If you’ve ever wondered what a studio without walls looks like, the SIGGRAPH Encore replay with Boxel Studio has the answer.
In this in-depth conversation, Armando Ricalde (CTO) and Sergio Montoya (Head of IT) join us live from Mexico City to share how Boxel built a fully cloud-native creative studio — one where every artist, producer, and supervisor connects through a shared infrastructure designed for creativity without compromise.
🌎 A New Kind of Studio
Based in Baja California, Boxel Studio operates in the cloud — producing feature-quality VFX and animation through a distributed network of global artists.
Instead of traditional render farms or on-prem systems, Boxel uses a CenterGrid-powered Virtual Studio environment, giving each artist GPU-powered performance and secure access from anywhere in the world.
Their success story challenges the old notion of “remote work.” At Boxel, the cloud isn’t a backup plan — it’s the plan.
💬 Highlights from the Session
During the SIGGRAPH Encore livestream, Armando and Sergio shared candid insights into what it takes to build and maintain a global cloud culture:
- Scalability Meets Security: Sergio outlined how the partnership with CenterGrid and Virtual Studio enabled Boxel to scale their pipeline while keeping it safe and efficient.
- Culture Over Hardware: Both leaders emphasized that technology is only part of the story — culture is what keeps a distributed team connected.
- Redefining Collaboration: Armando explained how Boxel’s cloud workflow creates more creative freedom, not less.
“The cloud isn’t just about compute,” said Armando. “It’s about connection — to your team, to your purpose, and to the story you’re telling.”
⚡ Why Watch the Replay
If you’re exploring the future of cloud-based VFX, animation, or virtual production, this replay is essential viewing.
It’s a rare look inside a studio that’s not just adapting to the cloud — it’s thriving there. And it’s proof that the future of production is already here, built on creativity, collaboration, and connection.
🎙️ Watch the Replay Now: https://youtu.be/H9sK_EbqJ9A?si=Y3r2IJKWTtu-lVMf
Encore Session in partnership Boxel Studio and Virtual Studio
🌐 Learn More & Connect
🎬 Boxel Studio — Explore their groundbreaking VFX work and global creative team:
👉 https://boxelstudio.com/
💻 CenterGrid — High-performance cloud infrastructure powering creative industries:
👉 https://centergrid.com/
☁️ Virtual Studio — The creative cloud workspace built for artists and educators:
👉 https://cgvirtualstudio.com/