Why Gen V VFX Looks So Real: A Deep Dive with Supervisor Karen Heston

·56 min·5 clips

How Gen V's tiny Emma scenes blend practical toilets, stunt wires, and visual effects for realism.

This episode of CG Garage features an interview with Karen Heston, the VFX supervisor for the Amazon series Gen V. Host Chris Nichols introduces Heston, noting her background as a flame artist and how that skill set translates to supervision. Heston recounts her career path, starting with photography and film studies at SCAD and NYU, then moving into flame work for commercials in New York. She describes a pivotal moment repurposing snow effects from a music video for a Visa commercial, which led to her role as a flame artist. Heston discusses the collaborative process on Gen V, highlighting work with stunts coordinator John Koyama, DP Johnny Cliff, and special effects lead Hudson Kenney to blend practical and digital elements. She explains specific scenes, such as creating tiny Emma's environment with a practical toilet and tank, and the prosthetic enhancements for character transformations. The conversation touches on the challenges of VFX budgeting and how restrictions can lead to creative solutions. Heston shares her transition to full-time VFX supervision after running her own studio, Siren Lab Productions, and working on projects like Beasts of No Nation. She reflects on changes in the industry, including the decline of flame artist roles and the rise of AI, which she sees as potentially reviving generalist positions but currently dominated by large studios. The episode concludes with Heston revealing her next project on the VCU spinoff Vought Rising.

As heard by us

Karen Heston traces a practical route from New York City commercial flame work to VFX supervision on Gen V.

Karen Heston's path from New York City commercial work to VFX supervision on Gen V gives this CG Garage episode a grounded look at how screen production is planned, adapted, and finished.

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Want the real-world route from flame artist to Gen V VFX supervisor? Press play.

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