The Spark Cast

By Spark CG Society

Spark CG Society Podcasts - Explorations of the Creativity, Technology, and Business of Computer Graphics... more

FAQs about The Spark Cast:

How many episodes does The Spark Cast have?

The podcast currently has 73 episodes available.

The Spark Cast episodes:

September 10, 2024 S06E16: Jeff Chiba Stearns: Finding Creative Bliss
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0min
August 30, 2024 S06E15: Ginger Alford: Fusing Creativity and Technology
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49min
August 15, 2024S06E14: Justine Emard: Art in the Data Stream
Justine Emard is a visual artist whose career is a mix
of relentless innovation and defiance of the art world's
conventional boundaries. Her story isn't just about
creation; it's a narrative that charts her evolution as
an artist who integrates the realms of technology,
dance, and music into a symphony of digital and physical
installations that have captured the international
stage.

In this episode, Justine shares her creative process,
revealing how she finds harmony in the cacophony of virtual
reality, coding, and augmented reality. Her collaborations
with scientists, from the depths of archaeological discoveries
to the peaks of neuroscience, are not merely a fusion of
disciplines, but a dance where art and science elevate each
other. Justine's reflections on inspiration, drawn from the
elegance of natural systems to the intricate world of Japanese
robotics, serve as a beacon for anyone navigating the creative
landscape.

But it's not all about the art itself; it's also about the
creator's journey as Justine discusses the significance of
errors and the transformative potential they hold within the
creative odyssey.

Episode Links:
Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
56min
July 18, 2024S06E13: Jorge R. Gutiérrez: Embracing Failure
Jorge R. Gutiérrez is a visionary Mexican filmmaker whose
colorful childhood on the US-Mexico border turned into a rich
tapestry of storytelling. Growing up in 1980s Tijuana, Jorge
faced cultural clashes and tense encounters that sparked his
creative fire.

Hear how a serendipitous twist led him to CalArts at just 17
years old, and discover his candid reflections on navigating
the animation industry. Jorge talks about the importance of
authenticity and how staying true to his roots brought
projects like The Book of Life to life.

Get an inside look at how budget constraints and technological
advancements shape his creative decisions, with fascinating
insights into the VR experience Son of Jaguar. Jorge
also opens up about his autism diagnosis, sharing how it has
influenced his life and work.

This episode is a tribute to embracing failure, taking risks,
and living a life filled with extraordinary experiences.

Episode Links:
Website

Instagram

IMDb

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
1h 14min
July 04, 2024S06E12: Alyssa Zarate: Betting on Yourself
From the quiet beginnings in a Malaysian town to the
vibrant creative landscape of Christchurch, Alyssa
Zarate’s journey is one of determination. With a passion
for film and a dream to create but no direct line on how
to get there, Alyssa’s career began in programming and
over the years has evolved into a set of skills that
have shaped her and her career.

From supporting herself with hospitality jobs between gigs,
training in several different programs and taking jobs in
diverse disciplines, she never lost sight of the final goal:
storytelling. Alyssa constantly took chances, risks, and
seized opportunities that would later prove invaluable.

In this conversation, Alyssa shares her story of perseverance,
and how she went from labouring over matte paintings to
contributing to notable series and films including "Spartacus"
and Prometheus before finding herself in Vancouver and a long
tenure at Sony Pictures ImageWorks before taking yet another
leap: giving back to the community via her new project The VFX
Mentor.

Episode Links:
Website

LinkedIn

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
1h 4min
June 13, 2024S06E11: Wilson Tang: Outside the Box
By his own admission, Wilson Tang’s career path has been
anything but linear but one constant has guided his choices:
change.

Beginning his career as an architect, his passion for design
and the urge to create worlds led Wilson to leap into
animation, a step in his career that would make him the ideal
candidate for Industrial Light & Magic. Just when he
thought he’d made it, his itch to try something new led him to
Electronic Arts to build and lead the Need for Speed
team.

The advent of cellular phones and the growing mobile gaming
market caught Wilson’s attention and in 2010, he co-founded
Exploding Barrel Games, a mobile game studio that proved so
successful that it was acquired by Kabam in 2013. After over a
decade in the gaming industry, Wilson has taken on his next
project, this time in the evolving landscapes of AR and VR.

In our conversation, Wilson shares the strategic vision that
guides YumeBau and the potential for immersive technology to
shape our future. He shares insights into the future of VR,
offering creative tips for those looking to stay ahead in the
industry amidst the rise of AI and other emerging
technologies. He also reflects on the significance of
creativity and the invaluable lessons he hopes to pass down to
future generations, emphasizing the importance of nurturing
one's artistic passions and the power of collaboration.

Episode Links:
Website

LinkedIn

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
54min
May 23, 2024S06E10: Amy Tang: People Whisperer
Growing up in the sprawling serenity of Portage la
Prairie, Manitoba, Amy Tang's childhood is brimming with
rural charm and the purest of pleasures but Amy's dreams
and aspirations for the performing arts were bigger than
her small-town roots. Her story is one of transformation,
from farm life to city dwelling, and how the stark
contrast of Winnipeg's urban sprawl shaped her cultural
identity and nurtured her dreams of one day gracing the
stage as a Disney princess.

In our conversation, Amy shares the unpredictability of
her career, from the world of voice acting and a career in
the healthcare sector which started as a part-time job
that evolved into a passion for supporting individuals
with intellectual disabilities. The entirety of her
experience has led her to her current position as a
supervising producer, supporting and leading artists to do
their best work.

Episode Links:
LinkedIn

Mainframe Studios

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
51min
May 09, 2024S06E09: Rick Mischel: Empowering Creative Talent
Rick Mischel’s journey took him from the electric buzz of
Broadway in New York to the sunny embrace of South Florida and
now as Founder and CEO of Artists Animation Studio, to
Kelowna, BC.

His early days as a Club Med kids' club counselor and a number
of other unexpected roles laid the foundation for an
extraordinary path through the entertainment realm, a journey
that brought him to Vancouver for a tenure at Rainmaker
Studios, where he faced the daunting challenge of steering the
company away from the brink of disaster. He shares the bold
decisions, the difficult layoffs, and the personal sacrifices
made to keep the dream alive. It's a tale of resilience and
leadership, where transparency and respect become the
keystones of a remarkable recovery.

His career in the boardrooms of Technicolor and Sony Pictures
ImageWorks, and his pivotal role in the animation renaissance
at Bardell have all led to this latest challenge: the
formation of Artists Animation Studio where Rick looks forward
to continuing a legacy of fostering a culture of creativity
and innovation.

Episode Links:
Website

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
54min
April 25, 2024S06E08: Dawn Fidrick: Taking Creative Leaps
Dawn Fidrick's journey from the vibrant stages in Drexel
Hill to the dynamic film sets of New York City is one of
taking chances and seizing opportunities. Raised on the
East Coast, Dawn shares how early experiences sparked her
love for performing. Following the tragic events of 9/11,
she found herself in New York, embarking on a 12-year
adventure in the city and transitioning from stage to
screen.

Dawn reveals the serendipitous moments that shaped her
career in New York's film and theater scene. From
responding to an ad that led to a key indie film project
to a chance encounter in a coffee shop that turned into a
lifelong partnership and filmmaking journey. She shares
her growth from assistant director to producer and delves
into her experience with the project Signs of
Life, highlighting the emotional journey and
strategies for maintaining momentum post-completion.

Whether you're an artist or a fan of behind-the-scenes
stories, this episode promises a rich blend of personal
anecdotes and professional insights from Dawn's journey in
the creative arts.

Episode Links:
Website

LinkedIn

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
1h 21min
April 11, 2024S06E07: Faruk Heplevent: No Happy Accidents
Faruk Heplevent's story begins with a passion for
photography and a neighbour's friend who needed an
apprentice. The mix of technical and creative appealed to
the young enthusiast and the precision and technicality he
learned in those early years paid off as his career
developed. Faruk was one of the few individuals who could
process film on the go - a skill that set him apart from
other photographers.

Rather than being angry after losing a job to CG, he saw it
as the future for the industry and started The Scope, a CG
studio dedicated to automotive marketing. He didn't know how
a CG studio works, what tools and equipment he would need or
how he would find artists but he had an idea: bring the
creative to CG-generated automotive marketing.

While The Scope didn't begin as a tech company, Faruk and
his team have embraced new technology to help drive their
core value of creativity. If a tool can be used to help
artists be more creative and deliver better assets to
clients, it's worth exploring. The result is not only an
award-winning studio but one that consistently innovates.
Their latest achievement is Scope City, a procedurally
designed full CG city location.

In this conversation, Faruk shares insights into how
technology changed and continues to change the marketing
landscape, finding work-life balance and discusses other
use-case scenarios and the future for Scope City.

Episode Links:
Website

LinkedIn

Company LinkedIn

Instagram

Host: Marina Antunes
Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund
Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman
©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to our sponsors!

TERABYTE: Creative BC.

MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.

KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
1h 14min

FAQs about The Spark Cast:

How many episodes does The Spark Cast have?

The podcast currently has 73 episodes available.

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