Daniel Thron, Erick Schiele, and James Blevins join Chris to discuss their work on the short film Ray Tracing FTW. Directed by Daniel, the film pushed the boundaries of virtual production, and Erick’s production design had to work both digitally and practically, ensuring consistency across virtual environments and physical sets. James, with his expertise in virtual production, shares how they overcame technical challenges using real-time ray tracing to handle complex scenes. Each of them wore many hats on the project—including cowboy hats—since they were all actors in the short as well.

The conversation explores how new tools like Project Arena allowed the team to streamline production, balancing innovation with practicality. They talk about how careful pre-production, from storyboarding to previewing assets, helped maintain visual fidelity while keeping the project within budget. By merging creativity with cutting-edge technology, Daniel, Erick, and James highlight how virtual production is reshaping filmmaking, particularly for projects requiring a blend of digital and physical workflows.

Jared Sandrew, a 3D supervisor at Disney and visual effects veteran, joins the podcast to discuss his career journey, from growing up around the pioneering technology of digital colorization to becoming a key figure in stereoscopic 3D conversion for blockbuster films. Jared shares fascinating stories about his time at Legend 3D, where he worked on major projects like Alice in Wonderland and Shrek, and how he helped build the stereo pipeline that revolutionized the industry. His passion for storytelling, visual effects, and the future of technology shines through as he reflects on how the field has evolved.

The conversation also touches on cutting-edge developments in AI and machine learning, which Jared has been exploring as a way to enhance visual effects and stereoscopic workflows. He explains how new tools are making the process more efficient and consistent, while still allowing for creative input from filmmakers. Jared and Chris also discuss the future of virtual production and real-time rendering, including the impact of LED walls and new ways to streamline content creation for films and beyond.

Line producers Debbie Kennard and Ron Eli Cohen discuss their work on the short film Ray Tracing FTW and offer an insider’s perspective on the art of film production. Debbie shares her story, from her beginnings as John Carpenter’s PA on The Thing to becoming a trusted line producer in Hollywood, while Ron talks about transitioning from acting to producing, with credits like The Dark Knight Rises. Together, they break down the vital role of a line producer and provide insight into the world of budgeting, crew management, and creative problem-solving in the film industry.

The episode also dives into the technology behind Ray Tracing FTW, exploring how the team utilized virtual production techniques, including LED walls and complex set construction, to craft a visually striking film on a tight budget. Debbie and Ron emphasize the significance of meticulous prep work, strong crew collaboration, and maintaining a balance between creativity and practicality. Through their experiences, listeners gain a better understanding of how a line producer navigates the challenges of modern filmmaking while keeping the vision of the story front and center.