Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast

ILM Art Director Amy Beth Christenson (Transformers One, Star Wars Rebels) discusses the complexities and pure joy of working with established Star Wars and Transformers characters while introducing new elements for today’s audiences. Amy shares stories of adapting her portfolio to catch the attention of recruiters and highlights from her 25 years with Lucasfilm and ILM.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:06] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:18:51] Rejection Letters

[00:30:10] Shaping Characters for Tomorrow 

[00:49:59] The Martini

[00:58:19] Outro

Episode Links 

• Amy Beth Christenson - IMDb
• Transformers One (2024) - IMDb
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
• Star Wars: Resistance (TV Series 2018–2020) - IMDb
• Joseph Christian Leyendecker | Artnet

The Martini

Todd - Apple Mac Mini

Amy - BrickLink

Studio Download [BrickLink]

Jenny - Tobin's Spirit Guide by Magnoli Props

Rob - Music by John Williams (2024) - IMDb

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/010-shaping-characters-for-tomorrow-with-amy-beth-christenson/

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Rob, Todd and Jenny share their own rejection letters and answer some lingering questions from the mailbag. Todd corrects another VFX myth in Misinformation Corner. The team shares their favorite things from the year as we say farewell to 2024 in this bonus episode of Lighter Darker!

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:19] Mailbag

[00:07:41] Misinformation Corner

[00:22:30] Rejection Letters

[00:48:33] The Martini

[00:54:15] Outro

Episode Links 

• Skeleton Crew (TV Series 2024– ) - IMDb
• Director Jake Schreier on the set of Skeleton Crew
• Cadrage Director's Viewfinder
• The Mandalorian (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - IMDb
• Charmaine Chan - IMDb
• Right Up Our Alley - FPV Drone Fly Through
• FXRant: "Skeleton Crew", Neel and Misinformation
• One Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Character Is A Stunning Blend Of Incredible Visual Effects - SlashFilm

The Martini

Todd - 2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When - NASA Science

Jenny - Podcast Episodes Archive | Industrial Light & Magic

Rob - EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator

Follow Us

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/009-bonus-episode-2024-wrap/

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Join legendary cinematographer Dean Cundey (Apollo 13, The Mandalorian) on our final episode of 2024. From his early days collaborating with John Carpenter on horror classics like Halloween and The Thing to groundbreaking work on Jurassic Park and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Cundey has shaped the visual landscape of cinema. Dean Cundey shares behind-the-scenes stories from the set and personal experiences breaking into the industry.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:00] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:14:27] Rejection Letters

[00:31:58] Making Magic On the Screen 

[00:50:15] The Martini

[00:55:27] Outro

Episode Links 

• Dean Cundey - IMDb
• Roger Corman
• Howard Anderson Optical Printer - ILM San Francisco Studio
• Back to the Future Part 2 (5/12) Movie CLIP - The Future McFlys (1989) HD
• The Parent Trap (1961) - IMDb
• The Parent Trap (1998) - IMDb
• Ken Ralston - IMDb
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) - IMDb

The Martini

Todd - Stitch Fix

Jenny - Midnight Mass (TV Mini Series 2021) - IMDb

Rob - Microsoft Flight Simulator

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript: https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-008-the-magic-of-film-with-dean-cundey/

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This week, we delve into the world building techniques behind two of the year's most anticipated films: Gladiator II and Wicked. VFX Producer Ed Randolph (Gladiator II) and VFX Supervisor Anthony Smith (Wicked) give us behind-the-scenes stories of building these worlds and share insights into some of their favorite shots from their impressive careers.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:10] Intro

[00:03:07] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:17:42] One Final and One CBB

[00:28:15] Worldbuilding in WIcked and Gladiator II

[00:49:13] The Martini

[00:58:30] Outro

Episode Links 

• Wicked (2024) - IMDb
• Gladiator II (2024) - IMDb
• Edward Randolph - IMDb
• Anthony Smith - IMDb
• Color Decision List Explained - Lowepost
• Ready Player One (2018) - IMDb
• Spectre (2015) - IMDb
• Gravity (2013) - IMDb
• Sherlock Holmes (2009) - IMDb

The Martini 

Todd - The Wild Robot (2024) - IMDb

Robot Dreams (2023) - IMDb

Ed - Wicked: Tiny Desk Concert

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024) - IMDb

Anthony - Old Masters Academy

Jenny - A Smoky Mountain Christmas (TV Movie 1986) - IMDb

 A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986 TV Movie, 2022 HD Circle TV Broadcast Edit)

Rob - Clarkson's Farm (TV Series 2021– ) - IMDb

Follow Us

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-007-worldbuilding-in-wicked-and-gladiator-ii/

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Director Shannon Tindle (Kubo and the Two Strings, Lost Ollie) and VFX supervisor Hayden Jones join us to discuss the role of empathy in animation. We talk about Tindle’s latest film, Ultraman: Rising as well as the importance of collaboration and infusing personal experiences into characters and storytelling.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:03:20] Rejection Letters

[00:11:25] Deleted Dreams

[00:17:46] Empathy in Animation

[00:45:52] The Martini

[00:50:33] Outro

Episode Links 

• Shannon Tindle - IMDb
• Hayden Jones - IMDb
• Ultraman: Rising (2024) - IMDb
• THE HUMAN TARGET #1 | DC
• Lost Ollie (TV Mini Series 2022) - IMDb

The Martini

Shannon - Hollow Kingdom #1 - Kira Jane Buxton

Hayden - Thames & Hudson USA - Book - Anime Architecture: Imagined Worlds and Endless Megacities

Jenny - Luigi's Mansion 2 - HD

Rob -  Welcome to Wrexham (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb

Follow Us

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-006-ultraman-rising-with-shannon-tindle-and-hayden-jones/

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For this special Halloween Edition, we flash back to Ghostbusters II with VFX legend Bill George who shares stories from the model shop. We talk with Bill about the evolution of visual effects over his 40-year career.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:03:45] Questions from the mailbag

[00:16:20] Lighter Darker - origin of the name

[00:19:10] Rejection letters

[00:22:28] Ghostbusters II and the evolution of the artist toolbox

[00:44:51] The Martini

[00:52:19] Outro

Episode Links 

• Bill George - IMDb
• Artist Benton Jew Shares ILM Memories and the Story Behind Lighter Darker
• Innerspace (1987) - IMDb
• Ghostbusters II (1989) - IMDb
• METHOCEL™ Water-Soluble Cellulose Ethers, IFF - ChemPoint.

The Martini

Todd -Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) - IMDb

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) - IMDb 

Bill - Sasquatch Sunset (2024) - IMDb Paramount + / rent on Amazon Prime

Jenny - Halloween: Origins, Meaning & Traditions | HISTORY

Jenny's Slimer Halloween Costume by Adam J. Ely on IG

Rob -  Scriptnotes

Follow Us

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-005-ghostbusters-2-with-bill-george/

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Director Lee Isaac Chung (Minari, Twisters) and executive producer Ashley Jay Sandberg (Twisters, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart) discuss working together to balance science and storytelling with their latest film, Twisters. They share stories from the set, including real-life challenges from Mother Nature. The filmmakers and the Lighter Darker hosts chat about films that inspired them to choose their career paths and some roadblocks they faced along the way.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:12] Questions from the mailbag

[00:10:42] Rejection letters

[00:19:44] Film foundations

[00:28:20] The quiet power of nature

[00:45:30] Final question

[00:48:24] The martini

[00:53:50] Outro

Episode Links 

• Ashley Jay Sandberg - IMDb
• Lee Isaac Chung - IMDb
• Twisters
• The Abyss (1989) - IMDb
• Back to the Future (1985) - IMDb
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - IMDb
• Kar-Wai Wong - IMDb
• The Wizard of Oz (1939) - IMDb
• Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - IMDb
• Phil Tippett on the set of The Empire Strikes Back
• Ben Snow - IMDb
• ILM VFX Supervisor Ben Snow on the set of Twisters
• Florian Witzel - IMDb

The Martini

Rob - The Greatest Night in Pop (2024) - IMDb

Todd - Schlage Encode Plus™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt | Wifi smart lock

Jenny - Norsepaints (@norsepaints) • Instagram 

Isaac - StarTalk Radio

Ashley BEATER BOARDS – Catch Surf USA

Follow Us

ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn 

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript: https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/s1e004-twisters-with-lee-isaac-chung-and-ashley-jay-sandberg/

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Episode Summary

Beth D'Amato, ILM digital paint supervisor, joins Todd and Rob to discuss their favorite camera moves, compositions, and notable oner’s. Beth shares how she got her start in VFX and we learn that sometimes, "We will keep your resume on file" is a good thing! The ILM pros answer questions about basic VFX terminology, and we bust an internet myth.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:50] Questions from the mailbag

[00:11:07] Rejection letters

[00:16:20] Misinformation corner

[00:21:20] Camera and composition 

[00:43:19] The Martini

[00:49:32] Outro

Episode Links 

• Beth D'Amato - IMDb
• @star_wars_battlegrounds) • Instagram
• Maya Houdini
• Raiders of the Lost Ark Clip
• THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) "Joker Blows Up Hospital" Clip
• Booksmart (2019) - IMDb
• "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - Floorplan Animatic
• Taxi Driver - phone call scene
• Client Camera Movement Guide (Reddit)
• Camera Movement Terminology

The Martini

• Todd recommends his favorite black and white films. The Third Man (1949) and Ripley (TV Mini Series 2024)
• Beth is learning all the behind-the-scenes stories from The West Wing with the new book, What's Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service
• Jenny is flexing her internet sleuthing skills with Unsolved Mysteries Volume Four
• Rob suggests Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself (2020) for a delightful exploration of the illusory nature of identity. 

Follow us

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Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript: https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/s1e3-camera-and-composition/

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Episode Summary

In this episode, the Lighter Darker team welcomes director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4, Transformers One) to talk about combining humor and heart in filmmaking as he does so well in his films. Josh shares the story of getting his dream shot at Pixar and how he almost had a very different job!

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:41] Questions from the mailbag

[00:04:46] What is virtual production?

[00:13:00] Rejection letters

[00:17:05] Humor and heart in animation

[00:33:15] The Martini

[00:39:21] Outro

Episode Links 

• Josh Cooley - IMDb
• Joe Ranft - IMDb
• Toy Story 4 (2019) - IMDb
• Transformers One (2024) - IMDb
• Nathan Camp - Mocap

The Martini

Rob (and the rest of the internet) is obsessed with the Star Tours StarSpeeder Play Set

2005 Star Tours - Original - Disneyland Anaheim

Jenny scrambled to come up with something last minute because Rob stole her martini (see above). She is reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë | Goodreads and obsessing over the Oxford comma debate. What Is the Oxford Comma (or Serial Comma)? | Grammarly. Yes, she is boring.

Josh is staying true to the current Transformers hype by adopting a Flagship Optimus Prime from Robosen.

Featured Music

The Lighter Darker theme was created by Khatsho Orfali. This episode features music by Ben Charles aka chromasy.

Follow ILM

ilm.com | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn

Follow our team

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Todd Vaziri

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Questions

Email us at [email protected]

Transcript 

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/s1e2-transformers-one-with-josh-cooley/

Share this episode

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Welcome to Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast hosted by ILM Chief Creative Officer, Rob Bredow, ILM Compositing Supervisor, Todd Vaziri, and Producer Jenny Ely who talk about the creative process of filmmaking and the art of visual storytelling.

In our premiere episode Rob and Todd share thoughts on beautiful final shots from films they've personally worked on, along with a few "could-be-better" or CBB moments they didn't want to let go. Todd unpacks the compositing from a famous shot in Star Trek Into Darkness and Rob shares how the production teams on the set of Solo: A Star Wars Story worked together to compose a memorable journey through the Kessel Run on screen for the first time.

On the main topic of Dailies Culture Rob and Todd dive into the details, offering up tips on making review sessions with your team more productive, painless, and even enjoyable.

CHAPTER MARKERS 

• [0:00:00] Intro 
• [00:01:37] Introduction to One Final, One CBB 
• [00:02:45] Todd’s Final & CBB from Star Trek Into Darkness 
• [00:09:06] Rob’s Final & CBB from Solo: A Star Wars Story 
• [00:19:04] Dailies Culture
• [00:34:00] The Martini
• [00:41:57] Outro

EPISODE LINKS

Lighter Darker Episode 1: The Premiere

One Final & One CBB

Todd:

• Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - IMDb
• ILM: Behind the Magic of Visual Effects in Star Trek Into Darkness

Rob:

• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) - IMDb
• ILM: Behind the Magic of the Speeder Chase in Solo: A Star Wars Story
• Brett Northcutt concept artist at ILM on Instagram

The Martini

Todd:

• Alien (1979) - IMDb
• Run Lola Run (1998) - IMDb
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - IMDb
• Casablanca (1942) - IMDb
• Rear Window (1954) - IMDb

Rob:

• Jurassic Park (1993) - IMDb
• Rob is embracing the delightful world of avian espionage with Bird Buddy.

Jenny:

• The Abyss (1989) - IMDb
• Jenny found one organization app to rule them all with Todoist.

Questions? Submit a question or a topic for discussion on the show [email protected].

Follow our team

• Rob Bredow on IG
• Todd Vaziri
• Jenny Ely on IG

Learn more about ILM at https://www.ilm.com/ and follow us on social media.

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Welcome to Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast where we focus on the creative process of filmmaking and the art of visual storytelling. Hosted by ILM Chief Creative Officer, Rob Bredow and Todd Vaziri, ILM Compositing Supervisor, we tell stories from behind the scenes to illustrate the many crafts that come together to create a motion picture, TV Series, or special venue project.

Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring filmmaker, or a fan of immersive experiences, Lighter Darker provides valuable insights, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the artists behind the projects we take on at ILM in the visual effects, animation, and immersive entertainment spaces. Tune in to Lighter Darker and embark on a journey through the creative and technical realms of cinema & immersive entertainment, where every shadow reveals a story, and every beam of light unveils a new perspective.

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