In this episode, I chat to VFX Comp Supervisor Ruth Meridjen about the state of the VFX industry in 2024 and the impact of the pandemic on production. The slow ramp-up of production and the greenlighting of projects are discussed. The future of the industry and the role of AI in filmmaking are examined, with a focus on the limitations and regulatio…

Exploitation of VFX Artists - With Senior CG Generalist Mark Woodcock | TVAP EP58 In this episode, I chat to senior CG Generalist Mark Woodcock about the exploitation of Artists in the VFX industry, following his recent and ongoing dispute with IXOR Visual FX. Mark joins the podcast to enlighten us, for the purpose of informing and educating other …

The health of the VFX industry in 2024, with foudner of MOTUS Kurt Maclachlan | TVAP EP57 In this episode, I chat to Kurt Maclachlan about the status of the VFX in 2024. We discuss where things are at currently, what needs to be done for a better future of the VFX industry and more! 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:48 Causes of the Strikes 04:2…

In this episode of the Mind Yourself podcast, Christy is joined by Ailbhe Dempsey, a PhD student from the University of Limerick, specializing in the role of religion, spirituality, and social support on cardiovascular responses. Ailbhe's research delves into the complex relationship between these factors and their impact on our health. Ailbhe outl…

Welcome to our latest episode where we dive into the realm of adolescent carer mental health. Join us as we're joined by the insightful Aoife Bowman Grangel, a dedicated PhD student at the forefront of research in this field. Aoife shares her expertise, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by young carers and discussing her groundbreaking …

Dive into a very interesting conversation with our latest podcast episode featuring researcher William Costello to discuss his extensive research into the community known as Incels which stands for ‘involuntary celibate’.The term describes online community of individuals, predominantly males, who feel they are unable to find a romantic or sexual pa…

Prepare for an eye-opening podcast episode that casts a spotlight on school mental health in the scenic landscapes of Ireland. Join us as Christy and Eoin explore the unique challenges and innovative solutions that shape the well-being of students across Ireland. In this illuminating conversation, we engage with experts and practitioners to gain in…

Join us for an enlightening podcast episode as we engage with PhD candidate Catríona Shelly, who offers fresh insights into the intricate web of Northern Ireland and Brexit from a dynamic social identity perspective. In this thought-provoking conversation, we delve into the complexities of identity, culture, and politics, and how they intertwine in…

Join us for an insightful podcast episode featuring Emma Kirwan delving into the intricate world of loneliness. Discover the latest findings, the science behind it, and practical strategies to combat this pervasive societal issue. Whether you've experienced loneliness yourself or want to better understand its impact, this conversation promises valu…

This week’s podcast explains the ins and outs of secondary school transition. Join us as we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities that come with this pivotal step in a student's life. Whether you're a parent, educator, or just curious about the adolescent experience, this conversation offers valuable insights, practical tips, and expert p…

Step into the world of cutting-edge research as we welcome Anna Lashkay to shed new light on trauma from a unique social identity perspective. In this compelling podcast episode, we delve deep into the intersection of personal and social identities and their impact on an individual's experience of trauma. Join us for an eye-opening conversation tha…

Prepare to embark on a thought-provoking journey as we sit down with a dedicated PhD student Muireann O’Dea to unravel the enigmatic relationship between boredom and the search for meaning in life. In this captivating podcast episode, we explore the fascinating dynamics of how moments of idleness can lead to profound reflections and the discovery o…

Welcome back to a new season of The Mind Yourself Podcast! In this intro episode Christy and Eoin will be discussing the theme for this seasons podcast and sharing some updates about Motus from over the last year. In this season we will be diving into a number of varying topics all currently the theme of a particular PhD. We will be speaking to the…

Join us for an inspiring podcast episode featuring successful clinical psychology doctorate student Heather Mithen who shares her journey from aspiring psychologist to Clinical Psychology Doctorate student in the UK. In this illuminating conversation, she offers invaluable insights into the application process, shedding light on the strategies that…

Want to travel and get relevant psychology experience? Prepare for a captivating podcast episode with Kate McGovern who has garnered invaluable psychology experience down under in the beautiful land of Australia. Join us as we embark on a journey through her unique experiences, from working in diverse clinical settings. This conversation offers a r…

The Man Who Wrote The Book on Compositing with Ron Brinkman | TVAP EP56 When I embarked on my compositing journey, Ron Brinkmann's book, "The Art and Science of Digital Compositing," proved to be an invaluable resource. It provided a wealth of visual information and included a DVD with footage for hands-on practice. Even today, this book remains a …

This week's guest is co-founder of FXGuide, arguably the first and foremost podcast and blog in our field. He also co-founded FXPhd which was my route into the industry so this was a massive honor for me. We dive deep into Neural Rendering (which Mike has been involved with since 1999) machine learning and practical applications within visual effec…

In this episode with Matt Merkovich of The Matchmoving Company, we talk about the importance of 3D tracking/matchmove in the VFX industry and what it means to be a matchmove artist. Matt is an expert user of Syntheyes and has been a great influencer in getting it where it is today. He also uses it for almost all of his work, spiralling almost three…

Inside VFX Recruitment with Melissa Blakey, Global Head of Talent at Crafty Apes | TVAP EP53 (P-1) For many VFX Recruitment is a bit of a black box - we send off our reels and CV and then hope for the best. This week we go behind the curtain with Crafty Apes, Global Head of talent, Melissa Blakey. We cover Melissa's own fascinating career - she sta…

This is a hot topic with "No AI" trending on Artstation and pending court cases we spoke to Director, Filmmaker and Game Designer Alvaro García Martínezwho has been heavily engaged with this topic. Alvaro worked as VFX Artist for 10 years at London's top studios before founding Mayhem Mirror, his own Game Design studio. So he has experience as an e…

In the first episode of 2023, we felt it quite important to start the year right, by bringing you some much necessary tips from a VFX recruiter, should you be looking to take on a new role. We are therefore pleased to have Sophie Maydon, former VFX Global Head of HR, Recruitment and PR at DNEG (Double Negative), and Director, VFX Talent & Recruitme…

This week we move away from Clinical Psychology and into a new field, Organisational Psychology. Christy sits down with a former Motus team member, Deirbhrin Hanratty, to discuss her experiences moving into the business world and studying a Masters in Organisational Psychology at Manchester University. This advanced course gives you a route into oc…

This week we catch up with a rising star in the industry, Rishabh Laheja, a Junior Digital Compositor at MPC. Realizing that a career in IT was not for him. Rishabh began studying nights and eventually putting together a compositing showreel with the help of working industry teachers and mentors he reached out to via Linkedin. Launching his new car…

In this episode we have Christy sit down for another solo monologue but this time to discuss his experiences on his current PhD. Christy’s research focuses on the impact of social emotional learning on psychological well-being among early adolescents, with a particular focus on emotion regulation and stress regulatory capacity. Additionally, Christ…

What does it take to be a lighting artist? with Jasmine Katatikarn | TVAP EP49 This week we catch up with Jasmine Katatikarn, lighting artist and co-founder of the Academy of Animated Art. We discuss finding your career path at any stage in life, what it takes to be a lighting artist, what makes a successful lighting application to top VFX, and ani…

This week Christy sits down with Rebekah Hare to discuss her experiences on the Masters program at UL in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology and also how she managed as a Dubliner heading down to Limerick to study. This MSc programme seeks to equip candidates with a sound understanding of theory and research and develop core competencies and…

This week we caught up with Courtney Pryce. The industry veterans know him from his years as a Creative Specialist at Foundry. We cover a lot of ground, beginning in the "Rock&Roll" years of London VFX in the early 2000s. Also covering the role of the Creative Specialist and the secrets of financial stability as a Compositor. Courtney worked with U…

This week we have Christy sits down with another member of the Motus family, Rebecca McDonnell, to discuss her experience studying the MSc in Applied Developmental Psychology at Queens University, Belfast. Applied developmental psychology is the application of basic developmental science in applied contexts. The School of Psychology has expertise i…

Behind The Desk with Hugo Guerra | TVAP EP47 Hugo Guerra, Director, VFX supervisor, and creator of Hugo's Desk. In this episode, Kofi chats to Hugo about his career in the VFX industry. Uncovering decisions and steps that have made Hugo the Director and Supervisor he is today. With an incredible industry footprint, Hugo has a huge voice across the …

This week we have Christy on his own to discuss the Masters he completed at the University of Edinburgh. The program includes courses on the theoretical and methodological aspects of cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology and brain imaging, and you will complete a dissertation on one of these areas. You will also receive thorough training…

I Sold Gum. Now I Blow Things Up! With Action VFX Founder and CEO Rodolphe Pierre-Louis | TVAP EP46 I am pretty sure you've heard of Action VFX, I've used them in my own shots! So we managed to get the Founder and CEO on the show to talk about his career. It's a success story that very nearly wasn't! This is a great one for any artists or filmmaker…

This week Christy is joined by two wonderful guests , Kate O'Meara and Luke Murphy, who have worked at Motus and completed the Mental Health Masters at University College Cork. The MA in Applied Psychology (Mental Health) gives you an advanced understanding of the discipline of psychology in mental health settings. The course is designed to help yo…

AI in the VFX & Creative Industry: Impact, Issues & Solutions | TVAP EP45 Join us, as we discuss the impact of AI in the VFX & Creative industry. With the rise of platforms such as Midjourney, Dalle-2, and Stable Diffusion influencing artists, we bring forth this open discussion about what the impact could be for our industries if certain laws and …

In this episode Christy sits down with Dayna and Ciara who have worked on the Motus team to discuss their experience in UCD, Dublin for their Psychological Science Masters. The focus of this programme is on acquiring basic applied psychology skills to equip you for doctoral studies in clinical, counselling, educational or organisational psychology,…

First episode of Season 5! This season we focus on what it takes to get into a career in Psychology. We'll be talking to people who have completed/are completing masters, PhDs and doctorates in Ireland and abroad. The knowledge gap between getting a psychology degree and becoming a qualified psychologist is complicated, and we felt we needed to add…

This week it's been a real pleasure to meet Paul Miller and Marco Paolini - Software Developer and Product Manager behind the Oscar winning software, Boris Silhouette. Despite advances in AI, manual rotoscoping and invisible paintouts are still an essential bullwark of the VFX industry and not going away anytime soon. We begin our discussion with t…

In this episode, we chat to María Carriedo, CG Lead at Freefolk and former colleague of Daniel's at The Mill. Born in Mexico, María studied VFX at the prestigious Gnomon School in LA before working at Psyops on commercials. Since then she moved to London to work at The Mill before her current role. In this interview we learn about María's journey i…

Jörundur Rafn Arnarson returns after exchanging the frozen mountains of Iceland for the Deserts for his recent VFX Supervisor role on "Rise of The Witches". We talk about how extreme environments influence filmmakers, the route from Compositing to VFX Supervision, "bad CGI", helicopters and much much more. With a Supervisor whose body of work range…

In this episode, we chat to Rebecca Holdstock, senior matchmove and rotomation artist at Cinesite London about her VFX career, spiralling over a decade in some of London's well known and biggest studios, through to becoming a mother of two and the change that comes with being a working mother. I had the privilege of working with Rebecca at Cinesite…

In this episode, I had the biggest opportunity to chat to Rolf Schneider, owner of Science-D-Visions, about how he Created 3DEqualizer For The VFX Industry. Looking back at the evolving digital scene in the 80's and 90's, we discuss working on the Commodore 64 and Amiga, to creating the first version of 3DEqualizer in 1996, to MPC and ILM purchasin…

In this episode, I chat to Yin Wu, a Junior CG Artist at The Mill, Shanghai, about his experience and journey into the Chinese VFX industry. My curiosity of the Chinese industry, leads me to chase for comparisons between the U.K. VFX industry - Finding similarities and differences on topics like work-life-balance and how the industry differentiates…

In this episode, we chat to Atem Kuol about how he became a VFX coordinator. Starting up as a witness camera operator and venturing into VFX production before embarking on 'Death on the Nile' as assistant coordinator, Atem gives us the low down on his experiences and how he made it into the VFX industry from his early beginnings in the live TV indu…

Have you ever consider sport and its impact on society? Well Eoin and Christy sit down to discuss just that. In the final episode in series 4 of the podcast the lads discuss how sport shapes societal values outside of just giving people an outlet to exercise. While there are benefits to how sport can build confidence in kids and teach them to appro…

This week we catch up with Senior Compositor and trainer, Josh Parks for a lively discussion of all things tech, industry and career related. Starting out as "The wildcard choice" for MPC's training program, he has built an impressive career with credits including: Jungle Book, Transformers: The Last Knight, Ready Player One, Wonder Woman, Guardian…

What a pleasure it was to sit down with the fantastic Greg O'Shea. Olympian, Presenter, Media Personality, Fitness Instructor, Love Island Winner and Law Graduate! Talk about one hell of a CV. Greg sat down with Christy and Eoin for a very open and honest conversation. They discuss his experiences building up to and competing at the Olympics and th…

Part 2 of our discussion with Christina Mandia continues, with this last part focusing on Christina's VFX industry journey, going all the way back to her first interests and influence, education, as well as showreel and general advice for current and aspiring mothers and animators. Christina’s journey as a VFX animator, begun with an entry into the…

Christy and Eoin sit down to take a scientific look at sports performance and see how some positive emotional health practices can lead to increased performance. They cover things such as habits, motivation, the theory of having a workout partner and also discuss how humour can reduce stress and why this is important to an athletes performance. Fin…

This week Eoin and Christy are back together to dive into another key topic for athletes; Failure. This is a key area of sports psychology because its a challenging experience all athletes must learn to overcome and learn from. But also overcoming failures is part of life for everyone. The lads discuss how failure is linked to goal setting, the emo…

This week, we have the amazing Christina Mandia, animator at Cinesite London, giving us an insight into how she tackles her maternal role, whilst being a better, more efficient animator. Christina goes on to share some very important information on maternity leave pay for employees and freelancers through the government schemes, as well as employee…

In this episode, we chat to Jeremy Lasky & Danny Gonzalez, founders of Perception to learn more about the creation of what's become one of the most influential and important VFX & creative studios globally. Perception has brought us title sequences and HUD's (heads up displays) for films such as Iron Man, Black Panther, Loki, Wandavision, Spiderman…