Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast

In the final episode of season one, Shannon Tindle and John Knoll return to Lighter Darker to discuss the much debated use of lens flares in film and animation. John talks about rejection and how to know when a project isn’t right for you. Our hosts and guests share some of their favorite lens flares and how to use the technique correctly (and incorrectly).

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:42] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:11:29] Rejection Letters

[00:17:47] Lens Flare Extravaganza

[00:53:39] The Martini

[01:00:28] Outro

Episode Links

John Knoll - IMDb

Shannon Tindle - IMDb

“Hook” (1991) Tinkerbell Lens Flares

“Visions of Light” documentary on cinematography, HD remaster

“Star Wars” (1977), timestamp 6:14

The Martini

Todd: Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions, by Edward Zwick

John: Portrait Artist of the Year

Jenny: Batman Resurrection

Shannon: 

LA Taco

Colorware

Rob:

1Password

Apple Passwords

Follow Us

ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn 

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/020-lens-flares-with-john-knoll-and-shannon-tindle/
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Production designer Jeremy Hindle and VFX supervisor Eric Leven join us to discuss their work on Severance season two. We discuss merging practical designs with the often invisible digital effects to create the atmosphere and environments of the Lumon world.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:11] Intro

[00:01:55] Rejection Letters

[00:06:52] Severance

[00:52:52] The Martini

[01:00:43] Outro

Episode Links 

Jeremy Hindle - IMDb

Eric Leven - IMDb

Severance (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb

The Martini

Todd - Detroiters (TV Series 2017–2018) - IMDbThe Studio (TV Series 2025– ) - IMDb

Jenny - Andor (TV Series 2022–2025) - IMDb

Eric - Swax Training Baseball

Rob - The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott

Follow Us

ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn 

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/019-severance/
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ILM creative director Ben Morris and producer Svana Gisla join us to discuss ABBA Voyage. We talk through details about the technology, collaboration with the band, and the legacy of this one-of-a-kind musical experience. 

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:31] Origin Stories

[00:08:57] ABBA Voyage

[00:51:40] The Martini

[00:58:39] Outro

Episode Links

ABBA Voyage (Music Video 2022) - IMDb

Svana Gisla - IMDb

Ben Morris - IMDb

The Martini

Todd - MacBook Air 13-inch and MacBook Air 15-inch - Apple

Ben - Severance (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb

Jenny - Paul Tremblay

Rob - Game Changer - Dropout

Follow Us

ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn 

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-18-abba-voyage/

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Recorded with a live audience at Star Wars Celebration in Japan, join our Industrial Light & Magic panel as we commemorate a monumental milestone—50 years of groundbreaking visual effects artistry, production mastery, and technological innovation. In this panel, hear from longtime ILM veterans as they take you on a journey through the company's legendary
achievements.

Chapter Markers
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:02:07] Starting at ILM
[00:24:05] Blending Techniques
[00:45:48] Future of VFX
[00:47:41] The Martini
[00:01:00] 0utro

ILM 50th Swag
ILM 50th T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, Tumbler

Episode Links 

Fon Davis - IMDb

Janet Lewin - IMDb

John Knoll - IMDb

Lynwen Brennan - IMDb

Masa Narita - IMDb

Rob Coleman - IMDb


The Martini
Lynwen - Light & Magic Season 2 and ILM Announces New Book at Star Wars Celebration Japan 
Janet - ILM 50th Anniversary Merch
Andor Season 2
Rob Coleman - The Director's Cut - A DGA Podcast
Rob Bredow - Tokyo DisneySea

Follow Us
ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn 
Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram
Todd Vaziri
Jenny Ely on Instagram
Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript
https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/017-fifty-years-of-ilm-panel/
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Bryce Dallas Howard joins us to talk about her experiences and processes as an actor and filmmaker. She also shares her thoughts on recent exciting news from the world of science! You won’t want to miss this one!

Chapter Markers
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:02:23] Questions from the Mailbag
[00:20:35] Storytelling and Innovation in Filmmaking
[00:41:02] Film Foundations
[00:47:19] Storytelling and Innovation part 2
[00:59:48] The Martini
[01:09:26] Outro

Episode Links 

Bryce Dallas Howard - IMDb 

The Mandalorian (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb 

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) - IMDb 

The Brave Little Toaster (1987) - IMDb 

The Last Unicorn (1982) - IMDb 

Beth Shapiro, Ph.D. - Colossal 

The Return of the Dire Wolf - Colossal 

The Martini
Jenny - Merriam-Webster (@merriamwebster) · Springfield, MA 
Rob - beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones 
Bryce - Milan Art Institute

Follow Us
ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn 
Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram
Todd Vaziri
Jenny Ely on Instagram
Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com
Transcript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/016-bryce-dallas-howard/
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