The VFX Process

In this episode we sit down with David Stapp, Cinematics Director at Form Studios and host of Virtual Production Insider, to break down his career journey and the creation of his latest Unreal Engine cinematic inspired by the Battlefield universe.

With over a decade of experience across film, VFX, post-production, cinematography, and virtual production, David shares how his background in traditional filmmaking directly informs his work creating real-time cinematics for video games.

We dive deep into the making of “Conquest,” a Battlefield-inspired Unreal Engine fan film developed as a full...

In this in-depth podcast interview, we sit down with Aaron Blaise, a legendary animator with 38 years of experience, known for his work at Disney Animation Studios during the golden era of the 1990s. Aaron shares incredible stories from animating Disney classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and directing Brother Bear.

Aaron opens up about his life-changing journey after the devastating loss of his wife in 2007, a moment that led him to leave Disney and rebuild his career from the ground up. He founded Creature Art Teacher (The Art of Aaron...

In this interview, writer, director, and self-taught animator Denver Jackson shares the incredible journey behind creating not one, but two solo animated feature films — Esluna: The Crown of Babylon and The Worlds Divide. From teaching himself 2D animation, to battling carpal tunnel and back issues, to reinventing his workflow in Blender 3D, Denver breaks down exactly how he built these full-length, anime-inspired films with a tiny team and massive determination.

We dive deep into his creative process — how he writes, how he animates, how he stays motivated, and what it really takes to make a so...

We chat with UK-based illustrator Luke Preece, who started his career as a graphic designer, moved into video game GUI work, and eventually found his true calling — illustration. In this interview, Luke takes us on a creative journey from designing for games to producing iconic artwork and posters for some of the world’s biggest rock and metal bands, including Metallica, Blink-182, Pantera and Foo Fighters — and even the final “Back to the Beginning” show of Black Sabbath.

He’s also created art for major video games, movies and skate brands, including Gears of War, Alien E...

In this episode, we talk with Magnus Møller, animator, 3D artist, and creative director of Tumblehead Animation Studio — an award-winning production company based in Viborg, Denmark, which he runs with his partner Peter Smith.

Magnus shares how he built Tumblehead from the ground up and what it takes to run a successful animation studio. He offers practical advice on getting clients, maintaining creative freedom, and why he believes making original short films under your studio’s name is more effective than any showreel — helping attract the kind of projects and collaborators you actually want.<...

We sit down with Character Animator & Director Luciano A. Muñoz Sessarego, who shares his remarkable journey through the animation industry.

We dive into the making of Freelance — a solo short film that grew into a worldwide collaboration and was ultimately completed with the help of Tumblehead Animation Studio.

💬 In this conversation:

 • The highs and lows of creating Freelance over six years

 • How collaboration transformed the project’s scope and finish

 • What it really takes to survive and thrive as a freelance 3D artist in 2025 Duration: 01:43:03

Trevor Carlee shares his inspiring journey — from creating a 3D artwork for every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to his first fan short, “Buffy: Into the Slayerverse” (a Spider-Verse-style Buffy animation), to discovering Bricklink and Mecabricks, the online platforms that changed everything.

With these platforms’ free LEGO 3D meshes, Trevor was able to speed up his workflow and bring his LEGO-style animations in Blender to life — and his channel exploded.

He’s now known for recreating iconic scenes from popular TV shows and movies in LEGO form, a creative nic...

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Luke Angus, a professional animator and director from Glasgow, to talk about his award-winning 3D animated short film Solstice.

Solstice has already made waves on the festival circuit, winning multiple awards including Best Short at the prestigious Short Shorts Film Festival – an OSCAR® and BAFTA accredited festival. This win has secured Luke the opportunity to submit his film for Oscar and BAFTA consideration.

What makes Solstice even more impressive is that Luke created the entire film solo – from writing and storyboarding to an...

We sit down with three members of TMC — James Dower, Constantin Kormann, and Bernhard Engstler — the indie filmmaking collective behind the incredible BattleTech fan film series HIRED STEEL.

In this conversation, we focus on HIRED STEEL - A Mech Machinima – Episode 4, the first project where TMC integrated Unreal Engine (UE5) into their filmmaking pipeline. They reveal how they combined Blender for modeling and animation with Unreal Engine for rendering and VFX, unlocking new levels of cinematic storytelling.

TMC began as a group of competitive BattleTech gamers and has since grown...

In this episode, we sit down with Josué Zabeau, a 3D artist with an engineering background, to break down his incredible Blender short film Heritage. What started as a small personal project quickly evolved into one of the most action-packed Blender short films, showcasing jaw-dropping 3D realism, cinematic motion, and high-speed intensity — all created inside Blender.

We explore the full creative journey behind Heritage:

✅ How Josué achieved photorealism in Blender using smart workflows and detailed references

✅ Why references are essential for building believable environments, lighting, and textures

✅ The tools, add...

We sit down with Peter Haynes, the director and creator of the acclaimed fantasy live‑action webseries AFK and the viral Star Wars parody series For The Empire, hosted on his channel Epically Casual.

We dive deep into Peter’s transition from live‑action filmmaking to digital production using Unreal Engine during the COVID lockdowns — a journey that began with a viral tech test featuring two stormtroopers on their first day of the job, and evolved into three hilarious seasons of For The Empire.

He explains how his live‑action exp...

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Baum — a Director of Photography turned VFX artist and 3D filmmaker — to explore his remarkable journey into the world of Unreal Engine filmmaking.

Just three years after stepping into the 3D space, Arthur claimed the spotlight by winning Kitbash3D’s “Secrets of the Luminara” challenge with his jaw-dropping short film, Tuk Tuk Tango — a 4.5-minute, action-packed cinematic experience.

Arthur shares how his background in live-action cinematography shaped every aspect of his digital work, from lighting and shot composition to pacing and camera m...

What happens when a hospital administrator with no animation background decides to make a 25-minute sci-fi film in Blender — solo?

Meet Dave Brain, the creator of Kosmic Kidnap and the face behind Dave Makes a Movie. In this episode, Dave shares how he taught himself Blender by diving straight into making a full animated short, what he's learned along the way, and how he's building a following by documenting the whole process.

🎬 Topics include:

Starting a film with no animation experience

Tools and w...

We sit down with Butterbug, the creator of the viral HELLDIVERS 2 fan film Straight to Hell — a fully animated short made in Blender. Inspired by the chaotic universe of Helldivers 2 and the cinematic VFX techniques of Ian Hubert, Butterbug shares how he brought this ambitious project to life.

We dive deep into his creative process, how he started learning Blender, and what it takes to build a standout fan film from scratch. He also opens up about battling imposter syndrome, finding his unique style, and staying consistent as a solo creator.

In this episode, we sit down with Jackie Droujko — a talented 2D character artist, filmmaker, and YouTuber from Vancouver, Canada. Jackie is known for her work with major studios like Disney TV, Netflix, and Nickelodeon, but in this interview, she opens up about stepping into unfamiliar territory: creating her first 2D/3D hybrid short film, Space Dates 5, using Blender. Co-created with her husband, the film marks a major stylistic shift from her usual character design, embracing a more experimental and personal aesthetic.

Jackie shares the emotional and creative journey behind learning Blender as a tr...

Go behind the scenes with VFX artist, filmmaker, and YouTuber Sam Denison aka Samster, as he reveals the making of We Few Survivors — a fan made short film set in the universe of The Last of Us.

Sam shares how he used cutting-edge Vicon motion capture (mocap) technology and a talented cast of actors to bring both survivors and infected to life. From capturing realistic performances to building immersive environments in Unreal Engine, this film is a passion project made for fans, by a fan.

With Season 3 of The La...

The VFX industry is evolving quickly, and if you're exploring careers in VFX or want to know how to get into the VFX industry, this episode is packed with real-world insight. Jamie sits down with his longtime friend and former colleague Miran Dilberovic — now a Senior Cinematic Artist at Epic Games London — for a candid conversation about VFX jobs in 2025 and what it really takes to succeed.

Miran shares his journey from being a production assistant on Game of Thrones to working on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, then moving into previs roles at The...

Success as a 3D artist doesn’t always mean happiness. In this emotional and inspiring episode, Lucas Camargo—aka the mind behind Untitled Army—shares the story of how a thriving career in 3D character design and advertising left him burnt out, creatively drained, and personally lost. Despite working with global brands like Nike, Apple, and Coca-Cola and winning some of the industry's top awards, Lucas found himself in a dark place, ultimately leading to divorce and disconnection from his creative self.

We dive deep into how his personal project, Untitled Army, saved him. What b...

Duncan Rudd, a seasoned CG animator, rigger, and generalist with over 25 years in the industry, shares the story behind Deep Rooted—his fourth animated short and his first created entirely in Blender. Duncan dives into how Blender, Geometry Nodes, and pure passion helped him bring this 10-minute 3D film to life.

WATCH DEEP ROOTED: click here

We explore Duncan’s creative process, from character and rigging to scene construction and rendering—all powered by Blender. He breaks down why personal projects are essential for freelance 3D artists, offering a chance...

Caleb Worcester, a Kansas City-based illustrator and animator, blends traditional and 3D art to create striking, immersive visuals. In this video, he takes us behind the scenes of his stunning stylized 3D short film, Under The Thicket. We explore his creative process, from developing the story and characters to refining the film’s unique style to his rendering techniques in Blender. Caleb also walks us through a few key Blender scenes, offering insight into how he brings his vision to life.

Beyond the technical side, we dive into the inspiration behind Under The Thicket, di...

Is Unreal Engine the #1 filmmaking tool? According to Charlie Driscoll, it just might be. As a cinematographer, Charlie first saw UE5 as a wat to practice real-world filmmaking techniques—but it quickly became a game-changer for crafting professional-level cinematics. Through his YouTube channel, The Darkest Age, he’s pushing the limits of Metahumans, AI motion capture, and real-time rendering to create stunning short films and animation tests.

In this episode, we break down why UE5 is revolutionising filmmaking, diving into Charlie’s fight scene cinematic, a masterclass in virtual action storytelling, and his zombie horde...

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Craig Caton-Largent, VFX artist and Chair of 3D Animation & VFX at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) Los Angeles, to discuss his incredible 45-year career in the VFX industry. Born in Portland, Oregon, Craig has contributed to over 100 films and collaborated with legendary directors like Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron. His journey began with creating animatronics and puppets for Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, and other iconic blockbusters, working alongside industry icons like Stan Winston.

Craig is most famous for bringing some of the most iconic...

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Rasmus Poulsen (aka Technouveau), a Copenhagen-based Art Director in the AAA games industry. With an impressive resume working on titles like Hitman, Kane & Lynch, and the upcoming Project 007, Rasmus has also built a name for himself as a sci-fi artist, crafting stunning Blender renders of futuristic ships and worlds.

As a lifelong Star Wars and sci-fi fan, Rasmus began cyber-tuning vehicles, creating concept art, and photo-bashing before discovering Blender through tutorials by Jama Jurabaev and Ian Hubert. He later contributed to Big Medium Small, creating asset packs...

Jamie sits down with VFX artist and director Santiago Menghini to discuss the making of his incredible Unreal Engine short film, RALLY. This suspenseful, action-packed film marks Santiago's debut in Unreal Engine, showcasing his transition from traditional live-action filmmaking to the world of real-time animation.

Originally intended as a live-action project, RALLY was shelved due to unforeseen circumstances—until Santiago discovered the power of Unreal Engine. With no prior animation experience, he dove into the software, determined to bring his vision to life. The result is a stunning film that has captivated audiences, racking up...

Join VFX artist and filmmaker Calvin Romeyn as he takes you behind the scenes of his ambitious Unreal Engine short film, Firmware. This groundbreaking project, which took two years to create, marked Calvin’s first time using Unreal Engine. Despite being new to the platform, Calvin utilised advanced tools like Metahumans for lifelike faces and motion capture with actors to create thrilling action sequences—mastering techniques that challenge even seasoned pros.

With a career that includes working as a VFX artist on four Star Wars films and many other blockbusters, Calvin brought his expertise to F...

In this episode, VFX artist MX Bell takes us behind the scenes of his incredible work as a VFX art director on Deadpool and Wolverine! Working alongside acclaimed director Shawn Levy and visionary production designer Raymond Chang, Martin utilised the power of Unreal Engine to revolutionise the creative process.

We explore how Unreal Engine helped visualise the stunning sets of Deadpool and Wolverine, turning ambitious ideas into cinematic reality. Learn how MX Bell collaborated with the team to bring their concepts to life, pushing the boundaries of technology and storytelling. Whether you’re a fa...

Join Nikodem Bredlich, also known as DemNikoArt, as he shares his insights into Blender 3D filmmaking and the secrets behind his efficiency in creating high-quality animations. In this video, Niko breaks down the process of crafting his latest Mega Man 3D fan film, Mavericks Episode 5, offering an in-depth look at how passion and careful planning come together to bring his vision to life. Whether you're a seasoned animator or just starting in the world of Blender, this video is packed with inspiration and practical tips.

Fresh off his talk at Blender Con 2024, Niko dives...

In this episode, VFX graduates Sondre Fagerborg and Sebastian Sveen, who attended Kristiania University College in Norway, take you behind the scenes of their ambitious bachelor project, Cryo Odyssey—a fully CG sci-fi short that showcases their mastery of Hollywood-level VFX compositing. Sondre and Sebastian dive into the challenges and creative choices involved in bringing Cryo Odyssey to life, exploring the techniques they learned in their VFX Bachelor course and applied with advanced Nuke software to achieve cinematic results.

In addition to their collaborative work on Cryo Odyssey, each shares insights into their individual un...

In this episode, VFX artist and writer/director MX Bell discusses Giblets, his upcoming live-action dark comedy short currently in the pitching and visualisation stage. Bell explains how Unreal Engine and Virtual Production are essential in bringing his vision to life. Though still unfilmed, Unreal Engine’s real-time tech has enabled him to pitch the concept to collaborators and investors.

Bell, an award-winning writer/director and animator, created the festival-winning animated short Prazinburk Ridge in Unreal Engine and has visualised large-scale action scenes for major films like Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Sh...

In this video, we sit down with writer and animator Sean Buckelew to discuss his work on HBO Max's sci-fi animated series Scavengers Reign. Sean gives an inside look at writing for such an immersive, otherworldly project, sharing his approach to crafting unique stories and compelling characters in animation. He also talks about overcoming imposter syndrome, offering advice for creatives facing self-doubt, especially in the competitive fields of animation and screenwriting.

We also explore his animated short films Drone, I Am A Robot, and Lovestreams, diving into how technology and storytelling intersect. Sean’s in...

In this video, animation director Raman Djafari dives deep into their career creating visually stunning music videos for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Ashnikko. We'll explore their artistic journey, how they developed their signature style, and the truth behind working in the animation and music video industries. From their early influences to collaborating with major artists, Djafari sheds light on what it takes to thrive as an animation director in today's fast-paced creative world.

In particular, we'll break down the creative process behind the visually striking "...

In this episode, we sit down with 3D artist Trent Fortune to explore his innovative work in recreating a scene from X-Men '97 using Unreal Engine. Trent shares his expertise on how this project, designed as a Previs exercise, demonstrates Unreal Engine's potential for revolutionizing Previs in animation and filmmaking.

Trent’s animation software of choice is Maya, where he modeled, rigged, and animated his X-Men character. He explains the process of importing a 3D character from Maya into Unreal Engine.

We’ll delve into the essential role of Prev...

In this episode, we sit down with Christopher Rutledge, an innovative CG artist and filmmaker, to explore his unique approach to creating stunning animations. Known for his exceptional use of SideFX's Houdini, Chris takes us behind the scenes of his creative process, showcasing the making of several of his captivating short films. While Houdini is typically recognized as a go-to tool for blockbuster VFX, Chris explains why it's his software of choice for animation, proving that Houdini can do so much more than just big movie effects.

Chris delves into the future of Houdini...

AJ Jefferies (MOONJAM) is a multi-disciplinary digital artist, illustrator, retoucher, character designer, animator, and director. He has been creating images, characters, and animations for the advertising, gaming, and entertainment industries since 2001.

In this episode, AJ dives into making his 3D animated short films Peas and Horse, fueled by wacky ideas and a desire to learn new 3D animation technology.

AJ, a versatile 3D Generalist, explains the chaotic yet creative nature of the job. We also discuss his involvement with The Monster Project, which helps children recognize the power of...

In this episode, Julian Glander dives deep into the making of Boys Go to Jupiter. Self-produced and self-financed, the film was animated entirely using Blender 3D software. Julian explains why Blender was the perfect software for this project and praises the Blender 3D community for their support. He shares the highs and lows of producing a feature-length animation in Blender over the course of five years.

Julian Glander is a 3D artist and animator who uses Blender. He has directed projects for Adult Swim, Disney, HBO Max, and Cartoon Network. He is also well-known...

Vikki & Niels discuss starting YONK, an animation studio utilising VR sculpting with Blender to create unique and playful character designs and animations.

"Hello there! We are YONK, the 3D animation studio that specialises in using Virtual Reality Sculpting software to craft visually striking artworks, animations and character designs. Our innovative approach to this technology has resulted in a unique style that seamlessly combines raw, childlike sculpting with polished, vibrant veneers. Our goal is to break free from traditional 3D norms and craft work that's playful, maximalist and delightfully strange." - YONK ONLINE

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SouthernShotty is widely known in the 3D community for his unique character designs and his Blender tutorials on YouTube. Shotty started teaching Blender skills to the community four years ago and is now one of the go-to content creators for those wanting to make 3D animated films.

In this episode, SouthernShotty shares the process of creating his animated short film "Watermelon Girl," made using Blender with a little help from After Effects and the Adobe Substance suite. After failing many times to complete this project, Shotty reveals how he finally made it to the...

Jess Wiseman, a 3D animator and designer based in the UK, shares her journey from painting portraits to working with brands and individuals to bring their creative ideas to life. She started by entering competitions and cold emailing potential clients, offering her work for free to overcome her lack of experience. Her strategy paid off when she received a reply from YouTube superstar KSI and went on to create artwork for him to promote his boxing match with Logan Paul.

Jess shares her experience of learning animation and 3D design through real projects using...

Joshua Toonen discusses his VFX journey and his mission to push the limits of Unreal Engine's filmmaking and visual effects capabilities.

Joshua Toonen is a seasoned VFX artist with 8 years of experience in the film industry, contributing to blockbuster films like Alien: Covenant, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse, and Star Wars, among others.

In 2020, Josh embarked on a personal project, creating 'Stay,' a short film/music video inspired by 'The Last of Us.' In this episode, he shares his journey and the creative process behind this remarkable project.<...

Olov Burman, a multi-award-winning director, discusses his journey, unique characters, and projects ranging from Cartoon Network to Tenacious D.

Olov Burman, an animation director from Sweden, travels the globe while collaborating with networks of artists and clients worldwide. He has harboured a passion for animation and visual storytelling since a young age, and throughout his professional career, he has been involved in over 200 animated film productions, often serving as Creative Director, Storyboard Artist, or Animator.

Olov has worked in various techniques such as 3D, 2D, and Stop Motion. Currently...

Hollywood Stunt Coordinator Dave Macomber discusses previsualising a fight sequence for David Fincher's 'The Killer' and his latest Unreal Engine project.

Meet Dave Macomber, an award-winning stunt/fight coordinator and second unit director in the film industry. With a passion for Visual Effects (VFX), Dave seamlessly incorporates VFX elements into his stunt visualisations, providing a comprehensive template for the crew.

Having worked on iconic blockbusters like Transformers, HBO's Watchmen, and numerous Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Dave's expertise shines through. Just a glance at his IMDB page showcases his impressive...

The VFX Process Podcast #39

Jamie chats with THUMBS about building his brand focused on pop culture and how he was commissioned by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182.

Nick Thompson, also known as THUMBS, is a West London-based artist who has built his brand through a love for 80's and 90's pop culture. His work includes paintings, prints, apparel, and collectible toys, filled with an incredibly nostalgic feel by breathing new life into his favourite pop culture icons, including The Simpsons, Marvel, DC, Disney and many others.

The VFX Process Podcast #38

Patrick 4D shares his 3D process, discusses how he utilises social media as an artist.

Patrick Foley is a 3D artist who specialises in creating photorealistic food. Utilising a combination of ZBrush, Cinema 4D and Octane, he has earned legendary status in the 3D world through his daily Instagram reels, showcasing the process behind his remarkable food renders that have claimed him the name 'The Digital Chef.'

What began as a 3D artist having fun transformed into Patrick securing...

The VFX Process Podcast #37

Jamie chats with Faruk Heplevent, the brilliant mind behind The Scope, a ground-breaking fully CGI automotive launch company.

Faruk began his journey as a globetrotting car photographer, capturing iconic images for the world's leading car brands, all on traditional film. However, faced with the rise of CGI, Faruk encountered a career crossroads. Undeterred, he founded The Scope, pioneering the creation of jaw-droppingly realistic CGI car renders that have become a staple for high-end automotive product launches.

Faruk introduces us to...

TVP Podcast #36 | Jamie chats with Alireza 'Mehran' Fattahi about his viral BATMAN cinematics. Discover how he brought THE DARK KNIGHT to life using the power of UNREAL ENGINE.

Ali, also knows as Mehran is an Unreal Engine artist based in Iran. He reflects on his journey since creating his first Batman cinematic just one year ago. Little did he know, the response would be monumental! Now, after a series of cinematics, Mehran is gearing up to make 'BATMAN: GOTHAM RENEGADE', a 15-minute Batman short, unleashing the full potential of Unreal Engine.

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TVP Podcast #35 | Brent Forrest discusses the creation of 'Samurai Frog Golf,' the award-winning 3D animation produced by the Japanese studio 'Marza Animation Planet.'

Brent, a Canadian-born animator currently residing in Tokyo, is employed by the acclaimed animation studio Marza Animation Planet. We delve into Brent's independent filmmaking career, where he has crafted 3D short animations such as 'Crack' and 'Like & Follow,' collaborating with his creative partner Tobias Schlage. (Forrest-Schlage)

His latest action packed 3D animated short, 'Samurai Frog Golf,' was acquired by the studio 'Marza...

TVP Podcast #34 | Jamie chats with Shane Spence about creating his Unreal Engine short cinematic, 'The View'—an emotional story of love, loss, and closure.

Shane is a freelance CG artist specialising in product design, but he has recently started experimenting with Unreal Engine, not only to add another tool to his arsenal but to create something more cinematic.

We delve into the process behind 'The View,' which began with Shane following an Unreal Engine tutorial but ended up developing it into an emotional cinematic love story, all set ag...

TVP Podcast #33 | Jamie sits down with award-winning filmmaker Gökalp Gönen to chat about his unique animated filmmaking process and his vision for a transformative future.

Based in Turkey, Gökalp Gönen has made a name for himself with acclaimed short films such as 'Golden Shot,' 'Avarya,' and 'Lal.'

He takes us behind the scenes of his latest masterpiece, 'Lal,' unravelling the process of bringing his short films to life. As a dedicated user of Maya software, he opens up about the challenges that c...

Jamie chats with Jack Hyde about how his unique stop-motion animations have carved a niche in skateboarding culture.

Jack reveals that his career took off overnight after Thrasher Magazine picked up his first skateboarding stop-motion post. This recognition led to high demand from skateboarding brands such as DC Shoes, Vans, Volcom, Primitive, and many more.

Jamie and Jack delve into the process of his passion project, Pen Pals, which showcases how collaboration with people globally can still result in producing amazing art. Pen Pals is a joint effort with...

Jamie sits down with Arthur Baum as he candidly shares the highs and lows of transitioning to Unreal Engine from the perspective of a Director of Photography (DoP), highlighting how this shift has finally granted him the freedom to tell the stories he is passionate about. Arthur, a seasoned DoP, has ascended the ranks on film sets, embracing any role that came his way.

We delve into Arthur's Unreal Engine film, 'Voyage' – a short that takes you on a daydreaming adventure with visuals that are truly out of this world. We also get a gl...

Jamie chats with Jim Geduldick about how Virtual Production and AI technologies are transforming the VFX and Film industry. Jim is a visionary Virtual Production and VFX supervisor whose curiosity for technology has catapulted him from an action sports cinematographer to the forefront of cutting-edge cinema techniques.

As a self-confessed tech nerd and even a consultant for AI software, Jim shares his predictions for the future of VFX and Filmmaking. Together, they explore Virtual Production technology, Unreal Engine, how to be a good VFX supervisor, the controversial topic of AI, and even a little...

Jamie sits down with Sam Balcomb to discuss the virtual production process that breathed life into his remarkable short films, 'Evenveil' and 'Metroid: The Sky Calls.'

'Evenveil' is a fantasy short film that takes place in a vast world but was cleverly shot in a confined space on a small green screen, showcasing the true power of virtual production. 'Metroid: The Sky Calls' is a fan film inspired by an iconic 80s video game that garnered 3 million views on YouTube.

Sam is a writer, director, and one of...

Jamie speaks with Ewald Vorster, a talented video editor from South Africa now based in Portland, Oregon, who made a daring career change into the world of Unreal Engine! Ewald's journey from Red Bull Motorsports video editor to CG Spectrum and ultimately to the creation of his thrilling short film, "Menace," is nothing short of inspirational.

We delve into the creative process behind "Menace," an Unreal Engine short film that features a heart-pounding chase scene involving a motorbike and two police cars. Ewald takes us behind the scenes and reveals how he utilised the...

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Rik Schutte, the visionary director behind Blender's latest open movie project, 'WING IT!' This short film, crafted entirely within Blender, introduces a captivating 2D animation style that showcases Blender's true versatility. Rik is no stranger to the world of animation, having started his feature film career in the Netherlands working on 'The Little Vampire', he then moved on to SONY, where he contributed to the creation of 'Small Foot,' and later, took on a key role as a lead animator in the OSCAR-winning animated masterpiece, 'Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.'

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Jamie Bakewell speaks with Kayu Leung, a remarkable animator hailing from Hong Kong who ventured to Paris to study fine arts but was inspired to switch to animation after volunteering at Annecy Animation Festival. Not only did Kayu graduate with flying colors, but she also clinched the prestigious Student Oscar with her enchanting short film, "Loui's Shoes." 

In this insightful conversation, we dive deep into the creative mind of Kayu Leung as she unveils the the process behind her latest animated masterpiece, "Mao's Mango Cult," a story of a dark Chinese history specially crafted fo...

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Shad Bradbury, a seasoned animation professional who is currently working at Pixar. Shad has a vast list of credits that include titles such as Coco, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur & Finding Dory.

In this episode Shad dives deep into directing his first animated short 'Run Totti Run' which was brought to life with the help of 300 volunteer artists from 5 countries. He also shared his wild stories of climbing the ranks in the animation industry and answers the biggest question of all, how to land a job at Pixar.

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Jamie Bakewell speaks with Hjalti Hjálmarsson an Icelandic animator and filmmaker known for his work in the field of computer graphics and animation and is currently working at the Blender Animation Studio.

Hjalti discusses how he was discovered by the creator of Blender 'Ton Roosendaal' and moved to Amsterdam to play crucial roles in the 'Blender Open Movies' that the community have come to love.

The VFX Process

Getting Intimate With Your Industry!

Accompanying media:

For Hjalti's work click here

o...

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Marcos Sanchez a Chilean visual artist, animator, and filmmaker based in Santiago.

He studied Fine Arts at Universidad Católica, in Santiago and Film at NYU’s MFA program in New York. Marcos’ captivating short films and animated music videos have been featured in prestigious film festivals worldwide.

The VFX Process

Getting Intimate With Your Industry!

Accompanying media:

For Marcos' work click here

or

For the video podcast click here

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Sava Zivkovic, a Director based in Belgrade, Serbia. Sava possesses over 14 years of experience in CG animation. He developed a passion for moving images during his design studies at Belgrade University of Applied Arts. Sava directs for Axis Studios, Hydra Studios, and runs his own independent production.

His impressive work includes award-winning short films like "IRRADIATION," "HUXLEY," "FREIGHT," and "IFCC", along with notable game cinematics for titles such as Dead Island 2, Diablo Immortal, Outriders, Solium Infernum, Destiny 2, and Gears of War 5. Sava infuses projects of various scopes and dimensions with...

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Joris Oprins, hailing from the Netherlands. Joris is a talented screenwriter, producer and one of the directors behind the multi-award winning Dutch animation studio, ‘Job, Joris & Marieke’. With a passion for storytelling and a knack for bringing characters to life, Joris has left an unforgettable mark on the world of animation.#

In this episode Joris reveals how 'Job, Joris & Marieke' went from product designers to an animation power trio and shows us all the work that gained them multiple awards along the way.

The VFX Proc...

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Saga Alayyoubi a highly skilled Senior 3D artist currently working at Epic Games, a prominent gaming studio located in London, UK. With his expertise in creating immersive digital environments, Saga employs a wide range of artistic techniques including sculpting, painting, rendering and more to bring his visions to life.

Saga gives his advice for aspiring artists trying to break into the VFX industry and shows us a bunch of his personal projects including his 'Tribute to Joe Rogan' and his beautiful 'Japanese Sketches' series, both made in Unreal Engine.

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Jae Solina (JSFilmz) about creating his Cyberpunk Unreal Engine short 'Zin' and building his YouTube empire.

Jae is an incredibly talented content creator who has carved a niche for himself in the vast realm of YouTube tutorials. With a passion for filmmaking, Jae’s channel has become a go-to resource for aspiring filmmakers interested in harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 4&5.

The VFX Process

Getting Intimate With Your Industry!

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For Jae's work click here

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Jamie Bakewell speaks with Anthony Jegu.

Based in the Netherlands, Anthony is an extremely talented visual artist proficient in diverse artistic realms such as sculpture, illustration, and photography. Additionally, Anthony is a senior videographer and graphic designer, with 15 years of experience in motion picture special effects and video production.

The VFX Process

Getting Intimate With Your Industry!

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For Anthonys work click here

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Jamie Bakewell speaks with Will Anderson, a BAFTA award-winning filmmaker and animator from Scotland. based in Edinburgh, Will specialises in creating character-driven and dialogue-centric animation for various mediums, including film, television, theatre and online. His stories are driven by process, spanning 2D to 3D design, and focus on existential themes with characters at the heart of it.

The VFX Process

Getting Intimate With Your Industry

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For Wills work click here

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Jamie Bakewell speaks with Ellie Cooper, a Concept Artist who, due to her success became the CEO of her own company Athena Productions. Ellie uses Unreal Engine as the foundation of her Concept Designs, allowing her more freedom to make changes and experiment when creating work. Ellie talks about the Unreal Fellowship, starting her own company and the positives side of AI.

The VFX Process

Getting Intimate With Your Industry

Accompanying media:

For Ellie's work click here

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For the video...

Jamie Bakewell speaks with Nick Alberelli and Youp Zondag, founders of Tiny Media, a Canadian Animation Company making high quality short form animated comedy with zero budget. Their hilarious web-series 'BLOWN APART!', made using Blender's Grease Pencil, follows the struggles of historical French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

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For Tiny Media's videos click here

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Jamie Bakewell chats with Arturo Brena, the Emmy award winning, founder of KeexFrame, a company that merges outstanding design with the latest technology. From real-time motion graphics to 3D animation, and shadow sculpting. Join us as we dive into one of Arturo's Unreal Engine Fellowship-developed short films, "The Thief". Using Metahuman and motion capture, Arturo enhances storytelling and immerses viewers.

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Director and Animator Sara Gunnarsdóttir shares her experience of making the Academy Award-nominated animated short 'My Year Of D***s' with the writer of Moana, Pamela Ribon. Sara provides a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process of preparing for The Oscars and the challenges of rotoscoping. Discover the secrets of how this talented team achieved their Oscar nomination.

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For Sara's videos click here

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Dave Macomber is a Hollywood Fight & Stunt Coordinator with an impressive list of Blockbusters under his belt. We take a look at his combination of action sequences and VFX in both his professional work and his personal projects.

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Connor Buchanan is a Freelance Cinematic Artist, specialising in realistic facial/dialogue animation, environment composition and character animation in Unreal Engine 5. He is completely self taught and has already achieved an incredible amount in only 1 year.

Accompanying media:

For Connor's videos click here

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Jamie chats with Senior 3D/VFX Generalist and punk rocker Andy Lefton about his short film 'World Suicide'. Andy shares some knowledge from his 20 years in the industry and explains what it was like to use Unreal Engine for the first time to create a short film.

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'World Suicide'

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Jamie talks with Chris Suddaby about a few of his '50 Second Films' that he created while taking part in Unreal Engines 'Unreal Fellowship'.

He also talks us through the details of his new virtual art department role (VAD) and how it will streamline the film making process in the future.

If you are a film maker, you won't believe what VAD can do to benefit your production time and cost!

Accompanying media:

50 Second Film | Awakening

50 Second Film | Arctic Journey

The World of: A Study in Scale<...

Jamie talks with Miran Dilberovic about a stunning Star Wars chase sequence from his ongoing personal project. They speak about the wonders of Unreal Engine and the importance of taking care of your mental health in the industry.

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Kris Theorin is the Creative Director and Animator of 'Something's Awry Productions'. Their recent animated horror short 'Unlucky Charms' has reached a massive online audience after going viral across multiple channels on YouTube.

As Kris' unique and impressive animated shorts gain more deserved attention across social media, Jamie sat down to talk about what went in to a project of this calibre.

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To see more of Something's Awry:

Something's...

Martin Bell is a Previs Supervisor, Independent Filmmaker and Screenwriter who has made his own short film inside Unreal Engine under his company ‘Yes, Commissioner?’.

Martin has worked on films such as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Little Mermaid, No Time to Die and 1917, to name a few.

Jamie sat down to talk to him about a personal project, his short film Prazinburk Ridge.

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