In this episode, CG Spectrum’s Chief Creative Officer Jeremy Chinn interviews Emmy-nominated VFX Supervisor and CG Spectrum alum Charlie Lehmer. Charlie shares his inspiring journey from aspiring filmmaker to a VFX career working on major projects like All the Light We Cannot See, Avengers: Endgame, and Deadpool & Wolverine.

Discover how Charlie’s unrelenting commitment set him apart—whether it was flying across the country to demonstrate his commitment to a gig, learning advanced tools like Nuke and Maya while working full-time, or simply making the best sandwiches to show his dedication to craft. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of his career, the critical role of mentorship, and his advice for aspiring VFX professionals looking to break into the industry.

Charlie reflects on his early days, crediting CG Spectrum’s flexible, mentor-led training in 3D Modeling and Nuke VFX for helping him bridge the gap between production and post-production, and allowing him to stand out in the industry. Through hard work, perseverance, and a deep love for the craft, Charlie rose from entry-level roles to becoming a lead VFX supervisor. With his success story, he wants to encourage more professionals to explore specialized learning as a tool for career growth.

This episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration for aspiring VFX artists and film professionals looking to carve their path in a competitive field. Don't miss it!

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Find Hubert: https://www.bonjam.ca/

Learn 2D Animation: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/2d-animator

Maxine speaks with Hubert Lapointe, Online Educator/Creative Director and Founder at Bon Jam Animation, about how to work as a freelance animator, including how to determine your rate, whether to charge hourly or daily, and marketing yourself on social media. Plus, Hubert gives some great tips on how to succeed in e-learning. This episode is chock-full of actionable tips and is not to be missed, especially for those who are considering starting to work as a freelancer!

Hubert Lapointe is an online educator, Creative Director and Founder at Bon Jam Animation and mentor of 2D Animation at CG Spectrum. His experience ranges from Toonboom software instructor to animation supervisor, to director and finally studio founder at Bon Jam Animation. He has worked at studios like Oasis Animation, Bardel Entertainment, Shed, and Happy Camper Media and has credits on shows like Rick and Morty, The Ollie and Moon Show for Netflix, and primetime children TV series Jon Le Bon.

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/freelance-animation-hubert-lapointe

00:00 Intro

01:24 Hubert’s background, starting as an animator in Quebec

03:26 Failing the animation test, Hubert’s first job

05:10 Getting into the industry through side roles, finding your path

9:20 Becoming an Animation director

13:50 Benefits of freelancing versus working in a studio

18:34 Getting started as a freelancer and online exposure

24:02 How to make content more interesting for social media

30:10 Producing consistently and creating engagement

36:09 Knowing the audience for your demo reel

42:30 Qualities Hubert looks for when hiring juniors

48:00 How to set your rate and other practical tips

53:16 Hourly versus daily rates

55:45 Starting at a discounted rate

59:15 Negotiating your rate

1:05:10 Tips for e-Learning

1:10:40 Where to find Hubert

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Hubert:

📍 https://www.bonjam.ca/

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/in/hubert-lapointe/

📍 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8153335/

📍 https://www.instagram.com/bonjam.ca/

📍 https://www.instagram.com/bleu_ecarlate/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find Azra: https://www.azralkan.com/

Learn Real-time 3D: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/virtual-production

Maxine speaks with Azra Alkan, Compositing Supervisor and Real-Time Look Development Artist, about how to determine your worth as an artist in film and games. Hear about Azra’s career journey, from moving to the United States from Turkey to study computer programming, getting into compositing supervision and then real-time 3D virtual production. Azra breaks down why authentic networking is so valuable and how important it has been in her profession, including landing the highly competitive Epic Games Unreal Engine Fellowship in 2019. Plus, practical tips like how to research to create opportunities for yourself!

Azra Alkan is an Unreal Engine Artist, Visual Effects Compositor, and Filmmaker. She has been predominantly using traditional tools such as Nuke, Maya, and Houdini to work in the film industry for over 10 years. After being selected for Epic Games’ Unreal Engine Fellowship in 2019, Azra has been trying to unlock new ways that bring power to the traditional VFX pipeline with the addition of real-time tools.

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/real-time-3d-look-dev-artist-azra-alkan

00:00 Intro

01:14 Azra’s background, growing up in Turkey

04:58 Studying computer programming

07:48 Getting a sign, moving to the States, and starting film studies

11:54 The value of going to school vs. self-guided learning

14:32 If it’s not the right job for you, there is something else

19:55 How to overcome the challenge of not working in a studio

22:30 How to network authentically

26:35 Moving from compositing supervisor to virtual production in real-time 3D

31:32 Epic Games Unreal fellowship

36:18 Advancing by combining skills and talents

42:29 Knowing your boundaries

47:30 Prioritizing your health and keeping perspective

52:08 Making a liveable wage

55:55 How to give helpful critique and feedback

59:44 Listener questions: staying current with software, creative applications for software

1:07:10 Where to find Azra

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Azra:

📍 https://www.azralkan.com/

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/in/azralkan/

📍 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6784875/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find Ian: www.ianspriggs.com

Learn 3D Modeling: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/3d-modeling

Digital Portrait Artist Ian Spriggs catches up with Maxine to unpack the creative process behind his mind-blowing realistic 3D character portraitures. Learn how Ian approaches creating his digital portraits, including how he chooses subjects, tricks for lighting and workflow, and the importance of practicing your craft. Ian also discusses the difference between hyperrealism and photorealism, how digital portraiture compares to traditional painting, and finding inspiration in art history.

Ian Spriggs is a digital portrait artist creating believable digital humans. He has also worked as a lead character 3D modeler with credits including Bloodshot, Mulan, The Mandolorian (Chapter 1), Spiderman: Far From Home, and John Wick 3. He's been creating digital art in the industry for over 16 years, working at studios such as OatsStudios, ImageEngine, ILM, Mr X, and is currently at Unity Labs.

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/create-3d-character-portrait-ian-spriggs

00:00 Intro

01:15 Ian’s 3D Portraiture

03:38 Finding passion through a self-portrait

05:37 Ian’s background in VFX

07:57 Working at ILM and Oats

10:10 Working in small versus large studios

12:01 How Ian selects portrait subjects

16:11 How digital portraiture compares to traditional painting

20:33 Ian’s art shown in galleries

23:06 Ian’s process for portraiture

26:08 Hyperrealism vs. photorealism

29:36 Ian’s portrait of Kim Jung Gi

31:28 Feedback and attention to detail

35:35 Leonardo da Vinci portrait

38:24 Personal work versus professional work

42:03 Finding inspiration in art history

43:50 Lighting models

45:50 Tricks Ian has picked up from the industry

47:35 Following your passion and practicing

50:02 How many hours Ian spends working

53:20 Listener questions: recommendations for realistic sculpting, preferred workflows

55:50 Where to find Ian

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Ian:

📍 https://www.ianspriggs.com

📍 https://www.instagram.com/ianspriggs

📍 https://twitter.com/spriggsian

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find Alex: https://beddowsdesign.carrd.co/

Learn Environment Art: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/environment-artist

Justin interviews Alex Beddows, a Senior Environment Artist at Respawn Entertainment, about how to get ahead in the industry and his pragmatic perspective on career advancement. Alex shares how personal projects like his podcast 'Game Dev Discussion' helped him to network and land jobs, and how his background in sports (rugby) has been a pivotal asset for building leadership in the studio. He shares practical tips about how to research for a position you want and determining the scope of a project, and answers listener questions about inspiration, mental bandwidth, and preferred software for environment art.

Alex is an environment artist with nearly 10 years of experience in varying sectors of the game industry, from mobile to AAA, on titles including Returnal, Scavengers, and Godfall. He also worked at ArtStation as a consultant. Alex currently resides at Respawn Entertainment as a Senior Environment Artist. As well as being an artist, Alex hosts the ‘Game Dev Discussion’ podcast dedicated to the games industry, where he speaks with people from all aspects of games with a strong focus on environment art.

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/environment-art-repawn-entertainment-alex-beddows

00:00 Intro

01:12 Alex’s Background from rugby to game art

03:25 Starting the GDD podcast

06:29 How sports helped Alex in the games industry

09:15 Communication and delivering bad news in a positive way

11:54 Progressing with soft skills rather than hard skills

16:28 Doing the research

19:35 Alex’s pragmatic approach to his career

23:45 How knowing what you don’t want to do helps you figure out what you do want to do

26:30 How far is far enough?

32:39 Scoping your project and maintaining momentum

36:23 The easy way to make a checklist for your portfolio

38:30 Getting inspired through photography

43:30 Making steps toward Art Direction

48:00 Listener questions: inspiration, mental bandwidth, preferred softwares for environment art

57:45 Where to find Alex

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Alex:

📍 https://beddowsdesign.carrd.co/

📍 https://www.artstation.com/alexbeddows

📍 https://www.dinustyempire.com/podcast

📍 https://www.instagram.com/beddows.design/

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-beddows-2a827585/

📍 https://twitter.com/BeddowsDesign

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Find Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pullyblank/

Learn 3D Animation: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/3d-animator

Maxine interviews Mark Pullyblank, Department Head of 3D Animation at CG Spectrum, to talk about his midlife career switch into animation from an entirely different industry -- live music. Mark tells us how he went from starting a new career in animation in his mid-30s with two young kids and zero income to getting headhunted to work on Avatar. He and Maxine discuss why your attitude matters so much, how failures lead to success, and the importance of falling in love with the process. This episode is not to be missed!

Mark Pullyblank spent much of the nineties working as a musician before beginning his animation career. He has been an Animation Supervisor at Rainmaker Digital and Frantic Films, a Senior Animator at Sony Pictures Imageworks, and worked in various departments at Wētā FX. His film credits include Avatar, The Adventures of Tintin, The Smurfs, Night at the Museum, and many others. Mark is currently the Department Head of 3D Animation at CG Spectrum, co-founder of Theia Interactive, Director of Non-Stop Motion Virtual Productions, a Lecturer at a Californian university, and undertakes freelance and consulting work at film and game studios.

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/animation-career-change-mark-pullybank

00:00 Intro

01:22 Mark’s background and switching into an entirely new career in animation

04:00 Why starting a new career was a hard sell

06:45 Doing things you’re bad at

10:14 Mark’s experience of going back to school as an animator at 33 with two kids and zero income

12:15 Closing the gap between beginner and skilled through practice

15:44 Falling in love with the process, and the work over the fantasy

20:28 The importance of stories and creating art

22:10 Equal enthusiasm for projects, from Dr. Doolittle 3 to Avatar

25:50 Mark’s mindfulness trick

28:30 Learning how to lose: how failure leads to success

34:38 Focus on the things you have control over

40:48 Building toward responsibility

44:02 Impostor Syndrome and setting healthy boundaries

51:50 What to do on your first day in a studio

56:50 How Mark was invited to work on Avatar

57:45 Where to find Mark

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Mark:

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/in/pullyblank/

📍 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1603840/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find J Hill: https://artofjhill.com/

Learn Character Art: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/character-artist

In this week’s interview with J Hill, Lead Character Artist at Turtle Rock Studios, joins Maxine to chat about the success of his eponymous YouTube channel @J Hill , how he got started as a character artist, using YouTube as a creative outlet and a form of accountability, and why encouraging other people to pursue their passions is so important to him. Plus, J shares some practical wisdom about job interviews, what sets applicants apart, and what he looks for when he’s in the hiring seat. J also answers your listener questions about time management, render engines, and more!

J is a professional 3D character artist in the entertainment industry working as a Lead Character Artist at Turtle Rock Studios, known for popular games Back 4 Blood, Evolve, and Left 4 Dead. J also runs @J Hill where he helps artists pursue their interests in digital art, including 3D character art, ZBrush sculpting, 3D modeling, game art, and rendering.

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/create-your-dream-job-j-hill

00:00 Intro

01:39 J’s background and 3D Modeling

09:25 How to go ‘off the beaten path’ to make a living

12:03 How J got started on YouTube and creating personal work

17:54 Impostor syndrome and authenticity on J’s YouTube account

22:24 Creating room for and embracing failure

24:10 J’s first job in the industry

31:01 How J landed his second job as a character artist through a forum post and networking

35:32 Expanding your net and staying open minded with job applications

40:47 Working for a studio vs. making personal work

47:32 Personal projects as a way to show your passion

49:29 Advice for people getting into the industry

57:40 Doing work that speaks to you

1:03:03 Listener questions: time management, environment art, why did J choose character art?, Render Engines, ZBrush

1:13:40 Where to find J

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

J Hill:

📍 https://www.artstation.com/jhill

📍 https://www.youtube.com/c/artofjhill/about

📍 https://www.instagram.com/artofjhill/

📍 https://artofjhill.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find Kate: https://www.katexagoraris.com/

Learn Houdini FX: https://www.cgspectrum.com/courses/fx-simulation

In this week’s interview, Kate Xagoraris, Midlevel Effects Artist at SPIN VFX & CG Spectrum Mentor of Houdini FX, joins Maxine to discuss her popular Houdini tutorials blog, her work on medical and science visualization tools, dealing with impostor syndrome, being pigeon-holed at work and how to break out of that pattern, as well as embracing the fear that comes with working in FX. As always, we dive into plenty of practical and actionable tips for advancing in your career.

Kate Xagoraris is an FX artist currently working for SPIN VFX. She's worked on projects like Nightmare Alley, The Witcher, and Raised by Wolves, Vikings: Valhalla, and The Boys. She also runs a popular science and visual effects blog called More VFX Help, where she covers Houdini and much more, and has her own YouTube channel, @Kate .

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/break-through-imposter-syndrome-fx-artist-kate-xagoraris

00:00 Intro

01:50 Kate’s background in animation and first steps in Houdini

06:30 Introducing science into effects work

07:30 How Kate’s blog started and her most popular articles

12:30 Inside the studio: “Production doesn’t know what artists do”

14:52 Tips for people who want to move up in their career

18:15 Navigating growth in a studio environment

22:22 How to deal with getting typecast or pigeonholed for one skill

25:51 Challenging yourself versus working in your comfort zone, doing one thing a day that scares you

28:48 The story behind Kate’s first Houdini shot on The Boys

35:06 The pressure of being the first woman on her FX team

42:30 How Kate writes her blog posts knowing her colleagues might come across them

45:10 Dealing with impostor syndrome

47:55 The importance of taking time off to process experiences and information

52:12 Kate’s medical and science visualization tools and using Houdini for NASA and Hubble

59:26 Where to find Kate

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Kate:

📍 https://www.artstation.com/katexagoraris

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-xagoraris-237970161/

📍 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbBVDltzL3eoADdraZGuuEg

📍 https://www.katexagoraris.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.