ACCESS:VFX is a global, industry-led, non-profit comprised of 40 leading companies, industry bodies and educational establishments in the VFX, animation and games industries. It focuses on actively pursuing and encouraging inclusion, diversity, awareness and opportunity under its four pillars of Inspiration, Education, Mentoring and Recruitment. In this episode, we talk to the organization's founder Simon Devereux about how he’s working with the industry's leading figures to diversify the VFX industry.  

Virtual entertainment and interactive concert specialists Wave, gaming company Riot Games, and production studio The Mill explore the convergence of music, entertainment and gaming, which are increasingly combining to pave the next generation of immersive and interactive experiences. From virtual concerts and digital identity to branded experiences and everything in between, join a group of creative technology specialists as they delve into The Metaverse: where it came from, what it means and the opportunities that lie ahead. 

The gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing entertainment sectors globally, spurred by evolving technology, consumer appetite and an ongoing pandemic. Gaming experts discuss what is driving this growth and what trends we can look out for in 2022. 

Animation has historically been a male-dominated industry, and there are still significant disparities in gender representation of animators. The industry organization, Women in Animation, notes that although more than 60% of animation and art school students are women, only 20% of the creative jobs are held by women. However, at Mikros Animation, 40% of the leadership positions are held by women – an outlier in this industry. In this podcast, women at Mikros Animation talk about what drew them to the animation industry and what evolutions they see taking place (or not taking place). 

This episode explores the changing landscape of brand advertising. In this discussion, our guest will review the ever-evolving advertising business model from the perspective of the agencies, production companies to the brands themselves and address the question: what does the future of brand advertising look like? 

Streaming services have seen consumers and budgets grow exponentially through the years. And with that rise, the demand for engaging, high-concept, and high-quality visual effects has exploded.  

Hear from MPC on how they have adapted to this VFX streaming boom. They’ll explore the production workflows, pipelines, and technology needed for large-scale VFX.  They will share their thoughts on future trends for streaming, including an ever-increasing global talent shortage in response to the expanding demand.