The Mo Method

Omer Erlich is a professional 3D artist and VFX generalist whose career spans film, games, and emerging tech. With credits on major blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Justice League, Omer’s path has been anything but linear.

In this episode, Omer shares how constantly pushing beyond his comfort zone, from traditional art to 3D modeling, VFX, and mobile games, opened doors to some of the biggest studios in the industry.

He breaks down the technical and creative skills that helped him stand out, what it’s really like working on Marvel and DC films, and why learning outside of school was just as important as formal education.

Omer also talks about navigating the brutal realities of the entertainment industry, the challenge of staying relevant as tech evolves, and how embracing change helped him build a sustainable creative career.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist thinking about your next move, this episode is packed with honest insight and practical advice from someone who’s made it happen.

Omer's Website: https://www.omererlich.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omer-erlich-b46051148/

George Zaky is a 3D character artist, known for his clean blockouts, stylized designs, and fast-growing presence in the digital art world. After 3 years of civil engineering school, George made the bold leap into 3D art, and hasn’t looked back.In this episode, George shares how he taught himself ZBrush and Blender from scratch, what he learned from mentorship with Shane Olson, and why he believes blockouts are the secret sauce of great character design.He talks about building a business around his art, the challenges of working in the 3D art industry, and his plans to expand his business into 3D printing and selling STL files.George also opens up about finding your niche, what success really means as an artist, and why he’d choose games over animation any day.Whether you’re just starting out or trying to build a brand around your 3D work, George’s journey is packed with real-world insight and creative fuel.George was also generous enough to offer a 30% OFF discount code for his ArtStation and Gumroad products, valid for 10 days starting April 14.ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/georgezaky108ArtStation Store: https://georgezaky108.artstation.com/storeGumRoad: https://georgezaky108.gumroad.com/Use code: GZR-MOD3D30 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaky.george

Shane Olson is a professional character artist best known for his stylized 3D work. Shane is the founder of the 3D Character Workshop, where he’s taught countless students how to bring characters to life.In this episode, Shane shares insights from a career that spans major studios like Disney Interactive, revealing what separates great stylized characters from forgettable ones, and why 80% of the work happens before you ever add detail.He talks about the critical importance of the blockout stage, the unique challenges of translating 2D designs into 3D, and how posing and silhouette play a bigger role than most artists realize.Shane also opens up about the volatility of the entertainment industry, his pivot to education and entrepreneurship, and why now might be the best time to go independent.Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your stylized work, this conversation offers both technical insight and creative perspective from one of the best in the game.Shane's Course can be found here: https://www.3dcharacterworkshop.com/

Ross Venokur is a writer/director with three decades of experience in the film industry. After years working in Hollywood he pivoted from traditional screenwriting to pioneering independent animation projects. In this episode, he shares insights from his 15-years of focus on animation, discussing how landmark films like 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' have transformed the industry's perception of animation as a medium. Ross reveals the creative freedom found in independent production, the importance of creating quality content for younger audiences, and how technology has democratized filmmaking. He offers valuable perspective on building direct relationships with audiences, navigating the business challenges of creative work, and maintaining meaningful partnerships in a competitive industry. Whether you're an aspiring animator, filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation provides honest wisdom about defining success beyond financial metrics and finding fulfillment in the collaborative process of bringing stories to life. #animation #writing #film

Lilia Doytchinova and Tiffany Downey take you behind the scenes of their independent horror film "The Haunting of Hollywood" in this captivating conversation about filmmaking and personal journey. From Lilia's experiences at USC and working on major productions such as "The Expendables" to Tiffany's evolution as an actress, they reveal how their film explores the psychological struggles and pressures faced by artists in Hollywood. The pair discusses their creative approach to horror as a vehicle for expressing anxiety, the delicate balance between structured directing and intuition, and how their personal experiences with mental health shaped the film's narrative.They offer candid insights into the challenges of navigating the industry as women, the significance of film festivals for indie projects, and why completing a film represents a triumph of perseverance. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, actor, or fan of psychological horror, this episode illuminates how independent cinema creates space for authentic storytelling about the human condition.

Juan Higuera Gomez is a concept designer for video games, whose expertise spans environment design for both fantasy and sci-fi gaming worlds. In this episode, he shares his journey through the evolving landscape of game development, offering insights into the delicate balance between artistic passion and professional demands. He candidly discusses the shift in gaming from passion-driven projects to profit-focused development, the challenges facing both self-taught artists and formally educated creators, and how global talent is reshaping the industry.Juan explores how environment design tells stories through immersive spaces, the crucial differences between functional and purely aesthetic design choices, and the distinct approaches needed for sci-fi versus fantasy worlds. Whether you're an aspiring concept artist, game developer, or creative professional, this conversation reveals the importance of putting love into your work, the impact of unique artistic vision, and how genuine creativity remains the element that AI cannot replicate.#conceptart #gamedevelopment #environmentdesign #gaming #creativeprocess #scifi #fantasy #videogames

Anthony Watts is a senior sculptor for miniatures and collectibles.Anthony transformed his passion for Warhammer and fantasy figures into a thriving career. From his unexpected transition from web design to 3D sculpting, he shares the intricate journey of creating high-quality statues, action figures, and miniatures that captivate adult collectors. In this episode, he reveals the complex processes behind designing articulated figures, the challenges of packaging development, and how nostalgia drives the modern collectibles market. Anthony offers unique insights into the balance between commercial projects and personal passion work, the impact of 3D printing on the miniature gaming community, and his involvement with iconic franchises including a notable Baldur's Gate 3 collaboration. Whether you're a collector, aspiring designer, or gaming enthusiast, this conversation explores how storytelling, artistry, and engineering converge in the creation of memorable toys and miniatures that bring fantasy worlds to life!

Stephen Anderson is a versatile creative whose journey has taken him from prestigious roles from Disney Imagineering, to Blizzard Entertainment, and Netflix plus so much more!Starting with a degree in animation from BYU, where he mastered both 2D and 3D techniques, Stephen developed a distinctive style by pushing the boundaries of character proportions and embracing experimentation. In this episode, Stephen shares candid insights about his time designing theme park attractions, creating for legendary gaming franchises at Blizzard, and his experimentation in collectible toy design.The conversation explores the nuances of creative freedom across different industries, the delicate balance between artistic expression and player/visitor experience, and practical advice for aspiring character designers. Stephen opens up about the importance of community support during career transitions, and how teaching others has refined his own artistic approach.Whether you're an animator, game designer, collector, or creative professional navigating industry shifts, this discussion offers valuable perspectives on developing a unique artistic voice, adapting to an evolving landscape with AI and indie studios, and defining success beyond professional achievements. Stephen's journey illustrates how networking, consistent practice, and embracing both creative and business challenges can lead to a fulfilling career in the arts.#animation #disneyimagineering #blizzardentertainment #characterdesign #gameart #collectibles #creativejourney #themeparkdesign #artisticstyle #animation3d #creativeindustry #netflix

Stern aka The Sterninator is a rising YouTube creator who transformed his passion for Pokemon and tabletop gaming into a thriving online community. Starting as an enthusiast experimenting with content creation, he successfully transitioned to full-time YouTube within six months through consistent posting, strategic niche selection, and genuine community engagement.In this episode, Stern shares the realities of content creation, from recording challenges to avoiding creative burnout, while offering practical insights for aspiring creators. The conversation explores how embracing failure, maintaining authenticity, and focusing on emotional well-being have shaped his success. Whether you're a content creator, gaming enthusiast, or creative professional, this discussion reveals valuable lessons about turning passion into a sustainable career while building meaningful connections within the creator community.From Pokemon aesthetics to animation crossovers, Stern demonstrates how unconventional paths and diverse interests can lead to unique opportunities in the digital space. Join us for an honest conversation about the journey from hobbyist to professional creator, packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to make their mark in the online world.#ContentCreation #YouTube #Gaming #Pokemon #CreativeJourney #DigitalArt #Community #CreatorEconomy #TabletopGaming #Animation

Michael Papaeleftheriou is a passionate independent filmmaker whose work explores human connection through compelling storytelling and visual artistry. From writing gripping screenplays to directing atmospheric horror films, his journey showcases the delicate balance between creative vision and practical filmmaking. In this episode, Michael opens up about developing his unique voice as a director, navigating the challenging world of film festivals, and building meaningful collaborations that bring stories to life. He shares candid insights about the filmmaking process, practical advice for emerging creators, and thoughtful reflections on sustaining creativity in an evolving industry. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, storyteller, or simply curious about the creative process, this conversation reveals how determination, artistic integrity, and adaptability can forge a path in independent cinema.