THE VFX SCRIPT

In this episode of The VFX Script, host Kurt Maclachlan sits down with Emmy-nominated VFX Supervisor Stephan Fleet to explore his unconventional career in the visual effects industry and his eight-year journey working on The Boys.

From teaching himself Nuke and building VFX teams to moving from the vendor side to production, Stephan discusses the experiences that shaped his career and his approach to VFX supervision, technology and creative collaboration.Stephan also goes behind the scenes of The Boys, discussing the show's ambitious visual effects and practical effects, including the iconic whale sequence that earned him an...

In this episode of the VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan sits down with Emmy nominated VFX supervisor Kevin Lingenfelser for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable three-decade career in visual effects. From his earliest inspirations watching groundbreaking films like Star Wars and Alien to supervising complex visual effects on major film and television productions, Kevin reflects on the experiences, technologies, and creative partnerships that have shaped his journey in the industry.

How did Kevin’s passion for visual effects evolve into a career spanning some of Hollywood’s most ambitious productions? He shares stories from his earl...

In this episode of Mota’s Creative Partner Spotlight, hosts Eric Kohler and Shauna Bryan sit down with Dave Zeevalk, founder and CEO of Mosaic Studios, to explore how innovation, flexibility, and cloud-native technology are reshaping the VFX industry. Dave shares the story behind launching Mosaic Studios, a boutique visual effects company designed to meet the evolving demands of modern productions through a highly agile, tech-forward approach that prioritizes both creative quality and operational efficiency.

How did Mosaic Studios leverage a cloud-native workflow to deliver large-scale VFX projects under intense deadlines? Dave discusses the studio’s recent achi...

In this episode of The VFX Script Podcast, Kurt Maclachlan sits down with Amber Ducker, co-founder and head of production at JFX, to unpack her unconventional journey into the world of visual effects and the experiences that shaped her career. Her story sets the tone for a conversation rooted in resilience, curiosity, and a deep passion for visual storytelling.

How did Amber’s time at Jellyfish Pictures shape her leadership style and approach to production? Amber discusses her years at Jellyfish Pictures, where she developed her skills and progressed through the ranks while contributing to a range of...

In this episode of The VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan sits down with Nancy Ward (VES Executive Director) and Kim Davidson (VES Global Chair and SideFX CEO) to explore the history, evolution, and global influence of the Visual Effects Society.

The conversation traces the organisation’s journey from its founding in 1997 to its current role as a leading international community with members across more than 40 countries. Nancy and Kim reflect on how the VES has grown alongside the industry, expanding regional sections worldwide while adapting to new ways of collaborating across borders.How has the VES ev...

In this episode of The VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan sits down with Ben Lock, a highly respected producer and executive producer whose impressive career spans some of the most influential studios in the industry, including Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Aardman Animations, Framestore, and most recently, Moon Valley. The conversation explores Ben’s unique journey, from early programming and sound engineering to his current VFX leadership. Ben explains how his technical foundation aided complex VFX challenges and how his passion for storytelling led him to produce major projects.

How did Ben Locke’s diverse experience shape his...

In this episode of The VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan talks with Michael Ralla as he recounts his early fascination with music and how it shaped his creative outlook. He describes how growing up surrounded by the vibrant music scene in Germany fueled his imagination and ultimately led him to pursue a career in visual storytelling. Michael reflects on the pivotal moments that marked his transition from music to film, detailing the steps he took to break into the visual effects industry and the mentors who guided him along the way.

How did Michael navigate the...

In this episode of The VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan talks with Andy McNamara, the Generative AI Lead at Sinusitis, to talk about the truth about AI being brought to the VFX world. They explore how breakthroughs in generative models and machine learning are reshaping everything from pre-visualisation to final compositing. Andy shares both the excitement and uncertainty that come with adopting these tools and why staying ahead of the curve has never been more important for studios and artists.

How is Andy leading the charge in integrating AI into creative workflows at Sinusitis? They discuss...

In this episode of The VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan talks with VFX artist Salvador Zalvidea to explore the world of visual effects—focusing on the tension between  client expectations and artistic vision. They begin by examining the persistent issue of underbidding, where studios compete for projects by offering lower prices, often at the expense of quality and fair compensation. The conversation highlights how this race to the bottom creates financial pressures not only for VFX companies but also for individual artists, who are frequently asked to deliver more for less. Salvador elaborates on the ripple effects this has...

In this episode of The VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan welcomes Ryan Stafford, a seasoned creative professional in the visual effects (VFX) industry. Ryan takes listeners through his fascinating career path, starting with his formative years at Digital Domain, a renowned visual effects and digital production company. He shares his experiences working on major projects, notably the Planet of the Apes franchise, where he honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in VFX production. 

How do the roles and responsibilities differ between vendor-side and studio-side VFX production? Ryan dives straight into t...

In the fifth episode of The VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan delves into the fascinating career of Joseph Bell, a seasoned VFX professional and the founder of VFX Atlas. Joseph shares his early inspirations and the pivotal moments that led him to enter the world of visual effects. He recounts his experiences working at some of the top studios in the industry, highlighting the challenges and triumphs that shaped his career. Joseph's journey is a testament to his passion for storytelling through visual effects and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field.<...

In this episode of the VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan, an industry expert and owner of Motus VFX, takes listeners on an in-depth exploration of the visual effects industry with Ed Bruce, a highly respected VFX artist hailing from Ireland. Bruce's career is marked by an impressive array of nearly 100 credits, featuring renowned series such as "Game of Thrones" and the ambitious endeavor "Shogun." During the interview, Bruce shares his unconventional path into the VFX world, which intriguingly began with a foundation in engineering. He explains how his technical expertise provided a distinctive platform for his transition into...

What makes a career in visual effects so captivating and inspiring? In this enlightening episode of the VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan engages in a comprehensive conversation with Chris Cram, a seasoned professional whose career has spanned decades at iconic studios like Warner Brothers, Universal, and Netflix. Chris shares his journey from humble beginnings in indie films to impactful roles in blockbuster productions, providing an insightful look at the evolution of the industry. He reflects on how challenges and opportunities have shaped visual effects, particularly amidst the recent Hollywood strikes and shifting industry landscapes.

What were the early influences that shaped Patrick Dean's career in the Visual Effects  industry? In this episode of the VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan interviews Patrick Dean, an executive producer at Ingenuity and Vice President at Ghost VFX, who traces his journey back to his early work on the hit TV series Grand Designs. Patrick recounts how his foundational experiences on the show honed his skills and prepared him for roles at industry-leading visual effects companies like DNEG and MPC.

How did Patrick's career evolve through various roles in the VFX industry? H...

In the inaugural episode of the VFX Script Podcast, host Kurt Maclachlan, an industry expert and owner of Motus VFX, sits down for an in-depth and enlightening interview with Olivia Bond, a seasoned professional in the visual effects industry who boasts an impressive resume with extensive experience at renowned companies such as MPC, De Neg, and the Flying Color Company. Olivia delves into her fascinating and multifaceted journey, recounting how she transitioned from studying communications in her native New Zealand to carving out a successful and illustrious career in the highly competitive world of visual effects in Canada.

Welcome to the VFX Script Podcast! We’re excited to have you join us as we launch this new platform dedicated to the visual effects industry. Hosted by Kurt Maclachlan, an industry expert and owner of Motus VFX, this podcast will explore the key challenges and opportunities facing VFX professionals today, from the impact of recent strikes to navigating job security and economic uncertainties in our evolving landscape.

Each episode will feature insights from industry veterans and emerging talents, providing a range of perspectives on critical topics such as project management, team leadership, mentoring, an...