Listen "JOHN KNOLL - VFX Supervisor"
Episode Synopsis
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 88 - JOHN KNOLL - VFX SUPERVISOR On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, VFX supervisor John Knoll (THE BATMAN, ROGUE ONE, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) joins us to talk about his career and his craft. Despite growing up among an academic family of engineers, scientists, and medical professionals, John fell in love with the fantastic imagery of cinema and television, and he saw miniature work as his way into filmmaking. From cold-calling Industrial Light & Magic at 15 to later working for them, John reflects on his life as one who turns hobbies into professions, and we learn how John fuses technology with art in his work. John reveals, with great clarity, how slit-scans are actually composed and shares how he used the effect to generate the illusion of the Starship Enterprise entering and exiting warp speed. We later discuss the leadership responsibilities of being a supervisor, including giving negative feedback in such a way that elevates a collaborator's work. Towards the end, we also discuss the enduring appeal of miniatures for audiences and filmmakers alike. In addition to his work in VFX, John (alongside his brother Thomas) invented Photoshop, the popular photo-editing software used around the world. - This episode is sponsored by Godox
More episodes of the podcast Team Deakins
CHRIS LOWE - Production Designer
14/01/2026
EMBETH DAVIDTZ - Actor / Director
07/01/2026
CÉSAR CHARLONE - Cinematographer
31/12/2025
KATE WINSLET - Actor / Director
24/12/2025
KLEBER MENDONÇA FILHO - Writer / Director
17/12/2025
LEDs - with Jeffrey Lee, Ph.D.
10/12/2025
CRISTIAN MUNGIU - Director
03/12/2025
EDGAR WRIGHT - Director
26/11/2025
TED SCHILOWITZ - Futurist
19/11/2025
JAMES LAXTON - Cinematographer
12/11/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.