CGGarage Podcast 471 Chris MacLean

Foundation’s Overall VFX Supervisor, Chris MacLean, talks about making the epic Apple TV+ show, including how they found the series’ extraterrestrial locations here on Earth, how they avoided blue screens, and even how they digitally simulated the vintage lenses used on the physical shoot. Chris also shares his informed perspectives on new technology, including Gaussian Splatting, in-camera VFX, and AI.
0:00:00 CG Garage Intro
0:05:06 Getting started in VFX with Natural History documentaries
0:09:39 What inspired Chris to pursue his career
0:15:01 Imitating lenses and perfecting anatomy
0:20:55 How VFX are evolving and guassian splatting
0:26:26 What are the new standards for VFX?
0:28:24 The importance of "Godless" and "Crimson Peak" in Chris' career
0:33:34 Icelandic winters and unexploded ordinance: Making "Foundation"
0:38:04 How "Foundation's" scope has expanded
0:41:01 Avoiding the blue screen mentality when making "Foundation"
0:43:52 Thoughts on in-camera VFX and AR
0:50:43 How VFX artists are gaining respect
0:56:33 How AI and machine learning can help VFX
1:00:36 Avoiding the uncanny valley
Links:
Chris MacLean on IMDb: www.imdb.com/name/nm4207489/
Chris MacLean on Instagram: chrismacvfx...
Maclean Visual Effects: macleanvfx.com/
Chris MacLean on X: / chrismacvfx
Watch Foundation on Apple TV+: tv.apple.com/us/show/foundati...
CG Garage Podcast homepage: www.chaos.com/cg-garage
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