434 - The Threat of AI - Crafty Apes - Co-Founder Chris LeDoux

Dec 19, 2023

Chris LeDoux, co-founder of Crafty Apes and VFX Supervisor, discusses the practical applications of AI in visual effects production, including compositing and VFX optimization. He explores the potential of AI in identifying issues, improving shots, and automating processes. They also touch on topics such as operational efficiency, deaging, pattern recognition, automation, determining worth, and negotiating rates in the visual effects industry.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Chris LeDoux's Background and AI Applications in Filmmaking

03:07 • 2min

Operational Efficiency and Optimization

04:44 • 8min

The Potential of AI in VFX

12:56 • 25min

Automation, AI, and Choice

38:03 • 26min

Executive Consultants and Gurus

01:03:55 • 7min

Determining Your Worth and Negotiating Rates

01:10:33 • 4min

Chris LeDoux is the Co-Founder of Crafty Apes, a VFX Supervisor and an Entrepreneur.

Born and bred in Alaska, Chris earned Bachelor’s degree in both psychology and sociology, but his fascination with filmmaking led him to the world of visual effects. He began his career in VFX as a compositor at The Orphanage in 2004. He worked at numerous studios such as Uncharted Territory, Cafe FX and Scanline.

Now a veteran of the film industry, his impressive resume includes compositing and VFX supervision on multiple titles, including 12 Years a Slave, Doctor Strange, Better Call Saul, among others. He has also directed music videos and led visual effects teams for U2, Chris Cornell, New Kids on the Block, Paramore, just to name a few.

Crafty Apes is a full service, boutique VFX company based in Culver City, CA & Atlanta, GA. The company was launched in July of 2011 by three visual effects veterans Jason Sanford, Chris LeDoux and Tim LeDoux. Believing that strong 2D compositing is the backbone behind quality visual effects, Crafty Apes was formed to primarily offer high-end compositing services for feature films and television clients.

Crafty Apes specializes in compositing effects and visual effects supervision. By paying extra attention to the detail and integration that 2D work requires and by working with the best technology available spread among a select group of artists, Crafty Apes can deliver a superior product to higher end clients in a shorter time period.

Their recent credits include: The Babysitter: Killer Queen, Lovecraft Country, Doctor Strange, Hidden Figures, Lalaland, Fist Fight, Pete's Dragon, Captain America: Civil War, Killing Reagan, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Dirty Grandpa, Allegiant, Insurgent, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Mass, The 33, Foxcatcher, 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, The Monkey King, White House Down, Single Mom's Club, The Last Stand, A Madea's Christmas and many more.

In this Podcast, Allan McKay and the Co-Founder of Crafty Apes, VFX Supervisor and an Entrepreneur Chris LeDoux do a deep dive into the paradigm shift of Artificial Intelligence: Its effect on the future of VFX, a productive outlook at AI as a way to optimized things, how to train it to your advantage and Chris’s own investments into AI entrepreneurship.

For more show notes, visit www.allanmckay.com/434.