That was no dream Christopher Nolan was having at the Visual Effects Society Awards. The director of “The Dark Knight,” “Memento,” and “The Prestige” was honored by his entertainment industry peers with the society’s inaugural Visionary Award while his summer what’s-reality, what-isn’t head-scratcher “Inception” swept the four categories in which it was nominated. Only “How to Train Your Dragon” from DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. came close to equaling “Inception” by taking three statuettes in animation categories at the society’s ninth annual awards show at the Beverly Hills Hilton hosted by comedian and actor Patton Oswalt. Miniseries “The Pacific” was the big winner in the television category, also with three awards. The Encino-based VES honors the work of visual effects artists in feature live action and animated films, broadcast and cable television, commercials, video games, and student films. As with last year’s awards which belonged to one filmmaker and one movie – James Cameron and his 3D blockbuster “Avatar” – the award show on Feb. 1 was all Nolan and “Inception.” In introducing the filmmaker, actor Tom Hardy said that Nolan takes all the tools of filmmaking and uses them to full advantage to create multi-level worlds. “There is no one who dreams bigger than Christopher Nolan,” Hardy said. In his remarks to the sold out crowd, Nolan described himself as someone who depends on visual effects more than any filmmaker he knows. “I’m grateful and appreciative of all the people who help bring my visions to life,” Nolan said. “Inception” won for Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture; Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture; Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture; and Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visually Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture. Effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen received the VES Lifetime Achievement Award. Video testimonials from effects artists inspired by Harryhausen were played during the show.
No Dark Night for Nolan at VES Awards
