Speakeasy

The profession of Weapon Artist with Ryan Lastimosa:  Devoted SpeakEasy E14

The gaming industry is one of the most exciting and competitive fields to work in. Designing and developing games that capture the attention of millions of players around the world takes a team of creative and dedicated individuals. To succeed in this ever-evolving industry, you must have an edge, and who better to give us some insight into this than Ryan Lastimosa?

Ryan Lastimosa is an exceptional figure in the gaming industry, whose expertise and creativity have led to the creation of some of the most iconic weapons in the world of gaming. With an illustrious career spanning several years, Ryan has collaborated with industry giants such as Respawn Entertainment and Infinity Ward to produce outstanding games. For instance, he played a pivotal role in the development of Titanfall 2, where he provided team leadership and contributed to 3D modeling and concept art. He also streamlined the 3D art pipeline for weapons, characters, and vehicles, resulting in the game’s impressive visuals. Furthermore, Ryan directed a team of lead artists specializing in Hard Surface and Character Art for Apex Legends and provided hard surface artwork for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Throughout his 17-year tenure in the gaming industry, Ryan has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of weapon design to create the best models possible. His attention to detail and wealth of experience has earned him a reputation as a true inspiration to fellow gaming enthusiasts.

If you’re a gaming enthusiast looking to build a successful career in the industry, you won’t want to miss this exclusive interview with Ryan Lastimosa. In this discussion, Ryan shares invaluable advice on what it takes to build a dream career in the gaming industry. From building weapon art teams in shooter games to creating functional and visually appealing weapon designs, Ryan offers insights on how to master the skills necessary to succeed as a weapon artist. He also discusses the importance of tactile referencing and his experience creating a new archetype of a weapon for Titanfall. Additionally, Ryan shares tips on how to get hired to his team and potential ways of collaboration between films and video games. Tune in to learn how to become a better artist or game developer and create your own success story in the gaming industry!

Watch the episode at the link:

Timecodes for your quick navigation:

0:00 — Intro

0:34 — Meet Ryan Lastimosa — guest’s introduction

1:07 — Building Weapon Art Teams in shooter games

5:38 — Functional design vs Cool-looking design: what works best for weapons creation

9:04 — How to become a weapon artist and how to master the skills

11:23 — What tactile referencing is

13:47 — Creating a new archetype of a weapon for Titanfall

15:45 — How to get hired to Ryan’s team

19:38 — Potential ways of collaboration between films and video games

25:55 — Ways to become a better artist or game developer

Welcome to an extraordinary episode where we dive deep into the captivating world of animation. Join us as we embark on an exhilarating journey filled with insights, revelations, and the secrets of success in this ever-evolving industry. In this episode, we are thrilled to have a distinguished guest, Harvey Newman, a renowned figure in the animation industry. With his vast experience and remarkable achievements, Harvey is here to share invaluable knowledge and shed light on the future prospects, challenges, and common mistakes made by animators. 

Meet Our Guest

Harvey Newman is a highly respected and accomplished figure in the animation industry, and we are honored to have him as our special guest in this episode. With his extensive experience and expertise, Harvey has left an indelible mark on the field of animation. As a distinguished BAFTA Board Member, YouTube blogger, and former Animation Director at Build a Rocket Boy, he has contributed to groundbreaking projects and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. 

The Topics We Discussed in the Episode

In this episode, we will also delve into the fascinating world of gaming animation and its promising future prospects. As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, gaming animation has reached new heights, immersing players in rich and lifelike virtual worlds. Join us as we gain valuable insights from Harvey Newman, and uncover the secrets to success in this ever-evolving field. 

Don’t miss out on this enlightening opportunity to stay at the forefront of the gaming animation industry!

Timecodes or your navigation:

( 00:00 ) – Episode teaser
( 00:44 ) – Guest Introduction – Harvey Newman
( 01:52 ) – The future of animation with AI
( 04:10 ) – AI Tools to simplify the research process for animators
( 06:21 ) – Keyframe VS Mockup – which will be disrupted first?
( 09:06 ) – Metahuman animation in UE5
( 11:09 ) – Main challenges for animators now and in the nearest future
( 12:09 ) – How to make original showreels
( 16:33 ) – Challenges of AAA production
( 19:21 ) – Setting up an animation department
( 21:54 ) – How to build cooperation between departments?
( 25:19 ) – How to establish a brief standard for animators?
( 26:40 ) – How to set your boundaries?
( 27:46 ) – Cooperation within the animation department
( 30:30 ) – The most common mistakes of animators
( 32:25 ) – How to stay inspired while cleaning up mock-ups
( 37:30 ) – Outro

Have you ever wondered how the epic battle scenes in your favourite blockbuster movies were created?

The answer might surprise you. Some of the biggest Hollywood movies today are being produced using Virtual Production technology.

Virtual Production is a cutting-edge technology that uses game engines and real-time rendering to create movie scenes in a virtual environment. This technology has revolutionized the way movies are made, enabling filmmakers to create photorealistic environments, characters, and visual effects in real time.

In this episode, we’ll be discussing the incredible possibilities that Virtual Production offers filmmakers. We’ll be joined by a special guest, Noah Kadner, a renowned figure in the Virtual Production world.

Meet Our Guest

Noah Kadner is the founder and editor-in-chief of VirtualProducer.io, co-founder of The Virtual Company, and a senior writer for Epic Games, Apple, and American Cinematographer magazines. He is also the author of the Virtual Production Field Guide series for Epic Games and the host of the Virtual Production Podcast.

The Topics We Discussed in the Episode

During the episode, we’ll explore the skills required for artists who work with Virtual Production technology, including game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity. We’ll also discuss the demand for professionals in this field, which is growing rapidly as more and more filmmakers adopt this technology.

But Virtual Production isn’t just limited to the movie industry. It has the potential to transform many other industries, including architecture, automotive design, and even education. We’ll discuss the exciting possibilities of Virtual Production in these fields as well.

Finally, we’ll take a look at how to get involved in Virtual Production and start creating Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or an experienced filmmaker, this technology offers incredible opportunities for creativity and innovation.

So, tune in to this episode of our podcast to learn more about the exciting world of Virtual Production and its potential to revolutionize the way we create and experience media:

Timecodes for your convenient navigation:

( 00:00 ) – Intro
( 00:44 ) – Our guest – Noah Kadner
( 01:20 ) – VP: Combining movies and videogames
( 05:12 ) – How to start doing Virtual Production
( 09:41 ) – Virtual production process and stages
( 12:06 ) – VP Market Share
( 15:05 ) – How to get a job in Virtual Production?
( 16:19 ) – Industry difficulties and areas for improvement
( 18:44 ) – Evolving technologies
( 20:04 ) – AI for Virtual Production
( 23:04 ) – NeRF models in VP
( 24:30 ) – How VP can be used beyond the movie industry

Game Art Behind-the-Scenes: How Art Directors Estimate Artists’ Portfolios with Horia Dociu | Devoted SpeakEasy E11

This episode is an absolute must-watch for those who are looking for a job for exciting and huge projects. You will find out what happens to your portfolio after you send it out to prospective employer — how it is estimated by the studio and Art Director.

Together with Horia Dociu and Ninel Anderson we reviewed the portfolios of some amazing artists such as Kekai Kotaki, Levi Hopkins, Carlyn Lim, John Powell, and others. Have a look behind the scenes of the candidate review process and get some precious piece of advice how to improve your own profile.

Timecodes for your quick navigation:

( 00:00 ) — Intro
( 00:28 )  — Horia’s tips for designing a portfolio
( 2:23 )  — Kekai Kotaki’s art and portfolio analysis
( 7:30 )  — Kekai Kotaki’s personal artworks
( 9:53 )  — Levi Hopkins and his gorgeous environments
( 13:40 ) —  Carlyn Lim and her epic monsters
( 20:03 ) —  John Powell — a “Swiss knife” of the CGI industry
( 23:22 )  — David Heidhoff and his universal art skills
( 24:26 )  — Concept art pieces and illustrations of Naomi Baker
( 27:29 ) —  Putting your own touch to portfolio pieces
( 32:00 )  — Attention to details when designing your portfolio

Watch the full episode at the link. 

Art Director’s Tips for Creature Designing. SpeakEasy E10 with Horia Dociu

How to create realistic creatures that immediately grab the attention of your players? How does the color palette build the whole atmosphere in the scene? Why is the balanced approach to the idea-generation process so important? And what approach do we call balanced?

If any of these questions seem relevant to you, we know someone who has the answers. That is why we invited Horia Dociu to our Devoted Speakeasy podcast and had an informative and inspiring conversation. Horia’s advice is priceless, as his track record includes such projects as HALO, Ghost of Tsushima, inFAMOUS, and Guild Wars 2. 

Timecodes:

( 0:00 ) —  Intro
( 0:42 ) — Horia Dociu’s core principles in creating art
( 2:32 ) — Why monsters and creatures are game features
( 3:28 ) — How tone forms our game experience
( 4:49 ) — How to make creatures believable and understandable for the audience
( 6:16 ) — Why it’s essential to design functional models at first
( 7 :34 ) — All you have to know about theme ideation and creating mood boards
( 9:33 ) — An effective approach to design concepts
( 11:16 ) — How to make models tell stories
( 12:49 ) — How colors convey the mood in Last of Us, Fall Guys, and Mario Kart
( 15:26 ) — Stylization dilemma: keeping a balance between cartoony and photoreal styles
( 17:14 ) — How to nurture original ideas
( 20:29 ) — Creativity vs keeping deadlines: what is more important?
( 25:44 ) — How to achieve solidarity between different departments
( 29:04 ) — Ways of testing theories for artists

Watch the full episode at the link

How to Build A Career in Gamedev: Tips from an Art Director. SpeakEasy E09 with Horia Dociu

Is it the best time to become an artist now? What steps should you take today to become an Art Director at Pixar in the future? What does the artist’s lifestyle look like? And how to tolerate negative feedback? Find out with Horia Dociu, our beloved guest on the Devoted SpeakEasy podcast.

Horia Dociu is an Artist, Cinematic Director, and Art Director who worked with ArenaNet, Sucker Punch, Valve Software, and other industry-recognized studios. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a piece of advice from him. Besides, he has a very charismatic personality, so we can guarantee that you really enjoy this interview.

Timecodes:

( 0:00 ) — Intro
( 0:44 ) — Horia Dociu’s legacy
( 1:46 ) — Why it’s an excellent time to be an artist
( 3:57 ) — What portfolio should you have to be hired at the Call of Duty team
( 5:23 ) — What you should do to become a Pixar movie director in 20 years
( 7:27 ) — Changing your plan from “becoming famous” to “becoming great at”
( 8:55 ) — Is studying at college a must for artists?
( 11:27 ) — How to put goals according to the OKR system
( 14:20 ) — How to change your lifestyle to become a better artist
( 17:27 ) — A piece of advice from Milton Kahl, a legendary animator from Disney studio
( 18:41 ) — How to make use of feedback
( 22:30 ) — How to align your strong skills with your ambitions

Watch the full episode at the link

Fall Guys: Creating a Hit That Makes Millions – Alexander McKinney-Raphelt. SpeakEasy E08

Welcome to behind-the-scenes of Fall Guys! Together with Alexander McKinney-Raphelt, an Art Director at Epic Games you will discover all the secrets of one of the most profitable video games of the past decade. 

Ninel (Gryuner) Anderson invited Alexander to our SpeakEasy podcast and asked him about the idea generation and design processes in the Fall Guys creation; his management experience and requirements for artists; and the importance of video games in the modern world. Don’t miss this amazing interview.

Timecodes:

( 0:00 ) — Intro
( 0:52 ) — Meeting Alexander McKinney-Raphelt
( 3:23 ) — How the Fall Guys video game was created
( 9:20 ) — Who has designed Fall Guys — artists or game designers?
( 11:44 ) — About characters’ customization in Fall Guys
( 16:17 ) — How to motivate Fall Guys players
( 18:34 ) — About the teams that worked on Fall Guys customized characters
( 20:00 ) — How Fall Guys community suggested ideas
( 23:31 ) — Art manager and art director — what is the difference
( 26:04 ) — How to measure the creative side of artists
( 29:44 ) — Alexander’s requirements for artists
( 31:42 ) — Guest’’s managing experience in InnoGames
( 35:36 ) — How Alexander has built a rolling system in the game production
( 37:49 ) — Working on a game based on Star Wars
( 41:21 ) — The importance of video games for humanity

Watch the full episode at the link

Spellbreak: x2 in Size and 4 Platforms Simultaneous Release Amidst Pandemic. Devoted SpeakEasy E07 with Cardell Kerr

How to manage a team and release a game successfully during a pandemic? What are the secrets of Spellbreak success? How to empower the hiring process and create an effective team? What skills should you look for and develop among your team members?

Watch this interview with Cardell Kerr, the Executive Producer of Proletariat find out the answers to these and many more questions.  

Timecodes:

( 00:00 ) — Intro
( 00:54 ) — Transitioning Proletariat to x2 in size distributed team
( 03:50 ) — Using the system of emails with military precision
( 04:35 ) — Tips for organizing remote meetings efficiently: Google Meets, Discord, Slack tips
( 06:03 ) — Asking for feedback
( 08:40 ) — Ways to reduce stress and inspire team
( 10:27 ) — Scaling team through pandemic: the challenges and celebrations
( 13:14 ) — The trick to make hiring more efficient
( 14:36 ) — Key job skills to look for and develop with your team members
( 18:30 ) — Cardell’s way to train producers to address risks
( 22:45 ) — Understanding the ‘Why’ within a team
( 25:27 ) — Working with cross-functional teams
( 27:38 ) — Problems and challenges of fast team growth

Watch the full episode at the link

Character Customization That Sells with Tramell Isaac. Devoted Speakeasy E06 by Ninel Anderson

This episode’s guest is Tramell Isaac, the Vice President of Art at IllFonic, Art Director of the Fallout series, Planetside, Planetside 2, Predator: Hunting Ground, Duke Nukem Forever, and Lawbreakers. We promise that this interview is as impressive as Trammel’s track record!

Watch this episode to find out about how great projects start, how to make your content sellable, and why the players like customized assets so much. Improve your knowledge of the game art industry with Devoted SpeakEasy. 

Timecodes:

(00:00) — Intro
(0:58) — Game production steps from the very first day
(3:06) — Character customization tips and tricks
(4:02) — Building unique distinguish character factions
(7:31) — Creating valuable and sellable content
(9:03) — How to find out what your users want to buy
(13:17) — Involving community into building content
(15:26) — Budgeting character customization
(21:45) — Career choices and recommendations
(27:00) — What makes a great artist
(29:07) — DO’s and DON’T’s in becoming a Lead Artist
(33:42) — Lead artist: creating content VS management

Watch the full episode at the link

14 Things to Know to Raise VC Money in Gaming. Devoted Speakeasy E05 by Ninel Anderson 

This episode hosts amazing thinkers who analyze gaming trends and distribute venture capital among the products with high potential for success. In this podcast, you’ll meet Sam Englebardt and Richard Kim, Partners at Galaxy Interactive, as well as William Rhys Dekle, Partner at Strategic Alternatives.

Together with our amazing host Ninel (Gryuner) Anderson they discussed modern trends and game industry changes in the after-pandemic times, and shed some light on the decision-making process of how the projects are chosen to be invested in. Must-watch for game producers who want to raise VC money.

Timecodes:

( 00:00 ) — Intro
( 01:50 ) — 5 things investors are looking for in a pitch
( 03:53 ) — How do investors do their due diligence on content?
( 07:43 ) — The Pitch Process, and case studies from Galaxy’s portfolio
( 20:53 ) — Cold calling investors vs. warm intro?
( 22:42 ) — Is building a “Founder Brand” a necessity?
( 23:10 ) — How to research investors?
( 27:25 ) — Are consultants helpful in raising money?
( 29:17 ) — Supporting each other is key!
( 30:27 ) — What is the difference between a lead investor and a follower?
( 31:10 ) — How do you price your business?
( 36:05 ) — Do your math! Is VC actually a good solution for you? What other options do you have?
( 37:29 ) — Overall time, from starting pitching, to term sheet draft, to the final version. When would you actually receive the money in your account?
( 38:55 ) — What’s the usual time between the rounds? What should the founder be doing in between rounds?
( 42:52 ) — How has the process changed with the advent of the pandemic?

Watch the full episode at the link