The Future of Creative Studios: Insights from HaZ Dulull

The Future of Creative Studios: Insights from HaZ Dulull on the CG Pro Show

In Episode 6 of the CG Pro Show, hosts Edward Dawson-Taylor and Andy Cochrane sit down with special guest HaZ Dulull, filmmaker, game developer, studio founder, and one of the most forward-thinking creators in the space. Their conversation spans gaming, filmmaking, VFX, AI, micro-studios, and the rapid evolution of the creative pipeline.

This recap highlights the biggest ideas, predictions, and creative insights HaZ shared during the show.

From Retro Gaming Videos to a Transmedia Studio

HaZ Dulull has worked across video games, VFX, TV directing, animation, and filmmaking. His company Beyond the Pixels actually began as a YouTube channel where he posted retro-gaming content and creative tutorials. The channel quickly grew past one hundred thousand subscribers, proving that authenticity and value-driven content resonate.

Today Beyond the Pixels blends indie game development, pixel-art animated series, community-driven storytelling, strategic partnerships, and creator-owned IP. This multi-format approach reflects where modern entertainment is heading: a world where small, nimble teams build interconnected creative universes across multiple mediums.

The Rise of the Micro Studio

A major theme of the episode is the explosive rise of micro-studios. Layoffs at large companies have pushed experienced artists and developers to form small three to five person teams. Tools like Unreal UEFN, Roblox, Unity, and modern game engines remove infrastructure challenges that once required huge teams.

A new generation of creators can now publish games in weeks instead of years, iterate rapidly using audience data, build communities directly, own their IP, collaborate globally, and move past traditional gatekeepers. For the first time creatives have full control of production, distribution, and monetization.

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

With democratized tools comes competition. HaZ explains how his own game, AstroBurn, gains traction by leaning into community, events, partnerships, and unconventional marketing.

He uses in-person tournaments, social-driven storytelling, partnerships with unexpected brands, YouTube tutorials, and a community-first approach. The message is clear. Content alone is not enough. Community and creativity are the new marketing engine.

The New Creative Skill Set: AI and Fundamentals

The episode explores emerging tools including AI video models, 3D reconstruction, image editing models, Comfy workflows, and new capabilities inside Blender and Unreal Engine.

The core message is that AI does not replace artists. It replaces artists who refuse to adopt modern tools.

Fundamentals still matter. Composition, lighting, color theory, shape and form, animation principles, editing, storytelling, and good taste remain essential.

AI amplifies skilled artists. It does not invent those skills.

Creators who combine traditional fundamentals with modern AI workflows become exponentially more powerful.

Creation as Entertainment

Andy highlights a cultural shift happening across generations. Creation itself is becoming entertainment. Instead of simply consuming games, younger creators are using AI tools to make their own. Instead of waiting for studios to tell stories, creators remix, modify, and personalize content.

We are entering a remix culture era where fans rewrite alternate endings, build their own game levels, recut scenes, use AI to continue stories, and create personalized experiences. This shift will redefine how studios create content, how audiences engage, and how IP is monetized.

Craft and Commerce in the Age of AI

The team addresses the ongoing debate around AI in creative industries. Audiences are already pushing back on low-effort AI content. At the same time, creators who use AI thoughtfully are producing pitchvis and ideation work at record speed.

The major takeaway is that AI is not a replacement for craftsmanship. It is a tool that accelerates and expands what talented creators can do. While studios may look at AI as a cost-saving measure, the artists who thrive are those who use AI to enhance creativity rather than reduce it.

Technology Highlights From the Episode

The episode showcases several groundbreaking technologies. These include AI tools that generate games from sketches, models that turn photos into 3D characters, single-image 3D reconstruction for cinematic parallax shots, cloud-based Comfy workflows, advanced image editing tools, and Blender 5s support for 4D Gaussian Splats and ray tracing.

These tools lower creative barriers, speed up production, and empower smaller teams to achieve results once reserved for big studios.

Gadget of the Week: TorBox Controller

Ed highlights the TorBox, a customizable dial-and-knob controller that accelerates work in Premiere, After Effects, and 3D tools. It provides a tactile, efficient editing experience and is an affordable productivity upgrade for creators.

Final Thoughts: The Creative Future Has Arrived

Innovation in filmmaking, VFX, animation, and game development is advancing more quickly than ever. AI, game engines, and open-source tools are transforming what is possible creatively and technically.

Key themes from the conversation include the rise of micro-studios, the importance of community, AI as a creative accelerator, creation as entertainment, evolving creative tools such as Blender 5 and Unreal Engine, and an increasing level of control and opportunity for creators.

HaZ Dululls journey illustrates how adaptable, innovative creators can thrive in this new landscape.

This episode is essential viewing for anyone looking to stay ahead in the next era of creative production.

Watch the full video version here
https://youtu.be/cE8zvzOA4I0

Join our free webinar on AI for Filmmakers on December 16 at 1130 am PT
https://hubs.li/Q03WvLd70