Newsletter of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University
Special effects in hit movies created by three former visualization students at Texas A&M’s College of Architecture were recognized with nominations Jan. 19 from the Visual Effects Society for its 7th annual awards contest.
"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,” said Jeffrey Okun, chairman of the VES awards committee. “I congratulate all the artists on their achievements."
Craig Hammack’s work snared two nominations: he and a team of fellow animators from Industrial Light and Magic were nominated for Best Visual Effect of the Year for the valley destruction scene in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”
Hammack was also nominated with another ILM team for Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”
John Walker and three collaborators from Industrial Light and Magic were nominated in the “Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Picture” category for their work in the film “Iron Man.”
Keith Klohn was among a team of animators from Pixar nominated for Outstanding Effects Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture in “WALL•E.”
Hammack has been working on effects in movies for ILM since 1997, when he contributed to “Speed 2: Cruise Control” as a digital effects artist. Since then, he’s worked on many films such as “Titanic,” “Mission to Mars,” “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”
Walker has also been contributing to movies for more than a decade, beginning as a digital effects artist for “Dragonheart” in 1996. His resumé also includes a long list of familiar films, including “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” and “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”
Klohn’s contribution to “WALL•E” was just the latest in his career, which also includes “Ice Age,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” and “Cars.”
The VES awards ceremony is scheduled Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
The VES is a professional, honorary society, dedicated to advancing the arts, sciences, and applications of visual effects and to upholding the highest uniform standards and procedures for the visual effects profession. Its 1800 members, consisting of the extended community of visual effects practitioners including supervisors, artists, producers, technology developers, educators and studio executives, contribute to all areas of entertainment — film, animation, television and commercials, music videos, games and new media.
For more information on the VES Awards, sponsorship and tickets, visit www.visualeffectssociety.com.
- January 21, 2009 -
