Ep 21. Kevin Pollak's Chat Show - Robert Legato

Kevin Pollak's Chat Show is back with yet another engaging session. In season 2 episode 21, host Kevin Pollak invites Robert Legato to the show. If you are wondering who Robert Legato is, then let me tell you he is one of the most renowned visual effects supervisors in the film industry. He has won numerous awards and has been a part of some of the biggest blockbuster movies- Titanic, Apollo 13, and The Lion King, to name a few.

The episode begins with the host Kevin Pollak introducing Robert, who is connecting with the audience from his home due to the pandemic. Kevin starts off the discussion by asking Robert about his initial days in the industry. Robert shares how he started working as an assistant cameraman and how he used to sneak into the studio to watch the visual effects artists work on movies. He talks about the time when he got to work with James Cameron on the movie Titanic and how that experience changed his career.

Moving ahead, Kevin asks Robert about some of the challenges he faced while working on Titanic. Robert shares how it was a challenging task to create the ship's sinking scene, which is considered one of the most iconic scenes in the film history. He talks about how they had to build a miniature of the Titanic, flood it with water, and then film it from different angles to get the desired shot. He also shares some behind-the-scenes stories, like how they used to throw ice cubes into the miniature to create the illusion of people falling into the icy water.

As the conversation moves forward, Kevin and Robert discuss their mutual love for the craft of filmmaking. Robert shares how he always loved movies and wanted to be a part of the industry since he was a child. He talks about the impact movies have on people's lives and how they can inspire and influence people in many ways.

One of the most interesting parts of the episode is when Robert talks about his work on The Lion King. He tells the audience how the film's director, Jon Favreau, wanted to create a movie that feels like a nature documentary, and hence, they had to create the entire movie in a virtual environment. Robert shares how they used a technology called virtual production, which allows filmmakers to see and interact with the virtual characters in real-time. He talks about how they used real-life animal references to create the characters and the environment in the movie.

Towards the end of the episode, Kevin asks Robert about his thoughts on the future of filmmaking. Robert shares his excitement about the advancements in technology and how it is opening up new possibilities for filmmakers to create movies. He talks about how the line between reality and virtual reality is blurring, and filmmakers are exploring new ways to tell stories.

Overall, Kevin Pollak's Chat Show- Robert Legato is a delightful watch for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking. Robert's insights and experiences in the film industry are inspiring and fascinating. The episode is filled with some interesting behind-the-scenes stories, and Kevin's witty and engaging hosting makes it a memorable experience.