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Episode 432 – ReDefine – Executive VP Eric J. Robertson
Eric J. Robertson is the Executive Vice President of ReDefine, as well as a Producer, Cinematographer, Photographer and Entrepreneur.
As part of the DNEG Group, ReDefine leverages an incredible legacy of creative and technical innovation to cater to projects that benefit from their agile boutique approach. The studio designs solutions that are tailored to the requirements of each show and always delivers to the highest levels of quality. The list of their credits includes DUNE: PART II, BORDERLANDS, WACO: THE AFTERMATH, and so many more!
Prior to joining ReDefine, Eric co-founded a New York based VFX Studio Mr. X Gotham. Over the course of his career, he supervised and produced visual effects for over 50 feature films and worked with some of film’s most respected directors including Ron Howard, Jonathan Demme, Sam Mendes, Joel and Ethan Cohen, Jim Jarmusch and Charlie Kaufman.
With a career that spanned all genres, Eric enabled Sacha Baron Cohen’s General Alladeen to walk a tightrope above midtown New York in THE DICTATOR; he transformed Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s vision into a vast warehouse that enclosed the entire island of Manhattan in SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK and convinced moviegoers that they’re watching Richard Nixon’s confessions in real time in FROST / NIXON. Eric’s creations go from exhilarating and hilarious, to emotional and engaging, all with the visual effects integrated seamlessly with the storyteller’s vision.
Eric is also an accomplished photographer and cinematographer whose 20+ years of experience in production gives him a storyteller’s eye along with the technical skills that encompass all aspects of the filmmaking process, from script to screen. Eric was instrumental in expanding the V.E.S. into an NYC section and served as its first Secretary / Treasurer. He is a member of IATSE Local 600.
In this Podcast, Allan McKay interviews the Executive Vice President of ReDefine Eric J. Roberson about overcoming challenges and pushing the limits in visual effects; teaching filmmaking principles to the next generation of VFX Supervisors; the future of streaming content in 2024 post industry strikes; as well as Eric’s career in visual effects and the legacy of DNEG in ReDefine’s work and international presence.
ReDefine Website: https://redefine.co
Eric J. Robertson at ReDefine: https://redefine.co/ericrobertson-executivevicepresident/
Eric J. Robertson on IG: https://www.instagram.com/vfxsuper/
Eric J. Robertson on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0731831/
DNEG’s PR Release on ReDefine: https://dneg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ReDefine-PressAnnouncement-Web16May.pdf
EPISODE 432 – REDEFINE – EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ERIC J. ROBERTSON
Hi, everyone!
This is Allan McKay. Welcome to Episode 432!
I’m interviewing Eric J. Robertson is the Executive Vice President of ReDefine, as well as a Producer, Cinematographer, Photographer and Entrepreneur.
Eric and I talk about:
- Stumbling into the film industry by chance;
- Transitioning into visual effects;
- Overcoming challenges and pushing the limits in visual effects;
- Taking on his first producer role at Mr. X;
- The “poor man’s” LED wall and capturing Z-depth in camera;
- Understanding cameras and their limitations for each project;
- Teaching filmmaking principles to the next generation of VFX Supervisors;
- The ideal way to run dailies;
- The challenge of working from home;
- Joining ReDefine and the DNEG Group’s legacy;
- The legacy of DNEG and international presence of ReDefine;
- The future streaming content heading into 2024, post industry strikes;
- And so much more!
This is, by far, one of my most favorite interviews of the year!
If you’d like to support this Podcast, please take a moment to share this Episode with others. In the meantime, I cannot wait to share my conversation with Eric, so —
Let’s dive in!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM ALLAN McKAY:
[1:08:03] One of the biggest problems we face as artists is figuring out how much we’re worth. I’ve put together a website. Check it out: www.VFXRates.com! This is a chance for you to put in your level of experience, your discipline, your location — and it will give you an accurate idea what you and everyone else in your discipline should be charging. Check it out: www.VFXRates.com!
Okay, what did you think? I want to thank Eric for joining the Podcast. It was such an incredible opportunity to speak to him!
Next week, I’m interviewing Marc Spinder, the VFX Supervisor for the Emmy-nominated show HOUSE OF THE DRAGON.
I’ll be back next week. Until then –
Rock on!
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