45 Years of VFX: The Evolution of Movie Magic | Craig Caton | TVFXP #59

The VFX Process Podcast #59 | Craig Caton, VFX artist and NYFA Chair, reflects on 45 years in the VFX industry, from puppeteering iconic creatures in Jurassic Park to pioneering CGI, shaping Hollywood’s visual effects.
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In this episode, Jamie sits down with Craig Caton-Largent, VFX artist and Chair of 3D Animation & VFX at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) Los Angeles, to discuss his incredible 45-year career in the VFX industry. Born in Portland, Oregon, Craig has contributed to over 100 films and collaborated with legendary directors like Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron. His journey began with creating animatronics and puppets for Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, and other iconic blockbusters, working alongside industry icons like Stan Winston.

Craig is most famous for bringing some of the most iconic creatures in Hollywood film history to life, including the Slimer ghosts in Ghostbusters (1984), the penguins in Batman Returns (1992), the raptors in Jurassic Park (1993), and the beloved E.T. puppet, which he cared for from 1994 until its retirement in 2010.

As CGI began to revolutionise the industry, Craig thought his career might be over, but instead, he embraced the change. Thanks to his strong relationships with Stan Winston and James Cameron, Craig became the first employee at Digital Domain, the pioneering CGI studio. He co-founded the company and helped create one of the earliest performance capture stages. Later, Craig worked for Disney and DreamWorks, developing digital animation and character rigging systems.

In this interview, Craig shares his experiences working on groundbreaking films, his thoughts on the rise of AI in VFX, and the creative process behind some of the most memorable characters in cinema.

🔥 Topics Covered:
➡️ Craig’s transition from practical effects to CGI
➡️ Behind-the-scenes stories from Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, and Terminator 2
➡️ The founding of Digital Domain and his role in its success
➡️ How AI is changing the VFX industry
➡️ Craig's impact on VFX education and his work at NYFA

Tune in for a fascinating conversation with a true VFX legend and a deep dive into the evolution of visual effects in Hollywood! 🎥💥
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⏰TIMECODES⏰
00:00 - INTRO TO CRAIG
02:30 - JOINING THE VFX INDUSTRY 45 YEARS AGO
06:28 - GHOSTBUSTERS: THE SLIMER INCIDENT
08:11 - PUPPET REHERSALS & DISASTERS
10:18 - HOW ALIEN INSPIRED JURASSIC PARK
12:43 - WHEN CGI SHOOK THE INDUSTRY
19:45 - T2: WORKING WITH JAMES CAMERON
25:44 - CGI BEING ABUSED IN THE INDUSTRY
28:37 - HOW PRACTICAL EFFECTS HELPED CGI
30:34 - DEVELOPING THE 3D TOOLS WE STILL USE TODAY
34:52 - AI AND IT'S IMPACT ON THE VFX INDUSTRY
39:56 - ADVICE FOR ARTISTS
43:03 - HOW CRAIG'S CAREER ALMOST ENDED...
44:59 - QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY
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MUSIC: Motion Array - https://motionarray.com/
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This video is NOT sponsored. some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we will receive a small commission.
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