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Episode 435 – The ROI of VFX and Other Advice – Crafty Apes Co-Founder Chris LeDoux (Part II)
Chris LeDoux is the Co-Founder of Crafty Apes, a VFX Supervisor and an Entrepreneur.
Born and bred in Alaska, Chris earned Bachelor’s degree in both psychology and sociology, but his fascination with filmmaking led him to the world of visual effects. He began his career in VFX as a compositor at The Orphanage in 2004. He worked at numerous studios such as Uncharted Territory, Cafe FX and Scanline.
Now a veteran of the film industry, his impressive resume includes compositing and VFX supervision on multiple titles, including 12 Years a Slave, Doctor Strange, Better Call Saul, among others. He has also directed music videos and led visual effects teams for U2, Chris Cornell, New Kids on the Block, Paramore, just to name a few.
Crafty Apes is a full service, boutique VFX company based in Culver City, CA & Atlanta, GA. The company was launched in July of 2011 by three visual effects veterans Jason Sanford, Chris LeDoux and Tim LeDoux. Believing that strong 2D compositing is the backbone behind quality visual effects, Crafty Apes was formed to primarily offer high-end compositing services for feature films and television clients.
Crafty Apes specializes in compositing effects and visual effects supervision. By paying extra attention to the detail and integration that 2D work requires and by working with the best technology available spread among a select group of artists, Crafty Apes can deliver a superior product to higher end clients in a shorter time period.
Their recent credits include: The Babysitter: Killer Queen, Lovecraft Country, Doctor Strange, Hidden Figures, Lalaland, Fist Fight, Pete’s Dragon, Captain America: Civil War, Killing Reagan, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Dirty Grandpa, Allegiant, Insurgent, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Mass, The 33, Foxcatcher, 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, The Monkey King, White House Down, Single Mom’s Club, The Last Stand, A Madea’s Christmas and many more.
In this Podcast, Allan McKay interviews the Co-Founder of Crafty Apes, VFX Supervisor and an Entrepreneur Chris LeDoux about his inspiration behind launching of Crafty Apes; ROI and taking the risk out of starting a business; why empathy guarantees professional success – and so much more!
Crafty Apes Website: https://www.craftyapes.com
Chris LeDoux on IMDb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ledoux/
Crafty Apes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crafty-apes-llc
Crafty Apes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftyapesvfx/
Crafty Apes on IG: @CraftyApesVFX
Crafty Apes on Twitter: @CraftyApesVFX
EPISODE 435 – THE ROI OF VFX AND OTHER ADVICE – CRAFTY APES CO-FOUNDER CHRIS LEDOUX (PART II)
Hi, everyone!
This is Allan McKay. Welcome to Episode 435!
This is Part II of my interview with the Co-Founder of Crafty Apes, a VFX Supervisor and an Entrepreneur Chris LeDoux. We talk about his inspiring past, his experience launching Crafty Apes, ROI of VFX, the importance of empathy in business and so much more! In Part I, we talked heavily about AI, so check it out (www.allanmckay.com/434).
This is Part II of our interview. Chris and I talk about:
- Moving to LA from Alaska and starting in VFX;
- Launching of Crafty Apes and the economics of the business;
- The ROI of running a studio;
- Optimization and taking the risk out of starting a new business;
- Why empathy sets your career up for success;
- The importance of learning what each department does on set;
- The pros and cons of virtual production;
- Insight on how to make your movie in pre-production;
- And so much more!
Please take a moment to share this Episode with others.
Let’s dive in!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM ALLAN McKAY:
[1:04:30] 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 Chris for joining the Podcast. This was awesome!
Here’s to the New Year! It’s going to be a great year.
I’ll be back next week with a Solo Episode on the subject of Freelancing in VFX in 2024. I’m going to try to do a lot more Solos in the New Year. I’m going to see you in 2024!
Until then –
Rock on!
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