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 environment—and the strategic decisions behind choosing rendering technologies like V-Ray and Arnold. Faruk shares his insights on maintaining photorealism in car CG, the importance of client collaboration and feedback, and the delicate balance between creative vision and technical execution. The conversation also touches on the impact of emerging technologies such as NVIDIA’s denoising tools, Chaos’s Vantage Arena, and the potential integ

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 supervising complex, high-stakes projects like The Revenant and Rings of Power. The conversation dives into the importance of storytelling, communication, and collaboration, as well as the evolving challenges in VFX, such as adapting to new technology and achieving the director’s vision on both large and small budgets. Jason offers valuable insights for aspiring VFX artists and supervisors, sharing how flexibility, perseve

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 environment for collaboration and creation, and how their platform democratizes motion capture for filmmakers, game developers, and 3D enthusiasts alike. The conversation touches on the challenges of developing AI that can work with any consumer-grade camera, the importance of scalability and accessibility, and how RADiCAL is poised to transform the way digital creators work. Gavan and Matteo offer key insights into the future o

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, and its role in major projects like She-Hulk and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The conversation touches on the importance of flexibility in a technical pipeline, the advantages of working with both technical and artistic teams, and how to lead by example as a supervisor. Philip offers key insights on problem-solving in high-pressure environments and shares valuable advice for artists on how to stand out in the competi

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 value of perseverance in the face of adversity, and the process of creating their short film "Golem" to showcase their tools. Nick offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and discusses the evolution of VFX software over his career. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in visual effects, real-time rendering, the creative process behind cutting-edge software development, and the future of the VFX industry in a

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 development strategies, and the business aspects of running a successful design studio. Feng offers valuable advice for aspiring designers and discusses the evolution of the industry over his 27-year career. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in concept design, the creative process behind blockbuster films and games, and the future of the design industry in an increasingly digital world.   Topics Covered Feng Zhu's b

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, Stephan Fleet talks to Allan McKay about the unique challenges of creating grounded superhero powers for The Boys, his innovative approaches to monitor comps, and the intricacies of on-set VFX supervision. He shares insights on workflow optimization using custom database solutions, and the importance of empathy in VFX leadership. Stephan also discusses his transition into producing roles with Gen V and how his VFX backg

VFX Supervisor Tim Carras joins Allan McKay to discuss his work on high-profile projects like "Clipped" and "Shogun". Tim shares insights into the challenges of creating realistic crowds for basketball arenas, crafting flaming arrow effects for period dramas, and the intricacies of on-set VFX supervision. The conversation covers a range of topics, from simulating realistic insect movement to adapting to remote work in the VFX industry. Tim offers valuable perspectives on the evolution of visual effects technology, the importance of networking, and the skills required to navigate complex productions in today's fast-paced entertainment landscape. Links Mentioned: Barnstorm VFX: https://www.barnstormvfx.com/ ShotBot App: https://www.shotbot.com/ Tim Carras on Instagram: @wip_for_approval   Memorable Quotes and Interesting Topics: "The only thing more important than your reel is your network." "Sometimes a decisive wrong answer is better than an indecisive right answer." "The McDonald's Principle" - Using a conc

In this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Xavier Bernasconi, VFX Supervisor at DNEG, to dive deep into the world of virtual production. They discuss Xavier's fascinating career journey, his recent work on the highly anticipated Masters of the Air, and the decision to utilize virtual production for the project. Xavier shares insights into the current state of virtual production technology, its challenges and limitations, and the exciting future potential as the tech continues to evolve. The conversation also covers the impacts of virtual production on actor performances and the shifts in collaboration it brings to VFX workflows. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the cutting-edge of filmmaking innovation.   Table of Contents Introduction (00:00:00) Introducing Xavier Bernasconi (00:00:03) Xavier's Background and Journey (00:00:46) From Proskier to Visual Effects (00:00:46) Developing Compositing Software (00:02:05) Becoming a VFX Supervisor (00:03:40) Masters of the Air Project (00:04:17) Ov

In this insightful episode, Allan McKay sits down with Colin Giles, head of the School for Animation and Visual Effects at Vancouver Film School, for a deep dive into the world of modern VFX education. They discuss Colin's fascinating journey from small town artist to leading a world-class animation school, the intense pressures faced by today's students, and how virtual learning during COVID has transformed educational models. Colin shares wisdom on the irreplaceable value of in-person collaboration, how AI is impacting the curriculum, and the vital role of social media and online presence for aspiring artists. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of visual effects and what it takes to succeed as a student in 2023.   Quotes: "There is a difference between just crafting images and telling a story. I think that it's part of that learning process as well that is very exciting." Students should focus on their own artistic growth rather than unrealistic pressure to be the best or work at cert

In this epic episode of the Podcast, Allan sits down with Michael Cliett, the overall VFX Supervisor for the hit TV series Shogun. Michael shares his journey into the world of visual effects, from his early fascination with behind-the-scenes movie magic to working his way up in the industry. He dives deep into the making of Shogun, discussing the collaboration between various VFX studios, the show's commitment to historical accuracy, and the challenges of creating believable CG water and gore and other visual effects topics. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the art and craft of visual effects in television.   Table of Contents: [00:02:54] - Michael's journey into a creative career in VFX [00:13:04] - The importance of diverse VFX skills as a supervisor [00:18:02] - Michael's initial reaction to the Shogun scripts [00:23:05] - Collaborating with the production designer and other departments [00:31:39] - Continuing the show's style in post-production  [00:36:28] - Michael's on-set kit and

In this episode of the Allan McKay Podcast, Allan sits down with VFX Supervisor Chad Wanstreet for an engaging discussion about Chad's experiences in the visual effects industry. They dive into Chad's transition from vendor-side to client-side VFX supervision, his work on the TV shows SWAT and Kill the Orange-Faced Bear (KTOFB), and the tools and techniques he employs on set. Chad shares insights into the challenges of creating photorealistic talking bears for KTOFB and the emotional journey following the show's cancellation. The conversation also touches on the future of KTOFB as a potential video game and the collaborative nature of working with directors and writers to bring their vision to life while managing budgets and technical limitations. Key Takeaways: Transitioning from vendor-side to client-side VFX supervision requires adapting to new responsibilities, such as working closely with directors, DPs, and editors to guide the storytelling process. Creating photorealistic talking bears for KTOFB prese

EPISODE 450 - THE SYMPATHIZER - CHAD WANSTREET - VFX SUPERVISOR In this episode, Allan McKay interviews VFX Supervisor Chad Wanstreet about: His role as VFX Supervisor on the highly anticipated series The Sympathizer, an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel; Collaborating closely with visionary director Park Chan-wook to bring his unique vision to life; The extensive previs and planning process that went into executing the show's complex VFX sequences; Overcoming the challenges of creating digital doubles and face replacements for Robert Downey Jr.'s multiple characters; Ensuring geographical and historical accuracy while shooting on location in Thailand and Vietnam; Making confident, split-second VFX decisions on set to keep production moving forward; Lessons learned from his experience on other shows like S.W.A.T., Dollface, and Sweet Tooth; Practical advice for up-and-coming VFX artists looking to break into the industry; And so much more! If you enjoyed this episode, Allan would greatly apprec

In this episode of the podcast, Allan McKay sits down with Olivio Sarikas, a renowned AI expert and YouTuber, to dive deep into the world of AI image generation. Olivio shares his extensive knowledge and experience working with various AI tools, providing valuable insights for both beginners and advanced users. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from getting started with AI image generation to exploring the latest advancements in the field. Olivio offers practical advice on navigating the learning curve, finding the right tools, and unleashing your creativity with AI. He also discusses the potential career opportunities in the AI industry and shares his thoughts on the future of AI in art and media production. Whether you're an artist, a content creator, or simply curious about AI, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring ideas to help you stay ahead of the curve. Key Takeaways: AI image generation tools offer a wide range of possibilities for artists, content creators, and busi

In this episode, Allan McKay interviews Roxana Baldovin, an esteemed music video and commercial director known for her vibrant visual style. Roxana discusses her creative journey, from her early aspirations of being a screenwriter to becoming a sought-after director collaborating with major artists like Snoop Dogg, Steve Aoki, Doja Cat, Bella Poarch and Maluma. She shares insights into her creative process, the challenges of directing, and how she finds inspiration. Roxana also opens up about imposter syndrome, the importance of preparation, and rolling with the punches on set. Finally, she discusses her upcoming projects including a TV show and one-woman stage show.   Links Website - https://roxanabaldovin.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/senoradirectora YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@senoradirectora4819/videos   Show notes - https://www.allanmckay.com/448  

In the latest episode, I'm excited to spotlight David Wahlberg, an esteemed 2D Pipeline Supervisor and Comp Supervisor at Important Looking Pirates VFX in Stockholm, Sweden. With an expansive career of over 17 years, David has traversed the globe, contributing his vast skills to studios in Stockholm, Oslo, London, Sydney and Wellington. His work encompasses roles as a comp supervisor, senior compositor, and a pioneer in developing tools and plugins for Nuke, leveraging his programming expertise in C++ and Python to advance the VFX industry. David's portfolio boasts participation in major productions such as "The Book of Boba Fett", "The Mandalorian", "Star Wars" sequels, "The Hobbit" series, and more. He is also the founder of Pixelmania, a company at the forefront of AI-powered VFX tools, showcasing his passion for merging technology with visual effects. For insights into David's influential work and Pixelmania's innovative tools, visit www.pixelmania.se. Join us as we dive into the world of visual effects w

Quick updates on many things happening in 2024 and on the Podcast! Resuming back to the normal Podcast starting next week but thought I would share views on AI, the industry as it is right now in Q1 of 2024 and more!

Karen Heston is a VFX Supervisor on feature films and episodic tv. They began their VFX career at commercial houses in NYC on the night shift; while finishing their MFA in computer art by day.  Starting as a Flame artist, they led VFX teams and engaged with creatives from storyboards to finals. On-set supervision and taking projects from pre-production through post remains their passion today. Karen’s projects include titles like GREEN LANTERN, BEASTS OF NO NATION, OCEAN’S EIGHT, and most recently GEN V. In this Podcast, Allan McKay interviews VFX Supervisor Karen Heston about their creative journey as a VFX Supervisor on GEN V, the spinoff of THE BOYS; as well as their experience studying cinematography at NYU, switching to visual effects, the learning experience as a the main vendor on Cary Fukunaga’s BEASTS OF NO NATION, and so much more! For more show notes, visit www.allanmckay.com/445.

Josh Rosenbaum is a Producer at Waypoint Entertainment.  Josh majored in Business Administration at the USC Marshall School of Business and minored in Music Industry through the USC Thornton School of Music. Before he joined Waypoint Entertainment, he worked as an Agent Trainee at William Morris. After joining Waypoint Entertainment in 2015, he worked his way up from being a Production Coordinator to now a Producer. Since joining Waypoint, he worked on titles like THE FAVOURITE, CUCKOO, MID90S, HOSTILES. In this Podcast, Allan McKay interviews Producer at Waypoint Entertainment Josh Rosenbaum about his start in the entertainment business at William Morris; why relationships and strategy are the most important tools in building a career; how a production company chooses VFX vendors; why AI will never replace storytellers (including VFX artists); the behind-the-scenes of CUCKOO (to be released in 2024) – and so much more! For more show notes, visit www.allanmckay.com/444.

With 15 years in the VFX business, Jonas Ussing has  supervisor credits on several feature and television titles, including the Netflix series THE RAIN. Jonas has furthermore earned nominations for an Emmy and a Danish Academy Award. In 2012, Jonas was nominated for an Emmy for his work on INSIDE THE HUMAN BODY. In 2014, he directed a short film ZOMBIEHAGEN which he also wrote.  During 2023, Jonas launched his own YouTube Channel The Movie Rabbit Hole. He released two videos that have immediately gone viral in the VFX community, in which he talks about the collective publicity stunt in Hollywood on the subject of “NO CGI”. He does a deep dive into those projects that claim they used “no CGI” in the making, like TOP GUN: MAVERICK, BLADERUNNER, FAST 5 and STRANGER THINGS.  In this Podcast, Allan McKay interviews VFX Supervisor Jonas Ussing about the dangerous marketing rhetoric encouraged by studios about “No CGI” in films like TOP GUN: MAVERICK, BLADERUNNER, FAST 5; the inspiration behind Jonas YouTube Channel