CG Garage

• Episode 516 - Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC - Cinematographer, “Sinners”

  This week, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the first woman ever to shoot on IMAX for the film Sinner. She discusses her unique journey into filmmaking, including her work in 16mm on The Last Showgirl and her credits on major studio projects like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Marvel’s Loki. Autumn highlights the vital importance of finding a creative community and emphasizes how her career has been built on trust and collaboration with fellow artists. Autumn also dives deep into the dynamic (and sometimes frustrating) relationship between cinematographers and visual effects artists. Using her experience on Sinner as a prime example, she advocates for a more collaborative approach, stressing the need for on-set decisions and in-camera solutions to create more authentic and emotionally resonant images. The conversation is a masterclass in filmmaking, exploring everything from the subtle power of light and shadow to her experience as the first woman to shoot on IMAX for a narrative feature film. Autumn Durald Arkapaw's website > Autumn Durald Arkapaw's wikipedia > Autumn Durald Arkapaw's IMDB > Autumn Durald Arkapaw's Instagram >

  --------  

  1:12:38

  --------

  1:12:38
• Episode 515 - Daniel Thron, Chris Nichols, and Lily Nichols - CG Garage’s new home, Monstrous Moonshine

  Episode 515 marks the very first CG Garage Podcast episode under the Monstrous Moonshine banner, and it’s a big reset moment. Chris is joined by longtime collaborator Daniel Thron and new producer/coordinator Lily Nichols to introduce this new chapter. Together, they reflect on the origins of the Monstrous Moonshine name, its ties to both 1970s cinema and mathematics, and why it represents the kind of creative synchronicity they want to bring into filmmaking. They also talk openly about the transition from Chaos, where the podcast began 11 years ago, and what this move means for the future of the show. The discussion quickly moves into the state of the movie industry today, with the group debating whether Hollywood is on the brink of another “New Hollywood” moment like the late 1960s. They examine the rise of bold new films such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, Spider-Verse, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and Godzilla Minus One, contrasting them with the fatigue of endless franchises. The conversation also tackles AI’s role in the future of production, the pressures on young filmmakers, and why risk-taking is once again the only way forward. It’s both a reflection and a rallying cry: a podcast looking back at its roots while leaning hard into the future of filmmaking. Monstrous Moonshine > CG Garage > Ray Tracing FTW >

  --------  

  1:40:42

  --------

  1:40:42
• Episode 514 - Armen Kevorkian - Ingenuity Studios, President

  This episode marks the final CG Garage podcast under the Chaos umbrella. The next chapter of the show will launch under a new banner, continuing the conversations that explore the art, craft, and future of filmmaking. Armen Kevorkian joins Chris to reflect on his long career in visual effects, from his early start as an intern on Star Trek: Voyager and Deep Space Nine to becoming the president of Ingenuity Studios. He shares how mentorship in those formative years at Paramount shaped his career, his transition into supervising on shows like Invasion and The Flash, and the evolution of VFX in broadcast television, where tight deadlines and experimental techniques pushed his teams to innovate. Armen recalls being part of television milestones like scanning actors for digital doubles for the first time and watching the rise of superhero shows that paved the way for streaming-era ambitions. The conversation dives into how the industry has shifted in the past 20 years, from the challenges of working through COVID and adapting to remote workflows, to the rise of generalists and the growing role of AI tools in concepting, roto, and plate prep. Armen reflects on invisible effects, the hidden craft of making audiences believe something was always there, and how facilities must adapt as filmmakers experiment with leaner, bespoke VFX pipelines. He also shares his vision for Ingenuity Studios, their recent work on projects like Untamed and Weapons, and his excitement about building tighter partnerships with filmmakers from the earliest stages of production.

  --------  

  51:30

  --------

  51:30
• Episode 513 - Siggraph 2025 - Simeon Balabanov & Georgi Zhekov on Chaos Vantage & Arena

  At SIGGRAPH 2025, Chaos unveils major updates to Vantage and Arena that significantly expand real-time ray tracing workflows. Product managers Simeon Balabanov and Georgi Zhekov join Chris to break down the new capabilities, including native USD and MaterialX support, Gaussian splats with ray-traced lighting, volumetric caches, and a streamlined pipeline that keeps the same asset across previs, virtual production, and post. This episode arrives just in time for SIGGRAPH, where these features are being officially announced, giving listeners an early look at what will be showcased in Vancouver. The conversation dives into key production tools like mimic lights for realistic set illumination, in-volume color correction, real-time depth of field, and live lighting adjustments. Simeon and Georgi explain how these innovations reduce conversion work, improve on-set flexibility, and allow for advanced asset previews even from a home studio using Vantage with camera tracking. They also highlight new camera tracking protocols, a standalone material editor, and Arena’s watermark trial mode, showing how Chaos is making high-end virtual production more accessible and adaptable for filmmakers.

  --------  

  54:11

  --------

  54:11
• Episode 512 - Susan O’Neal - VFX, Post, and Technology Recruiter, BLT Recruiting

  In this episode, Chris chats with Susan O’Neal, a long-time force in the visual effects industry, about her remarkable career journey and insights into the evolving VFX world. Susan recounts starting as employee #24 at Digital Domain in the early ’90s, working on landmark projects like Titanic, and moving through various studios such as Lightstorm, A52, CIS, Zoic, and Riot. Along the way, she wore many hats, from operations to production, before pivoting to recruiting, where she found her niche connecting talent with opportunity while balancing her family life. Susan shares candid stories about the early days of VFX, the quirky culture at DD, and how she transitioned into recruiting and coaching. She and Chris discuss how the industry has changed with remote work, tax incentives, and the rise of AI and virtual production. Susan also offers practical advice for creative professionals on LinkedIn best practices, career resilience, and staying adaptable in uncertain times. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on the past, present, and future of creative careers.

  --------  

  1:14:22

  --------

  1:14:22

More Technology podcasts

Trending Technology podcasts

About CG Garage