In this episode of The Generalists Jack the Generalist chats with Paulina Miciulevičiūtė (a Senior VFX artist). She started in QA at Unity and worked on projects like Valorant. We dig into practical advice for getting into VFX, why node-based tools (Shader Graph / VFX Graph) are a great starting point, when to learn HLSL, and why understanding optimization will save your career.

What you will passively learn listening to this episode:

- How Paulina moved from QA to VFX

- Start with node tools and slowly learn HLSL / shader code

- Remote work, team culture, and avoiding burnout as an artist

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

Find Jack on These Links

https://discord.gg/jC7YEsvwWp

https://www.instagram.com/jackthegeneralist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-gutmann/

Find The Guest on These Links

- Paulina on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-miciulevi%C4%8Di%C5%ABt%C4%97-6b340b11b/

- Paulina's portfolio: https://paulinavfx.com/

In this episode, I’m joined by Grayson Cotrell, technical artist and destruction specialist, to break down how real-time destruction actually works in modern games.

Grayson shares how he builds AAA-quality destruction systems, how to make game effects feel alive, and why blueprinting might be the most important skill for technical artists today.

If you’re a game dev, technical artist, VFX artist, or someone curious about real-time procedural systems this one is packed with insight.

We dive deep into:

• Houdini to Unreal Engine workflows

• Importing simulations (FBX, VDB, VAT)

• Blueprint systems for interactive destruction

• Niagara particle layering

• Real-time vs pre-simulated effects

• Cinematics for game VFX

• Mentorship vs recorded courses

• Time management for large creative projects

• How to stay consistent (even 20 minutes a day)

_________________ COURSE AT DOUBLE JUMP ACADEMY ______________________

The Real-Time Destructiom Course: https://doublejumpacademy.teachable.com/a/aff_gg65yh1h/external?affcode=1768064_qhpnr4-x

_______________________One On One Mentorship at Vessel Forge _______________________

https://vesselforge.com/services/technical-art-mentorship/

_________________ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ______________________

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

________________ Find Jack on These Links ______________________

https://discord.gg/jC7YEsvwWp

https://www.instagram.com/jackthegeneralist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-gutmann/

_________________ Find The Guest on These Links ______________________

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grayson-cotrell-00400a1bb/

https://www.artstation.com/graysontheplug

______________________ Timestamps ______________________

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:02:00 – Building a complete destruction course

00:06:30 – 20 minutes a day philosophy

00:12:00 – Mentorship vs recorded courses

00:18:00 – Blueprint systems in Unreal

00:24:00 – Houdini to Unreal pipeline

00:30:00 – VDBs, VATs & optimization

00:38:00 – Real-time vs cinematic VFX

00:46:00 – Multiplayer destruction challenges

00:55:00 – Making effects feel alive

01:02:00 – Why VFX is the ultimate generalist role

In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Candell, creator of BunderKin talk about what it really takes to build an original IP across TV and Games.

We dig into Stephen’s creative process, the realities of turning a personal vision into a scalable project, and the hard decisions that come with building something outside the traditional studio system. This conversation is for game developers, game artists, and anyone curious about how worlds are built from the ground up.

If you’re interested in game development, #gameart , #indiegames , worldbuilding, or creative ownership, this one’s for you.

_________________ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ______________________

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

________________ Find Jack on These Links ______________________

https://discord.gg/jC7YEsvwWp

https://www.instagram.com/jackthegeneralist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-gutmann/

_________________ Find The Guest on These Links ______________________

Bunderkin

- https://www.studiozubio.com/bunderkin

- https://www.instagram.com/bunderkin/

- https://www.youtube.com/@bunderkin

Stephen Candell

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scandell/

______________________ Timestamps ______________________

00:00 – Intro

02:10 – What is BunderKin?

08:45 – Building an original IP

18:30 – TV vs GameDev

32:15 – Scope, ambition, and sustainability

48:00 – Advice for game artists & devs

______________________ Tags ______________________

What happens when a AAA character artist realizes their creativity no longer belongs to them? #gamedev

In this episode, I sit down with Jonah Lobe @JonahLobeDraws artist #gameart, writer, former Bethesda creature designer (Skyrim, Fallout), and creator of the record-breaking graphic novel QUIET: Level One. We dive deep into:

We dive deep into: Going from a specialist at a AAA studio to a generalist building your own worlds. Why creative ownership matters more than corporate credit. How AI is reshaping the game industry & why generalists will thrive. The philosophy behind iconic, simple character design. Balancing self-expression with professional development. Why diverse voices lead to better games and stories.

_________________ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ______________________

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

_________________ Find The Guest on These Links ______________________

Linktree: linktr.ee/jonahlobe

Jonah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjonahlobe/?hl=en

Kickstarter "QUIET: Level One": https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/quietlevelone/quiet-level-one-by-jonah-lobe?ref=2ejc2e

Jonah @JonahLobeDraws on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/jonahlobedraws

Quiet Level One on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/QUIETLevelOne

________________ Find Jack on These Links ______________________

https://discord.gg/jC7YEsvwWp

https://www.instagram.com/jackthegeneralist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-gutmann/

______________________ Timestamps ______________________

00:00 - Intro

01:05 - Origin

08:37 - Creating vs. Contributing

12:19 - Self-Expression

15:29 - AAA Game Art

20:32 - Over-Specialization

22:37 - AI & The Future

31:05 - Building Your Own IP

34:11 - Modern Games

37:05 - The Treadmill Loop

41:23 - Diversity in Games

48:54 - Simple, Iconic Design

56:00 - Language & Creativity

59:22 - Jonah's Advice

______________________ Tags ______________________

#conceptart #characterart

How does a life-altering sports injury lead to a 10-year career in game development? In this episode, I talk with senior game developer Justin Scott (Justinbieshaar) about his incredible journey from a hospital bed to working on titles like Monopoly for console.

We dive deep into the mindset and philosophy needed to build a lasting career in tech:

• The "Private Server" Start: How modding RuneScape with Notepad sparked everything.

• Fundamentals Over Flash: Why Justin argues learning C++ and "reinventing the wheel" is better than relying solely on Unity/Unreal as a beginner.

• The Athlete's Mindset: How embracing failure in gymnastics prepared him for debugging and system design.

• Escaping Tutorial Hell: Practical advice for turning any tutorial into a personal project.

• AI, Specialization & Ethics: Navigating the industry's big debates as a new developer.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

_________________ Find The Guest on These Links ______________________

https://www.instagram.com/justinbieshaar/

https://tiktok.com/@justinbieshaar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbieshaar/

https://www.youtube.com/@justinbieshaar

________________ Don’t just watch be part of the show ______________________

- Join the inner circle on Discord to ask your questions to upcoming guests before we hit record. This is where you vote on topics and influence the future of the podcast: https://discord.gg/jC7YEsvwWp

- Daily updates & BTS (Behind The Scenes): https://www.instagram.com/jackthegeneralist/

______________________ Timestamps ______________________

______________________ Tags ______________________

#gamedev #programming #indiedev

Harry shares his unique journey from self-taught 3D modeling and programming to mastering shader coding (HLSL) and creating stunning visual effects.

Learn practical advice on overcoming shader intimidation, boosting your coding skills, and the mindset needed to thrive in the technical art field.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

Key Resources Mentioned:

- The Book of Shaders (shader fundamentals & interactive tutorials): https://thebookofshaders.com

- Ray Tracing in One Weekend (ray tracing basics in C++): https://raytracing.github.io

- Harry’s Blog (technical art tutorials & insights): https://halisavakis.com

- HAZE Volumetric Fog Asset for Unity URP: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/fullscreen-camera-effects/haze-volumetric-fog-lighting-for-urp-336656

- Sebastian Lague’s YouTube Channel (game dev & technical art tutorials): https://www.youtube.com/@SebastianLague

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Harry

00:01:55 - Harry’s art journey

00:06:00 - Learning shaders

00:12:00 - To be a Technical Artist

00:18:00 - Communication

00:22:00 - Intimidation with shader programming

00:27:00 - Advice for self-learners

00:31:00 - Understanding vector math

00:38:00 - Managing freelancing work

00:44:00 - Artistic vision Vs Technical skills

00:50:00 - Render pipeline insights

00:56:00 - The evolution of shader tools

01:03:30 - Recommended resources

01:23:30 - Avoid shortcuts, embrace learning

01:25:00 - Outro

Struggling with scope creep, unclear feedback, or workload management? Learn how to collaborate effectively with a game producer. Veteran freelance lead producer Eline Muijres breaks down the producer’s true role; as a blocker-remover and advocate for your team. We cover practical strategies for artists and developers to build a smoother, more productive partnership with production.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

Guest Info:

• Learn More About Eline's Services: https://cohop.games/

• Connect with Eline on LinkedIn: / elinemuijres

• Connect with Eline on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/elinemuijres...

In this episode, we discuss:

🔹 The #1 misconception artists have about producers (and how it hurts the project).

🔹 How to communicate blockers and workload issues before they become crises.

🔹 Giving & receiving constructive art feedback without friction.

🔹 Eline’s production philosophy: Clarity, Compassion, Momentum.

🔹 Real-world crisis management in games: from memory leaks to team emergencies.

🔹 The realities of freelancing in game production: contracts, clients, and getting paid.

🔹 Creating inclusive teams and accommodating neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism) in the workplace.

🔹 Advice for juniors breaking into the industry and navigating "delusional crunch."

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:39 - Misconception of Producers

05:25 - Artists vs Producers

10:55 - Feedback vs Production

16:19 - The "Clarity, Compassion, Momentum" philosophy

27:15 - Gaps for Juniors

32:32 - "Delusional Crunch"

35:55 - Going Freelance

41:23 - Crisis Management

52:54 - Neurodiversity vs Production

59:19 - Final Advice

Follow Me / Jack the Generalist: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist

How do you go from playing League of Legends to creating the proton beam for Ghostbusters VR? In this episode, I sit down with Jack, a VFX artist at nDreams, to trace his journey from a university switch to a cross-country move for his dream job in the game industry.

We dive deep into the unique challenges and creative solutions of making visual effects for virtual reality, where every particle and shader has to perform perfectly. Jack breaks down his work on games like Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord and Wrecking Raccoon, sharing the secrets behind effects that feel great in your hands.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

- Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3VHRDYNMFJ3KW

- Get one of the Courses: https://linktr.ee/jack.the.generalist/shop

Where to find Jack:

- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-anderson-vfx/

- Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/jack_ando_son

Mentioned Links & Resources:

- Simon Trumpler's Texture Database for VFX: https://simonschreibt.notion.site/Textures-for-VFX-Database-2c72eccccfa84a0eae927d778ad746cc

Interior Night (First Company): https://www.interiornight.com/

- nDreams: https://ndreams.com/

- Escape Studios (University): https://www.escapestudios.ac.uk/

- Tharlevfx (Tom's Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@tharlevfx

- Wreckin' Raccoon on Meta Quest: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/wreckin-raccoon/24256161264016457/

00:00:00 - Intro & The League of Legends Origin Story

00:05:05 - The University Pivot: From Props to VFX

00:15:30 - First Job & The Realities of Game Dev

00:53:18 - The Life-Changing Offer & Moving for Work

00:57:50 - Deep Dive: Creating VFX for VR (Performance, Style)

01:01:07 - Case Study: Building the Ghostbusters Proton Beam

01:05:26 - Stylized vs. Realistic Art Philosophy

01:22:10 - The "I Make the Fireball" Explanation

01:23:34 - Final Advice & Where to Find Jack

Key Topics Discussed:

- The real career journey from environment art to specializing in VFX.

- Stylized vs. Realistic VFX: Why he prefers stylized work and the freedom it allows.

- The Big Move: The realities and advice on relocating for a game dev job.

- VR-Specific Challenges: Optimizing for Meta Quest vs. PSVR, and faking effects like bloom.

- Creative Deep Dives: Recreating the iconic Ghostbusters proton beam and making interactive water in VR.