CGI: A Complete History

Computer generated imagery has become more and more prominent in all areas of digital media in the last twenty five years; from advertisements to stock imagery, to even blockbuster films too, but how, when and where did this medium come from? In this episode, Éabha absolutely nerds out about how the revolutionary development of computer graphics came to be the frontier for CGI animated films, the exact technical terms for the ways in which computer graphic interfaces became more accessible to the public, and the importance of Toy Story (1995). Thank you, Ed Catmull.

On this spooky Saturween in the Shot in the Dark studio. Éabha explores what makes an actually good Halloween film, the ongoing Halloween renditions of TV shows, and the depth of old and forgotten gothic cartoons; "the frogurt is also cursed".

With Wildwood's release in cinemas nationwide, Éabha and Diego discuss why a comeback in stop-motion work is imminent; between Laika's recent work, the expanding portfolio of independent Irish studios like Studio Fia and a new stop-motion animated film by Tim Burton on the rise, the piercing craftsmanship of stop motion animators all around the world may be subject to possibly the most important development period in animation history, and the history of film in general. How wild is your wood? How much clay can you fit on your face? All these jokes and more.

As Paramount officially completes its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in October 2026, forming a new media company called Skydance Corporation, what exactly does this mean for the already dying art of programmed television? Why might this be a bigger problem for the younger generation than it may appear? Challenging the quality of programmed television, the value of physical media and the importance of partaking in your children's media preferences, Éabha solo-dives further into the actual sociological and scientific facts surrounding this acquisition, and why the depths of bad programmed TV could actually hold more overall value to a viewer than 'good' streaming content; find out...after the break.

In the past ten years, we've seen an all time high of studios producing films adapted from both video games and sequels to mark some sort of milestone in the original film's release; while the boom from both of these are bound to leave some OG lover of the title displeased, which option has proven to be a continuously more flimsy choice to put all the bacon towards in the end? Éabha is joined alongside Zach and Wiktor to further discuss this never-ending gamble in the film industry...but really, how Evil is your Resident?

Student filmmaking is challenging, but also possibly the most exciting, inspiring and freeing point in any filmmakers career...right? On this episode, Éabha together with fellow film students Keelan, Sasha and Zach discuss the trials and tribulations of trying to communicate the realistic perspectives of young people for the screen with fellow film beginners, the great wall of funding, but yet the delightful liberty of being fully in control of your own projects.

On this short-sleeved episode of Shot in the Dark, Éabha is joined by the inspiring Cork-born sister duo, Megan and Shannon Haly as they discuss the origins of their new web show Fruity, using theatre-making to navigate your twenties as a queer woman and the adventures of funding films that tell those stories; who's your sugar daddy?

To kick off this freshly-baked season three, Andrew, Chris, Brian and Éabha begin this season by grasping the best and worst Letterboxd reviews from blockbuster films that emerged this year. Stick around to find out what they really keep in the Backrooms and support you local Letterboxd pro user's opinions, as Nolan intended.

In this episode, it's an editor take over! Chris, Diego and Matthew have infiltrated the podcast and are joined by Emmy award winning editor Lise Kearney who has worked on reality shows such as The Voice, Love Island USA, and Fear Factor: House of Fear. Lise discusses what it's like to be an editor living in Los Angeles, what it takes to make it in the business and how to make reality TV feel that bit more... real. Let us know in the comments below if you want the editors to take over the podcast permanetly (this was definetly not written by Matthew).

In today's episode, we talk to Alex Fegan, a documentary filmmaker and founder of Atom Films which he runs with his wife Aileen O'Carroll. Alex takes us through the making of one of his most well-known documentaries The Irish Pub where he interviews people in local pubs all around the country. Alex also discusses what it takes to run your own production company and gives some great advice to people trying to make their way in the film industry.