The VFX Process

AI filmmaking is rapidly transforming the film industry. In this episode, we sit down with Nikola Todorovic, co-founder of Wonder Dynamics, to explore how AI tools are changing visual effects, film production, and the future of storytelling.Nikola shares his journey from working as a VFX artist to building Wonder Dynamics and Flow Studio, tools designed to make high-end visual effects accessible to filmmakers. We discuss how the company grew from an ambitious idea into one of the most talked-about AI platforms in filmmaking, and how support from industry figures like Steven Spielberg and the Russo Brothers helped bring the vision to life.From the emotional highs and lows of building a startup to the evolving role of AI in film production, this conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities facing creators in the next generation of filmmaking technology.We also explore Nikola’s perspective on how AI will reshape creative workflows, empower independent filmmakers, and redefine what it means to work in visual effects and film production.Whether you're a filmmaker, VFX artist, or creative technologist, this episode offers a fascinating look at how AI-driven tools could transform the future of the industry.We discuss:• The origin and vision behind Wonder Dynamics and Flow Studio• How AI is transforming visual effects and film production• The journey from VFX artist to AI startup founder• Working with industry leaders like Steven Spielberg• The future of AI-driven filmmaking tools• Advice for innovators, filmmakers, and creative entrepreneurs

In this episode, we sit down with Seiji Anderson and David Weinstock to break down the making of F451. an Unreal Engine cinematic inspired by Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. They share how they transformed the novel’s dystopian themes into a visually striking real-time short film using Unreal Engine.. From concept to final render, this conversation dives into the creative and technical process behind building narrative-driven personal work in Unreal Engine.We also explore their professional journeys across film, TV, advertising, and automotive industries, working with clients like Marvel, Netflix, Pixar, Apple, Google, and why creating personal projects like F451 is essential for growth in a VFX and motion design career. Whether you're an aspiring CG artist, Unreal Engine filmmaker, or freelance motion designer, this episode is packed with insight into breaking into the industry and pushing your craft forward.We discuss:• The making of F451 and adapting Fahrenheit 451 into a cinematic• Unreal Engine cinematic workflows• Building a VFX / motion design career• Freelancing vs studio life• Why personal work matters in the creative industry

In this episode we’re joined by India Barnardo, animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios, award-winning filmmaker, and creator of the animated short film Cat & Moth.We explore India’s inspiring journey from runner at Framestore to working on major animated films including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Moana 2, Zootopia 2, The Sea Beast and more. She shares behind-the-scenes insights into the animation industry, the making of her award-winning short film, and practical career advice for aspiring animators who want to work at top studios like Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Framestore.🎬 In this podcast we cover:• How to start a career in animation• Working your way up in the animation industry• The making of Cat & Moth• What studios like Disney & Sony look for in animators• Tips for building a portfolio and getting hired in animationIf you dream of becoming a professional animator, working in feature animation, or breaking into the film and games industry, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Nishaan Singh, a 20-year-old Blender artist and 3D generalist whose journey started at just 13 years old. Nishaan was hired as a 3D apprentice at 16 by our company Bigtooth Studios, and we catch up with him to see how his animation career has evolved since then.We dive deep into the process behind his award-winning Blender short films, Joyrider and Detour, both created entirely in Blender 3D. Nishaan breaks down his pipeline, storytelling approach, and how lessons learned working in a professional studio environment helped him refine his 3D workflow.While Joyrider was less structured, Nishaan explains how applying stronger planning, pipeline discipline, and storytelling techniques, developed during his time at Bigtooth Studios, made Detour a far smoother and more confident production.🏆 Awards→ Young Animator of the Year UK 2022 – Joyrider→ Young Animator of the Year UK 2025 – DetourThis conversation is packed with insights for anyone interested in:→ Becoming a Blender artist→ Creating award-winning Blender short films→ Learning Blender from a young age→ Building a real-world animation career→ Moving from self-taught work into professional studiosVIDEO PODCASTWATCH DETOURWATCH JOYRIDER

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 R&D project for Form Studios. The goal? To test and refine an end-to-end game cinematics pipeline that Form can now offer as a service.What we cover in this episode:✅ David Stapp’s career path from film to game cinematics✅ Unreal Engine workflows for real-time cinematics✅ Building a Battlefield fan film that stays true to the source material✅ Using motion capture for realism in game cinematics✅ Traditional vs markerless mocap solutions✅ Virtual production pipelines✅ How R&D projects help studios expand creative services

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 Blaise), an online education platform dedicated to teaching drawing, animation, and traditional animation techniques to artists around the world.We dive deep into the creation of SNOW BEAR - A Hand-Drawn Animated Short Film. Created digitally while using classic traditional animation methods, the making of Snow Bear was fully documented across Aaron’s YouTube channel and website, building anticipation for the film, which has just been shortlisted for Best Animated Short at the upcoming Academy Awards.Inspired by grief, healing, and finding love again, Snow Bear tells the touching story of a lonely polar bear searching for companionship, making it both heartbreaking and heartwarming.In this conversation, we discuss:✅ Aaron Blaise’s career at Disney Animation in the 1990s✅ Working on iconic animated films like The Lion King and Aladdin✅ Leaving Disney and starting Creature Art Teacher✅ The emotional story behind Snow Bear✅ How to create an animated short film from scratch✅ Using traditional animation techniques in a digital workflow✅ Art, loss, resilience, and finding purpose againWhether you’re an animator, artist, Disney fan, or storyteller, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical insights, and honest reflection from one of the industry’s most respected figures.🎬 Video Podcast: 🎬 Watch Snow Bear: https://youtu.be/xOXolSQcEb4?si=9LTK7XS0g4DfE97o🌐 Official Snow Bear Film Website: https://snowbearshort.com/🎨 Aaron Blaise’s Website / Creature Art Teacher: https://creatureartteacher.com/🐻‍❄️ Polar Bears International: https://polarbearsinternational.org/

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 solo filmmaking dream a reality.If you're passionate about animation, indie filmmaking, anime films, or the idea of creating your own solo animated feature film, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice.➡️ The workflow behind creating two full animated features➡️ Building worlds and characters as a solo filmmaker➡️ Staying motivated through long-term creative projects➡️ Advice for aspiring animators and indie creators➡️ How combining 2D & 3D with Blender saved himVIDEO PODCASTDENVER JACKSON

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 Earth, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and the legendary skate label Santa Cruz Skateboards.This episode is a little different from our usual deep dives into VFX, animation and storytelling — but we had to make it happen. We’ve been long-time fans of Luke’s work, and it’s simply too good not to share. In this special edition of the show, we explore his incredible career journey and creative process.https://www.lukepreece.com/VIDEO PODCAST

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.The conversation also explores Tumblehead’s short film “Turbulence,” created with Christopher Rutledge in collaboration with SideFX to test the new Houdini animation tools. Known mainly for its VFX power, Houdini has rarely been used for character animation — until now. Magnus explains how the team built a custom Houdini animation pipeline, executed the film from start to finish inside the software, and ultimately switched their entire studio pipeline to Houdini. As he puts it, “having every department in the same software feels like living in the future.”➡️ How to start and grow a creative animation studio➡️ Why short films can replace traditional showreels➡️ Insights into Tumblehead’s Houdini pipeline➡️ Behind the scenes of the short film “Turbulence”Watch - TURBULENCEWatch - VIDEO PODCASTConnect -TUMBLEHEAD

Luciano Muñoz, a talented character animator and director, shares his inspiring journey from creating the solo short film Freelance to navigating the animation industry. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of his project, highlighting the importance of collaboration and adaptability. Luciano offers practical tips for aspiring freelance 3D artists in 2025, including how to build an online presence and manage remote teams effectively. With insights on balancing passion projects and studio work, his story is a beacon for creative professionals.