465 – Jason Smith – Forging Middle-earth
The Allan McKay Podcast
In this follow-up conversation, Allan reconnects with Senior VFX Supervisor Jason Smith for a wide-ranging discussion that revisits his recent work on a flagship fantasy series and pulls back the curtain on life at the top of the industry. The two cover current challenges in large-scale visual effects, evolving studio pipelines, and the mindsets that keep artists relevant over decades.
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464 - Andy Boyd - JAMM VFX
The Allan McKay Podcast
In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Andy Boyd, a seasoned VFX Supervisor, and co-owner of Jamm VFX. Andy shares his extensive journey in the visual effects industry, from his early days breaking into major studios like Framestore and Method Studios to founding his own successful VFX company. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of managing a VFX team, navigating cultural differences between the UK and US VFX industries, and overcoming technical hurdles in high-profile projects like "Brothers" and "Werewolf by Night." Andy also discusses the future of VFX,...
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463 - Lux Aeterna - Rob Hifle + Paul Silcox
The Allan McKay Podcast
Overview In this episode, Allan McKay engages in an in-depth conversation with Rob Hifle, CEO & Creative Director, and Paul Silcox, VFX Director at Lux Aeterna. They delve into the evolution of visual effects in the digital media landscape, discussing their journey from early tools like Flash and Macromedia Director to the sophisticated capabilities of modern software like Houdini. The discussion highlights the rapid growth of Lux Aeterna, the challenges of maintaining creative integrity while scaling, and their notable projects including *Eight Days to the Moon and Back*, *Our Universe*,...
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462 - Faruk Heplevent - The Scope
The Allan McKay Podcast
In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Faruk Heplevent, founder and CEO of Scope Studio, to delve into the intricate world of automotive visual effects and the evolution of CG in the automotive industry. They explore Faruk’s journey from his early days as a car photographer in Hamburg to transitioning into computer graphics, ultimately leading to the creation of Scope Studio. The discussion covers the challenges and triumphs of building a specialized studio in a field dominated by established CGI companies, the development of Scope City—a procedural photorealistic city...
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461 - Jason Smith - Rings of Power - VFX Supervisor
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...
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460 - RADiCAL - Democratizing Motion Capture
The Allan McKay Podcast
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...
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459 - Phil Cramer - Digital Domain VFX Supervisor
The Allan McKay Podcast
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,...
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458 - Nick Seavert - CEO & Founder JangaFX (Embergen, LiquiGen, GeoGen)
The Allan McKay Podcast
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...
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457 - Feng Zhu - Concept Designer & Art Director
The Allan McKay Podcast
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...
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456 - Stephan Fleet - The Boys VFX Supervisor
The Allan McKay Podcast
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,...
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In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Andy Boyd, a seasoned VFX Supervisor, and co-owner of Jamm VFX. Andy shares his extensive journey in the visual effects industry, from his early days breaking into major studios like Framestore and Method Studios to founding his own successful VFX company.
The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of managing a VFX team, navigating cultural differences between the UK and US VFX industries, and overcoming technical hurdles in high-profile projects like "Brothers" and "Werewolf by Night." Andy also discusses the future of VFX, including the impact of AI and remote work, and offers invaluable insights for aspiring VFX artists and entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the industry.
Topics Covered
- Andy Boyd’s early career in South Africa and transition into VFX
- Working at Framestore and Method Studios
- Founding Jamm Visual Effects and managing a boutique studio
- Behind the scenes of Werewolf by Night and creating Man-Thing
- Crafting photoreal creatures, including Samuel the orangutan in Brothers
- Transitioning to tools like V-Ray for superior fur rendering
- The evolving role of AI in VFX and storytelling
- Striking a balance between creative freedom and technical challenges
Key Quotes
"VFX is the perfect blend of creativity and problem-solving—each challenge pushes you to innovate in unexpected ways."
The most exciting projects are the ones where you begin with no clear solution—those moments ignite innovation."
You can feel the energy of a passionate team in the final product—great work reflects great collaboration."
Resources
5 Key Takeaways
1. Evolving Through Challenges
Andy’s career exemplifies the importance of adapting to new roles and technologies, whether transitioning from retouching to 3D or embracing V-Ray to achieve lifelike fur.
2. The Power of Boutique Studios
Jamm thrives on the advantages of a smaller team, delivering high-quality work with a collaborative and personalized approach that stands out in a crowded industry.
3. Crafting Creatures with Heart
From Werewolf by Night to Brothers, Andy highlights the joy and challenge of bringing creatures to life, focusing on subtlety and realism to tell compelling stories.
4. The Importance of Studio Culture
Jamm’s success stems from its commitment to people-first management, ensuring employees are supported and projects are properly resourced.
5. AI and the Future of VFX
Andy reflects on how AI tools are opening new creative possibilities, streamlining workflows while keeping artistry at the forefront.