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Debbie Kennard & Ron Eli Cohen — Line Producers for Ray Tracing FTW

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Line producers Debbie Kennard and Ron Eli Cohen discuss their work on the short film Ray Tracing FTW and offer an insider’s perspective on the art of film production. Debbie shares her story, from her beginnings as John Carpenter’s PA on The Thing to becoming a trusted line producer in Hollywood, while Ron talks about transitioning from acting to producing, with credits like The Dark Knight Rises. Together, they break down the vital role of a line producer and provide insight into the world of budgeting, crew management, and creative problem-solving in the film industry.

The episode also dives into the technology behind Ray Tracing FTW, exploring how the team utilized virtual production techniques, including LED walls and complex set construction, to craft a visually striking film on a tight budget. Debbie and Ron emphasize the significance of meticulous prep work, strong crew collaboration, and maintaining a balance between creativity and practicality. Through their experiences, listeners gain a better understanding of how a line producer navigates the challenges of modern filmmaking while keeping the vision of the story front and center. 

Links:

Ray Tracing FTW >

Behind the Scenes of Ray Tracing FTW >

Debbie Kennard on LinkedIn >

Ron Eli. Cohen Linkedin >

Grade A Pictures > 



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0:05:56 Introductions and Ray Tracing FTW reflections

0:09:30 Debbie's beginnings: PA on The Thing

0:14:58 Ron’s background: from actor to producer

0:18:15 How Debbie and Ron connected

0:19:29 The origins of Ray Tracing FTW and bringing horses on set

0:24:05 Budgeting challenges: constructing the train car set

0:30:31 Bringing ASC cinematographer Richard Crudo on board

0:33:24 Richard's creative approach and shooting like a Western

0:38:06 The synergy between visual effects, cinematography, and design

0:41:51 Tackling the challenges of virtual production and LED walls

0:45:38 Importance of thorough prep work

0:49:50 Creating the realistic "in-camera" look with virtual production

0:54:19 The crew's efficiency and pulling off a big-budget look

0:58:10 On-set collaboration and humor during production

1:03:16 Vlado's passion for filmmaking and technology

1:06:33 What’s next for Ron: Producing in Saudi Arabia

1:08:13 Debbie’s current work in Atlanta 

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About the author

Christopher Nichols

Chris is a CG industry veteran and Director of Chaos Labs. He can also be heard regularly as the host of the CG Garage podcast which attracts 20,000 weekly listeners. With a background in both VFX and Design, Chris has worked for Gensler, Digital Domain, Imageworks and Method Studios. His credits include Maleficent, Oblivion and Tron: Legacy.

Originally published: October 8, 2024.
© Škoda Design

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