Visual Effects Society Announces 2012 VES Award Nominees; Five Projects Vie For Special Venue Award

by Joe Kleiman, IPM Online News Editor

Los Angeles, CA, USA (January 9, 2012) — The Visual Effects Society today announced the nominees for the 10th annual VES Awards, recognizing outstanding visual effects artistry.  In 2006, the Society added a category for “Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project.”  Past winners in this category have included the giant screen films Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon, Roving Mars, and Sea Monsters, the concert film U2 3D, and the theme park attractions Dance of the Dragons and King Kong 360 3D, which took home a VES award last year.

This year’s nominees are:

Amazin’
Produced by Digital Domain for the NY Mets, Amazin’ is a short nostalgic piece that pays tribute to the team and its fans, showing on the scoreboard screen.

Humbugged! Rockettes to the Rescue
Produced by Reel FX for Madison Square Entertainment, the show features 7 1/2 minutes of stereographic footage projected on a giant LCD screen integrated with the live action on stage.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Produced by Industrial Light & Magic for Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm, this revamp of the classic simulator attraction adds extra dimension through Infitec 3D and branching storylines.

Transformers the Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle
Produced by Industrial Light & Magic for Universal Creative, Transformers the Ride uses motion control vehicles synched with a number of digital 3D screens, placing the rider in a battle between Autobots and Decepticons.

Typhoon 360
Produced by Super 78 Studios for Resorts World Sentosa, Typhoon 360 features in-theater effects, a floor that drops 40 feet, and a screen that doubles in size during the show, providing a key link through visuals and story between a nautical museum and its aquarium.

In addition to awards in a number of categories, including feature film, television, commercial, and game, Stan Lee will be honored with the VES 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award and Douglas Trumbull with the Georges Méliès Award.

The VES Awards will take place on February 7, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and will also air on ReelzChannel.  For more information, visit www.visualeffectsociety.com.