Cooke Optics and its new Digital division will present at the prestigious FMX conference this May in Stuttgart, marking the first time Cooke have presented at a Visual Effects orientated convention. Equally significant, this appearance represents the first-ever talk given by a cinematographer to take place at FMX.
The conference’s reputation for bringing together industry leaders is well-earned, with regular participation from powerhouses like DreamWorks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DNEG Animation, Maxon, Adobe, Samsung, RenderMan, Framestore, Foundry, and Weta. This rich ecosystem makes FMX the ideal venue for Cooke’s inaugural presentations in the visual effects sphere—a natural extension of the company’s century-long commitment to understanding the pipeline between a cinematographer’s vision and the audience experience.
Cooke will deliver two distinct presentations, each offering unique perspectives on the intersection of cinematography and visual effects:
VFX from a Cinematographer’s Perspective — Dr Who, Dangerous Liaisons and other stories (Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 at 15:45 in the Meidinger-Saal)
Award-winning cinematographer Ashley Barron ACS will join Jordan Thistlewood, MD Cooke Digital, to explore how cinematographers approach productions with significant visual effects components. Ashley brings global experience spanning the US, UK, Europe, Australia, China, Canada, and
Indonesia. In 2018, Ashley became one of just 15 women to receive Accreditation from the Australian Cinematographer’s Society. Ashley’s extensive experience on VFX-intensive productions provides her with unique insights into the collaborative process between cinematographers and digital artists — insights that will form the foundation of her groundbreaking FMX presentation.
Using examples from productions like Dr Who and Dangerous Liaisons, this session will illuminate how lighting design, camera movement, and lens selection serve as narrative tools within VFX-heavy environments. It will also delve into the nuanced decision-making process that shapes how cinematographers account for visual effects while maintaining their creative vision. Attendees will gain insight into the technical and artistic considerations that inform Ashley’s approach to VFX-intensive productions, from initial planning discussions through to final image output. The presentation promises valuable insights for both cinematography enthusiasts and professionals working in layout, lighting, and compositing.
Exploring Lens Optics & the Impacts on VFX (Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 at 17:00 in the Raum Karlsruhe)
This workshop features Jordan Thistlewood and Carey Duffy from Cooke Optics, examining the crucial relationship between lens design and visual effects. Drawing on Cooke’s century-plus heritage in optical design and two decades at the forefront of lens metadata innovation, the team will explore how lens characteristics influence VFX and CG artistry.
The workshop will unpack the technical aspects of lens design that matter most to digital artists, providing a rare opportunity for VFX professionals to understand the optical science behind the images they enhance. The session will also look forward to emerging workflows where on-set metadata can empower VFX artists while preserving the cinematographer’s creative intent — a vision that aligns perfectly with Cooke’s pioneering work in lens metadata technology.
