Visual effects, sound and cinematography awards
Three major Oscar-contending movies -- “Avatar,” “The Hurt Locker” and “The White Ribbon” -- were big winners over the weekend as the awards’ season enters the final stretch.
Christian Berger won the top feature film honor for “The White Ribbon” on Saturday evening at the 24th annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards.
FOR THE RECORD:
Visual Effects Society: An article in Monday’s Calendar about the winners of the Visual Effects Society’s eighth annual VES Awards said that “Avatar” had been nominated in 11 categories. The film received 11 nominations in seven categories. In addition, the article said that “District 9” won for outstanding composting in a feature. It won for outstanding compositing in a feature. —
The much-lauded German film, which is Oscar-nominated for best cinematography and foreign language film, was the only black-and-white film among the five nominees. The last time the ASC gave its feature film award to a black-and-white film was eight years ago when Roger Deakins won for the Coen brothers’ film “The Man Who Wasn’t There.”
The ASC winners were announced during a gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.
Eagle Egilsson won in the episodic TV category for the “Venice Kings” installment of “Dark Blue,” and Alar Kivilo earned the television movie-miniseries award for “Taking Chance.”
Several special awards were also handed out -- Caleb Deschanel was given the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award by his daughters, Emily and Zooey Deschanel; Chris Menges earned the ASC International Award; and Morgan Freeman was presented the Board of Governors Award.
The Cinema Audio Society also handed out its 46th Annual CAS Awards on Saturday evening at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Production mixer Ray Beckett and re-recording mixer Paul N.J. Ottosson won for outstanding achievement in sound mixing for motion pictures for “The Hurt Locker.”
On Sunday evening, “Avatar” won six awards at the Visual Effects Society’s eighth annual VES Awards.
James Cameron’s blockbuster, which had been nominated 11 times in seven categories, took home awards for outstanding visual effects in a visual effects driven feature motion picture, best single visual effect of the year (Neytiri drinking), outstanding animated character in a live action feature (Neytiri), outstanding matte paintings in a feature (Pandora), outstanding models and miniatures in a feature (Samson/home tree/floating mountains/ampsuit) and outstanding created environment in a feature (Jungle biolume).
FOR THE RECORD: A previously version of this story incorrectly stated that “Avatar” had been nominated in 11 categories. The sci-fi film was nominated 11 times in seven categories.
“Titanic” costar Bill Paxton presented the VES Lifetime Achievement Award to Cameron during the ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.
“Avatar” wasn’t the only feature that took home VES honors. Outstanding supporting visual effects went to “Sherlock Holmes,” while outstanding animation in an animated feature went to “Up.” The Disney/Pixar hit also won awards for outstanding animated character in an animated feature (Carl-No Dad scene), and for outstanding effects ani- mation in an animated feature.
“District 9” won for outstanding compositing in a feature.
For a complete list of winners from all three awards’ ceremonies go to www.theenvelope.com.
