The VFX Process

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

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

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

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

In this episode, we sit down with Jackie Droujko — a talented 2D character artist, filmmaker, and YouTuber from Vancouver, Canada. Jackie is known for her work with major studios like Disney TV, Netflix, and Nickelodeon, but in this interview, she opens up about stepping into unfamiliar territory: creating her first 2D/3D hybrid short film, Space Dates 5, using Blender. Co-created with her husband, the film marks a major stylistic shift from her usual character design, embracing a more experimental and personal aesthetic.Jackie shares the emotional and creative journey behind learning Blender as a traditionally trained 2D artist, and what it was like to challenge herself artistically during a difficult period. With the VFX industry facing instability, she found herself out of work for over a year — a time that forced her to confront questions about self-worth and identity as an artist. Instead of giving up, Jackie poured her energy into growing her YouTube channel, which is now approaching one million subscribers.Now standing at a major crossroads, Jackie reflects on the path ahead: return to the studio system or fully embrace a more independent, self-sustained creative career. It’s a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience and what it means to be an artist in a rapidly changing industry. Whether you're into 2D/3D art, Blender, or just looking for honest insight into the realities of the VFX world, this interview offers a rare glimpse into the life of a creator redefining her future.The VFX Process Podcast #66Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereConnect with Jackie: click here

The VFX industry is evolving quickly, and if you're exploring careers in VFX or want to know how to get into the VFX industry, this episode is packed with real-world insight. Jamie sits down with his longtime friend and former colleague Miran Dilberovic — now a Senior Cinematic Artist at Epic Games London — for a candid conversation about VFX jobs in 2025 and what it really takes to succeed.Miran shares his journey from being a production assistant on Game of Thrones to working on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, then moving into previs roles at The Third Floor and Proof Inc, where he and Jamie first crossed paths. His story is proof that there’s no single path into visual effects careers — and that success often comes from persistence, networking, and doing great personal work.They also dive into the real challenges of the job, including overworking in VFX (crunch culture), and why having a good supervisor can make all the difference in your experience. Whether you're a student, a career-switcher, or an aspiring artist, this episode offers honest advice on how to break into the VFX industry, build a strong showreel, and stay competitive in the ever-changing world of visual effects.The VFX Process Podcast #64Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereConnect with Miran: click here

Duncan Rudd, a seasoned CG animator, rigger, and generalist with over 25 years in the industry, shares the story behind Deep Rooted—his fourth animated short and his first created entirely in Blender. Duncan dives into how Blender, Geometry Nodes, and pure passion helped him bring this 10-minute 3D film to life.WATCH DEEP ROOTED: click hereWe explore Duncan’s creative process, from character and rigging to scene construction and rendering—all powered by Blender. He breaks down why personal projects are essential for freelance 3D artists, offering a chance to express your unique voice and stand out in a competitive animation landscape. His insights are gold for any aspiring freelance 3D generalist or animator looking to grow their career and creative skills.Duncan also shares his perspective on the shifting industry landscape, with the collapse of major VFX and animation studios opening new doors for small 3D studios and freelancers. Whether you're into indie animation, Blender workflows, or building a sustainable freelance 3D career—this episode is packed with real talk and valuable advice.The VFX Process Podcast #62Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereConnect with Duncan: click here

Is Unreal Engine the #1 filmmaking tool? According to Charlie Driscoll, it just might be. As a cinematographer, Charlie first saw UE5 as a wat to practice real-world filmmaking techniques—but it quickly became a game-changer for crafting professional-level cinematics. Through his YouTube channel, The Darkest Age, he’s pushing the limits of Metahumans, AI motion capture, and real-time rendering to create stunning short films and animation tests.In this episode, we break down why UE5 is revolutionising filmmaking, diving into Charlie’s fight scene cinematic, a masterclass in virtual action storytelling, and his zombie horde animation, where he brings large-scale crowds to life. We also discuss Move AI, a cutting-edge motion capture tool making high-quality animation more accessible than ever. With Unreal Engine 5, indie creators can now achieve high quality cinematics and tell stories without a massive budget. Charlie also shares his belief that if you’re a good filmmaker in real life, you’ll be a good one in Unreal Engine too, emphasising how the skills transfer seamlessly into the virtual world.If you’re passionate about the future of digital filmmaking, this episode is packed with insight. From crafting photo-realistic Metahumans to harnessing AI-driven animation, Charlie shares his process and why he believes Unreal Engine 5 is the most powerful tool for filmmakers today. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of virtual production!The VFX Process Podcast #60Getting Intimate With Your Industry!For the video podcast: click hereConnect with Charlie: click here