Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time - payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - payhip.com/b/kCZGd
In this interview, Film Courage speaks with New York Film Academy visual effects artist and current Chair of 3D Animation & VFX Craig Caton-Largent on movies filmmakers should watch. We also share thoughts from Film and Television Director, Screenwriter and Film Professor Jack Perez on his favorite films for new filmmakers.
With over 40 years in the film industry, Craig Caton-Largent is a legendary visual effects artist and the current Chair of 3D Animation & VFX at New York Film Academy (NYFA) Los Angeles. He has worked on over 100 films, creating some of Hollywood's most iconic creatures, including the Slimer ghost in Ghostbusters (1984), the penguins in Batman Returns (1992), and the raptors in Jurassic Park (1993). Craig has collaborated with top directors like Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron, earning six Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects. A pioneer in digital effects, Craig co-founded Digital Domain and developed groundbreaking VFX software like Animservo, used by top studios and theme parks. As the Chair of the Visual Effects and Animation Department at NYFA, Craig is dedicated to helping his students develop animation and storytelling skills that will lead to success in the industry. Craig is also a sought-after speaker on motion capture technology at film festivals and universities worldwide.
CONNECT WITH CRAIG CATON-LARGENT
https://www.nyfa.edu/3d-animation-school
imdb.com/name/nm0146253
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA's global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts.
CONNECT WITH NYFA
https://www.nyfa.edu
https://www.nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles
CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE
FilmCourage.com
twitter.com/#!/FilmCourage
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
bit.ly/18DPN37
PERSONALLY SPONSOR FILM COURAGE
ko-fi.com/filmcourage
SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER
youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join
SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A PATRON
patreon.com/filmcourage
(Affiliates)
►BOOKS WE RECOMMEND:
STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time
payhip.com/b/ZTvq9
THE NUTSHELL TECHNIQUE: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting amzn.to/2X3Vx5F
THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take
amzn.to/2gYsuMf
SAVE THE CAT! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
amzn.to/3dNg2HQ
THE ANATOMY OF STORY: 22 Steps To Becoming A Master Storyteller
amzn.to/2h6W3va
►FILMMAKER STARTER KIT
BLACKMAGIC Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - amzn.to/4gDU0s9
ZOOM H4essential 4-Track Handy Recorder - amzn.to/3TIon6X
SENNHEISER Professional Shotgun Microphone - amzn.to/3TEnLiE
NEEWER CB300B 320W LED Video Light - amzn.to/3XEMK6F
NEEWER 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power - amzn.to/3XX57VK
►WE USE THIS CAMERA (B&H) – buff.ly/3rWqrra
►WE USE THIS SOUND RECORDER (AMAZON) – amzn.to/2tbFlM9
►Stuff we use:
LENS - Most people ask us what camera we use, no one ever asks about the lens which filmmakers always tell us is more important. This lens was a big investment for us and one we wish we could have made sooner. Started using this lens at the end of 2013 - amzn.to/2tbtmOq
AUDIO
Audio Recorder - If we had to do it all over again, this is probably the first item we would have bought - amzn.to/3WEuz0k
LIGHTS - Although we like to use as much natural light as we can, we often enhance the lighting with this small portable light. We have two of them and they have saved us a number of times - amzn.to/2u5UnHv
*Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!
#filmmaking #filmmaker #filmindustry
Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time - payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - payhip.com/b/kCZGd
In this interview, Film Courage speaks with New York Film Academy visual effects artist and current Chair of 3D Animation & VFX Craig Caton-Largent on movies filmmakers should watch. We also share thoughts from Film and Television Director, Screenwriter and Film Professor Jack Perez on his favorite films for new filmmakers.
With over 40 years in the film industry, Craig Caton-Largent is a legendary visual effects artist and the current Chair of 3D Animation & VFX at New York Film Academy (NYFA) Los Angeles. He has worked on over 100 films, creating some of Hollywood's most iconic creatures, including the Slimer ghost in Ghostbusters (1984), the penguins in Batman Returns (1992), and the raptors in Jurassic Park (1993). Craig has collaborated with top directors like Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron, earning six Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects. A pioneer in digital effects, Craig co-founded Digital Domain and developed groundbreaking VFX software like Animservo, used by top studios and theme parks. As the Chair of the Visual Effects and Animation Department at NYFA, Craig is dedicated to helping his students develop animation and storytelling skills that will lead to success in the industry. Craig is also a sought-after speaker on motion capture technology at film festivals and universities worldwide.
CONNECT WITH CRAIG CATON-LARGENT
https://www.nyfa.edu/3d-animation-school
imdb.com/name/nm0146253
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA's global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts.
CONNECT WITH NYFA
https://www.nyfa.edu
https://www.nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles
CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE
FilmCourage.com
twitter.com/#!/FilmCourage
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
bit.ly/18DPN37
PERSONALLY SPONSOR FILM COURAGE
ko-fi.com/filmcourage
SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER
youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join
SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A PATRON
patreon.com/filmcourage
(Affiliates)
►BOOKS WE RECOMMEND:
STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time
payhip.com/b/ZTvq9
THE NUTSHELL TECHNIQUE: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting amzn.to/2X3Vx5F
THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take
amzn.to/2gYsuMf
SAVE THE CAT! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
amzn.to/3dNg2HQ
THE ANATOMY OF STORY: 22 Steps To Becoming A Master Storyteller
amzn.to/2h6W3va
►FILMMAKER STARTER KIT
BLACKMAGIC Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - amzn.to/4gDU0s9
ZOOM H4essential 4-Track Handy Recorder - amzn.to/3TIon6X
SENNHEISER Professional Shotgun Microphone - amzn.to/3TEnLiE
NEEWER CB300B 320W LED Video Light - amzn.to/3XEMK6F
NEEWER 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power - amzn.to/3XX57VK
►WE USE THIS CAMERA (B&H) – buff.ly/3rWqrra
►WE USE THIS SOUND RECORDER (AMAZON) – amzn.to/2tbFlM9
►Stuff we use:
LENS - Most people ask us what camera we use, no one ever asks about the lens which filmmakers always tell us is more important. This lens was a big investment for us and one we wish we could have made sooner. Started using this lens at the end of 2013 - amzn.to/2tbtmOq
AUDIO
Audio Recorder - If we had to do it all over again, this is probably the first item we would have bought - amzn.to/3WEuz0k
LIGHTS - Although we like to use as much natural light as we can, we often enhance the lighting with this small portable light. We have two of them and they have saved us a number of times - amzn.to/2u5UnHv
*Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!
#filmmaking #filmmaker #filmindustry
