Episode 126: Shannan Louis from FatBelly VFX on the gender gap in visual effects

Women are vastly underrepresented in the visual effects part of the film and television industry, especially in key creative positions. In 2019, women only accounted for six per cent of visual effects supervisors ­– which is truly egregious when you consider that women make up nearly half of all film school graduates. The talent is there. Women just need the opportunity to get their foot in the studio door, and find an environment that is supportive and committed to getting them ahead. This is what FatBelly VFX is all about. FatBelly VFX is a Vancouver-based visual effects studio founded earlier this year by Shannan Louis. Shannan’s vision for FatBelly is to create a company culture that empowers and engages all of its employees, with special attention paid to uplifting and elevating women. In short, FatBelly VFX is determined to change the industry from the inside – and in this special episode of the YVR Screen Scene Podcast, Shannan tells us how she’s working to level the playing field. Episode sponsor: Fish Flight Entertainment