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In a groundbreaking first for both organisations, 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.
This pioneering presence at Europe’s most influential gathering for innovation in visual media signals a transformative shift in how cinematographers and visual effects artists collaborate in modern filmmaking. By introducing the cinematographer’s perspective to this VFX-centric event, Cooke is building new bridges between the disciplines, recognising that the boundaries between on-set capture and digital enhancement have become increasingly fluid and interdependent.
What began in 1994 as a student fair at Haus der Wirtschaft, Stuttgart, has evolved into a global nexus where Oscar and Emmy winners share insights alongside emerging talents, and Cooke are proud to be elevating the voice of the cinematographer in this environment.
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.
Cinematographer Ashley Barron ACS
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.
Jordan Thistlewood, MD Cooke Digital
For those interested in experiencing these groundbreaking sessions, passes are still available to purchase for in-person attendance at FMX. Additionally, both sessions will be available via FMX’s On Demand Platform from May 10th through June 10th, with reduced price online only passes providing access to the recorded program in its entirety.
Cooke’s presence at FMX underscores a growing recognition that the integrity of cinematic storytelling depends on seamless collaboration between cinematographers and visual effects artists—a relationship that requires shared language, mutual understanding, and technical integration. By facilitating dialogue in such a visual effects focused setting, Cooke is helping to create a more integrated future for all visual storytellers.
Founded in 1893, Cooke has maintained an unwavering commitment to designing lenses that support the working cinematographer. The company’s lenses—handcrafted and calibrated in Leicester, UK—are renowned for the distinctive “Cooke Look®,” celebrated by cinematographers for its ability to convey emotion through light, colour, and composition.
Since introducing the S4i in 2005, all PL mount Cooke lenses have incorporated the /i Technology metadata system, now recognized as the film industry’s leading lens metadata protocol. This innovation represented an early recognition of the importance of data connectivity between physical production and post-production—a vision now coming to full fruition with Cooke’s presence at FMX.
Building on this foundation, Cooke launched its Digital business unit in 2024, focused on creating tools that bring the power and beauty of high-end lenses to digital workflows. The digital division represents Cooke’s commitment to evolving alongside the industry, maintaining the company’s heritage of optical excellence while embracing the possibilities of digital integration.
Features recently shot with Cooke lenses include Wonka, Asteroid City, Christopher, Matilda the Musical, Purple Hearts, The Batman, Poker Face, Birds of Paradise, The Mauritian, The French Dispatch, Bombshell, Little Women and The Irishman.
Television shows recently shot with Cooke lenses include The Crown Season 6, Lupin, The Last of Us, Obi Wan Kenobi, Euphoria, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Luminaries, The Umbrella Academy, Dead to Me, Lost in Space, Watchmen, Hunters, The Wonder and Chernobyl.
Media contact: marketing@cookeoptics.com
