The Spark Cast

By The Spark podcast is a production of the Spark Computer Graphics Society.

The Spark podcast is a bi-weekly show exploring the creativity, technology, and business of CG.

The show is produced by the Spark Computer Graphics Society. Fore more about Spark, visit sparkcg.org... more

FAQs about The Spark Cast:

How many episodes does The Spark Cast have?

The podcast currently has 77 episodes available.

The Spark Cast episodes:

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
March 28, 2024S06E06: Georgina Hayns: Fostering Creative Passion
Growing up in the English Midlands, Georgina Hayns defied
academic norms, discovering her passion for the arts in a
technical college. Her journey reflects the transformative power
of parental support and prioritizing passion over conformity.

From childhood struggles to professional success, Georgina's
story is a testament to embracing individuality. Her career
trajectory highlights the importance of internships, networking,
and mentorship. Working with industry giants like McKinnon and
Saunders and collaborating with Tim Burton shaped her career and
honed her craft.

Delving into the intricacies of puppetry, we explore
armature-making, resilience, leadership in creative teams and the
culmination of all her training coming together in Guillermo del
Toro's Pinocchio. Georgina's experiences offer a rare glimpse into
the elusive world of stop-motion animation.

Episode Links:
Instagram

IMDb

LinkedIn

ShadowMachine

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
55min
February 29, 2024S06E05: Zach Lipovsky: Ripple Effect Master
Zach Lipovsky has early memories of a childhood spent on sets
surrounded by the buzz of TVs and master controls, thanks to
his mother's career in television. But it was a transformative
experience at the tender age of nine when Jurassic
Park left an indelible mark on him. The youthful
actor-turned-filmmaker invested his early earnings into the
digital revolution, teaching himself visual effects and
collaborating with a community of budding filmmakers.

In this chat, Zach speaks candidly about the highs and lows of
an artist's life, emphasizing the importance of finding joy in
the journey and not just the destination. We touch on the
delicate act of juggling personal creative projects with
commissioned work, offering insight into how these endeavours
can fuel each other. The power of collaboration comes to the
forefront as well, with anecdotes about successful
partnerships that illustrate the potential when combining
forces in the film industry. Additionally, we discuss the
crucial aspects of pitching and preparation for filmmakers,
including a riveting account of how a dramatic pitch meeting
landed Zach a job directing the upcoming Final
Destination film.

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 · The Little Dev Shop · Sony Pictures Imageworks · WildBrain Studios

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

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH
...more
59min
February 15, 2024S06E04: Ashley Christine: STEM is Life
Ashley Christine is used to battles, from growing up off the
grid in the White Mountain National Forest and contending with
the harsh elements of New Hampshire winters to navigating the
social media landscape, she has dealt with both physical and
mental battles. But how does a young woman go from studying
mathematics at university to spending her days making TikTok
videos about STEM?

In our conversation with Ashley, she shares her fascinating
transition from small-town life to a career in mathematics,
her unexpected path to becoming a STEM content creator, and
the importance of personalized guidance in this field. She
shares insights into her approach to dealing with online
toxicity and negativity and the resilience it takes to promote
STEM education effectively.

Episode Links:
Website

TikTok

YouTube

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 · The Little Dev Shop · Sony Pictures Imageworks · WildBrain Studios

BYTE:Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH
...more
1h
February 01, 2024S06E03: Don Perro: Animation Mentor
Growing up among the steel mills of Hamilton, Ontario, Don
Perro knew he wanted something different for his life but when
his first attempt at getting out failed, he knew he needed to
cast his net wider and the result was acceptance at art school
in Vancouver where he found his comrades among the misfits
studying animation at Emily Carr College of Art and Design
(now known as Emily Carr University of Art and Design).

It was here that Don fell in love with education and he set a
goal for himself: work in the industry for a decade and then
turn his life to teaching, a goal he achieved just shy of his
10-year plan.

In our lively discussion, Don recounts some of the experiences
that shaped his career, from the string of rejection letters
and bad interviews that nudged him in the direction of finding
his true calling, to his experience setting up the
world-renowned animation program at Capilano University and
his 20+ year career as an educator.

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 · The Little Dev Shop · Sony Pictures Imageworks · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE:Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
1h 25min
January 18, 2024S06E02: Lera Nyukalova: Driven to Create
There was little doubt that Lera Nyukalova would be an
artist. Her first foray into art was sketching Sailor Moon but
her passion and drive to learn and challenge herself led her
first to university to study architecture and eventually to make
the move from Kazakhstan to Vancouver to further her
practice.

Lera found solace and inspiration in the dynamic urban
landscape of the city, keeping a visual diary that would
eventually become "Visual Diaries," a collection of paintings
that span a decade of personal memories, emotions, and the
ever-evolving beauty of Vancouver.

In our conversation with Lera, she shares her tale of growth,
harnessing both familial encouragement and the sprawling
resources of internet forums to refine her craft amidst the
biting critiques that shaped her resilient spirit. She also
shares insights into the blending of job-honed techniques with
bold forays into 3D modelling, all while maintaining the
integrity of her vision against the relentless tick of the
clock.

Episode Links
Website

Instagram

TikTok

LinkedIn

IMDb

Facebook

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.

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

BYTE:Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
1h
January 04, 2024S06E01: Sam Fell: From Junk to Clay
Sam Fell was always drawn to creation and in the 1980s, he
found himself in London, studying fine art and making
interdisciplinary works of art, junk sculptures with speakers
and cassette tapes inside, and eventually adding mechanics to
move his works. It was around this time that he rediscovered
stop-motion animation and the works of The Quay Brothers and Jan
Švankmajer.

Sam taught himself stop motion and eventually, found himself
making the trek from London to Bristol, the home of Aardman
Animations. He felt at home in the artist-driven studio where he
continued to hone his craft and storytelling from Peter Lord,
before embarking on his career as a director.

In our conversation, Sam shares his road to the director’s
chair, from his early days as a directionless teen in London to
working with Peter Lord in the early years of Aardman to his
move into CG and the blending of tech and tradition that has led
to his latest feature film Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.

Episode Links
Website

IMDb

Watch Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

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: Atomic Cartoons · Bardel Entertainment · Doberman Pictures · DNEG · Image Engine · Industrial Light & Magic · The Little Dev Shop · Mainframe Studios · Sony Pictures Imageworks · WildBrain Studios.

BYTE: Animasia BC · CMPA BC · Digi BC · NOX VFX · Rotomaker · Scanline VFX · Vancouver Film School · Versatile Media · Walt Disney Animation Studios · Wētā FX.

PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia.

ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
...more
1h 3min

FAQs about The Spark Cast:

How many episodes does The Spark Cast have?

The podcast currently has 77 episodes available.

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The Spark Cast

FAQs about The Spark Cast:

How many episodes does The Spark Cast have?

The Spark Cast episodes:

FAQs about The Spark Cast:

How many episodes does The Spark Cast have?

More shows like The Spark Cast

Science Friday

The Daily