Meet Benjamin Lock

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benjamin Lock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benjamin, how do you think about risk?
I think about risk as something that comes with any meaningful growth. I don’t take risks lightly, but I do see them as necessary if you want to move beyond what’s comfortable.

One of the most pivotal risks I took was leaving an established role in VFX and Animation to go back to film school. I was already working on major productions, but I knew I wanted to deepen my producing craft, to strengthen my ability to shape stories, lead teams, and manage productions end-to-end. On paper it looked like a step back, but in practice it gave me the foundation to grow as a producer and opened doors I wouldn’t have reached otherwise.

Another risk was moving internationally several times to pursue opportunities. Each move meant leaving behind a professional network and starting fresh, but those decisions broadened my perspective, helped me build global relationships, and gave me the adaptability to work across very different production cultures.

Most recently, I’ve leaned into risk by helping to pioneer the use of AI in film and VFX. It’s a space full of skepticism and uncertainty, but also enormous potential. Stepping into that conversation early has allowed me to help shape standards, build trust, and show how new technology can be integrated responsibly into professional pipelines.

Taken together, these risks taught me that stepping off the safe path is often what creates the chance to do work that matters.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career has always been driven by a passion for creative exploration, supported by an embrace of technology. It started with sound and music, evolved into graphics, and then into film. That foundation eventually led me to Autodesk, where I worked at the intersection of technology and creativity before moving into Animation and VFX supervision, and then into Producing. Each step has been about pushing further into how stories are made and how technology can expand what’s possible.

Challenges have been a constant, but they’ve also been the fuel for growth. My own curiosity often pushes me to challenge the status quo, and I’ve sought out collaborations with ambitious creatives who want to do the same. At different points I’ve had to reinvent myself, whether by moving countries, going back to film school, or stepping into new technologies; each time learning more about myself and pushing my limits. Along the way, I’ve had to navigate politics, economics, and cultural differences, all while keeping the focus on what matters most: realising meaningful visions that are both unifying and relevant.

What sets me apart is that blend of technical grounding, creative leadership, and global perspective. I’ve built a career on bridging worlds, from studios to startups, from established production pipelines to emerging technologies. What I’m proudest of is staying true to the belief that innovation isn’t just about tools; it’s about people, collaboration, and purpose.

The lesson I’ve learned is that resilience, adaptability, and empathy are as vital as technical expertise. What I’d want the world to know about my story is that my goal has always been to connect creativity and technology in service of stories that matter.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I haven’t been in LA very long, so if a best friend came to visit, I’d use it as a chance to explore some of the places I’ve already fallen in love with and a few I’m still discovering.

We’d start with the Getty because it’s hard to beat the combination of art, architecture, and those incredible views. I’d balance that with a day in the mountains, riding bikes or just taking in the landscape, and then of course time at the beach, because LA is at its best when you get that mix of city and nature.

For film and culture, I’d take them to the Academy Museum, which feels like a must-see for anyone who loves storytelling and cinema. Evenings would be a mix of casual spots to eat and drink, like a great taco truck one night, a rooftop cocktail bar another, and somewhere like Musso & Frank for a taste of old Hollywood after a screening at Paramount, Warners or Universal. Maybe even the Speakeasy in the Mack Sennett Studios where I work at Asteria Film Company.

And if we had access to a plane? I’d ask my son to fly us for a quick escape to Vegas for the energy and spectacle, and onto Napa Valley for the food, wine, and amazing scenery.

For me, the best itinerary is about mixing movie culture, nature, and a little bit of adventure, so you leave feeling like you’ve experienced the spirit of LA and beyond.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been very lucky to have worked with incredible talent and mentors from The National Film and Television School, Aardman Animations, Framestore and Lucasfilm.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminlock

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlock

Twitter: https://www.x.com/benlock

Other: https://www.imdb.me/benlock