1998, but was a commercial failure, earning only half of its budget back with critical reviews reflecting its shortcomings. Discussion revealed that the movie heavily referenced better films like The Thing and Alien, being described as merely an 'outline of a movie', lacking the depth expected from the genre. The technical achievements of Phil Tippett's animatronics were praised, although criticized for being too bright for the intended horror atmosphere, while CGI elements did not hold up well. Cultural shifts post-9/11 were noted as a change in audience appetite for sci-fi horror, marking an end to the late 90s creature feature trend seen in films like Independence Day. Character development was weak, with the consensus that Billy Baldwin's role could be eliminated without impacting the story; Sherman Augustus's character identified as the most promising but underutilized. Proposed a campier direction for the film, featuring humans viewed as 'uncouth' by aliens, which could yield more engaging content and interactions among the crew. Suggested removing the opening space scene to enhance suspense, providing a fresher take on alien threat revelation and deepening story engagement. Critique noted inconsistencies in character portrayals   Notes ️ Episode Introduction & Setup (00:00 - 10:25) Case Aiken and Sam Alicea welcome guest Sean Muir (Movie Midness) to discuss the 1999 sci-fi horror film 'Virus'. Both Case and Sam were unfamiliar with the film despite it featuring notable actors and being from 1999, highlighting how obscure it became. John Bruno left his VFX supervisor position on Titanic to direct this film, but his career trajectory after this movie remains unclear. The movie appears made for cyberpunk enthusiasts, sci-fi nerds, and specifically mentioned Billy Idol during his cyberpunk phase after missing the T-1000 role in Terminator 2. Movie Plot Summary & Analysis (07:40 - 20:48) Film opens with Russian space station receiving alien energy that transfers to communication ship; American tugboat crew discovers abandoned vessel during hurricane and faces killer machines. Features Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Sutherland, Billy Baldwin, and Cliff Curtis; Sam expresses confusion about Billy Baldwin's casting choices. Film draws heavily from better movies including The Thing, Alien, Event Horizon, and Ghost Ship; described as feeling like an 'outline of a movie'. Movie was a commercial bomb, earning only half its budget back and receiving harsh critical reviews. ️ Technical & Production Discussion (20:49 - 40:48) Phil Tippett's animatronics work praised as excellent, though perhaps too well-lit for horror atmosphere; practical effects hold up better than CGI elements. Late 90s represented end of creature feature era; audiences moving toward CGI spectacle seen in films like Independence Day and Jurassic Park sequels. Discussion of how cultural tastes changed dramatically after 9/11, affecting appetite for this type of sci-fi horror content. Movie reused ship from The Abyss and other James Cameron productions; originally scheduled for 1998 release but moved to January 1999 'dump month'. Character & Story Analysis (40:48 - 01:02:22) Crew relationships underdeveloped compared to superior ensemble films like Aliens; characters lack memorable personality moments. Consensus that Billy Baldwin's character adds nothing to the film and could be completely removed without impact. Sherman Augustus's character Richie identified as film's best, showing intelligence and survival instincts that should have made him the protagonist. Central concept of humans being the 'virus' poorly executed compared to The Matrix (same year) or later films like Arrival. Pitch Session - Campy Direction (01:02:23 - 01:12:53) Proposes making film campier with Galactic Union of Planets deciding humans are 'uncouth' and sending computer virus to eliminate them efficiently. Suggests more scenes of Richie building weapons from robot parts and crew creating makeshift tools for survival. Proposes aliens are annoyed by human space transmissions like 'intergalactic Mormons' constantly trying to make contact. More creative use of ship's manufacturing equipment turned into weapons. Technical Improvement Suggestions (01:12:53 - 01:22:35) Sean criticizes inconsistent Scottish accent performance, suggests either full commitment or using natural voice. Marshall Bell (Woods) needs better pain expression training for nail gun injury scenes. Second wall of hurricane not properly represented with appropriate ship movement and chaos during climax. Movie lacks clear layout understanding, unlike Die Hard's excellent building geography that aids tension. Horror Direction Alternative (01:16:55 - 01:22:35) Remove opening space station scene, make it flashback told by Nadia; focus on mystery and unknown threat. Give Jamie Lee Curtis's Kit Foster more personal stakes and character arc beyond basic competence. Build more suspense through delayed revelation of alien threat; explore 'humans as virus' theme more thoroughly. Better utilize ship's impressive technical areas and create clearer navigation understanding. Wrap-up & Social Media (01:22:35 - 01:27:59) Sean Muir promotes Movie Midness Instagram, Letterboxd, and YouTube profiles featuring movie analysis and model train scene recreations. Thanks to executive producer level supporters including Micah McCaw, Carter Hallett, Sean Muir, and others. Highlander 2: The Quickening announced as next film for discussion. Shoutouts to Macaw Podcast, We Have Issues comic review show, and Books that Burn literature podcast.

Thomas and Frank set sail for a rewatch of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl. They talk first impressions, why the story pacing feels different today, and why Jack Sparrow still dominates pop culture. The conversation hits character arcs for Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, the film's blend of practical effects and early CGI, sly nods to the Disneyland ride, and what modern blockbusters can learn from a character first adventure. Fun facts and a quick Hall of Fame debate wrap the voyage, plus a look ahead to Hacks and weekly Peacemaker coverage. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Welcome and why this pick still matters 00:49 First impressions today versus memory 01:09 Fast plot recap and shifting alliances 04:02 Pacing talk and a slow first act 05:08 Misdirection, the curse, and keeping motives straight 06:03 Cast praise for Depp, Bloom, and Knightley 06:21 Jack Sparrow as career defining performance 07:50 Cartoon energy inside a live action Disney world 09:17 Tone and the Disney magic without the gore 10:15 Family action adventure that still plays for all ages 10:59 Will Turner as the straight man with real growth 12:20 The peg and the dog dynamic between Will and Jack 14:04 Bootstrap Bill and a changing view of pirates 16:06 Set design, practical work, and ride callouts 17:48 Ship battles and why they still pop 23:06 CGI that aged well and where it shows seams 25:19 Budgets, timelines, and quality control for VFX 27:21 Jerry Bruckheimer's fingerprints and franchise future 28:16 Would a non IP pirate movie hit today 30:37 What modern blockbusters can learn from this film 35:42 Romance that supports rather than drives the story 36:39 The trilogy era and that cliffhanger problem 40:19 Fun facts lightning round 47:50 Hall of Fame vote split 49:22 What is next Hacks S1E1 and weekly Peacemaker 50:16 Quick shout on Game Changer and why to watch 51:09 Outro and how to reach the show Key Takeaways • Jack Sparrow works because the comedy never undercuts danger and the character always dances on the edge • Will Turner is the emotional core and the only character with clear growth in this film • Practical effects enhanced by targeted CGI keep the world tactile and hold up better over time • The movie balances action, comedy, and light romance without losing stakes • Nods to the Disneyland ride help the setting feel lived in rather than digital • Modern blockbusters could benefit from character first design and teamwork focused climaxes • The sequel era of the mid 2000s chased cliffhangers that did not always serve casual viewers Memorable Quotes “Jack is our Bugs Bunny in this world.” “The comedy never undercuts the danger.” “Movies should just be fun and character first.” “One person needs to be the peg and one person is the dog that runs around the peg.” “I remember this more fondly than it played for me this time.” “Practical effects with just enough CGI is the sweet spot.” Call to Action Enjoy the episode Subscribe and drop a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share the show with a friend and tag us with #ChallengeAcceptedLive Links and Resources • News we discuss across our shows is sourced at GeekFreaksPodcast.com Follow Us • Instagram: @challengeacceptedlive • TikTok: @challengeacceptedlive • Twitter: @CAPodcastLive Listener Questions Send your questions, challenges, or takes on Black Pearl to challengeacceptedgfx@gmail.com or DM us on socials. Include your name and city if you want a shoutout on the show. Apple Podcast tags Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl, Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Jerry Bruckheimer, Disney, movie review podcast, family adventure, practical effects, CGI, Disneyland ride, Peacemaker, Hacks HBO, Game Changer, Geek Freaks, Challenge Accepted Podcast

This week on Explore Weekly, we dive deep into the genre multiverse with the biggest headlines from sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and comics. From Middle-earth to the Mojave Wasteland, Emmy buzz to alien invasions—here's what's lighting up the internet:

DROP follows Violet (Meghann Fahy), a widow/single mom going on her first date after the violent death of her abusive husband.All looks promising across the dinner table: Henry (Brendon Sklenar) is a charming, attractive, thoughtful guy. He's a photographer for the mayor. He bought a trinket for her 5-year-old. He's got a good wit. Perfect first outing, right?The problem lies in Violet's' phone. She's receiving these anonymous airdrops from someone in the restaurant. What starts as a couple of dumb memes quickly devolves as the dropper gets personal and eventually instructs her to kill Henry or the masked man in her house will kill her son and sister. One glance of her security cameras confirms the worst. The game is on.Who's doing this? Why her? Why Henry? How's Violet gonna save her family? This is the wind of the car that's gonna send us through DROP's Hitchcock-inspired story. I enjoy Fahy and Sklenar's chemistry & the production design dazzles my comfort-seeking soul. However, bringing Violet's panicked state to the screen results in some distracting lighting setups, framing and VFX work (You've likely never before seen cell phone text glare onto 70% of the screen across multiple instances.) The end of the movie goes for entertaining, if stupid, gonzo; The blend of serious subjects and pulpy execution leaves a bad taste in my mouth.It's not a worst offender by any means, so I'd mildly recommend DROP as a watch with the kind of people who love tossing themselves into wild scenarios, calling out their own escape plans, critiquing the movie's lapses in logic. Click play on a chill Friday night and I don't think you'll be so disappointed.DROP is currently available to purchase in 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD formats at your favorite home video retailer. Thanks to Universal and Mandy Kay Marketing for the review copy!---Please rate, review & subscribe to The Movies wherever you listen to podcasts!Follow The Movies on Instagram and Letterboxd

“There was a magazine called Famous Monsters of Filmland that they used to sell at a 7-Eleven near my family's house. And one day, I looked in the back of it, and there was a photo of them putting a man into the Godzilla suit. And I went, ‘Oh, wow, it's a suit. Somebody makes this stuff,'” saysThe Umbrella Academy visual effects supervisor and Emmy nominee Everett Burrell. “And that was totally the rocket ship in my brain to want to do this.” In a conversation with moderator Rob Legato, ASC, VES, Burrell discusses the inspirations for The Umbrella Academy and why he wanted to become a VFX artist in the first place. This episode, sponsored by Netflix, was recorded at the American Society of Cinematographers Clubhouse in Los Angeles on Aug. 7.

This week, Da7e and Neil investigate the crash site left by the two-episode premiere of Noah Hawley's FX series, Alien: Earth. In The Calm [05:34], they break down the show's closing music choices, deploy a polygon probe to assess the VFX, learn about animal hearing frequency ranges, and much more. Then, in The Storm [01:23:44], they unpack the "Coming Up This Season" trailer to get a sense of how the season will be paced and predict whether or not we'll meet a Yautja along the way. To interact with the show, send your comments and questions to stormofspoilers@gmail.com, and follow us on Twitter/X and Bluesky @Da7eandNeil. You can also support Da7e and Neil and get all kinds of bonus content (from the Game of Thrones era to the LOST rewatch to our Twin Peaks rewatch project to our current Adventure Pod and Hannibal watch project) by subscribing to our Patreon here: patreon.com/Da7eandNeil And finally, join Neil on Wednesday evenings on Twitch as he plays the terrifying game Alien: Isolation live alongside the airing of season one. Subscribe to his Twitch channel for more info: twitch.tv/Neilstradomus

The crew dissect Fantastic Four First Steps and quite unsurprisingly don't agree on much. We talk Reed Richards, Sue Storm, VFX, The Thing, Johnny Storm, Silver Surfer, Galactus, the writing, and everything else we thought was relevant. Spoilers abound so proceed with caution!Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Instagram: @confidently_podYouTube: @confidentlywrongpodcastWebsite: confidentlywrong.simplecast.comCredits:Hosted by: Wesley Nakamura, Brian Redondo, Savon JonesEdited by: Wesley NakamuraTheme Music: Implied Authority by Bass ElfLink: https://soundcloud.com/bass_elf_music

Freepik CEO Joaquin Cuenca Abela reveals how the platform generates 4 million AI images daily while serving over 100 million users. In this interview with Addy and Joey, Joaquin shares the company's swift pivot to AI in 2022, the strategic move to unlimited image generation, and how they're capturing the professional market from marketers to VFX artists. Plus, insights on AI legal challenges, output moderation, and why Freepik filters which AI models make it to their platform.--The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their respective employers or organizations. This show is independently produced by VP Land without the use of any outside company resources, confidential information, or affiliations.

At SIGGRAPH 2025, Chaos unveils major updates to Vantage and Arena that significantly expand real-time ray tracing workflows. Product managers Simeon Balabanov and Georgi Zhekov join Chris to break down the new capabilities, including native USD and MaterialX support, Gaussian splats with ray-traced lighting, volumetric caches, and a streamlined pipeline that keeps the same asset across previs, virtual production, and post. This episode arrives just in time for SIGGRAPH, where these features are being officially announced, giving listeners an early look at what will be showcased in Vancouver. The conversation dives into key production tools like mimic lights for realistic set illumination, in-volume color correction, real-time depth of field, and live lighting adjustments. Simeon and Georgi explain how these innovations reduce conversion work, improve on-set flexibility, and allow for advanced asset previews even from a home studio using Vantage with camera tracking. They also highlight new camera tracking protocols, a standalone material editor, and Arena's watermark trial mode, showing how Chaos is making high-end virtual production more accessible and adaptable for filmmakers.

Episode 100-Live from Haunters Against Hate The Event III Released 09 August 2025 Hosts: Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed Keoni and Leslie host a live podcast from the show floor at Haunters Against Hate the Event III.  This unedited cut is straight from the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville, KY.  If you'd like to see the video version, check out our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@HauntingU Resources mentioned during this episode: Haunters Against Hate The Event: https://www.hahtheevent.com/ Haunting U can be found at www.hauntingu.com. Sanguine Creek Estates: www.scehaunt.com Chamber of Haunters Website: https://chamberofhaunters.com/ Sound Effects: Music: Dance of Death http://www.purple-planet.com/ Thunder: Recorded by Mark DiAngelo Uploaded: 07.29.11 http://soundbible.com/1913-Thunder-... License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Modifications: Inserted over Dance of Death Music Evil Laughter: Recorded by Himan Uploaded: 03.13.13 License: Public Domain  http://soundbible.com/2054-Evil-Lau... AI Text to Speech Generator: https://www.hume.ai/ We couldn't continue to bring you awesome content without the support of our sponsors, particularly our Premium sponsors, the Chamber of Haunters, and VFX.  Learn more here: www.chamberofhaunters.com https://vfxcreates.com/ Haunting U is a production of Sanguine Creek Entertainment LLC published under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. All rights reserved.  

Google DeepMind's Genie 3 stole the show this week with its persistent world generation, outshining OpenAI's underwhelming GPT-5 release. Join Joey and Addy as they break down how Genie 3 creates navigable AI worlds with accurate physics and memory—allowing users to paint a wall, walk away, and return to find their changes intact. Plus: ElevenLabs' music generator, Houdini 21's VFX updates, Lightcraft's new tools for indie filmmakers, and the ongoing ethics debate around Grok Imagine's controversial NSFW capabilities.---The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their respective employers or organizations. This show is independently produced by VP Land without the use of any outside company resources, confidential information, or affiliations.

What does it mean when “fake” images are indistinguishable from “real” ones? The rapid rise of AI generated images and advancements in VFX and photo manipulation has made it harder for us to distinguish between authenticity and artifice, animate and inanimate, fact and fiction. In this week's episode of Tomorrow Is The Problem, host Dr. Donna Honarpisheh sits down with media historian, theorist, and associate professor in culture and media studies at the New School, Deborah Levitt and artist Adam Putnam to explore the tense, evolving relationship between AI, the uncanny valley, and the body. Tomorrow is the Problem is brought to you by the Knight Foundation Art + Research Center and is produced in partnership with FRQNCY Media. 

Episode 99-What's in a Facade? Released 04 August 2025 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed Happy Coast Guard Day! August is upon us and its time to start constructing our Home Haunt.   Come explore the exciting world of haunted house construction, detailing plans for creating a captivating facade and incorporating innovative designs using materials like plywood and foam. We'll navigate the brainstorming process, tackle engineering challenges, and incorporate spooky elements to perfect their haunt setup. Join the fun and get inspired for your next haunt project, just in time for Halloween! Resources mentioned during this episode: Haunters Against Hate The Event: https://www.hahtheevent.com/ Haunting U can be found at www.hauntingu.com. Sanguine Creek Estates: www.scehaunt.com Chamber of Haunters Website: https://chamberofhaunters.com/ Sound Effects: Music: Dance of Death http://www.purple-planet.com/ Thunder: Recorded by Mark DiAngelo Uploaded: 07.29.11 http://soundbible.com/1913-Thunder-... License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Modifications: Inserted over Dance of Death Music Evil Laughter: Recorded by Himan Uploaded: 03.13.13 License: Public Domain  http://soundbible.com/2054-Evil-Lau... AI Text to Speech Generator: https://www.hume.ai/ We couldn't continue to bring you awesome content without the support of our sponsors, particularly our Premium sponsors, the Chamber of Haunters, and VFX.  Learn more here: www.chamberofhaunters.com https://vfxcreates.com/ Haunting U is a production of Sanguine Creek Entertainment LLC published under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. All rights reserved.  

Seth Worley stops by to talk about his fatherhood journey. He shares the values he looks to instill into his kids. In addition, he shares what his kids have taught him about life. After that we talk about his new film, Sketch. This film is inspired by his sister when they were kids as well as his own children. Seth talks about working with a great cast including Tony Hale. Lastly, we finish the interview with the Fatherhood Quick Five.  About Seth Worley Seth Worley is an American film director, writer, and entrepreneur known for his short films, commercials, and explainer videos for clients like Bad Robot and Sandwich Video. His debut feature, Sketch, starring Tony Hale and D'Arcy Carden, premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. His 2011-2016 run of acclaimed branded shorts like Plot Device and Old/New: Narrated by Patton Oswalt helped put VFX software company Red Giant on the map. He cohosts a weekly live talk show called VFX and Chill about the world of visual effects, and in 2017 co-founded Plot Devices, a company that manufactures tools and resources for screenwriting and story development. Make sure you follow Seth on Instagram at @thesethworley. In addition, check out the movie, Sketch in theaters on August, 6th.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQxXne4vmjc Brainiac Is This Week's Podcast Sponsor Brainiac is the first and only line of snacks to contain the BrainPack, a blend of Omega-3s and cholin. The company was started as part of their pursuit to provide the healthiest and smartest food for their our own kids. Brainiac Snacks offers foods kids love that parents can feel good about. They can be found at retailers like Walmart, Target and regional grocers nationwide. To learn more about their products and discover where you can purchase them, check out their website over at brainiacfoods.com.  About The Art of Fatherhood Podcast  The Art of Fatherhood Podcast follows the journey of fatherhood. Your host, Art Eddy talks with fantastic dads from all around the world where they share their thoughts on fatherhood. You get a unique perspective on fatherhood from guests like Bob Odenkirk, Hank Azaria, Joe Montana, Kevin Smith, Danny Trejo, Jerry Rice, Jeff Foxworthy, Patrick Warburton, Jeff Kinney, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Kyle Busch, Dennis Quaid, Dwight Freeney and many more.

From pocket universes to 2000-frame "one-take" shots, the panel dives deep into the VFX of Superman — faster than a speeding render!

Hi everyone, thanks for listening. Drop a line or two about the episode! Writer and co-architect of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, Niren Bhatt, is here for a deep dive of Bhediya! We also talked about writing horror comedies, how our horror comedies differ from the horror comedies in the West, Niren's takeaways from working on a VFX-heavy film, and much more. Join us!If you enjoy the podcast, do consider supporting the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/257788/supportFeedback/comments/questions: loveofcinemasf@gmail.comCredits:Produced and hosted by: Himanshu Joglekar (@loveofcinemasf8)Editor: Devika JoglekarMusic: Nakul AbhyankarCopyrights © Love of Cinema 2025Support the showIf you liked the episode and found value, please considering supporting the show. Your support will help me continue making good content for fans of Indian cinema everywhere across the world: https://www.buzzsprout.com/257788/support

We break down Fantastic Four—an excellent superhero film that's fun, full of heart, and proof that simplicity, when grounded in strong structure and resonant themes, can still shine. With some of the best VFX in recent memory, Fantastic Four marks a confident first step for Marvel's iconic team. Host(s) Michael Flores, Thomas Cowley

Designing a future where human life feels disposable — and deeply familiar — takes creative nerve, dark humor, and a fearless approach to world-building. This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by Production Designer Sue Chan to talk about her work on Murderbot, the new Apple TV+ series based on Martha Wells' bestselling novellas. Sue breaks down how she and her team designed a future full of corporate dread, practical machinery, and sly visual comedy — all while making the world feel tactile rather than CG-slick. We discuss: Developing the look of a far-future society built around exploitation, automation, and control How inflatable tech, 3D-printed architecture, and lightweight materials shaped the show's practical builds Establishing a visual language that's grounded in reality but laced with satire Designing Sanctuary Moon, the soap-opera-within-the-show, as a technicolor contrast to Murderbot's grey, corporate environments Using shapes, signage, and spatial hierarchy to reinforce themes of capitalism and class division The creative and political process behind Murderbot's helmet: the mask design that divided the studio and delighted Skarsgård Working with VFX and costumes to build a unified visual tone across departments Embracing “conscious contrasts” between the emotional tone of a scene and its visual environment Sue also reflects on the challenge of building a world that feels both foreign and uncomfortably familiar — and why the best production design does more than just look good.

Runway Aleph allows you to manipulate your videos using simple text prompts—no more tedious VFX workflows. This week, Addy and Joey break down the wave of new AI tools transforming post-production, including Luma AI's Modify with Instructions feature, Wan 2.2's open-source model, Ideogram's one-shot character generator, Adobe's new Harmonize tool, and more. Plus, we explore what these tools mean for VFX artists, virtual production, and the future of filmmaking workflows.--The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their respective employers or organizations. This show is independently produced by VP Land without the use of any outside company resources, confidential information, or affiliations.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman sits down with Benny Vasquez, Chair of the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, to explore the project's journey since the shift away from CentOS. Benny shares insights into how AlmaLinux stays community-driven, transparent, and enterprise-ready—all while navigating the evolving world of open-source licensing. It's a candid and thoughtful conversation about trust, sustainability, and what it takes to build an OS that listens to its users.https://www.almalinux.orgKey TopicsIntroduction to Benny Vasquez and AlmaLinux (00:07.87)The Evolution of CentOS and Birth of AlmaLinux (01:00.03)The Role of CentOS Stream and Enterprise Linux Ecosystem (03:27.08)Why AlmaLinux Stepped In and the Red Hat Source Code Shift (05:19.77)Differences Between AlmaLinux and Red Hat (08:33.74)Open Source Governance and Neutrality in AlmaLinux (14:05.99)Sustainability and Longevity of the AlmaLinux Project (24:07.31)Adopting AlmaLinux for VFX and Desktop Use (26:37.99)The Importance of Hardware Support and Adaptability (28:14.02)Upcoming Events: AlmaLinux Day Vancouver (33:48.05) Main TakeawaysCommunity-Driven Replacement for CentOS: AlmaLinux emerged as a community-driven distro to fill the gap left by CentOS after Red Hat's change in focus, ensuring enterprise-grade Linux remains accessible.Open and Neutral Governance: AlmaLinux prioritizes a meritocratic and community-focused governance structure to maintain independence and serve diverse user needs.Adaptability and Innovation: By addressing omitted features and bugs faster than traditional vendors, AlmaLinux thrives as a flexible solution for enterprises and personal use, offering extended hardware support.Commitment to Longevity and Sustainability: The AlmaLinux OS Foundation is focused on creating a project that outlasts its current contributors by setting up governance for long-term stability.Embracing Enterprise and Desktop Markets: Though AlmaLinux is enterprise-focused, it demonstrates significant adoption in both server and desktop environments, especially in industries like VFX. Notable Quotes"AlmaLinux emerged to fill a void, ensuring enterprise-grade Linux users didn't lose their stability and compatibility." – benny Vasquez"The key for us is not just building compatibility with Red Hat but allowing for innovation and hardware support that suits the community's needs." – benny Vasquez"We have to maintain neutrality in our governance so that no one organization can unduly influence AlmaLinux." – benny Vasquez"Making it independent in a way that it will outlast me and all of the current contributors is the ultimate success for me." – benny Vasquez"Linux is known for not leaving folks behind, and that's an ethos we adhere to with AlmaLinux." – benny VasquezResources MentionedAlmaLinux.org: https://almalinux.org (Download and contribute to the project)AlmaLinux Day Vancouver (August 9th): https://almalinux.org/blog/SIGGRAPH Conference: https://s2023.siggraph.org/Additional MentionsFedora ProjectWSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)Azure and AWS sponsorshipsThinkPads and Linux Distros for older hardwareThese show notes were automatically generated from the podcast transcript.

Send us a text Kathy and Ramesh do a deep dive into the trailer, Namit Malhotra's Ramayana: The Introduction, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and 8-time Oscar winning VFX studio DNEG in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations; Ramayana is being filmed for IMAX and will release worldwide: Part 1 on Diwali 2026 and Part 2 on Diwali 2027.Support the show

Episode Notes This week, we dive deep into the world of anamorphic lenses—why they look so cinematic, whether they're worth the hype, and how they've completely changed how we shoot our own projects. From film history to hands-on test shoots (with a side of burritos), we unpack what makes these lenses so alluring and complicated. After years of window shopping, we finally picked up our first set of anamorphic lenses—and used them to shoot a full music video. In this episode, we explore the difference between anamorphic and spherical, the history of Super 35, the struggle with vertical video, and how lens choices affect everything from contrast to storytelling. Plus, a bonus tale about AI girlfriends and milk-based VFX. 00:00 - Intro 08:13 - The Argument for Sirui 17:45 - Rehash from Ep #30 20:19 - The History of Anamorphic 33:11 - Our Experience so far 45:39 - Our Microcenter Story Find out more at https://until-you-make-it.pinecast.co

Could GPT-5 only be weeks away?Why are Microsoft and Google going all in on vibe coding?What's the White House AI Action Plan actually mean?Don't spend hours a day trying to figure out what AI means for your company or career. That's our job. So join us on Mondays as we bring you the AI News That Matters. No fluff. Just what you need to ACTUALLY pay attention to in the business side of AI. Newsletter: Sign up for our free daily newsletterMore on this Episode: Episode PageJoin the discussion: Thoughts on this? Join the convo and connect with other AI leaders on LinkedIn.Upcoming Episodes: Check out the upcoming Everyday AI Livestream lineupWebsite: YourEverydayAI.comEmail The Show: info@youreverydayai.comConnect with Jordan on LinkedInTopics Covered in This Episode:GPT-5 Release Timeline and FeaturesGoogle Opal AI Vibe Coding ToolNvidia B200 AI Chip Black Market ChinaTrump White House AI Action Plan DetailsMicrosoft GitHub Spark AI Coding LaunchGoogle's AI News Licensing NegotiationsMicrosoft Copilot Visual Avatar (“Clippy” AI)Netflix Uses Generative AI for Visual EffectsOpenAI Warns of AI-Driven Fraud CrisisNew Google, Claude, and Runway AI Feature UpdatesTimestamps:00:00 "OpenAI's GPT-5 Release Announced"04:57 OpenAI Faces Pressure from Gemini07:13 EU AI Act vs. US AI Priorities12:12 Black Market Thrives for Nvidia Chips13:46 US AI Action Plan Unveiled19:34 Microsoft's GitHub Spark Unveiled21:17 Google vs. Microsoft: AI Showdown25:28 Google's New AI Partnership Strategy29:23 Microsoft's Animated AI Assistant Revival33:52 Generative AI in Film Industry38:55 AI Race & Imminent Fraud Crisis40:15 AI Threats and Future InnovationsKeywords:GPT 5 release date, OpenAI, GPT-4, GPT-4O, advanced reasoning abilities, artificial general intelligence, AGI, O3 reasoning, GPT-5 Mini, GPT-5 Nano, API access, Microsoft Copilot, model selector, LM arena, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google Vibe Coding, Opal, no-code AI, low-code app maker, Google Labs, AI-powered web apps, app development, visual workflow editor, generative AI, AI app creation, Anthropic Claude Sonet 4, GitHub Copilot Spark, Microsoft GitHub, Copilot Pro Plus, AI coding tools, AI search, Perplexity, news licensing deals, Google AI Overview, AI summaries, click-through rate, organic search traffic, Associated Press, Condé Nast, The Atlantic, LA Times, AI in publishing, generative AI video, Netflix, El Eternauta, AI-generated visual effects, AI-powered VFX, Runway, AI for film and TV, job displacement from AI, AI-driven fraud, AI voice cloning, AI impersonation, financial scams, AI regulation, White House AI Action Plan, executive orders on AI, AI innovation, AI deregulaSend Everyday AI and Jordan a text message. (We can't reply back unless you leave contact info) Ready for ROI on GenAI? Go to youreverydayai.com/partner

We review The Fantastic Four: First Steps in this Oscars Profile Film Study. The Non-Spoiler Section builds to an Oscars Lens, where we predict if this movie will get any nominations, and then we discuss the plot in its entirety in our 2nd Half Spoiler Section. NON-SPOILER REVIEW: Which of the Fantastic Four are we? - Top of the Show Place in the MCU Phase 6 and that Kevin Feige interview - 2:56 No Homework - 4:28 The Reception Thus Far + Early Box Office - 5:23 Our Expectations & Common Problems People Have - 8:54 What if James Gunn stayed? + Handling the Origin Story - 12:21 Pacing Problems & We Wanted More Time To Hangout - 15:17 But we do get meaningful stakes + rounded, charming characters - 17:17 Review of the Performances & Was Pascal Miscast? - 19:29 Super Strong Production Values - 23:54 The Oscar Lens on VFX, Original Score, Costumes & Production Design - 26:57 SPOILER WARNING - 34:22 SPOILER FILLED REVIEW: Talking Galactus - 35:13 The biggest win for this movie - 37:40 How The Movie Met or Did Not Meet Mike1's Predictions - 38:57 The Most Asinine Complaint about the middle action sequence - 41:51 The biggest problem with the pacing, but we like the dilemmas in play - 43:06 Leaving us wanting more - 47:52 The Retro-Futuristic of it all & The Post Credit Scenes - 49:10 Final Grades - 52:48 OUTRO: Heavy breathing into the microphone distracts Mike1 while he's trying to remember the Outro and belly drums as Mike2 hints at his NYC movie watching weekend. We continue to avoid discussing what's coming next on the show so as not to jinx Mike1's health. But do please follow us on our socials and rate & review our show: https://linktr.ee/mikemikeandoscar And we do recommend our previous MCU Playlists on Soundcloud, which you can enjoy here. As always, thanks for listening. Marvel Cinematic Universe Series Review https://soundcloud.com/mikemikeandoscar/sets/mcu-series-review-1 Avengers Endgame Coverage https://soundcloud.com/mikemikeandoscar/sets/avengers-endgame-coverage

Our U.S. Media & Entertainment Analyst Benjamin Swinburne discusses how GenAI is transforming content creation, distribution and also raising some serious ethical questions. Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Ben Swinburne, Morgan Stanley's U.S. Media and Entertainment Analyst. Today – GenAI is poised to shake up the entertainment business. It's Wednesday, July 23, at 10am in New York.It's never been easier to create art for anyone – with a little help from GenerativeAI. You can transform photos of yourself or loved ones in the style of a popular Japanese movie studio or any era of visual art to your liking. You can create a short movie by simply typing in a few prompts. Even I can speak to youin several different languages. I can ask about the weather:Hvordan er været i dag?Wie ist das wetter heute?आज मौसम कैसा है? In the media and entertainment industry, GenAI is expected to bring about a seismic shift in how content is made and consumed. A recent production used AI to de-age actors and recreate the likeness of a deceased performer—cutting what used to take hundreds of VFX artists a year to just a few months with a small team. There are many other examples of how GenAI is revolutionizing how stories are told, from scriptwriting and editing to visual effects and dubbing. In music, GenAI is helping music labels identify emerging talent and generate new compositions. GenAI can even create songs using the voices of long-gone artists – potentially extending revenue far beyond an artist's lifetime. GenAI-driven tools have the potential to reduce TV and film production costs by 10–30 percent, with animation and post-production among the biggest savings opportunities. GenAI could also transform how content reaches audiences. Recommendation engines can become even more predictive, using behavioral data to serve up exactly what listeners want—sometimes before we know what we want. And there's more studios can achieve in post production. GenAI can already dub content in multiple languages, even syncing mouth movements to match the new dialogue. This makes global distribution faster, cheaper, and more culturally relevant. With better engagement comes better monetization. Platforms will use GenAI to introduce new pricing tiers, targeted advertising, and personalized superfan content that taps into niche audiences willing to pay more. But all this innovation brings up profound ethical concerns. First, there's the issue of consent and copyright. Can GenAI tools legally use an actor's name, likeness or voice? Then there's the question of authorship. If an AI writes a script or composes a song, who owns the rights? The creator or the GenAI model? Labor unions are understandably worried. In 2023, AI was a major sticking point in negotiations between Hollywood studios and writers' and actors' guilds. The fear? That AI could replace human jobs or devalue creative work. There are also legal battles. Multiple lawsuits are underway over whether AI models trained on copyrighted material without permission violate intellectual property laws. The outcomes of these cases could reshape the entire industry. But here's a big question no one can ignore: Will audiences care if content is AI-generated? Some consumers are fascinated by AI-created music or visuals, while others crave the emotional depth and authenticity that comes from human storytelling. Made-by-humans could become a premium label in itself. Now, despite GenAI's rapid rise, not every corner of entertainment is vulnerable. Live sports, concerts, and theater remain largely insulated from AI disruption. These experiences thrive on real-time emotion, unpredictability, and human connection—things AI can't replicate. In an AI-saturated world, the value of live events and sports rights will rise, favoring owners of sports rights and live platforms. So where do we go from here? By and large, we're entering an era where storytelling is no longer limited by budget or geography. GenAI is lowering the barriers to entry, expanding the creative class, and reshaping the economics of media. The winners in this new landscape will likely be companies that can scale—platforms with massive user bases, deep data pools, and the engineering talent to integrate GenAI seamlessly. But there's also room for agile newcomers who can innovate faster than the incumbents and disrupt the disrupters. No doubt, as the tools get better, the questions get harder. And that's where the real story begins. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Alex Wang, the Visual Effects Supervisor for the acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us, to break down the monumental VFX work behind the show's highly anticipated second season. Alex pulls back the curtain on the incredible challenges and creative triumphs of bringing the post-apocalyptic world to life, from the massive scale of the infected horde to the intricate details of hero creatures like the Bloater. He discusses the crucial balance between practical and digital effects, the importance of building trust with showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, and the seamless collaboration with world-class VFX houses like Weta, DNEG, and ILP. This conversation delves deep into the specific hurdles of Season 2, including a massive battle sequence Alex likens to "Helm's Deep," the complexities of a dramatic stormy water episode, and the creative pipeline from concept art to final shot. Alex shares how the team learned from Season 1 to push the boundaries of world-building and create environments that are both epic in scope and grounded in reality. This is a must-listen for any fan of The Last of Us and for visual effects artists and supervisors interested in the high-level strategy and creative problem-solving required to execute VFX on one of television's biggest shows. Topics Covered: The VFX of The Last of Us Season 2 Alex Wang's Role as VFX Supervisor Creating the Infected Horde and the Challenges of Crowd Simulation A Deep Dive into Season 2's Massive Battle Sequence Asset Creation for the Bloater and Other Infected Balancing Practical Effects with Digital Enhancements (Pyro, Weather, etc.) World-Building and Large-Scale Environment Extensions The Complexities of Creating the Stormy Water Sequence Collaboration with Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann Managing Multiple VFX Vendors (Weta, DNEG, ILP, Rise) The Creative Process from Concept Art to Final Shot Quotes: On the massive battle sequence: "I thought to myself, 'Craig, this is your Helm's Deep.'" On designing the infected horde: "These are civilians that became infected... their own story. So repetition is not something that we want." Resources: The Last of Us on HBO Weta FX DNEG Rise VFX Important Looking Pirates (ILP) Naughty Dog

ChatGPT Agent is OpenAI's new combo of Deep Research and its Operator web-browser agents into one near-human level worker. Is your job on the chopping block? Big week in AI News: Sam Altman and the OpenAI team have been cooking agents for a bit but this new one feels like the next big wave of AI in 2025. Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerberg grabs a few more OpenAI researchers, Grok reveals a pair of risque new AI companions & Runway released Act-Two for better AI video. Plus, Kimi K2 is China's VERY good new open source AI model, Higgsfield has some killer new VFX, a new 4.5+ update from Suno & Darth Vader raps.  JUST ANOTHER BIG WEEK IN AI. BUT WHEN WILL AGENTS RECORD THE PODCAST?   Join the discord: https://discord.gg/muD2TYgC8f Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AIForHumansShow AI For Humans Newsletter: https://aiforhumans.beehiiv.com/ Follow us for more on X @AIForHumansShow Join our TikTok @aiforhumansshow To book us for speaking, please visit our website: https://www.aiforhumans.show/   // Show Links // OpenAI's ChatGPT Agent: Deep Research + Operator https://www.youtube.com/live/1jn_RpbPbEc?si=PwYYp6Ar9gsyYSl4 Sam Altman ChatGPT Agent Warning https://x.com/sama/status/1945900345378697650 Sam On Jobs  https://x.com/sama/status/1945541270438646270 OpenAI *Nearly* Wins International Coding Competition https://x.com/andresnds/status/1945655797314154762 OpenAI Image Model High Fidelity https://cookbook.openai.com/examples/generate_images_with_high_input_fidelity Zuck Poaching Interview Clip From The Information https://x.com/theinformation/status/1944904130155438220 Meta Goes Closed Source?  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/technology/meta-superintelligence-lab-ai.html?unlocked_article_code=1.W08.2p5L.JThA__-EDzc4&smid=url-share Grok Companions Take Over X https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/grok-companions-include-flirty-anime-waifu-anti-religion-panda-rcna218797 500k/yr for “Waifu Engineer” https://x.com/ebbyamir/status/1945247680176799944 Kimi K2 Very Good New Chinese OpenSource Model https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/14/alibaba-backed-moonshot-releases-kimi-k2-ai-rivaling-chatgpt-claude.html https://x.com/Kimi_Moonshot/status/1943687594560332025 Runway Act-2 Launches https://x.com/runwayml/status/1945189222542880909 Runway Act-2 Examples https://x.com/c_valenzuelab/status/1945219029192286717 (drumming baby) https://x.com/wilfredlee/status/1945285590012059738 (joker) https://x.com/ProperPrompter/status/1945216316639502817 (meme) New Higgsfield Effects https://x.com/higgsfield_ai/status/1944897589603868804 UB Tech's Walker 2 Robot Can Replace Its Own Battery https://x.com/TheHumanoidHub/status/1945881669246013581 DEEP AI NERD ALERT: New Gwern Essay About Dreaming LLMs https://gwern.net/ai-daydreaming Lord Vader Rap https://www.reddit.com/r/aivideo/comments/1lxzx2b/yo_big_ds_giving_a_clinic_on_how_to_rap/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Suno Update https://x.com/SunoMusic/status/1945884363805061537 Star Wars: You See Him At The Club & What Do You Do?  https://www.reddit.com/r/CursedAI/comments/1lziqr3/you_see_him_at_the_club_what_do_you_do/  

How to maintain character consistency, style consistency, etc in an AI video. Prosumers can use Google Veo 3's "High-Quality Chaining" for fast social media content. Indie filmmakers can achieve narrative consistency by combining Midjourney V7 for style, Kling for lip-synced dialogue, and Runway Gen-4 for camera control, while professional studios gain full control with a layered ComfyUI pipeline to output multi-layer EXR files for standard VFX compositing. Links Notes and resources at ocdevel.com/mlg/mla-27 Try a walking desk - stay healthy & sharp while you learn & code Descript - my favorite AI audio/video editor AI Audio Tool Selection Music: Use Suno for complete songs or Udio for high-quality components for professional editing. Sound Effects: Use ElevenLabs' SFX for integrated podcast production or SFX Engine for large, licensed asset libraries for games and film. Voice: ElevenLabs gives the most realistic voice output. Murf.ai offers an all-in-one studio for marketing, and Play.ht has a low-latency API for developers. Open-Source TTS: For local use, StyleTTS 2 generates human-level speech, Coqui's XTTS-v2 is best for voice cloning from minimal input, and Piper TTS is a fast, CPU-friendly option. I. Prosumer Workflow: Viral Video Goal: Rapidly produce branded, short-form video for social media. This method bypasses Veo 3's weaker native "Extend" feature. Toolchain Image Concept: GPT-4o (API: GPT-Image-1) for its strong prompt adherence, text rendering, and conversational refinement. Video Generation: Google Veo 3 for high single-shot quality and integrated ambient audio. Soundtrack: Udio for creating unique, "viral-style" music. Assembly: CapCut for its standard short-form editing features. Workflow Create Character Sheet (GPT-4o): Generate a primary character image with a detailed "locking" prompt, then use conversational follow-ups to create variations (poses, expressions) for visual consistency. Generate Video (Veo 3): Use "High-Quality Chaining." Clip 1: Generate an 8s clip from a character sheet image. Extract Final Frame: Save the last frame of Clip 1. Clip 2: Use the extracted frame as the image input for the next clip, using a "this then that" prompt to continue the action. Repeat as needed. Create Music (Udio): Use Manual Mode with structured prompts ([Genre: ...], [Mood: ...]) to generate and extend a music track. Final Edit (CapCut): Assemble clips, layer the Udio track over Veo's ambient audio, add text, and use "Auto Captions." Export in 9:16. II. Indie Filmmaker Workflow: Narrative Shorts Goal: Create cinematic short films with consistent characters and storytelling focus, using a hybrid of specialized tools. Toolchain Visual Foundation: Midjourney V7 to establish character and style with --cref and --sref parameters. Dialogue Scenes: Kling for its superior lip-sync and character realism. B-Roll/Action: Runway Gen-4 for its Director Mode camera controls and Multi-Motion Brush. Voice Generation: ElevenLabs for emotive, high-fidelity voices. Edit & Color: DaVinci Resolve for its integrated edit, color, and VFX suite and favorable cost model. Workflow Create Visual Foundation (Midjourney V7): Generate a "hero" character image. Use its URL with --cref --cw 100 to create consistent character poses and with --sref to replicate the visual style in other shots. Assemble a reference set. Create Dialogue Scenes (ElevenLabs -> Kling): Generate the dialogue track in ElevenLabs and download the audio. In Kling, generate a video of the character from a reference image with their mouth closed. Use Kling's "Lip Sync" feature to apply the ElevenLabs audio to the neutral video for a perfect match. Create B-Roll (Runway Gen-4): Use reference images from Midjourney. Apply precise camera moves with Director Mode or add localized, layered motion to static scenes with the Multi-Motion Brush. Assemble & Grade (DaVinci Resolve): Edit clips and audio on the Edit page. On the Color page, use node-based tools to match shots from Kling and Runway, then apply a final creative look. III. Professional Studio Workflow: Full Control Goal: Achieve absolute pixel-level control, actor likeness, and integration into standard VFX pipelines using an open-source, modular approach. Toolchain Core Engine: ComfyUI with Stable Diffusion models (e.g., SD3, FLUX). VFX Compositing: DaVinci Resolve (Fusion page) for node-based, multi-layer EXR compositing. Control Stack & Workflow Train Character LoRA: Train a custom LoRA on a 15-30 image dataset of the actor in ComfyUI to ensure true likeness. Build ComfyUI Node Graph: Construct a generation pipeline in this order: Loaders: Load base model, custom character LoRA, and text prompts (with LoRA trigger word). ControlNet Stack: Chain multiple ControlNets to define structure (e.g., OpenPose for skeleton, Depth map for 3D layout). IPAdapter-FaceID: Use the Plus v2 model as a final reinforcement layer to lock facial identity before animation. AnimateDiff: Apply deterministic camera motion using Motion LoRAs (e.g., v2_lora_PanLeft.ckpt). KSampler -> VAE Decode: Generate the image sequence. Export Multi-Layer EXR: Use a node like mrv2SaveEXRImage to save the output as an EXR sequence (.exr). Configure for a professional pipeline: 32-bit float, linear color space, and PIZ/ZIP lossless compression. This preserves render passes (diffuse, specular, mattes) in a single file. Composite in Fusion: In DaVinci Resolve, import the EXR sequence. Use Fusion's node graph to access individual layers, allowing separate adjustments to elements like color, highlights, and masks before integrating the AI asset into a final shot with a background plate.

Google Veo leads the generative video market with superior 4K photorealism and integrated audio, an advantage derived from its YouTube training data. OpenAI Sora is the top tool for narrative storytelling, while Kuaishou Kling excels at animating static images with realistic, high-speed motion. Links Notes and resources at ocdevel.com/mlg/mla-26 Try a walking desk - stay healthy & sharp while you learn & code Build the future of multi-agent software with AGNTCY. S-Tier: Google Veo The market leader due to superior visual quality, physics simulation, 4K resolution, and integrated audio generation, which removes post-production steps. It accurately interprets cinematic prompts ("timelapse," "aerial shots"). Its primary advantage is its integration with Google products, using YouTube's vast video library for rapid model improvement. The professional focus is clear with its filmmaking tool, "Flow." A-Tier: Sora & Kling OpenAI Sora: Excels at interpreting complex narrative prompts and has wide distribution through ChatGPT. Features include in-video editing tools like "Remix" and a "Storyboard" function for multi-shot scenes. Its main limits are 1080p resolution and no native audio. Kuaishou Kling: A leader in image-to-video quality and realistic high-speed motion. It maintains character consistency and has proven commercial viability (RMB 150M in Q1 2025). Its text-to-video interface is less intuitive than Sora's. Summary: Sora is best for storytellers starting with a narrative idea; Kling is best for artists animating a specific image. Control and Customization: Runway & Stable Diffusion Runway: An integrated creative suite with a full video editor and "AI Magic Tools" like Motion Brush and Director Mode. Its value is in generating, editing, and finishing in one platform, offering precise control over stylization and in-shot object alteration. Stable Diffusion: An open-source ecosystem (SVD, AnimateDiff) offering maximum control through technical interfaces like ComfyUI. Its strength is a large community developing custom models, LoRAs, and ControlNets for specific tasks like VFX integration. It has a steep learning curve. Niche Tools: Midjourney & More Midjourney Video: The best tool for animating static Midjourney images (image-to-video only), preserving their unique aesthetic. Avatar Platforms (HeyGen, Synthesia): Built for scalable corporate and marketing videos, featuring realistic talking avatars, voice cloning, and multi-language translation with accurate lip-sync. Head-to-Head Comparison Feature Google Veo (S-Tier) OpenAI Sora (A-Tier) Kuaishou Kling (A-Tier) Runway (Power-User Tier) Photorealism Winner. Best 4K detail and physics. Excellent, but can have a stylistic "AI" look. Very strong, especially with human subjects. Good, but a step below the top tier. Consistency Strong, especially with Flow's scene-building. Co-Winner. Storyboard feature is built for this. Co-Winner. Excels in image-to-video consistency. Good, with character reference tools. Prompt Adherence Winner (Language). Best understanding of cinematic terms. Best for imaginative/narrative prompts. Strong on motion, less on camera specifics. Good, but relies more on UI tools. Directorial Control Strong via prompt. Moderate, via prompt and storyboard. Moderate, focused on motion. Winner (Interface). Motion Brush & Director Mode offer direct control. Integrated Audio Winner. Native dialogue, SFX, and music. Major workflow advantage. No. Requires post-production. No. Requires post-production. No. Requires post-production. Advanced Multi-Tool Workflows High-Quality Animation: Combine Midjourney (for key-frame art) with Kling or Runway (for motion), then use an AI upscaler like Topaz for 4K finishing. VFX Compositing: Use Stable Diffusion (AnimateDiff/ControlNets) to generate specific elements for integration into live-action footage using professional software like Nuke or After Effects. All-in-one models lack the required layer-based control. High-Volume Marketing: Use Veo for the main concept, Runway for creating dozens of variations, and HeyGen for personalized avatar messaging to achieve speed and scale. Decision Matrix: Who Should Use What? User Profile Primary Goal Recommendation Justification The Indie Filmmaker Pre-visualization, short films. OpenAI Sora (Primary), Google Veo (Secondary) Sora's storyboard feature is best for narrative construction. Veo is best for high-quality final shots. The VFX Artist Creating animated elements for live-action. Stable Diffusion (AnimateDiff/ComfyUI) Offers the layer-based control and pipeline integration needed for professional VFX. The Creative Agency Rapid prototyping, social content. Runway (Primary Suite), Google Veo (For Hero Shots) Runway's editing/variation tools are built for agency speed. Veo provides the highest quality for the main asset. The AI Artist / Animator Art-directed animated pieces. Midjourney + Kling Pairs the best image generator with a top-tier motion engine for maximum aesthetic control. The Corporate Trainer Training and personalized marketing videos. HeyGen / Synthesia Specialized tools for avatar-based video production at scale (voice cloning, translation). Future Trajectory Pipeline Collapse: More models will integrate audio and editing, pressuring silent-only video generators. The Control Arms Race: Competition will shift from quality to providing more sophisticated directorial tools. Rise of Aggregators: Platforms like OpenArt that provide access to multiple models through a single interface will become essential.

John and Craig plant the idea for setups that have the most satisfying payoffs. Different from exposition, setups introduce ideas and concepts to an audience, priming them for a later revelation. They look at the sleight of hand required to have your setups deftly planted, take root in your audience's mind, and grow into something delightful. But first, we look at the new California tax credits, the 2025 WGA annual report, follow up on AI and VFX, postmodernism, and verticals. We also answer listener questions on music videos and outing yourself to potential employers. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig look at the New York Times' new list of the 100 best movies of the 21st century. We all know Craig loves pitting movies against each other, so there's definitely no umbrage here. Links: The Best Movies of the 21st Century by NY Times California lawmakers approve expanded $750-million film tax credit program by Samantha Masunaga for LA Times WGA Annual Report – employment and earnings, residuals Michael Graves How ReelShort CEO Joey Jia Used a Chinese Trend to Disrupt the U.S. Entertainment Industry by Chad De Guzman for Time Magazine Sundance Labs Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild DJ Snake, Lil Jon – Turn Down for What Madonna – Vogue a-ha – Take On Me Riz Ahmed – The Long Goodbye Phil Collins – Don't Lose My Number 30 minutes with a stranger by Alvin Chang for The Pudding Chris Perkins Mike Birbiglia's top ten movies of the 21st century Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Craig Mazin on Instagram John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Spencer Lackey (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.