Rephonic
Artwork for CG Garage
Visual Effects
Virtual Production
VFX
Hollywood
CGI
AI In Filmmaking
AI In Visual Effects
Chaos Group
Digital Domain
Ray Tracing
AI Tools
AI In Film
Sinners
Artificial Intelligence
Animation
Filmmaking
Houdini
Film Production
VFX Industry
Computer Graphics

Since 2014, CG Garage has brought lively, informal conversations with Oscar-winning legends, visionary artists, and the innovators driving the industry's biggest technological leaps. From in-depth interviews to spirited roundtable discussions, hosts Chris Nichols and Daniel Thron explore the art, craft, and future of filmmaking. With Hollywood in the middle of a major revolution, we talk to the fi... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes574Founded12 years ago
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TV & FilmTechnology

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Artwork for CG Garage

Latest Episodes

Donna Smith was the first woman to serve as President of Physical Production and Post Production at a major Hollywood studio. Her years at Universal produced Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Apollo 13 and Casino. She arrived in Los Angeles with no fi... more

Ed Ulbrich thinks the world needs more slop. Flood the market with AI-generated content and work with real taste becomes impossible to miss, which is how he expects the next Fincher to break through. That take comes from someone who has called these ... more

Digger opened to $8 million on a nine-figure budget, and critics split almost exactly in half. Chris and Daniel think Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Tom Cruise made one of the best films of the year, and they spend this Moonshine Drive-In trying to work o... more

Most VFX supervisors trained on tentpoles have no idea how to make an independent film. Ed Douglas (VFX supervisor on Kane Parsons' Backrooms) and Peter Timberlake (VFX on Curry Barker's Obsession) have built careers doing exactly that, and they're b... more

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Recent Guests

Ed Ulbrich
Visual-effects executive and producer who led Digital Domain and worked in AI production
Episode: The Next Fincher Will Rise Above the Slop | Ed Ulbrich | 571
Edward Douglas
VFX supervisor on Kane Parsons' Backrooms
Queen Studio
Episode: The Next Nolan and Scorsese Are Coming Out of YouTube | Episode 569
Peter Timberlake
VFX supervisor on Curry Barker's Obsession
Episode: The Next Nolan and Scorsese Are Coming Out of YouTube | Episode 569
Jonathan Goldman
Unscripted/Documentary filmmaker and producer
Episode: I Called CAA to See If My Agent Still Worked There | Jonathan Goldman | Episode 568
James Blevins
VFX/film industry professional (guest chaired discussion)
Episode: A Record Summer, Yet Studios Still Can't Pick Winners | CG Garage #567
Brian Drewes
VFX supervisor, Zero VFX; involved with Somantix AI and Widows Bay
Zero VFX; Somantix AI
Episode: Widow's Bay's Invisible VFX: How a New England Team Fakes Nothing | Brian Drewes | Ep. 565
Richard Crudo
ASC member, longtime cinematographer and former ASC president
ASC
Episode: Easy Rider Is the Roadmap Hollywood Needs Right Now | Episode 563
Alana Newell
CEO of Crafty Apes
Crafty Apes
Episode: CEO of Crafty Apes Alana Newell on What Actually Motivates Artists | Episode 562
Todd Perry
VFX supervisor and industry guest
Freelance / VFX supervisor
Episode: Spider-Man's Record Weekend, the EU vs. AI Video, and the First Rule of Being a VFX Supervisor | Episode 561

Hosts

Chris Nichols
Host focused on interviewing guests about CGI, VFX, and industry trends; part of a long-running duo
Daniel Thron
Co-host bringing production insight and practical perspectives on filmmaking workflows

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 134 ratings
  • VFX generalists and specialists

    I love this podcast and all of your guests. Being a former VFX artist myself, maybe you could reach out to some others like Kevin Kutcher, Chris Zapara, Kevin VanHook and Mark Kochinski. Look them up they are incredible artists that I think would add to your wonderful show. Again thank you for keeping this show so informative and fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tony92376
    United States2 years ago
  • One of the best

    Wonderful! Really appreciate this podcast. Thank you for bringing it! And a great honor to prof. Krivanek. What a loss for the rendering world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bing-grapgics
    United States5 years ago
  • Great content

    Love the show!

    Just wish the host would let the guests finish their sentences instead of interrupting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mmeammel
    Australia6 years ago
  • 10/10

    Love it! Googled best VFX podcasts and came across this one, not disappointed 🤲🏾 keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    huoilyas
    United Kingdom6 years ago
  • 5 out of 5 rating

    Thank you Chris for the authenticity, consistency and enthusiasm with which you create the podcast. The CG garage shows talk from the Chaos Group artist network during a weekly podcast with some of the biggest namens in the graphics industry. I have a portrait drawing service and I am developing in eco build design, and V-Ray renders the most enjoyable result. 5 out of 5 rating.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Today 2D
    Netherlands6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show for its depth on VFX and practical effects, with many recommending more guests from the CG industry.
Episodes are described as informative and inspiring for CG professionals and hobbyists alike, though occasional pacing critiques are noted.
Fans appreciate the host's ability to elicit technical detail while keeping conversations engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#232
Spain/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#247
Mexico/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Next Fincher Will Rise Above the Slop | Ed Ulbrich | 571
Q: If someone went to Comic Con with an AI-generated pitch of Tron, would it get the same reaction that you got when you first pitch Tron Legacy there? Or do you think people would say, I don't like it?
Ulbrich says the reaction would depend on the context and that slick visuals alone are no longer enough to impress audiences. The original teaser helped investors understand the film's concept, while today audiences have seen so much spectacle that a pitch needs more than impressive imagery.
The Next Fincher Will Rise Above the Slop | Ed Ulbrich | 571
Q: What is the role of a visual effects artist? What is a new artist in the visual effects world? What's their role? What do they do?
Ulbrich says AI-native production companies face familiar business pressures, including difficulty selling projects, cash-flow shortages and limited experience pricing visual-effects work. He sees opportunity in independent filmmaking, lower-cost production and new ways to reach audiences, while the hosts emphasize that aspiring filmmakers can start by making and distributing work themselves.
The Next Nolan and Scorsese Are Coming Out of YouTube | Episode 569
Q: So, what does the studio of the future look like, and what does the visual effects artist of the future look like?
The guests foresee smaller, flexible and hybrid teams that choose tools and specialists to suit each production. They advise emerging artists to stay curious, develop taste, learn continuously and approach work as visual problem-solving rather than relying on a degree or a narrow job title.
The Next Nolan and Scorsese Are Coming Out of YouTube | Episode 569
Q: Where do you guys feel about this? In terms of how you guys, who are the actual practitioners of VFX people, how do you balance this concept of we're using AI? Do we say what we're using? Do we not say what we're using? Do we use it? Do we not use it? Where do we use it? Is there a line in the sand that you guys feel is there? How do you feel about this in general?
The guests distinguish generative systems that create images or films from machine-learning tools that speed up particular VFX tasks. They emphasize artistic collaboration, audience trust and the risk of automating entry-level jobs, while allowing that some tools may become useful within creative workflows.
Widow's Bay's Invisible VFX: How a New England Team Fakes Nothing | Brian Drewes | Ep. 565
Q: Can you explain Somantix AI and its role in AI governance for VFX?
Somantix AI is intended to provide governance and provenance for AI usage across creative workflows, enabling tracking of what AI was used, where it came from, and embedding policy and terms of service within delivered files to document responsible usage and facilitate accountability.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About CG Garage

What is CG Garage about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively, informal show focused on the art, craft, and evolving technology of filmmaking, with a strong emphasis on visual effects, practical effects, and the AI-driven tools shaping the industry. Conversations are built around deep-dive interviews with seasoned VFX supervisors, directors, and technologists, plus candid discussions about production challenges, budgeting, and distribution in modern cinema. Noteworthy is the consistent pairing of hands-on industry experience with forward-looking takes on AI, LED stages, and new workflows, making it valuable for professionals seeking practical insights, real-world production anecdotes, and a sense of where the industry is headed. The format tends to blend technical detail with personable story... more

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Which podcasts are similar to CG Garage?

These podcasts share a similar audience with CG Garage:

1. fxguide: fxpodcast
2. befores & afters
3. fxguide: the vfx show
4. Scriptnotes Podcast
5. The Business

How many episodes of CG Garage are there?

CG Garage launched 12 years ago and published 574 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 CG Garage?

Recent guests on CG Garage include:

1. Ed Ulbrich
2. Edward Douglas
3. Peter Timberlake
4. Jonathan Goldman
5. James Blevins
6. Brian Drewes
7. Richard Crudo
8. Alana Newell

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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