Episode 529 - Efficiency, Artistry, and the LED Wall: Ivan Reel, Executive Leader in Virtual Production, StradaXR

From disrupting the print industry with the original Macintosh to building bespoke tech for Premier League teams, Ivan Reel has always lived at the bleeding edge of media. Now the Head of Studio Technology at StradaXR, Reel traces his evolution from graphic designer to virtual production leader, sharing insights from his time managing Sony's pivot to digital workflows and his inspiring choice to return to film school later in life to master modern VFX. This convergence of deep technical experience and fresh artistic training has placed him at the forefront of optimizing LED stages for the next generation of filmmaking. The discussion digs into the technical and economic forces reshaping the industry, drawing parallels between the current AI explosion and the democratization of digital video. Ivan details how StradaXR utilizes Chaos Vantage to introduce real-time ray tracing to the volume , offering a superior alternative to standard game engine pipelines. The episode wraps with a compelling argument for the future of indie film, suggesting that the true power of virtual production lies not in big budgets, but in its ability to empower efficient, high-quality genre storytelling. Ivan Reel on LinkedIn > StradaXR > Ivan Reel's website > Chaos Arena > Hammer Film Productions >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

Why does the superhero spinoff Gen V often look more visceral and grounded than its blockbuster feature film counterparts? The answer lies in the unique philosophy of Visual Effects Supervisor Karen Heston, who joins Chris and Daniel to reveal the analog soul beating beneath the show's digital surface. Heston traces her journey from the chemical smells of a black-and-white darkroom to the high-pressure world of "Flame" compositing in New York, where she learned to be a "finisher" capable of managing clients and pixels simultaneously, a skill set that eventually propelled her to lead major projects like Arthur Christmas and Beasts of No Nation. The conversation pulls back the curtain on the gory, creative success of Gen V. Heston explains that the show's secret isn't an over-reliance on CGI, but a fierce commitment to practical filmmaking, using giant props for shrinking characters and silicone "blood darts" to anchor the digital effects in reality. She discusses the intense collaboration required between stunts, prosthetics, and VFX to pull off "blood powers" that feel weighty rather than cartoony, and concludes with a forward-looking discussion on how AI might reshape the industry by bringing back the era of the "generalist" artist. Karen Heston on IMDB > Karen Heston on LinkedIn > Gen V on Prime >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

Ben Mauro is one of the industry's most respected concept artists, known for defining the look of blockbusters like Halo Infinite, but his latest venture is a masterclass in how artists can successfully build and own their own intellectual property. Ben returns to the podcast to break down the journey of expanding his independent sci-fi universe, Huxley, from a passion project into a high-end graphic novel series published by Thames & Hudson. He shares the creative and business roadmap for launching his new prequel, The Oracle, and explains why maintaining full creative control is essential for building a lasting legacy in a committee-driven industry. Beyond the logistics of publishing, the discussion dives deep into the philosophical necessity of physical media in an age of fleeting digital licenses. Ben, Chris, and Daniel explore the "pride of ownership" that comes with tangible art, whether it's a collector's edition Blu-ray or a deluxe graphic novel, and how this tactile connection anchors the audience to the story. They also touch on the "Roman Empire" of machines within Huxley's lore and the vital lesson of creating art for oneself, proving that the most personal work is often what resonates most with the world. Ben Mauro's "HUXLEY: The Oracle" > Ben Mauro's "HUXLEY: The Oracle" deluxe edition > Ben Mauro's "HUXLEY: The Oracle" - on Amazon > Ben Mauro Design > Ben Mauro on Instagram > Ben Mauro on IMDB >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

AI is revolutionizing cinematic lighting control with Beeble AI's Switchlight. Founder Hoon Kim explains how his tool, originally a general AI concept, became a powerful VFX asset by tackling the difficult process of relighting. Switchlight "unlights" any video footage to figure out the fundamental physical properties, like the shape (normals) and texture (metalness/roughness) of objects, and then uses this data to apply new, photo-realistic lighting instantly and securely. The desktop application is quickly becoming indispensable for both small production teams and major studios who need precise creative control over their shots. The conversation reaches a pivotal point when host Chris, an expert in real-time rendering, mentions his work with the real-time ray tracer Vantage, leading to mutual excitement about integrating their technologies. Switchlight provides the control that other generative AI tools lack, and Hoon sees its PBR data as a perfect control signal for future generative video models. They agree the tool's true value is creating "relightable footage" that can be manipulated layer by layer, just like in professional compositing software. This technical precision promises to blend the creative freedom of AI with the consistency and detail demanded by professional filmmaking.   Beeble AI Official Website > Hoon Kim's LinkedIn Profile > Google Research Total Relighting paper > Paul Debevec's Parthenon project (2004) > Chaos Vantage (real-time ray tracing) >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)

Visual effects veteran Dennis Berardi joins the podcast to discuss the resurrection of his legendary studio, Mr. X, and his latest collaboration with Guillermo del Toro on Frankenstein. Dennis shares the technical and artistic challenges behind the film, detailing how his team blended massive physical builds with digital artistry to create the film's "invisible" effects. From creating expansive Arctic icescapes in a Toronto parking lot to blowing up 20-foot "bigature" miniatures for the climactic tower sequence, Dennis explains how they achieved an operatic scale while maintaining the emotional intimacy of Del Toro's father-son narrative. The conversation also navigates the complex business of visual effects, as Dennis recounts the dramatic story of selling Mr. X to Technicolor and his subsequent fight to reclaim the brand and IP after the parent company's collapse. He outlines his philosophy for rebuilding Mr. X as a boutique, filmmaker-focused studio that values artistry over volume. Finally, Dennis, Chris, and Daniel speculate on the future of the industry, discussing the impact of AI, the fracturing of the VFX market, and why relationship-driven, smaller shops may be the key to sustainable high-end filmmaking. Mr. X Website > Dennis Berardi bio > Dennis Berardi on IMDB > Frankenstein on Netflix > The Empty Man Trailer >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

The anonymous "VFX soldier in the trenches" who took on the studios is back, and the fight he started is far from over. Two legends of the VFX labor rights movement, Daniel Lay (the formerly VFX Soldier) and veteran exec Scott Ross, join Chris and Daniel Thron to revisit the pivotal moment their fight began. The conversation goes back 10+ years to when the VFX Soldier blog became the rallying cry for an industry in crisis, detailing why Lay started it, his reasons for anonymity, and how he and Ross ultimately "merged forces" to fight for artists. The group dives deep into the history of their legal battle, revealing how their "Jedi Knight" law firm nearly won a tariff war against the studios, a fact later confirmed by the 2014 Sony hack. They also connect this past fight to the present, discussing the new Trump administration tariff proposal, the disruptive force of AI, and whether the collapse of the studio tentpole model finally creates an opportunity to rebuild the industry. Original VFX Soldier Blog > Scott Ross on LinkedIn > "Leaked Sony E-mails Reveal Execs Feared "VFX Soldier" (Cartoon Brew) > VFX Grunt on YouTube >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)

What was it like to be inside Softimage during the Microsoft acquisition? How did Bill Gates' "big pivot" to the internet change everything overnight? Industry veteran David Morin joins Chris to share his fascinating origin story, from programming with punch cards and an 8-year art detour to working with ILM on Jurassic Park and navigating the seismic shifts at Softimage, Microsoft, Avid, and Autodesk. Today, David leads the Academy Software Foundation (ASWF), and he details its crucial mission: providing a permanent, secure home for the industry's most vital open-source software. He discusses the importance of the foundation's "stamp of approval," the massive recent addition of ACES, and how open source works with commercial tools to democratize filmmaking, enabling independent, Oscar-winning animated films like Float to be created with tools like Blender. Academy Software Foundation > Join the ASWF > David Morin on LinkedIn > History of Softimage >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio

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 >

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>

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 >