Following the recent votes by VFX workers at Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel to unionize with IATSE, a call for collective bargaining received enthusiastic applause during an intimate Visual Effects Society Honors ceremony and reception Friday at Los Angeles’ Skirball Cultural Center.
Referencing the SAG-AFTRA strike and recently ended WGA strike, honoree Bob Coleman, a veteran VFX artist agent and exec, said “a lot of damage has been done, but progress has been made for those two guilds. But the artists in this room and artists all around the world have not fared so well without collective bargaining. And without collective bargaining, there will be no progress for them.” He added, “I believe this is one of the greatest inequities in our industry, and I hope this inequity can be righted.”
Each October, the organization holds a gathering to recognize leaders in its close-knit community. This year, Tim McGovern,...
Referencing the SAG-AFTRA strike and recently ended WGA strike, honoree Bob Coleman, a veteran VFX artist agent and exec, said “a lot of damage has been done, but progress has been made for those two guilds. But the artists in this room and artists all around the world have not fared so well without collective bargaining. And without collective bargaining, there will be no progress for them.” He added, “I believe this is one of the greatest inequities in our industry, and I hope this inequity can be righted.”
Each October, the organization holds a gathering to recognize leaders in its close-knit community. This year, Tim McGovern,...
- 10/14/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Now an educator shaping the next generation of VFX wizards, Ed Kramer’s career spans two decades of cinematic spectacle, taking in such science fiction classics as Stargate (1994), Galaxy Quest (1999), and the Star Wars prequels.
In a special live interview and audience Q&a to launch his Companion podcast CGI Fridays, Kramer revealed some incredible artifacts from his career and shared the stories behind them – taking us right back to the birth of one of sci-fi’s longest-running series: Stargate.
In a special live interview and audience Q&a to launch his Companion podcast CGI Fridays, Kramer revealed some incredible artifacts from his career and shared the stories behind them – taking us right back to the birth of one of sci-fi’s longest-running series: Stargate.
- 4/21/2023
- by James Hoare
- The Companion
“Avatar: The Way of Water” topped the 21st Annual Ves Awards with nine wins, including for photoreal feature.
Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” was named best animated feature and took home three awards total. On the TV side, Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” won three awards and was named best photoreal episode.
Rian Johnson, Domee Shi, Tig Notaro, Jay Pharoah, Tyler Posey and Randall Park were among the presenters for the night. James Cameron presented the Ves Lifetime Achievement award to acclaimed producer Gale Anne Hurd.
Former Ves executive director Eric Roth received the Board of Directors Award from the current board, which includes Lisa Cooke, current Ves Chair; Jim Morris, Ves, president of Pixar Animation and founding Ves Chair; and former Chairs Jeffrey A. Okun, Ves; Mike Chambers, Ves; Carl Rosendahl, Ves; and Jeff Barnes.
“As we celebrate the 21st Annual Ves Awards,...
Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” was named best animated feature and took home three awards total. On the TV side, Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” won three awards and was named best photoreal episode.
Rian Johnson, Domee Shi, Tig Notaro, Jay Pharoah, Tyler Posey and Randall Park were among the presenters for the night. James Cameron presented the Ves Lifetime Achievement award to acclaimed producer Gale Anne Hurd.
Former Ves executive director Eric Roth received the Board of Directors Award from the current board, which includes Lisa Cooke, current Ves Chair; Jim Morris, Ves, president of Pixar Animation and founding Ves Chair; and former Chairs Jeffrey A. Okun, Ves; Mike Chambers, Ves; Carl Rosendahl, Ves; and Jeff Barnes.
“As we celebrate the 21st Annual Ves Awards,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The Visual Effects Society (Ves) named its 2021 Board of Directors officers with Lisa Cooke being elected as Board Chair. She is the first woman to hold this role in Ves’s history.
The five officers, who comprise the Ves Board Executive Committee, were elected at the January 2021 Board meeting. They embody the global makeup of Ves, coming from Sections in the United States, New Zealand and London.
“The Society is proud to have exceptional leadership represented on our Executive Committee,” said Eric Roth, Ves Executive Director. “This is a group of impassioned and venerated professionals with a vision for the Society’s future, especially amidst this time of dynamic change. We appreciate their commitment to serve our organization and our members worldwide.”
“It is my great honor and privilege to Chair this society of exceptional artists and innovators,” said Lisa Cooke, Ves Chair. “I’m proud to be the first woman in this role,...
The five officers, who comprise the Ves Board Executive Committee, were elected at the January 2021 Board meeting. They embody the global makeup of Ves, coming from Sections in the United States, New Zealand and London.
“The Society is proud to have exceptional leadership represented on our Executive Committee,” said Eric Roth, Ves Executive Director. “This is a group of impassioned and venerated professionals with a vision for the Society’s future, especially amidst this time of dynamic change. We appreciate their commitment to serve our organization and our members worldwide.”
“It is my great honor and privilege to Chair this society of exceptional artists and innovators,” said Lisa Cooke, Ves Chair. “I’m proud to be the first woman in this role,...
- 1/21/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
This year’s virtual Comic-Con@Home has announced its schedule for Saturday, July 25. The highlights are below.
The virtual event replaces the annual San Diego Comic-Con, the largest fan convention in North America, which was to be held July 22–26 at the San Diego Convention Center, until the Covid-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.
In June, Comic-Con International — the non-profit organization that oversees Sdcc and its sister event, WonderCon in Anaheim, Calif. — announced it was moving forward with the virtual event on the same dates. This time, however, the event is free and open to all.
The Comic-Con@Home schedule — including Wednesday, July 22, Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24 — is being announced daily through Sunday.
Saturday’s events include (all times are Pacific Daylight):
10–11 a.m.
“Cosmos: Possible Worlds” — featuring the host and creators of the Fox docu-series, including host Neil deGrasse Tyson, visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun, executive producer and director Ann Druyan,...
The virtual event replaces the annual San Diego Comic-Con, the largest fan convention in North America, which was to be held July 22–26 at the San Diego Convention Center, until the Covid-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.
In June, Comic-Con International — the non-profit organization that oversees Sdcc and its sister event, WonderCon in Anaheim, Calif. — announced it was moving forward with the virtual event on the same dates. This time, however, the event is free and open to all.
The Comic-Con@Home schedule — including Wednesday, July 22, Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24 — is being announced daily through Sunday.
Saturday’s events include (all times are Pacific Daylight):
10–11 a.m.
“Cosmos: Possible Worlds” — featuring the host and creators of the Fox docu-series, including host Neil deGrasse Tyson, visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun, executive producer and director Ann Druyan,...
- 7/11/2020
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
“We’re not inventing a story where we need the most extreme version of what it is that meets our fears,” Cosmos: Possible Worlds host and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said of the vital role VFX plays in the National Geographic series. “We are just trying to portray actual known things that happen in the actual known universe.”
Tyson joined Possible Worlds executive producer Ann Druyan and visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun at Deadline’s Contenders Television virtual event.
“The biggest challenge is to make science what it is,” Okun says of making the series come alive with VFX. “What’s really important about this is that my journey … is to put up on the screen what they wrote,” he added of the Druyan- and Brannon Braga-penned series, which is executive produced by Seth MacFarlane and ended its first season April 20.
“So, what the effects had to do...
Tyson joined Possible Worlds executive producer Ann Druyan and visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun at Deadline’s Contenders Television virtual event.
“The biggest challenge is to make science what it is,” Okun says of making the series come alive with VFX. “What’s really important about this is that my journey … is to put up on the screen what they wrote,” he added of the Druyan- and Brannon Braga-penned series, which is executive produced by Seth MacFarlane and ended its first season April 20.
“So, what the effects had to do...
- 6/20/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
“Cosmos: Possible Worlds” finally has a premiere date at National Geographic. The 13-episode season will debut March 9, 2020 on the cable channel and is set to air on Fox next summer.
“National Geographic is proud to be the world’s leading destination for viewers who are passionate about science and exploration,” Courteney Monroe, president of global television networks at National Geographic, said in a statement Thursday. “Which is why we’re excited for the next chapter of the most-beloved and most-watched science show to date, ‘Cosmos,’ to return to our air. ‘Cosmos: Possible Worlds’ takes complex themes from astrophysics, astronomy and anthropology and makes them accessible and entertaining for millions of people around the world to devour.”
Fox and Nat Geo, which share the series, pulled their respective scheduled March 2019 premieres of “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” — a follow-up to 2014’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey”– back in February, amid an investigation into sexual...
“National Geographic is proud to be the world’s leading destination for viewers who are passionate about science and exploration,” Courteney Monroe, president of global television networks at National Geographic, said in a statement Thursday. “Which is why we’re excited for the next chapter of the most-beloved and most-watched science show to date, ‘Cosmos,’ to return to our air. ‘Cosmos: Possible Worlds’ takes complex themes from astrophysics, astronomy and anthropology and makes them accessible and entertaining for millions of people around the world to devour.”
Fox and Nat Geo, which share the series, pulled their respective scheduled March 2019 premieres of “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” — a follow-up to 2014’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey”– back in February, amid an investigation into sexual...
- 11/7/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Get ready for the end of the world… again. Making his feature film directorial debut, Dean Devlin (writer/producer, “Independence Day”) brings audiences this fall the sci/fi suspense thriller Geostorm.
After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything…and everyone along with it.
Warner Bros. Pictures has released a brand new trailer for the film.
Starring Gerard Butler (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “300”), Jim Sturgess (“Cloud Atlas”), Abbie Cornish (“Limitless”), Alexandra Maria Lara (“Rush”), Daniel Wu (“The Man with the Iron Fists,” “Warcraft: The Beginning”), Eugenio Derbez (“How to Be a Latin Lover...
After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything…and everyone along with it.
Warner Bros. Pictures has released a brand new trailer for the film.
Starring Gerard Butler (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “300”), Jim Sturgess (“Cloud Atlas”), Abbie Cornish (“Limitless”), Alexandra Maria Lara (“Rush”), Daniel Wu (“The Man with the Iron Fists,” “Warcraft: The Beginning”), Eugenio Derbez (“How to Be a Latin Lover...
- 7/6/2017
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Today the world will be taken by storm. Check out the new Official Teaser for Geostorm now, in theaters October 20.
After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything…and everyone along with it.
Dean Devlin (writer/producer, “Independence Day”) makes his feature film directorial debut with suspense thriller Geostorm, starring Gerard Butler (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “300”), Jim Sturgess (“Cloud Atlas”), Abbie Cornish (“Limitless”), Alexandra Maria Lara (“Rush”), Daniel Wu (“The Man with the Iron Fists,” “Warcraft: The Beginning”), with Oscar nominees Ed Harris (“The Hours,” “Apollo 13”) and Andy Garcia (“The Godfather: Part III...
After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything…and everyone along with it.
Dean Devlin (writer/producer, “Independence Day”) makes his feature film directorial debut with suspense thriller Geostorm, starring Gerard Butler (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “300”), Jim Sturgess (“Cloud Atlas”), Abbie Cornish (“Limitless”), Alexandra Maria Lara (“Rush”), Daniel Wu (“The Man with the Iron Fists,” “Warcraft: The Beginning”), with Oscar nominees Ed Harris (“The Hours,” “Apollo 13”) and Andy Garcia (“The Godfather: Part III...
- 3/8/2017
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Tornadoes, massive tidal waves, and more manipulated aspects of Mother Nature threaten to destroy life as we know it in the official trailer for Geostorm.
"After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything...and everyone along with it.
Dean Devlin (writer/producer, “Independence Day”) makes his feature film directorial debut with suspense thriller “Geostorm,” starring Gerard Butler (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “300”), Jim Sturgess (“Cloud Atlas”), Abbie Cornish (“Limitless”), Alexandra Maria Lara (“Rush”), Daniel Wu (“The Man with the Iron Fists,” “Warcraft: The Beginning”), with Oscar nominees Ed Harris (“The Hours,” “Apollo 13...
"After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything...and everyone along with it.
Dean Devlin (writer/producer, “Independence Day”) makes his feature film directorial debut with suspense thriller “Geostorm,” starring Gerard Butler (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “300”), Jim Sturgess (“Cloud Atlas”), Abbie Cornish (“Limitless”), Alexandra Maria Lara (“Rush”), Daniel Wu (“The Man with the Iron Fists,” “Warcraft: The Beginning”), with Oscar nominees Ed Harris (“The Hours,” “Apollo 13...
- 3/8/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Adding to the roster of stars returning from the original Independence Day, Brent Spiner has just signed on for the sequel. He'll once more don the frightwig belonging to eccentric scientist Dr. Brackish Okun. This just in... @JoeyKingActress and @BrentSpiner officially signed for #IndependenceDay - Welcome aboard!— Roland Emmerich (@rolandemmerich) April 9, 2015Never release me. https://t.co/I3ims9itVz— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) April 10, 2015Spiner was five years out of Star Trek: The Next Generation when he turned out for Roland Emmerich's sci-fi spectacular in 1996. Having played the buttoned up Lieutenant Commander Data for seven seasons, he clearly relished cutting loose a bit for the more chaotic Dr. Okun, whose attempt at an alien autopsy didn't go terribly well. There's an "Independence Data" joke here somewhere. Please insert as you feel is appropriate.The character of Okun was actually based on Jeffrey A. Okun, Emmerich's VFX supervisor on Stargate.
- 4/10/2015
- EmpireOnline
Ridley Scott will receive the Visual Effects Society Lifetime Achievement Award during the 13th annual Ves Awards, Feb. 4 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. “Ridley Scott is a defining voice of the feature, broadcast and commercial forms. His vision and contribution to the art is incomparable and his impact upon the visual effects and technical form is unparalleled,” Ves board chair Jeff Okun said in a statement. Read more 'Exodus': How Ridley Scott Chose His 11-Year-Old Voice of God Scott directed sci-fi classics Blade Runner and Alien, and has received Academy Award nominations for best director
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- 11/25/2014
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Los Angeles (January 14, 2014) – Today, the Visual Effects Society (Ves), the industry’s professional honorary society, announced the nominees for the 12th Annual Ves Awards, the prestigious yearly celebration that recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation in film, animation, television, commercials and video games and the VFX supervisors, VFX producers and hands-on-the-keys artists who bring this work to life. Nominees were selected by Ves members via concurrent events in Los Angeles and within the eight Global Ves Sections – New York, Bay Area, New Zealand, Sydney, United Kingdom, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. The Ves Awards will be held on February 12th at the Beverly Hilton. “The artistry, ingenuity and passion of visual effects practitioners around the world have come together to tell the most amazing stories imaginable,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Ves Chair. “This year, more than ever, we have seen the fantastic become normal, the unimaginable become reality and the...
- 1/14/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Los Angeles — Sony Corp. is taking a deeper dive into ultrahigh-definition video as it comes out Friday with "After Earth," the first of Sony's three movies this year both shot and presented in the emerging 4K digital format. At a screening for journalists, I got a close-up look at even the pores on Will Smith's face as details were rendered with greater clarity on the big screen.
Sony and other consumer electronics makers are betting that 4K images will become the new standard, prompting consumers to buy fancier TVs just as they did when high definition, or HD, rolled out over the past decade. It could also entice more people to buy movie tickets to see for themselves what the super-clear format is like.
But the more detailed images present a host of problems. They use four times the number of pixels as the current HD standard, which results in larger data files.
Sony and other consumer electronics makers are betting that 4K images will become the new standard, prompting consumers to buy fancier TVs just as they did when high definition, or HD, rolled out over the past decade. It could also entice more people to buy movie tickets to see for themselves what the super-clear format is like.
But the more detailed images present a host of problems. They use four times the number of pixels as the current HD standard, which results in larger data files.
- 5/31/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
In what is hopefully a step forward towards calming the turmoil in the visual effects industry, Rhythm & Hues, the effects house behind Life of Pi, had acquired a new owner in a bankruptcy auction last week. Founded in 1987, Rhythm & Hues has been a powerhouse Hollywood digital effects studio for many years, but encountered trouble when a deal fell apart in 2013 and they went bankrupt, leaving hundreds of angry employees waiting for a paycheck. Many of them protested the Oscars this year and started the green avatar movement. Rhythm & Hues has been sold to a holding company that also owns VFX house Prana Studios. While news about the sale of Prana Studios, with offices in Mumbai, India and Los Angeles, was "delayed" due to a legal hold-up regarding approval, a press release was issued as confirmation. "Our partnership will allow R&H to continue the business of creating world-class digital imagery,...
- 3/31/2013
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Oscar-winning VFX studio Rhythm & Hues has been acquired out of bankruptcy by Los Angeles-based Prana Studios. Prana is a U.S. animation and visual effects studio with offices in Los Angeles and Mumbai, India.
Prana's Senior VP of VFX Jeffrey A. Okun says R&H will "remain a stand-alone company focusing on cutting-edge visual effects and innovative technology". They will, however, be "complimented by Prana’s world-class long-form animation."
Rhythm & Hues made headlines earlier this year as a textbook example of how difficult it is to succeed in the cutthroat world of visual effects animation these days. The company had to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 in mid-February. A few weeks later it won the visual effects Oscar for their work on "Life of Pi."...
Prana's Senior VP of VFX Jeffrey A. Okun says R&H will "remain a stand-alone company focusing on cutting-edge visual effects and innovative technology". They will, however, be "complimented by Prana’s world-class long-form animation."
Rhythm & Hues made headlines earlier this year as a textbook example of how difficult it is to succeed in the cutthroat world of visual effects animation these days. The company had to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 in mid-February. A few weeks later it won the visual effects Oscar for their work on "Life of Pi."...
- 3/30/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Academy Award®-winning visual effects and animation studio Rhythm & Hues was acquired out of bankruptcy today by a wholly-owned affiliate of Los Angeles-based Prana Studios, Inc. Rhythm & Hues is a global production powerhouse for the creation of visual effects and animation for Hollywood movies. Among its 145 screen credits are “Life of Pi,” “The Golden Compass” and “Babe,” Academy Award winners for Achievement in Visual Effects, (in 2012, 2008, and 1995 respectively).
“This is a positive outcome to a difficult situation,” said R&H executive Lee Berger, “and we are thrilled to be able to put this process behind us. We are grateful for Prana’s support as well as the support of their investor group, and are excited to begin the next chapter of R&H’s history.
In February at the 85th Academy Awards, Ang Lee’s Life of Pi won 4 Oscars for Cinematography, Directing, Music (Original Score) and Visual Effects. The...
“This is a positive outcome to a difficult situation,” said R&H executive Lee Berger, “and we are thrilled to be able to put this process behind us. We are grateful for Prana’s support as well as the support of their investor group, and are excited to begin the next chapter of R&H’s history.
In February at the 85th Academy Awards, Ang Lee’s Life of Pi won 4 Oscars for Cinematography, Directing, Music (Original Score) and Visual Effects. The...
- 3/30/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It's official. A Los Angeles bankruptcy court judge has approved the acquisition of visual effects and animation studio Rhythm & Hues, which did the VFX for Oscar-winning "Life of Pi," by a wholly-owned affiliate of La-based Prana Studios, Inc. Many VFX houses these days are beleaguered by price-gauging studios and overseas competition as layoffs are rampant and VFX practitioners talk about starting a union. After a two-day auction, Judge Neil Bason approved winning bidder 34x118 Holdings Inc., an affiliate of Prana Studios, a U.S. animation and visual effects studio based in La and Mumbai, India. This partnership will allow R & H to continue creating "world-class digital imagery,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Senior Vice-President, VFX, Prana Studios. "While remaining a stand-alone company focusing on cutting-edge visual effects and innovative technology, R&H will be complimented by Prana’s world-class long-form animation. Our complimentary talents and...
- 3/29/2013
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Academy Award-winning visual effects and animation studio Rhythm & Hues was acquired out of bankruptcy today by a wholly-owned affiliate of Los Angeles-based Prana Studios, Inc. At a hearing held today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles, Judge Neil Bason approved Prana Studios affiliate, 34x118 Holdings Inc., as the winning bidder after a two-day auction. Prana Studios Inc. is a U.S. animation and visual effects studio with offices in Los Angeles and Mumbai, India. .Our partnership will allow R&H to continue the business of creating world-class digital imagery,. said Jeffrey A. Okun, Senior Vice-President, VFX, Prana Studios. .While remaining a stand-alone company focusing on cutting-edge visual effects and innovative technology, R&H will be complimented by...
- 3/29/2013
- Comingsoon.net
As a surprise song, the theme to "Jaws," swelled up as the cut-off music to the Visual Effects Oscar acceptance speech, "Life of Pi" VFX Supervisor Bill Westenhofer had just gotten to a very important issue: VFX vendor Rhythm + Hues, who had worked on the film, has recently gone into bankruptcy. Rhythm + Hues, it just so happened, was down the street protesting the industry's outsourcing of VFX contract work. A post on Reddit and a recent piece on Kcrw's The Business (this segment starts about 10:00 in) have laid out many of the issues. Because of incentives, much VFX work is being outsourced (to Canada), and studios are often requiring American VFX firms to compensate them with the incentives they would get were they to go with a Canadian operation. As VFX artists Craig Barron and Jeff Okun explained on The Business, Hollywood movies often sell themselves with their effects.
- 2/26/2013
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
Los Angeles – The Visual Effects Society (Ves) is pleased to announce the nominees for the 11th Annual Ves Awards, which recognize outstanding visual effects artistry in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees were selected Saturday, January 5 by Ves members at Spy/ a FotoKem Company in the Bay Area and at FotoKem in Burbank in California; and at Blue Sky Studios in New York, Weta Digital in New Zealand, Fuel VFX in Sydney, Molinare in the UK and Image Engine in Vancouver. Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society, comments, “Visual effects have helped define the experience of going to the cinema. Every year, visual effects artists put their technical skill, ingenuity and passion to work in the creation of images that astound and move us. We congratulate all of our nominees on their amazing accomplishments in – and contributions to – the worlds of film, animation,...
- 1/7/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Los Angeles – The Visual Effects Society (Ves) is pleased to announce the nominees for the 11th Annual Ves Awards, which recognize outstanding visual effects artistry in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees were selected Saturday, January 5 by Ves members at Spy/ a FotoKem Company in the Bay Area and at FotoKem in Burbank in California; and at Blue Sky Studios in New York, Weta Digital in New Zealand, Fuel VFX in Sydney, Molinare in the UK and Image Engine in Vancouver. Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society, comments, “Visual effects have helped define the experience of going to the cinema. Every year, visual effects artists put their technical skill, ingenuity and passion to work in the creation of images that astound and move us. We congratulate all of our nominees on their amazing accomplishments in – and contributions to – the worlds...
- 1/7/2013
- ComicBookMovie.com
The Visual Effects Society (Ves) has announced the nominees for the 11th Annual Ves Awards, which recognize outstanding visual effects artistry in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees were selected Saturday, January 5 by Ves members at Spy/ a FotoKem Company in the Bay Area and at FotoKem in Burbank in California; and at Blue Sky Studios in New York, Weta Digital in New Zealand, Fuel VFX in Sydney, Molinare in the UK and Image Engine in Vancouver. Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society, comments, .Visual effects have helped define the experience of going to the cinema. Every year, visual effects artists put their technical skill, ingenuity and passion to work in the creation of images that astound and move us. We...
- 1/7/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Los Angeles, Jan 7: "Brokeback Mountain" filmmaker Ang Lee will be honoured with Visionary Award, a prestigious prize at the Visual Effects Awards here next month.
The director has employed various techniques in a bid to bring his movies to life over the years, making stars appear as if they are sword fighting in mid-air in "Crouching Tiger", "Hidden Dragon" and creating a life-like tiger for his new adventure movie "Life of Pi".
The 58-year-old will be feted for all his hard work with the award on Feb 5, reports dailystar.co.uk.
Executive of Visual Effects Society Jeff Okun said, "Lee pushed the envelope of creation.
The director has employed various techniques in a bid to bring his movies to life over the years, making stars appear as if they are sword fighting in mid-air in "Crouching Tiger", "Hidden Dragon" and creating a life-like tiger for his new adventure movie "Life of Pi".
The 58-year-old will be feted for all his hard work with the award on Feb 5, reports dailystar.co.uk.
Executive of Visual Effects Society Jeff Okun said, "Lee pushed the envelope of creation.
- 1/6/2013
- by Arun Pandit
- RealBollywood.com
Ang Lee could well miss the Best Director cut when the Oscar nominations are announced next week, but even if he does, the "Life of Pi" director is receiving plenty of appreciation from below-the-line branches. The Motion Picture Sound Editors will be feting him in February, and now the Visual Effects Society has followed suit: Lee will receive their Visionary Award, first presented last year to Christopher Nolan, at their awards ceremony next month. Ves awards chair Jeff Okun says, "[Lee] pushed the envelope of creation of visual effects for telling a story. In our generation, only 'Star Wars' did that."...
- 1/4/2013
- by Guy Lodge
- Hitfix
Jeffrey A. Okun, head of visual effects for Prana Studios, has been re-elected for a fourth one-year term as chairman of the board of the Visual Effects Society. Okun, an innovator and creator of groundbreaking effects designs, pledged to continue work on behalf of visual effects artists in all media. Movies he’s worked on include The Last Starfighter, Stargate, The Last Samurai and The Day the Earth Stood Still. Other officers on the Ves board are first vice chair Michael Fink, second vice chair Pam Hogarth, treasurer Bob Coleman and secretary Kim Lavery. Eric Roth is executive director of the society. Fink is a veteran visual effects supervisor with well over 50 movies under his belt including Avatar and Tree of Life. Pam Hogarth is director of marketing for Look Effects and Bob Coleman is president of Digital Artists Agency. Lavery is a veteran VFX producer with more than two...
- 1/27/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Each winter the Visual Effects Society celebrates some often-unsung heroes of modern moviemaking with their special effects-centric award ceremony that honors "the full breadth of visual effects practitioners including artists, technologists, model makers, educators, studio leaders, supervisors, PR/marketing specialists and producers in all areas of entertainment from film, television and commercials to music videos and games," according to the Ves website. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the first Ves Awards, and Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society, proudly declares: "The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories.We.re honored to have the opportunity to focus the spotlight on the outstanding work that has contributed to some of the highest grossing films and broadcast projects of all time.. Among those honored are Captain America: The First Avenger, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part...
- 1/9/2012
- cinemablend.com
By Sean O’Connell
hollywoodnews.com: Over the weekend, the Visual Effects Society announced the nominees for its 10th Annual Ves Awards ceremony, recognizing summer tentpoles (“Harry Potter,” “Captain America”) and surprise hits (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Hugo”) for their outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games.
“The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The judges faced a huge challenge because all of the work was so far above the norm. We’re honored to have the opportunity to focus the spotlight on the outstanding work that has contributed to some of the highest grossing films and broadcast projects of all time.”
As previously announced, Stan Lee will be honored with the Ves 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award and...
hollywoodnews.com: Over the weekend, the Visual Effects Society announced the nominees for its 10th Annual Ves Awards ceremony, recognizing summer tentpoles (“Harry Potter,” “Captain America”) and surprise hits (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Hugo”) for their outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games.
“The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The judges faced a huge challenge because all of the work was so far above the norm. We’re honored to have the opportunity to focus the spotlight on the outstanding work that has contributed to some of the highest grossing films and broadcast projects of all time.”
As previously announced, Stan Lee will be honored with the Ves 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award and...
- 1/9/2012
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
The Visual Effects Society (Ves) today announced the nominees for its 10th Annual Ves Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games. Nominees were chosen Saturday, January 7 by distinguished panels of Ves members who viewed submissions at the FotoKem screening facilities in Burbank and New York, FotoKem.s Spy in San Francisco, and other facilities in London, Sydney, Vancouver and Wellington, Nz. .The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories,. said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. .The judges faced a huge challenge because all of the work was so far above the norm. We.re honored to have...
- 1/9/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The Visual Effects Society has tapped comic book icon Stan Lee to receive the 2012 Ves Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be bestowed February 7 during the group’s Ves Awards at the Beverly Hilton. Lee — whose creations with Marvel Comics include Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men and Iron Man before founding his own company Pow! Entertainment in 2001 — joins previous winners including George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and last year’s recipient Ray Harryhausen. “Stan Lee’s imagination has created a completely original and profitable niche in the entertainment world and has allowed visual effects to flex its muscle in service to it,” Ves chairman Jeffrey Okun said in announcing the honor today.
- 10/18/2011
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Adding a little iconic spark to New York Comic-Con this week, Star Wars vet Mark Hamill has signed on as creative consultant to the superhero comic series New-Gen and will attend the convention to talk up a graphic novel compilation and plans for a feature film adaptation of the Marvel Comics-distributed title. Hamill will be at Comic-Con along with New-Gen creators J.D. Matonti, Chris Matonti and Julia Coppola to release the six-issue graphic novel, New-Gen: Volume One. Launched in 2008, New-Gen is the saga of twin brothers with extraordinary abilities seeking to discover their true origins in a nano-powered futuristic world. The graphic novel features an intro by Hamill. The comic’s backers, Apng Enterprises, have signed Mace Neufeld to produce the film, X-Men: First Class’s Kim H. Winther to be co-producer, David Tattersall to be Dp, Jeffrey A. Okun (The Day The Earth Stood Still) to be visual...
- 10/13/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: One of the most visually arresting films of 2010, Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” has been recognized by the Visual Effects Society in its annual awards nominations.
The 9th Annual Ves Awards will recognize outstanding visual effects artistry in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees, which were chosen over the weekend and released this morning, include “Inception,” “Iron Man 2,” “Tron: Legacy,” “Alice In Wonderland” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.”
Click here for a complete list of nominees.
“We are extremely proud to recognize these artists and their work with these nominations,“ said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The art of visual effects has become the art of storytelling in a new and compelling way and we congratulate these artists for the finest work in our field this year.”
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
Hollywoodnews.com: One of the most visually arresting films of 2010, Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” has been recognized by the Visual Effects Society in its annual awards nominations.
The 9th Annual Ves Awards will recognize outstanding visual effects artistry in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees, which were chosen over the weekend and released this morning, include “Inception,” “Iron Man 2,” “Tron: Legacy,” “Alice In Wonderland” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.”
Click here for a complete list of nominees.
“We are extremely proud to recognize these artists and their work with these nominations,“ said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The art of visual effects has become the art of storytelling in a new and compelling way and we congratulate these artists for the finest work in our field this year.”
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
- 1/10/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
"Inception" writer-director Christopher Nolan is to be honored with the inaugural Visionary Award from the Visual Effects Society at their 9th annual kudos on Jan. 28. This accolade was created to "honour an individual who has uniquely and consistently employed the art and science of visual effects to foster imagination and ignite future discoveries by way of artistry, invention and groundbreaking work.” Besides "Inception," Nolan has helmed a string of well-received films including his reboot of the Caped Crusader character in both "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight." That second film in the franchise won three awards from the Ves in 2008, including the top prize of Outstanding Special Effects in a Motion Picture. Making the announcement, chair of the Visual Effects Awards committee Jeffrey A. Okun said, "Christopher Nolan has been at the forefront in using vfx to help tell complex and astonishing stories that change...
- 11/17/2010
- Gold Derby
Christopher Nolan is to receive the Visual Effects Society's inaugural Visionary Award at their Awards night on January 28, 2011, in recognition of his unique and consistent use of "the art and science of visual effects to foster imagination and ignite future discoveries by way of artistry, invention and groundbreaking work," according to the Ves. Nolan's films, from Memento and The Prestige to The Dark Knight and Inception, have helped to "tell complex and astonishing stories that change the way we think about the world around us," says Ves Awards Committee chair Jeffrey A. Okun. "His body of work inspires and he continues to push the envelope both technically and in storytelling. Given the amazing work he’s already created in such a short span of time, he is absolutely the best person to receive our inaugural Visionary Award."...
- 11/17/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
No surprise there. It goes without saying that James Cameron's sci-fi spectacle Avatar has the potential to clean house at the 8th Annual Ves Awards for its breath taking visuals by the acclaimed Weta Digital. Cameron will also be picking up a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. In the outstanding animated feature category, the nominees include Up, 9, Coraline, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
The official press release is as followed:
3-D Films Dominate With Most Noms as Avatar grabs 11, Coraline 4, and Visual Effects Company Weta Digital Snags Most Company Noms with 9
Los Angeles, January 19, 2010 - The Visual Effects Society (Ves) today announced the nominees for the 8th Annual Ves Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects artistry in over twenty categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees were chosen Saturday, January 16, 2010, by numerous blue ribbon panels of Ves members who...
The official press release is as followed:
3-D Films Dominate With Most Noms as Avatar grabs 11, Coraline 4, and Visual Effects Company Weta Digital Snags Most Company Noms with 9
Los Angeles, January 19, 2010 - The Visual Effects Society (Ves) today announced the nominees for the 8th Annual Ves Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects artistry in over twenty categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees were chosen Saturday, January 16, 2010, by numerous blue ribbon panels of Ves members who...
- 1/22/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Visual-effects guru Alex Alvarez builds the film industry's hottest new talents, one geek at a time.
Alex Alvarez puts down his coffee and lights up a cigarette.
He noodles out The Exorcist theme on the piano in his living room. Then he turns to his collection of Star Wars figures. "They were mine when I was 5," he says proudly. Now they belong to his son, Griffin. "I was obsessed with Star Wars," he adds. "The impact it had on my generation's imagination was rather staggering."
Rather. For a guy with some of the most powerful connections in the movie business, Alvarez, founder of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, in Hollywood, is an unapologetic geek. His baggy army-green pants are hiked up by a black quasi-military belt with three rows of grommets. He shares his Los Feliz home in L.A. with a collection of latex monsters with bulging eyes and antennae.
Alex Alvarez puts down his coffee and lights up a cigarette.
He noodles out The Exorcist theme on the piano in his living room. Then he turns to his collection of Star Wars figures. "They were mine when I was 5," he says proudly. Now they belong to his son, Griffin. "I was obsessed with Star Wars," he adds. "The impact it had on my generation's imagination was rather staggering."
Rather. For a guy with some of the most powerful connections in the movie business, Alvarez, founder of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, in Hollywood, is an unapologetic geek. His baggy army-green pants are hiked up by a black quasi-military belt with three rows of grommets. He shares his Los Feliz home in L.A. with a collection of latex monsters with bulging eyes and antennae.
- 6/24/2009
- by Diane Mehta
- Fast Company
The Visual Effects Society (Ves) has announced the nominees for the 7th Annual Ves Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects in over a dozen categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. 2008’s “Iron Man” led the nominations with five, for scenes and work including the film’s armor Hud and the fan favorite “suit up” scene. Jeffrey A. Okun, the Chair of the Visual Effects Awards Committee said, “Because visual effects continue to grow in complexity and intensity, touching every aspect of the entertainment industry, we are proud to announce the nominees and their work, which have been deemed by the judges as the best of the best. [...]...
- 1/21/2009
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
Iron Man Leads with 5 Noms
Awards Ceremony Scheduled for February 21, 2009
{sidebar id=1}The Visual Effects Society (Ves) today announced the nominees for the 7th Annual Ves Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects in over a dozen categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games.
Nominees were chosen Saturday, January 17, 2009 by numerous panels of Ves members who viewed submissions at the FotoKem screening facilities in Burbank.
In making the announcement, Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Awards Committee said, Â.Because visual effects continue to grow in complexity and intensity, touching every aspect of the entertainment industry, we are proud to announce the nominees and their work, which have been deemed by the judges as the best of the best. I congratulate all the artists on their achievements.Â.
The nominees for the 7th Annual Ves Awards are the following:
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Read...
Awards Ceremony Scheduled for February 21, 2009
{sidebar id=1}The Visual Effects Society (Ves) today announced the nominees for the 7th Annual Ves Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects in over a dozen categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games.
Nominees were chosen Saturday, January 17, 2009 by numerous panels of Ves members who viewed submissions at the FotoKem screening facilities in Burbank.
In making the announcement, Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Awards Committee said, Â.Because visual effects continue to grow in complexity and intensity, touching every aspect of the entertainment industry, we are proud to announce the nominees and their work, which have been deemed by the judges as the best of the best. I congratulate all the artists on their achievements.Â.
The nominees for the 7th Annual Ves Awards are the following:
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Read...
- 1/19/2009
- by IESB Staff <alyson@iesb.net>
- IESB.net
The Visual Effects Society (Ves) has announced the nominees for the 7th Annual Ves Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects in over a dozen categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Iron Man led the nominations with five. Nominees were chosen by numerous panels of Ves members who viewed submissions at the FotoKem screening facilities in Burbank. In making the announcement, Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Awards Committee said, "Because visual effects continue to grow in complexity and intensity, touching every aspect of the entertainment industry, we are proud to announce the nominees and their work, which have been deemed by the judges as the best of the best. I congratulate all the artists on their achievements."...
- 1/19/2009
- Comingsoon.net
With five nominations, "Iron Man" leads the list for the seventh annual Ves Awards, which were chosen Saturday by panels comprised of members of the Visual Effects Society.
The Marvel Studios-produced superhero movie was cited in the categories of visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie, best single visual effect of the year, outstanding animated character in a live-action movie, outstanding models and miniatures in a feature, and outstanding special effects in a movie. The nominees cited for "Iron Man" are Ben Snow, Hal Hickel, Victoria Alonso and John Nelson.
Its competition for the best visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie honor are "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (Wendy Rogers, Dean Wright, Andrew Fowler, Greg Butler), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Eric Barba, Edson Williams, Nathan McGuinness, Lisa Beroud), "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Michael J. Wassel, Lucy Killick, Adrian de Wet, Eamonn Butler) and "Cloverfield" (Kevin Blank,...
The Marvel Studios-produced superhero movie was cited in the categories of visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie, best single visual effect of the year, outstanding animated character in a live-action movie, outstanding models and miniatures in a feature, and outstanding special effects in a movie. The nominees cited for "Iron Man" are Ben Snow, Hal Hickel, Victoria Alonso and John Nelson.
Its competition for the best visual effects in a visual effects-driven movie honor are "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (Wendy Rogers, Dean Wright, Andrew Fowler, Greg Butler), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Eric Barba, Edson Williams, Nathan McGuinness, Lisa Beroud), "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Michael J. Wassel, Lucy Killick, Adrian de Wet, Eamonn Butler) and "Cloverfield" (Kevin Blank,...
- 1/19/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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