The Allan McKay Podcast

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Jason Smith, Senior Visual Effects Supervisor for Rings of Power and longtime ILM veteran, to delve into his fascinating career journey and creative process in the world of visual effects.

Jason shares his story, from early passions for creature design and practical effects to an unplanned but impactful transition to CG and computer graphics. They explore the unique blend of technical and artistic skills required in VFX, including Jason’s early work developing rigging software at ILM, and how these technical foundations have shaped his approach to supervising complex, high-stakes projects like The Revenant and Rings of Power.

The conversation dives into the importance of storytelling, communication, and collaboration, as well as the evolving challenges in VFX, such as adapting to new technology and achieving the director’s vision on both large and small budgets. Jason offers valuable insights for aspiring VFX artists and supervisors, sharing how flexibility, perseverance, and creative problem-solving have been critical throughout his career.

This is an essential listen for anyone passionate about VFX, storytelling, and the intersection of art and technology in blockbuster productions.

Topics Covered

• Jason Smith's background and career path in visual effects
• The importance of storytelling in visual effects
• Developing rigging software and technical skills in VFX
• The role of communication and collaboration with directors and teams
• Managing creative and budgetary constraints on large and small projects
• Techniques for achieving forced perspective and scale effects in Rings of Power
• Challenges and rewards of working on high-budget productions and indie projects
• Advice for young artists entering the VFX industry
• Reflections on the VFX community’s adaptability during COVID

Highlights

• “You’re telling stories, not just producing pixels. That’s where the magic happens.”
• “The path isn’t linear; the universe has a way of using every skill you pick up.”
• “Working within limitations is where some of the most innovative ideas come from.”
• “When I came to ILM, I wanted to work on creatures, and here I am still working with creatures decades later on Rings of Power.”
• “The relationships you build with directors and teams – that’s what makes you a trusted collaborator in this industry.”

Resources

• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
• Weta Digital
• The Revenant
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• Legacy Effects

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Gavan Gravesen and Matteo Giuberti, the co-founders of RADiCAL, to explore the groundbreaking advancements in AI-powered motion capture and the future of accessible 3D animation technology.

They discuss Gavan and Matteo’s journey from their diverse backgrounds—Gavan from law and AI, and Matteo from biomechanics and motion capture—into building RADiCAL, an innovative platform that uses a single camera and AI to capture human body motion. They dive into the development of RADiCAL's tools, including RADiCAL Canvas, a browser-based, real-time 3D environment for collaboration and creation, and how their platform democratizes motion capture for filmmakers, game developers, and 3D enthusiasts alike.

The conversation touches on the challenges of developing AI that can work with any consumer-grade camera, the importance of scalability and accessibility, and how RADiCAL is poised to transform the way digital creators work. Gavan and Matteo offer key insights into the future of motion capture, real-time collaboration in 3D spaces, and how RADiCAL’s platform can inspire the next generation of creators.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of motion capture, 3D collaboration, and how AI is revolutionizing the digital content landscape.

Topics Covered:

• Gavan Gravesen’s transition from law and AI to co-founding RADiCAL
• Matteo Giuberti’s background in biomechanics and motion capture
• The development and impact of RADiCAL's AI-powered, single-camera motion capture technology
• The creation and evolution of RADiCAL Canvas as a collaborative 3D platform
• The challenges of developing scalable motion capture for all devices
• Insights into the future of AI in digital content creation

Quotes:

“Motion capture doesn’t need to be confined to expensive hardware anymore—it can be democratized.” “Our AI learns human motion to fill in the gaps, allowing anyone to animate their ideas.” “Creating a scalable, easy-to-use platform was key for us—it’s about giving everyone access to this magic.”

Resources:

• RADiCAL website
• RADiCAL Canvas

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Philip Cramer, VFX Supervisor at Digital Domain, to explore the groundbreaking world of character-based visual effects and the innovative tools shaping the future of the industry.

They discuss Philip’s journey from animation to supervising some of the most iconic visual effects projects, including Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Philip dives into the creation of Thanos and the challenges of delivering photorealistic CG characters with extensive screen time. He also covers the evolution of Digital Domain's facial capture technology, Masquerade, and its role in major projects like She-Hulk and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

The conversation touches on the importance of flexibility in a technical pipeline, the advantages of working with both technical and artistic teams, and how to lead by example as a supervisor. Philip offers key insights on problem-solving in high-pressure environments and shares valuable advice for artists on how to stand out in the competitive world of visual effects.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in character animation, performance capture, and the future of VFX technology, especially as studios transition to more real-time solutions and advanced facial capture techniques.

 

Topics Covered:

• Philip Cramer’s background and transition from animation to VFX supervision
• The creation and performance capture of Thanos for Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame
• The development and impact of Digital Domain’s markerless facial capture system, Masquerade
• The challenges of delivering a fully CG character for She-Hulk
• Leadership and team collaboration in high-pressure environments
• Advice for artists on standing out in a competitive industry

 

Quotes:

• “Never say no. Say yes, but explain the trade-offs.”
• “Leading a team is about working longer, working harder, and being there to support your crew.”
• “We needed to mass-produce She-Hulk’s performance in a way we had never done before, which pushed us to innovate Masquerade.”

 

Resources:

• Digital Domain website
• Masquerade facial capture technology

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Nick Seavert, CEO and founder of JangaFX, to explore the cutting-edge world of real-time visual effects software.

They discuss Nick's entrepreneurial journey, the development of JangaFX's suite of tools including Embergen, LiquiGen, and GeoGen, and the challenges of creating innovative VFX software. Nick shares insights into the current state of the VFX industry, its evolving needs, and the potential impact of real-time solutions on both film and game production pipelines.

The conversation also covers the importance of integrity in business, the value of perseverance in the face of adversity, and the process of creating their short film "Golem" to showcase their tools. Nick offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and discusses the evolution of VFX software over his career.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in visual effects, real-time rendering, the creative process behind cutting-edge software development, and the future of the VFX industry in an increasingly real-time world.

Topics Covered:

• Nick Seavert's background and the founding of JangaFX
• The development and features of Embergen, LiquiGen, and GeoGen
• The importance of integrity and perseverance in business
• The creation of the "Golem" short film and its impact on product development
• The challenges of developing real-time liquid simulations
• The potential future of VFX in video games
• The balance between technical accuracy and artistic usability in VFX software
• The value of internal projects in driving software development

Quotes:

• "If you want to play with the big dogs, you have to stop whining like a pup."

Resources:

• JangaFX website
• "Golem" short film
• Riot Games
• Blizzard Entertainment
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
• Unreal Engine

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Feng Zhu, renowned concept designer and educator, to explore the world of concept design in the film and video game industries.

They discuss Feng's impressive career journey, his work on numerous high-profile projects, and the unique challenges of creating compelling concept designs. Feng shares insights into the current state of the design industry, its challenges and opportunities, and the potential impact of emerging technologies like AI.

The conversation also covers the importance of problem-solving skills in design, effective portfolio development strategies, and the business aspects of running a successful design studio. Feng offers valuable advice for aspiring designers and discusses the evolution of the industry over his 27-year career.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in concept design, the creative process behind blockbuster films and games, and the future of the design industry in an increasingly digital world.

 

Topics Covered

• Feng Zhu's background and career in the design industry
• The importance of problem-solving and thinking skills over technical skills
• Portfolio development and job application strategies
• The business side of the design industry
• Studio management and working with clients
• The impact of AI on the design industry
• The evolution of technology and its impact on design
• The difference between illustration and design
• The challenges of game development and studio closures
• Social media and its role in the industry

Highlights

• "We're actually business people. We're selling products. Some people forget that even though we're drawing, we're not artists, we're product sellers."
• "I'd rather have someone that has really good thought process than someone who renders really well, but has no ideas in their head."
• "If you're doing social media stuff, but your content is just for social media, but not for actual industry, then yeah, that's not that relevant in my opinion."
• "To get to that level [of AI replacing human designers], you have to cover new technology, something completely alien to us right now, to reach human level stuff."
• "What we need really is in here, the brain, the human brain, and that's something AI cannot replace."

Resources

• FCD School of Design (Feng Zhu's school)
• Design Cinema (YouTube channel - search for "FCD")
• CalArts
• ArtCenter College of Design
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
• Lucasfilm
• Duke Nukem Forever (game)
• Luc Besson (film director)
• Hugo Martin (Doom game director)

 

 

 

 

Stephan Fleet is the VFX Supervisor for the hit Amazon series The Boys and serves as Associate Producer and Co-Producer on its spinoff Gen V. With a diverse background in visual effects and production, Stephan has become a leading innovator in television VFX.

Stephan has developed a reputation for creative problem-solving and empathetic leadership in high-pressure production environments. His work on The Boys has set new standards for tv series visaul effects, balancing realism with the show's signature style while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in episodic content.

In this Podcast, Stephan Fleet talks to Allan McKay about the unique challenges of creating grounded superhero powers for The Boys, his innovative approaches to monitor comps, and the intricacies of on-set VFX supervision. He shares insights on workflow optimization using custom database solutions, and the importance of empathy in VFX leadership. Stephan also discusses his transition into producing roles with Gen V and how his VFX background influences his approach to overall production.

This episode offers valuable advice for both aspiring and established VFX artists, as well as producers and directors interested in the evolving landscape of visual effects in high-end television production. Stephan's unique perspective, spanning both the creative and managerial aspects of VFX production, provides a comprehensive look at the current state and future potential of visual effects in prestige TV series.

Key Highlights:

1. Superhero Power Development

Stephan reveals the intricate process behind crafting iconic effects like Homelander's laser eyes and Butcher's grotesque tentacles. Learn how the team balances realism with the show's signature style.

2. Innovative VFX Techniques

Discover the groundbreaking "monitor leader" approach that revolutionized on-screen graphics in "The Boys". Stephan explains how this technique has set a new standard for monitor comps in the industry.

3. Cutting-Edge On-Set Technology

Get an inside look at how the VFX team utilizes state-of-the-art tools like Polycam for 3D scanning and Tentacle Sync devices for seamless timecode synchronization across multiple cameras.

4. Workflow Optimization

Explore the custom solutions developed by Stephan's team, integrating Airtable and FileMaker for efficient VFX tracking and financial management within the production pipeline.

5. Leadership in VFX

Stephan shares his philosophy on empathetic leadership in the high-pressure world of VFX production, offering valuable insights for industry professionals at all levels.

6. Cinematic Techniques in TV

Learn how "The Boys" adapts high-end cinema techniques for television, including the use of Sony Venice cameras to achieve feature-film quality in a TV production schedule.

Resources Mentioned:

1. The Boys (TV series)

2. Gen V (TV series spinoff)

3. Polycam (3D scanning app)

4. Tentacle Sync (timecode devices)

5. PTGui (panorama stitching software)

6. Nuke (compositing software)

7. Airtable (database software)

8. ShotGrid (production management software)

9. Stephan Fleet's Instagram

10. Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 lens

11. XY Short Film

 

Don't miss this insightful conversation with one of the industry's most innovative VFX supervisors. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring VFX artist, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge and inspiration for pushing the boundaries of visual effects in television.

 

 

 

VFX Supervisor Tim Carras joins Allan McKay to discuss his work on high-profile projects like "Clipped" and "Shogun". Tim shares insights into the challenges of creating realistic crowds for basketball arenas, crafting flaming arrow effects for period dramas, and the intricacies of on-set VFX supervision. The conversation covers a range of topics, from simulating realistic insect movement to adapting to remote work in the VFX industry. Tim offers valuable perspectives on the evolution of visual effects technology, the importance of networking, and the skills required to navigate complex productions in today's fast-paced entertainment landscape.

Links Mentioned:

Barnstorm VFX: https://www.barnstormvfx.com/

ShotBot App: https://www.shotbot.com/

Tim Carras on Instagram: @wip_for_approval

 

Memorable Quotes and Interesting Topics:

1. "The only thing more important than your reel is your network."
2. "Sometimes a decisive wrong answer is better than an indecisive right answer."
3. "The McDonald's Principle" - Using a concrete suggestion to spark creative discussion.
4. The counterintuitive difficulty of creating sparse crowds versus packed stadiums.
5. The importance of admitting when you don't know something as a supervisor.
6. The evolution from running a VFX studio to focusing on the creative aspects of supervision.
7. The impact of remote work on the VFX industry and global talent accessibility.
8. The balance between technical accuracy and aesthetic appeal in VFX.
9. The importance of detailed on-set data collection and how it impacts post-production.
10. The transition from student films to professional union sets and respecting specialized roles.
11. The value of understanding multiple disciplines within VFX to communicate effectively with different departments.

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Xavier Bernasconi, VFX Supervisor at DNEG, to dive deep into the world of virtual production.

They discuss Xavier's fascinating career journey, his recent work on the highly anticipated Masters of the Air, and the decision to utilize virtual production for the project. Xavier shares insights into the current state of virtual production technology, its challenges and limitations, and the exciting future potential as the tech continues to evolve.

The conversation also covers the impacts of virtual production on actor performances and the shifts in collaboration it brings to VFX workflows. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the cutting-edge of filmmaking innovation.

 

Table of Contents

Introduction (00:00:00)

• Introducing Xavier Bernasconi (00:00:03)

Xavier's Background and Journey (00:00:46)

• From Proskier to Visual Effects (00:00:46)
• Developing Compositing Software (00:02:05)
• Becoming a VFX Supervisor (00:03:40)

Masters of the Air Project (00:04:17)

• Overview and Initial Thoughts (00:04:25)
• Complexity and Challenges (00:05:27)

Virtual Production Decision (00:05:46)

• Logistical and Creative Reasons (00:06:11)
• Comparison to Traditional Green Screen (00:06:57)

Challenges and Limitations of Virtual Production (00:09:18)

• Technological Advancements and Limitations (00:09:55)
• Limitations with Unreal Engine (00:12:03)

Preparation and Pressure on Set (00:13:35)

• Workflow and Collaboration (00:14:09)
• Pressure on VFX Team (00:16:48)

Current State and Future of Virtual Production (00:22:02)

• Infancy and Potential for Growth (00:22:09)
• Advantages and Limitations (00:22:36)

Virtual Production and Final Pixel (00:26:59)

• Misconceptions and Post-Production Work (00:27:33)
• Developing an End-to-End Pipeline (00:28:29)

Virtual Production in Episodic vs. Feature Films (00:31:48)

• Prevalence in Episodic Content (00:31:53)
• Blurring Lines Between Episodic and Feature Budgets (00:33:30)

Proprietary vs. Out-of-the-Box Tools (00:34:53)

• Use of Unreal Engine and Cost of Setup (00:35:43)

Virtual Production for Previs and Pitching (00:36:27)

• Quick and Cheap Iteration (00:37:10)
• Benefits for Certain Types of Directors (00:38:14)

Collaboration in Virtual Production vs. Traditional Post (00:38:36)

• Real-Time Collaboration and Creativity (00:39:15)
• Challenges of Remote Work (00:39:21)

Actor Reactions to Virtual Production (00:42:48)

• Immersion and Performance Benefits (00:43:31)

Conclusion (00:44:41)

• Appreciation and Wrap-Up (00:44:41)

 

Memorable Quotes

"I love telling stories. I felt that I was drawn more to the end of the pipeline, more to the beginning of the pipeline, so I was more drawn into lighting and compositing."

Virtual production was the most logical choice for Masters of the Air due to logistical, budgetary and creative reasons.

Virtual production is still in its infancy with lots of room for technological development. Extraction of foreground elements from LED screens is an important area of research.

Virtual production fosters real-time collaboration and creativity compared to traditional segmented workflows. However, on-set experience and mentorship is still crucial.

Actors appreciate virtual production as it helps their performances by providing interactive environments rather than pure green screen.

 

Xavier Bernasconi Bio

Xavier Bernasconi is a VFX Supervisor at DNEG. Originally from Italy, he now lives in Canada. His recent projects include Masters of the Air, Mad Max Furiosa and Godzilla x Kong.

 

In this insightful episode, Allan McKay sits down with Colin Giles, head of the School for Animation and Visual Effects at Vancouver Film School, for a deep dive into the world of modern VFX education.

They discuss Colin's fascinating journey from small town artist to leading a world-class animation school, the intense pressures faced by today's students, and how virtual learning during COVID has transformed educational models. Colin shares wisdom on the irreplaceable value of in-person collaboration, how AI is impacting the curriculum, and the vital role of social media and online presence for aspiring artists.

This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of visual effects and what it takes to succeed as a student in 2023.

 

Quotes:

"There is a difference between just crafting images and telling a story. I think that it's part of that learning process as well that is very exciting."

Students should focus on their own artistic growth rather than unrealistic pressure to be the best or work at certain studios. Everyone has a unique voice to contribute.

Virtual learning revealed the need for adaptable, hybrid education models that combine the benefits of online and in-person instruction. However, nothing replaces the creative energy of people connecting and collaborating face-to-face.

AI is a useful iteration tool to quickly generate ideas, but won't replace the human touch. It's important for students to learn with the technology and discover its applications together.

Aspiring artists must cultivate an authentic online presence that shows their personality and connects them to a community, not just a portfolio checklist. Social media engagement is vital for networking and getting hired.

In this epic episode of the Podcast, Allan sits down with Michael Cliett, the overall VFX Supervisor for the hit TV series Shogun.

Michael shares his journey into the world of visual effects, from his early fascination with behind-the-scenes movie magic to working his way up in the industry. He dives deep into the making of Shogun, discussing the collaboration between various VFX studios, the show's commitment to historical accuracy, and the challenges of creating believable CG water and gore and other visual effects topics.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the art and craft of visual effects in television.

 

Table of Contents:

[00:02:54] - Michael's journey into a creative career in VFX

[00:13:04] - The importance of diverse VFX skills as a supervisor [00:18:02] - Michael's initial reaction to the Shogun scripts

[00:23:05] - Collaborating with the production designer and other departments

[00:31:39] - Continuing the show's style in post-production 

[00:36:28] - Michael's on-set kit and experience shooting Shogun

[00:41:17] - Memorable shooting days, including the shocking scene in Episode 4

[00:49:49] - Diving into the gory details of the Episode 4 sequence 

[00:57:15] - The challenges of creating believable CG water

[01:02:27] - Crafting seamless environment extensions

[01:06:23] - The surprising number of decapitations in Shogun

[01:11:48] - The role of AI in the VFX industry and the importance of the human touch

[01:22:53] - The incredible reception to Shogun

 

Check out the show notes : https://www.allanmckay.com/452