The Spark Cast

• S07E02: Joan Collins: From Canvas to Code

  Joan Collins' artistic journey is a tale of unexpected twists and boundless creativity. As a young artist, Joan found herself deeply rooted in traditional art forms until she saw Supertramp live and found herself mesmerized by the multimedia magic of the concert. This pivotal moment set Joan on a path that would merge her love for art with the allure of visual technology. From crafting vibrant concert posters in college to exploring the digital realm in her graduate studies at UCLA, Joan's transition from watercolor and oil to the world of computer graphics is as inspiring as it is transformative. In our conversation, Joan unveils the challenges and triumphs of producing tech shows for SIGGRAPH. What started as modest presentations transformed under her visionary touch into grand spectacles. Joan's ambition saw her pushing boundaries, which, as she candidly shares, sometimes led to unforeseen hurdles. Tune in to hear how Joan navigated these challenges and glean insights into how traditional and digital art can harmonize to create something truly extraordinary. Episode Links: Website LinkedIn Host: Marina Antunes Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman ©2025 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved. Thank you to our sponsors! MEGABYTE: Creative BC. KILOBYTE: Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop. BYTE: BCIT · Vancouver Film School · WildBrain Studios. PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm. ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.

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• S07E01: Nick Park: Crafting Icons

  What inspires a creative genius to transform the mundane into the magical? Join us as we uncover the origins of a celebrated animator whose journey began in the gritty yet charming landscape of Preston. With stories that intertwine personal history with artistic evolution, Nick Park shares how a childhood steeped in creativity led to a lifelong passion for animation. Drawing from a tapestry of early experiences, including the influence of a photographer father and tailor mother, we explore the whimsical elements that define iconic works like Wallace and Gromit. Our conversation traverses the early days of stop-motion magic, fueled by an adventurous spirit and family support. At the heart of Nick’s creative journey are beloved projects like A Grand Day Out and Creature Comforts, which garnered acclaim even before the age of social media virality. We celebrate the slow crescendo of Wallace and Gromit's cultural impact, revealing how these characters came to embody the quintessential charm of British animation. We also pull back the curtain on the collaborative artistry that breathes life into these timeless characters. This conversation is a heartfelt homage to the enduring legacy of Wallace and Gromit, a testament to Nick’s inventive craftsmanship, and a warm tribute to the personal influences that continue to inspire. Episode Links: Film Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Host: Marina Antunes Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman ©2025 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved. Thank you to our sponsors! TERABYTE: Creative BC. MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix. KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios. BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX. PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm. ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.

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• S06E16: Jeff Chiba Stearns: Finding Creative Bliss

  Jeff Chiba Stearns’ transformative journey is one of a filmmaker whose creative roots trace back to a childhood spent on an orchard in Kelowna. Growing up in a remote setting, Jeff’s early experiences shaped his strong work ethic and artistic aspirations. Alongside apple picking, he was captivated by satellite TV of the 90s and its mix of “Japanimation” and adult cartoons. It was here that Jeff began to develop a style and unique creative voice that was later honed while attending animation school at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Those early days of finding his place in Vancouver’s thriving indie animation scene helped Jeff build a network and a resiliency that has supported him throughout his career. It was the unexpected success of a personal project made out of desperation that changed his life forever. In this episode, Jeff speaks candidly about his approach to animation as a form of self-reflection, shares insights into his creative process as a storyteller whose work spans not only animation but also illustration, documentary filmmaking, graphic novels, children’s books and education, and stresses the importance of carving out a niche in the creative world. Episode Links: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Host: Marina Antunes Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman ©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved. Thank you to our sponsors! TERABYTE: Creative BC. MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix. KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios. BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX. PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm. ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.

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• S06E15: Ginger Alford: Fusing Creativity and Technology

  Ever wondered how a mix of structured logic and creative expression can shape a tech career? Growing up with a mathematician father and an artsy mother, Ginger Alford's unique perspective led her to a vibrant career in software engineering and computer graphics. Discover how a pivot from philosophy to computer science and an unexpected encounter with SIGGRAPH sparked Ginger's passion for advanced graphics and interactive techniques. Tune in as we explore Ginger's career, from her work on heads-up displays to her dedication to public engagement, including teaching at SMU to inspiring young minds at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Hear how she makes math and science accessible and fun, emphasizing the creative aspects of these subjects. We also dive into the evolving landscape of AI, immersive experiences, and the future of tech and storytelling. Ginger discusses the significance of SIGGRAPH as a hub for art and science collaboration and shares practical advice on balancing professional and personal commitments. Episode Links: Website LinkedIn Host: Marina Antunes Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman ©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved. Thank you to our sponsors! TERABYTE: Creative BC. MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix. KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios. BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX. PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm. ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.

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• S06E14: Justine Emard: Art in the Data Stream

  Justine Emard is a visual artist whose career is a mix of relentless innovation and defiance of the art world's conventional boundaries. Her story isn't just about creation; it's a narrative that charts her evolution as an artist who integrates the realms of technology, dance, and music into a symphony of digital and physical installations that have captured the international stage. In this episode, Justine shares her creative process, revealing how she finds harmony in the cacophony of virtual reality, coding, and augmented reality. Her collaborations with scientists, from the depths of archaeological discoveries to the peaks of neuroscience, are not merely a fusion of disciplines, but a dance where art and science elevate each other. Justine's reflections on inspiration, drawn from the elegance of natural systems to the intricate world of Japanese robotics, serve as a beacon for anyone navigating the creative landscape. But it's not all about the art itself; it's also about the creator's journey as Justine discusses the significance of errors and the transformative potential they hold within the creative odyssey. Episode Links: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Host: Marina Antunes Opening & Closing Credits by: Michael Edlund Produced & Edited by: Joshua Peterman ©2024 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved. Thank you to our sponsors! TERABYTE: Creative BC. MEGABYTE: Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix. KILOBYTE: Bardel Entertainment · Industrial Light & Magic · Sony Pictures Imageworks · The Little Dev Shop · WildBrain Studios. BYTE: Cinesite · DigiBC · Vancouver Film School · Wētā FX. PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH · SIGGRAPH Asia · INFilm. ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.

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