Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast

Episode Summary Beth D'Amato, ILM digital paint supervisor, joins Todd and Rob to discuss their favorite camera moves, compositions, and notable oner’s. Beth shares how she got her start in VFX and we learn that sometimes, "We will keep your resume on file" is a good thing! The ILM pros answer questions about basic VFX terminology, and we bust an internet myth. Chapter Markers [00:00:00] Intro [00:01:50] Questions from the mailbag [00:11:07] Rejection letters [00:16:20] Misinformation corner [00:21:20] Camera and composition  [00:43:19] The Martini [00:49:32] Outro Episode Links  Beth D'Amato - IMDb @star_wars_battlegrounds) • Instagram Maya Houdini Raiders of the Lost Ark Clip THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) "Joker Blows Up Hospital" Clip Booksmart (2019) - IMDb "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - Floorplan Animatic Taxi Driver - phone call scene Client Camera Movement Guide (Reddit) Camera Movement Terminology The Martini Todd recommends his favorite black and white films. The Third Man (1949) and Ripley (TV Mini Series 2024) Beth is learning all the behind-the-scenes stories from The West Wing with the new book, What's Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service Jenny is flexing her internet sleuthing skills with Unsolved Mysteries Volume Four Rob suggests Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself (2020) for a delightful exploration of the illusory nature of identity.  Follow us ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram Todd Vaziri Jenny Ely on Instagram Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com Transcript: https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/s1e3-camera-and-composition/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Summary In this episode, the Lighter Darker team welcomes director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4, Transformers One) to talk about combining humor and heart in filmmaking as he does so well in his films. Josh shares the story of getting his dream shot at Pixar and how he almost had a very different job! Chapter Markers [00:00:00] Intro [00:01:41] Questions from the mailbag [00:04:46] What is virtual production? [00:13:00] Rejection letters [00:17:05] Humor and heart in animation [00:33:15] The Martini [00:39:21] Outro Episode Links  Josh Cooley - IMDb Joe Ranft - IMDb Toy Story 4 (2019) - IMDb Transformers One (2024) - IMDb Nathan Camp - Mocap The Martini Rob (and the rest of the internet) is obsessed with the Star Tours StarSpeeder Play Set 2005 Star Tours - Original - Disneyland Anaheim Jenny scrambled to come up with something last minute because Rob stole her martini (see above). She is reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë | Goodreads and obsessing over the Oxford comma debate. What Is the Oxford Comma (or Serial Comma)? | Grammarly. Yes, she is boring. Josh is staying true to the current Transformers hype by adopting a Flagship Optimus Prime from Robosen. Featured Music The Lighter Darker theme was created by Khatsho Orfali. This episode features music by Ben Charles aka chromasy. Follow ILM ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn Follow our team Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram Todd Vaziri Jenny Ely on Instagram Questions Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com Transcript  https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/s1e2-transformers-one-with-josh-cooley/ Share this episode https://www.ilm.com/lighterdarker/s1e2-transformers-one-with-josh-cooley/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast hosted by ILM Chief Creative Officer, Rob Bredow, ILM Compositing Supervisor, Todd Vaziri, and Producer Jenny Ely who talk about the creative process of filmmaking and the art of visual storytelling. In our premiere episode Rob and Todd share thoughts on beautiful final shots from films they've personally worked on, along with a few "could-be-better" or CBB moments they didn't want to let go. Todd unpacks the compositing from a famous shot in Star Trek Into Darkness and Rob shares how the production teams on the set of Solo: A Star Wars Story worked together to compose a memorable journey through the Kessel Run on screen for the first time. On the main topic of Dailies Culture Rob and Todd dive into the details, offering up tips on making review sessions with your team more productive, painless, and even enjoyable. CHAPTER MARKERS  [0:00:00] Intro  [00:01:37] Introduction to One Final, One CBB  [00:02:45] Todd’s Final & CBB from Star Trek Into Darkness  [00:09:06] Rob’s Final & CBB from Solo: A Star Wars Story  [00:19:04] Dailies Culture [00:34:00] The Martini [00:41:57] Outro EPISODE LINKS Lighter Darker Episode 1: The Premiere One Final & One CBB Todd: Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - IMDb ILM: Behind the Magic of Visual Effects in Star Trek Into Darkness Rob: Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) - IMDb ILM: Behind the Magic of the Speeder Chase in Solo: A Star Wars Story Brett Northcutt concept artist at ILM on Instagram The Martini Todd: Alien (1979) - IMDb Run Lola Run (1998) - IMDb Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - IMDb Casablanca (1942) - IMDb Rear Window (1954) - IMDb Rob: Jurassic Park (1993) - IMDb Rob is embracing the delightful world of avian espionage with Bird Buddy. Jenny: The Abyss (1989) - IMDb Jenny found one organization app to rule them all with Todoist. Questions? Submit a question or a topic for discussion on the show lighterdarker@ilm.com. Follow our team Rob Bredow on IG Todd Vaziri Jenny Ely on IG Learn more about ILM at https://www.ilm.com/ and follow us on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast where we focus on the creative process of filmmaking and the art of visual storytelling. Hosted by ILM Chief Creative Officer, Rob Bredow and Todd Vaziri, ILM Compositing Supervisor, we tell stories from behind the scenes to illustrate the many crafts that come together to create a motion picture, TV Series, or special venue project. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring filmmaker, or a fan of immersive experiences, Lighter Darker provides valuable insights, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the artists behind the projects we take on at ILM in the visual effects, animation, and immersive entertainment spaces. Tune in to Lighter Darker and embark on a journey through the creative and technical realms of cinema & immersive entertainment, where every shadow reveals a story, and every beam of light unveils a new perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices