LOS ANGELES - The Visual Effects Society (VES) announced that it will honor film producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Wētā Workshop co-founder/chief creative officer Sir Richard Taylor at the 24th Annual VES Awards, set to take place on February 25th at The Beverly Hilton. Bruckheimer will receive the VES Lifetime Achievement Award, while Taylor will be presented with the VES Visionary Award.
The VES Awards recognize exceptional contributions to the visual effects industry, including outstanding work, technological innovation and pioneering leadership. Actor-comedians Randy and Jason Sklar – the Sklar Brothers – will host the gala again this year.
“The VES Awards are our marquee event, honoring exceptional creative achievement and recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious celebrations," notes VES board chair, Kim Davidson. "We’re immensely appreciative of the respective and sustained industry contributions of Jerry Bruckheimer and Sir Richard Taylor, and look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements at this year’s awards ceremony. We’re also thrilled to welcome back the Sklar Brothers, who bring a healthy dose of levity while honoring the talent and craft of visual effects.”
"I have been a filmmaker for over 50 years and have seen firsthand how the evolution of the VFX industry has unlocked amazing new types of storytelling time and time again," states Bruckheimer. "From Armageddon, to the Pirates of the Caribbean series, to F1: The Movie, and dozens of other films and television series, some of the most memorable collaborations of my career have been on projects where the VFX artists and technologists bring their magic to the screen. I am in awe of your talent and am very grateful to the VES for this tremendous recognition."
Taylor also expressed his honor and appreciation, stating that the VES represents "a community of artists and practitioners that I feel blessed to have been a part of since its inception. I accept this award on behalf of all of our crew at Wētā Workshop, whose work has always been in creative service - using practical effects, design and physical craftsmanship to help expand what’s possible in collaboration with VFX and filmmaking teams around the world. For me this award reflects the dedication, ingenuity, and generosity of spirit by so many of our artists that have joined me on this journey over the past 38 years. I’m incredibly grateful to the VES for celebrating the creative and collaborative journey that I have been on (with my colleagues) in our efforts to bring imagined worlds to life.”
Previous recipients of the VES Lifetime Achievement Award include George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall, James Cameron, Sir Ridley Scott and Martin Scorsese. Past recipients of the VES Visionary Award include Christopher Nolan, Ang Lee, Alfonso Cuaron, J.J. Abrams, Syd Mead, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Nolan, Roland Emmerich and Takashi Yamazaki.
Nominees for the 24th Annual VES Award will be announced on January 13th. The 24th Annual VES Awards will present awards in 25 categories for outstanding VFX.