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SEASON 2 - EPISODE 143 - Phil Alden Robinson - Writer / Director In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with writer and director Phil Alden Robinson (THE GOOD FIGHT, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, FIELD OF DREAMS) about many of his films. Phil was initially interested in politics and journalism, but he eventually made his way to Los Angeles and found his way into a writer's room based on the strength of a spec script. Phil soon found two of his feature scripts in production, and he reflects on the impact of being treated as badly as possible and as well as possible simultaneously. Later, Phil breaks down how FIELD OF DREAMS came together as a project, and we learn how he overcame an overwhelming sense of stress through the support of his cast and key crew members, including cinematographer John Lindley (Season 1, Episode 34) and production designer Dennis Gassner (Season 1, Episode 131). In addition to his work in features, Phil also directed documentaries for Nightline in a number of war zones, and we discuss the value of living life and taking time off from making movies. We also discuss the ubiquitousness of VFX in cinema today, and Phil shares what he feels to be the real lesson to take away from a film like the original STAR WARS. - Recommended Viewing: FIELD OF DREAMS, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Profoto
Michael Ralla joins the podcast to share his journey through the world of visual effects, with a focus on his latest project as VFX Supervisor on the film Sinners. He discusses how he worked closely with cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, whose fearless approach to lighting and darkness pushed the creative envelope. The episode features a deep conversation about the differences between film and digital, the evolving language of color, and how these choices impact storytelling—insights that are especially relevant to the visual style of Sinners. Michael also opens up about his unconventional path into VFX, from his early ambitions as a heavy metal drummer to finding his footing in sound engineering, and ultimately discovering his passion for compositing. He reflects on his formative years at Scanline, learning the ropes through hands-on experience, and how that foundation led him to major studios like Digital Domain and ILM. Throughout the episode, Michael's candid perspective offers a rare look at the challenges and excitement of modern visual effects, as well as the importance of staying adaptable in an ever-changing industry.
This week, the Bandwagon takes a limited, but massively important, trip to the Trailer Park as we got the first trailer for Ironheart and the first full trailer for James Gunn's Superman. What did the guys think of them, and how are they feeling about the way summer is shaping up as a possible resurgence in great superhero movies? Speaking of great, Andor Season 2 concluded this week. Patrick and Dave have made it known to all just how much they love the show, and they offer a mini-review of what made Season 2 so great... and how it makes watching Rogue One again a completely new experience. We also have casting news for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, as well as some surprise choices for the upcoming John Madden movie. All that plus, Max is going back to its roots, Christopher Nolan continues to innovate the movie industry, Jessica Jones is heading to the MCU, and VFX workers take a big step towards unionizing. @AttitudeAgg@WrestlngRealist@itsReyCash@PCTunney@itsmedpp@ViolentAesop@TheMindlessPod@therealcplatt@ChairshotMedia@BandwagonNerdsPROWRESTLINGTEES.COM/TheChairshot - Makes a GREAT GIFT!!!About Bandwagon NerdsJoin Patrick O'Dowd, David Ungar, PC Tunney, Rey Cash, and DPP as they keep everyone up on all things nerd and maybe add some new nerds along the way. It's the Bandwagon Nerds Podcast!About Chairshot Radio NetworkChairshot Radio NetworkLaunched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you'll find!MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)THURSDAY - POD is WARFRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling PodcastSUNDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports PodcastCHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALSAttitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)http://TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & FriendsPatrick O'Dowd's 5X5Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/chairshot-radio-network/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Something passed between them: the faintest hint of a common destiny. Does this describe Paul and Arlo's first meeting, or the first time Farmer Hoggett sets eyes on the piglet known as Babe? What's the difference? For a new That Was Then, the boys are joined by perennial guest Eric Sipple to discuss Chris Noonan's 1995 film Babe. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the unlikely Best Picture nominee set a new standard for animal VFX and influenced a generation of vegetarians and vegans. The gang discusses the film's surprising macabre side, its view of destiny, how it compares to Orwell's Animal Farm, the contentious relationship between Noonan and co-writer/producer/shadow director (?) George Miller, and much more. NEXT: drop some acid, find your spiritual center, and join us for a Four-Color Flashback exploring the first three volumes of Alejandro Jodorowsky & Mœbius' The Incal. BREAKDOWN 00:01:22 - Intro / Banter 00:03:38 - That Was Then: 1995 00:24:20 - Babe 01:47:28 - Outro / Next MUSIC “Pigs on the Wing” by Pink Floyd, Animals (1977) “Piggies” by the Beatles, The Beatles (1968) GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/ National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/
Oglašamo se iz Cannesa, kjer se za zlato palmo letos potegujejo novi filmi Wesa Andersona, bratov Dardenne, Julie Ducournau, Richarda Linklaterja, Kelly Reichardt in drugih. Obiskali smo festival eksperimentalnih avdiovizualnih praks VFX. Ocenjujemo Pingvinove lekcije in beremo strip Zorana Smiljanića, posvečen Fritzu Langu z naslovom Ljutomer-Berlin-Hollywood.
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 141 - DP & VFX Relationship - with Greig Fraser & Paul Lambert In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, cinematographer Greig Fraser (Season 1, Episodes 29, 57, 63, 69 & Season 2, Episodes 50, 51, 100) and VFX supervisor Paul Lambert (Season 1, Episode 107) return to talk about the modern relationship between the cinematography and visual effects departments. Throughout the episode, we frequently refer to Paul's and Greig's collaboration on both DUNE films, and they reveal how they realized several scenes and overcame the endless challenges of shooting the film with the support of one another. They share why they utilized painted backings to assist in set extension over blue screens or LED walls, and we later swap strategies for figuring out how to maintain the illusion of a flying helicopter. Greig also reveals what makes him proud about a particular all-CG shot in DUNE: PART II, and Paul breaks down what an audience really means when they see “bad CGI” in a film. Towards the end, we discuss the merging of animation and live-action filmmaking, and we look ahead to what the future may bring. - Recommended Viewing: DUNE (2021), DUNE: PART II (2024) - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Profoto
Kimball Thurston leads the strategy for future technology for VFX production at Weta FX. This session uses real-life examples as he offers insight into the AI intersections with creative artists and how these tools add to the creative process, not take away from it. This session is presented by Weta FX and WingNut Films.
The Art of Observation in Animation & VFX, with Jahirul Amin, founder of CAVE Academy | TVAP EP63SummaryIn this conversation, Jahirul Amin emphasizes the significance of real-world observation in the field of animation. He advocates for practical experiences, such as watching people walk or observing natural light and shadows, to enhance understanding and skills in animation. This approach encourages animators to engage with their environment to inform their work, rather than relying solely on theoretical resources.TakeawaysThe simplest way to learn animation is through physical observation.Real-life examples, like bouncing balls, enhance understanding.Observing people walking provides better insights than books.Going outside helps in understanding light and shadows.Asking questions about observations deepens learning.Practical experiences are crucial for animators.Engaging with the environment informs animation work.Understanding color in light is essential for rendering.Observation leads to better animation techniques.Real-world experiences can inspire creativity in animation. Watch all episodes on our YouTube Channel Visit our website Thank you for your support!
Jess Loren, CEO and co-founder of Global Objects, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of immersive content and the creative tech reshaping the industry. A force to be reckoned with, Jess has a sharp pulse on where things are headed, and she doesn't hold back when discussing the current state of Hollywood. She talks candidly about the challenges studios and creators face today, and how technology like digital scanning, virtual production, and Gaussian splats can embolden independent filmmakers. Jess also shares insight into how she builds meaningful partnerships across art, tech, and media. Her business and life partner, Erick Geisler, appeared back in episode 483, and together they've helped position Global Objects at the intersection of innovation and storytelling. In this episode, Jess dives into her own journey as an entrepreneur and explains how she identifies trends before they break, working with brands, creators, and studios to help them stay ahead. Whether you're building pipelines, pitching ideas, or just trying to understand where things are going, this episode offers a grounded, unfiltered look at the creative future.
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text! The Naked Texture Artist is a podcast where VFX/animation veterans have deep and honest conversations about their challenges and growth as working artists. Welcome to the sixth and penultimate slice from my conversation with the Dragon Lady. In this part I finally bring up the reason I wanted to talk to her: Is Myriam Catrin the world's best texture artist? Her work speaks for itself, but more than ability and talents, it is Myriam's humanity that make her one of the great and truly special artists. I am sure you will agree, when you have listened to her take on all the greatness talk. There is no sunshine without occasional darkness: Myriam shares a very personal episode, where her work broke her and how she managed to steer herself back to health again. If you want to know the innerworkings of one of the best texture artists in VFX today, the highs and the lows, Myriam shares very generously and fearlessly of her experience. Enjoy! Myriam is a fantastic artist, who's work and interests reach far beyond VFX. Do yourself a favour, please, and explore and support the amazing work Myriam also does: https://www.artstation.com/myriamcatrin Sadly her amazing comic book, Passages, is currently sold out. But look out for new print runs here: https://shop.publicdomain.paris/product/passages-myriam-catrin Myriam has also recently contributed beautiful artwork to the Modern Calligraphy Bible: https://schifferbooks.com/products/modern-calligraphy-bible As well as the exciting project Nariko's Voyage, which is in development for TV: https://www.narikosvoyage.com/ We also talk about the multi-facetted Martin Hill, who's excellent pottery can be found here: https://www.martinhillceramics.com/ Hokusai of legend: https://images.app.goo.gl/S1PvUoHf7wVptqNJ6 We refer back to Steven Pressfield's indispensable book The War of Art. Read it many, many times. It will enable you to do your best work: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-art/ Myriam refers to the breakthrough style of Alberto Mielgo, who of course created the seminal Jibaro episode for Love Death + Robots https://www.albertomielgo.com/ The Naked Texture Artist is produced by Marque Pierre Sondergaard. Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thenakedtextureartist Contact us on thenakedtextureartist@gmail.com Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtextureartist/ Music copyright belongs to Tycho for the song Awake - https://tychomusic.com/ Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com
Send us a textCould you collaborate to make an award-winning professional short film with a team from start to finish in just 48 hours? Our guest today has done just that! James Rowan is a technologist, educator, and researcher working at the intersection of film, television, and emerging technology.You'll hear James talk about the ways in which both creativity drives technology and technology drives creativity. He provides advice about how to develop both creative thinking skills, paired with the technical skills necessary to make a vision come to life, and what's needed to bridge the gap between these two states of being. We chat about the inventible failures that will occur in figuring things out as you go, and that failure is simply data. We talk about collaboration and the power of the hive mind; diverse individuals with different areas of expertise coming together to push innovation through experimentation.Here's the link to watch James and team's incredible 48-hour film project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPRe2bVe27o I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people! Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
ゲストはVFXスーパーバイザーの白石哲也さん。これまでに東京スカイツリーのプロジェクションマッピングや、映画「キングダム」シリーズ、「ゴールデンカムイ」、「全裸監督2」、「るろうに剣心」シリーズなどの話題作のVFX、ビジュアルエフェクトを担当。CGを活用して、現実には見ることのない景色を画面の中に生み出し、観客を圧巻の映像の世界へ連れていく、日本のVFXの分野におけるトップランナーと言える方です。白石さんをBMW X3 M50 xDrive の車内にお迎えし都内をクルーズしながらお話を伺いました。
It's Part One of our Way Too Early 2025-26 Oscars Predictions Special, or Guarantees Special as we should have called it. Screenplays, VFX, Sound, Score, Song, the Shorts, yes - The Shorts, Make-up & Hairstyling, plus Lead Actor and Actress are all discussed. Original Screenplay reveals films where we're heavy + where Vegas leans - 3:07 Adapted Screenplay includes former winners, noms + a UFC champ - 11:37 VFX w/ Avatar & F1 + sentimental favorites & trailers that look good to us - 18:00 Sound Design w/ F1 as the favorite + other blockbusters - 23:00 Original Score has a murderers row of legendary contenders - 25:22 Original Song includes multiples by two films + the Diane Warren rule - 28:48 Documentary Short included the most research ever - 31:48 Animated Short included the least research ever - 35:09 Live Action Short is as clear a vision into the future as we've ever had - 36:44 Make-up & Hairstyling where we share 4 noms, but talk honorable mentions more - 39:26 Lead Actor has huge stars and irrational confidence levels from us in our picks - 41:05 Lead Actress - 47:07 OUTRO - 55:00 - Make sure to go back to the rest of our Oscars Year In Preview Series. We have specials to preview each section of the calendar, plus a Sundance review and a Cannes preview. Also stay locked on our feed for Part Two, where we'll predict the Supportings, Director, Casting, Best Picture and the rest of the 24 Oscar categories. And as always, let us know your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, and your predictions via our socials. https://linktr.ee/mikemikeandoscar
In our latest fxpodcast, we speak with Joseph Bell on Trump's proposed film tariff, global VFX trends, and the business of uncertainty
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 140 - Jon Alexander - Compositing Supervisor In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with compositing supervisor and visual effects artist Jon Alexander (DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, THE PHANTOM MENACE). Jon was witness to a number of milestones in the history of visual effects, and throughout the episode, Jon shares numerous stories from his long career at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), granting us insight into a time he likens to as the Italian Renaissance. From optical printers to artificial intelligence, Jon shares his experiences working with the many pieces of technology responsible for manipulating images, and he reveals the level of focus he and his colleagues at ILM shared when it came to problem-solving (even during an earthquake!). In addition to his work in film, Jon has also worked on projects for The Sphere in Las Vegas, and he shares what he believes to be the distinctive traits of and the possible uses for the new technology. Jon also reveals what he saw as a groundbreaking advancement in visual effects while working on HOWARD THE DUCK, and we compare past and present VFX techniques. Plus, we break down how optical visual effects are actually made. - This episode is sponsored by Profoto & Aputure
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text! On The Naked Texture Artist, I have deep and honest conversations with working artists.Here is a snippet, which is genuinely useful advice for any artist:Manuel Huertas Marchena recounts, "how he broke into the film industry"EnjoyIf that was useful for you, feel free to share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. I would appreciate your help.You can catch the full conversation on The Naked Texture Artist, wherever you get your podcasts.Thanks for listening!The Naked Texture Artist is produced by Marque Pierre Sondergaard. Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thenakedtextureartist Contact us on thenakedtextureartist@gmail.com Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtextureartist/ Music copyright belongs to Tycho for the song Awake - https://tychomusic.com/ Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com
Episode 94-East Coast Haunters Convention Recap Released 04 May 2025 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed Happy Star Wars Day! Dive into the discussion of this year's East Coast Haunters Convention held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. Discover a plethora of exciting new products, innovative ideas, and the camaraderie of fellow haunters. Expect fascinating insights into vendors' struggles and their creative responses amidst economic challenges. May the Fourth be with you. Resources mentioned during this episode: ECHC Vendor Spotlights: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28wRG-UcyfgpHXRzc2du3G-bIz3SEZq9 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... 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.
"May the Force Be With You," and also May The 4th Be With You.The Holmes Brothers head back to the world of Star Wars to review The Prequel Trilogy. We're back with another Trilogies episode. The films in the trilogy include Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). Revenge of the Sith is currently being re-released in select cinemas to coincide with its twenty year anniversary.Before the rights of LucasFilm and the world of Star Wars were sold to Disney, George Lucas came back to finish the Star Wars saga with the Prequels. Whether you like the films or not, cinema and visual effects technology caught up with Lucas's vision and he was able to tell the full story in the way that he envisioned. He could finally show Podracers, Gungans, the planet Coruscant and also show how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. There was a lot of hype and expectations around these films. Back in 1999 before the release of Episode I, people would buy tickets to other films just to see the trailer and then leave. This is way before YouTube. Today there has been a slight reappraisal of the films from some corners of cinema fans and lovers of all things Star Wars, compared to the critical bashing they all got during their original releases from fans, filmmakers and critics. The films were not as popular as the Original Trilogy. They did not receive the same love and acclaim at the time and a lot of the criticisms the films got were due to the writing, storytelling, characterisation and sometimes the VFX. Now many years later, where do you think we land on the films? Listen to the episode and find out.We hope you like this episode and stay tuned for more Trilogies episode. The next episode will be on The War Trilogy, directed by Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini.Be sure to check out our Monument Valley Film on our YouTube Channel, the famous location is featured briefly in one of the films.Anders's screenwriter work can also be seen in the western The Outlaws, The films is a available to watch in America , parts of Scandinavia (e.g. Denmark, Finland) & the United Kingdom on Amazon and also Apple TV. You can read a review about the film here on Collider.Follow us on our Instagram page. For obvious reasons, we are no longer on Twitter. You won't find us there. Perhaps we will make a BlueSky account, so keep an eye out. Follow our Letterboxd page where you can see what we were recommending to each other over the course of the Covid-19 Pandemic:Also check us out on Letterboxd too!AndersAdam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Buy VFX Artist React Viewer Merch until May 4th;https://www.bunkerbranding.com/products/vfx-artist-t-shirthttps://www.bunkerbranding.com/products/vfx-artist-tankOur videos are made possible by Members of CorridorDigital, our Exclusive Streaming Service! Try a membership yourself with a 14-Day Free Trial ► http://corridordigital.com/We're shocked at how cool the VFX art in the Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2. We also dive into the process it takes for us to film our React show and how Ai is slowly creeping into our daily lives. This episode was recorded LIVE, exclusively for our website subscribers. Look out for updates on our website homepage, YT Community, and social media to find out about our next live recording session!SUPPORT ►Join Our Website: https://bit.ly/Crew_MembershipInstagram: http://bit.ly/_Corridor_InstagramBuy Merch: http://bit.ly/Corridor_StoreSub-Reddit: http://bit.ly/_Corridor_Sub-Reddit
The New Capes & Lunatics Ep #2 (LGY #357): Warden This week your team of Phil, Lilith, and Kristen talk with director and VFX artist Marcus Alqueres about his movie Warden, about a young man with superpowers emerging, astonishing the city as he tackles crime and corruption. But some sense a tyrant's rise Tune in today and don't forget to review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you can! Capes & Lunatics Links → Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/capeslunatics.bsky.social → Twitter https://twitter.com/CapesLunatics → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/capeslunatics/ → Facebook https://www.facebook.com/capesandlunatics → YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/CapesandLunatics ==================
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text! The Naked Texture Artist is a podcast where VFX/animation veterans have deep and honest conversations about their challenges and growth as working artists.How many of us are doing some form of traditional art on the side?Most of us. After all, this is the origin we came from: pencils and pens and paper and paint. How many of us dream of returning to that, as a fulltime vocation?I know a lot of us do.Martin Murphy left a highly successful career in VFX to pursue that dream. Needless to say, there is a lot of wisdom, learnings and experience to extract from Martin's life and story.Lots of important advice for any artist working in VFX or animation.See Martin's amazing artwork here:https://martinmurphyart.com/We also mention ILM https://www.ilm.com/Bryce: http://www.bryce3d.co.uk/Digital Extremes: https://www.digitalextremes.com/Lightwave: https://www.lightwave3d.com/And his appearance on the Framethrowers podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@framethrower5373The Naked Texture Artist is produced by Marque Pierre Sondergaard. Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thenakedtextureartist Contact us on thenakedtextureartist@gmail.com Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtextureartist/ Music copyright belongs to Tycho for the song Awake - https://tychomusic.com/ Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com
Is the Force still with us? In this episode, we're joined by long-time Star Wars fan Bhaskar to break down the current state of the franchise—from the highs of Andor to the lows of The Acolyte. We talk about the Disney+ overload, the trilogy that derailed itself, the missed opportunities, and whether it's time for a creative hiatus. There's plenty of fun, frustration, and fandom to go around—this one's for the galaxy brains. ✨Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MDgfxhURWtg
Today Rebecca is joined by Kristen Brancaccio to react to some anonymously submitted production horror stories - the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious. BREAKDOWN: 0:30 - Updates with Kristen! Full-time directing largely in vertical soap operas 3:55 - Anonymously submitted production horror stories!4:20 - UPM asked LAPD to ID homeless defecation, cop reverse unos and asks production to read screenplay 6:23 - Cops respond to film shooting but not gun shooting7:05 - Chandler Berg the PA putting out a Malibu fire with the production fire extinguisher 8:30 - Producers digging into an actual cemetery 10:06 - Director beat up PD on set, Kristen stands up for art department11:14 - 300 extras were told to actually fight each other, actor gets stabbed12:28 - Rap video with dog fights, stabbing, and computers stolen out of motor home 13:09 - Kristen is up to direct a music video, artist goes to jail before they can shoot 14:22 - Script supervisor stole the lined script for ransom 14:45 - “The Terminator” goes off on PA for chewing too loudly15:40 - Department head commits fraud, blames assistant 16:18 - Kristen declines to deposit production budget into department head's personal account17:30 - Woman shocked by amount of cash taken out by Hollywood productions18:17 - Person asked to only be paid in gold bars18:40 - Camera van without handbrake runs through video village on car commercial28:55 - Portable toilet driven for 45 minutes on bumpy road with person inadvertently inside 19:50 - Talent rage quit his own pilot 20:40 - mayor allowed filming in exchange for photos with celebrities 21:06 - Extra wardrobe malfunction 21:58 - Background actor backstories22:58 - Bribing the neighbor with Magic Castle tickets24:25 - Director freaks out that set design isn't bougie enough 25:22 - Client decided day of the shoot that pre-approved wooden paneling needed to be VFX'd out26:52 - Wet garbage falling30:27 - Unusable footage from holding camera on top of a moving camera29:50 - Petty cash disappeared x231:35 - Who can decode these acronyms? DM us @nosetpathshowKEEP UP WITH KRISTEN: IG: @kristensrealityKristen's first episode on No Set Path: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/02-pitching-matt-damon-producing-for-finneas-w-kristen/id1676370871?i=1000605417778KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShowwww.NoSetPathShow.combio.site/nosetpath
Welcome to Trilith Institute Talks! In this episode of Trilith Institute Talks, host Hunter Barcroft discusses the intersection of storytelling and visual effects with guest Austin Baur, a filmmaker with experience in VFX, animation, and color grading. Joined by film students Andres and Baker, the conversation covers practical filmmaking on a budget, the evolution of visual effects technology, and the future of the film industry in terms of smaller, more efficient teams. Austin highlights his career journey from a VFX artist to a director, emphasizing the importance of creativity and decisiveness in the filmmaking process. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Trilith Institute Talks 00:50 Meet the Guests: Austin Baur and Film Students 02:06 Austin Baur's Journey in the Film Industry 05:21 Challenges and Growth in Visual Effects 07:46 Innovative VFX Techniques and Practical Effects 10:12 CT Cantina and Taqueria: A Culinary Experience 22:10 Andres' Thesis Film: Ambitious VFX on a Budget 27:02 Future of Filmmaking: Technology and AI 31:57 Unexpected Career Shift: From VFX to Color Grading 32:46 Challenges of Color Science and Display Technology 33:44 Practical Effects vs. Digital: A Filmmaker's Dilemma 36:12 The Evolution of Visual Effects in Filmmaking 43:25 The Rise of Small Teams in High-Quality Productions 53:31 The Future of Filmmaking: Technology and Collaboration 57:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About Trilith Institute Support The Next Generation of Storytellers Take A Professional Education Course Get Involved With Trilith Institute Contact Us Follow Us On Social Media! Trilith Institute Talks Instagram Trilith Institute Instagram Trilith Institute Facebook Trilith Institute LinkedIn
In this episode of the VFX Artists Podcast, Kofi interviews Freefolk VFX supervisor Rob Sheridan, about his journey in the visual effects industry, the importance of internships, and the evolving landscape of VFX jobs. Rob shares insights on how he progressed from a runner to a supervisor, the significance of the Futurefolk internship program, and advice for aspiring VFX artists. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by the industry and the importance of communication and collaboration in career advancement.Takeaways- Rob Sheridan has been with Free Folk for 11 years.- Starting as a runner can provide valuable insights into the industry.- Internships like Futurefolk are crucial for gaining experience.- Strong communication skills are essential for career progression.- Applicants should focus on showcasing their best work in reels.- The VFX industry is changing, with fewer runner positions available.- Commercial work can provide quick opportunities for building a portfolio.- Networking and reaching out on LinkedIn can open doors.- It's important to be proactive and aware of industry changes.- Positivity and attitude play a significant role in career success.
A spark of madness is often the first step toward creation. On today's episode, we welcome Bojan Dulabic, a passionate Vancouver-based filmmaker who pulled off a small miracle—he made a full-length zombie movie for just $5,000. But this isn't just a story of budgeting brilliance; it's a tale of relentless passion, artistic vision, and the kind of self-taught wisdom you can't get in film school.Born in Bosnia, raised in Germany and Croatia, and finally settled in Canada, Bojan Dulabic's journey into filmmaking is stitched together by war, displacement, and a child's fascination with VHS tapes in his mother's shop. His early life sounds like something out of a global coming-of-age novel. And perhaps that nomadic upbringing seeded in him a gift for observation—a key trait in any great storyteller. When he finally turned his teenage creativity into a film project in high school, something clicked. Not just the shutter on a camera, but the internal compass of a man who knew he had to follow the path of cinema, even if it meant doing it on his own terms.This wasn't a journey paved in gold. His first feature, shot for $4,000, was a comedy that taught him the ropes. His follow-up? A feature-length zombie film titled Project Eugenics.What could have been a cliché genre dive instead becomes a thoughtful narrative on misinformation, the chaos of modern life, and yes—zombies as metaphors. “To me, a zombie flick... it's not about the zombies. It's always about something else,” Bojan reflects. In his hands, the walking dead become symbols of mass confusion, manipulation, and the blurred lines of truth in our hyper-connected world.There is a playful seriousness to Bojan's philosophy. He reveres Romero and admires Rodriguez, but he walks his own road. Like Alan Watts would muse about the dancer and the dance, Bojan seems less concerned with final outcomes and more with being in the creative flow—tripping over obstacles and finding meaning in the madness. He shares stories of juggling a wedding, a tight shooting schedule, and DIY visual effects like a magician with duct tape. His secret? A mindset that embraces “safe confusion”—a term borrowed from Tarantino—that invites the audience into mystery without losing them.What's more, Bojan brings a rare humility to the table. He speaks about his cast and crew with deep respect, understanding that low-budget filmmaking doesn't give you the license to burn out others for your dream. His actors often worked just a few days, each scene scheduled with precision. His respect for time, energy, and goodwill may be the real reason his film came together. For him, filmmaking is not just a creative act but a spiritual contract—with himself, with his collaborators, and with the audience.This podcast isn't just a technical breakdown of low-budget indie cinema. It's a spiritual blueprint for artists who feel the fire but lack the funds. Bojan's approach is radical because it's so simple: take stock of what you have, and build from there. Whether it's stock footage, free VFX plugins, or your friend's living room—use it. More importantly, finish it. Don't wait for permission. Make your movie now.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.
Adam Howard is the winner of four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects and has been nominated a total of nine times for his VFX work on multiple Star Trek series. He originally trained in his home town of Melbourne Australia as a graphic designer, illustrator and animator, using very traditional artist tools. His passion for visual effects in film and television led him to be one of the first digital artists on the planet creating groundbreaking digital effects and animation for ABC-TV Melbourne and AAV Studios. He moved to Los Angeles in 1990 getting his dream jobs of working as lead animator and compositor on Star Trek: The Next Generation and MacGyver, and a few years later working as a senior artist at George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).Adam has worked on over 145 feature films including Titanic, Birdman, Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest, Mission Impossible 3, Rush Hour 3, Jarhead, Cliffhanger, The Sandlot, The River Wild, Pee Wee's Big Holiday, War of the Worlds, Star Trek: First Contact, The Day After Tomorrow, Van Helsing, Coneheads, The Hurricane Heist, Tower Heist, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 1 & 2, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Island, Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and Bram Stokers Dracula.He also created visual effects and animation for TV series including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Will & Grace, That 70's Show and the iconic opening title chalkboards for The Simpsons. He was senior VFX Supervisor for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride experience at Universal Studios Orlando, Tokyo and Los Angeles. Adam is also a fine artist creating custom painted portraits which are available by commission on his website www.adam howard.art. In addition to his VFX and fine art work, Adam is also Manager to award winning actress and screenwriter Lorenne Clarke. Adam recently completed work as VFX Supervisor for M. Night Shyamalan's TV series SERVANT and season 4 of EVIL on CBS.Connect with Adam:➡️ Instagram: @adamhoward_officialwww.adamhoward.arthttps://www.adamhoward.art/visualeffectsAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text! On The Naked Texture Artist, I have deep and honest conversations with working artists.Here is a snippet, which is genuinely useful advice for any artist:World's most famous games artist Adam Capone explains, "How to break out of a creative rut?"Enjoy!If that was useful for you, feel free to share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. I would appreciate your help.You can catch the full conversation on The Naked Texture Artist, wherever you get your podcasts.Thanks for listening!The Naked Texture Artist is produced by Marque Pierre Sondergaard. Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thenakedtextureartist Contact us on thenakedtextureartist@gmail.com Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtextureartist/ Music copyright belongs to Tycho for the song Awake - https://tychomusic.com/ Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com
Join Lafayette, Carlos, and Laura in this electrifying and fun-filled episode of Nerds Talking The Podcast as they sit down with the incredibly talented filmmaker Marcus Alqueres, the visionary director behind the motion picture Warden.Marcus, a Canadian-Brazilian director with roots in visual effects and a reputation for flipping genres on their heads, dives deep into the creative process behind Warden—a grounded, socially-charged superhero tale told through the eyes of those forever changed by the emergence of the world's first real-life superhero. With a gripping cast including Giovanni de Lorenzi, Alli Willow, Antonio Saboia, and more, Warden trades blockbuster flash for indie heart, proving that bold storytelling doesn't need a billion-dollar budget.The crew chats with Marcus about his breakout short film The Flying Man, a viral vigilante hit with over 25 million views, and his jaw-dropping visual effects work on mega-films like 300, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Adventures of Tintin, and even Star Wars. They explore how his background in VFX shapes his directorial voice and his passion for blending practical and digital effects to bring emotional realism to the screen.Expect plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, nerdy tangents, and thoughtful conversations about film making, heroes, and what it really means to do the right thing in a complicated world. Whether you're a movie buff, a comic book junkie, or just love a great story—you won't want to miss this one!Hit play and nerd out with us!
Send us a textOn this episode of Creator Economy Live, we're joined by the one and only Mike Diva—the creative powerhouse directing some of Saturday Night Live's most unforgettable digital shorts. From viral YouTube hits to high-gloss SNL sketches, Mike has built a career on chaotic brilliance, razor-sharp satire, and mind-blowing VFX.Hosts Brendan Gahan and Keith Bendes chat with Mike about breaking into the industry, maintaining his distinct visual voice in mainstream media, how the SNL gig came to be, and what creators and brands alike can learn from sketch comedy's golden formula.Plus: AI in the creator world, YouTube vs. TV, and why Chili's deserves your respect.
Welcome to Trilith Institute Talks! In this episode of Trilith Institute Talks, host Hunter Barcroft sits down with filmmaker Siddarth Kantamneni to delve into the intricacies of building a career in the film industry. Siddarth shares his journey from studying computational media at Georgia Tech to working on significant projects in Atlanta. The conversation covers the importance of collaboration, the evolving nature of technology in filmmaking, and essential skills like communication and planning. Joining the discussion are film students Jane and Austin, who share their experiences and seek advice on thriving in the current film landscape. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for aspiring filmmakers, highlighting the critical balance between artistry and professionalism. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Collaborative Filmmaking 00:20 Welcome to Trilith Institute Talks 00:53 Meet the Guests: Sidharth, Jane, and Austin 02:09 Sidharth's Journey in Filmmaking 06:00 From Student Films to Indie Features 08:16 Networking and Career Growth 12:05 Balancing Multiple Roles in Filmmaking 15:48 The Art of Lighting and Collaboration 22:12 Exploring the Giallo Genre 24:52 Modern Feminist Lens on Horror 26:16 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 28:08 The Importance of Networking 32:11 Celebrating Thesis Film Success 33:49 Upcoming Film Projects 40:52 Balancing Technology and Storytelling 44:08 Essential Skills for Filmmakers 47:55 Conclusion and Podcast Outro About Trilith Institute Support The Next Generation of Storytellers Take A Professional Education Course Get Involved With Trilith Institute Contact Us Follow Us On Social Media! Trilith Institute Talks Instagram Trilith Institute Instagram Trilith Institute Facebook Trilith Institute LinkedIn
BioSteve Neill is a special effects makeup artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, model maker and visual effects (VFX) artist in film and television with a career spanning over 35 years.Steve started in the Industry at American Zoetrope just after high school where he produced his first film, Arthur. He was mentored by Francis Coppola and became good friends.Moving to Hollywood, Steve met Joe Blasco where he apprenticed for a short while before becoming friends with Rick Baker who gave him his start in Hollywood. Later he met Bob Schieffer who was head of Disney make-up and then became friends with Fred B. Phillips as a result of being friends with Bob Schieffer.Steve Neill first worked for Fred B. Phillips on Star Trek: The Motion Picture. His first assignment was to make Spock's ears. Additionally he designed and made the appliances of the dome headed alien on the bridge that was applied by Ve Neill.After working on Star Trek Steve went to work for John Chambers making prosthetics and puppet heads for National Lampoon's Class Reunion.Steve Neill has also worked on Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country for Richard Snell as a sculptor and prosthetic maker of numerous Klingon forehead pieces. Additionally he worked on the Star Trek: The Next Generation pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint".Steve Neill was also one of the Famous Hollywood Gorilla Men. Over the course of many years he made three gorilla suits and performed in many commercials, tv shows and movies. Additionally he created the McDonald's “Mac Tonight” moon character puppeteering it for many years. The head was worn by Doug Jones and puppeteered by Steve Neill, Gillian Neill and Bob Burns.He worked on Crater Lake Monster (1977) and Laser Blast (1978). Steve created, wrote and produced The Day Time Ended (1978). He worked on Ghost Busters (1984), Fright Night (1985), and many other sci-fi and horror films.Steve Neill is the author of “But Something is there” and is currently in production at SNG Studio for “But Something is There” produced by Steve Neill, Paul Gentry, Whitley Strieber and Mary Cacciapaglia.Amazon link https://tinyurl.com/5bj93kfehttps://sngstudioventura.com/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCam8F83Eqqes5K9QKwoi99Qhttps://breaking-the-silence-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp/https://breakingthesilence001.substack.com/ https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/alienufopodcastMy book 'Verified Near Death Exeriences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP
Paul and Mesh begin with a luxury fashion update as Versace announced that it would be acquired by Prada to create a team-up of Italian luxury fashion brands. Next, Paul discusses the massive $1.68 billion dollar damages award in the sexual assault trial against writer director James Toback. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss James Cameron, one of the pioneers of big budget motion pictures, and Mr. Cameron's view that AI technology can be leveraged to reduce VFX costs without eliminating jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 54: Ever wondered if AI tools could be as good as they claim? Matt Wolfe (https://x.com/mreflow) and Nathan Lands (https://x.com/NathanLands) delve into this question with Nikola Todorovic (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikola-todorovic3/), the CEO of Wonder Dynamics. In this episode, the hosts discuss with Nikola how Wonder Dynamics' Flow Studio allows anyone to reskin videos with AI-generated characters, reminiscent of the stunning special effects seen in major films like Lord of the Rings. Nikola explains the evolution of Wonder Dynamics, the skepticism they faced, and the blend of creativity and technology that drives their success. Discover how this groundbreaking tool is democratizing filmmaking for indie creators, and explore Nikola's vision for the future of AI in Hollywood and beyond. Check out The Next Wave YouTube Channel if you want to see Matt and Nathan on screen: https://lnk.to/thenextwavepd — Show Notes: (00:00) From Bosnia to VFX Artist (04:38) AI Mocap's Potential Unveiled (06:24) Bridging 3D Skills for All (12:33) Motion Prediction for Markless Mocap (13:34) Animation Control Enhancements Explained (17:44) Hollywood's Unsustainable Financial Model (22:45) 3D Video Consistency Challenges (24:14) AI Workflow Innovations in Studio Production (29:19) Future of Digital Characters (30:41) Content Overload: Cream Rises (34:22) VFX and 3D in Social Media (38:24) Misleading Ads Featuring AI Characters (42:32) Startups' Film Knowledge Evolution (43:08) Creative Collaboration and Controlled Evolution — Mentions: Want to Create Content with AI? Get the ultimate checklist here: https://clickhubspot.com/wfe Nikola Todorovic: https://www.instagram.com/nikola_todorovic3/ Wonder Dynamics: https://wonderdynamics.com/ Vote for us! https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/shows/business — Check Out Matt's Stuff: • Future Tools - https://futuretools.beehiiv.com/ • Blog - https://www.mattwolfe.com/ • YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@mreflow — Check Out Nathan's Stuff: Newsletter: https://news.lore.com/ Blog - https://lore.com/ The Next Wave is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by Hubspot Media // Production by Darren Clarke // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano
The theater experience is making a comeback as film formats return to prominence. In this episode, Joey and Addy dive into Ryan Coogler's innovative approach to shooting 'Sinners' on 70mm film, the surprising success of the Minecraft movie, and the uncertain future of LA's iconic Cinerama Dome. Plus, we analyze James Cameron's candid take on cutting VFX costs with AI tools, and examine Netflix's partnership with OpenAI to improve their search functionality.
Sebastian Sylwan has a wealth of experience, having been CTO at Weta Digital, Scanline, and Felix & Paul Studios, as well as Director of Technology at Digital Domain. He's spent his career at the intersection of art and technology, helping world-class teams push the boundaries of visual effects, immersive media, and real-time workflows. In this episode, he reflects on the challenges of innovating in production environments—where the pressure to deliver can often stifle meaningful experimentation—and offers a thoughtful look at how our industry might evolve if we rethink our relationship with technology. We talk about what it means to be truly innovative, how to design systems that scale while still empowering artists, and why creative industries so often fall into patterns of short-term thinking. Sebastian also shares some candid thoughts on how leadership, culture, and communication play a critical role in making or breaking new ideas. If you've ever struggled to bring a great tool or pipeline into a legacy studio, or wondered why some groundbreaking tech never catches on, this episode is for you.
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text! On The Naked Texture Artist, I have deep and honest conversations with working artists.Here is a snippet, which is genuinely useful advice for any artist:The Dragon Lady, Myriam Catrin, explains, her process for getting film quality assets off to a good start.Enjoy!If that was useful for you, feel free to share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. I would appreciate your help.You can catch the full conversation on The Naked Texture Artist, wherever you get your podcasts.Thanks for listening!The Naked Texture Artist is produced by Marque Pierre Sondergaard. Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thenakedtextureartist Contact us on thenakedtextureartist@gmail.com Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtextureartist/ Music copyright belongs to Tycho for the song Awake - https://tychomusic.com/ Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com
“I am your (SPOILERS REDACTED)…” The Empire Strikes Back was the sequel to a movie that helped change the way the film business worked. The continuing adventures of Luke, Leia, Han and the rebellion picked up where Star Wars left off and left it in a much darker place. Clint, Cal and Nick continue the season of family by talking about the one-man-financing approach to following up the biggest movie of all time, the technical wizardry of optical printing and how ILM's new office building was included in the VFX budget. Meanwhile, Dan's Algorithm wants to know who's scruffy looking… CineFix Top 100 was created by Clint Gage and Dan Parkhurst and is produced by Tayo Oyekan, with Technical Producers, Marhyan Franzen and Amir Rakib. Our Executive Producers are Clint Gage and Corrado Caretto. Logo and graphic design by Eric Sapp and title animations by Casey Redmon. Follow us on Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/CineFixTop100/ - and find us on all your podcast networks including: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/02lznfKZ2gCnBwFoTgKlYr Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cinefix-top-100/id1693413490 Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80256cff-2174-4d69-a9c7-8b565e96e39b Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FLIGHT 42: Veteran media, VFX, and show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Sony, MacGillivray Freeman Films and more, Valerie Johnson-Redrow! Today's immersive attractions feature tremendous amounts of media - often presented on tremendous screens. While owners and operators often take the credit for these groundbreaking E-Ticket experiences, it's the media and show producers who make the magic happen. Plan now to join us as veteran media, VFX, and show producer Valerie Johnson-Redrow climbs aboard the time machine to share stories and wisdom accumulated during her 30-year career, including show producing the “King Kong 360-3D” and “Reign of Kong” (media only) attractions at Universal parks, producing media for Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot and developing concepts for Conservation Station at Disney's Animal Kingdom, producing all media for Sony's Metreon in San Francisco, as well as her work on IMAX films, Chinese flying attractions, TV shows, and her latest project, “Adventures Beneath the Seas!”
The Batman 2 Delayed Again?! | The Kristian Harloff Show Is The Batman Part II facing another delay? And if so, what's really going on behind the scenes with director Matt Reeves? On today's Kristian Harloff Show, we break down the growing speculation that Reeves may be dealing with something serious—serious enough that it's being compared to a “Chadwick Boseman situation.” Whether it's a personal health issue or something else entirely, fans are divided on whether DC or Reeves should make a statement or just be given space. Plus, actor Brandon Sklenar confirms DC Studios has contacted him about possibly stepping into the cape and cowl for The Brave and The Bold. Is he our next DCU Batman? We've also got a packed show full of industry updates: Cannes Film Festival 2025 reveals its official line-up James Cameron says A.I. may be the key to saving VFX-heavy blockbusters Cinemas are furious over the rowdy “Minecraft” meme movement and its impact on screenings HBO officially renews “The Last of Us” for Season 3 — but is it the final chapter? Set photos tease Castle Grayskull in the upcoming live-action He-Man movie Matt Johnson, director of BlackBerry, is reportedly being eyed to direct the first Magic: The Gathering live-action film for Hasbro and Legendary And of course, we discuss what this all means for the future of DC films, the “Bat-verse,” and the cinematic landscape as a whole. Make sure to subscribe and join the conversation. Let us know in the comments—should The Batman Part II be delayed to give Reeves more time? Or is it time for DC Studios to move fully into the new DCU with The Brave and The Bold? OUR Sponsors: If you're 21+, try VIIA during their annual SPRING 420 SALE for Black Friday-level savings up to 35% OFF site wide! Go to https://viia.co/KRISTIAN and use code KRISTIAN! FAST GROWING TREES: This Spring FGT has the best deals, for your yard, up to half off on select plants and other deals. And listeners to our show get FIFTEEN PERCENT OFF their first purchase when using the code BIGTHING at checkout. http://www.fastgrowingtress.com VIIA: Try VIIA! https://viia.co/KRISTIAN and use code KRISTIAN! FACTOR: Get started at http://www.factormeals.com/kristian50off and use code kristian50off to get 50 percent off plus FREE shipping on your first box.
Episode 374: Wheel of Time Season 3 Part 1 The show loosely based on David's favorite fantasy series The Wheel of Time is back for its third season. This week we will be covering the first half of season three, and this season does not disappoint. Season three feels almost like a brand new show the VFX game has leveled up and while not 100 percent book accurate the show is making strides to more closely adhere to the lore of the source material and that is a welcome change. The Wheel of Time has finally found its legs based on the first half of this season. Let's hope the second half is just as strong. If there is a show or movie you'd like us to discuss you can leave a comment or email us at Synthaholics@yahoo.com or leave a comment. https://www.twitch.tv/synthaholics Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/synthaholics If you would like to donate to us to help keep the show going please look at our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/Synthaholics?ty=h Join the Facebook conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/Synthaholics/ Email us synthaholics@yahoo.com Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/SynthaholicDuo Or Tumblr http://synthaholics.tumblr.com/ Subscribe to us on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/synthaholics-star-trek-podcast/id981239466?mt=2 Subscribe to us on Google Play https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Immzfeujybtpjrz54khq3luqj3m Subscribe to us on iHeartRadio https://www.iheart.com/show/263-synthaholics-a-star/ Or subscribe to us on Stitcher Radio http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/david-duncan/synthaholics?refid=stpr
Episode 124 Like many visual effects artists of a certain vintage, Jeff Okun didn't plan on a career in VFX. In fact, by his own account, he didn't even plan to work in film at all. "I'm a completely accidental human being," he told me with a chuckle. His ambitions began on a very different stage — as a stand-up comic — until a sharply atheistic routine delivered at home earned him a lifetime ban from performing in front of his parents. Instead, Okun's creative outlet took the form of magic tricks, homemade stunts, and Super 8 visual gags. “I would blow up model ships and fake fights in rush hour traffic,” he said, “and I'd be in the bushes filming with ketchup for blood.” All of this childhood chicanery ultimately gave way to a fascination with the trickery of movies — the kind of illusions you could only pull off with careful camera work, sleight-of-hand editing, and an appetite for mischief. Learning the Craft the Hard Way Okun's first job in film was with the legendary graphic designer and filmmaker Saul Bass. The experience was, in Okun's words, “awful,” but also profoundly formative. As Bass's gopher-turned-editor, Okun was thrown into the deep end. “I hated him,” he laughed. “But he taught me everything: editing, sound, post-production supervision, how to shoot, how to frame. It was a masterclass.” Working for Bass meant operating in a visually precise, effects-heavy style — layering camera moves, creating in-camera effects, and often relying on labor-intensive optical printing processes. When optical houses turned down Bass's business — too exacting, too expensive — Okun stepped in with cost-saving workarounds and pricing schemes that actually worked. “We doubled the budget, added a contingency, and somehow still landed exactly on target.”“By the end of it, I ended up loving the man,” Okun said. “Not because he gave me a break, but because he was so specific and difficult to please that when you did please him, it meant something. He learned how to prep lineup sheets, how to composite with interpositives, and how to break down 140-layer optical shots into manageable components. “I was just the fix-it guy. I didn't know what I was doing half the time. I still don't.” VFX by Way of Accident It wasn't long before optical houses and producers began calling on Okun when their films were in trouble. One fix led to another. His reputation grew as someone who could step into a crisis and calmly solve it — usually with a combination of ingenuity, humour, and brute-force trial and error. “I think Saul trained me to see puzzles. That's what it comes down to — seeing what's broken and putting it together in a way that works. Most of the time, it wasn't about having the right answer. It was about trying 50 wrong ones.” This kind of lateral thinking came into its own on films like Stargate (1994), where Okun — working with Jeff Kleiser and Diana Walczak's fledgling CG company — had to convince director Roland Emmerich that computer graphics were even worth attempting. “Roland didn't believe in CG. So we built the shot, made the CG glider deliberately less detailed to match the miniature footage. Showed it to him. He said, ‘Exactly — that's what I'm talking about. Miniatures are the way to go.' And we said, ‘Nope. All CG.' That's when he finally came around.” (Fun fact, VFX supervisor Jeff Okun was paid homage by Brent Spiner in Independence Day in the role of Dr. Brackish Okun. There's uh, a slight resemblance.) - Credit to Nofilmschool.comPenguins, Moose, and the Invisible Effect Okun is quick to point out he wasn't a Star Wars kid. In fact, he avoided the original film for weeks on principle — he doesn't do queues. But he did get a behind-the-scenes tour of ILM's original Van Nuys facility courtesy of Bass and George Lucas. There, he saw motion control rigs, Richard Edlund on his knees filming the crawl, Phil Tippett animating the chess game, and pyro tests in the parking lot. It was, he admits, a little magical — though it didn't change the fact that his creative allegiance remained with illusion, not spectacle. “My favourite effects are the invisible ones. I started out as a magician. The goal is to make people believe there's no trick. That's where the real artistry is.” Still, that didn't stop him from sneaking penguins and moose into the background of multiple films. He once gave a horse antlers in a Cameron Crowe movie. In Blood Diamond, he added a huge penguin family to a wide evacuation shot — no one noticed. “It's like the gorilla basketball video. You just don't see what you're not looking for.” The Shark That Ate Sam Perhaps his most famous — or infamous — contribution to pop culture came on Deep Blue Sea. Samuel L. Jackson had just delivered a particularly rough eight-page monologue, and Okun, unimpressed with the script, asked Jackson what he wanted to do. “He just said, ‘Kill me.' So I said, ‘If you make it to the front of the moon pool, I'll kill you.'” The surprise shark attack that interrupts Jackson mid-speech is now legendary. It wasn't in the script. “Renny Harlin didn't know until the day,” Okun said. “Sam did take after take but always got to the kill spot early. We cut the rest. I shot the elements. It was a massacre. We even had baby sharks pull him apart for fun.” The Changing Landscape Much of our conversation revolved around the changing realities of visual effects — the rise of AI, the complications of LED walls, and the shifting expectations from directors and studios. “People think VFX is just hitting the ‘do it right' button and then the ‘do it fast' button,” he said. “There's so little appreciation for how hard this stuff is, and we've done ourselves no favours by making it all invisible.” He sees today's VFX artists as increasingly anonymous — a shift he's spent much of his career trying to reverse, both through his own visibility and via his tenure at the Visual Effects Society. “We don't sell our artistry. We sell our software. You know the names of the DPs, but no one can name last year's VFX Oscar winners. That's not sustainable.” The Invisible War Stories At the end of our chat, Okun expressed a desire to tell more of the “true” stories of VFX — the screw-ups, the late-night fixes, the shots that weren't supposed to work. He wants more people to know that the chaos behind the curtain is often where the real creative breakthroughs happen. “It's always fun. That's the only reason I still do it. And when it's collaborative, when it's people bouncing ideas off each other, it's magical. That's when everyone forgets the pain and just remembers the movie.”All the Filmumentaries Links
*Buy a 3D printed Wren Model Kit* ► https://bit.ly/3DprintedWren_ModelKitOur videos are made possible by Members of CorridorDigital, our Exclusive Streaming Service! Try a membership yourself with a 14-Day Free Trial ► http://corridordigital.com/Sam, Wren, and Nick discuss their passions outside of filmmaking and VFX.This episode was recorded LIVE, exclusively for our website subscribers. Look out for updates on our website homepage, YT Community, and social media to find out about our next live recording session!SUPPORT ►Join Our Website: https://bit.ly/Crew_MembershipInstagram: http://bit.ly/_Corridor_InstagramBuy Merch: http://bit.ly/Corridor_StoreSub-Reddit: http://bit.ly/_Corridor_Sub-Reddit
Welcome to The Following Films Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of cinema with the filmmakers, artists, and storytellers who bring movie magic to life.On today's episode, I'm joined by legendary VFX artist Alec Gillis to talk about his involvement with Shout! TV's Double Take series, where celebrity guests curate and host themed double features. On April 5, Alec is hosting a special marathon in celebration of Roger Corman's birthday—a fitting tribute, considering his early work on Battle Beyond the Stars under the legendary producer.But that's just the beginning. Alec's career has spanned some of the most iconic sci-fi and horror films of all time, working alongside visionaries like James Cameron and Stan Winston on Aliens, The Abyss, and Terminator 2. He's also brought creatures to life in fan favorites like Tremors, Monster Squad, and Starship Troopers.Today, we'll discuss his journey in the industry, his passion for practical effects, and what fans can expect from this upcoming Double Take event.So, sit back and enjoy my conversation with Alec Gillis.
Going Gonzo for Chocobo Samantha Inoue-Harte may just have the most diverse resume of anyone that we have ever interviewed on the show. She is an actress, voice actress, worked in VFX, Special Effects, owns a recording studio, works as head of content and so much more. And then, to top it all off, she plays the drums as well ... so yeah, she's a musician. Oh , and then .... shes also partnering with Wu Tang Clan to bring an Afro Samurai clothing line to market. No biggie ... You have seen Samantha's work in movies like Office Space, Predators, Alita: Battle Angel, Death Proof, and Planet Terror. You have heard her in shows and games like Final Fantasy Unlimited, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Negima!, World of Warcraft, Idiocracy, and more! For more on Samanthan Inoue-Harte, please visit the following - Instagram - @animegirl_sami IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1404109/ For more on our show partners - Bones Coffee - http://www.bonescoffee.com/FSFPOPCAST and use code FSFPOPCAST Idea Farm - www.ideafarm.store - use discount code FSF15 Level Up Sabers https://bit.ly/FSFLevelUpSabers Win free loot - sign up here - www.fsfpopcast.com/contact Tim Beisiegels articles - https://couchsoup.com/author/byeseagull For more on our Show - Join our Patreon https://patreon.com/fsfpopcast Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/cpry4fCDTq Visit our website - https://www.fsfpopcast.com FSF PopCast on BlueSky, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook - @fsfpopcast This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
Episode 93-Planning Halloween 25 Released 01 April 2025 Hosts: John Schelt, Keoni Hutton & Leslie Reed Join the Haunting You podcast crew as they embark on an exciting journey to craft an unforgettable haunted experience for 2025. In this episode, they delve into the intricate planning required to build a professional-level haunt, exploring themes, backstories, and the spooky elements that will bring chills to their audience. With a nod to classic horror tropes and a dedication to top-notch storytelling, discover how they aim to create a haunting that blends terror with entertainment. Whether it's ghosts from a cursed estate or mad scientists conducting ghastly experiments, this episode lays the foundation for a spine-tingling spectacle. Stay tuned as they navigate challenges and share insights into bringing their terrifying vision to life. Resources mentioned during this episode: 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... 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 Rocky Mountain Home Haunters LLC published under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. All rights reserved.
Scott Ross, legendary VFX executive and co-founder of Digital Domain, joins the podcast for an unfiltered conversation about the state of the film industry and the visual effects business. With decades of experience and a reputation for telling it like it is, Scott digs into the systemic challenges facing Hollywood—from broken economic models in studio filmmaking to the relentless pressure on VFX vendors. He reflects on his time building Digital Domain alongside James Cameron and shares insights from his new book, UPSTART: The Digital Film Revolution – Managing the Unmanageable, which chronicles his journey through the chaos and creativity that have defined modern filmmaking. While Scott doesn't sugarcoat the industry's issues, he also sees glimmers of hope. He highlights the rise of global talent and a shift toward more authentic, filmmaker-driven storytelling. The conversation touches on the role of AI, the decline of theatrical experiences, and the urgent need for systemic change—while still holding onto the belief that the future of cinema is worth fighting for. With honesty, insight, and passion, Scott offers a rare perspective from someone who's been at the center of the digital revolution and still has something to say.
AI is rapidly changing the game for visual effects—and if you're a filmmaker, you can't afford to ignore it. In this episode, we break down how VFX margins are shrinking, why AI-generated effects are closing the quality gap, and how emerging tech like AI dubbing is opening doors to global distribution. Plus, a real-world example of a film budget gone wrong.
Joshua Lastine, an entertainment lawyer, returns to the podcast to break down the rapidly changing legal and business landscape of the film industry. As AI tools reshape content creation, streaming platforms redefine distribution, and independent filmmakers leverage new technology, Joshua explains how contracts, intellectual property, and revenue models are evolving. He dives into the legal implications of AI in filmmaking, from WGA and SAG-AFTRA's new protections to the ethical and financial risks of content licensing for AI training. He also discusses how major studios are adapting to these shifts and what it means for the future of traditional and independent production. The conversation highlights how cutting-edge technology is empowering low-budget filmmakers to create studio-quality content without massive resources. Joshua explores the impact of real-time rendering, virtual production, and AI-driven tools on independent filmmaking, making it easier than ever to produce high-end visuals on a fraction of the budget. He also breaks down the shifting economics of streaming vs. theatrical releases, how tax incentives influence production locations, and why smart distribution strategies are more critical than ever. Packed with expert legal insights and industry analysis, this episode offers a roadmap for navigating the intersection of law, technology, and the evolving film industry.
This week we welcome filmmaker and VFX artist Bryant Griffin on the show to talk about directing his first feature, Young King and how he left his job, moved to LA and made his first feature length film. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don't forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952