Episode 522 - Gabriel Regentin: How Ingenuity Studios Made Weapons Unbelievably Real
For our special Halloween episode, we sit down with VFX Supervisor Gabriel Regentin to discuss his work with Ingenuity Studios on the smash-hit horror film, Weapons. Gabriel details his close collaboration with director Zach Cregger, whose primary goal was to ensure every visual effect felt 100% "in-camera" and unquestionably real. He shares the challenge of creating the film's signature terrifying effects and how Ingenuity Studios was brought in early to develop the look for such a massive, director-driven vision. Gabriel also walks us through his fascinating "origin story," from studying Performing Arts Technology in Michigan to navigating the 90s dot-com boom in New York with Macromedia Director and After Effects. He recounts his big break on The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, where he earned the nickname "Gatlin Gabe" for his rapid temp comps and created a shot so good it became the benchmark for the final vendor, landing him a job at Framestore and launching his career in feature films. Ingenuity Studios > Weapons on HBO Max > Gabriel Regentin on IMDB > Gabriel Regentin on LinkedIn >
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Episode 521 - Tim Miller Gets Real About Hits, Misses, and What's Next
Returning to the podcast for his fourth appearance, director Tim Miller, the creative force behind the blockbuster hit Deadpool and the acclaimed anthologies Love, Death & Robots and Secret Level, pulls back the curtain on the unpredictable reality of a Hollywood career. In a candid discussion, Miller unpacks the delicate balance of luck and perseverance that defines success, the misconceptions surrounding his collaborative directing style, and the complex challenges of working within the massive machinery of a studio franchise like Terminator. The conversation then pivots to the monumental shifts transforming the film industry. The group tackles the rise of Artificial Intelligence and its existential implications for creators, the changing landscape of Hollywood leadership, and the eternal debate between art and craft. Miller also reflects on his own creative drive, discussing the very different satisfactions of climbing the "mountain" of a major feature film versus the artistic freedom found in the short-form storytelling of his passion projects. Tim Miller on Wikipedia > Tim Miller on IMDb > Love Death & Robots on Netflix > Secret Level on Amazon Prime>
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Episode 520 - Dan Fowler on 20 years of Virtual Production on the Avatars
After nearly 20 years dedicated to James Cameron's groundbreaking Avatar saga, virtual production supervising stage operator Dan Fowler joins host Chris Nichols in the garage for a deep dive into his incredible 30-year career. Dan recounts his journey from being the drummer in a 90s hair metal band to becoming a key operator on one of the most technologically advanced film sets in history. This conversation is a rare, firsthand look into the evolution of modern filmmaking. Dan shares stories from the trenches, starting with his self-taught entry into VFX, his "rock and roll" days at Digital Domain in the late 90s, and the pivotal moment in 2005 when he joined the top-secret Avatar prototype project. He provides an insider's perspective on how the virtual production pipeline was built from the ground up, the immense pressure of working alongside James Cameron, and what it was like to solve unprecedented technical challenges in real-time. Dan Fowler and IMDB > Dan Fowler on LinkedIn > Avatar: The Way of Water - Capturing Pandora > Episode 518 - Scott Ross: "You Got It Wrong About James Cameron" > Episode 510 - Industry Roundtable — James Cameron, AI, Sinners, and Indie films >
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Episode 519 - Sean Faden, VFX Supervisor - Murderbot
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235529/Ever wonder how the scrappy, sarcastic world of Murderbot was brought to life? Veteran Visual Effects Supervisor Sean Faden pulls back the curtain on the hit Apple TV+ series, revealing the innovative and often hilarious journey of its creation. He shares the origin story of his involvement, detailing a highly collaborative process that began nearly a year before filming. Discover how the team stretched a modest budget to create an epic feel, using real-world locations from the deserts of Moab to the volcanic landscapes of Iceland. Sean gives a masterclass in creative problem-solving, from embracing the glorious cheese of the show-within-a-show "Sanctuary Moon" to designing a spaceship based on Jiffy Pop popcorn and filming creature attacks with a kiddie tunnel. They also discuss the future of the entire industry. Looking ahead from his current work on the anticipated Highlander reboot, Sean provides a firsthand account of the massive technological shifts underway. He and Chris dive deep into how AI tools are revolutionizing the filmmaking process, accelerating everything from initial concept art to on-set communication. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the creative and technical magic behind modern visual effects and what's coming next. Sean Faden's Previous CG Garage Episode > Sean Faden's IMDb > Murderbot on Apple TV+ > Highlander (Upcoming Reboot) >
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Episode 518 - Scott Ross: "You Got It Wrong About James Cameron"
A few months back, on episode 510, we debated whether James Cameron is an all-powerful maverick who answers to no one. VFX legend and Digital Domain co-founder Scott Ross heard the discussion and had a clear message for us: "You got it wrong." According to Scott, the idea that Cameron operates completely free from studio influence is a fantasy, especially when a quarter-billion dollars is on the line. He holds nothing back, sharing an explosive insider story from the set of Titanic that shows exactly how fraught that relationship can become. However, Scott is quick to admit that while he critiques the process, he never bets against the results, acknowledging that Cameron's success is both undeniable and admirable. The conversation then ignites over the future of the industry, as Scott labels Cameron's public stance on AI "totally disingenuous." In his unfiltered opinion, AI isn't a tool for faster creativity; it's a weapon the studios will use to decimate the visual effects workforce. Strap in as Scott Ross unloads on the "corporate socialism" of tax subsidies and whether the current chaos in Hollywood is the opportunity needed for a true creative revolution. This is an unfiltered, pull-no-punches look at the real state of filmmaking. Scott Ross's Wikipedia page > UPSTART: THE DIGITAL FILM REVOLUTION MANAGING THE UNMANAGEABLE > James Cameron's thoughts on AI > Savannah and Georgia Reel as Film Production Drops >
This podcast is part of the Chaos Group Labs. In this podcast, we talk to our friends, find out what they are doing, talk about what we are doing, and generally look at all things that interest us including CGI, VFX, Design, Rendering, Raytracing, an d any other CG Nerdy stuff.
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