Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this fxpodcast, we speak with Crafty Apes CEO Alana Newell about moving from hands-on compositing into studio leadership, and the very different measures of success that come with the job.
As an artist, Newell found satisfaction in completing a shot and seeing the finished work on screen. Running a company of around 400 people across eight offices offers fewer immediate victories.
“Every win, in my opinion, is my team’s win,” she explains. “It’s a collective success.” Conversely, mistakes carry a personal weight "when you are responsible for the output of the entire company".
Check out the complete fxpodcast, which explores the economics of modern VFX, global incentives, building a unified culture across international offices, developing female leadership and why the future of the industry may extend far beyond film and episodic television.
0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Background
1:13 - Moving From Creative to Management
4:24 - Alana's Vision For Crafty Apes
6:11 - What Makes Crafty Apes Attractive
9:35 - The Business Model
11:43 - The Involvement of AI
14:23 - Specialist vs Generalist
16:13 - AI Talents
20:01 - The Path Forward For Crafty Apes
21:27 - Multiple Locations
30:05 - Relationships With Studios
31:26 - Women in Senior Roles
34:10 - Looking Forward
35:58 - Interactive Content Creation
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Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fxguide
Follow on X: https://x.com/fxguidenews
Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/fxguidevfx
Follow on Threads: threads.com/@fxguidevfx
Visit our web site: fxguide.com
Subscribe to the fxpodcast: fxguide.com/fxpodcasts
In this fxpodcast, we speak with Crafty Apes CEO Alana Newell about moving from hands-on compositing into studio leadership, and the very different measures of success that come with the job.
As an artist, Newell found satisfaction in completing a shot and seeing the finished work on screen. Running a company of around 400 people across eight offices offers fewer immediate victories.
“Every win, in my opinion, is my team’s win,” she explains. “It’s a collective success.” Conversely, mistakes carry a personal weight "when you are responsible for the output of the entire company".
Check out the complete fxpodcast, which explores the economics of modern VFX, global incentives, building a unified culture across international offices, developing female leadership and why the future of the industry may extend far beyond film and episodic television.
0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Background
1:13 - Moving From Creative to Management
4:24 - Alana's Vision For Crafty Apes
6:11 - What Makes Crafty Apes Attractive
9:35 - The Business Model
11:43 - The Involvement of AI
14:23 - Specialist vs Generalist
16:13 - AI Talents
20:01 - The Path Forward For Crafty Apes
21:27 - Multiple Locations
30:05 - Relationships With Studios
31:26 - Women in Senior Roles
34:10 - Looking Forward
35:58 - Interactive Content Creation
Facebook: facebook.com/fxguide
Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fxguide
Follow on X: https://x.com/fxguidenews
Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/fxguidevfx
Follow on Threads: threads.com/@fxguidevfx
Visit our web site: fxguide.com
Subscribe to the fxpodcast: fxguide.com/fxpodcasts
