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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Visuals Make “Transformers” A Winner

Alien robots bested pirates from the Caribbean and otherwise in head-to-head competition at the Sixth Annual Visual Effects Society Awards taking place Feb. 10 in Hollywood. “Transformers” won four of the five of the categories in which it was nominated along with “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” walking away with Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Movie and Best Single Visual Effect among others. “Pirates” won for Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Motion Picture and Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Picture for the tentacle-faced pirate Davy Jones. It was a sea change of sorts for Disney’s multi-million swashbuckling franchise, which last year swept all six categories for which it was nominated. The effects for both films were done by Industrial Light & Magic, the special effects division of Lucasfilm Co. Disney fared well with its latest animated film “Ratatouille,” winner of three awards, including Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Motion Picture in which it competed with four live action films. The Encino-based VES presents the awards for the best effects, compositing, animated characters and use of models and miniatures in feature films, television, commercials, music videos and video games. Academy Award-winner Steve Spielberg, director of such effects-laden films as “Jurassic Park,” the Indiana Jones trilogy, “Jaws,” and “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial” was presented with the society’s Lifetime Achievement Award by Dennis Muren, last year’s recipient of the award. While the society’s awards categories cover all aspects of professional effects, something should be done for those just starting their careers, Spielberg said. “I’d suggest a student film award to really encourage gifted animators, visual effects artists and future directors to have an incentive to get into this business,” Spielberg said. The VES has over 1,500 members in 16 countries.

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