CG Pro Podcast

Jennifer McKnew is a versatile 2D / 3D generalist with a career spanning decades in feature film
and television. Throughout her career, she has taken on various roles, earning over 40 official
screen credits for her contributions. Leveraging decades of visual effects and animation
experience, she has also worked in the tech sector (autonomous vehicles). Aside from bringing
pixels to life in tech using cinematic magic across product, design, brand, marketing, and
engineering teams, she is also a named inventor on several granted US Patents and pending
Patent applications. Most recently, Jennifer has immersed herself in the world of storytelling
and filmmaking, winning several international film festival awards for her short film “Sydney and
Socket.”

Gorka started his journey in game development at the age of 8, learning to code and exploring various game engines! Now, he's a top Indie-Game Developer with a successful Unreal Engine 5 Tutorials channel on YouTube (98K+ subs) and a popular UE5 Patreon page!

Roberto Carlos Meré, professionally known as Chuck Meré, is a renowned as a filmmaker, actor, and popular YouTuber, Chuck is best recognized for his hosting role in the widely acclaimed YouTube series Zombie Go Boom. With nearly 2 million subscribers and over 300 million views, the series has earned him YouTube silver and gold play buttons. Beyond his YouTube success, Chuck has received two Mid-America Regional Emmy Awards and numerous Regional Emmy nominations for his commercial and promotional work.

In this episode, guest Casey Pike joins to chat about visualization for the film industry. Casey discusses the transition from viewing previsualization as a lesser form to appreciating its storytelling potential. He also talks about the technological advancements in real-time rendering engines, emphasizes the importance of decision-making in visualization, and the balance between previz and post viz.

Time Stamps:

00:01:03 Casey chats about his early passion for movies and transition to visualization.

00:08:29 Adoption and evolution of real-time rendering engines, particularly Unreal Engine, for previsualization.

00:13:38 Discussion on the balance between speed and visual quality in previsualization, based on director's preferences and project requirements.

00:16:38 Different types of visualization work, including tech viz, pitch viz, and post viz, and their respective deliverables.

00:20:00 Explanation of post viz and its role in the filmmaking process, including its use in editing and VFX planning.

00:22:03 Temporary VFX shots for early screenings, editing decisions, and reducing the need for imagination.

00:23:14 Temporary VFX shots in test screenings, including previz shots and the purpose of postviz.

00:26:16 Use of Maya, Unreal, and After Effects for postviz, and the shift to remote work during COVID-19.

00:28:41 Postviz work location, virtual art department, and the impact of AI tools on the industry.

00:35:27 Exploration of AI tools, their impact on efficiency, and the potential for job replacement.

00:42:32 Relevance of Maya, Unreal, After Effects, and Substance Painter for aspiring visualization professionals.

00:46:30 Discussion on the essential skills for visualization, including camera attachment, helicopter speed, and car safety on film sets.

00:48:22 Observation of the increasing use of Blender in visualization and its accessibility for artists. 00:52:17 The importance of being a generalist in the visualization field and the diverse skills required for visualization tasks.

00:54:49 Exploration of the blurred line between visualization and VFX, their shared tools, and distinct purposes in film production.

00:59:57 Excitement about the adoption of real-time options in visualization and the consideration of their impact on project workflow.

Connecting with the Guest:

Website: www.halon.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-pyke-1697222b/

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4270845/

Connecting with CG Pro:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomecgpro

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomecgpro/

Website: https://www.becomecgpro.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BecomeCGPro

In this episode, we are joined by Tim and Alex Porter from Mod Tech Labs. They discuss their transition to founding a company that specializes in content optimization. They explore the challenges of creating efficient tools for artists, the role of AI in their work, and their vision for the future of technical optimization. The Porters also dig into the use of AI models and their excitement for an upcoming collaboration with CG Pro to develop AI tools for Unreal Engine.

Time Stamps:

00:01:07 Tim and Alex discuss their diverse backgrounds in the entertainment industry and their transition to founding Mod Tech Labs.

00:01:55 Alex shares her background in interior design and construction management and her transition to working in VR and AR.

00:04:14 Tim discusses his early influences, including his parents' professions and his educational path, leading to his career in the entertainment industry.

00:12:26 Challenges of working in studios and the motivation behind starting their own company, Underminer, and later Mod Tech Labs.

00:15:22 The idea for Mod Tech Labs stemmed from solving their own content pipeline and automation challenges, which they realized could benefit others.

00:20:03 Challenges in optimizing content for VR and XR, and the interest of various studios in content optimization.

00:20:53 The interest of large and small studios in content optimization, and the potential for customizing solutions.

00:22:53 The development of tools for simplifying processes and enabling content optimization, emphasizing the need for tools that work for individual content creators.

00:24:35 The application of optimization in VR, film, and virtual production, and the focus on making content look better and play back well on different screens.

00:26:25 The goal of enabling artists to focus on their art and the importance of maintaining quality through perceptual optimization.

00:27:38 Detailing their project and the challenges faced in optimizing content for different stages and led wall resolutions.

00:33:32 The vision of a future with reduced manual optimization, the role of AI in content optimization, and the potential for tools to replace manual optimization.

00:36:29 The two suggest that technical artists adapt their skills to tool development and shading, acknowledging the continued need for optimization skills in some scenarios.

00:38:27 The importance of client fit and the discovery process in understanding the client's mindset and interest in innovative solutions.

00:39:09 The company's infrastructure and the importance of client engagement in exploring unconventional projects.

00:41:24 The company's data storage capacity and the need for custom solutions for clients. 00:41:32 The size and specialized training data requirements for AI, and the challenges of finding quality assets.

00:43:04 They give an analogy of AI as a room full of people taking a test, and the use of GANs for generating secondary maps.

00:44:41 Using AI models and automated systems for content optimization and analysis.

00:48:35 The role of AI in enabling artists and reducing repetitive tasks, with a focus on artist control.

00:51:12 The evolving role of previs and collaboration with AI tools for better communication and visualization.

00:54:22 Invitation for collaboration and discussion of upcoming projects, including AI tools for optimizing scenes in Unreal for Fortnite.

Connecting with the Guests:

Website: https://modtechlabs.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextporter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothymporter/

Connecting with CG Pro:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomecgpro

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomecgpro/

Website: https://www.becomecgpro.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BecomeCGPro

In this episode, Tom Thudyanplackal talks about his fascinating journey in the film industry, including his early influences that sparked his passion for cinema and his significant work on acclaimed films. The discussion sheds light on the unique challenges he faced while navigating the film landscape and his distinctive approach to storytelling that blends traditional narratives with innovative techniques. Tom opens up about his decision-making process and the intricacies of virtual production and shares valuable insights on the importance of creative partnerships in the industry.

Time Stamps: 

00:01:12 Tom dives into how movies sparked his imagination as a kid, leading him to dream up entire worlds.

00:02:15 Tom opens up about how his dad's love for storytelling and myths fueled his own filmmaking fire.

00:04:45 Tom gets real about the tough parts of funding films in India and why he chose to cut his teeth in advertising before hitting film school.

00:13:38 Hear about Tom's adventure in landing a U.S. visa and his first taste of America, which set him on a path to film school in Prague.

00:15:34 Tom shares his journey from the ad world to the film set, working with top-notch directors in India and getting a taste of the Oscar buzz.

00:17:32 Tom reflects on why it's crucial to keep your values in check and draw the line when it comes to work relationships.

00:19:23 Tom sheds light on the tricky task of juggling people and expectations when you're trying to produce something great.

00:21:30 Tom can't help but geek out over the game-changing potential of virtual production to solve on-set headaches.

00:21:43 Tom gets candid about the ups and downs of bringing his labor of love to life and why a controlled set is key.

00:22:48 Tom chats about his plunge into virtual production, the challenges of filming with kids, and how Claudio Miranda's work is a big deal.

00:23:45 Tom is on a mission to champion virtual production in India, teaming up with industry pros to make it happen.

00:25:53 Tom talks about how he got roped into an exciting fellowship and the connections that made it possible.

00:27:26 Tom shares the nitty-gritty of learning virtual production on the fly and the obstacles along the way.

00:30:46 Tom spills the beans on his involvement with "Fathead," the challenges faced, and the journey of storytelling.

00:36:21 Tom breaks down the storytelling and character crafting in "Fathead" versus "Europa."

00:43:35 Tom highlights how crucial early decisions are in virtual production and the role of stage teams and tech.

00:44:20 Tom talks about the perks of partnering with Pixel Mondo and the importance of teamwork from the get-go.

00:45:22 Tom recounts reaching out to the CG Pro Crew and why bringing them in early was a game-changer.

00:46:41 Tom stresses the importance of having a team with varied backgrounds and the rich technical discussions that follow.

00:50:00 Tom offers some golden advice for film rookies: learn broadly, get game logic, and stay curious.

00:54:44 Tom ponders the future of AI in storytelling, underscoring the need for human emotion and connection.

01:03:37 The conversation turns to how immersive storytelling can be, with ideas and human connections at its core.

01:04:52 Tom encourages folks to dive into the virtual production community, highlighting the importance of the right mindset and solving problems together.

Connecting with the Guest:

Website: https://thestorytellersdesk.us/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestorytellersdesk/ 

Connecting with CG Pro:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomecgpro

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomecgpro/

Website: https://www.becomecgpro.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BecomeCGPro

In this episode, John Waynick, shares his journey from game development to film and virtual production. He discusses the importance of understanding cinematography and the challenges of creating realistic environments. Jon talks about the value of game optimization techniques in virtual production and the impact of Unreal Engine 5's technology on asset creation. He also touches on the convergence of film and gaming, the role of AI in creative industries, and his approach to teaching game design at CG Pro. 

Time Stamps: 

00:02:21 John’s early interest in comic books and drawing, and how it led to his career in computer graphics.

00:04:42 John’s career progression from comic book art to 3D art, self-teaching, and early experiences in teaching.

00:11:01 The shift from specialized roles to generalist roles in the industry and the impact of technology on job roles.

00:13:40 The rise of generalist roles, the impact of virtual production, and John's view on the beauty of generalism.

00:15:18 The influence of budget considerations and oversaturation in the industry on the rise of generalist roles.

00:19:42 Advice on standing out in games through performance optimization and in film through an understanding of cinematography.

00:23:08 Explanation of how understanding camera works contributes to creating realistic scenes and the importance of depth of field.

00:24:17 Challenges and learning experiences when transitioning from working in games to working in film, particularly focusing on cameras and cinematography.

00:25:20 The initial challenges and the subsequent role in educating the team on optimizing game engines for virtual production.

00:28:46 Explanation of the Nanite feature in Unreal Engine 5, its benefits, and the considerations related to size on disk and geometry optimization.

00:31:31 Discussion on the importance of optimization, especially regarding size on disk and the impact on game installs, and the balance between visual detail and geometry.

00:35:20 Comparison of asset creation for film, games, virtual production, and Fortnite, highlighting the similarities and the importance of optimization techniques.

00:39:32 Advice for individuals transitioning from a game dev background to virtual production, focusing on learning cinematography and improving modeling and texturing skills.

00:44:21 Discussion on the relaxation in poly count considerations with Nanite, emphasizing the need for optimization but not to the same extent as before.

00:46:28 Explanation of the benefits and optimization of tessellation for landscapes and objects in Unreal Engine.

00:47:30 Discussion about John's interest in both the gaming industry and virtual production and the potential future career paths.

00:52:04 Exploration of the potential convergence of film and games, and the possibility of experiencing movies in a more interactive, ride-like manner.

00:58:35 Comparison of skills and experiences in the gaming, simulation, and virtual production industries, highlighting the transferability of skills.

01:00:57 Discussion about the current and potential impact of AI, machine learning, and neural networks on creative industries, addressing concerns and opportunities.

01:06:04 John gives his perspective on using AI as a tool to speed up workflow, while emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying processes.

01:09:13 Encouragement to embrace and leverage AI while acknowledging ethical considerations and the importance of artists maintaining control of their work.

01:10:24 Discussing the limitations of describing visual details through words and the significance of visual representation in art and game design.

01:10:52 Exploring the challenges of conveying detailed descriptions in art and game design, and the necessity of visual aids.

01:13:38 Explaining a unique approach to game design education focused on concepts and critical thinking rather than step-by-step tutorials.

Connecting with the Guest:

Website: https://learndigitalalchemy.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-waynick-aa74a520/ 

Connecting with CG Pro:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomecgpro

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomecgpro/

Website: https://www.becomecgpro.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BecomeCGPro

In this episode, guest Kino Scialabba, an accomplished artist and art director, digs into his artistic background and educational journey, leading to his career in film and gaming. Kino shares how mindfulness shapes his creative process, and he touches on the importance of self-care for artists. The conversation also explores his transition to using tools like Unreal Engine, his approach to client collaboration, and his thoughts on the future of concept art with emerging technologies.

Time Stamps: 

00:03:16 Kino talks about his upbringing in art, military academy, and art school, and his early interest in becoming an artist, paleontologist, or superhero.

00:09:27 Kino talks about his use of Photoshop for fine art, and his experimentation with combining artwork and photography.

00:13:25 Kino gives his unique perspective on art influenced by anthropology, understanding the reasons behind art movements and cultural changes.

00:20:03 Kino talks about his technique of visualizing being in the womb to clear his mind and stimulate creativity.

00:21:53 Kino discusses the importance of giving time and space to oneself for creativity and mental expansion.

00:23:45 Kino shares how he balances personal creativity with client work, utilizing his own time for sketching and note-taking.

00:30:32 Kino talks about the impact of 3D tools and Unreal Engine on the creative process and the shift towards using 3D and Unreal for client projects.

00:26:50 Kino explains his approach to working with clients and directors, focusing on adding to their ideas and creating a collaborative environment.

00:38:47 Kino talks about the importance of developing a unique style while being able to replicate various styles as a concept artist.

00:42:26 Kino discusses the impact of AI on art, its role as a reference tool, and the potential for AI to take over the creative process.

00:46:50 The conversation delves into the polarizing nature of AI in art, copyright issues, and the potential for AI to infiltrate various creative industries.

00:49:40 Kino emphasizes the importance of cultural knowledge and specialization for artists in the age of AI, and the need to adapt to changing creative directions.

00:53:14 Kino shares his experiences with learning sound and exploring different aspects of creativity within Unreal Engine, encouraging play and experimentation.

01:00:18 The conversation touches on the potential for collaborative creation in virtual reality and the future of technology, including the possibility of a holodeck-like experience.

01:02:11 The discussion moves to Kino’s extensive work in the industry and the excitement of working on numerous projects.

01:02:42 Kino discusses his work on the movie, Minority Report, and the innovative technology used in the film's design.

01:03:56 Kino reflects on his role as a visual futurist and his contribution to designing various elements in movies, including technology that became reality.

01:06:28 Kino shares insights into the intricate design process for creating futuristic settings, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and attention to detail.

1:10:06 Kino emphasizes the value of learning from others, collaborating, and openly sharing knowledge and experiences in the artistic community.

01:13:09 Kino stresses the importance of continuous learning and community involvement for artists, promoting a supportive and collaborative environment.

Connecting with the Guest:

Website: https://www.artstation.com/kinoscialabba 

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1331261/ 

Connecting with CG Pro:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomecgpro 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomecgpro/ 

Website: https://www.becomecgpro.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BecomeCGPro