VES AWARDS
VISUAL EFFECTS ARTISTRY IN THE SPOTLIGHT By NAOMI GOLDMAN
TOP TO BOTTOM: Comedian Patton Oswalt kicks off the 19th Annual VES Awards – gone virtual! VES Executive Director Eric Roth delivers his welcome from the woods. VES Chair Lisa Cooke hands out the show’s first award. The VES Award, in homage to the Georges Méliès iconic Man in the Moon.
For a complete list of nominees and winners of the 19th Annual VES Awards visit visualeffectssociety.com.
The Visual Effects Society held the 19th Annual VES Awards in April, the prestigious yearly celebration that recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation in film, animation, television, commercials, video games and special venues. But this time, the Society delivered the signature event with a twist, as the show was a virtually-produced celebration with viewers tuning in to the streaming show worldwide. Comedian Patton Oswalt served as host of the dynamic virtual show, marking his 10th time at the helm, and appeared as a supersized green ogre, roasting VES Executive Director Eric Roth in the forest and musing with the iconic Man in the Moon. The VES Awards honored talent in 25 categories – showcasing the depth of VFX contributions to all forms of filmed entertainment – from nominees selected by VES members via 32 virtual nomination events conducted across the globe. The Midnight Sky was named photoreal feature winner, garnering two awards. Soul was named top animated film, winning five awards. The Mandalorian was named best photoreal episode and garnered three awards. Walmart won top commercial honors. Sacha Baron Cohen presented the VES Award for Creative Excellence to acclaimed visual effects supervisor, second unit director and director of photography Robert Legato, ASC. Cate Blanchett presented the VES Lifetime Achievement Award to award-winning filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson – along with a starstudded tribute from Andy Serkis, Naomi Watts, Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, James Cameron and Gollum. Presenters also included: directors Zack Snyder and Pete Docter, actors Lauren Cohan, Danny DeVito, Jenna Elfman, Marcus Scribner, Chris Sullivan, Colman Domingo, Demian Bichir and Anson Mount and VES Chair Lisa Cooke. Jocelyn Moffatt, Autodesk Entertainment Industry Marketing Manager, presented the Autodesk Student Award. “Traditions find a way to persist,” said Lisa Cooke, VES Board Chair. “With vision and a lot of hard work, we were proud to host our annual celebration of the artistry, ingenuity and passion of visual effects practitioners worldwide – virtually. We are seeing best in class work that elevates the art of storytelling and engages the audience in new and innovative ways. The VES Awards is the only venue that showcases and honors these outstanding artists across a wide range of disciplines, and we are extremely proud of all our nominees and winners.”
50 • VFXVOICE.COM SUMMER 2021
PG 50-57 VES AWARDS.indd 50
5/3/21 5:00 PM
