Pixel Puzzle
Pixel Puzzle
Podcast Description
Pixel Puzzle is a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the captivating world of visual effects (VFX). Designed for everyone—from curious movie lovers to industry professionals—each episode offers a fresh, honest, and engaging perspective on the craft, business, and artistry behind the pixels.Hosted by David Cordon, a VFX expert with a passion for storytelling and exploration, Pixel Puzzle is a limited series that takes listeners on a thoughtfully crafted journey through the world of VFX. The show is structured to provide a gradual and immersive experience, where each episode builds on the last, ensuring that whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s always something to discover.Through candid conversations with some of the industry's brightest minds—including VFX legends, directors, producers, and studio executives—Pixel Puzzle goes beyond the technical to explore the human stories, the challenges, and the triumphs that bring the magic to life.Join us every 15 days as we connect the dots between imagination and reality, offering a rare backstage pass to the world of VFX—where artistry, technology, and storytelling collide.👉 Subscribe now and become part of a community that believes in curiosity, creativity, and the joy of seeing the world in a whole new light. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various themes within the VFX industry, including the historical evolution of visual effects, landmark films that have shaped the field, and the artistry behind the craft. For example, episodes cover directors such as Christopher Nolan and Peter Jackson, and delve into pivotal VFX milestones like those found in Jurassic Park and The Matrix.
Pixel Puzzle is a platform dedicated to revealing what visual effects (VFX) are really about — beyond the magic, beyond the myths, beyond the credits that roll by too fast to read.
We’re here for the artists, the technologists, the dreamers — and for the outsiders who’ve always admired the craft without fully understanding it.
Through honest conversations with pioneers, leaders, and unsung heroes of the industry, we break down the walls that separate “the business” from “the art,” and “the audience” from “the work.”
Our mission is simple, but urgent:
To humanise visual effects.
To show the world the reality behind the spectacle — the creativity, the collaboration, the grit, the breakthroughs, the heartbreak, and the future that’s still being written.
Who we’re for:
📍 VFX artists who want their craft to be seen and respected.
📍 Industry professionals who want a clearer, bigger picture.
📍 Students, directors, producers, writers — anyone whose work touches the moving image.
📍 Curious minds outside the industry who simply want to understand how the magic is made — and why it matters.
Why it matters:
Because VFX isn’t just technology.
It’s storytelling. It’s art. It’s culture.
And it deserves to be understood — not just admired, criticised, or overlooked.
Pixel Puzzle is not about hype. It’s about connection. It’s about passing the mic to the people who live this craft every day, and helping the world see visual effects the way we see it:
Essential. Evolving. Human.
👉 Subscribe now and become part of a community that believes in curiosity, creativity, and the joy of seeing the world in a whole new light.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chapters
00:00 The Art of Pitching and Filmmaking
02:16 Early Influences and Journey into Filmmaking
04:47 Directing Style and Identity
07:36 Collaboration and Working with Actors
09:52 Visual Effects and Storytelling
12:07 Practical Sets and Creative Choices
14:33 Integrating Visual Effects in Filmmaking
17:25 The Role of Actors in Visual Storytelling
20:45 Collaboration and Creative Alignment
23:51 Embracing Flexibility in Direction
26:10 Creating an Empowering Environment on Set
27:25 Navigating the Pressure of Visual Effects
28:17 Embracing Technology in Filmmaking
29:11 The Evolution of an Artist
33:37 Personal Growth and Artistic Identity
38:23 Lessons from Visual Effects Collaboration
42:41 Advice for Aspiring Directors
👀 WHO SHOULD LISTEN?
✅ Directors who want to understand how to bring emotion into VFX-heavy storytelling
✅ Writers curious about blending genre, comedy, and sci-fi into something fresh
✅ Producers navigating collaboration across departments without losing the vision
✅ Artists interested in how their work connects directly to performance and story
✅ Anyone who’s ever wondered how you pitch Marvel a 60-page doc and actually pull it off
📌 KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Origin Story: From Saturday drama clubs to Marvel
Kate shares how her love of theatre, comedy, and character work shaped her path from indie projects into mainstream hits like Sex Education and Loki.
Directing Loki’s Memories
One of her most iconic contributions: reimagining how Loki’s past could be shown through VFX, turning a potential exposition dump into an emotionally charged sequence that deepened the character’s journey.
Collaboration Without Losing Your Voice
Kate opens up about working with huge teams — production designers, cinematographers, VFX supervisors — and how she balances their creativity with her own vision.
Comedy as a Superpower
From improv techniques to handling failure, Kate explains why comedy timing and playfulness can be powerful directing tools, even on the biggest sets.
Thriving on Limitations
Kate reflects on why constraints often fuel her best ideas — and how directors can find freedom within boundaries.
🧠 BIG IDEAS TO REMEMBER
- Story comes first — VFX is a tool to serve it.
- Limitations spark creativity, abundance can dilute it.
- Collaboration doesn’t mean compromise — it means trust.
- Comedy isn’t just funny — it’s a way of seeing the world.
- Failure isn’t the end — it’s often where the best ideas start.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.