Shows
THE VFX SCRIPTThe Real Future of VFX: Smaller Teams, Faster IterationIn 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...
2026-02-0353 minTHE VFX SCRIPTFrom Basement Films to SINNERS! Untold VFX storiesIn 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...
2026-01-061h 10THE VFX SCRIPTThe Truth About AI That’s Terrifying the VFX Industry — Andy McNamaraIn 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...
2025-10-1656 minTHE VFX SCRIPTThe $20M Actor vs. the 3% VFX Artist: Inside Filmmaking’s Biggest InequalityIn 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...
2025-07-1048 minTHE VFX SCRIPTThe Creative Hustle: Balancing Art and Business in the VFX World | With Ryan StaffordIn 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...
2025-04-1747 minTHE VFX SCRIPTVFX in the Age of AI: Can We Find the RIGHT Balance Before Machines Take Over? | With Joseph BellIn 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.
2025-03-2052 minTHE VFX SCRIPTThe Art of VFX: How An Emmy-Winning Team Transformed Challenges into Stunning Visuals | With Ed BruceIn 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...
2025-01-2449 minTHE VFX SCRIPTFrom Indie Films to Blockbusters: Insights into the VFX World | With Chris CramWhat 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.
2024-12-1241 minTHE VFX SCRIPTThe Greatest Lessons Learned from a Career in Visual Effects | With Patrick DeanWhat 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...
2024-11-2038 minTHE VFX SCRIPTBreaking into the VFX Industry: Industry Evolution and Expert Advice With Olivia BondIn 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.
2024-10-161h 02THE VFX SCRIPTVFX Script Podcast: An Introduction to the World of Visual Effects | Navigating Industry ChangesWelcome 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...
2024-10-1604 min
The VFX Artists PodcastThe health of the VFX industry in 2024, with foudner of MOTUS Kurt Maclachlan | TVAP EP57The health of the VFX industry in 2024, with foudner of MOTUS Kurt Maclachlan | TVAP EP57In this episode, I chat to Kurt Maclachlan about the status of the VFX in 2024.We discuss where things are at currently, what needs to be done for a better future of the VFX industry and more!00:00 Introduction and Background02:48 Causes of the Strikes04:29 Key Concerns for Actors and Writers04:59 Impact on VFX Artists06:06 Duration of the Strikes07:48 Current State of the Industry08:09 Hiring and Recovery09:07 Rate Negotiations and Holding the...
2024-02-2356 min