CG Garage

Will 2026 be the year of the ultimate industry reckoning or a digital renaissance? Hosts Chris and Daniel are joined by guests James Blevins and Erick Geisler for a deep dive into the "mild, medium, and spicy" predictions that will define the next year. As the dust settles on early AI experiments, the group moves past the "Will Smith eating spaghetti" era of novelty to discuss the professionalization of tools, the massive consolidation of legacy studios, and the survival of the traditional theatrical experience. The conversation pushes boundaries, exploring everything from the rise of personal AI creative agents to the outlandish possibility of data centers orbiting in space. By examining the potential collapse of current tech giants alongside the emergence of AGI, the panel maps out a world where the lines between science, religion, and storytelling are permanently blurred. This episode isn't just a look at what's coming, it's a high-stakes debate on who will lead the charge in the collision of Hollywood and high-tech. Netflix's Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery > Flawless AI: DeepEditor & Ethical Reshoots > Starcloud: The First NVIDIA-Powered Space Data Center > NantWorks: Converging Biotech and AI >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

From disrupting the print industry with the original Macintosh to building bespoke tech for Premier League teams, Ivan Reel has always lived at the bleeding edge of media. Now the Head of Studio Technology at StradaXR, Reel traces his evolution from graphic designer to virtual production leader, sharing insights from his time managing Sony's pivot to digital workflows and his inspiring choice to return to film school later in life to master modern VFX. This convergence of deep technical experience and fresh artistic training has placed him at the forefront of optimizing LED stages for the next generation of filmmaking. The discussion digs into the technical and economic forces reshaping the industry, drawing parallels between the current AI explosion and the democratization of digital video. Ivan details how StradaXR utilizes Chaos Vantage to introduce real-time ray tracing to the volume , offering a superior alternative to standard game engine pipelines. The episode wraps with a compelling argument for the future of indie film, suggesting that the true power of virtual production lies not in big budgets, but in its ability to empower efficient, high-quality genre storytelling. Ivan Reel on LinkedIn > StradaXR > Ivan Reel's website > Chaos Arena > Hammer Film Productions >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

Why does the superhero spinoff Gen V often look more visceral and grounded than its blockbuster feature film counterparts? The answer lies in the unique philosophy of Visual Effects Supervisor Karen Heston, who joins Chris and Daniel to reveal the analog soul beating beneath the show's digital surface. Heston traces her journey from the chemical smells of a black-and-white darkroom to the high-pressure world of "Flame" compositing in New York, where she learned to be a "finisher" capable of managing clients and pixels simultaneously, a skill set that eventually propelled her to lead major projects like Arthur Christmas and Beasts of No Nation. The conversation pulls back the curtain on the gory, creative success of Gen V. Heston explains that the show's secret isn't an over-reliance on CGI, but a fierce commitment to practical filmmaking, using giant props for shrinking characters and silicone "blood darts" to anchor the digital effects in reality. She discusses the intense collaboration required between stunts, prosthetics, and VFX to pull off "blood powers" that feel weighty rather than cartoony, and concludes with a forward-looking discussion on how AI might reshape the industry by bringing back the era of the "generalist" artist. Karen Heston on IMDB > Karen Heston on LinkedIn > Gen V on Prime >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

Ben Mauro is one of the industry's most respected concept artists, known for defining the look of blockbusters like Halo Infinite, but his latest venture is a masterclass in how artists can successfully build and own their own intellectual property. Ben returns to the podcast to break down the journey of expanding his independent sci-fi universe, Huxley, from a passion project into a high-end graphic novel series published by Thames & Hudson. He shares the creative and business roadmap for launching his new prequel, The Oracle, and explains why maintaining full creative control is essential for building a lasting legacy in a committee-driven industry. Beyond the logistics of publishing, the discussion dives deep into the philosophical necessity of physical media in an age of fleeting digital licenses. Ben, Chris, and Daniel explore the "pride of ownership" that comes with tangible art, whether it's a collector's edition Blu-ray or a deluxe graphic novel, and how this tactile connection anchors the audience to the story. They also touch on the "Roman Empire" of machines within Huxley's lore and the vital lesson of creating art for oneself, proving that the most personal work is often what resonates most with the world. Ben Mauro's "HUXLEY: The Oracle" > Ben Mauro's "HUXLEY: The Oracle" deluxe edition > Ben Mauro's "HUXLEY: The Oracle" - on Amazon > Ben Mauro Design > Ben Mauro on Instagram > Ben Mauro on IMDB >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)  

AI is revolutionizing cinematic lighting control with Beeble AI's Switchlight. Founder Hoon Kim explains how his tool, originally a general AI concept, became a powerful VFX asset by tackling the difficult process of relighting. Switchlight "unlights" any video footage to figure out the fundamental physical properties, like the shape (normals) and texture (metalness/roughness) of objects, and then uses this data to apply new, photo-realistic lighting instantly and securely. The desktop application is quickly becoming indispensable for both small production teams and major studios who need precise creative control over their shots. The conversation reaches a pivotal point when host Chris, an expert in real-time rendering, mentions his work with the real-time ray tracer Vantage, leading to mutual excitement about integrating their technologies. Switchlight provides the control that other generative AI tools lack, and Hoon sees its PBR data as a perfect control signal for future generative video models. They agree the tool's true value is creating "relightable footage" that can be manipulated layer by layer, just like in professional compositing software. This technical precision promises to blend the creative freedom of AI with the consistency and detail demanded by professional filmmaking.   Beeble AI Official Website > Hoon Kim's LinkedIn Profile > Google Research Total Relighting paper > Paul Debevec's Parthenon project (2004) > Chaos Vantage (real-time ray tracing) >   This episode is sponsored by: Center Grid Virtual Studio Kitbash 3D (Use promocode "cggarage" for 10% off)