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!

[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

Jenny - Merriam-Webster (@merriamwebster) · Springfield, MA 

Rob - beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones 

Bryce - Milan Art Institute

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Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

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Transcript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/016-bryce-dallas-howard/

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We are delaying the release of Episode 16 by one day this week because we will be discussing an exciting topic from the world of science that won’t be publicly announced by our usual publishing time. We have a very special guest this week! Bryce Dallas Howard is joining us to talk about her experiences and processes as an actor and filmmaker. Check back tomorrow to download the episode, you won’t want to miss this one! 

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For over 30 years, Vicki Dobbs Beck has been at the forefront of innovative storytelling. This week, she shares her remarkable journey as a leader in this dynamic field, and reminisces about some of her favorite projects.

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:11] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:08:52] Rejection Letters

[00:22:37] Immersive Innovation

[00:55:58] The Martini

[01:01:03] Outro

Jenny - Soolla

Vicki - Runway Research | Introducing Act-One

Rob - FUJIFILM X100VI | Cameras | FUJIFILM X Series & GFX - USA

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Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript: https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/015-vicki-dobbs-beck/

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[00:00:00] Intro

[00:10:31] Skeleton Crew

[00:44:09] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:54:16] The Martini

[01:02:29] Outro

Todd - Rear Window (1954) - IMDb Panic Room (2002) - IMDb

John - Tim's Vermeer (2013) - IMDb

Jenny - Father Brown - BBC One

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https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/014-skeleton-crew-with-john-knoll/

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This week, we’re exploring Virtual Production. Industry experts Shivani Jhaveri and Justin Talley share their insights on when this technology truly shines and, just as importantly, when it might not be the best fit for your project. They also offer tips and advice for working on set and share some of their favorite moments with filmmakers. 

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:12] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:16:42] Set Smarts

[00:27:23] Virtual Production

[00:57:04] The Martini

[01:05:22] Outro

Todd - Movies & TV | Plex

Shivani - Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Jenny - The Roots of Chaos — Samantha Shannon

Justin - Artemis Pro - Pro Filmmaker Apps

Rob - Letterboxd

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Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/013-virtual-production-with-shivani-jhaveri-justin-talley/

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This week, we discuss the work behind two films nominated for Oscars in Best Visual Effects. From the whimsical world of Wicked and the acidic atmosphere of Alien: Romulus—Pablo Helman, David Shirk, and Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser share their insights and learnings in crafting the visual effects behind these blockbuster hits.

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:45] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:10:36] Alien: Romulus

[00:23:29] Wicked

[00:51:47] The Martini

[01:02:00] Outro

Todd - The Straight Story (1999) - IMDb

Jenny - Movies | DC Comics | DC

Pablo - Pablo Helman Soundcloud McCartney's 4001 | TalkBass.com

David - Liberty Puzzles

Rob - The Classic Presets - Classic Film Presets 2021 for Lightroom

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Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/012-wicked-alien-romulus/

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Todd and Rob break down the process of how films are selected for nomination in the Oscars' Best Visual Effects category. We discuss highlights from the five nominated films—Alien Romulus, Better Man, Dune: Part Two, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Wicked—and we revisit the shower door myth.

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:11] Misinformation Corner

[00:05:36] VFX Oscars Nomination Process

[00:18:32] Nominee Highlights

[00:53:27] The Martini

[01:00:05] Outro

Todd - Trade Coffee

Jenny - Nurtured By Nature

International Otter Survival Fund

Rob - French Cleat Hanger

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Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/011-vfx-oscar-nominations/

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ILM Art Director Amy Beth Christenson (Transformers One, Star Wars Rebels) discusses the complexities and pure joy of working with established Star Wars and Transformers characters while introducing new elements for today’s audiences. Amy shares stories of adapting her portfolio to catch the attention of recruiters and highlights from her 25 years with Lucasfilm and ILM.

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:06] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:18:51] Rejection Letters

[00:30:10] Shaping Characters for Tomorrow 

[00:49:59] The Martini

[00:58:19] Outro

Todd - Apple Mac Mini

Amy - BrickLink

Studio Download [BrickLink]

Jenny - Tobin's Spirit Guide by Magnoli Props

Rob - Music by John Williams (2024) - IMDb

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Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/010-shaping-characters-for-tomorrow-with-amy-beth-christenson/

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Rob, Todd and Jenny share their own rejection letters and answer some lingering questions from the mailbag. Todd corrects another VFX myth in Misinformation Corner. The team shares their favorite things from the year as we say farewell to 2024 in this bonus episode of Lighter Darker!

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:19] Mailbag

[00:07:41] Misinformation Corner

[00:22:30] Rejection Letters

[00:48:33] The Martini

[00:54:15] Outro

Todd - 2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When - NASA Science

Jenny - Podcast Episodes Archive | Industrial Light & Magic

Rob - EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/009-bonus-episode-2024-wrap/

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Join legendary cinematographer Dean Cundey (Apollo 13, The Mandalorian) on our final episode of 2024. From his early days collaborating with John Carpenter on horror classics like Halloween and The Thing to groundbreaking work on Jurassic Park and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Cundey has shaped the visual landscape of cinema. Dean Cundey shares behind-the-scenes stories from the set and personal experiences breaking into the industry.

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:00] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:14:27] Rejection Letters

[00:31:58] Making Magic On the Screen 

[00:50:15] The Martini

[00:55:27] Outro

Todd - Stitch Fix

Jenny - Midnight Mass (TV Mini Series 2021) - IMDb

Rob - Microsoft Flight Simulator

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript: https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-008-the-magic-of-film-with-dean-cundey/

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