Extract: “Neo vs Smith” — The Matrix Resurrections VFX by RISE

In this exclusive extract from The Illusion Almanac: Creating The Matrix Resurrections, RISE visual effects supervisor Andreas Giesen discusses the spectacular fight between Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Agent Smith (Jonathan Groff), for which artists enhanced the action and imbued Smith with classic Matrix superpowers. The RISE team also crafted destruction effects for the shootout at … Continue reading Extract: “Neo vs Smith” — The Matrix Resurrections VFX by RISE

“Catacombia” Wins Leipzeiger LeseKompass Award

I was thrilled to learn that Catacombia: Descent into the Deep, my adventure novel for young readers written under the pseudonym R.L. Ferguson, has received a Leipzeiger Lesekompass award in the 10-14 age category. The first volume in a fantasy trilogy, the book tells the story of a boy called Sam who is unexpectedly plunged … Continue reading “Catacombia” Wins Leipzeiger LeseKompass Award

Extract: “Splitting Time” — The Matrix Resurrections VFX by One of Us

In this exclusive extract from The Illusion Almanac: Creating The Matrix Resurrections, One of Us visual effects supervisor Tyson Donnelly and production visual effects supervisor Dan Glass discuss the ‘split time’ effects sequences in which the Analyst (Neil Patrick Harris) traps Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in a bubble of frozen time, allowing … Continue reading Extract: “Splitting Time” — The Matrix Resurrections VFX by One of Us

Extract: “The City of IO” — The Matrix Resurrections VFX by DNEG

In this exclusive extract from The Illusion Almanac: Creating The Matrix Resurrections, DNEG environment supervisor Ben Cowell-Thomas and production visual effects supervisor Dan Glass discuss the creation of the city of IO, the secret cavern where the remnants of humanity have joined forces with their new machine allies to build a vast underground city. Read … Continue reading Extract: “The City of IO” — The Matrix Resurrections VFX by DNEG

“Catacombia: Grimorga Awakens” – Publication Day

Today, February 1, 2022, marks the publication of Catacombia: Grimorga Awakens, the second novel in my fantasy trilogy for young readers, written under the pseudonym R.L. Ferguson. The first book told the story of a teenager called Sam who is unexpectedly plunged into a secret realm hidden deep underground. Here's the blurb for the second … Continue reading “Catacombia: Grimorga Awakens” – Publication Day

Roger Christian’s Black Angel

Were you in the audience when The Empire Strikes Back was released in 1980? If so – and if you lived in the UK, Scandinavia or Australia – you may remember the short fantasy film that supported it. The film was called Black Angel, and it was directed by Roger Christian, the Academy Award-winning set … Continue reading Roger Christian’s Black Angel

VFX Wire — Harry Potter: 20 Years of Wizarding Wonder

Twenty years after the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, visual effects is more in demand than ever before. What better time to reflect on the magic spell cast by the beloved film franchise? For my new VFX Wire article, Harry Potter - 20 Years of Wizarding Wonder, I spoke with Adrian Wootton, … Continue reading VFX Wire — Harry Potter: 20 Years of Wizarding Wonder

“Castellia — New Novelette in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

I'm thrilled to have my latest piece of short fiction Castellia published in the November/December 2021 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. My heartfelt thanks go to editor Sheree Renée Thomas, who chose the novelette for inclusion in this latest edition of the legendary bi-monthly magazine. The story grew from seeds sown … Continue reading “Castellia — New Novelette in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

New Article on Virtual Production for Producers Guild of America

In my non-fiction life as a journalist covering film and television production, I recently had the honour of writing an article for Produced By, the official magazine of the Producers Guild of America. Into the Virtual World explores some of the ways in which live-action film and television producers can make the transition into animation and … Continue reading New Article on Virtual Production for Producers Guild of America

VFX Wire — The Visual Effects of The Crown

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ben Turner, production visual effects supervisor of The Crown, about the Emmy-nominated work done by the visual effects team for Season 4 of the Netflix streaming series. Read the complete article at VFX Wire. https://www.vfxwire.com/crowning-achievements-in-visual-effects/