The VFX Process

In this episode, we talk with Magnus Møller, animator, 3D artist, and creative director of Tumblehead Animation Studio — an award-winning production company based in Viborg, Denmark, which he runs with his partner Peter Smith.Magnus shares how he built Tumblehead from the ground up and what it takes to run a successful animation studio. He offers practical advice on getting clients, maintaining creative freedom, and why he believes making original short films under your studio’s name is more effective than any showreel — helping attract the kind of projects and collaborators you actually want.The conversation also explores Tumblehead’s short film “Turbulence,” created with Christopher Rutledge in collaboration with SideFX to test the new Houdini animation tools. Known mainly for its VFX power, Houdini has rarely been used for character animation — until now. Magnus explains how the team built a custom Houdini animation pipeline, executed the film from start to finish inside the software, and ultimately switched their entire studio pipeline to Houdini. As he puts it, “having every department in the same software feels like living in the future.”➡️ How to start and grow a creative animation studio➡️ Why short films can replace traditional showreels➡️ Insights into Tumblehead’s Houdini pipeline➡️ Behind the scenes of the short film “Turbulence”Watch - TURBULENCEWatch - VIDEO PODCASTConnect -TUMBLEHEAD

Luciano Muñoz, a talented character animator and director, shares his inspiring journey from creating the solo short film Freelance to navigating the animation industry. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of his project, highlighting the importance of collaboration and adaptability. Luciano offers practical tips for aspiring freelance 3D artists in 2025, including how to build an online presence and manage remote teams effectively. With insights on balancing passion projects and studio work, his story is a beacon for creative professionals.

Trevor Carlee shares his inspiring journey — from creating a 3D artwork for every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to his first fan short, “Buffy: Into the Slayerverse” (a Spider-Verse-style Buffy animation), to discovering Bricklink and Mecabricks, the online platforms that changed everything.With these platforms’ free LEGO 3D meshes, Trevor was able to speed up his workflow and bring his LEGO-style animations in Blender to life — and his channel exploded.He’s now known for recreating iconic scenes from popular TV shows and movies in LEGO form, a creative niche that’s earned him a dedicated following.In this interview, we dive deep into:🔹 How Trevor got started animating LEGO after discovering these tools🔹 Tips & tricks for LEGO lighting, cameras, and animation🔹 His workflow from start to finish🔹 Dealing with negativity as a content creator🔹 How to stay motivated and consistent on YouTubeWhether you’re a Blender artist, LEGO animation enthusiast, or aspiring 3D content creator, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice to help you level up your own Blender projects.TREVOR CARLEE LINKTREEVIDEO PODCAST

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Luke Angus, a professional animator and director from Glasgow, to talk about his award-winning 3D animated short film Solstice.Solstice has already made waves on the festival circuit, winning multiple awards including Best Short at the prestigious Short Shorts Film Festival – an OSCAR® and BAFTA accredited festival. This win has secured Luke the opportunity to submit his film for Oscar and BAFTA consideration.What makes Solstice even more impressive is that Luke created the entire film solo – from writing and storyboarding to animating in Maya and experimenting with Houdini for the first time. In this conversation, Luke gives us insight into:✨ His creative process and storytelling approach🎨 The challenges and hacks of solo filmmaking & animation🏆 Tips for navigating the film festival circuit and getting your film noticedWe were lucky enough to get an exclusive private screening of Solstice (it isn’t online yet, since eligibility rules prevent films from streaming before Oscar/BAFTA submissions). Trust us – this is one of the most beautiful and moving animated shorts you’ll see.If you’re passionate about animation, short films, or filmmaking, this is a must-watch interview.VIDEO PODCASTWATCH THE SOLSTICE TRAILER

We sit down with three members of TMC — James Dower, Constantin Kormann, and Bernhard Engstler — the indie filmmaking collective behind the incredible BattleTech fan film series HIRED STEEL.In this conversation, we focus on HIRED STEEL - A Mech Machinima – Episode 4, the first project where TMC integrated Unreal Engine (UE5) into their filmmaking pipeline. They reveal how they combined Blender for modeling and animation with Unreal Engine for rendering and VFX, unlocking new levels of cinematic storytelling.TMC began as a group of competitive BattleTech gamers and has since grown into a powerhouse team of artists, animators, and filmmakers. From hobbyists to AAA game developers, their combined skills have brought HIRED STEEL to life, earning recognition from fans worldwide — and even from the creators of BattleTech themselves.We also dive into:🎮 Staying true to BattleTech lore as fans⚙️ The challenges and opportunities of switching to a UE5 pipeline🤖 How their work led to collaborating on MechWarrior 5: Clans cinematicsWhether you’re a BattleTech fan, a filmmaker, or just passionate about indie animation, this discussion is packed with insights into the future of fan-driven storytelling.VIDEO PODCAST: WATCH HERE

In this episode, we sit down with Josué Zabeau, a 3D artist with an engineering background, to break down his incredible Blender short film Heritage. What started as a small personal project quickly evolved into one of the most action-packed Blender short films, showcasing jaw-dropping 3D realism, cinematic motion, and high-speed intensity — all created inside Blender.We explore the full creative journey behind Heritage: ✅ How Josué achieved photorealism in Blender using smart workflows and detailed references ✅ Why references are essential for building believable environments, lighting, and textures ✅ The tools, add-ons, and techniques that powered the production ✅ How the focus on momentum, velocity, and action makes this short film stand out ✅ The surprising story of why this incredible Blender film almost didn’t get released💡 If you’re passionate about 3D art, animation, and filmmaking in Blender, this interview is packed with insights, tips, and inspiration for artists who want to push realism and storytelling through motion.The VFX Process Podcast #71Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereWatch HERITAGE: click here

We sit down with Peter Haynes, the director and creator of the acclaimed fantasy live‑action webseries AFK and the viral Star Wars parody series For The Empire, hosted on his channel Epically Casual.We dive deep into Peter’s transition from live‑action filmmaking to digital production using Unreal Engine during the COVID lockdowns — a journey that began with a viral tech test featuring two stormtroopers on their first day of the job, and evolved into three hilarious seasons of For The Empire.He explains how his live‑action experience shaped his digital filmmaking style, the challenges of the Unreal Engine learning curve, and offers valuable tips for new creators. We also explore his plans for a long‑awaited Season 3 of AFK and his future digital projects, along with insights into how he is raising funds for indie digital and live‑action productions.Whether you’re a Star Wars fan, an Unreal Engine enthusiast, or an indie filmmaker, this interview offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at how Peter Haynes is pushing creative boundaries in both fantasy live‑action and virtual production.The VFX Process Podcast #70Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereWatch For The Empire & AFK: click here

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Baum — a Director of Photography turned VFX artist and 3D filmmaker — to explore his remarkable journey into the world of Unreal Engine filmmaking.Just three years after stepping into the 3D space, Arthur claimed the spotlight by winning Kitbash3D’s “Secrets of the Luminara” challenge with his jaw-dropping short film, Tuk Tuk Tango — a 4.5-minute, action-packed cinematic experience.Arthur shares how his background in live-action cinematography shaped every aspect of his digital work, from lighting and shot composition to pacing and camera movement, bringing unparalleled cinematic realism to his film.You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the Unreal Engine pipeline Arthur used — including tools like Blender, Embergen, and the Cinematic Car Rig — plus valuable insights for creators looking to dive into real-time filmmaking.📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Arthur’s creative process for Tuk Tuk TangoHow cinematography skills translate into 3D filmmakingThe essential tools behind his award-winning filmTips for tackling real-time production and creative challenges like Kitbash3D’sThe VFX Process Podcast #69Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereConnect with Arthur: click here

What happens when a hospital administrator with no animation background decides to make a 25-minute sci-fi film in Blender — solo?Meet Dave Brain, the creator of Kosmic Kidnap and the face behind Dave Makes a Movie. In this episode, Dave shares how he taught himself Blender by diving straight into making a full animated short, what he's learned along the way, and how he's building a following by documenting the whole process.🎬 Topics include:Starting a film with no animation experienceTools and workflow in BlenderThe realities of solo animated filmmakingGrowing an audience on social mediaTips for beginners making their first film in BlenderWhether you're a filmmaker, Blender beginner, or just love creative DIY stories — this one will inspire you to start before you're ready.The VFX Process Podcast #68Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereKosmic Kidnap Trailer: click hereConnect with Dave: click here

Mason, known as Butterbug, is a Blender artist and a registered nurse who created the viral Helldivers 2 fan film, Straight to Hell. He shares his journey of using Blender to transform his passion into a professional-quality animation. From tackling imposter syndrome to navigating technical challenges, Mason highlights the power of community in filmmaking. He discusses the importance of creative feedback, maintaining motivation, and embracing the indie spirit while crafting stories that resonate with audiences.