The VFX Process Podcast #62 | Freelance 3D artist Duncan Rudd reveals how he built his solo short Deep Rooted in Blender using Geometry Nodes and why personal projects matter.
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Jamie Bakewell sits down with Duncan Rudd, a seasoned CG animator, rigger, and generalist with over 20 years in the industry, to talk about Deep Rooted, his fourth animated short and his first created entirely in Blender. Duncan dives into how Geometry Nodes, open-source tools, and pure passion helped him bring this ambitious 10-minute film to life.
We explore Duncan’s full creative process, from character design to rigging, scene construction, and rendering—all powered by Blender. He shares why personal projects are essential for freelance 3D artists, giving you a chance to express your unique voice and stand out in a competitive landscape. His insights are gold for any aspiring 3D generalist or animator looking to grow creatively and professionally.
Duncan has spent the last decade freelancing for top UK studios including Aardman, Nexus, Studio Liddell, and many more. Recently, he brought together everything he’s learned—alongside some of the best talent he’s worked with—to launch 3DR, a full-service animation studio based in South Manchester.
We also dive into the shifting animation landscape, with the collapse of major VFX studios creating new opportunities for small studios and freelancers. Whether you're into indie animation, Blender workflows, or building a sustainable 3D career—this episode is packed with real talk and valuable advice.
WATCH DEEP ROOTED: https://youtu.be/Q0QM1Ral-7s?feature=shared
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CONNECT WITH DUNCAN:
https://www.instagram.com/duncanrudd
https://www.3drstudio.co.uk/
@duncanrudd348
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⏰TIMECODES⏰
00:00 - INTRO TO DUNCAN
02:32 - LEARNING 3D IN THE 90'S
05:14 - PROJECT: DEEP ROUTED
09:10 - PICKING UP BLENDER FOR THE FIRST TIME
10:15 - A LOT OF GEOMETRY NODES!
12:40 - WHY I CHOSE EEVEE TO RENDER THIS FILM
14:40 - HARDEST SCENE TO ANIMATE
15:33 - TEXTURING & USING 2D ELEMENTS
18:04 - MAKING A SHORT WITH NO DIALOGUE
20:19 - THE IMPORTANCE OF ANIMATICS
23:31 - TOP 3 TIPS FOR BLENDER FILMMAKERS
24:58 - FREELANCE ANIMATION CAREER ADVICE
27:39 - IMPOSTER SYNDROME & WORK LIFE BALANCE
31:34 - MY NEXT PROJECTS
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MUSIC: Motion Array - https://motionarray.com/
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This video is NOT sponsored. some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we will receive a small commission.
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