11th Annual Visual Effects Society Winners

Last night the winners were announced with Life of Pi and Brave collecting the most awards, four each. Winners are in *BLUE.

Ang Lee was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award as well as with his film winning in four of the five categories were was nominated and in Lee's speech we find the best words to describe what is happening with this category:

"What all of you here are doing is not visual effects, it is visual art"

His words are most true in his extraordinary Life of Pi, a true feast to the eyes; I'm looking forward to what great directors will do in serious films as foresee extraordinary visual effects will come in the kind of movies we all have learned to love, the movies that had no use of visual effects in their storytelling and now the door has been opened.

To check winners in non-film categories go to official site.

1/8/13
Yesterday VES announced their nominations in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Awards ceremony will be on Tuesday, February 5 and as previously announced, Ang Lee will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award,

These are the nominations for film.
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture
The Hobbit
Prometheus
*Life of Pi
The Avengers
Battleship

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture
Rust and Bones
*The Impossible
Argo
Flight
Zero Dark Thirty

Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
*Brave
ParaNorman
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph
Hotel Transylvania

Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
The Hobbit: Goblin King
The Hobbit: Gollum
The Avengers: The Hulk
*Life of Pi: Richard Parker

Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
*Brave: Merida
Hotel Transylvania: Dracula
Wreck-It Ralph: Vanellope
The Pirates: Band of Misfits

Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
The Hobbit: Goblin Caverns
Prometheus: LV-223
*The Avengers: Midtown Manhattan
Life of Pi: Open Ocean

Outstanding Created Enviroment in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
*Brave: The Forest
ParaNorman: Graveyard
ParaNorman: Main Street
Rise of the Guardians: North Pole

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
*The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Avengers: Downtown Manhattan
Total Recall: Hover Car Chase
The Amazing Spider Man

Outstanding Models in a Feature Motion Picture
*The Avengers: Helicarrier
The Impossible: Orchid Hotel
Men in Black 3: Cape Canaveral/Apollo Launch
The Dark Night Rises: Airplane Heist

Outstanding FX and Simulation Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
*Brave
ParaNorman: Practical Volumetrics
ParaNorman: Angry Aggie Ink-Blot Electricity
Rise of the Guardians: Last Stand

Outstanding FX and Simulation Animation in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
*Life of Pi: Storm of God
Battleship
Life of Pi: Ocean

Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
*Life of Pi: Storm of God
The Avengers: Hulk Punch
Prometheus: Engineers & the Orrey

Believe that this is the natural category for The Hobbit but have to admit that Life of Pi is really fascinating in all the effects; very glad that Rust and Bone is recognized with a nod and believe that most of the nominated films excel in the use of visual effects. Not easy decisions for voters.

To check nominees in non-film categories go here.