#71 Josué Zabeau HERITAGE: The BLENDER Short Film SO GOOD People Lost Their Minds
In this episode, we sit down with Josué Zabeau, a 3D artist with an engineering background, to break down his incredible Blender short film Heritage. What started as a small personal project quickly evolved into one of the most action-packed Blender short films, showcasing jaw-dropping 3D realism, cinematic motion, and high-speed intensity — all created inside Blender.We explore the full creative journey behind Heritage: ✅ How Josué achieved photorealism in Blender using smart workflows and detailed references ✅ Why references are essential for building believable environments, lighting, and textures ✅ The tools, add-ons, and techniques that powered the production ✅ How the focus on momentum, velocity, and action makes this short film stand out ✅ The surprising story of why this incredible Blender film almost didn’t get released💡 If you’re passionate about 3D art, animation, and filmmaking in Blender, this interview is packed with insights, tips, and inspiration for artists who want to push realism and storytelling through motion.The VFX Process Podcast #71Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereWatch HERITAGE: click here
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#70 Peter Haynes: How I Built a STAR WARS Empire with Unreal Engine
We sit down with Peter Haynes, the director and creator of the acclaimed fantasy live‑action webseries AFK and the viral Star Wars parody series For The Empire, hosted on his channel Epically Casual.We dive deep into Peter’s transition from live‑action filmmaking to digital production using Unreal Engine during the COVID lockdowns — a journey that began with a viral tech test featuring two stormtroopers on their first day of the job, and evolved into three hilarious seasons of For The Empire.He explains how his live‑action experience shaped his digital filmmaking style, the challenges of the Unreal Engine learning curve, and offers valuable tips for new creators. We also explore his plans for a long‑awaited Season 3 of AFK and his future digital projects, along with insights into how he is raising funds for indie digital and live‑action productions.Whether you’re a Star Wars fan, an Unreal Engine enthusiast, or an indie filmmaker, this interview offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at how Peter Haynes is pushing creative boundaries in both fantasy live‑action and virtual production.The VFX Process Podcast #70Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereWatch For The Empire & AFK: click here
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#69 Arthur Baum: The UNREAL ENGINE Toolkit for Making Award-Winning Films
In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Baum — a Director of Photography turned VFX artist and 3D filmmaker — to explore his remarkable journey into the world of Unreal Engine filmmaking.Just three years after stepping into the 3D space, Arthur claimed the spotlight by winning Kitbash3D’s “Secrets of the Luminara” challenge with his jaw-dropping short film, Tuk Tuk Tango — a 4.5-minute, action-packed cinematic experience.Arthur shares how his background in live-action cinematography shaped every aspect of his digital work, from lighting and shot composition to pacing and camera movement, bringing unparalleled cinematic realism to his film.You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the Unreal Engine pipeline Arthur used — including tools like Blender, Embergen, and the Cinematic Car Rig — plus valuable insights for creators looking to dive into real-time filmmaking.📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Arthur’s creative process for Tuk Tuk TangoHow cinematography skills translate into 3D filmmakingThe essential tools behind his award-winning filmTips for tackling real-time production and creative challenges like Kitbash3D’sThe VFX Process Podcast #69Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereConnect with Arthur: click here
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#68 Dave Brain: How to Make a Film in BLENDER Without Experience
What happens when a hospital administrator with no animation background decides to make a 25-minute sci-fi film in Blender — solo?Meet Dave Brain, the creator of Kosmic Kidnap and the face behind Dave Makes a Movie. In this episode, Dave shares how he taught himself Blender by diving straight into making a full animated short, what he's learned along the way, and how he's building a following by documenting the whole process.🎬 Topics include:Starting a film with no animation experienceTools and workflow in BlenderThe realities of solo animated filmmakingGrowing an audience on social mediaTips for beginners making their first film in BlenderWhether you're a filmmaker, Blender beginner, or just love creative DIY stories — this one will inspire you to start before you're ready.The VFX Process Podcast #68Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereKosmic Kidnap Trailer: click hereConnect with Dave: click here
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#67 Butter Bug: Blender Artist's Epic Helldivers 2 Fan Film Goes VIRAL
We sit down with Butterbug, the creator of the viral HELLDIVERS 2 fan film Straight to Hell — a fully animated short made in Blender. Inspired by the chaotic universe of Helldivers 2 and the cinematic VFX techniques of Ian Hubert, Butterbug shares how he brought this ambitious project to life.We dive deep into his creative process, how he started learning Blender, and what it takes to build a standout fan film from scratch. He also opens up about battling imposter syndrome, finding his unique style, and staying consistent as a solo creator.Whether you're a Blender artist, Helldivers 2 fan, or aspiring filmmaker, this conversation is full of insights on animation, discipline, and the power of community-driven storytelling.The VFX Process Podcast #67Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereWatch STH: click here
Jamie Bakewell talks to some of the Film, Game & TV industry's most talented artists. From Concept Artists, to Previs, 3D Animators and VFX Artists. We talk about a project of theirs and take a look at what went into them, as well as show an insight into the mind and workflow of each artist. For more conversations like these, check out out YouTube HERE
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