The Indie Leadership Roundtable brought together studio founders and managing directors, including The Yard’s Laurens Ehrmann, to discuss how independent studios are navigating one of the most challenging economic periods the VFX industry has experienced. Conversations focused on building sustainable business strategies in an unpredictable market, where long-term planning has become increasingly difficult and decisions are often made with limited visibility. The panel also explored the impact of AI and emerging technologies on workflows, bidding models, and perceived value, as well as the ongoing tension between collaboration and competition within the industry.
The Yard’s Head of CG, Tom Fonvillars, participated in the Creative Technology Roundtable, which focused on how new tools and technologies are being integrated into creative and production workflows across studios. Rather than speculative futures, the discussion centered on practical use cases and how technology is currently supporting efficiency, problem-solving, and creative iteration.
Speakers discussed the distinction between long-established machine learning techniques and newer generative AI tools, noting both the opportunities and the ethical, legal, and IP-related challenges they introduce. The conversation emphasized the need for discernment when adopting new technologies, identifying what truly adds value and what may introduce complexity without clear benefit.