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.
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.
In this episode, we sit down with Scott Ross to pull back the curtain on the economics of VFX, the struggles of running a studio in Hollywood, and why, despite the industry’s undeniable growth, many VFX companies still operate on razor-thin margins.
The visual effects industry produces some of the most incredible images in cinema history, yet it struggles financially due to a fundamentally flawed business model. Scott Ross highlights key reasons why:
✅ Fixed Bids – Studios demand fixed-price contracts for work that often expands significantly in scope.
✅ Limited Clients – There are only about eight major studios commissioning VFX, putting extreme power in their hands.
✅ Cash flow management becomes critical, often leading to unsustainable practices. 💸 Studios constantly push for lower prices, forcing vendors into risky financial positions.
Question for You: If the current model isn’t sustainable, what could a fairer, healthier business structure look like?
Scott highlights that the real cost of VFX isn’t just financial:
⏰ Long hours (often 15-16 hour days, 7 days a week) 🧍 Burnout due to relentless pressure, tight deadlines, and limited resources.
⚠️ All responsibility, no authority: Vendors must absorb constant creative changes with little negotiation power.
Question for You: Have you ever considered the hidden human cost behind your favourite blockbuster?
Artificial intelligence is poised to dramatically change the VFX landscape, automating repetitive tasks and even replacing many artists. According to Scott:
🤖 AI is not just a tool—it's an agent capable of autonomous decisions.
🌎 Geographical distribution will shift dramatically, potentially removing traditional cost-saving advantages (e.g., outsourcing to India).
🔮 AI could even evolve to automate higher-level creative and supervisory roles.
Question for You: How do you envision your role changing with the rise of AI? Are you preparing for it, or waiting to react?
Scott Ross shares personal insights gained from decades leading some of Hollywood's top studios:
Question for You: As a creative leader, how do you balance vision and practicality without compromising your values?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
