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Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast — Film Interviews
Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast

Welcome to Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast, where we focus on the creative process of filmmaking and the art of visual storytelling. Co-hosted by Rob Bredow & Todd Vaziri, and produced by Jenny Ely, join us as we chat with top filmmakers, artists and innovators about their craft, careers, and the collaborative process of bringing stories to life.

Copyright: © Copyright 2024, The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

020 - Lens Flares Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

In the final episode of season one, Shannon Tindle and John Knoll return to Lighter Darker to discuss the much debated use of lens flares in film and animation. John talks about rejection and how to know when a project isn’t right for you. Our hosts and guests share some of their favorite lens flares and how to use the technique correctly (and incorrectly).

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:42] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:11:29] Rejection Letters

[00:17:47] Lens Flare Extravaganza

[00:53:39] The Martini

[01:00:28] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Todd: Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions, by Edward Zwick

John: Portrait Artist of the Year

Jenny: Batman Resurrection

Shannon:

Rob:

Apple Passwords

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/020-lens-flares-with-john-knoll-and-shannon-tindle/

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019 - Severance May 20, 2025

Show notes

Production designer Jeremy Hindle and VFX supervisor Eric Leven join us to discuss their work on Severance season two. We discuss merging practical designs with the often invisible digital effects to create the atmosphere and environments of the Lumon world.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:11] Intro

[00:01:55] Rejection Letters

[00:06:52] Severance

[00:52:52] The Martini

[01:00:43] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Todd - Detroiters (TV Series 2017–2018) - IMDb
The Studio (TV Series 2025– ) - IMDb

Jenny - Andor (TV Series 2022–2025) - IMDb

Eric - Swax Training Baseball

Rob - The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/019-severance/

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018 - ABBA Voyage May 06, 2025

Show notes

ILM creative director Ben Morris and producer Svana Gisla join us to discuss ABBA Voyage. We talk through details about the technology, collaboration with the band, and the legacy of this one-of-a-kind musical experience.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:31] Origin Stories

[00:08:57] ABBA Voyage

[00:51:40] The Martini

[00:58:39] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Todd - MacBook Air 13-inch and MacBook Air 15-inch - Apple

Ben - Severance (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb

Jenny - Paul Tremblay

Rob - Game Changer - Dropout

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/ep-18-abba-voyage/

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017 - Fifty Years of ILM Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Recorded with a live audience at Star Wars Celebration in Japan, join our Industrial Light & Magic panel as we commemorate a monumental milestone—50 years of groundbreaking visual effects artistry, production mastery, and technological innovation. In this panel, hear from longtime ILM veterans as they take you on a journey through the company's legendary

achievements.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:07] Starting at ILM

[00:24:05] Blending Techniques

[00:45:48] Future of VFX

[00:47:41] The Martini

[00:01:00] 0utro

ILM 50th Swag

ILM 50th T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, Tumbler

Episode Links

The Martini

Lynwen - Light & Magic Season 2 and ILM Announces New Book at Star Wars Celebration Japan

Janet - ILM 50th Anniversary Merch

Rob Coleman - The Director's Cut - A DGA Podcast

Rob Bredow - Tokyo DisneySea

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/017-fifty-years-of-ilm-panel/

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016 - Bryce Dallas Howard Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Bryce Dallas Howard joins us to talk about her experiences and processes as an actor and filmmaker. She also shares her thoughts on recent exciting news from the world of science! You won’t want to miss this one!

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:23] Questions from the Mailbag

[00:20:35] Storytelling and Innovation in Filmmaking

[00:41:02] Film Foundations

[00:47:19] Storytelling and Innovation part 2

[00:59:48] The Martini

[01:09:26] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Jenny - Merriam-Webster (@merriamwebster) · Springfield, MA

Rob - beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones

Bryce - Milan Art Institute

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/016-bryce-dallas-howard/

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Episode 16 Coming April 9th Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

We are delaying the release of Episode 16 by one day this week because we will be discussing an exciting topic from the world of science that won’t be publicly announced by our usual publishing time. We have a very special guest this week! Bryce Dallas Howard is joining us to talk about her experiences and processes as an actor and filmmaker. Check back tomorrow to download the episode, you won’t want to miss this one!

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015 - Immersive Innovation with Vicki Dobbs Beck Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

For over 30 years, Vicki Dobbs Beck has been at the forefront of innovative storytelling. This week, she shares her remarkable journey as a leader in this dynamic field, and reminisces about some of her favorite projects.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:11] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:08:52] Rejection Letters

[00:22:37] Immersive Innovation

[00:55:58] The Martini

[01:01:03] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Jenny - Soolla

Vicki - Runway Research | Introducing Act-One

Rob - FUJIFILM X100VI | Cameras | FUJIFILM X Series & GFX - USA

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript: https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/015-vicki-dobbs-beck/

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014 - Skeleton Crew with John Knoll Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:10:31] Skeleton Crew

[00:44:09] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:54:16] The Martini

[01:02:29] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Todd - Rear Window (1954) - IMDb Panic Room (2002) - IMDb

John - Tim's Vermeer (2013) - IMDb

Jenny - Father Brown - BBC One

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/014-skeleton-crew-with-john-knoll/

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013 - Virtual Production Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

This week, we’re exploring Virtual Production. Industry experts Shivani Jhaveri and Justin Talley share their insights on when this technology truly shines and, just as importantly, when it might not be the best fit for your project. They also offer tips and advice for working on set and share some of their favorite moments with filmmakers.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:12] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:16:42] Set Smarts

[00:27:23] Virtual Production

[00:57:04] The Martini

[01:05:22] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Todd - Movies & TV | Plex

Shivani - Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Jenny - The Roots of Chaos — Samantha Shannon

Justin - Artemis Pro - Pro Filmmaker Apps

Rob - Letterboxd

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

Transcript https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/013-virtual-production-with-shivani-jhaveri-justin-talley/

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012 - Wicked & Alien: Romulus Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

This week, we discuss the work behind two films nominated for Oscars in Best Visual Effects. From the whimsical world of Wicked and the acidic atmosphere of Alien: Romulus—Pablo Helman, David Shirk, and Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser share their insights and learnings in crafting the visual effects behind these blockbuster hits.

Chapter Markers

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:02:45] Questions From the Mailbag

[00:10:36] Alien: Romulus

[00:23:29] Wicked

[00:51:47] The Martini

[01:02:00] Outro

Episode Links

The Martini

Todd - The Straight Story (1999) - IMDb

Jenny - Movies | DC Comics | DC

Pablo - Pablo Helman Soundcloud McCartney's 4001 | TalkBass.com

David - Liberty Puzzles

Rob - The Classic Presets - Classic Film Presets 2021 for Lightroom

Follow Us

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

Rob Bredow.com or on Instagram

Jenny Ely on Instagram

Email us at lighterdarker@ilm.com

https://www.ilm.com/transcripts/012-wicked-alien-romulus/

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