Chaos
Architecture
Limited-time offer: Get an extra three months of free V-Ray with an annual license. Buy now and save

Industry solutions

Explore our ecosystem

Products

Media & Entertainment

Industry solutions

Explore our ecosystem

Products

Product & E-Commerce

Industry solutions

Explore our ecosystem

Products

Education & CommunityHelp

Chaos Help Center


What are you looking for?

podcast banner

Bilali Mack — Visual Effects Supervisor, Alkemy X

Bilali Mack has always wanted to tell stories. Originally hailing from West Africa, Bilali was at Emerson College in Boston when he realized it was easier to make movies with computers instead of cameras. After graduating, he worked on Coca-Cola and BMW commercials, where he developed an affinity for Flame, Autodesk’s VFX and finishing software.

Today, Bilali is taking his experience to the next level as a VFX supervisor on feature films and TV series, including Let Him Go and Power Book II: Ghost. In this insightful and animated discussion, Bilali talks about the pros and cons of working with Flame, the creative differences between VFX for commercials and features, and how he directs smoke and blood to enhance the narrative. This podcast is a perfect upbeat start to 2021.


Links:

Bilali Mack’s official site >

Bilali Mack’s work website >

Bilali Mack on IMDb >

Bilali Mack (@bilalimack) on Twitter >

Legends of Visual Effects podcast on apple >

Legends of Visual Effects podcast everywhere else >


Chapters:

4:25 Mack’s backstory: From West Africa to Windsor, Connecticut

12:47 Switching from commercials to episodic work

20:47 The magic of Flame

27:50 When Flame artists become VFX supervisors

33:11 The differences between commercials and episodic work

40:33 How limitations can be a good thing

44:05 Using visual effects to tell a story

49:57 Building relationships with directors and clients

57:06 Bilali’s directorial aspirations

1:03:10 Bilali’s podcast and documentary


IMG_h96auu.jpg
About the author

Christopher Nichols

Chris is a CG industry veteran and Director of Chaos Labs. He can also be heard regularly as the host of the CG Garage podcast which attracts 20,000 weekly listeners. With a background in both VFX and Design, Chris has worked for Gensler, Digital Domain, Imageworks and Method Studios. His credits include Maleficent, Oblivion and Tron: Legacy.

Originally published: January 4, 2021.
© Škoda Design

Subscribe to our blog.

Get the latest news, artist spotlight stories, tips and tricks delivered to your inbox.

By submitting your information you are agreeing to receive marketing messages from Chaos. You can opt-out at any time. Privacy Policy.

Chaos
© 2024 Chaos Software EOOD. All Rights reserved. Chaos®, V-Ray® and Phoenix FD® are registered trademarks of Chaos Software EOOD in Bulgaria and/or other countries.