We chat with VFX Producer at Milk VFX Noga Alon Stein! With a career that kicked off with a short stint at New Black Films in 2010, closely followed by an 11-year tenure at Union VFX working her way up from Production Coordinator to VFX Producer working on such titles as The French Dispatch, Trainspotting 2, Three Billboards, Stan & Ollie and Operation Mincemeat.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/noga-alon-stein-21142a1b/

We chat to DNEG Resource Manager Chanel Belliveau and hear about her career journey starting in production, her transition into "people management", and the importance of being assertive, but kind. With a passion for leadership training, people, and an advocate for mental health support this is a great listen!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanel-belliveau-50768a72/

We meet Luke Grieg, Junior VFX Editor at Freefolk who only got into the industry last Summer! We hear about his career path so far which has included a short stint as a primary school teacher and working for a South London record label. A great 'near-peer' conversation and one for those interested in non-traditional routes into the industry!

It's our 'Mothers Day Special' on episode 14 where we meet with Leanne Loughran, Senior Recruiter at ILM. With a background in interior design, Leanne started out as an art teacher, then worked at a number of studios as a 3D Artist, co-founded an animation studio, then to specialise as a Talent Manager and Recruiter for some big name studios!

In episode 13 we are joined by Mark Pinheiro! From beginning as a runner and in the libraries of TV stations, Mark has worked for 30+ years across TV, film, and stage production. Often named by the people who know, as the world's best VFX coach, Mark takes us through his amazing story so far.

ACCESS:VFX BAME Industry Connect podcasts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnnAYo35-fk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pzykfz0Sg8

We chat to Jason Halverson, VFX Supervisor at Goodbye Kansas, who has worked with some of the biggest studios, on the biggest shows. We discuss Star Wars cameos, Matrix sequels, lunch with Ray Harryhausen, and the importance of collaboration and staying curious.

On episode 11 we are joined by a Digital Compositor, Laraib Atta who has worked for most, if not all of of the big names in Visual Effects & Animation! We discuss growing up in Pakistan, how her love for art, drawing, movies and storytelling eventually clicked into a career in visual effects, and how her brother gave her the best advice! Enjoy!

Laraib's talk at TEDxSZABIST:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZGjdsKkxHM

We chat with BlueBolt VFX Supervisor, Richard Frazer, discussing his life as a VFX Supe and his route into the role. We talk about "colouring in monsters", his aspirations growing up in Leicester, (yes, another guest from Leicester!), a mid-life career change, and being paid to be a nerd!

On episode 9 we invite Head of VFX at Ghost VFX, Annie Gordon to the A:VFX 'vault'. We discuss her production journey to date that includes, among others, credits on The Hobbit trilogy, and that you don't need to be a full 'VFX geek' to carve out an incredible career in the industry.

On episode 8 we meet Niall Smith, former VFX apprentice and now a firmly established Compositor at Jellyfish Pictures. This is essential listening for anyone interested in applying for a VFX apprenticeship. We discuss setting milestones, self-development and surrounding yourself with incredible mentors. For more info on VFX Apprenticeships head to www.nextgenskillsacademy.com/course/apprenticeships