This week, we discuss the work behind two films nominated for Oscars in Best Visual Effects. From the whimsical world of Wicked and the acidic atmosphere of Alien: Romulus—Pablo Helman, David Shirk, and Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser share their insights and learnings in crafting the visual effects behind these blockbuster hits.Chapter Markers[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:45] Questions From the Mailbag[00:10:36] Alien: Romulus[00:23:29] Wicked[00:51:47] The Martini[01:02:00] OutroEpisode Links  Nelson Sepulveda - IMDb Pablo Helman - IMDb David Shirk - IMDb GET IN THE DOOR Alien: Romulus (2024) - IMDb Wicked (2024) - IMDb The 97th Academy Awards | 2025 The MartiniTodd - The Straight Story (1999) - IMDbJenny - Movies | DC Comics | DCPablo - Pablo Helman Soundcloud McCartney's 4001 | TalkBass.comDavid - Liberty PuzzlesRob - The Classic Presets - Classic Film Presets 2021 for LightroomFollow Usilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on InstagramTodd VaziriJenny Ely on InstagramEmail us at lighterdarker@ilm.comhttps://www.ilm.com/transcripts/012-wicked-alien-romulus/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Todd and Rob break down the process of how films are selected for nomination in the Oscars' Best Visual Effects category. We discuss highlights from the five nominated films—Alien Romulus, Better Man, Dune: Part Two, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Wicked—and we revisit the shower door myth.Chapter Markers[00:00:00] Intro[00:01:11] Misinformation Corner[00:05:36] VFX Oscars Nomination Process[00:18:32] Nominee Highlights[00:53:27] The Martini[01:00:05] OutroEpisode Links  Ralph McQuarrie - IMDb Alien: Romulus (2024) - IMDb Better Man (2024) - IMDb Dune: Part Two (2024) - IMDb Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) - IMDb Wicked (2024) - IMDb The MartiniTodd - Trade CoffeeJenny - Nurtured By NatureInternational Otter Survival FundRob - French Cleat HangerFollow Usilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on InstagramTodd VaziriJenny Ely on InstagramEmail us at lighterdarker@ilm.comTranscript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/011-vfx-oscar-nominations/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ILM Art Director Amy Beth Christenson (Transformers One, Star Wars Rebels) discusses the complexities and pure joy of working with established Star Wars and Transformers characters while introducing new elements for today’s audiences. Amy shares stories of adapting her portfolio to catch the attention of recruiters and highlights from her 25 years with Lucasfilm and ILM.Chapter Markers[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:06] Questions from the Mailbag[00:18:51] Rejection Letters[00:30:10] Shaping Characters for Tomorrow [00:49:59] The Martini[00:58:19] OutroEpisode Links  Amy Beth Christenson - IMDb Transformers One (2024) - IMDb Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Star Wars: Resistance (TV Series 2018–2020) - IMDb Joseph Christian Leyendecker | Artnet The MartiniTodd - Apple Mac MiniAmy - BrickLinkStudio Download [BrickLink]Jenny - Tobin's Spirit Guide by Magnoli PropsRob - Music by John Williams (2024) - IMDbFollow Usilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on InstagramTodd VaziriJenny Ely on InstagramEmail us at lighterdarker@ilm.comTranscript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/010-shaping-characters-for-tomorrow-with-amy-beth-christenson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob, Todd and Jenny share their own rejection letters and answer some lingering questions from the mailbag. Todd corrects another VFX myth in Misinformation Corner. The team shares their favorite things from the year as we say farewell to 2024 in this bonus episode of Lighter Darker!Chapter Markers[00:00:00] Intro[00:01:19] Mailbag[00:07:41] Misinformation Corner[00:22:30] Rejection Letters[00:48:33] The Martini[00:54:15] OutroEpisode Links  Skeleton Crew (TV Series 2024– ) - IMDb Director Jake Schreier on the set of Skeleton Crew Cadrage Director's Viewfinder The Mandalorian (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - IMDb Charmaine Chan - IMDb Right Up Our Alley - FPV Drone Fly Through FXRant: "Skeleton Crew", Neel and Misinformation One Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Character Is A Stunning Blend Of Incredible Visual Effects - SlashFilm The MartiniTodd - 2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When - NASA ScienceJenny - Podcast Episodes Archive | Industrial Light & MagicRob - EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire InflatorFollow Usilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on InstagramTodd VaziriJenny Ely on InstagramEmail us at lighterdarker@ilm.comTranscript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/009-bonus-episode-2024-wrap/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Dean Cundey, an award-winning cinematographer behind classics like *Halloween* and *Jurassic Park*, as he shares insights into his illustrious career. He discusses the transformative power of visual effects in film and how low-budget projects can spark creativity. Hear anecdotes about Roger Corman's mentorship influence on budding filmmakers. Cundey also reflects on the magic of filmmaking, revealing how technology has democratized the craft. Dive into his behind-the-scenes stories that shaped modern cinema!

This week, we delve into the world building techniques behind two of the year's most anticipated films: Gladiator II and Wicked. VFX Producer Ed Randolph (Gladiator II) and VFX Supervisor Anthony Smith (Wicked) give us behind-the-scenes stories of building these worlds and share insights into some of their favorite shots from their impressive careers.Chapter Markers[00:00:10] Intro[00:03:07] Questions from the Mailbag[00:17:42] One Final and One CBB[00:28:15] Worldbuilding in WIcked and Gladiator II[00:49:13] The Martini[00:58:30] OutroEpisode Links  Wicked (2024) - IMDb Gladiator II (2024) - IMDb Edward Randolph - IMDb Anthony Smith - IMDb Color Decision List Explained - Lowepost Ready Player One (2018) - IMDb Spectre (2015) - IMDb Gravity (2013) - IMDb Sherlock Holmes (2009) - IMDb The Martini Todd - The Wild Robot (2024) - IMDbRobot Dreams (2023) - IMDbEd - Wicked: Tiny Desk ConcertThe Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024) - IMDbAnthony - Old Masters AcademyJenny - A Smoky Mountain Christmas (TV Movie 1986) - IMDb A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986 TV Movie, 2022 HD Circle TV Broadcast Edit)Rob - Clarkson's Farm (TV Series 2021– ) - IMDbFollow Usilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on InstagramTodd VaziriJenny Ely on InstagramEmail us at lighterdarker@ilm.comTranscript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-007-worldbuilding-in-wicked-and-gladiator-ii/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Director Shannon Tindle (Kubo and the Two Strings, Lost Ollie) and VFX supervisor Hayden Jones join us to discuss the role of empathy in animation. We talk about Tindle’s latest film, Ultraman: Rising as well as the importance of collaboration and infusing personal experiences into characters and storytelling.Chapter Markers[00:00:00] Intro[00:03:20] Rejection Letters[00:11:25] Deleted Dreams[00:17:46] Empathy in Animation[00:45:52] The Martini[00:50:33] OutroEpisode Links  Shannon Tindle - IMDb Hayden Jones - IMDb Ultraman: Rising (2024) - IMDb THE HUMAN TARGET #1 | DC Lost Ollie (TV Mini Series 2022) - IMDb The MartiniShannon - Hollow Kingdom #1 - Kira Jane BuxtonHayden - Thames & Hudson USA - Book - Anime Architecture: Imagined Worlds and Endless MegacitiesJenny - Luigi's Mansion 2 - HDRob -  Welcome to Wrexham (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDbFollow Usilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on InstagramTodd VaziriJenny Ely on InstagramEmail us at lighterdarker@ilm.comTranscript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-006-ultraman-rising-with-shannon-tindle-and-hayden-jones/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For this special Halloween Edition, we flash back to Ghostbusters II with VFX legend Bill George who shares stories from the model shop. We talk with Bill about the evolution of visual effects over his 40-year career.Chapter Markers[00:00:00] Intro[00:03:45] Questions from the mailbag[00:16:20] Lighter Darker - origin of the name[00:19:10] Rejection letters[00:22:28] Ghostbusters II and the evolution of the artist toolbox[00:44:51] The Martini[00:52:19] OutroEpisode Links  Bill George - IMDb Artist Benton Jew Shares ILM Memories and the Story Behind Lighter Darker Innerspace (1987) - IMDb Ghostbusters II (1989) - IMDb METHOCEL™ Water-Soluble Cellulose Ethers, IFF - ChemPoint. The MartiniTodd -Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) - IMDbBram Stoker's Dracula (1992) - IMDb Bill - Sasquatch Sunset (2024) - IMDb Paramount + / rent on Amazon PrimeJenny - Halloween: Origins, Meaning & Traditions | HISTORYJenny's Slimer Halloween Costume by Adam J. Ely on IGRob -  ScriptnotesFollow Usilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on InstagramTodd VaziriJenny Ely on InstagramEmail us at lighterdarker@ilm.comTranscript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-005-ghostbusters-2-with-bill-george/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee Isaac Chung, acclaimed director of films like Minari, and Ashley Jay Sandberg, executive producer of Twisters, dive into the art of balancing science with storytelling. They share captivating behind-the-scenes stories from Twisters, including real-life weather challenges. They reflect on how influential films shaped their careers and the importance of resilience amidst rejection. Nature's role in filmmaking is also explored, revealing how it enhances authenticity and emotion. Their discussion combines humor, industry insights, and a profound love for cinematic storytelling.

Beth D'Amato, an experienced digital paint supervisor at ILM, shares her journey into the VFX world. She discusses her favorite camera moves and compositions, highlighting the artistry in films like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'The Dark Knight.' The hosts clarify basic VFX terms and tackle common industry myths. They also emphasize the importance of mastering artistic skills and the balance between practical effects and CGI, weaving in insightful anecdotes and reminiscences about beloved shows.