Conference
The State of VFX
VFX for Episodic
ON SITE
Meidinger-Saal
Tuesday, May 06, 15:45
VFX from a Cinematographer's perspective – Dr Who, Dangerous Liaisons and other stories
Video on demand
Join Ashley Barron ACS and Jordan Thistlewood, Cooke Optics, to discuss VFX from a Cinematographer's perspective, the role of the cinematographer, the production planning process, lighting design and camera work. Hear how a cinematographer accounts for VFX in the cinematography process using production examples like Dr. Who. Learn how a cinematographer uses lighting, lens and camera choices as storytelling tools. Understand how physical production logistics influence both creative and technical choices. This is a great session for those who love cinematography or work in the layout, lighting and compositing teams.
Ashley Barron, Cinematographer ACS
Ashley Barron ACS is an international, award-winning Director of Photography. Trained at the American Film Institute Conservatory in Hollywood, Ashley's career has since spanned across the US, UK, Europe, Australia, China, Canada, and Indonesia. In 2018 Ashley became one of 15 women to receive Accreditation from the Australian Cinematographer’s Society.
Her work has earned a number of awards, including a coveted Gold Award from the Australian Cinematographer's Society (ACS), an AACTA Award (Aussie Oscar), a Nomination at the prestigious Camerimage Cinematography Film Festival, an invitation for membership of the Illuminatrix Collective, and one of the earliest memberships of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers (ICFC). Ashley’s work has also been profiled in the American, Australian and British Cinematographer Magazines.
Ashley recently set up the upcoming NETFLIX Original How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, one of The Guardian’s Top 50 Must-See Shows of 2025. Ashley also lensed an upcoming Dr Who for Bad Wolf/Disney+, and her previous credits include Starz Lionsgate’s Dangerous Liaisons S1, Australian Academy Award-winning series The Tailings and ITV’s The Tower S2.
Ashley believes that stories can be a vehicle to create empathy and strives to create an immersive visual experience that reflects a symbolic understanding of the project. Aligning this with the director's vision and the comfort of performances is her specialty.
Jordan Thistlewood, Managing Director, Cooke Digital, Cooke Optics
Jordan joined Cooke in 2024 to build the new Cooke Digital division that focuses on the intersection of cinematography and multiple digital media. He brings over 25 years’ experience in vfx, animation, virtual production, and software development for artists and enterprise creative businesses. Through the Digital division, Jordan and team are bringing together cinematographers, animation, vfx and game professionals in a community focused on their shared love of their storytelling craft and providing them with the next generation of tools to empower their collaboration.