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Artwork for befores & afters

befores & afters

Ian Failes
Visual Effects
Animation
Machine Learning
Virtual Production
Framestore
VFX
ILM
Houdini
Film Production
Industrial Light & Magic
Motion Capture
Gladiator
The Boys
Stop Motion Animation
Wētā FX
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Loki
Star Trek
The Last Starfighter
Digital Productions

The befores & afters VFX podcast from journalist Ian Failes, covering the latest in visual effects, animation and virtual production.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes269Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmTechnology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for befores & afters

Latest Episodes

Ian Failes from befores & afters chats to Pitch Black's Troy Tobin, now Head of REVIZE (Research and Innovation), about the expansion of the machine learning technology which started at Rising Sun Pictures.

Ian Failes from befores & afters chats to Nikola Todorovic, who co-founded Wonder Dynamics (an Autodesk Company), about the new 3D Editor + Canvas in Flow Studio.

Ian Failes from befores & afters chats to VFX coordinator Cameron Target, who most recently worked on 'Moana'.

Ian Failes from befores & afters chats to visual effects supervisor Betsy Paterson about the making of 'Stranger Things 5.'

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Cameron Target
VFX coordinator on Moana; former Brickyard and Bake Studios/VFX veteran
Moana project, Brickyard Visual Effects, Bake Studios, Red Bull Media House
Episode: Behind the role of a VFX coordinator
Betsy Paterson
Production visual effects supervisor
Wetter Effects (VFX supervisor on Stranger Things S5)
Episode: 'Stranger Things 5' visual effects supervisor Betsy Paterson on the show's landmark moments
Enrik Pavdeja
Visual effects supervisor for Apex
Apex (VFX)
Episode: All the surprising rock climbing and kayaking VFX challenges on 'Apex'
Graham Page
VFX Supervisor
Framestore
Episode: How those adorable sheep in 'The Sheep Detectives' were made
Tim Webber
Second Unit Director
Framestore
Episode: How those adorable sheep in 'The Sheep Detectives' were made
Todd Vaziri
VFX compositing supervisor, ILM
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
Episode: The VFX artist who changed my life
Dan Barrett
Senior animation supervisor at Wētā FX
Wētā FX
Episode: This Wētā FX animation roundtable was a total hoot
Stuart Adcock
Head of facial motion at Wētā FX
Wētā FX
Episode: This Wētā FX animation roundtable was a total hoot
Dave Clayton
Animation supervisor at Wētā FX
Wētā FX
Episode: This Wētā FX animation roundtable was a total hoot

Host

Ian Failes
Host of Befores & Afters, VFX journalist and interviewer.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings
  • Very helpful and interesting

    Love the podcast keep it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @theOrangedragon
    Canada2 years ago
  • Exceptional

    This has been one of the most informative podcasts I could find on filmmaking. I appreciate the deep dive into practical effects (miniatures, forced perspective, etc) as much as the VFX.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    In a Bubble World
    United States2 years ago
  • Fantastic insights

    Ian gives great insight to film and tv lovers in an approachable and conversational way. A great listen

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lamamamamama
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are often senior VFX professionals offering deep expertise and career insights.
Listeners praise clear, industry-focused discussions and practical detail.
The host keeps conversations approachable while diving into technical depth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#225
Taiwan/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'Stranger Things 5' visual effects supervisor Betsy Paterson on the show's landmark moments
Q: The rift and Upside Down visuals are notoriously complex. How did you approach those shots and ensure they stayed cohesive?
We balanced blue screen plates with real-world lighting, added atmospheric layers like fog, and used carefully planned CG vines and environmental elements to sell the continuity between live-action and the upside-down world.
'Stranger Things 5' visual effects supervisor Betsy Paterson on the show's landmark moments
Q: How was the sequence staged—were previews, stand-ins, or on-set scaffolding used to support the visuals?
We storyboarded and did previews, used stand-ins in gray suits with tennis balls to establish eyelines, and relied on multiple camera angles with practical and CG integration to line up the final composite.
'Stranger Things 5' visual effects supervisor Betsy Paterson on the show's landmark moments
Q: Let's jump into the chat now. Can you tell me a few of the challenges there in terms of shooting that opening scene and what needed to happen?
The opening sequence demanded careful planning and time to nail the Young Will/Demogorgon interactions, including casting a strong young actor, aligning performances with archival footage, and coordinating on-set elements with later CG augmentation to create a believable sequence.
The VFX artist who changed my life
Q: What was the experience of joining ILM like and how did the culture shape your work?
He describes ILM as collaborative and nurturing, with mentors and internal training, which fostered a learning environment and a shift from Hollywood myths about “black boxes” to a team-driven, problem-solving culture.
The VFX artist who changed my life
Q: How did you first get into visual effects and land your break at ILM?
Todd recounts starting with VFX on the side, building VFX HQ, cold-calling studios for interviews, and being invited by Van Ling to try Komotion; that two-week trial led to his big break and eventual move to ILM.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About befores & afters

What is befores & afters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on visual effects, animation, and virtual production, with in-depth conversations about practical effects, on-set workflows, and the evolving tools that shape large-scale productions. Guests range from VFX supervisors and producers to software designers and industry historians, offering both technical detail and career guidance. Across episodes, the discussions highlight the balance between on-set pragmatism and digital augmentation, collaboration across studios, and the rapid pace of technology shifts in the industry. This series is likely to appeal to professionals seeking actionable insights into VFX pipelines, as well as fans curious about how iconic moments are built, shot, and finished. A notable strength is the ongoi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to befores & afters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with befores & afters:

1. fxguide: fxpodcast
2. fxguide: the vfx show
3. CG Garage
4. Team Deakins
5. Uncanny Valley | WIRED

How many episodes of befores & afters are there?

befores & afters launched 4 years ago and published 269 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on befores & afters?

Recent guests on befores & afters include:

1. Cameron Target
2. Betsy Paterson
3. Enrik Pavdeja
4. Graham Page
5. Tim Webber
6. Todd Vaziri
7. Dan Barrett
8. Stuart Adcock

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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