Jasmine Derry on Bringing ‘Elio’ to Life Through Innovation and Representation

June 4, 2025June 5, 2025 Michael Lee

For Pixar’s Elio, artist Jasmine Derry stepped into uncharted creative territory through the studio’s unconventional “College Project” approach — a departure from the traditional animation pipeline. As a Simulation Technical Director, Derry worked on bringing Elio’s cape to life, blending physics and emotion to elevate the character’s performance.

Art, Marvel, Streaming1 Comment

The Problem with ‘Secret Invasion’ Using an A.I.-Generated Title Sequence

June 27, 2023June 27, 2023 Jamie

Welp, the flood gates are open. With Marvel Studios embracing AI art, it’s only a matter of time before we see just a flood of this stuff in all sorts of production. What’s really baffling to me is why they decided to go this direction since AI art is not protected by copyright.

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ VFX Artists on Creating Realistic Water in a CG World

December 19, 2022December 20, 2022 Michael Lee

When Avatar first came out in 2009, it used cutting-edge VFX technology to bring the jungle world of Pandora to life. The alien flora and fauna and the indigenous 10-foot-tall blue-skinned Na’vi looked so real. Even more so when watching it in 3D. More than a decade later, director James Cameron gives audiences a reason to revisit Pandora with the highly anticipated sequel Avatar: The Way of Water. The sequel explores new territories and utilizes newer natural elements like water. The latter of which has never been done before.

Star Wars, Streaming

Lucasfilm Announces New Behind the Scenes Specials Coming to Disney+

May 4, 2022May 31, 2022 Mike Manalo

Happy Star Wars Day, nerds! In celebration of this very religious holiday LucasFilm has officially announced two new behind-the-scenes specials coming to Disney+.

Animation, Movies

Pixar’s Approach to Making ‘Lightyear’ a Sci-Fi Epic

April 21, 2022April 19, 2022 Michael Lee

Pixar may be known for its originals, but the animation studio has also produced a few sequels and prequels for its unforgettable films. While the Toy Story films may have given us a glimpse at Woody’s history, Lightyear serves as the definitive origins story for the brave space ranger that we all know and love. But rather than follow the character as a toy, the spinoff is presented to us as one of Andy’s favorite Sci-Fi films. As such, director Angus MacLane assembled a group of talented artists to achieve that cinematic look and feel that one gets when watching a Sci-Fi movie like Star Wars and Aliens.

Streaming, Television

Second Season of ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Snags Four Emmy Nominations

July 14, 2021July 14, 2021 Jamal Michel

Despite my exhaustive efforts, The Umbrella Academy has not yet returned my calls, emails, tweets, OR messages to join them as a mediocre writer with the ability to comma splice my enemies to death. For what it’s worth, I don’t think they’ll need much help next season considering the four Emmy nods they just received for their immaculate work in season two.