The VFX Artists Podcast

In this conversation with Desiree, a VFX executive at Amazon MGM Studios, we speak about her journey from FX artist to industry expert, insights into VFX production, vendor management, and industry trends including AI and industry shifts post-COVID and the strikes.
Topics covered: 
- Career progression in VFX from artist to executive.
- Vendor selection and management in VFX projects.
- Impact of AI and industry shifts on VFX workflows.
- A day in the life of...
- Experience as a working mother in the industry.

Links: 
Desiree's LinkedIn Profile 
The Studio (TV Series)

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The Art of Observation in Animation & VFX, with Jahirul Amin, founder of CAVE Academy | TVAP EP63

Summary

In 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.

Takeaways

The 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.

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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.

📌Chapters

00:00 Coming up
03:13 Rob Sheridan's Journey in VFX
06:18 The Role of a Runner in VFX
09:12 Transitioning from Runner to Supervisor
12:13 Future Folk Internship Program Overview
15:09 What Makes a Strong Internship Candidate?
18:15 Advice for Unsuccessful Applicants
21:13 Industry Challenges and Opportunities
23:57 Career Progression and Communication in VFX
27:07 Highlights of Working in VFX
29:31 The Value of Commercial Work in VFX
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B-corp and sustainability in VFX, with Robin Chowdhury, COO of Dupe VFX | TVAP EP61

Join us for an insightful discussion on what it means to be sustainable in post production. B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

It was great speaking with Robin, COO of Dupe VFX about how he worked towards making their studio the first B Corp certified VFX company, the considerations for any studio wanting to pursue this and the ongoing commitment.

📌Takeaways

Sustainability in VFX is often overlooked but essential.
Becoming a B-Corp involves a rigorous assessment process.
New companies may find it easier to implement sustainable practices from the start.
Established companies face challenges in changing existing processes.
Data tracking is crucial for measuring sustainability efforts.
Community engagement can enhance a company's sustainability profile.
B-Corp certification is a benchmark, not a guarantee of perfection.
Internal communication is key to understanding sustainability goals.
Volunteering initiatives can foster community ties.
The industry is gradually moving towards more sustainable practices.

You can get in touch with Robin via LinkedIn or via [email protected]

📌Below are some useful links to find out more. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22155.Let_My_People_Go_Surfing
https://www.bemorepirate.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY_AEvvFQ9U (What is a B Corp)
https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/programs-and-tools/b-impact-assessment/https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/
https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/

📌Chapters

00:00 Introduction to VFX and Sustainability
01:40 Journey to B-Corp Certification
04:21 Challenges for Established Studios
07:19 Sustainability in Practice
10:28 Balancing Business and Sustainability
12:10 Embedding Sustainability in Operations
14:46 Encouraging Industry-Wide Change
16:03 Understanding B-Corp Challenges
18:41 Community Engagement and Volunteering
23:18 Recommendations for VFX Artists
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In this conversation, Kofi interviews Richard Clark, the head of visualisation and VFX supervisor at Cinesite, to discuss the role of visualisation in the industry. We explore the origins and evolution of visualisation, the use of real-time tools like Unreal Engine, and the impact of virtual production.

Richard emphasizes the importance of quick workflows and the ability to think visually in the visualisation process. He also highlights the trend of studios taking back pre-production work and the potential for students to enter the industry through visualisation.

Richard suggests exploring other areas of VFX, such as medical visualisation and motion graphics, to start earning and learning. He advises patience and mentions that the industry is slowly recovering from the effects of the strike.

Richard shares his journey into the VFX industry, starting with his early interest in computer art and his experience working on various films. He discusses the potential impact of AI on the industry, noting that while AI has the potential to automate certain tasks, it may not replace the creativity and expertise of artists.

Takeaways

- Visualisation is a quick way of seeing and planning what a sequence or shot will look like before it is filmed or created.

- Real-time tools like Unreal Engine have revolutionized visualisation by allowing for faster and more efficient workflows.

- Visualisation departments in studios offer an end-to-end solution and allow for more flexibility and collaboration in the production process.

- Students interested in entering the industry can explore visualisation in areas like architectural visualisation or working with companies that contract with the Ministry of Defense.

- The industry is currently experiencing a slowdown, but there is potential for a surge in demand once production ramps up again. Explore other areas of VFX, such as medical visualisation and motion graphics, to start earning and learning.

- Be patient as the industry recovers from the effects of the strike.
Motion graphics is still in demand and can be a good career path for 2D artists.

- Richard shares his journey into the VFX industry, starting with his early interest in computer art and his experience working on various films.

- While AI has the potential to automate certain tasks, it may not replace the creativity and expertise of artists.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:49 The Use Cases and Need for Visualisation
07:07 The Evolution of Visualisation Tools
10:58 Post-Vis and Tech-Vis
28:30 The Future of Visualisation and the Role of Generalists
34:22 Challenges in the VFX Industry
38:56 Richard's Journey into the VFX Industry
46:18 Exploring Opportunities in Other Areas
51:50 The Potential Impact of AI in VFX

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