Episode 498 - Todd Perry - Visual Effects Supervisor, “For All Mankind” & “Star City”
Release Date: 01/13/2025
Episode 511 - Chad Wanstreet & Allan McKay - Co-Founders, Version Zero
CG Garage
VFX veterans Chad Wanstreet and Allan McKay join Chris to talk about their new startup, Version Zero, a company aimed at automating the mundane tasks that bog down visual effects work. Born out of years of frustration with tedious jobs like roto, paint, plate cleanup, and matchmove, Version Zero helps artists and studios save time and focus on the creative parts of production. Chad and Allan share the origin story of the company, which started over Thanksgiving wine and coffee, and explain how their tools are already being used on shows like The Sympathizer and SWAT. The conversation dives...
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Episode 510 - Industry Roundtable — James Cameron, AI, Sinners, and Indie films
CG Garage
We’re trying something new this week and taking a break from the usual interview format. This episode kicks off a roundtable discussion format that we plan to revisit every few months. Chris is joined in person by Daniel Thron and James Blevins, both CG Garage podcast veterans, for a relaxed but sharp conversation about recent events in technology and the movie industry. The group starts with James Cameron’s bold claim that he wants to use AI to cut costs without laying anyone off, and whether that’s even realistic in today’s production model. They also discuss MUBI, a platform well...
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Episode 509 - Marti Romances - Co-Founder and Creative Director, Territory Studio San Francisco
CG Garage
Marti Romances, co-founder and creative director of Territory Studio San Fransisco, joins the podcast to share his journey from designing DVD menus in Spain to creating iconic futuristic interfaces for blockbuster films like Prometheus, The Martian, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. With roots in multimedia and motion graphics, Marti explains how his early passion for architectural drawings and spatial design naturally evolved into a unique approach to interface aesthetics. His breakthrough came when he moved to the UK and joined Activision, eventually landing...
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Episode 508 - Michael Ralla - VFX Supervisor, "Sinner"
CG Garage
Michael Ralla joins the podcast to share his journey through the world of visual effects, with a focus on his latest project as VFX Supervisor on the film Sinners. He discusses how he worked closely with cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, whose fearless approach to lighting and darkness pushed the creative envelope. The episode features a deep conversation about the differences between film and digital, the evolving language of color, and how these choices impact storytelling—insights that are especially relevant to the visual style of Sinners. Michael also opens up about his...
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Episode 507 - Jess Loren - CEO, Global Objects
CG Garage
Jess Loren, CEO and co-founder of Global Objects, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of immersive content and the creative tech reshaping the industry. A force to be reckoned with, Jess has a sharp pulse on where things are headed, and she doesn't hold back when discussing the current state of Hollywood. She talks candidly about the challenges studios and creators face today, and how technology like digital scanning, virtual production, and Gaussian splats can embolden independent filmmakers. Jess also shares insight into how she builds meaningful partnerships across...
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Episode 506 - Johnson Yan — Real-time CGI Pioneer
CG Garage
Johnson Yan, a trailblazer in real-time 3D graphics, joins the podcast to recount his remarkable journey from the earliest days of computer graphics and flight simulation. Starting in the late 1970s, Johnson tackled fundamental challenges like texture mapping, anti-aliasing, translucency, and scalability, long before today's GPU technology emerged. He shares insights into his pioneering work at Singer-Link, where he developed flight simulators utilizing vector graphics and early raster technology, laying the groundwork for both military training and future advancements in real-time...
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Episode 505 - Sebastian Sylwan - VFX and Technology Executive
CG Garage
Sebastian Sylwan has a wealth of experience, having been CTO at Weta Digital, Scanline, and Felix & Paul Studios, as well as Director of Technology at Digital Domain. He’s spent his career at the intersection of art and technology, helping world-class teams push the boundaries of visual effects, immersive media, and real-time workflows. In this episode, he reflects on the challenges of innovating in production environments—where the pressure to deliver can often stifle meaningful experimentation—and offers a thoughtful look at how our industry might evolve if we rethink our...
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Episode 504 - Scott Ross - UPSTART: The Digital Film Revolution – Managing the Unmanageable
CG Garage
Scott Ross, legendary VFX executive and co-founder of Digital Domain, joins the podcast for an unfiltered conversation about the state of the film industry and the visual effects business. With decades of experience and a reputation for telling it like it is, Scott digs into the systemic challenges facing Hollywood—from broken economic models in studio filmmaking to the relentless pressure on VFX vendors. He reflects on his time building Digital Domain alongside James Cameron and shares insights from his new book, UPSTART: The Digital Film Revolution – Managing the Unmanageable, which...
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Episode 503 - Joshua Lastine - Lastine Entertainment Law
CG Garage
Joshua Lastine, an entertainment lawyer, returns to the podcast to break down the rapidly changing legal and business landscape of the film industry. As AI tools reshape content creation, streaming platforms redefine distribution, and independent filmmakers leverage new technology, Joshua explains how contracts, intellectual property, and revenue models are evolving. He dives into the legal implications of AI in filmmaking, from WGA and SAG-AFTRA’s new protections to the ethical and financial risks of content licensing for AI training. He also discusses how major studios are adapting to...
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Episode 502 - Oliver Markowski - Head of 3D, RISE
CG Garage
Oliver Markowski, Head of 3D at RISE, returns to the podcast to dive deep into the latest advancements in VFX technology. Since his last appearance, the industry has seen major shifts, and Oliver shares insights on how USD and MaterialX have evolved, shaping how studios exchange data and build pipelines. He discusses the adoption of USD across the industry, from major VFX houses to tech giants like NVIDIA and Apple, and the challenges of standardizing MaterialX for real-world production. Oliver also provides an update on RISE’s latest projects, including their work on Guardians of the Galaxy...
info_outlineTodd Perry, a veteran visual effects supervisor with decades of experience in the industry, shares his journey from his early fascination with Star Wars to becoming a key figure in VFX. Todd discusses how he transitioned from experimenting with stop-motion and early computer graphics to landing his first major jobs at Imageworks and Weta, working on projects like The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He reflects on pivotal moments in his career, including his work as a CG supervisor on blockbuster films like Age of Ultron, Doctor Strange, and Black Panther. Todd also reveals how he embraced the challenges of remote work early, setting the stage for a future in distributed filmmaking.
The conversation dives into the evolution of VFX workflows, the integration of AI, and the balance between practical effects and digital artistry. Todd highlights his role in innovative projects like I’m a Virgo and his involvement in the Oscar-shortlisted live-action short film he recently produced and supervised. Packed with industry insights and advice for aspiring artists, this episode showcases Todd’s adaptability, passion for storytelling, and deep understanding of the tools shaping the future of filmmaking.