Is there anything Alessandro Cangelosi can’t do? Over the past 20 years, this versatile generalist has contributed to games, movies, documentaries, film studio idents and commercials for everything from computer accessories to tourist destinations. To handle this wide array of work, Alessandro uses software including 3ds Max, Houdini and V-Ray.
In this podcast, Alessandro tells Chris how he likes to get under the hood of his projects, embracing innovative tech and techniques to create stunning effects for movies including Independence Day: Resurgence and 2012. He also talks about his plans to invigorate Italy’s visual effects industry with his own school, and the courses he teaches for Gnomon Workshop and Skyup Academy.
Links:
Alessandro Cangelosi’s official site >
Alessandro Cangelosi at Gnomon Workshop >
Chapters:
6:03 From ZX Spectrums to 386s: Alessandro’s backstory
14:05 “Ghostbusters,” “2012” and “Independence Day: Resurgence”
20:40 How to work remotely
23:43 Creating custom shaders
32:03 When to use Houdini
41:20 Setting up his own school
49:50 The Italian VFX market
57:29 Alessandro’s Gnomon Workshop courses
Chris is a CG industry veteran and Director of Chaos Labs. He can also be heard regularly as the host of the CG Garage podcast which attracts 20,000 weekly listeners. With a background in both VFX and Design, Chris has worked for Gensler, Digital Domain, Imageworks and Method Studios. His credits include Maleficent, Oblivion and Tron: Legacy.