(click for larger image)


(click for larger image)

Q: Did you get to work with Robert Rodriguez? What was that like?

I have worked with him on four films now. He is one of the best people to work with. He knows what he wants visually, but also listens to ideas in pre-production, on set, and of course, while the post digital effects are being created. He has a great no nonsense, real approach to film making, which makes it fun to work with him.

Q: What has been your favorite project to date?

Panic Room and Sin City both perhaps, but nothing can really beat the excitement of our first films though. Being 19 years old and responsible for over 200 shots on a film, having the director ask you to take a look through the lens and offer advice on how to shoot the plates is hard to beat.

Q: What would you tell someone who is just learning 3D if you could only give them one piece of advice?

Find someone that is really good that you can keep showing your work too.

Q: What film, that CafeFX did not work on would you have really liked to have worked on and why?

We were this close to doing some scenic shots on War of the Worlds. They were considering us along with Robert Stromberg to do them. The day we were anticipating the good news, Spielberg just omitted the shots from the film.

Q: A Lot of Visual effects studios get wrapped up in “canning the shots” as quickly as possible and stay on schedule. How do you at CafeFX, manage to keep the motivation of the ‘art’ as your driving force for great visual effects.

We aim to please the VFX supervisors, the director and the studio. The resulting effects comes first, and if we do the work under the time budgeted, then all the better. But, in this business, it usually takes a lot more energy and effort to do cutting edge effects work than you can even get away with charging. So the client always wins as far as the value they get for the time and dollars.

Q: When you’re looking for VFX artists to hire, what are the three things that turn you off about potential candidates?

If the talent is there, the wrong kind of attitude can be a deal breaker.

Q: Lastly what do you look for in a great demo reel?

Talent. Also diversity as long as it is all good stuff.

David thanks for taking the time to talk to us and the SpinQuad community today, we appreciate it. As I have said I think your work is amazing, and look forward to getting a peek at your studio some time. Well, I will turn this over to the folks here at SpinQuad.

Folks, please be respectful and let's not waist Mr. Ebner’s valuable time.

David, thanks for popping in today and answering questions.