In this episode, Chris chats with Susan O’Neal, a long-time force in the visual effects industry, about her remarkable career journey and insights into the evolving VFX world. Susan recounts starting as employee #24 at Digital Domain in the early ’90s, working on landmark projects like Titanic, and moving through various studios such as Lightstorm, A52, CIS, Zoic, and Riot. Along the way, she wore many hats, from operations to production, before pivoting to recruiting, where she found her niche connecting talent with opportunity while balancing her family life.
Susan shares candid stories about the early days of VFX, the quirky culture at DD, and how she transitioned into recruiting and coaching. She and Chris discuss how the industry has changed with remote work, tax incentives, and the rise of AI and virtual production. Susan also offers practical advice for creative professionals on LinkedIn best practices, career resilience, and staying adaptable in uncertain times. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on the past, present, and future of creative careers.
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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.