VFX for Indies
For independent filmmakers, navigating the challenges of using visual effects (VFX) can be a daunting task. This podcast series spotlights independent filmmakers who have dipped their toes (or jumped head-first) into the world of visual effects, and will explore their challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned through the process.Hosted by Foxtrot X-Ray’s founder and “chief pixel pusher” Paul DeNigris, who brings to the conversations 25 years of experience in both independent filmmaking and visual effects.
Episodes
In Part 2 of our South by Southwest 2025 panel discussion, we dive deeper into the craft, community, and challenges of working in visual effects for independent film. Host Paul DeNigris reunites with panelists Laura Skowronski Nattam, Joey Cade, Shaina Holmes, and Laurie Powers Going to discuss practical VFX advice for indie filmmakers, share war stories from groundbreaking projects like Enchanted, Eternal Sunshine of...
Can indie films really afford good VFX? Absolutely. In this special episode of VFX for Indies, we sit down with an all-star panel of visual effects veterans who presented at South by Southwest 2025, discussing the very topic indie filmmakers wrestle with every day—how to make visual effects work on real-world budgets.
Join host Paul DeNigris (Foxtrot X-Ray) and guests Laura Skowronski Nattam, Joey Cade, Shain...
The business of visual effects is constantly evolving, and right now we're witnessing what 20-year industry veteran Joseph Bell calls a "market correction" rather than just post-strike recovery. In this eye-opening conversation, Joseph draws on his experience at ILM, Lucasfilm, FuseFX, and Technicolor to provide a nuanced perspective on where the industry stands and where it's heading.
Tha...
Scottie Yang takes us behind the scenes of "Future 48," an award-winning marketing campaign that used time travel and visual effects to transform perceptions about manufacturing careers in Arizona. As producer at Ideas Collide, Yang brought his unique background—spanning Hollywood post-production, competitive volleyball, and brand storytelling—to create something that transcended typical corporate content.
Pedro Andrade's journey from mechanical engineer to visual effects supervisor on blockbuster franchises showcases the beautiful intersection of technical expertise and artistic vision. After abandoning engineering to pursue music production in London, Pedro stumbled into VFX through his wife's 3D visualization work, discovering that compositing combined the technical aspects of engineering with the creative ...
The visual effects revolution has transformed indie horror and sci-fi filmmaking, and nowhere is this more evident than at the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival. In this captivating conversation, we sit down with the festival's executive staff to explore how VFX has evolved throughout the festival's 20-year history.
Festival Director Monte Yazzie joins Horror Program Directors Brandon Ki...
Ever wonder how those vampires on Buffy turned to dust? Or how Barry Allen's lightning trails look so convincing on The Flash? Dave Funston has been behind it all.
From humble beginnings making Mortal Kombat-inspired flip books to becoming an Emmy-nominated visual effects supervisor, Dave's 25-year journey through Hollywood's "golden age" of television VFX reveals the magic and mayhem...
Discover the fascinating world of virtual reality storytelling with our special guest, Matthew Celia, the creative director at LightSail VR. Through an engaging conversation, we promise you’ll gain unique insights into how Matthew’s journey from film school to pioneering VR storytelling has shaped the narrative landscape, where story takes precedence over technology. We highlight the remarkable work on projects like &...
This season on VFX For Indies, we chat with filmmakers pushing boundaries in VR, we talk with VFX Supervisors from some of the biggest film and TV franchises in the world, and we dive into how VFX is used outside of the traditional filmmaking space.
Season premiere episode "VFX in VR with Matt Celia" drops on Wednesday, February 26th!
Check out our back catalog from Season 1 and the upcomin...
On March 31, 1993, actor Brandon Lee was shot and killed on the set of the film The Crow after a prop firearm malfunctioned. Now, as the film’s 30th anniversary has passed and a remake is coming soon to theaters, the world is watching as the New Mexico courts litigate a similar tragic on-set shooting, one which claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Injuries and deaths due to the use of firearms on-set a...
Ever wondered about the gritty intricacies of indie filmmaking? We're pulling back the curtain on that world with this engaging chat with the dynamic duo behind the crime thriller, 'The Last Deal'. Editor Ryan Liebert, who has come a long way from self-funded films, shares his journey from no-budget indies to editing a feature with Hollywood icon Nicolas Cage. Then writer-director Jonathan Salemi gives ...
Fasten your seatbelts, film enthusiasts! This episode is a rare treat as we sit down with the brilliant director Tom Putnam for a thrilling behind-the-scenes look at his latest feature film, 'The Dark Divide.' He reveals the highs and lows of shooting in remote wilderness locations, managing a star-studded cast, and the essential role that visual effects played in bringing the story to life. It's a fasc...
When a director like Richard Kilroy goes from creating matte paintings for the visual effects of some of the biggest movies of all time like Terminator 2 and Titanic, to directing his own indie thriller, you know there will be some inspiring visual effects and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Richard and his editor Keith Clark join host Paul DeNigris in discussing the magic behind their indie neo-noir Proof Shee...
Can you imagine crafting remarkable stories through the lens of a low-budget camera and yet producing visually stunning effects that hold the audience spellbound? Our guest, Mark Stolaroff, a seasoned indie producer and founder of No Budget Film School, is a maestro at this. The magic of his DIY filmmaking journey, from Texas college days to his stint with Next Wave Films where he worked with a young Christopher Nolan...
Get ready for a deep-dive into the world of independent filmmaking with Peter Paul Basler, a talented director and filmmaker whose craft is steeped in the magical realm of visual effects. Peter shares stories of the challenges he faced creating crowd replication on a sports movie and the complexities of filming dynamic scenes on ice. Join us as we get a peek behind the lens, revealing how VFX is shaping the way direct...
Ever wonder how independent filmmakers navigate the maze of creating compelling films on a budget? Join us on a captivating journey with filmmakers Frank Ziede and Corey Gilbert, as they dissect their creative process and share the highs and lows of independent filmmaking. From their shared adoration for Michael Mann's cinematic masterpiece "Heat", to the trials and triumphs of creating their own digita...
Guess who's hopping on the mic this time? It's JR Strickland, a visual effects supervisor and director who has made a name for himself in the hip-hop music video scene. Not your run-of-the-mill journey to success, JR Strickland hustled his way into the VFX world, rubbing elbows with big names like Ariana Grande. Join us as he takes us down memory lane, from being a starry-eyed kid in Chicago suburbs to a key...
Get ready for an intriguing conversation with the celebrated writer and director, Paul Osborne. As we traverse his professional journey, we find ourselves in the heart of indie filmmaking, where passion meets creativity on a budget. Learn how Paul transitioned from the production department and carved his own path in the world of independent crime thrillers. Listen as we explore the making of his films like the dark c...
Get ready to dive into the world of indie film with our guest, Robyn August. Robyn is the director of the darkly comedic slasher film 'Kill Her', and in our conversation, he pulls back the curtain on the steps he took to bring this film to life. We explore his unconventional start in the industry, the inspiration he drew from Mark Duplass' SXSW keynote speech, and how he turned the tables on the classic...
Join us as we pull back the curtain on the world of filmmaking, with the talented writer-producer duo, Joe Russo and Chris LaMont, as our guides. Imagine sharing a space with the pioneers behind the Bruce Willis action movie, Hard Kill and the spine-chilling Netflix horror, The Inheritance. The journey gets even more exciting as we traverse their career paths, delve into their successful partnership, and unravel the p...
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