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Dive deeper into the creative process of filmmaking. Explore the inspirations and challenges faced during production, and gain a richer understanding of some of the films selected for this year's festival.
These candid conversations not only shed light on the artistry and technical expertise that go into filmmaking but also provide a glimpse into the personal stories and motivations that drive these talented creators.
Director Jeff Lichtfuss has been working with Linkin Park for nearly two decades but when the band took a hiatus after the passing of lead singer Chester Bennington, Jeff didn’t expect to be hear from them again. And then the call came: not only were Linkin Park back but they had an idea for a music video and director Joe Hahn wanted to know if Jeff was interested in collaborating.
Jeff didn’t hesitate. He was ready for the challenge ahead and he and his team began work on what would become the music video for the band’s first single in nearly nearly a decade: The Emptiness Machine.
In this conversation, Jeff discusses the making of the video, from the original concept to how the team achieved the technically challenging project with the help of new technology and a dose of machine learning.
Image Credit: Linkin Park - The Emptiness Machine © 2024 cntrl.studio. All Rights Reserved.
SPEAKER
Jeff Lichtfuss
Co-Founder, Creative Director // cntrl.studio
With 19 years in the film industry, Jeff Lichtfuss is a seasoned post producer and VFX Supervisor specializing in dynamic content across media, including music videos, commercials, documentaries, feature films, and live performances. Currently freelancing, Jeff collaborates with studios such as 1stAveMachine on projects for major clients, including Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Nintendo, managing remote teams, engaging directly with clients, supervising VFX, and overseeing color and finishing processes.
Previously, Jeff was a senior producer at Ingenuity Studios, leading projects for top artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Billie Eilish, and for brands including Nike, Frito-Lay, and Toyota. As a co-founder of the boutique VFX studio Ghost Town Media, he directed and produced over 500 projects, also working hands-on as a compositor, animator, and VFX generalist.
Proficient in project management tools, VFX workflows, and software such as Adobe Suite and Blender, Jeff is dedicated to delivering client-focused solutions. Leveraging emerging technologies in AI, XR, and real-time tools, he continually enhances storytelling through innovation.
Website // Instagram // LinkedIn
MODERATOR
Marina Antunes
President // Spark CG Society
Marina has been writing and discussing film for over 15 years, first on a personal blog, followed by a decade-long tenure on the now retired Row Three. In 2008, she joined the writing staff at Quiet Earth, becoming Editor-In-Chief in 2014, a role she still holds. Over the years, she has also produced and hosted a number of podcasts including Before the Dawn, a long-running podcast on the Twilight franchise, Girls on Pop, a podcast on film and popular entertainment from women’s perspective and After the Credits, bi-monthly film podcast with nearly 300 episodes.
Marina is a member of ACM and ACM SIGGRAPH, the Online Film Critics Society, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and the Visual Effects Society. She is the President of Spark CG Society and the Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH chapter. She has also served on juries for several film festivals including DOXA, St. Louis International Film Festival, and the Whistler Film Festival. She joined the Spark CG Society in 2014.
Dive deeper into the creative process of filmmaking. Explore the inspirations and challenges faced during production, and gain a richer understanding of some of the films selected for this year's festival.
These candid conversations not only shed light on the artistry and technical expertise that go into filmmaking but also provide a glimpse into the personal stories and motivations that drive these talented creators.
Director Jeff Lichtfuss has been working with Linkin Park for nearly two decades but when the band took a hiatus after the passing of lead singer Chester Bennington, Jeff didn’t expect to be hear from them again. And then the call came: not only were Linkin Park back but they had an idea for a music video and director Joe Hahn wanted to know if Jeff was interested in collaborating.
Jeff didn’t hesitate. He was ready for the challenge ahead and he and his team began work on what would become the music video for the band’s first single in nearly nearly a decade: The Emptiness Machine.
In this conversation, Jeff discusses the making of the video, from the original concept to how the team achieved the technically challenging project with the help of new technology and a dose of machine learning.
Image Credit: Linkin Park - The Emptiness Machine © 2024 cntrl.studio. All Rights Reserved.
SPEAKER
Jeff Lichtfuss
Co-Founder, Creative Director // cntrl.studio
With 19 years in the film industry, Jeff Lichtfuss is a seasoned post producer and VFX Supervisor specializing in dynamic content across media, including music videos, commercials, documentaries, feature films, and live performances. Currently freelancing, Jeff collaborates with studios such as 1stAveMachine on projects for major clients, including Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Nintendo, managing remote teams, engaging directly with clients, supervising VFX, and overseeing color and finishing processes.
Previously, Jeff was a senior producer at Ingenuity Studios, leading projects for top artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Billie Eilish, and for brands including Nike, Frito-Lay, and Toyota. As a co-founder of the boutique VFX studio Ghost Town Media, he directed and produced over 500 projects, also working hands-on as a compositor, animator, and VFX generalist.
Proficient in project management tools, VFX workflows, and software such as Adobe Suite and Blender, Jeff is dedicated to delivering client-focused solutions. Leveraging emerging technologies in AI, XR, and real-time tools, he continually enhances storytelling through innovation.
Website // Instagram // LinkedIn
MODERATOR
Marina Antunes
President // Spark CG Society
Marina has been writing and discussing film for over 15 years, first on a personal blog, followed by a decade-long tenure on the now retired Row Three. In 2008, she joined the writing staff at Quiet Earth, becoming Editor-In-Chief in 2014, a role she still holds. Over the years, she has also produced and hosted a number of podcasts including Before the Dawn, a long-running podcast on the Twilight franchise, Girls on Pop, a podcast on film and popular entertainment from women’s perspective and After the Credits, bi-monthly film podcast with nearly 300 episodes.
Marina is a member of ACM and ACM SIGGRAPH, the Online Film Critics Society, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and the Visual Effects Society. She is the President of Spark CG Society and the Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH chapter. She has also served on juries for several film festivals including DOXA, St. Louis International Film Festival, and the Whistler Film Festival. She joined the Spark CG Society in 2014.
